PARISH OF MALONE: CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Trustee’s present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Parish of Malone: Church of Saint John the Evangelist's Constitution, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016).
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The Church of Saint John The Evangelist, Parish of Malone, Diocese of Connor registered with the Charity’s Commission for Northern Ireland on 20 February 2015. The charity number is 101984. It’s principal office and registered office is The Parish Office, 141 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6SX.
The Trustees who have held office since 1 January 2023 are as follows:
Rev Canon Stephen Fielding Mr Alan Armstrong Mr Stephen Blake Knox Mr Michael Burton Mr Norman Campbell Dr Deirdre Donnelly Dr Kenneth Dunn Mr Richard Finlay Mrs Mary Jackson (Appointed 26 March 2023 – resigned 6 November 2023) Professor Michael Kerr Mrs Joanne Macartney (Appointed 4 December 2023) Mr David McCoy Mr Bryan Milford Dr Gordon Millington Mr Paul Murray Mr Michael Parkinson (Appointed 26 March 2023) Miss Catherine Turner Mr John A Wright
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The mission of the Parish of Malone: Church of Saint John the Evangelist (St. John's Parish Church) is to proclaim the Gospel of the reconciling love of God in Christ through Word, Sacrament and Daily Living
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by the regular offering of worship to God in the best tradition of the Church of Ireland and to the highest standard we can attain;
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by offering and maintaining our parish church as a holy place, hallowed by prayer and open to all who seek to enjoy the mystery of God’s presence in quiet and stillness;
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by building a caring and sensitive church community responsive to the needs of others, including the need for private and personal space;
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by encouraging open and informed exploration of the Christian Faith, embracing in fellowship and dialogue with those who wrestle with honest doubt;
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by welcoming Christians of all traditions and accepting and respecting them in fellowship;
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by exercising a special concern for and ministry to Inter-Church families;
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by seeking to offer to all the opportunity to look beyond the preoccupations of often hectic lives towards that source of eternal calm, strength and renewal which is Almighty God.
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PARISH OF MALONE: CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE AND PUBLIC BENEFIT
St. John’s Parish Church continued to provide daily and weekly worship and prayer, provided pastoral care, mission and outreach work. St John’s Parish Church has continued to meet the Public Benefit requirement in support of the advancement of the Christian religion. Through the activities of the Parish the advancement of religion e.g. public worship, support for the provision of public worship and other activities through which Christian witness and outreach have been delivered. Benefit has been provided through Christian worship contributing to the spiritual well-being of the congregation and the reinforcement of Christian values. St John’s Parish Church has mitigated any potential harm from its activities e.g. Child protection policy and restricted access to unsafe areas.
TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the objectives of the Parish as well as providing public benefit.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
As of 31 December 2023, St John’s Parish Church’s accounts with Danske Bank had a positive balance of £98,967 (2022: £35,447). In addition, St John’s Parish Church holds deposit accounts with Virgin Money and Bank of Ireland totalling £Nil (2022: £148,859). The figures for the year show income decreasing to £138,848 (2022: £139,378) with net decrease in funds of £88,725 (2022: £3,888).
RESERVES POLICY
A policy on reserves has been established which is to achieve a level of reserves which match the needs of the Charity both at the current time and in the foreseeable future. At the year end unrestricted reserves totalled £100,674 (2022: £132,932) and restricted reserves totalled £7,269 (2022: £63,736). Restricted reserves have been earmarked for the upkeep of the church and musical activities.
GOING CONCERN
The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activities and that the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern. In applying the going concern basis the trustees have considered the current economic climate on the charity.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity
Chapter 111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry Members are the Charity Trustees.
Recruitment and Appointment of Select Vestry (Trustees)
All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 and are either resident within the parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least three months may register as members of the General Vestry of the church allowing them to attend and vote at meetings of the General Vestry and to stand for election of the Select Vestry.
Meetings of the General Vestry are held at least once a year. The Select Vestry is elected as part of this General Vestry meeting. The Select Vestry will hold their positions for a period of one year. Select Vestry members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of terms which may be served.
Pay and remuneration
The stipend of the incumbent of St John’s Parish Church, Rev Canon Stephen Fielding of £40,392 (2022: £37,057), is paid directly by the Parish and this amount is in accordance with figures approved by the Select
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PARISH OF MALONE: CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Vestry. A locomotory allowance of £6,590 pa, and an Expenses of Office Allowance of £1,200 pa are also paid directly by the parish and are in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland and the Diocese of Connor.
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on ………………….
…………………………. ………………………….. Canon S A Fielding Joanne Macartney Trustee Trustee
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