Trustees Annual Report St Polycarp's Parish Church Finaghy {NIC101985) CIO The Hon. Treasurer Mrs Heather Breene 2 Cherry Tree Walk Belfast BT56PG 1st January 2022 untll 31" December 2022 Trustees. Rev. Louise Stewart, Basil Bradley, Mrs Heather Breene, Ms.K. Breene, Peter Breene MBE, Mrs Pat Clarke, Mrs Marjorie Eagleson Mark Hamill, Mrs Christine Howell, George Hunter, Miss Barbara Kenwell, Mrs Maureen Moore , Mrs Dorothy Mccallum, Simon Neill BEM, Mrs Heather Shaw, Greg Thompson and Mrs Helen Walsh. { Mrs A Morwood and Mrs J Sheridan stood down March 2022,1 Flnance. The Freewill Offerlng and collection increased marginally wlth income of £40911 in 2022. Glft Aid of £11886 was reclaimed during the year. Donations to the Fabric Fund amounted to £9368. Rental income for the letting of the Rectory to tenants and the Church Halls to community users brought In £22477. Apart from bank charges and interest there were no transactlons on the Buslness Reserve and Capital Accounts during the period. The Capital Account shows a rise of £8437 due to an increase in the value of Investment. All payments in 2022 were paid on receipt and in full. Management. The Flnances are managed by the Treasurer who reports back to the Trustees at Finance and Selett Vestry Meetings on a regular basis (monthly) or in-between if necessary. Trustees are elected each vear at the Easter General Vestry. The security and safeguarding of all monies is Important to the Trustees and all monie5 are counted and banked regularly.
A Safeguarding Trust Panel is in place to ensure compliance with current legislation. Current Panel Members: Revd. Louise Stewart, Dr. Cormac O'Brien and Mrs Valerie Doherty. A monthly'working party" directed by the Glebe Wardens normally undertakes the routine maintenance of the parish buildings and grounds. The parish estate Is inspected every five years by a Diocesan approved sUe¥Or who will produce a Quinquennial Inspection Report. This report provides a detailed snapshot of the condition of buildings and gives clear guidance to the Trustees in how to manage the properties and prioritise any essential work. An inspertlon is due early 2023. PuTPOSe. The princlpal function of the Parlsh is to support the advancement of the Christian rellglon by promoting through the work of the Parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, social and eeumenical. All the functions of the Parish relate to the advancement of religion through holding regular worship and communicating wlth and caring for parishioners of all ages, especlally the sick and elderly and others in our community. The Parish Church is a listed building due to the complete set of stain glass wlndows. Publlc Benefft. The Charity Trustees have complled wlth their duties In line with the Commission's Public Beneflt statutory guidance. Regular worship was shared with our grouped parish, The Church of the Epiphany Upper Malone. During the yearthe Parish has aided a number of Trussell Trust food bank distrlbution centres to help the disadvantaged in our area. Asylum seekers and refugees were supported by donations of clothe5 and toiletries to NICRAS. The Mothers, Union Group wlthln the parlsh continue to provide knitwear for local neo-nat31 units, wash bag5 for Women'5 Aid and to people who have been rushed to hospital in an emergency. Monies were also raised for The Bishops Appeal and CMS for the disadvantaged worldwide. A Frlendship Group from the Grouped parishes meets monthly during the winter months to enable the elderly and housebound in the area to pray, socialise and enjoy good comp3nv.
The Parish affiliated uniformed organisations {Rainbows, Brownies and Guides) draw members from all denominations and none. The Choir Scholarship Scheme offers school children and students the opportunity to sustain choral music within the Parish and at the same time develop their musical talent. When and where possible various activitles and services were shared wlth the other churches in the Finaghy distritt. The church halls are regularly used by community organisations in the locality as they boast 'less abled" access and other appropri3te facilities. Approved by the Trustees on 24 September 2023 and signed on their behalf by Revd. L Stewart Peter Breene MBE Chairperson. Honorary Secretarv.