Magherahamlet Parish Church ## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022** ## **Reference and administrative details** **Charity Name:** Magherahamlet Parish Church **Charity Registration Number:** NIC 102122 **Contact Address:** 15Ballykeel Road Hillsborough County Down BT26 6NW **Trustees:** Mr G. McCurry Mr N. Hughes Miss V. Begley Mrs S. McCurry Mr W. Chambre Mrs F. Magorrian Mr H. Edgar Ms A. Stanford Mr W. Kelly Mrs L. Vladeanu Mr L. Fryers Mrs A. Burrows **Principal Office-bearers** Rector: The Revd Canon R. Howard Honorary Secretary: Ms A. Stanford Honorary Treasurer: Mr H. Edgar Rector’s Churchwarden: Ms A. Stanford People’s Churchwarden: Mr L. Fryers Independent Examiner: Mrs C. Shields ACA Bankers: Danske Bank P.O Box 183 Donegal Square West Belfast BT1 6JS Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 102122 1 Magherahamlet Parish Church ## **Objectives and Activities** The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of Magherahamlet Parish Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of Magherahamlet Parish Church the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity. As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the Magherahamlet Parish Church has custody of property and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage, maintenance of which is undertaken by the select vestry of Magherahamlet Parish Church. ## **Achievements Performance & Public Benefit** In 2022 the Parish’s official membership (those households who are subscribers) stood at 63 family units. However, there are additional households who have called on the Rector’s ministrations although they have no formal link with the Parish or who wish to identify with the Parish without making any official commitment. Pastoral care which generally entails visits and ministry at home and / or in hospital, especially during illness, occasions of bereavement or at other times of crisis is always provided whether people are officially members of the parish or not. Worship and prayer were paramount during 2022 which contributed to the spiritual well-being of participants and the reinforcement of Christian values. At the principal Sunday Service, the sacrament of Holy Communion was normally celebrated monthly, an All Age / Family Service was also usually held one Sunday each month while the Office of Morning Prayer was normally conducted on other remaining Sundays. There were Services on Ash Wednesday and Ascension Day in Annahilt which were also supported by Some Magherahamlet parishioners. With the easing of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, a full nightly schedule of Services in Church were resumed during Holy Week. (Monday to Good Friday before Easter). One had no idea what the response would be following the 2 years of pandemic restrictions. However, attendances did prove encouraging. A special Service of Thanksgiving took place in the morning of 5 June to mark the Platinum Jubilee of HM The Queen with Lord Eames as preacher. In the afternoon a special interdenominational event, 'Picnic and Praise’ took place on a glorious sunny summer afternoon in the grounds of Anahilt Primary School. This consisted of a 'Songs of Praise’ type service with music led by Baillie’s Mills Accordion Band which was followed by a Picnic. This very moving and enjoyable occasion was also well supported by Parishioners and Friends from Magherahamlet. On the eve of the Jubilee Weekend we had a magnificent celebratory Bar-bQue here at the Hall which proved a hugely enjoyable event for all ages. The Baillies Mills Accordion Band entertained us very appropriately in their choice of music. Later in the month members of the Select Vestries and other parishioners from both Annahilt and Magherahamlet attended Services in both Churches to mark the 40[th ] Anniversary of the 2 Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 102122 ## Magherahamlet Parish Church Parochial Grouping. On 11 September there was a Service of thanksgiving for the life of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II which also marked the Accession of King Charles III. The following week there was a special Service to mark the 60[th ] Anniversary of The Mothers’ Union Branch in the Parish followed by a celebratory lunch in Annahilt Parochial Hall with Annahilt MU members who were celebrating their 70[th ] Anniversary. The Guest of Honour was the Bishop’s wife, Mrs Hilary McClay who also preached at the Service. The traditional Harvest Festival Services were held on the 4[th ] Sunday in October. The Baillie’s Mills Accordion Band led the music at the evening service. This was thought to be the first occasion this band had played in Magherahamlet at a Harvest Service and was very well received. Afterwards the Harvest Supper was held in the Parochial Hall for the first time since the pandemic restrictions and was very well supported. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, once again it was not possible to hold the traditional Community Christmas Carol Service. However, on the Sunday before Christmas we did hold a Parochial Carol Service in which the Sunday School also enthusiastically participated. The presence of an electric lit star at the top of the Church Tower was a delightful addition over the Festive Period. The Parochial Hall is a very useful facility which has again more than proved its worth in advancing Christian activity in our parish. Its use has of course continued to develop in a postcovid situation. Sunday School resumed meeting in the Hall prior to the Church Service. The Parish Indoor Badminton Club also resumed its normal schedule of activity. The Mothers’ Union Branch also resumed its meetings. With the lifting of various public health restrictions it had been hoped to hold the traditional Christmas Fair at the beginning of December. Unfortunately, this did not take place on account of other unforeseen circumstances. The Report following the 2019 Quinquennial Inspection of the Church and Rectory was on the agenda of the Select Vestry and its recommendations continue to be acted upon. The routine maintenance of the Parochial Hall continued throughout the year. The Select Vestry remain committed to the upkeep and development of all parochial property and assets for the future benefit of the Parish and the public. ## **Financial Review** The parish records show a deficit of £3666.66 at the 31[st] December 2022. This was in part due to increased costs and investment in new car parking facilities at the rectory. ## **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 the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 can be signed off as a going concern. **Structure, Governance and Management** ## **Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity:** Chapter III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisations. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees. 3 Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 102122 Magherahamlet Parish Church ## **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 parish. This allows them to attend and vote at meetings of the general vestry and to stand for election to the Select Vestry. Meetings of the general vestry are held 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 paid to the Rector is in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland. The incumbent of the Parish of Annahilt is shared with the Parish of Magherahamlet. Stipend and related costs and costs relating to the running of the Rectory are split between the Parishes on a ⅔ and ⅓ basis respectively. Locomotory allowance is above that approved by the General Synod in view of the distance between the two Parishes. The Stipend and related costs contained in the attached accounts relate only to the Magherahamlet portion. ## **Organisational Structure:** The select vestry is responsible for the day-to-day management of the parish. The select vestry consists of the Rector, churchwardens, glebe wardens, treasurer and generally not more than twelve other members of the General Vestry elected at the General Vestry meeting. The Select Vestry is chaired by the Rector or other member of the clergy officiating in the parish. Select Vestry members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding how parish funds are to be applied. The select vestry meets at times fixed by the Rector. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the Rector or the Churchwardens. ## **Compliance with Public Benefit:** 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 Parish’s objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit. ## **Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities:** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the statement of receipts and payments and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with income of less than £250,000 requires the trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy and any time the assets and liabilities of the Parish. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of 4 Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 102122 ## Magherahamlet Parish Church the Parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **Signed on Behalf of the Trustees:** Abbie Stanford Hon Secretary Trustee Date 12/05/2023 Hillary Edgar Hon Treasurer Trustee Date 12/05/2023 Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 102122 5