Magherahamlet Parish Church
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023
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: Mrs A. Burrows 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
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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 2023 the Parish’s official membership (those households who are subscribers) stood at 65 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. There were 3 Baptisms, 1 Marriage and there were 3 Funerals.
Each of the following parochial activities implemented the advancement of religion in our community.
Worship and prayer were paramount during 2023 which contributed to the spiritual wellbeing 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.
Services in Church took place during Holy Week. (Monday, Wednesday & a united service with Annahilt on Good Friday before Easter). On the eve of the Coronation of King Charles III we celebrated this special event by holding a Vintage Tea Party & Fun Evening at the Parochial Hall with Baillies Mills Accordion Band entertaining us. On Sunday 7 May a special Service of Celebration took place in Church with Lord Eames as guest preacher, fresh from attending the Coronation the previous day representing those who hold the Order of Merit Honour. The traditional Harvest Festival Services were held on the fourth Sunday in October. The Bishop of Derry & Raphoe, the Right Revd Andrew Forster, presided and preached at the Morning Service. Following the evening service, a Harvest Supper was held in the Parochial Hall and was very well supported. In December it was wonderful to resume the traditional United Carol Service in the community, this year held in Spa Presbyterian Church. This was the first time the event was held since the pandemic restrictions were lifted and was very well supported. As Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday this year, a rare opportunity presented itself for the Children’s Nativity Service to be held that morning.
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 will no doubt continue to develop in a postcovid situation. Sunday School continued to meet on Sunday prior the Church Service. The
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Magherahamlet Parish Church
Parish Badminton Club also ran its normal schedule of activity. Meetings of The Mothers’ Union Branch also took place.
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 and the Rectory 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.
Various steps were taken throughout the year to ensure that the Parish is compliant with new GDPR regulations.
Financial Review
The parish records show a deficit of £674.23 at the 31[st] December 2023. This was in part due to a deficit of £3666.66 being carried forward from the previous financial year.
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 2023 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.
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 3 Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 102122
Magherahamlet Parish Church
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 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 Hillary Edgar Hon Secretary Hon Treasurer Trustee Trustee Date 23/04/2024 Date 23/04/2024
Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 102122
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