Saint Matthew's Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended Church 31 December 2022 References and administrative details Charity Name. Saint MattheWs Parish Church Charty Registration Number: NIC102185 Contact Address.. The Rectory 51 Ballygomartin Road Belfast Trustees T McRoberts T Kane J Weir J Hamilton L Kane M Campbell E Patterson D Diffin T Scott M McKay M Wright M Martin G Madden J Carrigan C Montgomery G Davison N Graham Prlnclpal Offlce-bearer8 Clergy.. Rev T McRoberts Church Treasurer: Mr T Scott Church Secretsry.. Mrs M Wright Independent Examlner Mrs Anne McCulloLJgh IATI Bankers Ulster Bank Ltd Objectives and Activities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advanrnent of religion. The principal function of the St Matthew's Church of Ireland Parish is to support the advanment of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of St Matthew's 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 advanment of the Christian lIgIOn, the St Matthew's Church of Ireland Parish has custody of property and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and Maintenan of which is undertaken by the select vesty of the St Matthew's. Achievem•nts, Perforniance & Public Benefrt The year 2022 saw the lifting of many restrictions and enabled the parish to begin building towards a more normal environment and to fulfill its full role. This meant that churches organizations and ministries could begin to reopen and and welcome people of all ages back to activrties. Despite the lrfting of restrictions as he year progressed the Parish continued to act with caution especially in relats'on to providing a pastoral service to the congregation. Pastoral care exercised through home visits by the Rector and a number of church visitors continued to be affected and the replacement system of regular telephone contact was continued. The parish activities which include a Seniors Ministy, a craft group, indoor bowls, mother and children provision, and a Sunday School and the youth ministry which includes a BB Company and Girl Guides based in the Church and chaplaincy and assistance to local Scout Groups were all 1nStated. It is to the credit of the whole congregation and the understanding of the community that the church has managed through a traumatic period. 2022 saw a significant period of lebratiOn as it was the 150 anniversary of the current church building. Events included a special service led by the Archbishop of Amiagh, a visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury concert by Ulster Orchestra, a special history exhibition and a Parish celebrats'on event. The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland's guidan on public benefit to ensure that the actives entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefiL Flnanclal Review The Parish has a currently healthy financial position. The continued upgrade of audio visual systems during the year along with nomal maintenance and repairs were accommodated and there are sufficient reserves to meet foreseeable future costs. 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 December 2022 can be signed off as a going concem. Structuro, Governance and Management Governlng Document and Constltutlon of the Charfty Chapter 111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland govems Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees Recruitment and Appointment of Select V•sty (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, allowing them to attend and vote at meetings of the general vestry and to stand for election to the select vesty. Meetings of the general vestry are held at least On 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 Vesty fnembers may be reelected annually and the is no limit on the number of tems which may be served. Pay and remuneratlon The Rector of the Parish is paid directly by the Parish and receives a sb'pend in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland and details of office and locomotory allowanS.
Organisational Structure The select vestry is responsible for the day to day management of the parish. The select vestry consists of the member of the clergy seNing in the parish, the churchwardens, the glebe wardens and generally not more than e1ve other members of the general vestry elected at the General Vestry. The select vestry is chaired by the incumbent or other member of the dergy officiating in the parish. Select vestry members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concem and importance to the parish including deciding how parish funds are to be applied. The select vestry meets at times fixed by the members or by the dI0San synod. Special meetings may be convened at any ts'me by the chairperson or the churchwardens. In 2022 the Select Vesty continued to meet though meetings were less frequent and conducted online. Compliance wlth Publlc Benefit The Parish has given careful considerats'on to the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the actives entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activits'es, as well as providing public benefit. Statement of Trustee8' Re3pons5billties The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Report and the ststement of receipts and payments and ststement of assets and liabilities in accordance wth applicable law and regulats'ons. 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 at 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. Rev T McRoberts Rector Tom Scott Treasurer Jacqueline Weir Trustee