TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023
The trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for Carryduff Parish Church for the year ended 2023.
Ministry
Throughout the year the parishes seeks to provide a pastoral presence through the ministry of the rector, readers and volunteers. We pay tribute to Mrs Marlene Moore and Mr Keith Shaw, our diocesan readers and Mrs Jenny Montgomery and Mr Raymond Scott our Parish Readers. We thank all who read lessons, manage screens, welcome worshippers, serve refreshments and tidy the buildings after worship.
The Parish Magazine - CROSSROADS - is made freely available to all. It is published and printed from the church office and we are indebted to Mrs Jenny Eralp for its production. A version is added to the church website in easily readable pdf format. We thank all who contribute, edit, distribute and read the magazine.
During the year in Carryduff our new co-treasurers and the finance team have been developing the use of a new parish database. We look forward to its complete implementation in due course.
The parishes continued to donate food and essentials to support people in need: Carryduff donates to The Larder in Mersey Street while Killaney
supported Ballynahinch Foodbank. Both parishes joined to fill over 100 shoe boxes with Christmas gifts for children overseas, as organised by Samaritan’s Purse. We thank Mr Denis Carson who initiated and managed this process for many years.
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.
The principal function of our parishes is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of the parishes, 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, each Parish has custody of property and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the select vestry of the Parish.
Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit
St Ignatius’ Church was built in 1965 as a worship centre with brilliant stained glass windows surrounding a bright, open and airy arena. With seating for 250 people and room to extend seating for bigger services, it provides the location for weekly and occasional services for the community.
Services took place twice every Sunday and once every Wednesday, with additional midweek services during Lent.
Our services have been accompanied throughout the year by both Mr Brian and Mrs Helen Mulholland as they combine talents to worship God with us each Sunday.
A Combined Carol Service, held in our sister parish at Killaney, drew a large congregation from both parishes and the surrounding district.
The parish supports the international Christian community in its mission wherever it serves. To this end we support local charities and have donated funds to Olo Diocese to help them provide a mill to help local people grind meal safely adjacent to their homes, so avoiding a
potentially perilous journey for the women of the community to prepare food for their families.
A diocesan programme enabled members of a SOMA team to spend a few days in our linked parishes in June, and we are indebted to them for their ministry so freely given to us. God uses ordinary people in wonderful ways, as they open their lives to his unique call upon them.
A visit from the leaders of the church in Olo, Bishop and Mrs Obed Andrew Tandema, was a highlight for us in 2023.
It has been our intention to awaken in one another our sense of the importance of a spiritual life for people, providing teaching, preaching, encouragements to study the bible and enabling fresh experiences of worship to enliven the heart.
Church Hall
Groups and organisations - using the Church Halls - between them encourage physical activity, community building, education and spiritual growth.
Our halls are used 14 times per average week, and external groups from e.g. the diocese, use them from time to time. A choir trains in the church regularly.
To defray running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning and maintenance, fees were charged for the use of halls by external groups. Other hall users contributed to the expenses as noted. Due to ongoing care our Hall is able to earn an Entertainment Licence following regular checks.
For the protection of children, the Church of Ireland Safeguarding Trust regulations are applied for every instance where children or vulnerable adults are part of the church’s life.
Care of Property
The Fabric Fund is supported monthly by individual envelope donations allowing a significant start to be made on anticipated roof repairs. This will be a major item throughout 2024 and further ahead. A grant, to help survey the roofs, was organised by Mrs Jenny Montgomery for whose diligence we express our appreciation. We also value the efforts of our glebe wardens, Mr David Nevin and Mr Mark Rourke, as they manage and assist in routine and emergency maintenance. The diligence of both the
vestry Property Committee and the Health and Safety group has ensured that any potential hazards are removed. We pay tribute to our member Mrs Joan Clayton for her H&S co-ordinating role.
Public Benefit
The Parishes have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern 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 activities, as well as providing public benefit.
Trustee Matters
Apart from the rector, who is a trustee, no trustees benefitted financially from the work of the parish. A family member of one trustee was paid for some boiler servicing in Carryduff.
General reserves
While the parishes have no specified accounts to hold reserves, it has been our intention to keep a 'decent' sum in abeyance for any sudden emergencies. A figure of £20,000 is noted to be kept in the accounts in Carryduff.
Going Concern
The trustees of the parish have reviewed the anticipated expenditure for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to
ensure that they can continue their activities, and that the financial statements for the year ended 2023 can be signed off as a going concern.