Movllla Abbey Church - Church of Ireland & Methodlst Church In Ireland Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022 Movllla Abbey Church 63 Movilla Road Newtownards BT23 8EZ Charity Number: NIC 102613 With regard to the Charity Commission's Public benefit requirement statutory guidance, the trustee5 are pleased to present thls year's annual report. Movilla Abbey Church (Church of Ireland & Methodist Church in Ireland) is a lively and friendly church in the heart of east Newtownards close to the ancient ruins of Movilla Abbey. It was established in 1980, as a shared ecumenical partnership between the Church of Ireland (COI) and the Methodist Church in Ireland (MCI), by whom the property is equally shared and owned. As was highlighted in our CCNI Annual Report 2021, after a Commlssioning Service in ottober 2021 we became a single, united congregation belonging fully and equally to both the Methodist Church In Ireland and the Church of Ireland. This decision was approved and ratified at the aforementioned Commissioning Servlce led by the COI Dlocesan 81shop, Rt Rev Davld Mcclay, and the MCI Dlstrict Superintendent, Rev Philip Agnew. The process of 'coming together, was more formally established in November 2022, when a new 'Leadership Team, was appointed and elected to fulfll the constltutional roles of both the COI Selert Vestry and the MCI Church Councll. Pur ose and functlon The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland, of which Movilla Abbey Church remains a local expression, and through whom we art as Charity Trustees, is the advancement of the Christian reli8ion. The principal function of Movilla Abbey Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion, throu8h engagement with the general public, by promoting the whole mlssion of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole, and offerin8 support for those needing help are fundamental to an expression of Christian faith. The Church's care for the disadvantaged, the sick, the elderly and the young is a clear publlc benefit. Ivs ministries of baptism, marriage and funerals provide a vital public service to the community and families from birth, through life and death. This can be measured and evidenced through increased social integration and pastoral care delivered at the point of need. The direct benefit of participation in Church life includes the Pagelof5
enjoyment of public worship and the giving and receiving of pastoral ministry. improved understanding of the values relating to civic engagement, community cohesion, and providing a bridge between diverse groups; as well as improved educational outcomes through the Church's ministry of teaching both children and adults. The beneficiaries are the general public, and the public valuation of the benefits can be evidenced through attendance at public worship, participation in Church governance and willingness to support through contributions, the continuing witness of the Church. As a result of these objectives, Movilla Abbey Church has custody of property, records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage, and maintenance of whlch (until November 2022) was undertaken by both the Select Vestry, and the Church Council separately. th From 20 November 2022, a new unlted governlng body (the Leadership Team) was established, which fulfils all the roles and responsibilities of both Select Vestry and Church Council. Governln Document and Constltutlon of the Charlt Chapter111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial organisation. anisational Structure The Select Vestry members {who from 20 Nov 2022 are known, at Movilla as Leodership Team members) are the charity's trustees and are responslble for the day-to-day management of the parish and consists of the servlng member(sl of the clergy, the church wardens, the glebe warden5, and usually not more than ten members of the General Vestry, elected at the annual meeting of the General Vestry, known as the Easter Vestry. The Select Vestry is chaired by the incumbent mlnister 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 issues of fabric and finance. The Select Vestry meets at times fixed by members or by the Diocesan Synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the Chairperson or the church warden. The principal Selett Vestry office-bearers for the year 2022 (from April - Novl were: Clergy Secretary Treasurer Church Wardens: Rev. Alan Peek (SV Chairperson) Martin McAlinney Karen Boyd lan Lappin (Rectorfs) Lorraine Mcveigh (People's) Glebe Warden: lan Lappin (Rectorfs) Additional Select Vestry members were: Page2of5
Gillian Clarke Lisa Currie Michael Hilland Rosemary Lappin Barbara Soley From Nov 2022 the principal office bearers of the new Leadership Team were: Clergy Rev Alan Peek (Co-chair) Rev Michael Spence (Co-chalr) Secretary & Church Steward Patricia Meara Church Steward Lorraine Mcveigh Co-Treasurers Karen 8oyd Cheryl Stewart lan Lappin Robin Hamill Additional Leadership Team Members were: Trevor Bristow Gary Dunn Barbara Haughan Rosemary Lappin Georgie Herron Glllian Clarke Property stewards Publlc Worshl & Workin To ether Movilla Abbey Church buildings and 8rounds are shared and administered equally by both the Church of Ireland {AnElican) and the Methodist Church in Ireland (Methodist). Since social restrictions imposed by the Covid Pandemic in 2020, forced our public worship online, Sunday gatherings, which were formerly denominationally separate, were united in a sin8le weekly Sunday serrfice at 11am. When public gathering was re-permitted in 2021, we continued to meet as one Anglican & Methodist congregation at 11am, retaining our online streaming option for those at home. This continued to be the pattern throughout 2022, when we saw greater numbers returning to Sunday morning worship, but also maintained a healthy weekly engagement online with views by existing members, but also new visitors. From September 2022, weekly Sunday Evening worship gatherings at 7pm were re-established, along with a Midweek Communion service on Wednesdays at 11am. Throughout 2022, our midweek Life Groups (smaller home-based groups for worship, bible study, prayer and outreach) continued to connect people, and resource them for Christian life and mission. Page3of5
Communi Involvement Outreach and Mission Following Pandemic restrictions and limitstions in 2021, Movilla's community life returned to something like a 'new normal, in 2022. Here is a summary of our community engagement: Nursery & Playgroup - this is a private enterprise, Independent of Movilla Abbey Church, that rent a significant section of our buildings Mon-Fri during term times, but it has very strong ties to our church community, including staff. Parent & Toddler Groups- Two weekly sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, which have had problems with over-subscription, necessitating limiting places. Wednesday Coffee Shop - a thriving outreach, run by dedicated volunteers to community members from all walks of life, providing cooked breakfasts, tea, coffee and snacks. Operates in our purpose-built 'Welcome Space, with commercial-quality seating and dining. Seniors Lunches- a fortnightly 8athering provldin8 important social space for Isolated and vulnerable older adults, as well as a nutritious hot two-course meal. Children's Uniformed Or8anisations- Guidin& Scouting and Boys Bri8ade organisations for children of all ages, meet every night Monday to Thursday. School Engagement- Church members serving as Transferor Reps on different local school Boards of Governors. We also provide a fortnightly, free coffee and drinks ministry to parents and children at the school gates of Abbey Primary School. Summer Kids Club- in July 2022 we ran a fun-packed, full week 'Encanto' themed Kid's dub for over 50 local children, providing lunch in an attempt to address 'holiday hunger, In poorer families Litter-Picking Mlnlstry- a monthly community service on Saturday mornings, providing picklng (and safely dlsposlng) of public litter on publlc streets within a half-mile radius of our church premises And other work golng on outside the building each week Includes Pastoral care vislts, Llfe 8roups each with their own community mission engagement including serving at Bowtown Kids Club, Rlvenwood outreach to new residents, and Comber 'Muddy church, for young famllles. And then we have the charitable work throu8h which we support organlsations by regular donations or fundraising efforts (usually fry mornlngs, facilitated by our Catering Team). In 2022 we have donated to Newtownards food bank, CAP, Street Pastors, LINK, Churches Ministry of Healin& Leprosy Mission, Christian Aid and others. Christmas 2022 included several community engagement highlights: a well-attended Carols by candlelight service, a Blue Christmas service (a reflettive seasonal service for bereaved and lonely persons), a popup nativity service for young famllles and small children. And our 'Christma5 Lighy event, where we invited local farnilies to an outdoor. dramatised, re-telling by costumed characters, of the Nativity story, followed by a puppet show, some crafts and food indoors. Over 350 attended. Com Ilance with Public Benefit The charitsble purpose of Movilla Abbey Church is the advancement of religion through holding regular worship and communicating with the caring for parishioners and others in our community. Page4of5
This is achieved through Christian witness and outreach, and is delivered through the provision of public worship and the various activities outlined above. It is of benefit to all in the community. There is also pastoral support and visits for those in need. The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities, while also providing public benefit. Flnanclal Revlew Full details of the receipts and expenditure can be found in the charity accounts submitted separately, alongside this report. All items of income and expenditure included within the receipts and Payments statement have been accounted for on a cash receipts basis. Goln The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satlsfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue Its activlties and the financlal statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 can be si8ned off as a going concern. concern Pa and remuneratlon The stipend of the Rector is administered by the Parish. In 2021 this was £32,764 per annum, including locomotory and office expenses. (See Financial Report for further details) Statement of Trustees, Res onslbllltles 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 the 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 accountin8 records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time. Signed on behalf of the trustees Trustee: Rev Alan Peek Date.. 3rd May 2023 Trustee: Mrs Rosemary Lappin Date." 3rd May 2023 PageSof5