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