Charity Reference Number NIC102645
UNITED PARISHES OF ST JOHN, WHITEHOUSE & ST NINIAN, BELFAST
283 SHORE ROAD, NEWTOWNABBEY, CO ANTRIM, BT37 9SR
Trustees' Report and Financial Statements
31 December 2025
UNITED PARISHES OF ST JOHN, WHITEHOUSE & ST NINIAN, BELFAST Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Company information | 3 |
| Trustees' report | 4-5 |
| Independent Examiner's report | 6 |
| Income and Expenditure account | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9-12 |
| Othe Income Receipts Schedule | 13-14 |
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UNITED PARISHES OF ST JOHN, WHITEHOUSE & ST NINIAN, BELFAST Company
Information
| Charity Reference Number102645 | Position | Date of Appointment | Resigned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustees | |||
| Rev Colin Welsh |
Chairperson | 19 March 2025 | |
| Jean Moir |
Secretary | ||
| Marina Bradley | |||
| Ruth Browne | |||
| Warren Kerr | |||
| Anne Locke | |||
| Reddell Lyle | |||
| Agnes Malone | 13 April 2025 | ||
| John Malone | 13 April 2025 | ||
| Emma Ferris | |||
| Doreen Montgomery | 13 April 2025 | ||
| William Montgomery | |||
| Dennis Mulholland | 13 April 2025 | ||
| Alison Mungavin | |||
| Steven Mungavin | |||
| Nicola Simpson | 13 April 2025 | ||
| Peter Simpson | |||
| Trevor Thompson | |||
| Honorary TreasurerWilliam Montgomery | |||
| Independent ExaminerMark McBride | |||
| BankersDanske Bank | |||
| Abbey Centre Longwood Road | |||
| Newtownabbey BT37 9UH |
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UNITED PARISHES OF ST JOHN, WHITEHOUSE & ST NINIAN, BELFAST
Trustees' Report
Principal funding sources
Objects
Our Christian beliefs and practices derive from Scripture, reason and tradition. We provide a contact in which people of diverse views can live and worship together.
The principal function is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting through the work of the Parish 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 is fundamental to the practical delivery of the tenets of Christianity.
As a result of activity in pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the Parish has custody of a large body of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural heritage, the maintenance of which is undertaken by the Parish as a secondary charitable purpose.
Activities
Our historic Church building is used for worship services each Sunday morning. At the heart of St. John’s Parish is a passionate desire to glorify God and demonstrate His love. This was achieved through our varied Sunday services which took place at 11:45am and occasionally (monthly) at 6pm.
Additional events and special services took place during Christian festival seasons such as Lent; Holy Week; Easter, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday, Advent and Christmas.
Sunday School has historically been a vital part of what we do as a church. Sadly since Covid Sunday School has not resumed, however plans are in place to restart in 2026 catering for children of Primary School age.
Other church groups including Mid-week Prayer Meeting and Bible Study, Bowling Club, Dance Class, Mums and Tots, and Home groups provide opportunities to enjoy fellowship with each other and be built up by one another in a practical Christian focused way.
Our Halls are also normally used to regularly facilitate, Vestry Meetings; Choir practice; Scouts; and a youth led Creative Arts Group, NACN. A coffee shop operates on a Wednesday morning and provides an important opportunity for the building of relationships across the communities as it is an informal space to meet and chat. Occasional hall use would include after church service teas, funeral teas as well as various fundraising activities.
The Rectory is used to facilitate marriage preparation classes, confirmation preparation classes, occasional vestry meetings, occasional strategy group meetings and other private pastoral consultations throughout the year.
We recognise that there are issues in our Parish for individuals that stem from sickness, bereavement, ageing, incapacity, and those receiving medical treatment, care in both hospitals and local nursing homes. We are committed to helping these people in need with empathy, sympathy, love and compassion. This is done through occasional visits, the offer of private Holy Communion and prayer. Helping those in need, in this way, is a demonstration of our faith, ‘we try to do as Jesus did!’
Fund raising
Principal funding sources
All funding comes from offerings and donations made by parishioners and members of the public together with rental income (hire of church hall).
The purpose of our charitable fundraising is not only for our own costs, for example, our General Church Fund or Building Fund but also for a variety of charitable needs eg our Pentecost barbeque (in support of Christian Aid) along with other social events such as our fund raising coffee mornings for MacMillan Cancer Support and The Heartbeat Trust, all aimed at supporting other charitable causes. These events also served as opportunities to improve social cohesion, reduce social isolation and bring a greater sense of togetherness.
This is a tangible demonstration of our mission and outreach and awareness that, as Christians, we are called to support a range of good causes.
At all times we keep in mind our Safeguarding Trust policy, Health and Safety requirements and catering regulations.
We have endeavoured to adhere 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 benefit the whole of the community and achieve the Parish’s objectives
Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit
Central to the work at all levels in the Parish is the teaching God’s word, to bring parishioners into a deeper relationship, knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, so that they are thoroughly equipped and empowered to reach out into the community, both within and beyond the Parish boundaries. St. John’s continues to offer a range of services over the course of the year that we hope our community find both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. We further hope that all who enter our buildings do so feeling welcome, safe and secure.
Our continuing desire is to reach out to all, seeking to transform the local community and build a Christ centred congregation which will be a witness for Jesus Christ and work for the advancement of His Kingdom.
The direct benefit of participation in Church life includes the enjoyment of public worship and giving and receiving of pastoral ministry, improved understanding of Holy Scripture, increased application of Christian biblical morals and ethics and improved values relating to civic engagement.
To mitigate risk of harm to any persons, the Trustees ensure adequate health and safety measures are in place . Also, child protection (Safeguarding Trust Policy), Access NI checks and training opportunities are in place for those involved in children and youth work or working with Adults at Risk.
Financial review
The trustees are satisfied with the results of the charity during the year together with the financial position at 31 December 2025. They consider that the charity is also in a strong position to continue its activities during the coming year, and that the charity's assets are adequate to fulfil its obligations. At the 31 December 2025 there was £116,844 of a surplus in unrestricted funds, with £12,383of a surplus in restricted funds. The charity also has a Capital Fund reserve of £4,463,518 which relates to the valuation of the church building.
UNITED PARISHES OF ST JOHN, WHITEHOUSE & ST NINIAN, BELFAST Trustees' Report
Structure, governance and management
Governing document
The charity is governed by its Constitution which is logged with the Charities Commission.
Recruitment and appointment of board of trustees
New trustees are nominated by an existing trustee. This is then put to vote of a trustees meeting.
No Trustee receives remuneration, reward or other private benefit for carrying out their Trustee responsibility.
William Montgomery Honorary Treasurer
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