PARISH OF ST. PAUL AND ST. BARNABAS, BELFAST
Trustees’ Annual report and Statement of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Charities Number: 102654
PARISH OF ST. PAUL & ST. BARNABAS Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Contents
| Pages | |
|---|---|
| References and administrative details of the Charity | 1 |
| Trustees’ Report | 2 - 4 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 5 |
| Statement of Payments and Receipts | 6 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 - 13 |
PARISH OF ST. PAUL & ST. BARNABAS Year ended 31 December 2023
References and administrative details
Charity Name: Parish of St. Paul & St. Barnabas Charity Registration Number: 102654 Contact Address: c/o 23 Duncoole Park Belfast BT14 8JS
Trustees
The Rev’d Brian Lacey, the Rev’d Andrew Irwin, Mrs Kate Crothers, Mr William Fenton (until April 2023), Mr Stephen Graham, Mr Robert Hargrove, Mrs Kathleen Herbison, Mrs Zara Kerr, Mr Alan McIntosh, Mrs Frances Mills, Mr John Nelson, Mr Martin Reid, Mrs Irene Taggart, Mrs Joan Turkington, Mrs Naomi Watson (until September 2023).
The following Trustees approved these accounts on 13[th] May 2024:
The Rev’d Brian Lacey, the Rev’d Andrew Irwin, Mrs Kate Crothers, Mr Robert Hargove, Mrs Kathleen Herbison, Mr Alan McIntosh, Mr Alistair McGrath, Mr John Nelson, Mr Martin Reid, Mrs Irene Taggart, and Mrs Frances Turkington.
Principal Office-Bearers at 31[st] December 2023
Priest-in-Charge: The Rev’d Brian Lacey Curate (Ministry Lead): The Rev’d Andrew Irwin Incumbent’s Churchwarden: Mr Robert Hargrove People’s Churchwarden Mr Stephen Graham Incumbent’s Glebewarden: Mr Alan McIntosh People’s Glebewarden: Mrs Joan Turkington Honorary Secretary: Mrs Zara Kerr Honorary Treasurer: Mr John Nelson
Independent Examiner
CG Taggart Accountancy Services Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor 17 Cypress Crescent Donaghadee Co Down BT21 0QG
Bankers
Ulster Bank York Street Branch 202-206 York Street Belfast BT15 1HY
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PARISH OF ST. PAUL & ST. BARNABAS Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023
The trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for the Parish of St. Paul & St Barnabas for the year ended 31 December 2023.
a) Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of the Parish of St Paul & Barnabas is in line with the objectives and aims of the Church of Ireland. Specifically, the advancement of the Christian religion through the progress of the mission of the Church through pastoral care, community engagement, Sunday Worship, ministries of mercy and the practical sharing of the Christian faith.
As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the Parish of St Paul & St Barnabas has custody of the property and of records, materials, and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance or which is undertaken by the select vestry of the Parish of St Paul & St Barnabas.
b) Achievements, Performance and Public Benefit
All the functions of the Parish pertain to the objectives and aims of the Parish, specifically the advancement of the Christian religion as understood and passed down by the generations before in the Church of Ireland. The Parish exists for Christ and the city of Belfast and makes our faith known and felt by various means:
Sunday Worship
In 2023, Our parish has continued to promote the Christian faith according to the Anglican tradition, primarily through the regular hosting of Sunday Worship services at 10:30 AM. These services provide a secure and welcoming environment where both new and existing members can deepen their understanding of Christian teachings. Initially adjusted for pandemic-related vulnerabilities, our worship routines have since returned to their traditional format, enriching the spiritual lives of our congregation.
Youth and Children’s Work
Since the decline of the pandemic, Our parish has re-engaged with the local community, particularly focusing on youth, through our Sunday School. This program is dedicated to teaching Christian values and ethics in an engaging manner, fostering both spiritual growth and moral development among attendees.
Midweek Bible Study
Following the induction of a new minister in 2023, Our parish has established a regular midweek Bible study. These sessions offer a comforting environment for community bonding, prayer, and a deeper engagement with biblical texts, helping participants live according to Jesus' teachings in our local area.
Community Engagement & Pastoral Care
Throughout 2023, Our parish has intensively collaborated with various organisations to reach out and support the local community. Activities included hosting discussions on housing stress, collecting for the local food bank and Baby Basics, and in November, organising a Winter Clothing project where community members in need received high-quality winter clothing and accessories. These initiatives also provided opportunities for individuals to access advice and connect with groups that could offer further assistance. We continue to actively support refugee families and others facing diverse challenges in our area.
Hope Counselling Service
Hope Counselling at Our parish offers confidential counselling to all residents of our local community, delivered by fully qualified counsellors. Despite ongoing pandemic challenges, we have continued to provide this vital service, supported by funds from the Church of Ireland Orphans and Children's Society, St. James' Endowment, Priorities Fund, and the Belfast City Council's Community Recovery Support Fund.
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Church Engagement
In 2023, Our parish has maintained strong partnerships with other local churches to enhance our collective impact. This includes ongoing support for local food banks and collaboration through the Church Network Redeeming our Communities, and various inter-church initiative’s such as Prayer walks and meetings to plan to try to effect positive, enduring change in North Belfast.
Community and Charitable Support
Throughout 2023, Our parish has met its Public Benefit Statement through committed worship, community outreach, and various social and fundraising events. We organized special collections to support local charities and respond to global natural disasters. As trustees, we annually decide which local charities will benefit from these efforts, ensuring our church's contributions make a significant difference in our community.
c) Financial Review
The Finances are managed by the Honorary Treasurer who presents a detailed report to all the Trustees at the Select Vestry meetings on a monthly basis.
Following all these transactions the accounts at the end of the year were as follows: Current Account: - 2023: £14,307 (2022: £39,506) Regeneration Account: - 2023: £11,201 (2022: £24,385)
The receipts and payments account shows an unrestricted deficit for the year of £34,870 (2022: deficit £23,559), and a restricted deficit for the year of £3,513 (2022: surplus £84), before transfers.
Historic holdings in CIT and RCB units increased in value in the year from £9,886 to £10,192.
The security and safeguarding of all monies are important to the Trustees and all money is counted and taken to the Bank under dual control.
d) Going Concern
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 for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these accounts and the financial statements for the year ended 2023 can therefore be signed off as a going concern.
A grant from the St James’ Endowment Fund of £52,500 to defray approximately half of the costs of the Curate over a three year period (June 2022 – May 2025) will be drawn down in 2024. Of the £52,500 total, approximately £26,200 relates to the period to 31 December 2023. This sum would effectively adjust the closing unrestricted surplus at 31 December 2023 of £10,511 to a closing unrestricted surplus of £36,711.
e) Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity
Chapter III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees.
f) Recruitment and Appointment of Select Vestry (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 Vestry.
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Meetings of the General Vestry are held at least once 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 Vestry members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of terms which may be served.
g) Pay and Remuneration
The parish has a part-time Priest-in-Charge, who received remuneration of £2,080 for the year, with that cost paid for by the neighbouring parish of St Peter & St James, of which the Priest-in-Charge is the Rector.
The parish also has a full-time Curate who is responsible for worship, pastoral ministries, and mission. He received payment of his services totalling £41,500, which were made by the Diocese of Connor and then reimbursed by the parish. The Curate’s housing expenses of £10,200 were also paid directly by the parish during the same period.
h) Organisational Structure
The Select Vestry is responsible for the day-to-day management of the parish. The Select Vestry consists of the Priest-in-Charge, the Curate, the churchwardens, the glebe wardens, and not more than twelve other registered members of the parish elected at the General Vestry.
The Select Vestry is chaired by the Priest-in-Charge, or in his absence the Curate or a Churchwarden. Select Vestry members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern 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 diocesan synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the churchwardens. In 2023, the Select Vestry met nine times during the year.
i) Compliance with Public Benefit
The Parish have given careful consideration 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 achieve the Parish’s purpose and objectives, as well as providing public benefit.
j) Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
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 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 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.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 28[th] May 2024:
Mr John Nelson, Treasurer
Rev’d Brian Lacey, Chairman
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