Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 The trustees present the annual report and accounts for St Cedma's Church for the year ended 31 December 2024. PURPOSES la, The expression of the precepts ,of the Christian religion through engagement with the General Public, and in particular, with the disadvantaged, the sick, elderly and the young. Ib. Enjoyment of Public Worship, the giving and receiving of Pastoral Ministry, improved understanding of the values relating to civil engagement, community cohesion and providing a bridge between diverse groups, improved educational outcomes through the Church's ministry of Teaching. 2a, Provision of archive records, public enjoyment of cultural and historic buildings and artefacts, appreciation of longstanding Christian Heritage. BENEFICIARIE The activities of St Cedma's Parish are offered for the benefit of the entire population of the town of Larne and its surrounding areas, including some 1,200 individuals1460 households) who have a direct association with the parish of Larne and Inver. ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2024 Over a twelve-month period, worship services were held each Sunday. There is a mid-week Holy Communion service with prayers for healing. There is a range of ages drawn from across the full range of social and economic backgrounds in the Larne community. These services provide the opportunity for emotional, moral and community cohesion and development for all participants through involvement in the shared cross generational activity of worship and interpersonal interaction at coffee time offered after Sunday morning worship. A children's ministry Bubble Church is held on Sunday afternoons once a month. During the year the clergy continued to hold funerals. Every funeral service involves intensive connection not only with the immediate family, but also with all those from across the community who knew and valued the person who has died. While preparing for and conducting a funeral, emotional, pastoral and spiritual support is given to those most directly affected. However, that specific support continues to be offered for months, and even years after the date of the funeral. In the vital area of funeral provision and ongoing support, the emotional, psychological, spiritual and community aspects of death and bereavement are met to ensure health and wellbeing is restored to individuals of this community who experience bereavement. During the year, Baptisms and weddings were conducted at St Cedma's Church. Each of these occasions introduces a wide cross-section of the public to the community life, and significant heritage of the grade B+ Listed St Cedma's Church (built in 13501. Through community and value- based celebration, long term family and community cohesion is enhanced. Through the past year the parish has provided opportunities for community, educational and emotional development through a range of activities. These include. First Friday socia I group meets for chat and mutual support.
Rainbows and Brownies drawn from across all areas of the Larne Community. Educational, social and emotional development is enhanced through structured and informal activities, supervised by a dedicated volunteer team of trained teenage and adult leaders. The "Inver Art Group" meets weekly and provides a learning and skills-based activity to enhance the social and life skills of a group largely composed of the recently retired. In this way new skills are developed or enhanced through peer group and externally tutored sessions and preparation for an annual exhibition of work. The St. Cedma's Indoor bowlers meet regularly in Inver Hall and compete with other local groups. The hall is used regularly by outside organisations including choirs, weight loss and welfare groups. The "Gardening and Grounds Group" is also a group of {largely} men, drawn together by a desire to maintain the historic grounds and graveyard of St Cedma's church, and other parish properties, through volunteering their time and energies. Members of St Cedma's Parish are actively involved as volunteers in the Larne Foodbank programme. This has enhanced an awareness of social needs and deprivation across the Larne population and has also provided participants with an opportunity to make a positive community difference by providing physical resources and emotional support to those in greatest need. This Review can give only a snapshot of some of the activities and benefits of the shared communitv life of the parish of St Cedma's Larne across the twelve-month period under consideration. HARM There is no harm arising from the purposes described. PRIVATE BENEFIT Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of Christian ministry or to lay staff is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of religion. No trustee receives remuneration, reward or any other private benefit for carrying out their Trustee responsibility. D Lockhart Rector Date:
The Church of St Cedma, Larne and Inver ParSsh, Larne References and admlnlstratlve details Charity Name: The Church of St Cedma, Larne and Inver Parlsh, Larne {LarnelLarne & Inver and Glynn & Raloo/ St Cedma, Larne/Connorl Church of Ireland Charity Registration Number: NIC 102657 Contact Address.. The Parish Office Church Road Larne BT40 3EU Trustees {Select Vestrvl Revd David Lockhart, Anne Marcus, John Brownlees, Eleanor Ellison, Norma Nixon, George Thompson, Jacqueline MacFadyen, Eleanor Mcseveney, David Millar, James King Snr, James King, Caroline Hughes, Carolyn Wilkinson, Brian Browne, Sarah Nixon, Andrew Colman. Prlncipal Offlce bearerslparish team Clergy.. Reverend David Lockhart Curate.. Reverend Heather Dowey-cooke Ipart-timel until March 2024 Honorary Secretary.. Honorary Treasurer: Church Wardens.. Glebe Wardens: Chief Recorder: Organlst: Deputy.. Sextoness.. Caretaker.. Mrs A Marcus Mr J Brownlees Mrs J MacFadyen & Mrs Carolyn Wilkinson Mr G Thomp50n & Mr D Mlllar Mrj Brownlees Dr M McKintv Mrs N Nixon Mrs S Nixon Mr J Simms retired Independent Examiner MBS Chartered Accountants 3 High Street LARNE BT40 IJN Bankers Danske Bank Donegal Square West BELFAST BTI 6JS