## **CHURCH OF IRELAND PARISH OF GLYNN AND RALOO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: NIC 102658.** ## **PUBLIC BENEFIT REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31/12/2025** ## **1.PURPOSES:** 1a. 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. 1b. 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. ## **2. BENEFICIARIES:** The activities of the Parish of Glynn are offered for the benefit of the entire population of the village of Glynn and surrounding area of Magheramorne including some 200 individuals (100 households) who have a direct association with the parish St John’s, Glynn. The activities of the Parish of Raloo are offered for the entire population of the village of Gleno, Gleno Valley and the community of Raloo village, this includes the 15 households (some 40 people) drawn from the parish area and also from the wider Larne community who have direct association with the Parish of Raloo. The two parishes of Glynn and Raloo are served by a single United Select Vestry. ## **3.ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023.** Over a twelve-month period, worship services were held every Sunday in St John’s, Glynn and on the 1[st] and 3[rd] Sunday of the month in St Columba’s Gleno, with an average attendance of about 30 people across both churches each Sunday. The ages of those attending have been from 1 month to over 85 years of age, drawn from across the full range of social and economic backgrounds in the Glynn and Raloo communities, and further afield to both Larne and Carrickfergus. Sunday services provide the opportunity for emotional, moral and community cohesion and development for all participants through involvement in the shared cross generational activity of Sunday worship, and in the interpersonal interactions enjoyed before and after times of worship. This includes special community services, including the annual Community Harvest Services at Glynn, was the Annual Remembrance Sunday Service which took place on Sunday 9[th] November and was attended by local political and civic representatives and Christmas tree lighting service at Gleno and the Christmas Community Candlelit service at Gleno which draws people from a wide geographical area. Over a 12 month period, a number of funerals where conducted from within the parish community. 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, intensive 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. There was one baptism both in St. John’s Glynn and St.Columba’s Church, Gleno and one wedding both in St. John’s Church and St.Columba’s Church. The Rector serves on the Board of Government in Glynn Primary School. Parish members also provide community leadership as appointed members of the Board of Governors for Glynn Primary School. In this way, they volunteer their time and skills in the service of education in the village community, and also enhance (through training) their own skills in management (from teacher appointment panels to school budgeting). Parish individuals enhance the connections between church and community by their active participation as members of both the Glynn and Gleno Valley Community Associations each as an expression of their church based community involvement. In both communities, the historic parish churches, are a source of wider community pride, while the surrounding graveyards give a sense of community and place anchored in family history. Both graveyards are available to and maintained by the parishes on behalf of all from the whole of their wider communities. This Review gives a brief overview of some of the activities and benefits of the shared community life of the parishes of Glynn and Raloo across the twelve month period under consideration. ## **4. HARM** There is no harm arising from the purposes described. **5. PRIVATE BENEFIT** . No trustee receives remuneration, reward or any other private benefit for carrying out their Trustee responsibility. D Lockhart (Rector) 22/3/26