First Church of Christ Scientist
Trustees. Annual Report
Year ended 31 March 2023
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year
ended 31 March 2023.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name
First Church of Christ Scientist
Charity registration number
102712
Principal office
Unit 2
Leslie Office Building
393 Holywood Road
Belfast
The trustees
Mrs G Boyd
Ms L Campbell
Ms M Kissock
Ms A Pollock
(Retired 30 September 2023)
(Retired 30 September 2023)
(Retired 30 September 2023)
(Retired 30 September 2023)
Mrs V Walker
Mrs H Mccreery
Mrs S Allen
Mrs A Willis
(Appointed 1 October 2023)
(Appointed 1 October 2023)
(Appointed 1 October 2023)
(Appointed 1 October 2023)
Independent examiner
John Magee
631 Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7GT
Structure, governance and management
The governance and management of the Church is made up of Trustees and Elders. All decisions
regarding church affairs and how church funds are spent is handled by the Trustees.
Objectives and activities
We hold services on Sundays, and a Sunday School.. also a meeting on Wednesdays for readings,
discussion, prayer and testimony. We also organise public talksllectures and other meetings. All these
are open to the public.
Our Charitable purposes are to promote the Cause of Christian Science in such ways only as are
strictly consonant with the teaching and practice of Christian Science set forth in Science and Health
with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy and with the Manual of The Mother Church, The First
Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass., USA

First Church of Christ Scientist
Trustees. Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2023
Achievements and performance
The Church's Board of Directors (Charity Trustees) are satisfied that both aspects of the public benefit
requirement are met., The direct benefits flowing to the members and attendants include access to
regular study of the Bible and of our text-book, 'Science and Health with Key to the Scrip_tures, as well
as other litera-ture published by our'mother Church, in Boston, USA. for the worldwide movement. This
leads to understanding more about. and living by, proven moral standards. Personal prayer and
collective worship are encouraged. The moral and ethical framework of the church leads to practical
acts such as those of our ' Christian Science Practitioners, of personal devotion to help and heal
others in need, for example through visits and prayers. Christian Scientists believe that improved
mental and physical health can directly arise from their faith and are encouraged not to rely on
doctors, chemists or hospitals for treatments and drugs etc. but rather rely on their faith and prayers
for good health and healings. There is, however, no compulsion to rely exclusively on spiritual healing
and each individual is free to make their own decision in the circumstances with mainstream
healthcare always being an option open to them. The Church harms nobody, but rather it lives to bless
our fellow-man in whatever way possible. These benefits are demonstrable through the clear
existence of a moral, spiritual and ethical code of beliefs which encourages the practical application of
religion in in society, attendance at our religious services which are conducted in public, testimony of
attendees suggesting higher levels of well-being and happiness and of the practical help and healings
that their prayers have provided. Our Church in Boston also publishes periodicals, a weekly Sentinel
and the monthly Journal. These contain verified accounts of healings. Our benefits are open to all.
Anyone is welcome to come and share in our Services on Sundays and Wednesday Testimony
Meetings, to use our public Reading Rooml Library facility on our premises and to attend our public
lectures. Individuals apply for membership voluntarily (when helshe feels ready for it) and likewise
may leave at any time. There is no pressure or exclusivity. Since it is totally a lay-church, there are no
paid ministers or officials. Any existing 'private benefits. are very small - payments to our Readers,
Librarian or Soloists which cover little more than travelling expenses and which are in practice
frequently paid back in donations. The church does have 'Christian Science Practitioners, people
who devote themselves, when they are called upon, to helping and healing through visits to and
prayers for those in need. Again 'payment' is frequently given by the patients for the time and help
given, but this is on a voluntary basis, and the poor are not excluded- they would pay whatever they
could afford and perhaps in certain circumstances no payment is given.
Flnancial review
Collections increased to £28,322 (2022 £16,265). Although church costs increased slightly to
£23.763 (2022 £23,209), there was a surplus of £4.559 (2022 £6,944 deficit).

First Church of Christ Scientist
Trustees. Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2023
The trustees, annual report was approved on 25 May 2023 and signed on behalf of the board of
trustees by:
Mrs V Walker
Trustee
Mrs H Mccreery .¥
Trustee
Mrs S Allen
Trustee
Mrs A Willis
Trustee