United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin Trustees’ Annual Report and Assets and Liabilities for the year ended 31 December 2022
Charities Number: 102899
The trustees present the annual report and Assets and Liabilities for United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin Church for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of "United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin" 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 are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity. As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, Our Parish has custody of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the select vestry of United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin.
Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit
Worship and Prayer
United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin is keen to offer a range of services over the course of the year that our community can find beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. All are welcome to attend our weekly Sunday Services. As well as our regular Sunday Services we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God's blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and commend the person into God's keeping.
United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin held their annual orange service, harvest thanksgiving services and carol service which was well supported by the parishioners of the church and visitors. These services were enjoyable thanks to those members and guests who provided special singing and readings from the Gospel.
Provision of Pastoral Care
Some members of our parish are unable to attend church due to sickness or age. Rev Andrew Sweeney and Curate Rev Brian Howe have visited church members who have requested it, to celebrate communion with them either at their homes or in hospital.
Mission and Evangelism
Helping those in need is a demonstration of our faith. For being of a small parish, United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin continues to strive to support other appeals and during the year.
Statement of Compliance
The Parish has 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 objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.
Financial Review
United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin continues to improve financially for a small parish. The parish has four accounts:
Account No 1 [charity account] had a closing balance of (£20,299.17) An increase of £1,094 from the previous year, which is explained by the covid pandemic. Account No 2 [Old School House] had a closing balance of £2,591.42. This account has been used to support the renovation of the Old School House, so that the Parish can use it for more ministries. This accounts has also been supported by the 20p fund.
Account No 3 [5p Account] had a closing balance of NIL this account is for the Parish to donate their unwanted 5p’s.
Account No 4 [Roof Repairs] had a closing balance of £37,336.49 this is a new account to support the maintenance of the roof. Donations to this account has been earmarked for repairs and we received a covid 19 grant.
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 and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 can be signed off as a going concern.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity
Chapter Ill of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees
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. 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.
Pay and remuneration
Where the Incumbent of the Parish stipend is paid directly by the Parish, provide information that the incumbent receives a stipend in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland and details of office and locomotory allowances.
Organisational Structure
The select vestry is responsible for the day to day management of the parish. The select vestry consists of the member of the clergy serving in the parish, the curate, the churchwardens, the glebe wardens and generally not more than twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the General Vestry.
The select vestry is chaired by the incumbent or other member of the clergy officiating in the parish. 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.
Compliance with Public Benefit
The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the actives entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and Annual Accounts 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 annual accounts and 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
Darren Stevenson Hon Treasurer