2023-12-31-annual-report

Church of Ireland, Parish of Ramoan, Ballycastle

Church of Ireland Parish of Ramoan Ballycastle

Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31[st] December 2023

Charities Number: 102908

1

Church of Ireland, Parish of Ramoan, Ballycastle

Annual Report

Contents

Pages References and administrative details 1 Trustees Annual Report 2- 6

2

Church of Ireland, Parish of Ramoan, Ballycastle

References and administrative details

Charity Name: Church of Ireland, Parish of Ramoan, Ballycastle Charity Registration Number: 102908 Contact Address: Ramoan Parish Centre 3 Station Street Ballycastle Tel. [phone]

Principal Office Bearers and Select Vestry (Trustees)

Rector Rev D Ferguson Glebe Warden Mr J McConaghy Rector’s Warden Mr G Bell Glebe Warden Mr E McMullan People’s Warden Mr A McCook Hon. Treasurer Mrs J McBride Hon. Secretary Mrs M McMullan Dr I Bell Mrs S Wilson Mrs H McKeown Mrs O McMullan Mrs S Bell Mr N McMaster Mr W Hargie Mr M Watson (until 27.3.23) Mrs S McMaster Mrs S Wilson Mrs L McConaghy

Independent Examiner

M G Ramage, FCA 4 Leeke Road Bushmills

Principal Bankers

Ulster Bank 20 Ann Street Ballycastle

3

Church of Ireland, Parish of Ramoan, Ballycastle

Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

The Trustees present the annual report and accounts for the Church of Ireland, Parish of Ramoan for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.

Aims and Purposes

The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.

The principal function of the Parish of Ramoan is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of the Parish, 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, the Parish of Ramoan has custody of property and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the Parish as a secondary charitable purpose.

Objectives and Activities

All of the functions of the Parish relate to the advancement of religion through holding regular worship and communication with and caring for parishioners and others in our community and in the wider world.

The expression of the precepts of the Christian religion through engagement with the general public and in particular with the disadvantaged, the sick, the elderly and the young is a public benefit. We are committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship in our churches and make use of our Parish Centre, increasing social interaction and giving and receiving pastoral care at the point of need.

To ensure this work is carried out in comfortable surroundings maintaining the fabric of our two churches and Parish Centre.

The churches also provide space for quiet contemplation. During 2023 Holy Trinity Church was opened for this purpose, Monday to Friday between the hours of 10am – 4pm.

No harm arises from the activities and purposes of the church and the beneficiaries are the general public.

Achievements and Performance

Worship and Prayer

The Select Vestry as trustees seek to offer a range of services over the course of the year that our Parish and community find both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. These services are designed to engage and encourage the participation of all attendees regardless of age or church affiliation. Our aim is to make everyone feel welcome and experience the love of Jesus through the expression of our Worship. We continue to live stream our main services for those who are unable to attend in person

During 2023 we have seen a positive increase in the numbers attending our services.

4

Church of Ireland, Parish of Ramoan, Ballycastle

Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)

Pastoral Care

Providing pastoral care to our parishioners and wider community is seen as one of the most important roles of our Rector. Priority is given to those who are ill, housebound, or living alone.

The Parish Prayer group provides a prayer list which is distributed throughout the Parish where those who would like people to pray for them can ask to have their names added to the list.

Pastoral Care is also provided for young families and those in need.

All pastoral care is provided in confidence.

Children and Young People

The Parish provides learning and worship opportunities for children and young people so that they may grow in their knowledge of the Christian faith. One of the areas that is highlighted is the need to reach out into the community and further afield.

The parish is currently in the process of recruiting a part time children’s worker to support the Rector in this area of Ministry.

Our Sunday School Children support a number of children through a Northern Ireland based charity in Africa. The Select Vestry as Trustees ensures that the Parish adheres to the child protection requirements of Safeguarding Trust ensuring that all those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are vetted through Access NI and receive adequate training. Our Children’s ministry has shown a gradual increase in numbers attending.

Mission and Evangelism

The Parish supports the work of various charities such as the Church of Ireland Bishop’s Appeal and Christian Aid in their work overseas and in the wider community. A Bi-Monthly newsletter is provided to every family in the Parish and wider afield which highlights Parish and community events. The newsletter also includes items of a spiritual nature and prayers. Using the mediums of Facebook and the Parish Website we endeavour to keep our parishioners and wider audience updated daily as to what is going on in our Parish.

In July 2023 as part of our celebrations to mark the 175[th] Anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of St James’, we held a parish fun day. It proved a great success with many from our local community attending.

Buildings and Heritage Development

Our Parish Building Restoration Programme has been completed with the construction of the Graveyard extension A programme of continued maintenance is now in place.

In addition to this the Trustees are also responsible for maintaining an historic graveyard which due to its layout requires considerable expenditure for grass cutting etc to provide safe access for relatives visiting graves as well as the general public. As part of our 175[th] Anniversary, an extension to the graveyard was consecrated by the Bishop of Connor, providing 350 additional graves.

The Trustees continue to employ a Parish Administrator to deal with the additional workload generated by the Parish Centre and to support the Rector with the Parish administrative duties.

5

Church of Ireland, Parish of Ramoan, Ballycastle

Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)

Financial Review

The Trustees report an increase in unrestricted cash funds of £36,965 for 2023, which is in line with expectations.

We are pleased to report that income generated from direct giving, fundraising and use of the parish centre increased on the previous year.

Planned property improvement & restoration projects continued during the year costing £87,752. This was paid from restricted capital funds. A further £58,840 was drawn from restricted capital funds in respect of similar costs paid from general funds in the previous year.

Reserves

At the 31[st] December 2023, the parish held unrestricted cash funds of £205,508 of which £7,803 was set aside for building maintenance & £5,300 for Sunday school purposes.

The Parish has substantial assets, reserves and investments vested with RCB & CIT for the purposes of future capital expenditure should the need arise. The Trustees conclude that the financial position of the Parish is satisfactory.

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 end 31[st] December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity

Chapter III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisations. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees.

Recruitment and Appointment of Select Vestry

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.

The incumbent receives a stipend from the Parish in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland.

6

Church of Ireland, Parish of Ramoan, Ballycastle

Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)

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, any curate assistant (“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. During the year the Select Vestry met on 10 occasions and the average attendance was 95%.

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have prepared the financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in the United Kingdom (accounting standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council in the UK, including Charities SORP (FRS 102) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” and promulgated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in the United Kingdom and United Kingdom Law). Under that law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and of the statement of financial activities of the charity for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.

• make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.

• state whether the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards and identify the standards in question, subject to any material departures being disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Parish will continue as a going concern.

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 financial position of the Parish and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the provision of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland. 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.

7

Church of Ireland, Parish of Ramoan, Ballycastle

Statement as to disclosure to our auditors / examiners

• In so far as the Trustees are aware at the timing of approving our Trustees’ Annual Report:

• there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and

• the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.

Independent Examiners

The Independent examiner, M G Ramage, FCA has indicated his willingness to continue in office, and a resolution concerning their reappointment will be proposed at the Annual General Vestry Meeting.

On Behalf of the Trustees

___ D Ferguson ___

Rev David Ferguson Rector

J McBride__

Mrs J McBride Honorary Treasurer

Date: 18 03 2024

8