Carryduff Gospel Hall Assembly
Trustees Report
for the period
1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
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Trustees Report for the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
The trustees of Carryduff Gospel Hall Assembly, (hereafter called ‘The Assembly’), submit their annual report and financial statement for the period above.
Reference and Administrative details
Charity Name and Number
Carryduff Gospel Hall Assembly Registered Charity NIC 103088 HMRC Charity Reference Number XN74052
Correspondence and Address
1A Comber Road Carryduff BT8 8AN
Web Presence
f: https://en-gb.facebook.com/carryduffgospelhall/
Trustees
Cecil Scott David Nixon Lawrence McCleery Ronald Harrison Elders & Deacons Cecil Scott David Nixon Lawrence McCleery Paul Chambers John Reid Ronald Harrison
Bankers – Ulster Bank
Independent Examiner – Malcolm McLean
Solicitors – MacCorkell Legal & Commercial,
Garvey Studios, 8-10 Longstone Street, Lisburn, BT28 1TP
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Structure, Governance and Management
The assembly is an independent local church constituted by a Trust Deed updated in 2015. The essential beliefs of the Assembly are outlined in its statement of faith in that document.
Although the Trustees have legal responsibility for the affairs of the Assembly, the day-to-day spiritual care is undertaken by the elders, and the day-to-day practical matters are overseen by the deacons. The Trustees are usually drawn from the members of these two groups. The elders and deacons meet at least once a month to discuss assembly matters. A full financial and activity report is presented to all Assembly members once a year.
The Assembly registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 2 Oct 2015
The charity trustees have complied with the duty to have regard to the guidance issued by the Commission under section 4(b) of the Charities Act (the public benefit requirement statutory guidance).
The Assembly has appointed Mr Malcolm McLean as an honorary independent examiner of the financial statements. The Trustees would like to thank Malcolm for his willingness to fulfil this role and for the time taken to examine the accounts and produce his report.
Risk
Financial – The Assembly relies entirely on the income received from freewill offerings, without which the Assembly would not be able to achieve its charitable objectives. These are sufficient to cover its current activities; however, should they reduce then the Trustees would commence a programme of cost reduction to ensure the stability of the Assembly.
Reputational – The activities with children and vulnerable adults constitute the main risk and in order to mitigate this risk the Assembly has a child policy which is actively in place and monitored on an ongoing basis.
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Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the Assembly are: -
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The advancement of Christianity – by making known the gospel of Jesus Christ among the general public, in the UK and further afield, in accordance with the statement of faith
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The advancement of citizenship or community development
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The prevention or relief of poverty
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The relief of those in need
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The advancement of education
The Assembly organises a range of activities of which the following are examples: -
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Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
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Baptismal Services
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Praise & Prayer Meetings:
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Bible Teaching, Bible Studies
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Public services for the explanation of the teachings of Jesus Christ
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Reports of missionary activity within UK and around the world
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Youth activities including Sunday School, Bible Clubs, Teens meetings and outings
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Ladies’ activities, including crafts, studies, fairs etc
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Special Family events including services, BBQ, prize days etc
The Assembly also supports a variety of Christian workers within the fellowship and around the greater community in the UK and across the world.
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Achievements and Performance
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The assembly was pleased to see a full return to more normal activities during this year following the effective end of the pandemic. Some activities still continued on Zoom as an addition to our regular services, and some benefit was gained from the experiences of the pandemic in bringing people together in a continuing digital environment.
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One of the main purposes of the assembly is to worship God, and regular weekly services were held throughout the year, both in the hall and on-line, as circumstances permitted, to enable this activity.
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Outreach activities in 2022/2023 included a significant amount of work among young people. Sunday School was held every Sunday for children, during autumn, winter and spring seasons, and was regularly attended. Other special events, such as Holiday Bible Clubs, and other outings and outdoor activities, were also held to educate and develop young people in the community. On occasions the assembly also worked with other charitable organisations such as local food banks to help the community.
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For adults, the assembly also has a responsibility to communicate the Good News about Jesus Christ and this was discharged through the holding of various meetings either in the hall, in open air venues, or on-line, so that people could learn about the Lord Jesus and benefit from that knowledge.
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In order to promote good community relations, and support the legal authorities, the Assembly regards the encouraging of good Christian ethical behaviour as a very important part of all teaching and this applies to adult and children’s activities. This aspect of our beliefs was communicated as appropriate in our various meetings.
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The assembly continued to support missionaries here in Northern Ireland and around the world. They were often involved in high profile activities, sometimes related to disasters around the world, such as the Ukraine War, earthquakes in Syria/Turkey etc, as well as the day-to-day care of individuals in more normal circumstances, such as the education of disadvantaged children in Asia. These missionaries all needed financial support with which the assembly helped. On occasions these missionaries were also invited to report on their activities to the assembly.
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Ladies’ activities were held monthly, in autumn, winter and spring seasons, and involved a range of activities including reporting on various forms of relief work, here and throughout the world, missionary activities, supporting needy groups such as Seamen visiting the port of Belfast through gifts, and learning general skills such as cooking, flower arranging and other crafts.
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The use of the facilities for funerals and other special events continued and had returned to normal levels once the pandemic was effectively over.
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Financial Review
The trustees are again thankful to the Lord for the generosity of the members of the Assembly, and others, in contributing to the general expenses involved in running the assembly as well as supporting Christian workers throughout the world.
It is the policy of the Assembly to make gifts to those in need around the world or at home. This can include, for example, general needs such as disaster relief, assistance with running hospitals or orphanages, as well as supporting Christian workers involved with local communities to offer help and bring them the good news of Jesus Christ.
An annual report is delivered to the whole Assembly to explain in detail the income and expenditure involved in the running of the Assembly, including all the gifts outlined above.
Risk Management
The trustees have established the position of Treasurer for the assembly, this being held by a suitably qualified and experienced person. Accounts are reported on a monthly basis to the elders and deacons for approval. Offerings are counted and signed for by two members of the Assembly. Given the level of revenue the accounts are prepared on a ‘receipts and payments’ basis in accordance with the requirements of the commission.
Taxation Status
The Assembly being a charity recognised by the HMRC has no liability to taxation on its charitable activities.
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