CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
PARISH OF MOSSLEY
NIC103262
TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDING 31[st] DECEMBER 2023
TRUSTEES – Revd P Jones (Chairman), Mrs J Parkinson, Mr A Bowes, Mr R Lee, Mr S Beck, Mr D Boyd, Mr J Caldwell, Mrs W Clarke, Ms J Eccles, Mr K Jackson, Mrs L Kelly, Mrs J Mackey, Mrs E Maxwell, Mrs V Moore, Mr J Nesbitt (Charity Contact), Mrs V Porter, Mrs J Robinson.
FINANCE
The day-to-day management of the church finances comes under the control of the Honorary Treasurer, Ms Jacqui Eccles, who reports regularly to the trustees at the monthly meeting of the Select Vestry, or at other times as and when required.
The total income of restricted and unrestricted funds into the church in 2023 totalled £136,299 which included Freewill Offering and hall rental income. Total expenditure over the same period amounted to £122,302 resulting in a net income over expenditure of £13,997. Much of the income is derived from regular giving by parishioners using the free-will offering method, either by using envelopes or regular standing order. Gift Aid is claimed where applicable. Other income is received from donations, hall rent, fund raising and legacies.
All of the income received is used to benefit the running and maintenance of the church and its buildings. It is also used for the advancement of religion, but donations and subscriptions are also made to various other charities and local community groups, both national and local.
The counting and lodgement of all monies received are carried out by a dedicated team of competent counters under the supervision of the trustees and the Free Will Secretary Mr Ken Jackson and banked under dual control.
COMPLIANCE OF PUBLIC BENEFIT
The trustees strive to achieve their obligations to the benefit of the public by –
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Providing and maintaining a place of worship and encouraging people to attend public services on Sundays and during the week; giving them the opportunity to worship God in a safe, peaceful and holy environment.
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Providing pastoral care to all in need, in particular the sick, vulnerable, and elderly.
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Providing public access to our archives.
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Providing accommodation and supporting various organisations that meet for religious and recreational/social purposes.
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Reaching out into the community and engaging with the public by organising various Christian events throughout the year for young and old.
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No harm is done from carrying out the above purposes.
SAFEGUARDING TRUST PANEL
The Select Vestry appoints and oversees a Safeguarding Trust Panel who are trained and fully equipped and competent to deal with such issues that are brought before them. All church organisations leaders and volunteers who come into contact with children and vulnerable adults regularly undergo Access NI checking.
PARISH ACTIVITY 2023
As well as the normal weekly activities the following highlights occurred in 2023 –
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A service of celebration followed by a lunch was held in May to mark the coronation of King Charles III. The trustees were grateful for a grant from Antrim and Newtownabbey Council to help with the costs.
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Further grant aid was received from the Council to assist with costs in running two church organisations, Dove Tots and Community Lunches.
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A free concert for the benefit of the community was held in November featuring Bello Duo.
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The church plays an important role within the Newtownabbey Churches Fellowship which organises various community events throughout the year.
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There is a developing children’s and young people’s ministry within the church which includes various parochial organisations and special events held throughout the year.
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The church donated money and supported various charities and also increased the Christmas Hamper Appeal which provides food hampers to the communities via local primary schools. The church was blessed and thankful to receive a grant of £880 from the Black Santa Appeal towards this work of the hamper appeal.
PRIVATE BENEFIT
The wider benefit to the public will outweigh any detriment arising in the course of Christian outreach. Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of Christian ministry or to lay staff is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of religion. No trustee receives remuneration, reward or any other private benefit for carrying out their trustee responsibility.
MANAGEMENT
Mossley Parish Church is managed by its board of trustees, namely the Select Vestry, fourteen of whom are elected each year at the publicly held Annual General Vestry meeting. The Chairman is also the incumbent of the parish who appoints a Churchwarden and a Glebewarden. The Select Vestry appoints from among their number an Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer each year, and meetings are held monthly except for the months of July and August.
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STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLILTY
The members of the Select Vestry take their roles as Trustees very seriously and have complied to the best of their knowledge the statutory duties required of them by the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland.
Report approved and signed on behalf of the Select Vestry on Monday 17[th] June 2024.
Revd Peter Jones Chairman & Incumbent
Mr John Nesbitt Charity Contact & Hon Secretary
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