St. Mark's Parish Church Annual report and financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023 Charities Number: 1033SO
St. Mark's Parish Church Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Contents Pa Legal and Administrative Details Trustees, Annual Report Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees Statement of Financial Activities 10 Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Ststements 12-19
St. Mark's Parish Church Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Legal and Administrative Details Charity Name: St. Mark's Parish Church Down & Dromore, Church of Ireland Charity Number: 103350 Contèrt Address: Parish (YfKe Church Street Newti)wnards 8T23 4AN TNstees during the year: Rev Canon Chris Matchett Mrfim Reid Rev Peter Hilton Mr Paul Hawkins Rev Stephen Doherty Mrs Elizabeth Mcmullan Mrs Gillian Morrison Mr5 Cathy Allen Mrs Debbie Phillips Mr Paul Pierce Mrs Lorrdine Mccullough Mr Matthew Morrison Mrs Alison C¢xhrane Mr Michael O'Brien Mr Tom Qulnn Mrs Beth Campbell Mrs Doris Thompson Mrs Hilary Stephen5 Mr William McCr0$5an Mrs Anne Drysdale PTlnclple Office Bearers during the year. Cler8V: Rev Canon C Matchett Rev P Hilton Rev S Doherty Mrs O Phillips Mrs E Mcmullan Church TreaSUr. Church Secretsry: Independent Examiner Guardian Chartered Accountsnts 2 vfilliam street Newtownards BT23 4AH Bankers: Danske Bank Belfast Business Centre PO Box 183 Donegal Square West Belfast 8T1 6JS
SL Marvs Parish Church Trustees. Annual Report for the year ended 31 Dember 2023 The Trustees present their report and financial st*ements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Principal objectives and acti¥itie5 The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland ts the advancement of religion. The principal function of St Marvs Parish Church. Newtownards is the advancement of the Chrirtian religion by promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral. evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging wf(h society as a whole and offering support for those needing help are fundamentsl to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity. All functions of the Parish late to the advancement of religion through holding regular worship and communicating with and taring for parishioners and others in the community. As a resutt of actNity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion St Marvs Parish Church has CLlStody of property and of records. materia15 and artefacts of significance to cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the Select Vestry (Board of Tru5tees1 of St Marys Parish Church Newtownards. Activltles St Marys Parish Church. Newtownards seeks to provide a variety of opportunities for worship and prayerthat ire open to all sections of the communty. Our church is a multi-site church famity which include St Marys Church, Glen Community Church IGCCI and West Winds Community Church IWWCCI. At St Marks we offer morning and evening worship on Sundays and a mid-week seplice on Wednesdays. The church buildin8 is open every day for private prayer and reflection. One of our diocesan readers continues to assist with church ser4ices, baptlsms and funerals in the Ardkeen Parish Church. In St Marks weekly Sunday worship takes place at 9am. 11am and 6pm. A robed choir sing at the 11am service with the dirertor of music leading on piano and organ. The choir also sing at special seasonal servi$ and at civic events. There has been a continuing increase in numbers attending services. The morning Servi is shared on YouTube. Tea and coffee are provided after the morning church service in the Parish Centre and plan to serrfe tea and coffee after the evening service. Seasonal lunche5 are provided and money raised donated to charity projects. A new informal service of word, prnyer and wotship ha5 been introduced and tskes place periodically in the minor hall at the parish centre Pastoral care is major part of our charitsble activities. The are regular visits by the clef8V and church members to the elderly and the sick. at home and in hospitsls and nursing homes. Visits are made and preparatlon tlme for those who bring children for baptism orfor those who come as adu$ for baptism. Wedding preparation is provided by the clergy and tay. Funeral service5 are condurted in the church or at an Iternative venue as requested by the farn1. A catering group made up of church members willingty provide and serve refreshments when requested by families following a funeral or after a wedding ceremony. The curate-assistsnt continues to enable strntegic outreach to younger parishioners and theirfamilies and Is helping the church achieve our aims. The Sunday khool meet Sunday mornings with 3 Eroups meeting with different age groups. We are seeing a growth in young children and their families coming to church. None of this could be done without our growing number of willing volunteers. The Youth Fellowship for young people aged Primary 6 to year 10, meet Sunday evening 6.30- 8pm with an epilogue. games, food and special social activities. All 355i5ted with volunteers who are able to take the lead. Members of the church congregation regularly help in the leading of the church services; we have a Diocesan Reader and 2 commissioned Parish readers. There is a diocesan evangelist who works part-time in the diocesan office and volunteer5 with the youth of St Marks. There is a diocesan evangelist in training at the Glen Community Church. The further development of the lay people continues to be very evident. Reaching out to the Community IROCI is a food bank where dry and tinned food5tuFts are donated by church members and local residents. Food parcels are delivered Month to identified families in the wider community. We have seen an increased need for help from the foodbank and monthly deliveries in person help us to build felationships in the communty.
In providing pastoral care we also seek to respond to Situations of need, through practical support. and where firbancial support is needed, a small donation of money has been provided and accounted for. We continually seek to extend our outreach to all age groups wtthin our parish boundary which tskes in most of the west end of Newtownards, including the town centre. St Marys Church and Parish Centre prfwide a venue for a range of communty groups to meet, including the Health and Social Care Trust, a range of groups from the Scouting and Guiding Associations are associated with St Marys and meet in the Parish Centre to provide associated benefft to children and young people. These groups also are involved in church worship. There is a range of groups and artrvities- A weekty group for carers. A midweek opportunity for parishioners, friends and members of the public, especially those who live alone or are isolated, to enjoy a cup of tea. fId and a chat Chest Heart and Stroke Group meet week A Bocha Group meets weekly We have a social media presence (Facebook. YouTubel and a website. The weekly seThice sheet includes detsils on church services for the following week. Email is sent to keep parishioners advised of what is happening in the church and community. St Marys Parish Church offer5 artivities for youth and young people, carried out under the requirements of the Church of Ireland's Child Safeguardlng Policy. There 15 a weekly dropin group for adults with special needs meet and enjoy soclal actlvity. Supported by Mencap and St Marks volunteers. The Motherfs Union meet monthly and place value on the family in its many foms as a source of love and support for individual and the basis for a caring communty. They are an active group of women who organise coffee mornings and an annual cake sale. Work is done within the community to promote frdmily values. The Bowling Club is an active group of men and women who play bowls each Thursday evenin8 and tske part in competitions. We have Strong Ilnks wlth local schools and appoint Transferor Representstive Governors to several Boards. There they take an active part in the running of the school community thus fosterin8 link5 between the xhool and ¢hurch communities. Several schoo15 hold their annual carol services in St Marys church, bringing parents. families and members of the school communities into church a5 well as being an important feature of the life of these school St Mark's also supports Christian Mission through individual agencies working at home and overseas. In some instances, support is given where possible on an ecumenical basis e.g.. through Newtownards Christian Aid committee, and the Link Family & Communtty Centre. The St Marvs Christian leaders assist with volunteers from St Marks with annual collections in the town and host a Year quiz to rdise much needed funds. The yearly self-denial Lenten lunch. hosted by the St Marks prayer meeting attendees, is a time for people to get together and share a light meal with monies raised goingto an identified charity and this year this was donated to the Leprosy Mission. Fundraising continues and we have been able hire a stall at the S¢>cal Saturday market and have two cake sales. We are Er3teful to those who baked and ended the stsll. This gave us the opportunsty to be seen in the communty and copies of John's gospel were given out. In November we had a Christmas Fair which was well supported by the local community. Monies raised was used to support church fvnd St Marv5 is a member of Ards Churches Together. which organises a number of joint prdyer and worship events. including an annual Good Friday Service in the town centre. St Marys Parish Church holds a special place in the local community as building of historical interest with links to the Londonderry family. The church is open every day and a iM)oklet on the history of the church is provided free of charge. The church building is a venue for history walks. A new stained-glass window is nearly reaty and 15 in the process of being instslled in St Marks. This window has been gifted to the church in memory of a beloved daughter. The bishop will be coming in January 2024 to dedicate this new window which shows Christ the Shepherd King. The church provides access to archfft records Ibirths deaths and marriages) forgenealogic31 research.
We believe that our activities have been instrumentsl in maintaining and developing the INes of our members to the benefit of the communityof which we a part. St Marvs Parish Church Newtownards would not be able to deliver the qualrty of welcome and fellowship without the many hours of voluntary service given by many volunteers in all asperts of church lrfe. In order to Strategical develop our outreach actNities in Newtownards. the congregation of St Marvs has planted two churches. making us a multi-SFte church. These two church plants serve trmo of the three largest social housing estates in the town. The Glen estste has approximatsly Sch) househol(ts and the West Winds some 12CK) households, with each estste remaining Within the top 100 small pockets of deprivatitin in Northem Ireland INI Census 20211- The Glen Communrty Churth {GCCI was launched in 2014 and is led by a Diocesan Evangelist under the supervision of an Ordained Local Minister. West Winds Communty Church (WWCCI is Sed by the Ordained Local Minister and was launched during the summer of 2021. Busy Sunday mornings in both church plants wttness a growing gathering of local people coming together In thelr respertive cgmmunty centres for a time of informal café Style worship and a wami welcome over refreshments, allowing time for fellowship. At WWCC A monthly new ministry on a Sunday aftemoon. forget me not church worship, is where the focus is on residents with dementia and their family and friends Can attend. Traditional hymns. a short message. an engaging craft actNity and bible promise are the format of this special service. Funding applications contlnue to be submitted and monies received from various organisation e.g. Orphans and Children, Motherfs Union etc help these growing churches provide activities to all age groups. GCC has a Men's Shed that allows men of all ages to come along and learn new skills but also to have the time to ¢hat over a cup of tea. This is $0 important for thelr social skills and mentsl health. A Knit and Natter group allows. Main women to come along and have a chat and knit or do cr4ft activities. The WWCC has a Men's Cave where men can gather and have a chat and play games Hen's Shed encourages women of all ages to come along leam new skills, enjoy crdfts and chat together. The Community A550ciations in each estste are very supportlve in offering fètilrties and fvnding in many instances and the church staff are developing closer relationships with the Neighbourhood Police. Continuing dixipleship Includes Blble Stu - each weeK the church familles have their reSpettp bible study groups, encouragin8 participants to deepen their faith. Dlsci leshi s- each of the church families h05t discipleship courses at varfous tlmes throughout the year includin8 pha, Christianity Explored, Grief Course. etc. Pra er Gatherin - takes place in St Marys, The Glen and West Wind5. each with a passionate group of parishioners wtth prayerful hearts. Children- each of our worship family site5 host Sunday School provision for primary aged chlldren. Youth - St Marys Youth Feltowship meets every week with The Glen and The West Winds engaging with young people from their respectNe communitse Achievements and Perfornnce in our 3 churdb Sites Outreach into the community of Newtownards. Cross Community Events. Lunch time clubs Men's Shed and Hens Shed Giving to Missions and other charf£ies. Continual development of the Glen Communty Church. And West Winds Community Church Select Vestry ITrustees) continue to meet monthiy. Ongoing building work and repairs in the church and parish centre. The Rertory purchase last year is now vacated and has required refurbrshment and this work 15 progressing under the guidance of the Glebes. A loan continues to be paid to pay for part of the purchase of this house Christian resources are available in the parish centre foyer for people to take with them.
A television screen is in the parish centre hallway and displays details of Servi and other artNities in the church Much work has gone into ensuringthat as an organisation we are environmentslly aware. so we rerycle and reuse. In the parish centre. LED lights are in place and timer switches used in areas well used. Holiday Bible Club in August 2023 Trip to Kildare shopping centre in November 2023 Bible study groups Prayer groups Grief Course Preparation for Confimation Revd Canon Chris Matchett was appointed as priest-iTrcharge of the new Parish Group of Clondevaddock and Mevagh in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe and took up post at the end of September 2023. This has created a vacancy in the St Marks Church family. The process of nomination to appoint a new Rector will be guided by the Diocesan Office. We are fortunate to have a curat&a55iStant, the OLM and others to minister to our church family and 5UPPOrt this multi- site Church all under the guidance of the Archdeacon. Flnancial Revlew Parishioners have continued to respond generously through their giving. The Parish centre ha5 groups who make a donation and this ha5 given us much needed revenue. The Tnjstees are satisfied wlth the results of the charrty during the year together with the financial posltion at 31 Oecember 2023. The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ending 31 December 2024 and are satisfied that there are adequate funds going to be in place to ensure that the Parish continue Its activities during the coming year and that the charl$ assets are adequate to fvlfil its obligations. rincl Is of fundi Freewill Offerin8S Dirert Debits Standing Orders Gifts Legacies Gr4nts Fairs & Cake sales In-house catering Strurture. Governance and Management rnin Document The charlty is governed by its Constitution which is logged with the Charitie5 Commission. Recruitment and A intm nt of Board of Trustees New trustee5 are elected by members of the church. liance with Public Benefrt 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 benefiL Statement of Trustee< Responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Truste Report and the financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.
The law applicable to charttÈes in Northern Ireland requires Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affrdif5 of the Parish and of the incoming resource5 and application od resources of the Parish for that year. In preparing these financial statements. the Trustees are required to: - select suttable accounting policies and then appty them consistently: observe the methods and principles in the Charities Ststement of Recommended Practio; make judgements and estimate5 that are reasonable and prudent: - state whether applicable accounting Stsndard5 have beer¢ followed. subjettto any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial 5tatements- and prepare financial statements on the going concern basis unles5 it 15 inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish'5 transartions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Parish and enable them to ensure that the financial ststements cornp with the Charities Art (Accounts and Reports) Regulation5 (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the provision of the Constttution of the Church of Ireland. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Parish and hence for taking reasonable step5 for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees. Report wa5 approved by the Board of Trustees on 20 March 2024. Reverend Canon Gill Withers (Chaimanl D Phillip5 Trustse