Page 1 Christ Church Kilkeel Trustees. Annual Report (continued) Year ended 31 December 2023 Structure, governance and management Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity Chapter111 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 eilher 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 arid 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. 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 seNing in the parish, Rector's Warden, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, People's Warden and generally not more than twelve other members of the General Vestry elected at the General Vestry meeting. 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. In 2023 the Select Vestry met 10 times during the year. 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 activities entered into during the yeai have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit. Objectives and activities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of the Church of Ireland is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of the Christ Church Kilkeel 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 Church Of Ireland Kilkeel Parish 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 select vestry of the Christ Church Kilkeel.
Page 2 Christ Church Kilkeel Trustees. Annual Report (continued) Year ended 31 December 2023 Achievements and performance The Church of Ireland in general and Christ Church Kilkeel in particular meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to ils members and the general public by making known the Christian Gospel of Ihe Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion. The direct benefits which flow from the purposes of Ihe Church include the gaining of an understanding in Christian beliefs as sel out in the Bible and in the Church's subordinate teachings at times such as baptism, confirmation and marriage leading to spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Bible teaching. In turn, this framework leads to practical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as through the care of those in need (including the sick, disabled and bereaved). Generally, the above benefits are delivered locally in a parish context bul from time to time a Diocesan context will be in place. Local delivery can be facilitated by central resources in some cases. Public access is made known through the use of noticeboards, printed material, press advertisement. websites, social media, personal invitation or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular feedback (formal and ad-hoc} from members, their families, and members of the public. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their families, other individuals that Ihe Church of Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral services are provided and other communities throughout the world via missionary agencies and individuals reached and benefiting from the work of Christ Church Kilkeel. While prayer is a part of our worship services, other prayer activities such as prayer ministry. prayer triplets and occasionally prayer on the street are all activities available to and benefiting the whole commLrnity. The prayer triplets, initiative is a recent development and over 50 triplets have been formed and are being nurtured currently. Children, Young People, the Elderly and Families attending and not attending the regular services offered by the parish are welcomed along to activities and organisations held in our facilities. Links with statutory groups and other community groups is also prominent in the parish. and a reflection of our ability and desire to integrate with and serve the whole community in the distinctive manner that being a Church of Ireland Parish lends itself lo. Full attention is given to relevant Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult legislation compliance with the Church of Ireland Safeguarding Trust policy is given. An archive of records is available to the public on request for no fee. Public enjoyment of cultural and historic buildings and artefacts, such as church plate, furnishings and materials as well as an overall improved appreciation of longstanding Christian heritage is a real public benefit and something Christ Church Kilkeel promotes, for example. visiting local schools and local schools visiting our church buildings. Through conservation efforts in respect of records, property and artefacts, links with the past are saved and greatly appreciated by many in the wider society we inhabit. The beneficiaries are the congregation and the general public. The public valuation of the benefits can be evidenced through attendance at public worship and the activities and organisations linked directly and indirectly to Christ Church Kilkeel. Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of our Christian Ministry or to our lay staff is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of religion. No member of the Select Vestry receives remuneration, reward or other private benefit for carrying out their Select Vestry responsibilities.
Page 3 Christ Church Kilkeel Trustees, Annual Report (continued) Year ended 31 December 2023 Financial review The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering However, during Ihe year additional funds were raised lowards the cost of a building project which was commenced towards the end of the current year. Total Income of the congregalion during the year was £269,72812022 - £356,004). The expenditure for the year was £231,049 (2022 £196,844). The reserves of the Charity al 31 December 2023 totalled £922,932 (2022 £879,924) Reserrfes Policy The Trustees have considered the level of unreslricled reserves thal is appropriate lo hold, taking account of current and ongoing commitments. 11 is the policy of the Trustees lo hold al least three month's normal expenditure. At the year end unreslricled reserves were £132.96012022 - £109,201) which represents a higher level of feserves. The Trustees however, consider it prudent lo hold reserves at this level as the fLJnding of its present activities is dependent on the ongoir)g financial support of its members. Going Concern The Selecl Vestry have reviewed the finances for the year ahead and are satisfied that Ihere are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue ils activities and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern. The trustees, annual report was approved on 28 October 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by.. Rev A Calvin Trustee Ms J Linden Trustee