TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
Downpatrick/Down Group/Ballee Parish Church/Chapel of Ease, Hollymount/Down & Dromore/Church of Ireland
Charity Registration Number: NIC: 103481
Purpose & public benefit
All of the activities of the charity relate to the advancement of religion through holding regular worship and communicating with and caring for parishioners and others in our community. The trustees have regard for the Public Benefit Requirement of the CCNI.
Main Activities
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Regular Worship on Sundays and at other times (eg Christmas and Holy Week)
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Engagement with those in the community through pastoral visiting, conducting of occasional offices (eg baptism, marriage, funerals) and events
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Hollymount hosts a number of events for the Community, including a Christmas Tree Lighting and ‘Carols at the Lakeside’. There is strong cross-community support for major events such as Harvest Thanksgiving and our annual Carols by Candlelight.
Governance
Hollymount is part of a Church of Ireland Benefice in a Grouped Parish known as the Lecale Area Mission Partnership (LAMP). The governing document is the Constitution of the Church of Ireland. This document lays out conditions that must be fulfilled in order to be members of the Register of General Vestrypersons. As a chapel of Ease, Hollymount is part of the Parish of Down but operates with a Church Committee. At the Annual Easter General Vestry this list of Registered Vestrypersons elect from its membership those who shall be the Church Committee for the incoming year.
Financial Review
The Parish benefits from the generous support from Parishioners through Freewill Offering. This year, expenditure exceeded income. Ongoing fundraising is a problem for this small congregation, but the Committee has plans for the year ahead to run small events and holds an annual Harvest appeal.
The Accounts of the Charity were received and discussed, and the activities of the Charity were reviewed at the General Vestry Meeting on 25[th] March 2023.