St Marfs Parish Church, Newry Trustees, Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2017 References and admlntstratlve detslls of the Charlty Charlty Name: St Mary's Parish Church Newry Charity Reglstration Number: CCNI 0090063 Contact address: c/0 11 Crieve Court Newry BT34 2PE Trustees: Bafie$ l Hawthorne R Gray l Gray M Haw¢horne l Hosford L McA1lne D Mccullough P McElroy S Glass D NumJny M Patterson l Priestley I , lohnston S Muldrew D Princlpal Office-bearers: Acting Chair: Rev B Follis and Rev D Martin Hon . Secretary: P Mccullough Hon. Treasurer: l Baines Church Warden: L Hosford Glebe Warden: S Johnston Independent Examlner: Mr Klngsmill, Phelim & Prescott Bank: BOI
TRUSTEES. REPORT The Trustees present the annual report and statement of Receipt and Payments and Assets for St Mary's parish, Newry. for the year ended 31 December 2017. Objertives and Artlvities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of St MaS Parish, Newry is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting through the work of the Parish. 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 fundarnental to the prartiC21 delivery of the benefits of Christianity. As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the 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 ofthe Parish. Purpose, Achlevements & Perfornunce and Publlc Benefit It was a further difficult year for St Mary's Parish in that we are still without a full-time Rector and have just had to rely on visiting cler&v to help maintain the witness and mission of the Church. Yet we are thankful for those clergy who have visited our parish and led Sunday worship in a meaningful manner. We are delighted that weekly worship in our Parish Church has b maintained during 2017 with an average weekly attendance of_ people. In addition, our ministry to oung people has contlnued with a strong Sunday School with some 1> children enrolled and a dedication team of Iieaders. en We remain grateful for the services of Captain Gary Roberts from the Church Army, who continues to undertake regular pastoral visitation of parishioners and provided pastoral to all those In need of help.
Captain Roberts has also made himself available to members of the wider community where and when a request for pastoral help has been made. Our involvement with the wider community is also seen through our Sllver Llghts, which is a club we run for senior citizens (and a regular attendance of 15 people). These activities are open to the wider community, regardless of background, and we are pleased to welcome people from across the community. We remain very grateful for the number of parishioners who serve in a voluntary capacity whether that be in relation to helping provide ministry or in the care of the building and fabric. They have a deep commitment to St Mary's Parish and we are thankful for their service. 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 benefit Flnanclal Review Free-will offering remained strong along with investment returns and the Vestry is able to meet all of its financial commitments. No debt exists. Going Concern The Trustees have reviewed the budget for the year ahead and are satisfied that there adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activities and the financial statements for the year ended 3 1 December can be signed off as a going concern. Structure, Governance and Management Governlng Document and constitutlon of the Charity Chapter 111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees. Recruitment and Appolntment of Select Vestry cfrustees) All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 and are either resident within the parish or live elsewhere but have been
accustomed members of the congregatlon 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 and 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. The Select Vestry will hold their positions for a period of one year. Select Vesty members may be reelected annually and there is no limit on the number of terms which may be served. Pay and remuneratlon St Mary s Parish does not at present have an Incurnbent but, when we do, he/she is paid directly by the Parish in conjunction with payment from St Patrick's Parish. the other part of or Parish Group. He/she would receive the full stipend in accordance with Diocesan recommended statement issued each November with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland and also receives the locomotory and expenses of office as recommended by the General Synod. Organlsatlonal 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 serving in the Parish. any Curate Assistant {'the Curate,), the Churchwardens. The Glebewardens and generally not more than twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the General Vestry. The Select Vestry is norn]ally chaired by the Incumbent of the Parish. Select Vestry mernbers are responsible for making decisions on rnatters of general concern and importance to the Parish including how Parish funds are to be applied. The Selert 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 2017, in the absence of an Incumbent, our Select Vestry was chaired by the Area Dean, Rev Dr Bryan Follis, or by his Curate. Rev David Martin. The Select Vestry met 7 times during the year and the average attendance was 80 %. Statement of Trustees. Responslbllities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the statement of receipts and payments and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with income less than £250,000 requires the Trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish's transactions and disclosure with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilities of the Parish. 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. Signed on behalf of the Trustees Honorary Secretary Honorary Treasurer