LOUGHINISLAND PARISH CHURCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reg Charity No 103592
FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
LOUGHINISLAND PARISH CHURCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
| Contents |
Page No |
|---|---|
| Information |
1 |
| Select Vestry Report |
2/4 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 5 |
| Receipts and Payments Accounts | 6/8 |
LOUGHINISLAND PARISH CHURCH
INFORMATION
Minister in Charge
Rev Adrian Dorrian
Secretary
Mrs M E Hughes
Treasurer
Mrs Karen Cullen
Select Vestry
Mr Gordon Cullen – Peoples Warden
Mr Gary Jennings - Rectors Warden
Miss Melanie Campbell Mr Stephen Glass Miss June Strain Mr Malcolm Moffatt Mrs Heather Knipe Mrs Meave King Mr John Knipe Mr Matthew Forde
Principal Banker
First Trust Bank
28/32 Main Street
Newcastle
Co Down BT33 0AD
Independent Examiner
Mr S Killough
3 Mountnorris Newcastle Co Down BT33
LOUGHINISLAND PARISH CHURCH
Report of the Select Vestry YE 31/12/2023
The Select Vestry for Loughinisland Parish present the annual report and statement of receipts and Payments for the Parish for year ended 31[st] December 2023.
Objectives & Activities
The Principal function of Loughinisland Parish Church is to support the advancement of the Christian Religion by promoting through the work of the Parish Church the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support to those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity.
As a result of activity in the pursuit of advancement of the Christian Religion, Loughinisland Parish has custody of the Property and other materials and records, which are significant to cultural and religious heritage and maintenance which is undertaken by the Select Vestry on behalf of Loughinisland Parish Church.
Achievements, Performance and Public Benefit
Weekly Worship Services are held in Loughinisland Parish at 10am, with attendences varying week on week. The services are open to all people, and visitors are made to feel most welcome with morning coffee served on all occasions. The Services include prayer, reflection, hymn singing and music, provided by an exceptionally young organist, who is continuing her music tuition within the COI. During this Service, there is also a childrens address, and then Sunday School for a varying number of children each week.
Diocease
The Parish has an elected Diocesan Synodsman which can attend the Synod, and represent the Parish when a range of issues important to the church as a whole are discussed and decisions are made.
Pastoral Care
The Rector visits Parishioners in their home, in nursing homes, and in hospital throughout the year, and other parishioners are encouraged to do also as caring Christian neighbours. If the Rector is on Holiday, then other clergy from within the LAMP Group will attend in his absence. The rector ministers to the Sick, the bereaved and to others in happier occasions in their lives. He also has a visible presence in local schools.
Ecumenical
Loughinisland has maintained a strong ecumenical presence within the local rural community. With Bible Study classes organised, and a Cross-community Carol Service held annually with Carols and Prayer with Loughinisland RC Church since 1994.
Child Protection
The Parish ensure that all requirements of the Church of Irelands Safeguarding Trust are implemented at all times.
Financial Overview
Receipts and Payments Accounts are attached . Total income slightly down on previous year at £29,653.25 from £32,586.47, Gift Aid reclaim not submitted on time. There were no exceptional credits resulting that income remained steady. Expenditure was slightly up on previous from £25.4k to £28.3k due to increased confributions to LAMP Group, development of newly set up Playgroup, some small refurbishments, and refreshments for Community Carol Service with St McCartans.
Loughinisland Parishs only other assets, apart from cash held in Bank is Valuation of Parish Fund Investments noted in Accounts. Loughinisland Parish Church has no liabilities.
Going Concern
The Trustees have reviewed the income and expenditure for the coming year, and are satisfied that these are adequate to enable the Parish to continue and that the financial statements for the year end 31[st] December 2022 can be signed off as a going concern.
Structure Governance and Management
Chapter III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Insitutions. The Members of the Select Vestry are Trustees.
All the members of the Church of Ireland who are aged 18 and over,and are resident within the Parish, or live elsewhere but have been members of the congregations for at least 3 months may register as a member of the general vestry of the parish allowing them to attend and to vote at the general vestry and stand for election to the select vestry. Meetings of the General vestry are held at least once each year. The select vestry is selected as part of this General Vestry meeting. The select vestry will hold their positions for a period of 1 year, but may be re-elected annually, and there is no limit on the number of terms that may be served.
Pay and Remuneration
As a part of the Lecale Area Mission Partnership, Loughinisland pay to a central account from which the incumbents salary is met. Details of this payment are included in the Receipts and Payments Accounts.
Organisational Structure
The Select Vestry are responsible for the day to day running of the Parish. The Select vestry consists of the Member of clergy serving in the Parish, The Church Wardens, and usually not more that twelve other members of the General Vestry, duly elected.
The Select vestry is Chaired by the incumbent. Select Vestry members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish including how parish funds are to be applied. The select vestry meets in Loughinisland at least every 3 months, and more often should the requirement arise.
Compliance with Pubic Benefit
The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commissions for Northern Ireland guidance on Public Benefit to ensure that the activities entered into throughout the year have helped to achieve the Parishes objectives and achievements as well as providing public benefit.
Statement of Responsibilities of the Trustees
The Trustees are responsible for the preparing of the Trustees Report, and statements of Receipts and Payments and Statements of Assets and Liabilities in accordance with applicable Law and Regulation.
The laws applicable to Charities in Northern Ireland, with income of less that £250k pa requires the Trustees to prepare a Statement of Receipts and Payments and Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
The trustees are responsible to show accounting records that are sufficient to show the Parishes and disclose 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 relevant steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other Irregularities.
Signed on Behalf of the Trustees
Loughinisland Parish Church
Seaforde Dated 1[st] May 2023