Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023
The tnistees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and
Liabilities for St. Mark's Church for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.
The princkpal functton of St. Mark's Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by
promoting, through th¢ work of St. Mark's Church 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 PUTSUit of the advancement of the Christian religion, St. Mark""s Church
has custody of property and of records, materials and art¢facts of significance to the cultural and
religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the select vestry of St. Mark's Church.
Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit
St. Mark's Church has weekly services on Sunday mornings comprising of a mix of Holy
Communion, Family S¢rvicetBaptism and Morning Prayer together with various other special services
during the year e.g. Lenten services: Holy Week services, Harvest Thanksgiving services, Advent and
Christmas Carol services. Pastoral care is also provided, visiting the sick, housebound and hospitalised
A number of members of St. Mark's Church serve on the Board of Governors of the local Controlled
Primary School and support and encourage the work of the school helping to maintain good standards
and practices.
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Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued)
Financial Revieiv
The principal source of income of St. Mark's Church continues to be from Donations and Plate
Collecttons.
The principal expense of St. Mark's Church is in respect of payments regarding Diocesan
Costs/Assessment and church maintenance exp¢nses.
St. Mark's Church had an excess of receipts over payments before other gains of £610.93 for
the year ended 31 December 2023.
St. Mark's Church continues to be in a healthy financial state as at 31 December 2023 with
total cash funds of £77.126.42.
St. Mark's Church aims to retain sufficient reserves to meet its expected future expenditure
requirements as well as potential future capital projects.
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Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued)
Structure, Governance and Management
Going Concern
The truste¢s have reviewed its planned expenditure for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are
adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activities and the financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2023 can b¢ signed off as a going concern.
Governing Documenl and Constitution ofthe Charifjp
Chapter Ill of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation.
The Select Vesty members are the Charity Trustees.
Recruilmenl andAppointmenl ofseleel Vestry (Truslees)
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 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 and to stand for election to the select vestry. Meetings of the general
vestry are held at least once a year. The Select Vesty is elected as part of this Gencral Vestry
meeting. The Select Vestry will hold theÈr positions for a period of one year. Select Vestry members
may be re-elected annuaEly and there is no limit on the number of tern]s which may be served.
Organisational Slruclure
The select vesty 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, the churchwardens, the glebe wardens and
generally not more than twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the General Vestry.
The select vestry is chaired by the incumbent or other member of the clergy officiating in the parish.
Select vestry members arc responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and
importancc to the parish Including deciding how parish funds are to be applied.
The select vestry meets at times fixed bv the members or by the diocesan synod. Special meetings
may be conv¢ned at any tim¢ by the chairperson or the churchwardens.
Complianee with Public Benefit
The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland's guidance
on public benefit to ¢nsure that the actives entered into during the year have helped to achieve the
Parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.
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Trustees, Allnual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued)
Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the ststement of receipts and
payments and statement of assets and liabilitie5 in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with Income of less than £250:000 requires the
Érustees 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 disclose with reasonable accuracy at any tim¢ the ass¢ts and liabilities of the
Parish. They also r¢sponsible for safeguarding the assets of the Parish and hence for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on Behalf of the Trustees
Trustee I
Trustee 2
Date
LS
l-OL6
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