Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025
The trustees 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 2025.
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.
The principal function of St. Mark’s Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the 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 pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, St. Mark’s Church 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 St. Mark’s Church.
Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit
St. Mark's Church has weekly services on Sunday mormings comprising of a mix of Holy Communion, Family Service/Baptism 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.
In 2025 there were three baptisms, two funerals, two weddings and twelve in confirmation classes with a confirmation service held on 19 January 2025.
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Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)
Financial Review
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e The principal source of income of St. Mark’s Church continues to be from Donations and Plate Collections.
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e The principal expense of St. Mark’s Church is in respect of payments regarding Diocesan Costs/Assessment and church maintenance expenses.
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e St. Mark’s Church had an excess of receipts over payments before other gains of £4,692.14 for the year ended 31 December 2025.
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e St. Mark’s Church continues to be in a healthy financial state as at 31 December 2025 with total cash funds of £84,978.52.
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e 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 2025 (continued)
Structure, Governance and Management
Going Concern
The trustees 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 2025 can be signed off as a going concern.
Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity
Chapter HI of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees.
Recruitment and Appointment ofSelect Vestry (Trustees)
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 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 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 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.
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 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’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
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 of 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 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 reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on Behalf of the Trustees
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Trustee 1 Lordipr Borgin
Trustee 2 7 Jv. Pr,
Date isl 4\24
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