Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022 The Trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for St Matthew's Church, Parish of Keady forthe year ended 31 December 2022. Objectives and Activities The expression of the precepts of the Christian religion through engagement with the public, and with the disadvantaged, the sick, the elderly and the young is a public benefit. This can be measured and evidenced through increased social integration and pastoral care delivered at the point of need. The direct benefit of participation in Church life includes the enjoyment of public worship and the giving and receiving of pastoral ministry, improved understanding of the values relating to civic engagement, community cohesion and providing a bridge between diverse groups as well as improved educational outcomes through the Church's ministry of teaching. The beneficiaries are the public, and the public valuation of the benefits can be evidenced through attendance at public worship, participation in Church governance and willingness to support through contributions the continuing witness of the Church. The wider benefit to the public will outweigh any detriment arising during Christian outreach. Any private benefit arisingout of thefulfilment of our Christian ministry orto lay staff is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of religion. No Trustee receives remuneration, reward, or other private benefit for carrying out their Trustee responsibility. The direct benefits flowing from this purpose include the provision of archive records, public enjoyment of cultural and historic buildings and artefacts such as church plate, furnishings, and materials as well as an overall improved appreciation of longstanding Christian heritage. This is demonstrated through on-going provision of access to records and the use made of these records in, for example, research and genealogy, through conservation efforts in respect of records, property and artefacts and the subsequent and continued requests for access and use of our materials by wider society. There is no harm arising from the purpose. The beneficiaries are the public. No private benefit is received by trustees fulfilling their trustee responsibilities in respect of these records, buildings, or artefacts, but during conservation and to make these accessible to the public, the engagement of professional staff and services is essential but incidental to the fulfilment of the purpose. Achievements, Performance and Public Benefit All the functions of the Parish relate to the advancement of religion through holding regular worship and communicating with and caring for Parishioners and others in our community. Events during the year include: 23 April 2022 Coffee morning in Rectory Fun Day with bouncy castle tractor run, stalls and BBQ. 25 June 2022 18 September 2022 Joint service with soup lunch in hall. Christmas tree festival. Trees from businesses in town, schools and parishioners. 9- 11 December 2022
Other activities include parish walks, Sunday outing, confirmation classes, Christmas Carol services and Sunday school each Sunday. All social activities open to all. The principal function 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 is fundamental to the practical delivery of the tenets of Christianity. As result of activity in pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the Parish has Custody of a large body of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural heritage, the maintenance of which is undertaken by the Parish as a secondary charitable purpose. Financial Review 2022 The receipts for the Parish came to £67,643 from various sources. The total payments were £52,900, giving a surplus of £14,743 of receipts over payments. The combined bank balances as at 31 December 2022 was £15,595. Going Concern The Trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activities. and that the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 can be signed off as a going concern. Structure. Governance and Management Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity Chapter 111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry member5 are the Charity Trustees. Recruitment and Appointment of Select Vestry (Trustees) All members of the Church of Ireland who are overthe age of 18 and are either residentwithin 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. Select Vestry members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of terms which may be served. Pay and Remuneration In accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland. The Revd, William Mccracken was a non-stipendiary incumbent and did not claim locomotory allowance. Organisational Structure The Select Vestry is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Parish. The Select Vestry consists of a member of the Clergy serving 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 bythe member of the Clergy officiating in the Parish. Select Vestry members are responsible for making decision on matters of finance, fabric i.e. building maintenance etc., furnishings and compliance with State church legislation. The Select Vestry meets at times fixed by members, Rural Dean or by the Diocesan Synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the Chairperson or the Churchwardens. 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. 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 laws 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 of detection of fraud and other irregularities. Signed on behalf of the Trustees Trustee I". Trustee 2: Date: IZI 121i(xS