Trustees Annual Report for period end 31 December 2023 The Trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts, Payments ,Assets and Liabilities for St Matthew- Church Keady for the year ended 31 December 2023. Objettives and Activities Christian religion at its core seeks to provide care and support to those at point of need. Direct benefit of participation in church life includes the enjoyment of public worship and giving and receiving of pastoral care. As a church body we seek to engage with our local community and encourage social and community integration We are an active church body with regular events during the year and a willing and able body of volunteers to assist in our work. No trustee or volunteer receives any renumeration, reward or other private benefit for carrying out their trustee responsibility. Benefits of church engagement include social benefits a sense of purpose and belonging within the church community. We also get to enjoy historic building and artefacts and appreciate our rich Chrisitan heritage. This is demonstrated with ongoing provision of access to church records for research and geneology, conservation efforts for records, property and artefacts and the subsequent and continued requests for access and use of our materials by the wider society. The direct beneficiaries of this purpose are the church members and the general public as we receive requests from many regarding accessing the records, and the grounds of the church. There is no harm arising from the purpose. No private benefit is received by trustees fulfilling their trustee responsibilities ir)_ respect of these records, buildings or artefacts. On occasion specialist professional external services are engaged essential to the fulfilment of the task, In this year we have undertaken planning for the restoration of the church roof which has suffered significant weather damage and put the building at risk of significant internal damage. In 2025 St Matthews will be 250 years old and this will be an event for celebration in church life of a beautiful historic relic which has been preserved for those today and those in future to enjoy. Achievement, Performance and Public Benefit All Parish mission is to the advancement of religion through holding regular worship and the pastoral care and support of Parishoners and the local community. Events in the period l Jan 2023- 31st Dec 2023 included 2512/23- Community Big Breakfast 22/4/23- Community Coffee Morning at the Rectory 219/23 -Arranged Outing to the Belfast International Tattoo 12/9123- Charity Aucticn 10111123-Table Quiz in the church Hall 10/12/23- Christmas Carol Evening with local Silver band The Select Vestry is chaired by the member of Clergy officiating in the Parish. The Select vestry are responsible for decision making and steer on the matters of finance, structural upkeep and maintenance in compliance with State church legislation. The Select Vestry meets at time prior arranged by its members, rural dean or by the Diocesan Synod. Special meetings may be additiGYally convened at any time by the Chairperson or the Churchwardens. The Parish has given due consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Irelands guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have assisted with achieving the Parish aims and objectives 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 the Statement of Assets and Liablilities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The law applicable to cht>rities 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 respon