St Michaels Parish Church of Ireland Sixmilecross Trustees, Annual report for the year ended 31st December 2023 Objectives and Activities The charitable purpose of the parish is the advancement of religion. Achievements, Performance and Public Benefit Sunday Worship Services of worship are held every Sunday at 10.3oam. Times change to liam in July aiid 9.30am in August. Seivices of Holy Communion, Morning Prayer and Fainily Service take place every month. When there is a fifth Sunday in the month there is a service of Wholeness and Healing. Pastoral visiting Visits to hospitals, care homes and to parishioners at home are available on request. Hospitals and Care homes are open to SitS, though some still require a phone call to make an appointment. Upkeep of Grounds and Buildings The grounds of the rectory and the church graveyard are maintained by a professional garden inaintenaiice company, under the supenTision of the Glebe wardens. The Rectory is in good condition. Some repair work and decoration has been carried out this year. The church remains in good condition, as does the church hall. Bible Study A bible study was held during Lent. This was held on Wednesday evenings, alternating between Sixmilecross and Termonmaguirlce parish halls. It was, as in previous years, well attended. Drop-in The Wednesday morning weekly drop-in has continued in Termonmaguirlce church hall for parishioners from both Sixmilecross and Termonmaguirke. It has been well attended by up to 14 people per meeting, where a chat with tea, coffee and snacl(s are enjoyed. There is no formal programme, and the mostly retired members seem to enjoy this informal approach. School contacts The Rector carries out school assemblies in Cooley Primary School, Sixmilecioss on monthly basis, during scliool term. Baptisms, weddings and funerals There were four funerals and three baptisms in 2023. There was confirmation this year. Mission activity The parish continues to support Cross-linlcs Mission agency. We have a link with Andrew and Eunice Moody who Work in Uganda, supporting the Church across the border in South Sudan. We also support a local young person, Andrew Livingstone who is now working in a Baptist run youth and conference centre in France. We support several local good causes such as a food bank in Omagh aiid children's charities, with food collections and toy collections at Christmas.
Child Protection The parish follows the Cliurch of Ireland child protection policy, Safeguarding Trust. Financial review As of December 2023, the parish is in a good position, free from debt and with a balance of £30,414 in our general account and £46,890 in the fabric account. The trustees hold reserves in the general account to ensure that obligations to the RCB and every day running costs can be met. The fabrie account is maintained to cover the maintenance costs of the grounds and buildings. With historie buiIdings, it is necessary to make provision for eventual substantial maintenance costsy particularly for our 19 th century church building. Going concern The trustees have reviewed the blldgets for the year ahead and are satisfÉed 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 31st December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern. Structurey governance and management Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity is Chapter iii of the constitution of the Church of Ireland Governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members, who are the Charity Trustees, and who senTed during the year and up to the date of signing the financial statements were: Rev A Barr Mr R Anderson Mr R Anderson Mr L Anderson Mr D Armstrong Mrs C Armstrong Mr C Arnistrong Mr I Armstrong Mrs R Beacom Mr D Kwasniewski Mrs A Lyons Mr D Jefferson Mr A Managh Mr J Managh Mr C MeLaren Mr R Oldcroft Mr J Sawyers Mrs B Thompson Recruitment and appointment of Select Vestry The select vestry is recruited and appointed at the Annual Easter Vestry according to the rules of the Church of Ireland. Pay and remuneration The incumbent of the parish is paid a stipend, locomotory allowance and office expenses in accordance with figures approved by the general synod of the Church of Ireland.
Compliance with Public Benefit Tlie parish has given Careful coijsideration to the Charity Commission for Noithern Ireland's Guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the parish's objectives as well as providing public benefit. Signed on Behalf of the Trustees Rev Alan Barr (Chair) Date: