## **Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church** 

## **· a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland** 

**Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022** 

**Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC104268** 

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SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH
Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended
31 December 2022, including a Balance Sheet as at that date.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Saintfield Road con8regation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland: Myrtledene Road,
Belfast, BT8 6GQ Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland: NIC104268
CHARITY TRUSTEES
The Charity Trustees who served during the year, or who were trustees at the date of this
report, were:
Malcolm Buchanan
Gordon Campbell
th
Iris Francey (resigned 7 January 2023)
Andrew Hamilton
Gavin Hamilton
Heather Lowry
Jean Mcclune
William Mcclune
lan Mullen
Jonny Patterson
Lorna Rodgers
Neil Templeton
David Thomson
Johnny Bell
Robert Clarke
th
John Francey {resigned 7 January 2023)
Derek Henderson
John Hamilton
Jonny Mcclune
Ali5tair Mccracken
Heather Montgomery
Alison Mullen
David Rice
Alison Templeton
Alf Thompson
Ben Walker (Minister)
PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS
Minister
Clerk of Session
Treasurer
Rev. Ben Walker
Dr. Alistair R. Mccracken
Mr. Ross Withers ACA

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SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBITERIAN CHURCH
a Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS
Finegan Gibson Limited
BANKERS
Danske Bank Limited
Donegall Square West
Belfast
BTI 6JS
STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT
The Kirk Session
The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the
congregation's governing document, the Code, the book of the constitution and
government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and
promote the spiritual interest of the congregation and of persons not connected with any
congregation who are within its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place in the
congregation and seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and
service in the local community. The Kirk Session has delegated to its Congregational
Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all funds and
property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are also member5 of
the Congregational Committee.
The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregation.
All members are entitled to prop05e, Speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except
that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but
only a casting vote.
Stated meetings of the Kirk Session are held eight times per year, monthly September to
May.
To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting
member and a regular attendant on its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be
called to the office can be either by the congregation or by the Kirk Session.

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SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH
a Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Presbytery
Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland's form of governance, the corporate oversight of a
congregation is the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual
and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church has been assigned to
the South Belfast Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the
Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregations assigned to it by the
General Assembly, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by
the Kirk Session of each congregation.
The General Assembly
The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland,
representing in one body the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative,
administration and judicial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The
General Assembly is normally constituted during the first week in June for worship and to
conduct its business. At the end of busine55, it is dissolved. The membership of the General
Assembly consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired ministers and
a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation.
DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Reformed Church within the wider body of Christ, 15
grounded in the Scriptures, and exists to love and honour God through faith in His Son and
by the power of His Spirit, and to enable its members to play their part in fulfilling God's
mission to our world.
As a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we believe that the Bible is the
supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with
the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key
matters of Christian faith and practice.
During the year, the Kirk Session continued work on a new vision statement under the
general theme 'Life together with Jesus"
Five task groups I'communicating the vision,;
'Next Steps,; 'Pastoral care,, 'Partnership with Belvoir Presbyterian Church,, 'Reimagining

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Life Groups ) set up by Kirk Session in 2021 considered these area5 more fully. The groups,
each led by. an elder but involving others who are not on Kirk Session met regularly,
reported to the Kirk Session and to the congregation throughout the year.
Recommendations will be implemented during 2023. In 2022 the Rev Ben Walker took on
responsibility as Convenor of the vacancy in Belvoir Presbyterian Church. After lengthy
discussion by the Kirk Sessions of both congregations and by a dedicated group of
representatives from both congregations the recommendation has been made to appoint
an Associate Minister who will be part of the SRPC staff but will work mainly in Belvoir. It is
hoped that an appointment can be made in 2023, dependant on putting in place a
sustainable funding package.
ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES
The congregation usually meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join.
The Sacrament of the Lord'5 Supper is observed on several occasions during the year. The
congregation holds regular prayer and Bible study meetings and has a wide range of
orEanisations. Other external organisations also use our church premises and are supported
by the congregation.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Worship and prayer
The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.00am and the 5ervice5 are
also broadcast through live streaming. On some Sunday evenings, and during the week,
meetings for prayer are held or also live streamed. Life Groups meet in homes or in the
Church for Bible Study and prayer.
At 31 December 2022 there were 285 communicant member5 and approximately 289
families connected with the congregation. The average week attendance at Sunday
morning worship was approximately 230.

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SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBITERIAN CHURCH
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Pastoral care
Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due t'o sickness or age are
normally visited on a regular basis by the minister, elders or by a member of the
congregation. The structure for pastoral care has been reviewed during the year with
implementation of changes in 2023.
Mission and outreach
The congregation is involved in many differing types of local mission activity throughout the
year. The congregation also supports workers overseas, including financial support.
The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission, which is a central fund of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregations to SUPPOrt the wider
mission of the denomination and to carry out mission and outreach on a denominational
basis, beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The PCI United Appeal Fund
provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists
congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church planting, provides
grant 5UPPOrt for the upkeep of church premises, assists with the running costs of Union
Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry student5, and financially
supports congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach,
leadership and pastoral care.
Presbytery
The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of the Presbytery of South
Belfast by our minister and one of the elders. This provide5 an important link between the
congregations and the wider structures of the church.
General Assembly
The minister along with an elder nominated by Kirk Session normally attend the meeting of
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings,
Belfast. The 2022 General Assembly was held in June. However, the minister and the
nominated elder both tested positive for Covid the week of the Assembly and were
therefore unable to attend in person. As far as possible they followed proceedings online.

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SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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Property
Building work to restore the Church buildings was completed in 2018. During 2022 it was
only necessary to carry out small scale work to maintain the facilities. Grants were received
from external sources to enable the construction of a community garden.
Organisations
There are a range of other organisations in the church which enjoyed re-establishing normal
patterns of meeting and use of Church facilities.
Volunteers
The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their
time by serving on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities.
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing
benefit to its members, and the general public, by making known the Christian Gospel of the
Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion.
The direct benefits which flow from the purposes of the Church include the gaining of an
understanding in Christian beliefs a5 Set out in the Bible and in the Church's subordinate
standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms),
leading to spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Bible
teaching. In turn, this framework leads to practical expre55ions of Christian beliefs and
standards in the local community such as through the care of those in need (including the
sick, disabled and bereaved).
Generally, the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and their members, or
are facilitated through presbyteries or are organised and delivered centrally. Local delivery
is facilitated by central resources in almost all cases. Public access is made known through
the use of notice boards, printed material, press advertisement, websites, and social media
or in other ways.
The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal and
ad-hoc feedback from members, their families, and member5 of the public.
The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to ministers and employees
who receive benefits as a result of their holding office or employment or, on occasion,

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SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
a Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland
members serving either locally or overseas. However,.this is incidental and necessary in
order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefits. The
beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their families, other individuals that the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with, the community in which
pastoral services are provided and other communities throughout Northern Ireland, the
Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement with and support
for both Christian and other secular organisations, charities and individual members of the
public.
The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit requirement and
statutory guidance.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through Freewill
Offering, together with donations to the Support Fund (specifically for mission and property)
There were approximately 220 contributors to the General Fund during the year donating a
total of £142,3881£132,327 in 2021), excludin8 Gift Aid.
Total income of the congregation during the year was £244,454, compared to £238,471 in
the previous year, although that included a bequest of £27,308. Grants of £3,437 were
claimed and received.
Total expenditure was £280,372 compared to £266,960 in 2021. This was primarily due to
increases in staffing costs and utility costs.
RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPEcf OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements
in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting
Practice.
The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give
a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the congregation and the financial activities for
that year. In preparing the financial statements the Trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the Congregation will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to
show and explain the funds transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time
the financial position of the congregations and enable them to ensure that the financial
statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and
Reporting by Charities {1 January 2019)" They are also responsible for safeguarding the
assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and
detection of fraud and other irregularities.
POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS AND GOING CONCERN
The Trustees are of the opinion that the congregation has sufficient resources at the date of
approval of these financial statement5 to meet commitments which will arise in the year
from the date of signing this report and, subject to the continuing support from members,
to fund, on an on-going basis, the congregation's current activities and other financial
commitments.
RESERVES POLICY
The Trustees have considered the level of unrestricted reserves that it is appropriate to
hold, taking account of current and ongoing commitments. It is the policy of the Trustees to
hold between three and six month's normal expenditure. The Trustees also bear in mind the
bank balance available and the net current asset position. At the year-end unrestricted
reserves were £110,06712021 £93,512).

Presbyter
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SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH
a Congregatlon of The Presbyterlan Church In Ireland
RISK REVIEW
Following the fire damage, the Trustees have considered the rlsks around security and have
enhanced the measures which were In place. A review of other major risks, including child
protection and data security, has been undertaken by the Trustees and systems and
procedures implemented to manage identified risks. The principal risks are in relation to the
likelihood of reputational damage and financial risks associated with the expectation of on-
going financial support from members. These risks are mitigated by the Trustees, and the
Congregational Committee, regularly monitoring the various activities of the congregation
at stated meetings and by encouraging members in their regular giving.
Regulartraining with regard to issues such as child protection is given.
oz2
Ross Withers ACA (Treasurer)
Date
They have been approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 20 April 2023 and signed on
its behalf on 25th June 2023 by
',£￿-./.":1,T.L.'l
Rev Ben Walker (Minister)
L_Q.
Dr. Alistair Mccracken {Clerk of Session)
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