an Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees. Annual Report and Flnancial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Reglstered with the Charfty Commlsslon for Northern Ireland NIC104268
an SAINTFIELD ROAD PRES8YfERIAN CHURCH a Congregatlon of The Presbyterlan Church In Ireland TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023, including a Balance Sheet as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS Sainle1d Road congregation of the Presbvterian Church in Ireland: Myrtledene Road, Belfast, BT8 6GQ Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Registered Charity in Northern Ireland: NIC104268 CHARITY TRUSTEE5 The Charity Trustees who served durin8 the year, or who were tru5tee5 at the date of this report, were: Malcolm Buchanan Gordon Campbell Andrew Hamilton Gavin Hamilton Heather Lowry Jean Mcclune William Mcclune lan Mullen Jonny Patterson Lorna Rodgers Neil Templeton David Thomson Johnny Bell Robert Clarke Derek Henderson John Hamilton Jonny Mcclune Alistair 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
an SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESB YTERIAN CHURCH a Congregatlon of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT {conVd} INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS Finegan Gibson Limited BANKERS Danske Bank Limited Donegall Square West Belfast BTI 6JS STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMEMr The Klrk Sesslon 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 con8re8ation 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 induding administering all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are also members of the Congregatlonal Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregatlon. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetin8s, except that the Moderator. the minister in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a cast•ng 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 con8regation or by the Kirk Session.
an SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH a Congregatlon of The Presbyterlan alurth In Ireland Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland's form of governance, the corporate oversight of a congregation 15 the responslbilty of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the coneregations assigned to it bythe 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 con8regation. The General Assembly The General A55embly is the supreme tourt of the Presbyterian Church in Irelaiid, representing in one body the whole Church and acting 35 it5 supreme legislative. administration and judicial authority, in dealin8 With all matters brought before it. The General Assembly is normally constituted during the first week in June for worshlp and to conduct its business. At the end of business, it Is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the active minister5 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 wtthin the wider body of Christ, is 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 mlssion 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.
an SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH a Con8regatlon of The Pre5byterlan Churth in Ireland AcfivrnES AND OBJEcnvES The congregation usually meets for worship every Sunday and vlsitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on several occasions during the year and all those who have been baptlsed and who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation holds regular prayer and Bible study meetings and has a wide range of organisations. Other external or8anisations also use our church premises and are supported by the congregation. The Rev. Ben Walker continued as Convenor of the vacancy in Belvoir Presbyterian Church. Following the recommendation of Kirk Session and as reported in the 2022 report representation was made to the Linkage Commission of PCI asking for pemission to appoint an Associate Minister, to work primarily in the congregation meeting in Belvoir. A request was also made for additional funding. The Linkage Commission did not grant permission to call an Associate Minister. There are onsoins discussions by both Kirk Sc55ion5, South Belfast Presbytery and the Belfast Conference about the ongoing relationship between Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church and Belvoir Presbyterian Church. During the year (September) Mr Andrew Ferguson was appointed as an Assistant Minister of the con8re8ation in Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church. This is a three-year trainin8 appointment and Mr Ferguson will be eligible for a call to his own congregatlon in September 2026. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.00am and the services are also broadcast through life 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 2023 there were 289 communicant members and approximately 290 families connected with the congregation. The average week attendance at Sunday morning worship was approximately 230.
an SAINfFIELD ROAD PRESBrfERIAN CHURCH a Congregatlon of The Presbyterlan Church In Ireland Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickne55 or age are normally visited on a regular basis bythe minister, elders or by a member of the congregation. The structure for pastoral care was reviewed in 2022 and changes implemented in 2023. Three large pastorates were created and the pastoral needs of the people in each pastorate are met by a pastoral team lead by some of the elders. As part of this implementation a review of the name5 of people on the Church database was undertaken. Mission and outreach The congregation is involved in many differing types of local mission activity throughout the year. The congregation a150 5UPPOrt5 worker5 overseas, including financial sUPPOrt. The con8re8ation supports the United Appeal for Mission, which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Thls 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 provldes financlal support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congregations Wlth the deployment of locally based Staff, enables church plantin& provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, a55iSts with the running costs of Vnion Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and financially supports congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. Presbytery The tongregation 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 strurtures of the church. General Assembly The minister alongwith an elder nominated by Kirk Session normally attend the meetin8 of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held In Assembly 8uildings, Belfast. The 2023 General Assembly was held in June. The Minister, Assistant Minister and nominated elder attended and where appropriate contributed to debate and voted on resolutions.
Presbyter an SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESB YTERIAN CHURCH a Congregatlon of The Presbyterlan Church in Ireland Property During 2023 a number of small-scale works were carried out. These include rendering the wall in front of the main Church, installing safety rails, new signage, improving the lightening condurtor on the Church tower and some maintenance work on the manse. Or8anlsatlons There are a range of other organisations in the church which provide fellowship for church members and others and which meet regularly. usine thurch 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 organi5ations and other church activities. PUBUC BENEFIT STATEMEMr The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefft to its members, and the general public, by making known the Christlan 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 as 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 expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as through the care of those in need (induding the sick. disabled and bereaved). Generallyi 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 15 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 members of the public.
an SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH a Congregation of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland The only private benefit flowing from our purpose 15 related to ministers and employees who receive benefits as a result of their holding office or employment or, on occasion, member5 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 member5. their families, other individuals that the PrÈsbytp_rian c.hurch in Ireland is in direct and indirect contart 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 guidanc@. FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through Freewill Offerin& together with donations to the Support Fund (specifically for mission and property) There were approximately 215 contributors to the General Fund during the year donating a total of £131,142 {£142.388 in 2022). excluding Gift Ald. Total income of the congregation during the year was £363.095 compared to £244,454 in the previous year. Grants of £11,690 were claimed and received and the congregation were also in receipt of a legacy donation of £127.242 in 2023. Total expendtture was £294,969 compared to £280,372 in 2022. This was primarily due to increases in staffing costs and increased property expenditure. RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPEcf OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Trustees are responsible for preparingthe 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:
an SAINTFIELD ROAD PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH a Congre8atlon of The Presbyterlan thurch in Ireland make judgements and estimate5 that are reasonable and prudent: prepare the financial Statements on the going concern basi5 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 Éxplain the fund5 transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at anytime the financial position of the congregations and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Prartlce "Accounting and Reporting by Charities {1 January 20191-. They a also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detertion 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 statements 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 resee$ that it is appropriate to hold, taklng account of current and ongoing commitments. It is the policy of the Trustees to hold between three and Six month's normal expenditure. The Trurtees also bear in mind the bank balance available and the net current asset position. During the year the Church received a legacy of £127,242 and until decisions about its use are made, this is being held in reserves and the bank account. At the yearond unrestricted reserves were £195,308 {2022 £110,067).
an SAIMfFIELD ROAD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH a ConBre8atlon of The Presbyterian Chwth In Ireland R15K REVIEW Following the fire damage. the Trustees have considered the risks around securty 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 Identlfied rlsks. The principal risks are in relation to the likelihood of reputational damage and financial risks associated with the expectation of on- goin8 finanaal support from members. These risks are mitigated by the Trustees, and the Congregational Committee, re8ularty monitoringthe various artivities of the con8regation at stated meetin85 and by encouragin8 members in their re8ular 8ivin& Regular training with regard to tssues such as child protectlon Is glven. They have been apprtwed by the Kirk Session at a meetin8 on 21st March 2024 and signed on its behalf on 19th Juty 2024 by Rev Ben walker (Minister) LU-.P q"a Dr. Alistair Mccracken Iclerk of Session} 10