Tru5tees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 The trustees present the annual report and statements of Recelpts and Payments and Assets and Llabilit*s for Clare Parish Church for the year ended 31. December 2023 Objectives and Artlvltles The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland Is the advancement of religion. The principal function of Clare Parlsh Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religlon by promoting, through the work of the par15h the whole mlssion of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Bein8 open to and engaglng wlth society as a whole and offering support for those needing help are fundamental lo the practical delivery of the beneflts of Chrlstianlty. As a result of activity In the pursuit of the advancement of the Chrlstlan religion, Clare Parish Church has custody of property and o.f records, materials and artefacts of slgnlficance to the cuttural and religious heritage and malntenance of which is undertaken by the select vestry of Clare Parlsh Church. Achievernents. Performance & Public Beneflt Clerfcal leadershlp Rev Colin Darling was instltuted as incumbent in March 2023, wtth the Rural Dean, Rev Elizabeth C3irn5. Rector of Mullavilly, having spiritual and pastoral oversight up until that point. The parish also called upon the experience of various retired clergy and lay readers, licenced to officiate in Armagh Diocese, to asslst leading services. Church Property The Trustees are generalty satisfled that all church properties and grounds are exceptionally well maintained by Glebe Wardens and assistants. During 2022, much repair work was carried out to the adjacent church hall. It was pleasing to officially dedlcate this to the glory of God in a Servlce of Tharbksgiving in 2023. Public Worshlp Throughout 2023, Clare Parish Church provlded weekly worshSp on a Sunday morning, occasionally on a Sunday afternoon or evening. The Trustees record that the average congregation $12e in 2023 was 25%- 30% higher than 2022, although it is noted that this was a perlod still affected by COVID and without an Incumbent. Servlces were also held to mark speclal occasions with members of the public warmly welcomed. such as at Harvest and Christmas, and includin8 a gospel evening of music. Other public community services included a Remembrance Day Commemoration and Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols. These public serylces allowed the church to open Its doors to other communlty members and theirfamS1ies. In addition to regular attendance on Sunday mornin8s being higher, attendance at rnajor church selv1$ and festivals was considerably increased. Page 2
SaAeguardlnq frust In relation w younger members under 18 and ireed to any members at risk or in need of protection, Uare Parish Church adheres to the Church of Ireland Safeguarding Trust policies for protection of children and adults. The Trustees belleve that any potentlal harm from activities carried out on its premlses. or under the auspices of its organisatlons, has been mitigated as far as is possible. There is a 3-person Safeguarding Trust panel, chaired by the Rector, all of whom have received Church of Iland central training. The panel has responsibllity for overseeing the Parish's adherence to the Safeguarding Trust policies and recelving notification about concerns anyone May have. The Select Vestry, incumbent and volunteer5 are also committed to upholding good practtce in the parish's ministry with all adults, but in particular with those in need of greater protection. Communlty Leadership Clare Parish Church members hold leadership positions in other Christian groups not directly associated with the church. ServicesAor Ilfetime 'Rites ofpassoge. Throughout 2023 Clare Parish Church provided or made available to its members, and additionally to other members of the community in approprlate circumstance, Christian servlces to mark various life events of significance, such as marrlage, death and baptisrn. In 2023, the Parish charged no fees for funeral services, though there are published fees for graveyard burials and the erection of tombstones. A5 well as the church building itself, which has seen worship on its site and wlthln Its building since the 1800s, and which is cared for and maintained lovingly by dedicated members, Clare Parish thurch maintains a working 185 year old 8raveyard in a tidy and respectful manner in an area of outstsnding calm. peace and beauty. This is maintsined, managed and presented to a high and commendable standard through the dedication, commitment and sheer hard work. on a voluntary basis, of Glebe Wardens and some other Parish members. The graveyard is available and open to all member5 of the community to come and spend reflective time, or to come and be peaf1 at the place where a loved one has been laid to rest. During 2023 the gates to the graveyard were unlocked or left open forthe whole year. Local residents are aware they can enter it at any time. The Trustees are committed to maintain this sen51tive support to local residents and those with loved ones interred within. Moreover, the church building itself is available, on request, free of charge, to anyone to visit merely out of Interest or for spiritual purposes and the Trustees Clare Parish Church welcome indlviduals and groups from the locality or further afield for tours, with a local historian available to provide tours if requested. Communlcatlons The Parish communicates With its members and the wider community uslng a combination of traditional methods {church notices, posters, church ma8a2ines, and electronic methods (website lunder constructlon), Facebook, WhatsApp, texts and email). Page 3
The Trustees acknowledge the efft?rts of thosÉ involved in publishlng material on the web-site, and posting on FaceBook. Trustees are satisfied that communication is appropriate and within general guldelines and that record-keeping of memberfs data meets requlrements of GDPR legislatlon. Financlal Review Clare Parish Church continues to be financialty in a healthy state for a small parlsh. The parlsh has three accounts: Account No i [charity account] had a closlng balance of £37,867.17 an increase of £2851.95 from the prevlous year, which is explained by an increase in donations, Special Collection, RCB funds and one off payment of the NIE Allowance. Account No 2 Irepairs account] had a closing balance of £4,713.46 an increase of £3.030.00 which is explained bv the collection received during the redemption service for the opening of the refuibi5hed hall. special collections such as Harvest and Carol Service as well as Gift5 and Donations. Account No 3 [Sunday school arcountj had a closing balance of £390.06 which remains unchanged. The Trustees are aware of some age-related wear and tear. repairs and improvements that could be made to both the church buildin& the parish hall and the Small adj3nt church house, both internally and externally. To pay for thls work, parishioners have chosen to raise funds, specifically for this purpose and rtain projects. With regard to the holding of Reserves, the Trustees believe that It Is not wlthSn Christian princlples or Biblical guidelines to retain funds, for some unforeseen, unknown. 'rniny day, occurrence, over and above what would be considered prudent to maintain the parish's current propertie5, or to meet Its known ongoing Ilablllties and financial commitmenls, The Reserves held are restrlcted as per Financial Review. Should Clare Parlsh Church ever have non- earmarked funds In reserve, such reseNe would be considered for use in mission and outreach. The parish again is in the fortunate posltlon of not havlng to deal with an issue of deficit following the end of the 2023 financial year. That said, the Trustees do not take lightly the fact that income does not comfortably exceed outgoings from the General operating account. The Trustees are fully aware of the need to ensure income is sufficient to meet liabilities goin8 forward and will continue to carefully monitor the parish's financial wsition regularly. Going Concern The Trustees have considered the funds available and income sources and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activities for the foreseeable future. Accordingly the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 can be slgned off as a Boing concern. Page 4
Strnrture, Governance and Management Governlng Document and Constitutlon of the Charlty Chapter111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Or8anlsatlon. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees. Recrultmerrt and Appointment of Select Vestry (Trustees) All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 and are either resident wlthln the parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregatlon for at least three months, may register as members of the general vestry of the parish, allowing them to attend and vote at rneetlngs of the general vestry and to stand for election to the select vestry. Meetln8s of the general vestry are held at least once a year. The Select Vestry is eletted as part of this General Vestry meeting. The Select Vestry normally will hold their p051tions ft)r a perlod of one 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 The current Incumbent of the Parish receives the stipend set by Armagh Diocese for the linked Parishes of Ballymore & Clare. wlth both partshes Ilable for an amount assessed upon them by the Diocese. The Rector also receives office and locomotory allowances in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireknd. Organisatlonal Structure The Select Vestry is responsible for the day to day management of the parish. The Select Vestry consists of the Rector senilng in the parish, the churchwardens, the glebe wardens and generally not more than twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the Easter General Vestry Meeting. The Select Vestry Is chaired by the Incumbent or other member of the clergy officiating in the parish. Select Vestry members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding how parish funds are to be applied. The Select Vestry meets at times fixed by the members or by the diocesan synod. Special meetings may be convened at aTry time by the chairperson orthe churchwardens. In 2023 the full Select Vestry met on 4 occasions. The average attendance was lOO%. Compllance wlth Publlc Benefit The Trustees of Clare Parish Church have Biven careful consideration to the Charity Commlsslon for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the actlvllles entered into durlng the year, many of which are referred to above, have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities. as well as providing public benefit. Page 5
Statement of Trustees, Responslbllities The tfustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The trustees are responsible for keeping accountlng records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish'5 transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the asset5 and liabilitles of the Parish. They are also responslble for safeguardin8 the assets of ihe Parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Signed on Behalf of the Trustees Trustee I: Trustee 2: Date: Page 6