an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 Reglstered Charfty In Northern Ireland INIC104311)
an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PREsBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEESANNUALREPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 including a Statement of A55ets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS Cooke Centenary congregation of the PresbY(erian Church in Ireland 216 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2FY Reglstered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104311) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served durlng the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were - Mrs A Allen Mrs S 8ennis Mrs H 8runt Mrs P Emerson Mr H Glenn Mrs J Glenn Rev D Grav Dr C Hetherington Mrs E MacNelll Miss J McKnight Mr D Mcwilliams Mrs P Mcwilliams Mrs C Reynolds Mr M Riddel Mr K Savage Mrs C Smith Mrs B Taylor Mr A Wllson Mr5 M Wisoner PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Sesslon Treasurer Rev David Gray Mrs Elalne MacNelll Mr Kelth Savage INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr Mark McGlnley 80 Upper Dunmurry Lane Belfast BT17 OPS BANKERS U15ter Bank 365-369 Ormeau Road Belfast. Co Antrfm. BT7 3GP
an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd SOLICITORS Klng & Gowdy 298 Upper Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 3EJ STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Sesslon The charlty trustees of the congregatlon are the members of its Klrk Session. Under the con8re8ation's 8overning document, The Code, the book of the constltutlon and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote the 5pirltual Interest of the congregation and of persons not connected wlth any congregatlon who are wlthln Its bounds. It ensures pastoral care Is In place In the con8re8atlon and seeks to further the contrlbutlon of the Church to Chrlstian wltness and servlce In the local communlty. The Klrk Sesslons has delegated to Its Congregatlonal Commlttee the temporal affair5 of the con8regatlon Includlng admlnlsterlng all funds and property belonglng to the congregatlon. Members of the Klrk Sesslon are ex-offlclo members of the Con8re8atlonal Committee. The Klrk Sesslon conslsts of the ordalned mlnlster and the rullng elders of the con8re8atlon. All members are entltled to propose, speak and exerclse equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the mlnlsters In active duty In the congre8atlon, has no deliberatlve but only a castln8 Vote. Nlne stated meetlngs of the Klrk sesslon and 6 stated meetln85 of the Congregational Commlttee were held durlng 2023. There wa5 also I meetln8 of Votlng members of the Congregatlon. To be chosen for the offlce of the eldershlp in the congregatlon a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant on Its ordlnances. The selectlon of those proposed to be called to the office can be elther by the congregation or by the Klrk Sesslon. Members are elected If they obtaln two-thirds of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate overslght of a congregatlon is the responsibility of a Presbytery whlch superintends generally the spiritual
an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to it by the General Assernbly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Cooke Centenary congregation of the 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, mlnsters who have retired from artive duty and an elder appolnted by the Klrk Session of the congregation. The General Assemblv The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representln8 in one body the whole Church and actlng as Its supreme le8islatlve, administratlon and Judlclal authorlty, In dealln8 With all matters brought before It. The General Assembly is normally constltuted durln8 the flrst week In June for worshlp and to conduct Its buslness. At the end of business It Is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly conslsts mainly of the actlve mlnlsters of each congregatlon, retlred mlnsters and a representatlve elder appointed by the Klrk Session of each congregatlon. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charltable purpose of the congregation Is the advancement of rellglon. Cooke Centenary congregation of the Presbyterian Church Ss a congregation of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland. The Presbyterlan Church In Ireland, as a Reformed Church within the wider body of Christ Is grounded In the Scriptures, and exlst5 to love and honour God through faith in His Son and by the power of His Spirit, and to enable her members to play their part In fulfillin8 God's mlssion to our world. The congregation's mission purposes Is by the groce of God to help people of all ages becomefully devotedfollowers of Jesus Chrfst and to show God's love to the community of Ballynofeigh. Our vlslon Is, by the groce of God, to sustaln and extend the Christlan wltness of Cooke In thls community which Is home to peoplefrom a diverse range of Christian denominations, other Religions, and those with no octive faith, and to be an inclusive, welcoming community of Chrisvs people of all ages, which.. Is increasingly chorGCterised by lovefor God, and love and concern for others,. Is committed to the historic Chrlstlan gospel os revealed in the Bible,. is relevant to people of thls tlme and place.
an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) ACTIVITIES AND 08JEcnvES The congregatlon normally meets for worshlp every Sunday and v151tors are welcome to Join. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on several occasions durin8 the year and all those who have been baptised and who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation has a wide range of or8anisations including: Little Cooke's & Bible class Presby(erlan Women Model Railway Club Worshlp Group EPIC Kld's Club Genesis Youth Club Crochet Club Tot5, Café Prayer Meetln8S Blble Study Groups ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and prayer The con8re8atlon normally meets for worshlp each Sunday at 11.00am. Worshlp Is led by muslcians and 51n8ers who prepare music to lead Sunday mornlng worshlp and other speclal servlces throughout the year. Servlces are available onllne. Mornin8 worshlp Is followed by an opportunlty for the church family to enjoy fellowshlp together over refreshment5 and allows time to mlnlster and pray wfth indivlduals, Little Cookes, where children meet to learn of God's love for them In age-approprlate settings, continued each week during mornin8 worship. Little Cooke's is led by a rota of leaders and teenage helpers. A Blble Class wlth an average of 14 young people meet wlth the Mlnlster & other leaders In the Church Manse each Sunday mornlng at 10am. The Genesis youth group with an average of 12 young people meet each Sunday evening for a pro8ramme of activities, discussion, and prayer. Two opportunlties for congregational prayer are avallable each week, a virtual meeting is held each Tuesday evenin& and an in-person group meet each Thursday mornin8. A "Prayer Walklng" Inltlatlve was launched In March 2023 whlch encouraged members from Cooke, and the other churches In Ballynafeigh, to pray blesslngs on the work of the many businesses, café's, schools, communlty centres etc that are based In the BallynafeS8h area.
an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd Two Groups meet fortnightly for Bible study on Sunday & Wednesday evening5. Short, fortnl8htly servlces of worshlp were held wlth the residents of a local Nurslng Home. At 31 December 2023 there were 148 communicant members and 228 families connected with the con8re8ation. The average weekly attendance at mornin8 worship was 100. Pastoral care We sought to comfort those who had been bereaved durlng 14 funeral servlces In 2023. A Griefshare Course was held between March - June 2023 to provide support and encouragement to anyone touched by bereavement. Members of the con8regatlon who are unable to attend church due to slckness or age recelve vlslts on a re8ular basis by the mlnister, elders, or a member of the con8re8atlonal commlttee. Flowers are delIved each Sunday* and gifts are also delivered at Christmas and Harvest tlme to members of the congregation who are ill or goin8 throu8h a dlfficult personal experience, as an expression of the care of their church family. Quarterly Church magazlnes are dellvered to all members to keep everyone updated wlth Information about church activities. Mlsslon and outreach The congregation has several local mlssion and outreach activities through which the congregation strives to meet Some of the needs whlch have been identified in Ballynafei8h. Cooke works with care provlders, voluntary groups, and neighbouring congregation5 to support those most In need of help through the provlslon of food parcels from the Cooke Foodstore. Flnanclal donatlons, and donatlons of food Item5, are provided by members of local congregations. Each food parcel will provide a famlly wlth sufficlent provislons for several days until a source of regular income Is achieved. Durlng 2023, an average of 10 parcels were prepared each week wlth donatlons also being 8iven to support the International Meeting Point, Starling Collective and Women's Ald. Approxlmately 550 food parcels were provided during the year. A new Inltiatlve was the availabillty of additional ambient and fresh food produce which was donated each Monday evening by several local large stores. This was displayed and freely
an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) avallable to anyone each Tuesday morning from a "Big Blessin Table which was positioned just outside Cooke Church on the front of the Ormeau Road. The "Blg Blessing" Table has been well received by local residents and ivs visibility, has resulted in additional donations to the Foodstore Initiative. The congregation is actlvely involved In the work and witness of the 8allynafei8h Clergy Fellowship and Ormeau Churche5 Together (ocr). The Walk of Wltness, which Is an ocr Inltlatlve, Is held each year on Good Frlday. A servlce wa5 held at the gates of the Ormeau Park whlch was well attended by many from the churches in 8allynafeigh and the wider area. Those attendin8 processed back to Cooke Church for a servlce of readlngs, prayers and a time to reflect on the slgnlficance of Easter. Refreshments after the service were provided by OCT. The Church rallings were used to dlsplay the Easter message and 3 crosses were illumlnated from a wlndow In the church steeple to effectively convey an Image of events on Good Frlday to those passlng on the Ormeau Road. The annual Belfast City Marathon provided an opportunity for Cooke members to take part In thls community event by serving refreshments on the Ormeau Road to those who Ilned the route to support the runners. The church bulldlng was avallable to provlde tollet facllltles or somewhere to rest or take shelter If requlred. In Au8USt 2023 durlng a week-lon8 "Summer Mlssion" we welcomed 96 primary school age children from the local communlty who had registered to attend. This was a very posltive week with games, stories and craft activities which had no char8e for attendance and which was enjoyed by all. Some families are now attending Other church activities, Tot's Café each Tuesday morning provlded a warm and welcomlng space for babies and pre- school chlldren and thelr carer5. Numbers of those attendlng Increased each week and we were pleased that they have now returned to pre-covld level5. The "EPIC" kid's group, for primary school aged chlldren contlnued throughout 2023. Adult leadershlp Is supported by a team of youth from the con8re8atlon. An average of 20 chlldren from the community, with no Cooke connection, attended each week to play games, hear a Bible story, do craftwork and enjoy a weekly tuck shop. The Churches and other community venues in Ballynafeigh continued to work together to provide a warm space each day during the wlnter months where members of the community could come, have lunch, and enjoy meeting together. Cooke CosyHub was open each Tuesday between 12.30pm and 2pm and provided warm meals for between 30- 45 between ottober & March 2024.
an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) In December 2023 Women's Ald were partlcularly appreclatlve of the toys and glfts whlch were provlded by the congregation to share our love and care for the families that they support. The annual Carol servlce was augmented by a brass band and was well attended by members from the local community who enjoyed the festive refreshments. Addltional Chrlstmas concerts by the "Ormeau Communlty Choirf,, the 'Big Belfast Chol and "Celtlsh" were also well attended and many from the communlty were welcomed Into the church bulldlng to enjoy these evenings of Christmas muslc. The annual church pantomlrne provides an opportunity for family entertalnment, and we were pleased that thls could be resumed after a 2 year break because of Coronavlrus re5trlrtlon5. The 2023 Cooke productlon of "Anthony & Cleopatra" was enjoyed and well supported by the congregatlon and local communlty, The congregation supports the Unlted Appeal for Mlssion which Is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This fund enables con8re8ations to support the wider mission of the denomination and to do mission and outreach on a denominatlonal basis beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The 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 SUPPOrt for the upkeep of church premlses, asslst with the runnln8 Costs of Union Theologlcal College, the Church's trainlng colle8e for mlnistry students, and financlally supports congregation In the areas of worship, discipleshlp. global misslon. outreach, leadershlp and pastoral care. The congregation also contributes to the denomlnations annual World Development Appeal and any other special appeals. A retlrlng offerlng on Remembrance Sunday benefited the work of the Royal Brltlsh Legion and a pancake breakfast was held in February 2023 to raise funds to support the appeal for the Turkey / Syria Earthquake. The congregation also provided financial support to 2 youth members who volunteered on overseas mission opportunities. Presbytery The con8re8ation was represented at the re8ular meetin8s of Presbytery by our minister and one of the elders. Thls provides an important link between the congre8ation and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly
an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) The mlnister and one of our elders are nominated to attend the meetlng of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held In Assembly Buildings, Belfast, In June each year. Property Routine serviclng and maintenance of the Ilft, fire extinguishers, flre alarm and electrical appllances continued, and other items of repair and replacement were undertaken. Purpose bullt lockable cupboards were fltted In a room wlthin the Church Hall to provlde approprlate storage for ambient donatlons to the Cooke Foodstore. The Church rallings which border the Ormeau Road were sanded and repalnted by a team of church members over the summer months. Extensive work was requlred to expose and replace a 5pIIt sewer at the back of the church buildin8. A room wlthln the Church bulldlng received modernisatlon and the addltion of soft furnlshlngs to provlde a comfortable meetln8 space for Small groups. The Entertalnments Llcence for the Church Hall was renewed. Following the decision at the 2021 General Assembly that Presbytery Education Boards should cease to act as Holding Trustees for congregational properties, a congregational meeting was held and it was agreed, that the PresbY(erian Church in Ireland Holding Trustee Company should be appointed as the new Trustee for all properties belon8ing to Cooke Centenary Church. Organlsatlons In addition to the actlvitles of the Organisatlons already detailed, the Cooke Crochet Group. Presbyterian Women, the Model Railway Group and "Brownies", a Guidlng Organlsatlon, continued to meet regularly in 2023. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge thelr deep appreciatlon of those who give freely of their tlme by servlng on committees and helplng wlth organisatlons and other church actlvlties. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conYd) The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing beneflt to its members and the general public by makin8 known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion. The dlrect beneflts which flow from the purposes of the Church include the gainlng of an understanding in Chrlstian bellefs as set out in the Bible and In the Church's subordinate standards (the Westminster Confesslon of Falth and the Shorter and Larger Catechlsms) leadin8 to splrltual and moral development and opportunities for response to Bible teachlng. In turn, thls framework leads to practlcal expresslons of Chrlstlan bellefs and standards in the local community such as throu8h the care of those in need (including the slck, dlsabled and bereaved). Generallyi the above beneflts are delivered locally by con8regatlons and their members, or are facllitated through presbyterles or are organised and delivered centrally. Local delivery Is facllltated by central resources In almost all cases. Public access Is made known through the use of noticeboardsi printed material, press advertisement, websltes, and social media or In other ways, The beneflts are demonstrated through regular evaluatlon of the servlces and Informal and ad-hoc feedback from members, their familles, and members of the publlc. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only prlvate benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Min15ters, Mis5ionarles, Deaconesses, Irlsh Misslon workers and Lay Agents who recelve benefits as a result of their holding office or employment. However, this is Incidental and necessary In order to further our charltable purpose. There are no other private beneflts. The beneflciarles of this purpose are members, thelr famllles, other Indlvlduals that the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland Is In direct and Indlrect contact with, the communlty in whlch pastoral servlces are provlded and other communltles throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwlde whlch beneflt from our engagement with, and support for, both Christian and other secular organisations, charities and individual members of the public. The Klrk Sesslon has had regard to the Charlty Commlssions Publlc beneflt requlrement statutory guidance. FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewlll Offering, the Property Fund and the Mission Fund together with Gift Aid receipts on contributlons. There were 125 contributors during the year. (134 in previous year 2022) donating a total of £122,207 {£109,596 in previous year 2022)
Presbyter an COOKE CENTENARY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conVd} Additional income Is generated through various fund-raislng actlvitles, and from the payment of licence fees by groups who meet in our premises. Total Income of the congregation during the year was £237,709 compared to £175,489 in the previous year 2022. Total expendlture increased from £177,166 In 2022 to £210,318 In 2023. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the congregation In accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accountin8 practice. As the con8regatlon'5 total Income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charlties Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a recelpts and payment account and a statement of a55ets and liabilities. The Trustees are responslble for keeping adequate accountin8 records that are sufflclent to show and explain the congregation's transactions and disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregatlon and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irre8ularities. Approved by the Klrk Sesslon at a meetlng on Ph October 2024 and 518ned on Its behalf by f6T- N£Ji Elalne MacNelll Keith Vage 2Ph October 2024 27th Oct er 10