an TOWNSEND STREET 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilitie5 as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Townsend Street congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 32 Townsend Street Belfast BT13 2ES Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104316) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Doreen Anderson Margaret Browne Heather Darragh Paul Darragh Daniel Fleming Jack Lamb William Leonard (Died 18.02.22) Elizabeth Mcclean (Resigned 08.06.22) Heather Murrav Ruth Pritchard Colin Skillen PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Sesslon Treasurer Rev Jack Lamb Heather Darragh Colin Skillen INDEPENDENT EXAMINER BANKERS SOLICITORS Paul Mccarroll 47 Thornleigh Park Lisburn BT28 2DD Northern Bank Limited TIAS Danske Bank PO Box 183 Donegall Square West Belfast BTI 6JS Cleaver Fulton Rankin 50 Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7FW
Presbyter an TOWNSEND STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk 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 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 Sessions has de5egated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all funds Bnd property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetin8s, except that the Moderator, the minister5 in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held on the first Friday of January, March, May, september and November. 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. Members are elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 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. Townsend Street 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, minsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the con8re8ation.
Presbyter an TOWNSEND STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd) The General Assembly The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one bodythe 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 business it is dissolved. The membership of the General Assernbly consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired minsters and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation Is the advancement of religion. Townsend Street congregatlon of the Presbyterian Church Is a congregatlon of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Reformed Church within the wlder body of Chrlst 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 her members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregation's mission statement is as follows: "We are here to show Christ and the church are not just memories of the past but are joyful, alive and relevant to everyone here and now." As a congregation of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland, we believe that the Bible is the supreme authorlty 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. ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for public worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on the first Sunday of January, April and October and on the last Sunday in June. 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 holds regular bible study meetings. Organisations within the congregation under the control of the Kirk Session include the Knitting & Crochet Group and the Coffee & Chat Group.
an TOWNSEND STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd} ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation met for worship each Sunday at 11:30am. Following the retirement of Rev Jack Lamb in September 2022, the congregation ceased to meet for worship when the difficult decision was made to dissolve the congregation. A monthly Bible Study carried out by telephone conference call continues to provide an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. As well as our regular services and virtual meetings during the year we gave thanks for faithful Services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved. As at 31 December 2022 there were no communicant members and no families contrlbutlng to the congregation. Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are vi51ted on a regular basis by the minister, elders or by the congregation's pastoral visitor. Visitation and pastoral care continues under the guidance of Rev Morris Gault, convenor of the vacancy. Mission and outreach At a local level the congregation has fundraised for and supported the work of the Presbyterian Chlldren's Society and the Royal British Legion. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minlster and one of our elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildin8s, Belfast, in June.
Presbyter an TOWNSEND STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd) Property During the year the congregation incurred expenditure of £17,205 on property rnaintenance. The main item was a contribution of £10,800 towards the renovation of stained glass windows as part of a project undertaken by The Townsend Street Belfast Presbyterian Endowments. Organisations The Knittin8 & Crochet Group met weekly with an attendance of around 9 people. They knit small hats go to the Premature Bab.y unit in the Royal Maternity Hospital and provide knitted vests to Presbyterian Friendship House, who in turn send them to Africa for new born babies. They a150 knit blankets which are donated to the Nl Hospice. Knitted scarves and hats were also donated to the Welcome Organisation for homeless people in the city as well as to Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child for inclusion in shoe box Christmas gifts for children at Christmas. The knitting has carried on in participants, homes following closure. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreclation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities.
Presbyter an TOWNSEND STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd} PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Church in Ireland rneets 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 expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as throu8h the care of those in need (including the sick, disabled and bereaved). Generally the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and thelr members, or are facilitated hrough 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 noticeboards, 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. The purpose doe5 not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as result of their holding office or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary In order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other prlvate benefits. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their families, other individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indlrect contact with, the community in which pastoral services are provlded and other communities throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which beneflt from our engagement with and support for both Christian and other secular organisations, charities and Indlvidual member5 of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions Public beneflt requirement statutory guidance. FINANCIAL REVI EW The congre8ation'5 main income sources are members, subscriptions to Freewill Offerlng and Property & Restoration, employment grants from Action Mental Health, charitable grants from the Townsend Street Belfast Presbyterian Endowments and investment income. The total income from all sources during the year was £63,795 (2021: £116,619). Income from donations and legacies was £18,483 (2021: £30,792), income from other charitable activities was £1,30012021; £3,834), income from other operating activities was £13,138 (2021: £5,251), investment105ses amounted to1£21,176)12021'. gains £21,176} and income from grants was £30,874 {2021.. £167,915). Total expenditure in 2022 was £184,732 (2021: £167,915).
an TOWNSEND STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS No Trustee received any remuneration as a result of their Trusteeship of the Charity, During the year two Trustees were employed by the Charity., Rev Jack Lamb as Minister- Stipend & Expenses £37,153 {2021: £50,923) Mrs Doreen Anderson as a pastoral assistant- Wages & Expenses £5,45012021.. £5,129) 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 accountlng practice. As the conEregation'5 total incomè doe5 not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a recelpts and payment account and statement of assets and Ilabilities. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accountlng records that are sufficient to show and explain the congregation's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. 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 irregularitie5, Paul Darragh Trustee Colin Skillen Trustee th 26 October 2023 th 26 October 2023