Parish of Woodschapel, St John's & Gracefield Trustee8' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 ThÈ TrustÉes present thè annual report and statements of Rcccipts and Payments end Assets and Liabilities for the Church for the year ended 31 December 2023. Objectives and Activities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of the Parish of Vvoodschapel is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by protTK)ting, through their work the whole mission of the Church, pastoral. evangelical, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity. As a result of activity in the pursuit of the adVancenI of the Christian religion, the Parish of Wrx)dschapel has custody of property and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the Select Vesty of the Parish of Woodschapel. Achievements, Perforniance & Public Benefrt This year has seen the relaxation of rules and regulations imposed by the global pandem. Weekly services and some community athvits'es were provided. Both churches and the hall were utilised Nmth cautbon. Health and Safety remains a priority. We continued to keep in touch via post and email. We retained Zoom as a tool for engagement and training. We continue to support some charitable organisations financially. Practically we provide others with donations of food clothing and basic needs. We are aayS conscious of our Safeguarding duties. The Parish continues to give careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities. as well as providing public benefit. Flnancial Review The results for the year are set out on page 7, which the TrUStS consider to be satisfactory. The reserves of the Parish are held for the advancement of its charitable purpose, other than restricted reserves which are held for a designated purpose- see note 15. Going Concern The Trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activits'es and the financial ststements for the year ended 31 December 2023 can be signed off as a going concem
Parish of Woodschapel, St John's & Gracefield Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued) Structure, Govemance and ManagefnElIt Governing Document and Constltutlon of the Charity Chapter111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland govems Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees. Recrultmont and Appointment of Select Vesty (Trustees) All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 who are annual subscribers of a sum not less than £50.00 per annum and are either resident within the pansh or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation may register as members of the General Vestry of the parish. allowing them to attend and vote at meetings of the General Vestry and to stand for election to the Select Vestry. Meetings of the General Vestry are held at least once a year. The Select Vestry is elected as part of this General Vestry meeting. The Select Vestry will hold their positions for a period of one year. Select Vestry members may be re-elected annually and there is no limFt on the number of terrr6 which may be seed. Organisational Strnctu The Select Vesty takes resFonsibility for the managing of certain activities and decision making within the parish. The Select Vestry consists of the rnember of the clergy serving in the parish, any curate assistant ("the curate"), the churchwardens, the glebe wardens and generalty not more than twelve other members of the General Vestry elected at the General Vestry Meeting. The S8lecl Vestry is chaired by the incumbent or other member of the clergy officiab'ng in the parish. For most of 2023 our Rectorwas notwtth us due to illness. However the Rural Dean attended those meetings she was unable to attend. 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 Vesty meets at times fixed by the members or by the diocesan synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the churchwardens. In 2023 the Select Vestry met 9 limes during the year and the average attendan was 63%. Compliance with Public Benefft The Parish has given careful consideration to the Chartty CommisSn for Northern Ireland's guidance on publi benefft to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit. Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees. ReFK)rt and the statement of receipts and payments and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Northem Ireland with Incon of less than £250,000 requires the Trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a ststement of assets and liabilities for each financial year.
Parish of Woodschapel, St John's & Gracefield Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued) Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities (continuedl The Trustees are responsible lor keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any ts'me the assets and liabilities of the Parish. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Pansh and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Signed on Behalf of the Trustees Patterson Trustee Trustee Date 19 NiuJL ZoZ*.