## **BALLYCAIRN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND** **Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023** **Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104362)** **-1-** ## **BALLYCAIRN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT** The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2023 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** Ballycairn congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 49 Ballylesson Road, Belfast BT8 8JS Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104362) ## **CHARITY TRUSTEES** The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Rev Morris Gault Karen Arrell David Gowdy Julie Gowdy Lilian Johnston Lucy Mulholland Olive Moore Gillian McBride Pamela McCarroll **PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS** Minister Rev. Morris Gault (Convener) Clerk of Session Lucy Mulholland Treasurer Susan Smyth Secretary Pamela McCarroll ## **Suite 9 Railway Studios, Building 3 The Sidings, Lisburn BT28 3AJ** **BANKERS** **Donegall Square West, Belfast BT1 6JS** ## **SOLICITORS** ## **King & Gowdy 208 Upper Newtownards Rd** **BELFAST BT4 3EJ** ## **STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT** The Kirk Session 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 -2- Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Committee consists of sub-committees whose suggestions and proposals are presented to and passed by a full committee. Stated meetings of the Kirk session and committee are held at least five times in each year. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister a clerk of Session and the ruling elders of the congregation. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the ministers in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. 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. We were inspired by the fact that we have ordained six new elders who have professed their faith in God. ## **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 congregation assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Ballycairn 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 congregation. ## **The General Assembly** The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one body the 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 Assembly 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. Ballycairn is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Reformed Church within 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 her members to play their part in fulfilling God’s mission to our world. The congregations mission purposes is by the grace of -3- God, to help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is, by the grace of God, to be an inclusive, welcoming community of Christ’s people of all ages, which - is increasingly characterised by love for God, and love and concern for others; - is committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible; - is relevant to people of this time and place. The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God’s people by being: - A Covenant Community: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward him and toward one another - An Intergenerational Community: where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. - An Outward looking Community: where we want the blessings of God that belong to us in the gospel to become blessings for others beyond the bounds of our community. - 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. ## **ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES** The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and all visitors are made welcome. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on several occasions during 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 holds regular bible study meetings and has a wide range of organisations including - Bible Study - PW - Monthly activity for senior citizens - Social History group - Craft mornings - Dance class - Prayer groups ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **Worship and prayer** The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.30. As well as our regular services during the year we would acknowledge - God’s gift of new life at a Sacrament of Baptism ceremony, - We would also conduct marriage services. - We celebrate Remembrance Sunday Service - We hold a thanksgiving service for the harvest God has provided for us. - We give thanks for faithful services and comfort and support to those who had been -4- - bereaved during the year. - We celebrate Christmas with a Carol service and a Special Service on Christmas day. At 31[st] December 2023 there were 40 communicant members and 136 families connected with the congregations. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 40/50 **PASTORAL CARE** Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the Convener, elders or by one of the congregation’s pastoral visitors. A recording of the weekly service is sent to those who are unable to attend. At a local level the congregation financially supports other charities. Christian Aid, Presbyterian Children’s Society, Leprosy Mission, United Appeal and Earl Haig Fund. Christmas Carol Service’s special retiring offering goes to a different charity each year. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregations to support the wider mission of the denomination and to do mission and outreach on a denominational 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 premises, assist with the running costs of Union 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. The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School project and any other special appeals. **PRESBYTERY** The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and /or one of the 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 Buildings, Belfast, in June. A problem of dry rot in the main Sanctuary resulted in the closure of the Church building. We engaged specialists to undertake the work which involved treatment to halt the spread of the problem. Major refurbishment was required but before we proceeded we engaged an M&E consultant whose report indicated that the main Sanctuary required new electric wiring and a new heating system. This inspired us to think of creating a new universal -5- entrance with facilities for disabled. Plans were prepared and are in the hands of the planning council. This being a major project we look to God for guidance to enable us to secure a future for Ballycairn. **ORGANISATIONS** PW The monthly meeting of the PW has introduced lots of speakers to us. We are always interested in the work of our Missionaries. We have been educated on the use of Food banks and learnt of the poverty of so many. During our meetings there’s an opportunity for members to pray openly for others. For our yearly outing we enjoy an evening at The Gospel Choir Christmas show. Open Door Each month senior citizens from the community meet to enjoy activities such as knitting, armchair aerobics, bowls, scrabble, etc. or simply have a chat. We sometimes engage a speaker. An epilogue is followed by dinner. We finish the year with an outing, this year we visited Tullyglass House Hotel in Ballymena. History Group have compiled a collection of old photos, they learn about the area and the changes in the surrounding villages. These photos will be compiled to create a history project as we plan for celebrations in 2026 when our Church is 100 years old. Dancing class a great means of exercise its aims are to combine Fun, Friendship and Fitness. These classes open our halls to the community. ## Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities. ## **PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT** The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets 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 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 (including the sick, disabled and bereaved). Generally 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 is 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 adhoc feedback from members, their families, and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. -6- The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a result of their holding office or employment. 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 members, their families, other individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact 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 Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** **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 accounting practice. As the congregations total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of assets and liabilities. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 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 irregularities. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting held on Wed 9[th ] October 2024 and signed on its behalf by Lucy Mulholland Lucy Mulholland (Clerk of Session) 9[th] October 2024 -7-