Dundonald Presbyterian Church A congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Church on the Green DUNDONALD PRes•YTERIAN RUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMEN FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 2023 Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 104489
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 December 2023 including a Balance Sheet as at that date. st REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS Dundonald Presbyterian congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Church Green, Dundonald, Belfast BT16 2LP Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC 1044891 CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year and who were trustees at the date of this report were:_ R Bailie (from 13 November 20231 R Magowan K Brady W Mccully P Cardwell (from 13 November 2023} D McLernon A Davis B McNaughten {from 13 November 2023) R Ewart S Miskelly R Gibson (from 13 November 20231 P Russell C Jones S Shooter (from 13 November 2023) l Lowry I Stevenson P Magill (from 13 November 2023} C Teer J Dixon (to 31 December 20231 B Burgess (to 30 June 2023) PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Rev William Mccully Clerk of Session Chris Teer Treasurer David Lamb
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS Muir & Addy Accountants Muir Building 427 Holywood Road Belfast BT4 2LT BANKERS Ulster Bank 112 King5 Square Kings Road Belfast 8T5 7EA SOLICITORS King & Gowdy 298 Upper Nevrtownards Road Belfast BT4 3EJ
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT [conVd] STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Session The charity trustees of the congregation are 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 Session has delegated to its Congregational 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 Kirk Session conslsts of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregation. All member5 are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator shall have no deliberative vote but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk Session are held on the 2. Tuesday of each month from September to May and at other times as required. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation, a person must be a communicant member in regular attendance on its ordinances and a contributor to the financial well-being of the congregation. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office can either be by the congregation or by the Kirk Session. Member5 are elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote at a subsequent congregational meeting. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of government, the corporate oversight of a congregation is the responsibility of the Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregation assigned to it bythe General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Dundonald Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the East Belfast Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The members of the Presbytery consist mainly of the active ministers of congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each 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, administrative and judicial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The General Assembly is normally constituted during the first week of June for worship and to conduct business. At the end of the business, it is dissolved. The members of the General Assembly consist mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired ministers and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT [conVd] DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Dundonald Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. 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 purpose of the church is to advance Christ's Kingdom and bring glory to God. This is best achieved through the injunctions of Acts 2.42-47 which clearly calls every church to be actively involved in Worship. Evangelism; Fellowshipfft Ministry and Discipleship OUR MISSION STATEMENT Here at DPC we exist to be a loving• vibrant church, moted in Christ and reaching out to the whole community. We aim to do this by:_ GIVING our lives to Jesus in faith and worship. The outworking of this is displayed by giving our time, talents, and resources to build up His church. GROWING in our relationship with Him. We believe that Christian maturity is the goal of every Christian. Spending time together around the Bible is key to growing in the Christian faith. GOING into the world to make Jesus known. Living for Jesus in the world where He has placed us and sharing His love with our neighbours, colleagues, family, and friends.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT [cont'd] ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and services are open to all. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is obsenied four times a year IFebruary, May, September and November]. The Sacrament is open to all who make a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The congregation holds regular Bible studie5 and has a wide range of organisations including: _ Boys, Brigade Girls, Brigade Presbyterian Women Ladies, Bible Study Little Lambs Creche Men's Bible Study Life Groups Afternoon School Drop-in Lightzone and GRID [Sunday Schooll BIG [Youth Clubl Youth Fellowship ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and Prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11:00am and 7:00pm During the week the Church holds regular prayer and Bible study "Life Groups" both in church and in homes. This 15 augmented with both Men and Woman's Bible study groups that meet in the church. As of December 2023, there were 215 communicant members and 305 families connected to the church. The average morning and evening attendance figures were 191 and 80, respectively. Pastoral Care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend Church are visited on a regular basis by the Minister, Pastoral Associate, Elders or by one of the congregation's pastoral visitors. FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering and the Building Fund. Total income during the year was £481,462 Total expenditure during the year was £323,065 which included a depreciation charge of £38,900
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT [conVd] RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Trustee5 are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which gives a true and fair view in respect to the situation of the congregation and the financial activities for that year. In preparing the financial statements the Trustees are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. Prepare the financial statement5 on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Funds will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are enough to show and explain the funds transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the congregation and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Statements of Recommended Practice"Accounting and Reporting by Charities11 January 20151." Thev are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and therefore for taking responsible steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. GOING CONCERN The activities of the congregation are dependent on ongoing contribution from its members. The Trustees believe the congregation has enough resources at the date of approval of these financial statements to meet commitments which will arise in the year from the date of signing this report and subject to the continuing support from members to fund, on an ongoing basis, the congregation's current activitie5 and other financial activities. RESERVE POLICY The Trustees have considered the level of unrestricted reserves that it is appropriate to hold taking account of current and ongoing commitments. It is the policy of theTrustees to hold at least 3 month's normal expenditure. At year-end, unrestricted reserves were £420,849 which represents a higher level of reserrfes. The Trustees, however, consider it prudent to hold reserves at this level.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT [conVd] RISK REVIEW Major risks are kept under review by the Trustees and systems and procedures implemented to manage identified risks. The principal risks are in relation to the likelihood of reputational damage and financial risks associated with the expectation of ongoing financial 5UPPOrt from members. These risks are mitigated by the Trustees, and the Congregational Committee, regularly monitoring the various activities of the congregation at stated meetings and by explaining to the congregation the true cost of "Doing Church" and encouraging all in their regular giving. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting held on 26 April 2024 and signed on its behalf by: Chris Teer William Mccully