Lislimnaghan Parish Church Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 The Trustees present their Annual Report and Statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for Lislimnaghan Parish Church for the year ended 31 December 2023. Objectlves and Activities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religlon. The principal function of Lislimnaghan Parish Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promotlng, through the work of the Parlsh, the whole mlssion of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging wlth 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 pursult of the advancement of the Christian religion, Lislimnaghan Parish Church 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 Selett Vestry of Lislimnaghan Parish Church. Achlevements, Performance and Public Benefit5 Lislimnaghan Parish has weekly service5 on Sunday mornlng comprlsing of a mix of Holy Communion, Family Service, Baptism and Morning Prayer together with varlous other special services during the year e.8. Lenten, Harvest Thanksglvlng and Chrlstmas. There are Thursday mornlng servlces wlth refreshments In the week before Chrlstmas and Holy Week. Pastoral care Is provlded for parlshloners and those In the wlder communlty. A range of other actlvltles are provlded by Llsllmnaghan Parlsh elther by the church directly or through church organisations e.g. Sunday School, Prayer and Bible Study, Motherfs Union, Old Time Dancin& Concerts, and Social Events. There Is Inter-church co-operation within the local community. Llslimnaghan Parlsh plays an active role in Omagh Churches Forum which organised various Christian community events throughout the year. The Parish supports the work of local and globa5 charities by either making donations or holding special collections or events In respect of the same. The activities outlined above demonstrate how Lislimnaghan Parish continues to implement its charitable purposes (i.e. the advancement of religion) and meets the Public Benefit requirement. Benefits to members of the public include contributing to spiritual well-being of participants and the reinforcement of Christian values. Lislimnaghan Parish has mitigated any potentlal harm from the activities through the implementation of the Church of Ireland Safeguardlng Trust Policy.
Lislimnaghan Parlsh Church Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued) COVID-19 With restrictions now lifted, the church and its organisations have returned to normal with some previou5 voluntary mitigation now being integrated into the daily running of the church going fonNard. Facebook has continued to be the medium to share the gospel and the telephone a lifeline to those who are isolating, in poor health or still wary of the continued risks of Covid-19 and other illne55e5. We believe these practises are crucial for parishioners who remain wary about attending church. Financial Review The Parish is a charitable organisation with their main source of income deriving from members freewill offerings. The results for the year show a surplus of £6,253 [2022: deficit of £8,433. The Trustees continue to monitor the level of reserves held by the Parlsh and are actively taking steps to increase the reserves in order to meet any unforeseen expendlture incurred. Golng 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 activltles and the financial statements for the year end 31 December 2023 can be signed as a going concern. Structure, Governance and Management Governln Document and Constitution o the Chari Chapter 111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisations. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees. Recruitment and A ointment o Select Vest Trustees All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 and are either resident within the Parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least three months, 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 15 elected as part of the 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 limit on the number of terms which may be served.
Lislimnaghan Parish Church Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued) Structure, Governance and Management (continued) Or anisational Structure The Select Vestry is responsible for the day to day management of the Parish. The Select Vestry consists of the clergy serving in the parish, the churchwardens, the glebe wardens and generally not more than twelve other members of the General Vestry elected at the General Vestry. The Select Vestry is chaired by the clergy. 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 Vestry meets at times fixed by the members. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the churchwardens. In 2023 the Select Vestry met 6 times during the year and the average attendance was 75%. Com lionce with Public Bene The Parish has given 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 benef its. Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report 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 Northern Ireland with income of less than £250,000 requires the Trustees to prepare a Statement of Receipts and Payments and a Statement of Assets and Liabilities for each financial year. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilities of the Parish. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. This report was approved by the Trustees on....r¢¥ts (Jp.Ci........... 2024 and signed on its behalf by: Canon Derek Quinn Mrs Sharon McFarland 2024