Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2023 The trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments, including Assets st and Liabilities for Desertmartin Parish (Church of Ireland) for the year ended 31 December 2023. Objertives and Activities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of Desertmartin Parish is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promotin& through its work. the whole pastoral, evangelistic. social. and ecumenical mission of the Church. Being open to and engaging with society and offering support for those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of Christianity's benefits. As a result of its activity in advancing the Christian religion, Desertmartin Parish has custody of property and records, materials, and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage. The select vestry of Desertmartin Parish maintains these. Achlevements, Performance & Public Benefft Worshi and Pra er Desertmartin Parish Church is under the incumbency of the Reverend Philip Benson and is part of a larger 8roup that includes Termoneeny Parish (Knockloughrim). The parish offers a wide range of weekly public acts of worship, including Morning Prayer and the celebration of Holy Communion. Our worship is conducted in accordance with the Church of Ireland's Book of Common Prayer, and we also join with our sister parish for the bi-annual "Confirmation" of faith service, led by the diocesan Bishop. We also provide for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and ongoing pastoral care. Special services throughout the year include Christmas Carol Services, Lent/Holy Week Services and Advent Services, which all provide intimate and reflective environments for worship. All are welcome to attend our worship services. In addition to our regular services, some parish member5 cannot attend church due to sickness or age. Rev Benson regularly visits such parishioners to celebrate Holy Communion with them and offer pastoral care and practical support to them either in their own homes or in a hospital or nursing home. We have also introduced live streamin& allowing those unable to attend our services in person to participate from home. This is particularly important for those who are housebound or unwell. At present, there are 77 familieJ con3i3tln8 of 159 Indlvlduals. The average weekly combined church attendance was 50. which increased at special festivals. We celebrated two baptisms during 2023 but no weddings or funerals. In addition. the parish has hosted religious services in association with local community groups such as the Loyal and Masonic orders, including the Orange Order. and the Royal Black Preceptory. Rev Philip is also a member of the Board of Governors for Knockloughrim and Magherafelt Primary Schools and is part of a rota for leading morning assemblies.
Additionally. in association with "Mid Ulster Clergy Together." an ecumenical group representing a diverse range of Christian denominations within the Mid Ulster council area, we have participated in community-wide acts of worship and supported the Magherafelt Food Bank Christmas appeal. Desertmartin Parish has engaged in "Safe Church" training and is a registered 'Safe Place" to support those in our community suffering from domestic violence. Sunda School & Mess Church Our parish has a well-established Sunday School, open to all children of preschool/primary school age. We also hold regular Messy Church-5tyle events throughout the year. which are open to the wider community and well attended. Children and young people are an essential part of our parish. Rev Benson has a regular children's address during our worship services, and children from the Sunday School participate in our monthly Worship Together Services. Other Parish Activities Other parochial groups include our Bible Study, Ladies Group. Indoor Bowling Club. and Craft and Chatter Group. These groups draw membership from our parishioners and the wider local community. We also hold several events over the year, including a children's Easter Egg Hunt, an open-air service, and a Picnlc and Parlsh Dinner. Over the year, we have continued developin8 our Parish News magazine, distributed to our parishioners and freely available at the back of the churches. The magazine keeps our parishioners informed of Important matters affecting our parish and includes articles that help develop our knowledge and faith in Jesus. Mission and Evan elism The church supports mission partners and other local charities. such as Crosslinks, Bishops, Appeal, Tearfund, local Foodbanks. Poppy Appeal, CMSI, and the Air Ambulance. Cross Communi Relationshi The Select Vestry continually works to improve relatlonships wlth other denominations, particularly within the Roman Catholic community. Rev Benson takes an active role in the local clergy groups, including representatives from many local churches. These groups are inter-denominational and or8anise joint events and shared services and represent their con8regations in the public sphere by raising their concerns about social issues. In addition, many of the attivities and events we organised during the year were supported by all community sectors, and everyone was welcome to share in our activitie5 and services. The Recto Our rectory is located within the parish boundary and is well maintained, with regular maintenance to keep it in good condition. In addition to provlding a home for Rev Benson and his family, it is also used for meetings. pastoral appointments, and other parish activities. Termoneeny Parish assists with share of our rettory c05t5 and parochial expenses. Diocesan S nod Representatives of the parish sit on the Derry and Raphoe Diocesan Synod. providing an essential link between the parish and the broader structures of the Church of Ireland.
Public Bene The benefits of public worship include contributing to the spiritual well-being of participants and the reinforcement of Christian values. together with practical support to struggling local families through Desertmartin Parish Church partnerships with specialist support organisations. Our Child Protection Policy is in accordance with the Safeguarding Trust policies of the Church of Ireland. We confirm to you we have mitigated any potential harm from the parish'5 activities by observing the requirements of the Church of Ireland Safeguarding Trust policy for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. The Parish ha5 carefully considered the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities and provided public benefit. Financial Review The year's results are set out on pages nine to fifteen, which the Trustees consider satisfactory. The resenies of the parish are held forthe advancement of its charitable purpose, otherthan restricted reserrfes, which are held for a designated purpose. Going Concern The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that adequate funds are in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activities and that the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern. Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document and Constltutlon of the Charity Chapter 111 of the Church of Ireland Constitution governs Parishes and Parochial Organisations. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees. Recrultment and Appointment of Select Vestry (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 8eneral 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 one year. Select Vestry members may be re-elected annually, and there is no limit to the number of terms that may be Served. Pay and Remuneration The parish does not pay the rector directly. A monthly assessment is paid to the Diocese, which comprises a stipend, locomotory allowance, employerf5 national insurance and employerfs clergy pension contribution. No other trustee receive5 remuneration, reward, or other private benefit for carrying Out their trustee responsibility. Organisational Structure The select vestry is responsible forthe day-to-day management of the parish. The select vestryconsists of the member of the cler8y serving in the parish. any curate assistant (-the curate"), the
churchwardens, the glebe wardens and generally not more than twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the Easter Vestry. The select vestry is chaired bythe parish's incumbent or other clergy member officiating. Its members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including how parish funds will be applied. The select vestry meets at times fixed by the members or by the diocesan synod. The chairperson or the churchwardens may convene special meetings at any time. In 2023, the Select Vestry met ten times during the year, and the avera8e attendance was 95%. Compliance wlth Publlc Benefit Desertmartin Parish has carefully considered the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities and provided a public benefrt. Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report, the statement of recelpts and payments, and the statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Northem Ireland with an Income of less than £250,000 requires the trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and assets and liabilities for each financial year. The trustees are responsible for keepin8 accounting records sufficlent to show and explain the Parish's transactions and always disclose the Parish's assets and liabilltles with reasonable accuracy. They are also responsible forsafeguardingthe Parish's assets and, hence, for taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. Signed on Behalf of the Trustees Chairperson: ev Philip Benson Treasurer: Mrs Lois Austin Date: