## **CRAIGAVON 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 (NIC104789)** ## **CRAIGAVON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT** The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** Craigavon congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland c/o 11 Mandeville Manor, Portadown, Craigavon, BT623UP Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104789) ## **CHARITY TRUSTEES** The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Mr S. Hadden Rev L. Webster Mr N. Simms Mr P. Carson Mr D. Simpson ## **PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS** Minister Rev L. Webster Clerk of Session Mr S. Hadden Treasurer Mr N. Simms ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** DSM (NI) Ltd, 3B Church Street, Dromore, Co Down, BT25 1AA. ## **BANKERS** Danske Bank, 39 Market St, Lurgan, Craigavon, Co Armagh BT666AB ## **SOLICITORS** McElhone & Co Solicitors: 1B High Street, Portadown, Craigavon, Co Armagh, BT62 1HZ ## **CRAIGAVON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND** **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **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 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 consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held five times each year. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant of 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 the vote. ## **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 congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Craigavon congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Armagh 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 each congregation. ## **CRAIGAVON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **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 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. Craigavon congregation of the 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 congregation’s mission is to magnify Christ by making disciples in Craigavon and beyond. Our vision is to see Christ praised in our area and world as our covenant community overflows with disciple-making disciples of all ages who, equipped by the exposition of the word and example of godly leaders, gather to edify each other and scatter to evangelise those outside, through the prayerful speaking of the word of God. 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. ## **CRAIGAVON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES** The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. 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 - Sunday School - Youth Club - Mothers and Toddlers - etc ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **Worship and prayer** The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 10.30am and frequently on Sunday evenings at 6pm for activities including Bible Study, Café Church and Praise & Prayer. These provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, prayer and to study the scriptures. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God’s gift of new life at 5 Sacraments of Baptism, we conducted no marriage services, and gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2023 there were 145 communicant members and 108 of families connected with the congregations. Average weekly attendance at morning worship is 158 and 70 at the evening gatherings. ## **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 minister, elders or by one of the congregation’s pastoral visitors. ## **Mission and outreach** At a local level we seek to encourage and equip our members to share the gospel on their ‘front lines’ in everyday life: at home, school, university, work, and leisure. We also reach many children and young people in the surrounding community through our children’s and youth organizations. We also support a number of mission organisations financially and practically. ## **CRAIGAVON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** 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 denomination’s 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 Rev L Webster and Mr. S Hadden. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. ## **General Assembly** Rev L Webster and Mr. S Hadden were nominated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast. ## **Property** Routine maintenance has been carried out on all church property and the manse family bathroom was refurbished. No other major repairs or refurbishment was required during the past year. ## **Organizations** SuperStars for primary school aged children runs during the morning service and the children enjoy games, Bible stories, songs and craft. Average attendance: 30. The Ark is our dedicated crèche facility and is open to all preschool children during the morning service. Average attendance: 15. Book Clubs are our small group Bible studies which meet in different rooms in the church from 6-7pm on approximately two Sundays of each month. There is also a catch-up group on a Wednesday night for anyone who can’t make it on a Sunday. Average attendance: 50. Engage caters for our secondary school aged young people and meet in the church from 6- 7pm on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. The Engage program includes games, food, worship, Bible studies, monthly outings on Saturday evenings and an annual weekend away! Average Attendance: 25 Tots at the Bridge is our parent/carer & toddler group which runs from 10am-12noon every Tuesday and Wednesday during term time. It’s free of charge and the children enjoy playing with our extensive range of toys, games, songs and crafts as well as snacks. Average Attendance: 40 Friday Club is our weekly club for primary school aged children. It runs from 7-8pm every Friday evening between October and Easter. The kids enjoy games, Bible stories, songs, craft and lots more. The church minibus does pickups in central Craigavon. Average Attendance: 25. ManAlive is our men’s group which meets throughout the year. The varied programme includes sport, cinema trips, discussion groups, guest speakers and more than the occasional curry night! Average Attendance: 20. Connect is our ladies’ group which meets throughout the year has a varied programme including craft, coffee evenings, shopping trips, guest speakers, food and a whole lot more. Average Attendance: 25. SuperSeniors our 60+ group meets throughout the year for our seniors who enjoy coffee, chat, games, bible study and entertainment on Wednesday mornings. Average Attendance: 20 ## **CRAIGAVON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **Volunteers** The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with organizations 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 noticeboards, 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 ad-hoc feedback from members, their families, and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. 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 Commission’s Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. ## **CRAIGAVON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** The congregation’s main source of income is members’ contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 74 contributors during the year [71 in previous year, 2022] donating a total of £108,960 (£91,724 in previous year, 2022) Total Income of the congregation during the year was £128,468, compared to £110,967 in the previous year. Total expenditure reduced from £104,355 to £89,829. ## **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 on 13/6/24 and signed on its behalf by [Name] L. Webster [Name] S. Hadden [Date] 13/6/24 [Date] 13/6/24