RICHHILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The trustees presenl their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charivs Constitution, the Charities Act 2008 and "Accountsng and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charitEs preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). Objedlves and actlvities The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Richhill Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Pre$berian Church in Ireland. The Presbylefian Church in Ireland, as a Refonned 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 Spiril, and to enable her members to play their part in fvifilling God's mission to our workl. Richhill Presbyterian Church exists lo lead people to saving faith in Jesus, to bring them to maturity within the fellowship. and to encourage them lo worship God in Spirit and Trulh, and wth lives of service. Thks involves our 5 core purposes.... 1 } Evangelism - Jesus, Great Commission of Matthew 28 compels us to go into tho world and make disciples. 21 Discipleship- The Christian life is not a plane ticket to Heaven, tt is a passport to serve in Jesus. new kingdom. We are to grow in Christlikene5s and experience sanclification. 3) Fellowship The Christian is not to be a hemiit but rather part of a worshipping community. has graciously set up His Church as a body of His people who serve Him. 4) Worship - Our worship is to be a sacrifi¢e of praise to the one who is worthy God, our Calor and Redeemer. 5} Service- God in grar2 gives us good works of service to bring glory to His name and seNe others. Our Values." 11 Christ centered - At RPC we believe Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Lrfe. He is the only hope for the nations and it is His gospel we proclaim. 21 Genuine Worship - Our praise seeks to inGorporale contemporary worship songs alongside the tradtti'onal hymnody. 31 Reformed teaching - We have a Reformed perspeclive on theology which means we believe the Bible teaches certain things about God and man, the worfd and church. These distinclive views can be seen in our preaching, praying and ¢ommunity lrfe. 4) Presbyterian ethos Our leadership subscribes to the Westminster Confession of Faith and we practice Presbyterian fom of govemance. Public benefit The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charty Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
RICHHILL PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The congregation met for worship every Sunday, moming and evening. VL8itors are made very welcome. Kirk Session agreed to have additional dates to serve the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. From 2023 this was monthly. excluding July and August. Organisations: - Sunday Schoov Grid ( Bible Class) - Adu Bible Class... an opportunty for adults to be taught the foundations of our refomied fatth. ( at Sunday school time) - Sunday crèche ... a safe, secJJre interactive environment for babieslpre nursery so that parents can benefit from the worship and teaching on a Sunday moming. - RPC Kids...children's church vthere dS enjoy their own praise time and hear Bible truths. ( nursery to P3) - Pla... a Sunday night Bible based youth outreach encouraging fun and fdlowship as they are discipled and find belonging in our church family. (y12- age 22) Ignite... a safe envtronment to interact with friends, play games. go on away trips and have the cpportunity for regular Bible input.( yr 8 - 11) Toddle Inn... interaction. place where babiesl pre nursery chIldn with their parenv carer meet and enjoy soaavplay - Arnbassadors, football partnership... coaching sessions for primarylse¢ondary age chikjren. - Zone P1-7 ...fvn.games and Bible presentation - Wornen's Bible Study..... weekty time to study God's Word. - Men's I Women's Mintstry.... Encouraging the congregation to connect and grow in their faith. - Midweeklgrowth groupslLOLMD groups... Bible study and fellowship. - GLEE...a support group for young adutts with teaming disabilities. - Bowling Club - Tuesday Club...a weekty space for retired folk within our church family and Iccal communty. WASPS...a support group for wid¢M and single people.
RICHHILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Achlevements and perfornian¢e 1) Worshlp and prayer
The church family meets for worship each Sunday at 11am and 6..30 pm tea, coffee and fellowship after the morning seryice. This is an important aspect of how we engage together as a church family. The average moming attendance is approx. 450 and evening approx. 200. We continue to stream online both momiry and evening services to facilitate and encourage those who are unable to attend in person. Average moming views are 200- 250 and evening Mews are 100-150. CDS are also distributed to those unable to access YouTube In September '23. Growing Young Disciples held an all day conference aimed at equipping young and old in our congregation ie parents. grandparents, Children, key leaders and volunteers to deal with the current issues of identity. gender. technology, sexualisation, media and lab'OnshIps. In October we were delighted to hold our newcomers. lunch held every olher year. This is an opp¢Xtunity for those who have recently joined RPC lo gel to know staff and elders. In June '23 we welcomed 22 people into full churth membership. We acknowledged God's gift of new life al 5 Sacraments of infant Baplism, 8 adums were also baptised. We ¢onducled 3 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 415 communicant members and 132 families Gonnected with the congregation. A consultation team. appointed by Amagh Presby1ery. visited RPC in Spring .23. Overall the consultation team was extremely encouraged to hear how the Lord is al work amongst us. RPC is a vibrant and growing church and we have much lo thank the Lord for. 2)Property.' The following recommendations were made in the consultation team's architectural report .' Replacement of 6 double glazed window units New front and rear d¢x)rs as well as an inside garage door. All of this work has been arried out at Ihe manse. Other minor maintenance tssues at the church aro to be addressed. The proposed construclion of a new annexe was put on hold by Committee in December 2023 with altemative options to be explored. 3)Pastoral caro Mernbers of tha congregation who ar6 unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the part lime pastoral minister. Rev Wilson Gordon, a member of the congregation. who is our voluntary Pastoral Care minister and also by our assistant minister Jeff Gawn. Elders and pastoral Care team members also offer praclical support when required. All are supplied wtth a weekly CD of Sunday Worship. Kirk Session appointed a small working group to t1eal viith stsff issues and well being. A Code of Con(Juct for leaders and volunteers was cirujlated in December 2023.
RICHHILL PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 4)Mission and outreach Mission and outreach events continue to be ¢entral to the purpose of the church. At a local level the congregation and its organisations exist to provide care and Christian love to the local communty. Many unchurched families attend the weekty organisations.
Annual outreach events are held such as Holiday Bible Club which ran for 4 ¢onsecutive momings in August reaching almost 2¢JO children from nursery to P 7. Ambassadors hosted a free week of football camp in Juty wtth over 200 primary sthool chIldn in attendance at the local football p5tth. They hold family friendty seNices to whith many unchurched come. An Addictions Support Group meets monthly in our churth facilty to offer help and support to th(Ee struggling with a variety of addictions. A Christianty Explored course is held annually in the village café. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Misston vthich rs a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. We surpassed our target of £21.126.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 ¢)wn. The United Appeal Fund provides finanaal support for mission personnel at home and overseas. assists Congregations with the deployment of locally based stsff, enables church planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, assist with the running cosls of Union Theological College. the Church's training college for ministy studenls, and financially supports congregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. Our Mission fvnd envelope ¢ollaction enables us to give generousty to the work of God's Kingdom at home and worldwide. £98.180 was dispensed to our mission and charity partners. RPC continues to support prayerfully and financially our spe(ific missronary partners in Krakow and Spain. Small teams have gone out to work alongside our Spanish and Polish partners. Presbytery The monthly Presbytery meetings are attended by the minister and one representative elder. This provides an important link betsveen the congregations and the wider structures of the Church. GeneralAssembly The General Assembly meeling took place in June 2023 with a session held on the Saturday to facilitate those unable to attend due to work commitrnents. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge thr deep appreaation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with organisations and other church activibes.
RICHHILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Churth in Ireland meets the public benefft requiremenl by providing benefft to its memb8TS and the general public by making known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ Ihrough the advancanent ol religion. The direct benefits whi¢h flow from the purposes of the Church include the gaining of an understanding in Christian beliets as set out in the Bible and in the Church's subordinate standards (the Westminster Confessi(n of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leading lo spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Bible teaching. In tum, this framework leads to practical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the k)cAI community such as through the care of those in need {including the sick, disabled and bereaved). Generalty the above benefits are delivered ICallY by congregations and their members. or are facilitated through presbyteries or are organised and delivered centrally. Local delivery is facilitated by central reswrces in almost all cases. Public access is made known through the use of noticetK)ards, printed material. press advertisement. websites, and social media or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluaticn of the seNices 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 benefft flowng from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries. Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a Tesull of their holding office or employment. However. this is incidentsl and nSSary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefils. The beneficiaries of this purpose are membets, their families, other individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is direct and indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral seThices are provided and other communtlies 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 ofthe public. The Kirf( Sesslon has had regard to the Charity Commission's public benefft roquirement statutory guidance. Flnanclal revlow The results are set out in detsil on pages 11 to 22. The charity retumed net incoming resources for the year of £66.323 12022 - £22,011) leaving unrestricted fvnds of £1,740,271 12022 - £1,838,094} and restr¢cted funds of £472.462 (2022- £308,316). The congregation's main source of income is members, contribLrtion5 through Ihe Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 282 contribulors during the year donating a tolal of £277,612 (2022 - £252,283}. An increase of 10.030/ts from tho previous year. The tolal net assets of the Congregation at the end of the year was £2.212.733 reskn¢ted and unrestricted. Increase of 3.09ts1. from the previous year. The Iruslees have assessed the major risks to whith the Gharity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigale exposure to the major risks. Reserves policy The Trustees have considered the level of unrestricted reserves that is appropriale to hold takin9 account of current and ongoing COTnmitrnenls. It is the policy of the Trustees to hold at least 12 months normal expenditure. At the year end the unrestricted reserves were £1.740.271 with cash balances of £786.782. The trustees consider it pnjdenl to hold cash reserves of at least £300.000 as the funding of its present activities is dependent on the ongoing financial support of members.
RICHHILL PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Structure, governance and management The chur¢h is govemed by the congregation's goveming document The code. the book of the constituknon and govemment of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland The trustees who sewed during the year and up to the date of signature of the financk?I statements were: Mr M McHugh Mr T Graham RevA McNeely Mr L Brownlee Mr T Ellison Mr Glen Evans Mr E Hanna Mr D Milligan Mr D Parr Mr M Vallelly Mr W Diffin Mr S Cardwell Mr S Thompson Mr R Cregan MrA Graham Mr D Black Mr S Strain Mr S Todd (Resigned 30 January 2023) (Resigned 18 June 2023) The Kirk Sesslon The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Session. Under the congregation's goveming document, The Code. the book of the constrtulion and govemment of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote the spirttual interest of the congregation and of persons ncl connected with any congregation who are wthin its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place in the Congregation and seeks to further the ntrIbutiOn of the Church to Christian witness and service in the kscal 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 ¢on9regation. Members of the lfjrk Session are ex<fyfficio mernbers ol the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregations. All rnembers are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings. expt that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberattve bul only a casting vote. Stated meetings of Ihe Kirk session are hdd at monthlyl sx weekly intervals. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting memberand 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. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland fom) of govemance the corporate oversight of a congregation is the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spirttual and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to it by the General Assembty of the Presbylerian Churth in Ireland. Richhill Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Amiagh Presbytery of the PSbylenan Church in Ireland. The membership ol the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregalions assigned to it by the General Assembly. minsters who have tired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. 0ry8ni$ational structure The day to day running of the charity is overseen by the trustees.
RICHHILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 rh• General Assembly The General Assombty is the supreme court of the Church. representlng in one bctyay 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 constituled during the first week in June for worship and to conducl ils business. At the end of business it is dissolved. The membership of Ihe General Assembly consists mainly ol the active ministers of each congregation, retired minsters and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. Other matters At a congregational meeting on 29111123 RPC agreed to appoint the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Holding Trustees Company as the new trustees for RPC, replacing the Amagh Prosbyry Education Board. Slatement of trustees. responslbllltles The tTUSte8s are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generalty Accepted Accounting Practice}. The law applicable to charities in Northem Ireland requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial ststements. the truslees are required to- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consislently- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 IFRS 102>: make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent: state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material departu$ disdosed and explained in the financial stalements- and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate lo presum8 that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequale accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time tho financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. the Charity {Account5 and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charty and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Dlsclosure of informatlon to audltor Each of the trustees has confimied that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevanl to the audit. bul of whith the auditor is unaware. They have further wnfimied that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such infomation. The trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees. i_ ni Lll.slt Mr M McHugh Trustee Rev A McNeely Trustee Date: ..