Christ Church Castledawson Trustees, Annual Re ort for the ear ended 31 December 2022 The Trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for the Church for the year ended 31 December 2022 Preface: The aftemiath of the Covid 19 pandemic has resulted in a slowed return of parlshloners and a delay in the full uptake of activities. This has had an impact of our achievements. Perforniance & Public Benefit. However we continue to work with passion and resolve to achieve our goals. Objectives and Activities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of the Christian religion. The principal function of the Parish of Christ Church casedaWson is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through their work, the whole mission of the Church. pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offerbng support to those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity. As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advanment of the Christian religion. the Parish of Christ Church Castledawson has custody of propety and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the select Vestry of the Parish of Christ Church Castledawson. The activities of the charity At the heart of Christ Church Parish is a passionate desire to glorify God and demonstrate His love. This was achieved through our varied Sunday services which took place at 10am and 11"30am', In an effort to encourage everyone back to church we ceased our online Sunday services. Additional events and special seNices took place during Christian festival seasons such as Lent,. Holy Week., Easter, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday, Advent and Christmas. Sunday School is a vital part of what we do as a church. Each Sunday from September- June Sunday School classes are held in our parish halls for children from age 4-16 years. Thankfully, with a more relaxed 'post covid, approach, our Sunday School has expanded and offers various age groups a chance to explore God's word and enjoy fellowship in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. In addition, a range of regular activits'es resumed 'post covid, such as Vlomen's Fellowship, mid-week Prayer Meeting and Bible Study, Bowling Club, Dance Class, Mums and Tots, and Home groups These groups provide opportunities to enjoy fellowship with each other and be built up by one another in a practical Christian based way. Our Halls are also normally used to regularly facilitate, Girl Guides,. Scouts- worship band practice and ladies bible study groups, and a local community based choir. In addition to Sunday and other Church seNices our church building is used for church choir practices. Post Covid- Each of these groups resumed activities in 2022 The Rectory is used to facilitate marrtage preparation classes, confimiation preparation classes, occasional vestry meetings, occasional strategy group meetings and other private pastoral consultations throughout the year. We recognise that there are issues in our Parish for individuals that stem from sickness, bereavement, ageing, incapacity, and those receiving medical treatment, care in hospital and local nursing homes. We are committed to helping these people in need with empathy, sympathy, love and compassion. This is done through occasional visits, the offer of private Hoty Communion and prayer. Helping those in need, in this way, is a demonstration of our faith, 'we try to do as Jesus did!.
Christ Church Castledawson Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued) We also actively seek to reach out into our community through a range of caring and educational programmes for young people. These projects include Sunday School. young people's group, Messy Church and holiday bible club. This year we also began a reading assistance programme (Equipping for Life) in the local school with volunteers from our parish offering 1hr per week each to help children in the school with their literacy. Our 'Christmas Lights Tractor Run, also served as a means of engaging with and blessing all age groups in the wider community. Fund raising The purpose of our charitable fundraising is not only for our own costs, for example, our General Church Fund or Mustard Seed Fund but also for a variety of charitable needs. This is a tanqible demonstration of our mission and outreach and an awareness that, as Christians. we are called to support other good causes. Activities such as concerts, birthday parties and other fund-raising events including.. Car Boot Sales,. Family Fun Night and Duck Race,. Charity Golf Day" Table Quiz., Car Treasure Hunt" Autumn Tractor Run, Second Chance, Sale and Abba Music Night were open to the whole of the church and wider community. At all times we keep in mind our Safeguarding Trust policy, Health and Safety requirements and catering regulations. We have endeavoured to adhere to the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to benefit the whole of the community and achieve the Parish's objectives. Missions and evangelism Another part of the vision for Christ Church Castledawson is the outreach to the local community with events such as our annual Advent Carol SeNice, Christmas Carol Singing. the distribution of Mince pies and sweets pre-christmas and hot cross buns pre-Easter to the community along with Christian literature. These are timely reminders of God's love for all. This year we offered financial support to our neighbouring Sports Club, Moyola FC. We also financially support a range of missionary societies such as Church Amiy, Churches Ministry of Healing and the Bible S¢xiety (see financial report). Mission also extends beyond Ireland and established relationships and donations from Christ Church help to support different missionary societies abroad such as: Christian Aid: Crosslinks; The Leprosy Mission and The Bishop's Appeal (see financial report). Achievements, Perfomiance & Public Benefit Central to the work at all levels in the Parish is teaching God's word, to bring parishioners into a deeper relationship, knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, so that they are thoroughly equipped and empowered to reach out into the community, both within and beyond the Parish boundaries. Christ Church continues to offer a range of services over the course of the year that we hope our community find both beneficial and spirrtually fulfilling. We further hope that all who enter our buildings do so feeling welcome. safe, warm and secure. Our continuing desire is to reach out to all, seeking to transform the local community and build a Christ centred congregation which will be a witness for Jesus Christ and work for the advancement of His Kingdom. The direct benefit of participation in Church life includes the enjoyment of public worship and giving and receiving of pastoral ministry, improved understanding of Holy Scripture, increased application of Christian biblical morals and ethics and improved values relating to civic engagement. Thanks be to God that this year we We able to resume church activities in addition to normal Church services including an Easter Breakfast, Pentecost barbecue (in support of Christian Aid) and a Parish Harvest Lunch along with other social events, which served as opportunities to improve social cohesion. reduce social isolation and bring a greater sense of normality (post covid).
Christ Church Castledawson Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 20221continued) The expression of the preptS of the Christian religion through engagement with the general public, both in person and online, and in particularwith the disadvantaged. the sick, the elderly and the young is a public benefit. This can normally be measured and evidenced through pastoral visitation, increased social integration and pastoral care delivered at the point of need. Thankfully this important ministy was able to resume completely. Overall, the beneficiaries of Christ Church Castledawson are the general public and the public valuation of the benefits can be evidenced through attendan at public worship, participation in Church governance and willingness to support the continuing witness of the Church through financial contributions. The wider benefit to the public is the availability of a place for worshipping in the course of Christian outreach and the facilitation of weddings, funerals, baptisms and confirmations. Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of our Christian ministry or to lay staff is essential to the fulfilment for the purpose of religion. No elected Trustee recetves remuneration. reward or other private benefit for carrying out their Trustee responsibility- Also, the direct benefits flowing from the purpose of the Church includes the provision of archive records, public enjoyment of historic buildings and artefacts such as Church plate, fumishings and materials as an overall improved appreciation of a longstsnding Christian heritage. This is demonstrated through on-going provision of access to records and tl)e Uè4e mdde of these records in. for example, research and genealogy, through conservation efforts in respect of records, property and artefacts and the subsequent requests for access and use of our materials by the wider society. Vle someb'mes receive requests for family information from individuals from around the world. To mitigate risk of harm to any persons. the Trustees ensure adequate health and safety measures are in place at Christ Church. Also, child protection (Safeguarding Trust Policy). Access Nl checks and training opportunities are in place for those involved in children and youth work or working with Adults at Risk. No private benefit is received from Trustees fulfilling their responsibilities in respect of buildings, artefacts or records. In the course of conservation and to make records accessible to the public, no professional staff is engaged for the fulfilment of the purpose. The beneficiaries a solely the general public. Financial Review The results for the year are set out on page 8, which the Trustees consider to be satisfactory. The reserves of the Parish are held for the advancement of its charitable purpose, other than restricted reserves which are held for a designated purpose- see note 14. Going 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 activikn'es and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 can be signed off as a going concem. Structure, Governance and Management Goveming Document and Constitution of tho Charity Chapter111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland govems Parishes and Parochial Organisations. The Select Vestry members are the Charty Trustees. Recruitment and Appointment of Select Vesty (Trustees) All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 who are annual subscribers of a sum not less than £50.00 per annum and are either resident within the parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation 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 On a year. The Select Vestry is elected as part of this 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 tenns which may be served.
Christ Church Castledawson Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 Docember 2022 (continued) Organisational Structure The Select Vesty takes responsibilty for the managing of certain activities and decision making wthin the parish. The Select Vesty ¢onsists of the member of the clergy serving in the parish, any curate as5istsnt {'the Curate"), the churchwardens, the glebe wardens and generally not rnre than Iwelve other members of the general vestry elected at the Easter General Vesty Meeting. The Select Vesty is Chaired by the inCuMnt or other member of the dergy officiating in the parish. Select Vestry members are responsible for mgking dpcisions on mattÈrs of general concem and importance to the parish induding deciding how parish funds are to be applied. The select vesty meets at times fixed by the members or by the diocesan synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the thurthwardens. During the 2022 year the Sele¢t Vestry met 8 times for scheduled meetings, and most members atterKled on a regular basis (80% average attendance) or sent a verbal apology. Compliance with Public Benefft The Parish has given careful consideratK)n to the Charity Commission for Northem Iland'S guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and acts'vtties, as well as provmling public benefit. ststement of Tntstees, Responsibiltties The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the statement of re¢eipts and payments and statement of assets and liabilities in accordan viith applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Norlhem Ireland 1th Income of less than £250.000 requires the Trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a ststement of assets and liabilities for each financial year. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are suffi¢ient to show and explain the Parish's transacb'ons and disclose reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilits.es 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. Signed on Behalf of the Ttee9 Reverend Canon Colin Welsh Trustse Joyce camp11 Tntstse £_RA.C•