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 cas￿edaWson 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 advan￿ment 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 pre￿ptS 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 inCuM￿nt 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 I￿land'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 T￿￿tee9
Reverend Canon Colin Welsh
Trustse
Joyce camp￿11
Tntstse
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