N.I. Charity Commission Number NIC 104850
Annual Report of the Trustees and Congregational Accounts 31st December, 2022
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Joymount Presbyterian Church
Church Office 1 Robinsons Row Carrickfergus Co. Antrim
Bankers Dankse Bank High Street Carrickfergus Co Antrim
Office telephone 028 9335 0926 (9-1 Mon, Tues and Thur)
Manse telephone 028 9336 3570
Website www.joymount.org
Our Vision
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND, as a Reformed Church within the wider body of Christ is grounded in the Scriptures, exists to love and honour God through faith in His Son and by the power of His Spirit to enable her members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world.
We in JOYMOUNT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH publicly affirm that Jesus Christ is Saviour and Lord. We encourage people to become members and we want members to:
Come to Jesus - To acknowledge Him as Saviour and Lord. Grow in Jesus - To become more like Jesus. Go for Jesus - To journey out in life with Jesus
Our Church
Joymount Presbyterian Church is part of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) and is supervised by the Presbytery of Carrickfergus. Joymount was established in 1852 and exists to make known and proclaim Jesus Christ, Saviour and Lord and encourage members to follow and serve Him.
We meet at 11.00am and during the lockdown period we broadcast a service on our Facebook page and on U- tube. We also setup a phone connection so that members without internet connection could still listen to the service. This service was ceased at end of 2021 when church services resumed. Our services follow the Christian calendar starting with Advent and continuing through to Pentecost. We observe the Sacrament of
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Communion 4 times each year. Our special evening Communion to mark the start of Advent was restarted. Evening worship which had been stopped due to the covid pandemic has not been restarted this year as our Minister retired on grounds of ill-health at 31[st] December 2021 and we have been led by a Vacancy commission under the guidance of the Rev Gabrielle Farquhar during 2022.
Joymount is a busy and active congregation, as can be seen from the list of organisations from the local community which make use of our premises for their activities. We reach out far into the community with our work through the church organisations. Many of our members are involved in the management of some of the local organisations and schools. We make the church available for local organisations to use the premises for their weekly activities and for their services of worship. Our organised Christmas Outreach in the local shopping centre and weekly market to promote the name of Jesus were held this year and we did carry out a visitation to the new homes, on the old Albion factory site close to the church, with a small Christmas gift. Our ministry team continue to provide teaching, counsel, leadership and pastoral care for the members of the congregations with backup from the Kirk Session. The sick, the elderly, the bereaved and the troubled are visited in their times of need. The Vacancy Commission also provides pastoral (one-to-one) counselling.
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 10 times a year and as required.
To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and 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. Members are elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who 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 of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Joymount Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Carrickfergus 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.
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During the year we were represented at Presbytery by our Minister and Representative Elder along with a depute Representative Elder who will become our Representative Elder next year.
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, administration 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.
We were represented at the Assembly by our Minister and Representative Elder.
Purpose
Joymount 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 aims to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God’s people by being:
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A Covenant Community: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward him and toward one another.
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An Intergenerational Community: where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ.
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An Outward looking Community: where we want the blessings of God that belong to us in the gospel to become blessings for others beyond the bounds of our community.
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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.
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Members of the Ministry Team
Minister Congregation vacant during 2022. (Vacancy Commission under convenorship of Rev Gabrielle Farquhar in charge of congregation.) Assistant Minister None Senior Pastoral Assistant Rev. David Brice Members of Support Staff Church Administrator Mrs Hilary McGavock Church Officer Mrs Andrea Matheson Cleaner Mrs Catherine McCormick Musical Director Mr Raymond Smyth Church Officials Clerk of Kirk Session Mr Stephen Drake Treasurer Ms Gillian McCallion Committee Secretary Mrs Isabelle Strugnell Rep to Presbytery Mrs Martha Blair
Members of Kirk Session and Trustees under the Charity Commission
| James Adair | Sharon Adamson | Evelyn Bates | Martha Blair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edwin Boal | Jane Boal | James Bodles | David Bothwell |
| Peter Denney | Sharon Donald | James Dunlop | Stephen Drake |
| Gillian McCallion | Rosemary McFarland | Andrew McKeegan | Hilary McGavock |
| Robert Magee | Gary Montgomery | Avril Morrison | |
| Francis Picton | Isabelle Strugnell | Graham Wills |
The Rev John Stanbridge was appointed a Trustee when he took up ministerial duties in Joymount on Friday 3[rd] February 2023.
Elders Emeriti or non Trustees
Herbert Holmes Elizabeth Pherson William McCartney Stuart Nelson Anne Burrows (died 18[th] February 2023)
Church Committee
Clarke Adair Denise Difallah Kay Fowles Kerry Laughlin Diane Loughridge Ronnie McClune Rosie Montgomery Elizabeth Picton Jennifer Smyth Chris Strugnell Philip Thompson Aaron Walker
Church Organisations
Bowling Club Boys’ Brigade Bus Stop Coffee Group Thursday Sale Girls’ Brigade Joymount History Club Joymount Friendship Club Men’s Group Mums and Tots Presbyterian Women Pause (Youth Club) JAM (Sunday Schools) Youth Fellowship (UNITE)
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School Board of Governors
Oakfield Primary School Victoria Primary School
Carrickfergus Academy -Junior Campus (formerly Downshire Community School)
Organisations using our premises
Art Club Badminton Club U3A Committee
Statistics on the Congregation
| All families under pastoral care of the Congregation | 410 |
|---|---|
| Persons of all ages in above families | 847 |
| No. of families who contributed to FWO | 259 |
| Attendance at: morning worship |
106 |
| evening worship no regular services in 2022 | |
| Sacrament of Baptism |
1 |
| Admitted to the Lord's table for first time | 0 |
| Total persons on Communion Roll | 233 |
| Those taking at least 1 communion during year | 140 |
| Kirk Session Male |
12 |
| Female | 10 |
| No. attending Bible Study/Fellowship meetings outside Sunday Services | 14 |
| No. attending Bible Class or Sunday School | 15 |
| No. Attending non-uniformed organisations for children/young people | 10 |
Employment 2022
1 Vacancy Convenor, 1 Senior Pastoral Assistant, 1 Musical Director, 2 caretakers/Cleaners, 1 Church Administrator, 1 IT Support. (The Senior Pastoral Assistant and the IT Support are self-employed)
Volunteers
The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with our church organisations and other activities. Your efforts are most valued.
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Property Report
Don’t look at the cost of doing maintenance, look at the cost of not doing maintenance.
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Emergencylightingtest,halls & church | 12/1/22 |
| Gutter cleaning Manse, Garage, Halls, Church, No. 1, replacing6 roof tiles & 1 ridge tile church halls |
11/3/22 |
| Asbestos testingchurch roofspace | 8/2/22 |
| Architect’s sketch 3D images front of church | 14/2/22 |
| Replacing11 faultyemergencylights with LED | 21/2/22 |
| Mansegas boiler serviceplus surveyongas system | 19/2/22 |
| Upper hall fire door into church – handle | 7/4/22 |
| Fire alarm service in church,church halls | 12/4/22 |
| Fire extinguishers service, replacement of boiler house and minister’s room extinguishers |
13/4/22 |
| Post & sign for carpark entrance | 17/6/22 |
| Repair to heating control system – church & church halls |
21/6/22 |
| Church boiler serviceplus new safetyvalve | 22/8/22 |
| Choir box treatment | 12/8/22 |
| Gas boiler service No. 1,Manse,CO2 detector Manse | August 2022 |
| Hedge cutting, weed killing, garden work, Knot Garden, No.1,carpark,Manse |
9/9/22 |
| LED securitylight halls doors,Manse carpark | September 2022 |
General Maintenance Work
| General Maintenance Work | |
|---|---|
| Description | Date |
| Timer for manse, light switch female toilet, church emergencylight tubes |
7/1/22 |
| Light tubes church halls emergencylight tubes | 21/1/22 |
| Ratpoison mansegrounds church carpark | 28/1/22 |
| Bagof salt for churchgrounds | 15/2/22 |
| 1 bag post for carpark sign | 11/3/22 |
| Fisher screens for church halls skirtingboard | 11/3/22 |
| Door handle for lower hall kitchen back door | 11/3/22 |
| Weed spraybackpack,emergencylight tubes | 7/6/22 |
| Smoke alarm No. 1,hinges,emergencylight tubes | 7/8/22 |
| Lock for carpark,evo-stick,weed killer | 11/10/22 |
| Cement manse garage, silicone manse, key cut, emergencylight tubes |
6/12/22 |
| Lower church hall heatingcontrol actuator | 30/11/22 |
Phil Thompson Property Convenor
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Committee Report
As Rev Richard Graham retired on 31 December 2021 the Manse became vacant from 1 January 2022. Regular security checks on the premises were carried out and the insurance company informed of the vacant manse.
A congregational announcement was made in April regarding the lifting of the Covid Restrictions during the church services.
Refreshments after morning service recommenced on Sunday 5 June 2022.
Due the church being unable to arrange, because of covid restrictions, an AGM during 2022; the Church Accounts were approved by Kirk Session.
The contract with Talk-Talk was terminated in favour of Plusnet.
The Architects surveyed the Manse giving a good report on its general condition. It was agreed that members of the property committee continue to visit the Manse on an annual basis to check that everything is in order. A Congregational Meeting was convened on 7[th] June to consider proposals put forward by the Committee on the changed and adapted layout at the front of the church. The meeting was to able view plans and ask questions on the proposal. Having heard the discussion and concerns raised the chairperson decided to not proceed to a vote, and that Church Committee reflect upon the points raised. It was agreed that all necessary inspection, maintenance and repairs of the choir box and associated rail be undertaken.
Dry rot in the choir box area has been treated and an application has been made to the TBF and KL Thompson Trust for funding to improve access for people with mobility issues. New microphones were purchased for use in the pulpit and the choir box area.
It was recommended that the Committee conduct an annual audit of each organisation’s accounts.
The Summer Event took place successfully on Saturday 30 July 2022.
A Coffee Morning in aid of the NI Children’s Hospice and Air Ambulance NI took place on Saturday 26 November 2022.
Isabelle Strugnell, Committee Secretary
Kirk Session Report
2022 was dominated by the vacancy and preparations for finding a new minister but it is worth remembering that in the early part of the year Covid-19 was still a very real danger and the life of the church had to be managed so as to reduce the risk of infection. By February record of attendance was no longer required but face masks were still needed when moving around or singing, alternate pews were still kept vacant and at communion we continued to use prepacked elements. By Easter Sunday we were able to sing without facemasks, while making clear that those who wished to continue to use them were welcome to do so. Tea and coffee after service began again in June. Restrictions on seating were relaxed in stages but at the end of the year seating in the gallery continues to be restricted so that people can be distanced from others.
The first communion service with elements served by elders in the usual way was at the evening of the first Sunday in Advent. We have no immediate plans to restart a regular evening service but in the Sunday evenings before Christmas we were able to have the Advent communion, band service and carols by candlelight, all well attended.
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In January Rev Gabrielle Farquhar was appointed vacancy convener by Carrickfergus Presbytery and was supported by a vacancy commission of other ministers and elders appointed by Presbytery. As well as leading some services herself she arranged ministers and accredited preachers to lead worship, chaired Kirk Session meetings and, aided by other members of the commission, ensured that urgent pastoral needs and funerals were attended to. The congregation enjoyed hearing a variety of voices in the pulpit and particularly valued the accredited preachers.
With practical wisdom and godliness, Gabrielle guided Kirk Session through the process of getting a minister, first in preparing the documents required to show Presbytery and ultimately the Linkage Commission that we were fit both spiritually and financially to call a minister. We were given “leave to call” a minister in June. We then prepared a Congregational profile, largely the work of Sharon Adamson guided by Gabrielle, to tell prospective candidates about Joymount and what we were looking for in a minister. Six candidates expressed an interest in Joymount and four were interviewed by the whole Session. Following the interviews Session decided to ask Rev John Stanbridge, minister of Ballycastle and Croaghmore to preach to the congregation. He did so on 27 November. At a congregational meeting called by Presbytery on 28 November the congregation in a secret ballot voted by 76 votes to 20 to call Mr Stanbridge. He accepted by telephone that evening but a delegation of Session had to go to Carrickfergus Presbytery in December and Route presbytery in January to complete the formal procedure so were able to close the year with a firm expectation of having a new minister soon.
Church life continued and In October most groups and organisations were able to start up their former activities. The exceptions are the Thursday Sale, Joymount Prospects and the regular Sunday evening service, including the monthly Prayer for healing, which have not so far restarted.
Special events included a PW celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II and a summer event in the manse and its garden in July at which we enjoyed the sun together along with more excellent catering and entertainment for all the family. This was a particular blessing for those who were still becoming used to getting out again after Covid but it also brought in many with little or no connection with Joymount.
A very successful Christmas outreach under the leadership of Robert Magee saw over 2000 gifts of sweets with a Christmas greeting distributed to the public and to all our organisations along with carol singing in the De Courcy Centre on a Saturday morning and in the market on Thursday morning, including singers and musicians from other churches.
During the year Gillian Mercer resigned from captaincy of GB after 11 years in office and Jancis Logue was appointed in her place. Rev Richard Graham was made Minister Emeritus by the Presbytery of Carrickfergus and two of our older elders Stuart Nelson and Billy McCartney resigned from eldership and were made Elders Emeritus. Billy continues to head the bereavement team.
Kirk Session wishes to place on record its appreciation of Rev Gabrielle Farquhar’s work throughout the year in maintaining church life and worship, in guiding Session through the process of calling a new minister and in leading us in worship. We thank too the members of Carrickfergus Presbytery who served on the vacancy commission.
Clerk of Session
Stephen Drake
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Treasurer’s Report
Once again we are grateful to God for bringing us through another challenging year. Although a sense of normality has returned after Covid we faced different challenges, namely a vacancy in ministry and a cost- ofliving crisis. However, we are thankful that we now have a new minister and look forward to this new chapter in Joymount.
Despite the challenges of the last year our members have continued to support the ongoing work here in Joymount.
It is disappointing to note that our total direct giving was down by just over £14K. compared to 2021. Also
down were donations and legacies but that can be explained by the one-off gifts that we gave to our former minister and assistant minister in 2021. This decline in income was offset to some extent by the increase in the income of organisations and our generous giving to the Moderator’s Appeal for Ukraine. Overall income is down around £10.5K.
Expenditure is down this year by £48K mainly due to a reduction in staff costs. Staff costs have gone down in respect of minister and assistant minister but this was partly counteracted by increased support staff wages and the costs of the vacancy. There have also been substantial increases in the cost of utilities. Expenditure on Life and Work has increased due to increases in IT support and sound and media costs. We increased our giving to missions and charities, over £5K went to the Moderator’s appeal for Ukraine.
Our target for United Appeal in 2022 was £14,014 and we exceeded this by £300. Our target for 2023 is £14,245.
The World Development Appeal for 2022, Rekindling Hope, from Flight to Flourishing, focused on Lebanon and South Sudan. A total of £1900 was sent from Joymount for this appeal.
Property income and expenditure varies year on year depending on the work required and Phil Thompson’s report outlines the work carried out in 2022.
All our bank accounts are in a healthy state although it must be remembered that there is money accrued in the No. 1 account which will be required for payments in January and February of the next year. The money in Virgin Money now gives us our designated reserves.
Give generously and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15 v 10.
Gillian McCallion Church Treasurer
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