## **WOODBURN PRESBYTERIAN 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** Woodburn Presbyterian congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 192 Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim BT38 9AB Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC 104870) ## **CHARITY TRUSTEES** The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Mr Robert Logan Rev. David Kelly Mr Jim Stewart Mr Roy Kennedy Mr Leslie Stewart Mr David Weatherup ## **PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS** Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev David Kelly Mr Jim Stewart Mr Alan Taylor ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** Simon Hopper FCA 6 Doagh Road Ballyclare BT39 9BG ## **BANKERS** Danske Bank – Donegall Square West, Belfast BT1 6JS ## **SOLICITORS** O'Rorke, McDonald & Tweed - 29 The Roddens Larne County Antrim BT40 1HX 2 ## **WOODBURN PRESBYTERIAN 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 Sessions 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 ministers in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held [at least twice in each year or as appropriate]. 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 Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Woodburn Presbyterian congregation of the 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 the congregation. 3 ## **WOODBURN PRESBYTERIAN 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, 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. ## **DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE** The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Woodburn Presbyterian 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. Woodburn Church has a core membership of committed Christians who under the direction of the established Church leadership share in an ongoing program of outreach. The Mission Plan has allowed us to examine the effectiveness of our existing programmes against the particular needs of the Church and community. We trust under the direction of the Holy Spirit and, where necessary, we will adjust to ensure our impact for Him is as effective as possible. In response to our Lord's command “to go” we understand the need to be proactive, using the believing people in the congregation in a structured and planned way to achieve goals which are part of a God inspired vision, showing His light in this corner of His vine-yard. The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God’s people by being: - A Covenant Community: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward him and toward one another. - An Intergenerational Community: where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. - 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. 4 ## **WOODBURN PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** - 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. ## **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 Je sus Christ are admitted to the Lord’s Supper. The congregation holds regular bible study meetings and has a wide range of organisations including: - Presbyterian Women - Sunday School and Bible Class - Youth Fellowship - Youth Club - Missionary Auxiliary - Bowling Club - Men’s Fellowship ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **Worship and prayer** The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 12:00 noon with an evening service one Sunday per month at 7:00pm. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. As well as our regular services during the year we gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2023 there were [85] communicant members and [98] families connected with the congregations. The average week attendance at morning worship is [140]. ## **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. 5 ## **WOODBURN PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **Mission and outreach** At a local level the congregation supports the families and children in the local community through youth club, which is run twice per month except for July and August, and a Summer bible club lasting a week during the school Summer holiday period. Monies raised by the church congregation and visitors were used during the year to donate to other Christian based organizations providing service at home and abroad. The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal and other special appeals. The congregation gives regularly to Carrickfergus food bank through items donated weekly. The Presbyterian Women support many good causes through collections and with donations to MS Research, Shelter NI, Cancer Research, Mission to Seafarers, Barnardos (PHAROS), and NI Blood Transfusion service. 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 congregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership, and pastoral care. ## **Presbytery** The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and / or one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. ## **General Assembly** The minister and one of our elders attended meetings of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast. 6 ## **WOODBURN PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **Property** Routine repairs and maintenance were carried out to the church building, hall, and manse during the year. A new sound and vison system was commissioned for the church to replace an obsolete system. No major work was undertaken. ## **Organisations** The Presbyterian Women group and the Ladies Friendship is very active and between them organized a regular and varied schedule of events throughout 2023, including talks by visitors and congregation on a variety of topics, outings, etc. Through these activities the ladies also raised significant funds for many very worthy causes. The Mission Auxiliary was more active in 2023 following the impact from Covid restrictions. The group continued to support Adopt-A-Child. Junior youth club recommenced a full programme of activities following the relaxing of Covid restrictions in 2022. Those attending enjoyed meeting twice monthly with regular games and activities as well as enjoying guest speakers and entertainers. Sunday school and bible class provides spiritual guidance for children and teenagers. The average attendance was 19 during 2023, and it is supported each Sunday by a band of faithful and diligent teachers from the church congregation. Learning and art materials are provided by the church, with occasional use of audio/visual equipment for video and songs, to deliver a Christian message in a way that engages young minds. During the summer the Church runs a holiday bible week following a Christian theme and with a family party on the Friday evening. Children have an opportunity to showcase some of the songs they’ve learned during the week for the congregation during the regular Sunday service. This recommenced in 2022 post-Covid and was very well supported again in 2023. This is not an exhaustive list of the many good works and deeds by all organizations within the church. 7 ## **WOODBURN PRESBYTERIAN 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 organisations 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. 8 ## **WOODBURN PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** The congregation’s main source of income is members’ contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 71 contributors during the year (81, 2022) donating a total of £47,351 (£44,761 in previous year, 2022) Total Income of the congregation during the year was £81,270 (£77,729 in the previous year, 2022). Total expenditure was £79,339, compared to £86,854 in the previous year. ## **RESERVES POLICY** The policy of the trustees is not to accumulate reserves but to use reserves in the promotion of the Charity’s objects, and maintain a balance on unrestricted funds that equates to at least six months’ unrestricted payments £33,947 to cover unforeseen situations that may arise from time to time. In light of the main risks facing the Charity the trustees consider the current level of reserves £64,643 and their use (as required) is sufficiently above this target. The trustees continue to monitor their reserves levels on a periodic basis. ## **FUTURE PLANS** The church has come out of COVID-19 in a strong position spiritually as well in good financial shape. Some good practices that came from COVID measures have continued, such as: posting video recordings of services online for those unable to attend due to sickness and infirmity; and encouraging giving by direct bank transfer rather than cash donations. There is continued enthusiastic support for youth and community outreach. ## **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 9 an WOODBURN PRESBYfERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) 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 08106/2024 and slgned on its behalf by [Rev Davld Kelly] [0>06-2024] [Mr. JIM Stewart] [09-0&2024] IJLJ 10