## **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE** # **PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND** **Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022** **Trustees’ Annual Report** **Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104880** 1 ## **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Year ended 31 December 2022** The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 including a Balance Sheet as at that date. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** First Ballyeaston Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Ballyeaston Village, BT39 9SJ Registered Charity in Northern Ireland **(NIC104880)** ## **CHARITY TRUSTEES** The Charity Trustees who served during the year were: Euel Agnew Robert Hill Dessie Baker Trevor Mills Roy Baxter Uel McCrea Joe Bingham Edwin McDowell Jim Cahoon Tom McKnight Alan Currie William Stewart Wilson Dickey Robert Woodside (to 13 September2022) Anne Gardiner ## **PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS** Minister Rev Edwin McDowell Clerk of Session Euel Agnew Treasurer Joe Bingham Congregational Secretary Malcolm Downey ## **AUDITOR OR INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** ## **BANKERS** Hopper & Co Danske Bank 6 Doagh Road 18 The Square Ballyclare. BT39 9BG Ballyclare, Co Antrim BT39 9BB ## **SOLICITORS** J W McNinch & Son 37 Main Street Ballyclare, Co Antrim BT39 9AA 2 **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d) Year ended 31 December 2022** ## **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 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 congregation. In the year 2022 one ruling elder resigned from this position. 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 normally held at least 8 times each year. 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 votes from twothirds 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. First Ballyeaston congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Templepatrick 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. 3 ## **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d) Year ended 31 December 2022** ## **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 a 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** First Ballyeaston 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. The congregation’s mission purpose is, by the grace of God, to help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is, by the grace of God, to be an inclusive, welcoming community of Christ’s people of all ages, which: - is increasingly characterised by love for God, and love and concern for others; - is committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible; - is relevant to people of this time and place. 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. - 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. 4 ## **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d) Year ended 31 December 2022** ## **ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES** The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord’s 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 Jesus Christ are admitted to the Lord’s Supper. The congregation normally holds regular bible study meetings and has a wide range of organisations/activities including - Sunday School & Bible Class - Presbyterian Women (PW) - Bowing Club - Girls’ Brigade - Youth Fellowship - Holiday Bible Club ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **Worship and prayer** The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.00 am. On the first Sunday of the month there is normally an evening service at 7.00 pm. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God’s gift of new life at one Sacrament of Baptism and gave thanks for faithful service and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved. At 31 December 2022 there were 215 communicant members and 312 families connected with the congregation. Prior to the initial coronavirus lockdown in March 2020 the average weekly attendance at morning worship was about 140. During lockdown in both 2020 and 2021 morning worship continued on-line with an average of about 150 views per week. In-person worship resumed in the church building in late 2020, but was further suspended due to Covid restrictions until April 2021 when in-person services resumed once more. These services were also live-streamed. Average attendance at the in-person services during 2022 was about 90, with an additional 170 views of the weekly live-streamed services. 5 ## **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d) Year ended 31 December 2022** ## **Pastoral care** Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are normally visited on a regular basis by the minister, pastoral associate, elders or by one of the congregation’s pastoral visitors. During much of 2020 and 2021 normal visitation was suspended in response to the Covid pandemic, but in 2022 the programme of visitation was gradually restored. ## **Mission and outreach** 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; assists with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church’s training college for ministry students; and financially supports congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. First Ballyeaston also responds to challenges in the local community and in the wider world. In 2022 we supported the Presbyterian Children’s Society, Christian Aid, the British Legion Poppy Appeal, the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal, the Presbyterian Church World Development Appeal, Larne Adult Centre and an appeal from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland to provide support for refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. ## **Presbytery** The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregation and the wider structures of the church. ## **General Assembly** The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June. ## **Property** The following is a summary of the maintenance and refurbishment work carried out on the church property during 2022. - A water leak in the roof of the Crèche room in the Church Vestibule was identified and sealed; the room was also redecorated. 6 ## **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d) Year ended 31 December 2022** - A new sound mixing desk was purchased and installed, enhancing sound quality both inside the church and on live-streamed services. A replacement computer to live-stream the church services was also purchased. - A new Church Noticeboard was purchased and installed. - Following a theft of oil, the fencing around the oil tank was re-secured and a CCTV system was installed. - The overgrown shrub beds in the Church Green, an area in front of the church, were cleared and prepared for re-planting in the Spring of 2023. ## **Organisations** ## **Sunday School** Following the Covid lockdowns, Sunday School and Bible Class resumed meeting in-person in September 2021 in the Galbraith Hall and Upper Vestibule respectively. These meetings took place at the same time as the Sunday Service, a change from before Covid when meetings were held before the start of the church service. In the Sunday School four teachers taught up to 25 pupils in the age range 4 to 11 years with lessons and craft coinciding with the themes for the Sunday services. In the Bible Class two teachers taught up to 10 children aged 12 to 16. In June the children and young people took part in the morning service in Church on Youth and Children's Day; and they also staged a Nativity Play in December. The Sunday School continues to donate to Tearfund, a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world's poorest countries, tackling poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice. ## **Presbyterian Women** The Church’s Presbyterian Women Group resumed meeting post Covid in December 2021 and five meetings were held during 2022, normally on a Tuesday evening. These included talks on flower arranging and crafting, and an outing to Scrapyard Golf, and were attended by up to 20 women. The annual PW Service took place on Sunday 6th March and was led by Rachel Cubitt, Deaconess at Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church. Over the summer the Group organised a number of evening walks at various locations in East Antrim. 7 **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d) Year ended 31 December 2022** ## **Girls’ Brigade** Post Covid, the company resumed its weekly meetings in October 2021, meeting on Monday evenings in the Lecture Hall complex. The company had a full and varied programme, ending the 2021/22 session with a Presentation Evening in the Church on Monday 28 March, followed by a Fun Night on Monday 4 April. The 2022/23 session started with a Registration Evening on 5 September, followed by Enrolment at the Morning Service on 27 November. Company membership remains strong, at around 65 girls. A Coffee Morning was held on Monday 3 October in aid of McMillan Cancer, raising almost £800 for this worthwhile charity. As the year ended the Company had commenced planning its Annual Display, scheduled for Monday 20 March 2023. ## **Bowling Club** The Bowling Club meets in the Church Halls each Wednesday evening from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm during the months of January to April and September to December. Unfortunately Covid brought the Club’s activity to an abrupt end in March 2020 and, in light of the on-going Covid risks, the Club took the decision not to meet during the 2021/22 season. However, the Club resumed meeting in the autumn of 2022 with a membership of about 20 people and played in the Sixmilewater and District League, ending the year well placed in that competition. ## **Youth Fellowship** Pre-Covid the Youth Fellowship had met in the Church Halls every other week on a Sunday evening from 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm during the months of January to May and September to December. Meetings ceased in March 2020, and resumed post Covid restrictions in October 2021. Unfortunately during 2022 the numbers attending remained low and, after a few meetings, activities were suspended. ## **Holiday Bible Club** With the help and support of a large group of volunteers, the Annual Holiday Bible Club was held on 25, 26 and 27 July 2022 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Lecture Hall and was enjoyed by about eighty P1 to P7 children. This was followed by a Family BBQ and Fun Night, held on the evening of 28 July at Carnfunnock Country Park, which was attended by about 150 people. ## **Volunteers** The Trustees wish to express their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time and talents by serving on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities. 8 ## **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d) Year ended 31 December 2022** ## **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. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit requirement statutory guidance. 9 ## **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d) Year ended 31 December 2022** ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** The congregation’s main source of income is members’ contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 194 contributors during the year (187 in previous year, 2021) donating a total of £73,227 (£72,038 in previous year, 2021) Total Income of the congregation during the year was £160,680, compared to £166,245 in the previous year. This change was the result of bequests received in 2021 totalling over £20,000; no bequests were received in 2022, although other income did show an increase in that year. During 2021 the Committee decided to invest £70,000 of the Annie Fenton Bequest in a 1-year fixed bond, in line with the terms of the bequest. This investment was renewed in 2022 and an additional bequest of £20,091 was also invested in this bond. This is now accounted for as an endowment fund. ## **RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the congregation and the financial activities for that year. In preparing the financial statements the Trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Funds will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the funds transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the congregation and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities (1 January 2015)”. 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. 10 ## **FIRST BALLYEASTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d) Year ended 31 December 2022** ## **GOING CONCERN** The activities of the congregation are dependent on ongoing contributions from its members. The Trustees are of the opinion that the congregation has sufficient resources at the date of approval of these financial statements to meet commitments which will arise in the year from the date of signing this report and subject to the continuing support from members to fund on an ongoing basis the congregation’s current activities and other financial commitments. ## **RESERVES POLICY** The Trustees have considered the level of unrestricted reserves that it is appropriate to hold taking account of current and ongoing commitments. It is the policy of the Trustees to hold between two- and six-month’s normal expenditure which gives a target range of between £17,448 and £52,342. At the year-end unrestricted free reserves were £22,315 and remain with the target range of reserves. The Trustees continue to monitor the level of reserves on a periodic basis. ## **RISK REVIEW** A review of major risks has been undertaken by the Trustees and systems and procedures implemented to manage identified risks. The principal risks are in relation to the likelihood of reputational damage and financial risks associated with the expectation of ongoing financial support from members. These risks are mitigated by the Trustees, and the Congregational Committee, regularly monitoring the various activities of the congregation at stated meetings and by encouraging members in their regular giving. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 10[th] August 2023 and signed on its behalf by: Euel Agnew 10[th] August 2023 Joe Bingham 10[th] August 2023 11