## **Colin Glen Christian Fellowship**
## **Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts**
For year ending 31 December 2024
## **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
**Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2024 .............................................................................. 3** About Colin Glen Christian Fellowship ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Achievements and performance ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 Christian ministry ............................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Foodbank ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Grants given....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Data management .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Percentage of payments on charitable activities ................................................................................................................ 6 Public benefit .................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Financial Review .................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Overall income and expenditure ............................................................................................................................................... 7 Ministry ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Foodbank ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Looking forward ............................................................................................................................................................................... 8 **Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 ....................................................................................... 9** Statement of Receipts and Payments – Year Ended 31st December 2024 .............................................................. 9 Statement of assets and liabilities – Year Ended 31st December 2024 ................................................................... 10 Notes to the Accounts ................................................................................................................................................................. 11 **Reference and administrative information .................................................................................................. 13** Structure, governance and management ............................................................................................................................ 13 Objects and activities ................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
## **ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024**
## **ABOUT COLIN GLEN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP**
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship (CGCF) is an evangelical Christian fellowship based in West Belfast, from the Colin neighbourhood/Dunmurry to Andersonstown. While we are mainly from the local nationalist community, we also have people from further afield. Christians are a community of people who have been spiritually renewed by the work of the Holy Spirit, reconciled to God by faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, from all nations and cultures. At CGCF we experience a little of that cross-community and multicultural dimension to our faith, as we seek to love God and love one another. We welcome those from every background and community, from all faiths or none, who wish to come to our Sunday services and either worship the Lord God or find out more about Jesus Christ. We encourage everyone to become followers of Jesus Christ and worship with us. As a summary of our beliefs, we have adopted the internationally respected World Evangelical Alliance statement of faith. This, and more about us, can be found on our website www.cgcf.ie
While CGCF is an independent fellowship, there are many good informal relationships with other individuals and churches across cultural and denominational boundaries throughout the north, the Republic and abroad.
As Christians we seek to live out our Christianity in a way which is relevant to the culture of the local community in West Belfast, doing our best to provide a welcoming environment where people can listen, learn, worship, share, pray and serve as they get closer to God, through a growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
South-West Belfast foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks, is managed as a ministry under the governance of the charity.
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Christian ministry**
The regular weekly life of the fellowship throughout the year consisted of Sunday services, midweek evening Fellowship Group meetings and Friday lunchtime prayer meetings, as well as ongoing pastoral ministry. Visiting preachers for Sunday services this year were Chris Keiller, Andrew Elder, Alistair Campbell, Patrick Chimbali, David Burke and Tom Duffy.
The midweek Fellowship Group continued with a study series on the _Foundation Documents_ of The Gospel Coalition. These were with a view to proposing acceptance of the _Foundation Documents_ at a church meeting in due course (for elders/pastor), alongside the church’s statement of faith. After that series, Philippians and Ephesians (Union with Christ), Proverbs were studied. Other weekly small group Bible studies were held too. The Christmas Carol Service was a blessing to those who came too.
Monthly prayer meetings with other local churches locally were attended. The annual Easter Dawn Service in Lady Dixon Park, jointly with several other churches nearby, was followed by breakfast at CGCF.
Gemma O’Neill continued as a sports chaplain with Belfast Swifts girls’ football club, in partnership with Christians in Sport. The Irish Men’s Convention in February was attended by a handful of men in the fellowship. Pastoral ministry continued, not only by the pastor, but also more informally by his wife and others in the fellowship.
Over 1,500 Scripture calendars with Bible verses in English and Irish were again given out again into homes locally just before the end of the year.
We are very encouraged with a strong core group in the fellowship.
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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## **Foodbank**
## About the foodbank
South-West Belfast foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks, is managed by the charity. The foodbank serves a population of 100,000, or 30% of the population covered by Belfast City Council, across one quarter of its footprint. It is located in a particularly needy area—almost 20% of the most deprived wards in N. Ireland fall within the area covered by the foodbank.[1]
We cover both main communities locally, with our building being strategically located on one of the peace lines (a local dividing line between the two). In addition, we also provide food to other organisations, such as homeless outreach, individual and family hostels, and a charity which helps prisoners’ families. People are helped by the foodbank on the basis of need, with no distinction made on other criteria such as religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity.
The foodbank network had been set up to provide short term support—three-day or six-day food packages, normally only needed on a few occasions. This emergency support has been intended to help people in the short term, during their most critical crisis point, while they get longer term support or income in place. Some need food for just a few days or a week, while others require support for longer periods. Crisis causes of poverty include unemployment, addiction, benefit problems, women and children fleeing domestic violence, bereavement, imprisonment.
Yet people are increasingly finding that the longer-term support is insufficient to meet their needs. There is more longer-term help needed at foodbanks. Government benefits such as Universal Credit are just not enough to meet the essential needs of those relying on them. According to the Trussell report on food poverty in N. Ireland in June 2024, “The most significant cause of the financial insecurity driving the need for food banks is the design and delivery of the social security system.”[2] In a six-month period at the end of 2024, 77% of people on Universal Credit UK-wide resorted to using foodbanks.[3] Trussell have been campaigning government with their ‘Guarantee Our Essentials’ campaign to get the benefits level up to just that point, where it meets the essential needs of those relying on them. Further, those changing from legacy benefits to the new Universal Credit system are bereft of financial support for a minimum of five to six weeks. This increases their vulnerability, stress, and need to rely on foodbanks. The foodbank is increasingly finding that people are in more medium to long term need than in the past.
The foodbank is very grateful for those who work extremely hard at the foodbank, from staff to the large team of volunteers from the community, to whom the foodbank is greatly indebted.
## Food support provided
The amount of food donated (and cash to purchase food) had reduced significantly. Food given out was down 34% from the previous year, at 23,523 kg. The number of people served and meals provided has reduced accordingly. This is primarily due to a number of factors. Food donations are more spread out among charity food providers. The public’s disposable income has significantly reduced their spending power from what it was a few years ago. Further, food prices have also continued to increase.
Most food packages which the foodbank provided were to homes with children, 55%, with 43% of those helped overall being children. (Those figures are almost the same as in the previous year.) Everyone assessed as being in need who comes to the foodbank is served with food, and/or additional support. While the numbers of people served at the foodbank has gone down, this is partly because people are being helped by other food providers—the overall need in the community is still high.
The generosity of both individuals and organisations supporting the foodbank was again really generous. We are extremely grateful to all who have donated food at supermarkets, work, community or church events, or
> 1 Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency NIMDM17- SOA level results. The most recent (2017) figures show that of the most deprived areas in N. Ireland (by multiple deprivation measure), 26 of the 133 (15% of 890) fall in our foodbank catchment area. Eleven of those are the 5% most deprived.
> 2 https://www.trusselltrust.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/2024-Hunger-in-Northern-Ireland-report-webupdated-10Aug2024.pdf
> 3 https://www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-research/news/almost-one-in-five-people-receiving-universal-credit-anddisability-benefits
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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donated food as individuals. Also, we are thankful for many who are also donating money which not only allows us to run the foodbank, but increasingly to purchase food to give out too.
The amount of food given out, people served, and meals provided, are shown below.
* Based on kg donated and given out.
## Foodbank strategy document: ‘Serving, supporting and steering’
The foodbank has developed a strategy looking forward for the next few years (see the link to the document online in the footnote).[4] The strategic development coordinator and others examined the key strengths, values, aims and direction of the foodbank, outlining objectives and key performance indicators (metrics) moving forward.
Although the work of the foodbank was initially mainly serving food, with signposting to other organisations a minor addition to the help provided, the additional non-food help has developed into being
a significant part of the work of the foodbank. The team have also been increasingly actively engaged in seeking to influence those in power in relation to addressing the factors that drive people into
food poverty (at a local level, in addition to Trussell being active at a national level). These three aspects of the work of the foodbank are summarised under the headings serving, supporting, steering.
> 4 http://southwestbelfast.foodbank.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/187/2024/12/SouthWest_Belfast_Foodbank_Strategy_2025.pdf
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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With the economic situation resulting in fewer donations, and the hardships people face continuing, the foodbank plans to continue diversifying food collection points and fundraising, to try to meet the need. Within the means available, food will be served to those with the greatest need, while also maximising or leveraging the additional support available from other organisations (e.g. Fuel Bank Foundation).
## Foodbank additional support provided
While statistics of food served has been measured by kg given out, the numbers of people helped and meals provided, the additional non-food support provided had also begun to be measured. This is classified as minor support (S1), intermediate levels of support (S2), and major levels of help provided (S3), being separate from time spent in relation to giving out food.[5] That equates to around 90-100+ hours per annum on non-food support.
## **Grants given**
The ministry gave small grants totalling £2,473 to other charities in accordance with the charity’s charitable objects. Those charities include local mercy ministries (such as Christians Against Poverty), local mission ministries (such as Our Daily Bread Ministries, Prison Fellowship NI and The Christian Institute), international mercy ministries (such as Tearfund and Samaritan’s Purse), and international mission ministries (such as European Christian Mission, OM, OMF and Wycliffe Bible Translators). Giving from the unrestricted income was almost 8.4%, while grants from restricted income increased the overall percentage of income donated to 11.6% (our giving target is 10%).
## **Data management**
The charity is registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). Privacy policies for the charity and the foodbank are available. No data breaches occurred or were reported during the year.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Additional
support
provided*
256
98
80
S1 S2 S3
**----- End of picture text -----**
* Metrics were recorded from August, but are shown extrapolated pro rata for the full year.
## **Percentage of payments on charitable activities**
The percentage of payments on ‘Charitable activities’ was 99%.
## **Public benefit**
In setting out our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
The trustees are confident that no private benefit has been identified as having been provided during the year. Any private benefit which may arise from the activities of the charity is considered incidental to the public benefit.
The trustees continue to be aware that a Bible-based faith is relatively uncommon in the local community in West Belfast. Yet, our culturally-sensitive and respectful approach to those of differing faiths or none mitigates against potential harm, which is also considered outweighed by the public benefits.
> 5 S1: time spent up to five minutes. S2: time spent between 5–15 minutes, or a single instance of tangible non-food support provided (e.g. Fuel Bank voucher, electric heater or bedding supplied). This does not include food vouchers for supermarkets, pet food, or kitchen essentials. S3: time spent more than 15 minutes and/or multiple instances of tangible non-food support.
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Overall income and expenditure**
The overall receipts for ministry and foodbank (excluding loans repaid) for the year was £82,988, down from £131,239 the previous year. The main reason for the decrease was that over £36k more in grants from grantmaking charities and Trussell had been received the previous year. Payments (excluding loans made and assets purchased) totalled £88,402 (compared to £97,362 and £70,937 in the previous two years). Foodbank receipts from general donations were £38,782, down 30% from the previous year, while almost £23,335 in grants were received, mostly for specific purposes.
## **Ministry**
The ministry receipts were up 30% from the previous year. The bulk of income for the ministry (83%) comes from those in the fellowship. The bulk of payments are for rent and utilities. Although the pastor is still selffunded, the need for succession planning into the future will require the income to increase significantly in order to be able to pay the stipend for a new pastor.
The pie charts below illustrate the distribution of receipts and payments for the ministry aspects of the running of the charity (from the Statement of Receipts and Payments).
**Ministry Receipts 2024**
**Ministry Payments 2024**
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
## **Foodbank**
Foodbank payments reduced by 16% to £66,300. Foodbank receipts decreased from £115k to just over £62k, mainly due to a difference of over £36k in grants received compared to the previous year, as noted above. General donations to the foodbank decreased from £54,416 the previous year to £38,782 in 2024. This drop of almost 29% highlights the financial constraint that arises arguably from less disposable income from donors. Some of the foodbank grants received were carried forward into 2024, as shown in the balance carried forward for the ‘Foodbank (Further Restricted)’ fund.
See the notes to the accounts for more details on the expenditure breakdown of foodbank payments.
The pie charts below illustrate the distribution of receipts and payments for the foodbank aspect of the running of the charity (see the table: Foodbank payments to 31st December 2024).
**Foodbank Receipts 2024**
**Foodbank Payments 2024**
## **Looking forward**
In considering the expected income and expenditure for the year ahead, the trustees are of the opinion that the charity is a going concern, with sufficient funds either in hand or anticipated to meet expected outgoings.
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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## **ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024**
## **Statement of Receipts and Payments – Year Ended 31st December 2024**
|**_Receipts_**
Income and Endowments
Income from Charitable Activities
Income from Donations and Legacies
Collection tins/buckets
Donations (One-off)
Donations (Regular)
Donations Box
Donations from organisations
Donations online (JustGiving, Facebook)
Donations from Individuals
Gift Aid Claimed
Grants: From Grant-Making Charities
Grants: From the Trussell Trust
Grants: Other
Sundry Donations
Income from Other Trading Activities
Other Fund-raising Events
Total Receipts
**_Asset and investment sales_**
Loan repayments received
**_Payments_**
Expenditure
Charitable Activities
Charity Management & Administration
Charity Running Costs
Employee Costs
Grants Given to Other Charities
Fellowship Support
Foodbank (ex. Rent etc.)
Ministry & Discipleship
Mission & Outreach
Worship & Fellowship
Rent, service charge, utilities
Travel
Cost of Fund-raising
Costs of Fund-raising Events (e.g. Fetes,
Other Fund-raising costs
Cost of Governance
**Total Payments**
**_Asset and investment purchases_**
Purchase of Fixed Assets & Investments
Loans made
Total Asset and investment purchases
**All Receipts & Asset and investment sales**
**All Payments & Asset and investment**
Transfers Between Funds
**Net Movement in Funds**
**Total Funds Brought Forward**
**Total Funds Carried Forward**|Ministry
(Unrestrict
ed) £
Ministry
(Restricted)
£
Foodbank
(Restricted)
£
Foodbank
(Further
Restricted)
£
**2024**
**Total**
**£**
2023
Total
£
6,892
**6,892**
8,988
745
25
2,261
**3,031**
10,526
12,181
437
8,905
**21,523**
21,699
476
391
**866**
700
2,000
3,326
**5,326**
11,674
10,924
**10,924**
11,863
1,375
1,538
**2,913**
1,311
3,414
218
3,922
**7,554**
2,822
1,140
**1,140**
31,268
2,339
17,856
**20,195**
20,440
2,000
**2,000**
8,000
623
**623**
884
1,066|
|---|---|
||20,191
680
42,261
19,856
**82,988**
131,239|
|||
||725
0
50
**775**
1090|
||133
742
306
**1,181**
1,231
1,212
1,545
**2,757**
1,858
2,403
25,250
16,391
**44,044**
39,123
1,747.
725.12
**2,473**
3,641
500
16,378
**16,378**
30,219
2,023
**2,023**
1,338
2,790
**2,790**
1,966
3,124
**3,124**
2,519
8,370
3,266
772
**12,408**
13,875
344
**344**
432
**432**
153
612
373
75
**448**
328|
||22,176
725
48,032
17,469
**88,402**
97,362|
||800
**800**
1,774
980
**980**
1,283|
||980
800
**1,780**
3,057|
||20,916
680
42,311
19,856
**83,763**
132,329
23,156
725
48,832
17,469
**90,182**
100,420
4,373
-4,373|
||2,132
-45
-10,894
2,387
**-6,419**
31,910|
||10,931
45
44,872
9,086
**64,934**
33,024|
||13,063
33,978
11,473
**58,515**
64,934|
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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## **Statement of assets and liabilities – Year Ended 31st December 2024**
|**_Cash At Bank And In Hand_**
**_Other monetary assets_**
Debtors - Loans due to be repaid
Fixed assets (after depreciation)
Computer Equipment
Fixtures & Fittings
Other Assets
Liabilities
**Total assets**|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
**2024**
**Total**
2023
Total
£
£
£
£
13,063
45,451
**58,515**
64,934
1,290
65
**1,355**
1,150
324
1,061
**1,384**
1,568
0
0
**0**
182
118
3
**121**
790|
|---|---|
||441
1064
**1505**
2541
0
**0**
45|
||14,795
46,581
**61,375**
68,580|
## _Foodbank payments in more detail_
Since the foodbank receipts and payments comprise a significant proportion of the total, it is appropriate to provide more detail on the disbursement of payments, as shown below (some are repeated from above).
|**Foodbank payments to 31st December 2024**
Charity Management & Administration
Charity Running Costs
Employee Costs
Grants Given to Other Charities
Cost of Fund-raising
Costs of Other Fund-raising Events (e.g. Fetes, Open Days)
Cost of Governance
Foodbank (ex. Rent etc.)
Food Purchases
Gas/electricity/fuel payments to foodbank clients
Cash to Foodbank clients
Food vouchers/gift cards (purchased) to Foodbank clients
Household items purchased for clients
Foodbank Telecoms (phone, broadband etc.)
Printing, Stationery & Postage (Foodbank)
Other Expenditure (Foodbank)
Volunteer Management
Training courses (Foodbank)
Rent, service charge, utilities
Travel
Purchase of Fixed Assets & Investments
All Payments & Asset and investment Purchases|**Foodbank (both funds)**
**2024**
2023
**£**
£
**1,048**
1123
**1,545**
1,061
**41,641**
39,123
525
**432**
4
611
**75**
**12,112**
15,480
8,049
**860**
820
1,050
**99**
428
**949**
716
**549**
614
**1,296**
2137
**512**
308
617
**4,038**
5,275
**344**
**800**
1168|
|---|---|
||**66,300**
79,149|
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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## **Notes to the Accounts**
These notes form part of the financial statement.
## _Funds structure_
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity – restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
The Statement of Receipts and Payments report is shown with each fund listed separately, to allow the receipts and payments relating to the foodbank to be seen more easily, instead of all restricted funds being grouped together.
As well as the unrestricted ‘General’ fund there are three restricted funds; a ‘Ministry (Restricted)’ Fund for general ministry donations which are restricted, a ‘Foodbank (Restricted)’ Fund for general donations to the foodbank, as well as a ‘Foodbank (Further Restricted)’ fund where foodbank donations/grants for specific purposes are recorded.
## _Trustees’ expenses_
No expenses were paid to any of the trustees during the year in relation to their role as trustees.
## _Accounting policies_
These accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024, have been prepared on the basis of receipts and payments, along with a statement of assets and liabilities, which is permitted by the relevant legislation in N. Ireland for non-company charities with an income below £250,000.
All receipts (income) are recorded when received and all payments (expenditure) are recorded when paid.
Tangible fixed assets which costed more than £100 are recorded as assets. Equipment is depreciated on a fixed line basis over four years, except for computer and phone purchases which are over three years.
The accounts are shown to the nearest pound, for clarity, in line with normal charity reporting practice.
## _Gifts in kind_
Gifts in kind of food donations received and distributed were calculated as £74,136 (based on the rate of £2.76 per kg), down from £97,882 the previous year. (This is separate from food purchased from cash donations, which is accounted for in the payments and receipts.) A small amount of damaged or out of date food was also donated, which was disposed of—it is included in those figures.
## _Grant making policy_
Grants to external organisations are made at the church leadership’s discretion, and in accordance with the charitable objectives.
## _Safeguarding policy_
The trustees affirm to maintain awareness amongst our personnel and demonstrate our adherence to an ongoing safeguarding policy implementation which is reviewed annually.
## _Policy on reserves_
It is CGCF’s policy to maintain, if possible, a balance on funds which equates to at least three months essential payments. Reserves above this figure may be maintained to cover fluctuations in receipts and payments, to allow for any major planned or unplanned payments, or to mitigate any decline in the overall financial environment. The balance of cash at bank and in hand, less any liabilities, at year-end was above this. Reserves held should be reviewed if they total more than that of annual payments in the previous year.
Restricted funds are not normally intended to have a balance deficit carried forward into the next year. However, since the foodbank fund is restricted, this will have a balance carried forward. Also, with grants given to the foodbank being in the ‘Foodbank (further restricted)’ fund, where the spending extends across the year end, fund balances will be carried forward. The ‘Ministry (Restricted)’ fund had a small amount donated which was carried over into the following year when it was paid.
It is our policy to keep cash funds in bank current accounts. However, if there is sufficient balance built up for future spending (e.g. building fund), this may be transferred into an interest generating account or an investment fund.
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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## _Assets and Liabilities_
Long term (greater than twelve months) loans outstanding totalled £700 at year end, down from £800 the previous year. There were no liabilities for payments made at the end of December which did not clear at the bank until after the year end.
## _Trustee indemnity insurance_
The trust need (section 4.10) allows for trustee indemnity insurance to be obtained and paid for by the trust. It is included in the charity’s general insurance cover.
## _Transfer of funds_
£4,373 was transferred from the foodbank (restricted) fund to the ministry (unrestricted) fund for discounted costs of using ministry rooms for foodbank purposes, Monday to Friday each week (at 50% discount of cost).
## _Gift Aid and Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme_
Gift Aid claims were made during 2024 for eligible donations until mid-December, with the remainder of eligible donations being claimed during the following year.
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
_Trustees_ Edel Diamond (Treasurer) Gerry Diver Gemma O’Neill (Chair)
## _Senior Elder/Pastor_
John Duffy
_The address of the ministry and foodbank premises of the charity:_ 1[st] Floor, 124 Stewartstown Road, Belfast, BT11 9JQ.
_The address of the principal office of the charity:_ 42A Cloona Park, Belfast, BT17 0HH.
## _Charity registration_
Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC104892. HMRC charity registration number: XT33990
## _Bankers_
Danske Bank, Business Customer Support, 1st Floor, Donegall Sq West, Belfast, BT1 6JS Kingdom Bank, Media House, Padge Road, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2RS
## **Structure, governance and management**
CGCF was established as a charity at law by trust deed, dated 4th March 2012. It was registered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and is eligible for Gift Aid tax claims from that date.
The Trustees endeavour at all times to meet the aims and objects of the Trust Deed and to comply with the legal requirements and guidance given to registered charities, which is in keeping with the biblical requirement to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. CGCF is registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. The accounts have been prepared using the Receipts and Payments method of accounting.
CGCF is governed by trustees (under a trust deed) with respect to fulfilling its responsibility under charity law, in consultation with the spiritual leadership which is responsible for governing the life and teaching of the fellowship. The spiritual leadership is the eldership of the fellowship. The pastor/senior elder is John Duffy. The powers of removal of trustees rests with the trustees, while the powers of appointment rest with both the trustees and spiritual leadership. Trustees are normally expected to be selected from within CGCF, to ensure that governance of the charity is closely linked to a clear understanding of the needs and aspirations of the fellowship within the local community.
CGCF has a ‘Council of Reference’, a small (non-executive) group of people external to the charity whose role is to advise the spiritual leadership. In the absence of formal external relationships such as some churches have within a denomination, this offers a channel for external advice and comment.
Day to day decisions on expenditure and activities are made, under the overall oversight of the trustees, by a number of people; the pastor, those with responsibility for different areas of the fellowship’s work such as the foodbank, and directly by the trustees. With a relatively small income and expenditure, after fixed expenditure is taken into account, decisions on minor expenditure are made flexibly throughout the year, and not formally according to fixed budgets. The main requirement is that expenditure is within the means of the fellowship, focused on its current priorities, and aiming to maintain a minimum level of reserves.
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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## _Risk management_
All major insurable risks are subject to normal churches’ and employers’ insurance which is in place. Contractual risks would be reviewed before being agreed, to assess that they would not significantly impact upon the charity’s ability to fulfil its objectives. An annual review of areas of risk is carried out by the trustees in conjunction with those responsible for each area of activity, with risk assessments documented.
## **Objects and activities**
CGCF is registered as a charitable trust. To quote from the trust deed, it is “established for the advancement of education and to promote and advance the Christian Faith for the benefit of the public… in accordance with the statement of faith.” The objects of the charity can be summarised as to advance the Christian faith through provision of worship services, Bible teaching, fellowship events, evangelism including literature distribution, and/or to provide practical/financial support to local and/or overseas relief charities or agencies. In detail, as listed in the trust deed:
The Charity is established for the advancement of education and to promote and advance the Christian Faith for the benefit of the public (hereinafter called “the beneficiaries”) in accordance with the statement of faith, appearing in the schedule appendixed hereto in Schedule 1, in Northern Ireland and other countries that may from time to time be identified (hereinafter called “the area of benefit”) and in particular:
- a) To advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the beneficiaries, through the provision of worship services, prayer events, Bible teaching, fellowship events, the production and/or distribution of literature to enlighten others about the Christian faith, and evangelism, from time to time either alone or in participation with other churches or organisations;
- b) to support by means of financial assistance charities who work overseas in developing countries for the relief of poverty, the relief of sickness and for the protection and preservation of health for the benefit of those in need;
- c) to promote the benefit of the people in the area of benefit either alone or by working in association with other charities and agencies to provide, or assist in the provision, of services for those in need;
- d) to advance any other exclusively charitable purpose as the Trustees may, from time to time, decide in accordance with the law of charity.
We try to enable people to live out their faith within the community, corporately and individually, through some or all of:
- a. Public meetings, in particular Sunday worship services for praise, prayer, preaching, Lord’s Table, fellowship, and midweek fellowship meetings for prayer and Bible study.
- b. Literature evangelism, personal evangelism, prayer including regular prayer meetings, pastoral care including pastoral visitation and guidance, training for specific ministries, social relief ministry, administration, preaching in other churches, and cross-community fellowship.
- c. We also encourage private ministry as salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16) by putting faith into practice at home and at work within the community and beyond.
- d. Of particular importance is South-West Belfast foodbank, through which needy people in the community are given food donated by the public, having been referred to the foodbank by professionals such as social workers.
The work of the fellowship is not limited to that of the spiritual leadership or trustees, but includes the ordinary life of all believers obeying all that Jesus has taught, as the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) makes clear, according to their abilities and opportunities (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
Approved by the Trustees on ……………………………………. and signed on their behalf by:
……………………………………. ……………………………………. Gemma O’Neill (Chair) Edel Diamond (Treasurer)
Colin Glen Christian Fellowship – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
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