an LOUGHGALL 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 Loughgall congregatlon of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 102 Cloveneden Road, Loughgall, Co Armagh, BT618LB. Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC104926) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who senied during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were John Beggs Cecil Brownlee David Johnston Alan Beggs Trevor Martin James MacQueen Desmond Mcmurray Alastair McNeely Joseph Johnston PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Convenor Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev Alastair McNeely James MacQueen Alan Beacom INDEPENDENT EXAMINER WHR Accountants Limlted Chartered Certified Accountants 56 English Street, Armagh, BT617LG BANKERS Ulster Bank, ArmaBh Branch 7 Upper English Street, Armagh, BT617BL SOLICITORS T.D Gibson & Co 17-19 Church Street, Portadown, Co Armagh BT62 3LN
an LOUGHGALL CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN 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 Sesslon. Under the congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Se55ion 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 seek5 to further the contribution of the Church to Chrlstian witness and service In the local communlty. 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 rulin8 elders of the congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the mlnister in active duty in the conBregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk Session are held four times each year or a5 appropriate. To be chosen for the office of the eldership In the congregation a person must be a votlng member and a regular attendant on Its ordinances. The selertlon 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 obtaln two-thirds of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church In Ireland form of governance the corporate oversight of a congregation is the responslbility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations asslgned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland. Loughgall congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Armagh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consI5ts malnly of the active ministers of congregations asslgned to it by the General Assembly, ministers who have retired from actlve duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation.
an LOUGHGALL CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN 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, admlnistration and judicial authority, in dealing with all matter5 brought before it. The General A55embly 15 normally constituted during the first week Sn 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 ministers and a representatlve elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Loughgall 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 exlsts to love and honour God through falth In His Son and by the power of His Spirit, and to enable her members to play their part in fulfilling God's mlssion to our world. The congregation's mission purposes 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 characterlsed 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 Wision a5 a family of God'5 people by being: A Covenant Community: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by Ilving 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 practSce.
an LOUGHGALL CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) AcfiviTIE5 AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. Children's Church and Crèche run concurrently. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on several occasions durlng the year and all those who have been baptlsed and who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation hold5 regular blble study meetlngs and has a wide range of organisations including Sunday Schools Bible Classes Campaigners Youth & Children's Ministry Junior Christlan Endeavour Youth Club Youth Fellowship Young Adults Group Men's Group Women's Group Holiday Blble Club ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 12 noon. During the week the Wednesday evening Blble Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scrlptures and for a time of prayer. Prayer meetings are also held each Sunday morning and on the first Monday morning of each month. At 31 December 2023 there were 99 communicant members and 115 familie5 connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 100. Pastoral care Member5 of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the mlnister and elders. CD & DVD recordings of services are produced and made available to those who are unable to attend.
an LOUGHGALL CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Misslon and outreach At a local level the congregation have been effective in connecting with the surrounding community through the different organlsatlons, catering for all age groups. We also reach out into the communlty through personal friendships, literature dlstribution and speclal evangelistic meetings. Involvement in overseas mission has been developing including a growing interest in supporting the church in Portugal. 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, asslsts congregation5 With the deployment of locally based staff, enables church planting, provides 8rant support for the upkeep of church premises, assist wlth the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's trainlng college for ministry students, and financially supports congregatlon in the area5 of worship, dlscipleship, global misslon, outreach, leadershlp and pastoral care. The congregatlon also contributes to other special appeals. Presbytery The congregatlon was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our mlnister and one of the elders. Thls provides an Important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The min15ter and one of our elders were nomlnated to attend the meetSng of the General Assembly of the Presbyterlan Church Sn Ireland held In Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June. Property During the year there has been ongoing repair and maintenance of property and grounds. There were no major repair or refurbishment projects.
an LOUGHGALL CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Organlsatlons Sunda Schools & Bible Classes- morning {10.45am} and afternoon13pm)- play a vital role in the life of our congregation. We aim to introduce children to the Lord Jesus Christ and teach them what it means to be a Christian. A variety of teaching methods are used in a relaxed and safe environment- including Bible lessons, Songs, memory verses, catechesis and worksheets. Cam ai ners youth & children's ministry is for those from 4 to 18 years of age meeting on Monday and Tuesday evenings. It seeks to advance their spiritual, physical, social and practical development. Junior Christian Endeavour- meets on Friday evenings and is forthose from 4 years old and above. It seeks to teach and train its members for service in the local church through participation In regular meetings and by taking an active role in group work. It promotes commitment to Christ, the local Church and compassion for people. Youth Club- meets on Friday evenings for youth of the secondary school age group. There is a stron8 sportin& social and spiritual focus. Youth Fellowshi meets on Sunday evenings twice per month. Studying God's word and applying it to life. Enjoyingtime and food together. Youn Adults- meets on Sunday evenin8S twice per month. Studying God's word and applying it to life. Seeking to prayerfully support one another. Men's Grou monthly meetings for fellowship and encouragement. Women's Grou monthly meetings for fellowship and encouragement. Midweek Bible Study & Prayer time. Hollda Bible Club- an annual summer children's event. 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.
an PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the publtc benefit requirement by providing benefit to tts members and the general public by making known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Chrlst through the advancement of religion. The direct benefits whlch flow from the purposes of the Church Include the gainlng of an understanding In Christlan beliefs as set out in the Bible and in the Church's subordlnate standards (the Westminster Confe551on of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leadSng 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 resource5 in almost all cases. Public access is made known through the use of noticeboards, printed material, press advertisement, websltes, and social media or in other ways. The beneflts are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the service5 and Informal and 3d-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 Minister5, 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 wlth, the community in which pastoral services are provided and other communities throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which beneflt from our engagement with and support for both Christian and other secular organisations, charities and Indlvldual members of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance.
an LOUGHGALL CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEE5 ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 94 contributors during the year {93 in previou5 year, 2022} donating a total of £51,7831£50,105 in previous year, 2022) Total income of the congregation durlng the year was £143,196. compared to £110,737 in the previous year. Total expenditure increased from £75,385 to £81,950. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBIUTIES 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 64131 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland} 2008 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of asset5 and liabilities. The Trustee5 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 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 irregularlties. Approved by the Kirk Session on 20 May 2024 and signed on its behalf by •OF•. Alastair McNeely John Beggs