Presbyter an RANDALSTOWN (OLD CONGREGATION) CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022 Registered Charlty In Northern Ireland (NIC104930)
RANDALSTOWN (OLD CONGREGATION) CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) Presbyter an The Trustees present theirAnnual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 and Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Randalstown (Old Congre8ation) congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 4 Portglenone Road, Randalstown, BT413BD Registered Charity In Northern Ireland {NIC104930} CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were, Rev Jonathan Sloan Mf George 8arkley Mr Frederick Barkley Mr lan Carnpbell Mr Alun Coulter Mr David Fulton Mr Robert Fulton Mr Norman McFadden Mr Desmond McKee Mr Joseph Millar Mr Alastair O'Neill Mr Philip Scott Dr Charles Hall Stewart Mr lan Thompson Mr James Thompson Mr Lewis Todd Dr Selbert Rainey Mr James Walker Mr Mark Walker Mr Raymond Walker (Deceased Dec. 22) Rev Alan Moore PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Rev Jonathan Sloan Vacancy Convenor Rev Alan Moore Clerk of Session Mr James Walker Mr. Alun Coulter Mrs Dorothy Thompson Resigned 30 June 2022 Appointed l July 2022 Retired June 2022 Appointed June 2022} Treasurer INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mrs Laura Fleck FCA, 24 Moneyrod Road, Randa15town, BT413JB BANKERS Danske Bank, 42 High Street, Antrim BT414AP SOLICITORS Samuel Cumming & Son, 39 Linenhall Street. Ballymena, BT43 5AJ
RANDALSTOWN {OLD CONGREGATION) CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) an STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Sesslon 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 PresbW(erian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch ovei 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 Cornmittee. The Kirk Session conslsts of the ordained minister and the rulin8 elders of the congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetln8s, except that the Moderator, the ministers / convenors in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held on at least five occasions throughout the year; September, November, January, March, and May. 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 congre8ation or by the Kirk Sesslon. Members are elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote and then confirmed acceptable by Presbytery. 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. Randalstown (Old Congregation) congre8ation 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 artive ministers of congregations assi8ned to it by the General Assembly, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation.
RANDALSTOWN (OLD CONGREGATION) CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) an The General Assembly The General Assernbly 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 rnainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired ministers and representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religlon (Christianity) Randalstown (Old Congregation) 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 wlder body of Christ is grounded in the Scripture 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 purposes is, 'To know Jesus and lovingly to make Him known., 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 thls tirne and place. The con8regation 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 blessin85 of God that belong to us in the 8ospel to become blessings for others beyond the bounds of our communitv. 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.
RANDALSTOWN (OLD CONGREGATION) CONGREGATION OFTHE PRE58YfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'd) an AcfiviTIES AND OBJEcfivES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed three times 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 holds regular bible study meetings and ha5 a wide range of organisations including, Sunday School Tot's Together Boys, and Girls, Brigade Helping Hands {Craft Group for Missions) Youth Fellowship Bowling Club Men's Fellowship Presbyterian Women's Group Friendship Group (For Senior Citizens) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.30arn and 6.00pm, two evenings per month. During the week, the Bible Study provides an opportunity for the 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 acknowledged God's gift of new life at 2 Sacraments of Baptism, we conducted 3 marriage services and gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. On 31 December 2012, there were 199 communicant members and 188 families conThected witli tlie congregation. From September 2022 we commenced a gradual return to normal church life following PCI guidelines although the numbers attending Sunday morning worship had reduced from the pre-covid year. Pastoral care Due to Covid 19 restrictions rnost pastoral care was provided by telephone with in-person visits provided on an emergency basis. From September 2022 the minister and session members began to return to carrying out home visits. prioritising those who were ill at home or in crisis situations.
RANDALSTOWN {OLD CONGREGATION) CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) Presbyter an Misslon and outreach At a local level the congregation reached out to our community through our youth and children's work, senior citi2ens cross community work, and linked into local events in our town. We continued to financially, and prayerfully support one of our church members who ser¥es as a missionary in Peru with Latin Link. We also supported the work of the Bible Society, Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child, and Belfast City Mission amon85t other missionary endeavours. 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, a5SiSts congregations wlth 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. The congregation also contributed to the denomlnations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School project and any other special appeals. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and an elder. This provided an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meetin8 of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, which was held in June 2022. Property During 2022 we continued to maintain and improve the facilities with, maintenance where required.
RANDALSTOWN (OLD CONGREGATION) CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Presbyter an Organisations Sunda school From January to June 2022 Sunday School met during the Morning Service following the PCI Guidelines for relaxing the Covid Regulations. From October the children met in person with approximately 15 to 20 children taking part. Each session covered a particular theme such as 'God's Love,. The young people learned more about God's word through a variety of activities includin8 Stories, games, crafts, quizzes, prayer and memory verses. Tots To ether Due to Covid 19, this outreach work had suspended, but resurned in September 2022. It provides a Play Space and Activities Suitable for pre-school children with a mld-morning snack. Parents / Guardians stay with their children and the church provides volunteers to run the group. Girls, Bri ade Face to face meetings began again in October 2021 and to adhere to Social distancing guidellnes the sections met on alternate nights for a shorter time. By January 2022 the programme went back to normal with over 80 girls enjoying a wide range of G.B. activities. Bo s, Bri ade Randalstown O.C. Boys, Brigade Ss a uniformed Christian organisation which met each Wednesday night with an online programme. In October 2021 they resumed in person with approximately 45 boys, from 4 to 17 years of age, attending over alternate weeks. By January 2022 the programme and times resumed to normal pre-covid practice. Boys attending continued to work throu8h their Bible and Badge classes with which they were presented on the last meeting of the year. Hel in Hands Helping Hand5 is a group of ladies who meet to do crafts, which are mainly crochet work and knlttlng, which are all donated to missions, mostly overseas. Youth Fellowshi An average of 10 - 12 youn8 people of secondary School belonged to this group who met on a Sundav evening to have fellowship, bible study and activities to for8e friendships and gain an understanding of Christian life. This group did not resume in September 2022 as the minister, who reigned in June 2022, had been the leader.
RANDALSTOWN IOLD CONGREGATION) CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (coned) Presbyter an Indoor Bowlin Club This club provide5 leisure and fellowship for both male and female members of all ages from across the community. It met each Monday afternoon and evening with approximately 20 attending at both sessions, following the PCI and Government advice. From January 2022 there was no inter-church league, but a series of friendly 8ames were arranged, following PCI and the IIBA advice. In September 2022 the Bowling League resumed and the programme went back to pre-covid times. Men's Fellowshi Due to the Covid regulations the programme was very limited with only two events, one in the hall and one outing. Presb erian Women This 8roup provides fellowship and encourages women of all ages to become di5ciple5 of Christ, and to live for hlm. Friendshi Grou Thi5 is a 8roup of senior citizens from across the community who normally meet in the church hall monthly on Thursday afternoons. Unfortunately, they had no meetings due to Covid19 until September 2022 when they resumed a programme of events.
RANDALSTOWN (OLD CONGREGATION) CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd} an Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by seNing 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 it5 members and the public by makin8 known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion, The direct benefits which flow frorn 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 Tesponse 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 beneflts are delivered locally by congregation5 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 usin8 noticeboards, printed material, press advertisement, web51tes, 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, thelr famllles, 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 because of their holding office or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary 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 engagernent 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 Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance.
RANDALSTOWN (OLD CONGREGATION) CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Presbyter an FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 220 contributors donating a total of £ 80.194 during the year compared with 217 donating £79,569 in previous year (20211. Total Income of the congregation during the year increased to £144,259 compared with £133.188 in the previous year. Total expenditure decreased from £ 148,027 to £ 136,590. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statement5 of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice. As the congregation's 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 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 flnancial position. They are also responslble for safeguardlng the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Klrk Se551on at a meeting on 21rt November 2023, and slgned on its behalf, by: Rev. George Moore (Vacancy Convenor) Rev Ivan Ferris (Interim Clerk of Session) 10