GARDENMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN
IRELAND.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
STRUCTUREAND MANAGEMENT
The Ilirk Session
The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirli 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 seelis 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 ensui'es pastoral care is in place in the congregation and
seelis to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and service
in the local community, The Ilirli Sessions has delegated to its Congregational
Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all
funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirlc Session
are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee.
The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the
congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal
votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the
congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote.
Stated meetings of the Kirlc Session are held nine times each year or as
appropriate.
To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be
a voting member and a regular attendaiit on its ordinances. The selection of
those proposed to be called to the office can be either by the congregation or by
the Kirlc Session. Mernbers are elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who
vote.
Presbytery
Under the Presbylerian Chui'ch 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.
Gardenmore Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Carriclcfergus
Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the
Presbytery consists mainly of the active ininisters of congregations assigned to it
by the General Assembly, minsters who have I'etired from active duty and an
elder appointed by the Kirlc Session of each congregation.

GARDENMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN
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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
The General Assembly
The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one
body the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administration and
judicial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The General
Assembly is normally constituted during the first weeli in June for worship and
to conduct its business. In a change to the traditional format of recent General
Assemblies, it met for three days with the necessary Covid mitigations in place
from the Wednesday 21st to the Saturday 24th June. 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
Gardenmore 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 congregations Mission Statement is
to bring people to Iinow Jesus as Saviour,
to maintain a worshipping, caring fellowship,
to encourage people to mature in Christlil<eness,
to equip people for ministry in the church and outreach to others,
and to glorify God in all things.
(Strap line Worshipping Jesus - Following Jesus - Sharing Jesus)
The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as afamily of God's people
by being..
A Covenant Community.. where our relationships are rooted in the promises of
God by livingfaithfully toward him and toward one another
An Intergenerational Community.. where adults intentionally tal(e the lead to
engage with, encourage and nurtureyounger members to maturity in Christ,
An Outward looking Community.. where we want the blessings of God that
belong to us in the gospel to becon7e blessingsfor others beyond the bounds of
our community.
As a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we believe that tlie
Bible 15 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 Christianfaith andpractice.

GARDENMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN
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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES
The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to
join. Tea and coffee is served in church following the service to facilitate
fellowship, The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is usually observed on five
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 holds regular bible study meetings and has a wide
range of organisations including
Sunday School
Sunday Club for childi'en with learning difficulties
Crèche
Youth Club
Parents and Toddlers
Indoor Bowling Club
Presbyterian Women
Men's Fellowship
Busy Hands Craft Group
Girls Brigade
THRIVE (Youth Fellowship)
Friends Together (fellowshipj
Home group Bible study
Monthly Women's breakfast (commenced lanuary 2023)
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Worship and prayer
The congregation met on Sunday at 11,00 am and 6.30pm. Morning services
were live-streamed on You Tube and some church members received CD
recoi'dings of the services. Monthly Home Bible Study Groups provide an
opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures
and for a time of prayei..
As well as our regular services during the year we acl<nowledged God's gilt of
new life at 2 Sacraments of Baptism, we conducted I marriage service and
sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during tlie year.
At 31 December 2022 there were 201 communicant members and 265 families
connected with the congregatioii,
The average weelcly attendance at morning worship is 110. Services of worship
were live-streamed using YouTube.

GARDENMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN
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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
Pastoral care
Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sicliness or
age are visited on a regular basis by the Minister, elders or by one of the
congregation's pastoral visitors.
Mission and outreach
At a local level the congregation works in its parish area to spread the good news
of the gospel and provide pastoral support where needed.
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 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 uplceep of church
premises, assist with the running costs of Union Theological College, the
Church's training college for ministry students, and financially supports
congregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach,
leadership and pastoral care.
Presbytery
The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our
minister and one of the elders. This provides an important link between the
congregations and the wider structures of the cliurch.
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 Congregational Committee coiitiiiue to oversee the upkeep of the property.

GARDENMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN
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TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT
Organisations
Sunday School met during the morning service. Children attend the first part of
the service before moving to the halls for age appropriate teaching from the
Bible.
Sunday Club offered a Sunday School for children with a learning disability on
the first Sunday of the month from 3.00 - 4.00 pm.
Presbyterian Women met on the third Monday ofthe month (September to
May). The programme aims to encoui.age women whose lives centre on the Lord
Jesus.
Parents, Toddlers & Friends met on a Tuesday morning from 10.30 am to
12,30 pm. This is open to the community and is aimed to provide friendship and
fellowship for parents, carers, friends and pre-school children within a Christian
environment.
Indoor Bowling Club usually meets on Tuesday evenings. Whilst being
involved in League and Cup matches the fun and fellowship in playing is the most
important part.
Friends Together met on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 2,00 pm to
provide fellowship for many of the elderly and shut in members who are
collected by car and brought to the church hall.
Home Groups met in 4 homes on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thui"sday once a
fortnight from September to Easter. Those attending come along to enjoy
friendship and fellowship as well as the study of Bible passages and prayer. Two
of tlie groups met in the church halls.
Men's Fellowship met on a Thursday morning from 10,30 am
12,30 pm for
fellowship, friendship through bowls, pool, or just a chat over a cup of tea/coffee.
Busy Hands Crafting Group met on the first and third Thursday of the month
from 10.30 am - 12.30 pm. Various crafts involved e.g. Icnitting, crochet, card
malcing, flower arranging, etc.
Girls Brigade met in the halls on Thursday evenings in three sections to follow a
varied programme of games, craft, scriptui"e, etc. Tlie motto of tlie GB is "Seelc.
Serve and Follow Christ"

GARDENMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN
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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
Women's Breakfast- met in a home on one Saturday morning each month for
fellowship and Bible study. Approx 20 members in regular attendance.
Youth Club usually met on Friday evenings from 7 - 9 pm. The programme
includes many games and activities. A Centre Spot (epilogue) each weelc
explores a range of topics.
Gardenmore Hlll Walliers continued to explore Ulster on their monthly
rambles. ( Not meeting at present)
Volunteers
The Trustees wish to aclinowledge their deep appreciation ofthose who give
freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with organisations and
other church activities.

GARDENMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN
IRELAND.
TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by
providing benefit to its members and the general public by making Iinown the
Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advanceinent 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 frameworli leads to
practical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community
such as through the care of those in need (including the sicli, 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. Central resources in almost all cases facilitate local delivery. 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 ofthe
public.
The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our
purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission worliers
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 beneficiai.ies of this
purpose are members, thekr families, other individuals that the Presbyterian
Cliurch in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with, the community in which
pastoral services are provided and other communities thi"oughout 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 Ilirlc Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions public benefit
requirement statutory guidance.
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GARDENMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN
IRELAND.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through
the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 220 contributors during the year 244
in previous year, 2022 donating a total of £105,286. [£ 111,402 in previous year,
2022)
Total Income of the congregation during the year was £ 219,095 compared to
£343,341 in the previous year.
Total expenditure decreased froin £170,286 [2022) to £157,982
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
that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the congregations 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 Iieeping 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 congregations and
enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Statement
of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities (l January
2015)". They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation
and hence for taliing reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fi.aud
and other irreglllarities.

GARDENMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN
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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
GOING CONCERN
The activities of the congregation are dependent on ongoing contributions from
its members. The Trustees are ofthe opinion thatthe congregation has sufficient
resources at the date of approval of these flnancial statements to meet
commitments which will ai'ise 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 actlvities 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 at least 6 month's normal expendlture. At the year-
end unrestricted reserves were £ 241,967 which represents a higher level of
reserves. The Trustees however, consider it prudent to hold reserves at this
level, as the funding of its present activities is dependent of the ongoing financial
support of members.
RISK REVIEW
A review of major risks has been undertaken by the Trustees and systems and
procedures Implemented to manage identified risks. The principal rislis are in
relatlon to the likelihood of reputational damage and financlal risks assoclated
with the expectatlon ofongoing financial support from members.
The Trustees, and the Congregational Committee, regularly monitorlngthe
various activities of the congregation at stated meetings and by encouraging
members in thelr regular givln& mitlgate these rislis.
Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 21st February 2024 and signed on
its behalf by.,
Signed:
Signed:
Date:
1S.Lfr.ILtr,
Date:
/£. 4.20Z4
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GARDENMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN
IRELAND.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparlng the annual report and the financial
statements ofthe 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 Section64(3} of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to
prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of assets aiid liabillties.
The Trustees are responsible for keeplng adequate accounting records that are
sufflcient to show and explain the congregation's transactions and disclose with
reasonable accuracy at any time its Flnancial position. They are also responsible
For safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for talcing reasonable
steps for the prevent5on and detection of fraud and other Irregularities.
Approved by the Kirl( Sesslon at a meetlng on Zlst February 2024 and signed on
Its behalf by:
Slgned:
Signed:
Date:
IS L+.Lit
Date:
13