## **CLOUGH NON SUBSCRIBING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CASTLEWELLAN ROAD, CLOUGH, CASTLEWELLAN, COUNTY DOWN BT30 8RD NI CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER - 104954** ## **ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE ACCOUNTING PERIOD 1ST JANUARY 2023 – 31st DECEMBER 2023** ## PURPOSE The Church seeks as its charitable purpose to promote the inalienable right of every Christian to search these records of Divine Truth for his own instruction and guidance, to form his own opinions with regard to what they teach, and to worship God in sincerity, agreeably to the dictates of his own conscience, without privation, penalty, or inconvenience inflicted by his fellow-men. ## CONSTITUTION The Church is governed by its Trust Deed and acts in accordance with The Constitution and Code of Discipline of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland. ## GENERAL INFORMATION Church Services are conducted every Sunday at Clough except when the Church holds joint services with Ballee and Downpatrick Non-Subscribing Churches. Normal Sunday Services are held at 11.15am on the 1[st] and 3[rd] Sunday of each month and at 9.45am on the 2[nd] and 4[th] Sundays. Sunday School takes places during each normal service after the 2[nd] hymn and the Youth Bible Studies group normally meets after the 2[nd] hymn during the 11.15am services. The joint services take place on the 5[th] Sunday of any month and every week during July and August, with each Church hosting the service in rotation. Rev Rosalind Taggart was installed as Minister of the Congregation on 18 November 2023 in a joint service held at Ballee Non Subscribing Presbyterian Church (where she was also installed into the Ballee Congregation on the same date). ## SUMMARY OF 2023 PUBLIC BENEFIT Weekly services were the norm and during the months of July and August in conjunction with the congregations in Ballee and Downpatrick, the Churches held a joint service each week in rotation. Sunday School took place during term time and the Bible Studies class which started in September 2022 for the older youth within the congregation continued again throughout the year. Communion was held in our Church on 21 May 2023 and 19 November 2023 and our Harvest Thanksgiving service was held on 15 October 2023. The Sunday School Children’s Day service was held in June and in December the Sunday School led a service during the advent period. A joint carol service was held at Ballee Church on 23 December 2023 with readers from the three Congregations. A special service was held on 7 May 2023 in Clough to mark the King’s Coronation. This was a joint service with Ballee and Downpatrick. The service was followed by an Afternoon Tea in the Millennium Hall. On 2 July 2023 we held a further joint service in Clough led by Godshandiwork puppets. From spring 2022, the Church of Ireland in Seaforde, has used the Millennium Hall on a regular basis to run a weekly Parent and Toddler group. Since October 2022 the Millennium Hall has also been used by a local dance teacher to teach children’s ballet and general dance for adults. The Congregation collected gifts for The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal which was well supported by members. No baptisms or weddings services were held in the Church in 2023. One funeral service was held during this period. In carrying out these activities throughout the year the Trustees have had regard to the public benefit in progressing the Church work to enrich the lives of Church members, their families, youth organisations, and the wider community. On behalf of the Committee, I wish to thank all those members of the Congregation who have contributed to the Church during 2023 by devoting their time and assisting with various matters throughout the year. The Church is considered to be in sound financial standing at the close of the financial year ending 31st December 2023. There were no safeguarding issues in 2023. This report is submitted on behalf of the Trustees of Clough Non Subscribing Presbyterian Church by Ruth Rooney, Trustee and Hon. Secretary. Signed: Ruth Rooney Dated: 15 May 2024