an TRUSTEE5' ANNUAL REPORT The trustees present thelr annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 Includlng a balance sheet as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS Flrst presbyterian Church portadown a Congregatlon of the presbyterlan Church In Ireland 3 Lynden Gate Park, Portadown, Co Armagh. BT63 5YJ Registered Charlty In Northern Ireland INIC104957) CHARITY TRUSTEES The charlty trustees who served durlng the year or who were trustees as at 31 December 2022 were:. Rev Robln Brown Mr William Burnett Idece85ed 16 December 20221 Mr John Crozler Mr Robert Dowey Mr Samuel Gamble Mr Eric Hammond Mr Stephen Hunter Mr GaKenned Mr Kenneth Mawhinne MrNi el Mcclelland Mr James McKittrick Mr Garfleld O'Hara (retired l June 20221 Mr William Ruddell Mr George Russell Mr Noel Brownlee Dr Gilbert Carson Mr Brian Dawson Mrjohn Flnla Mr Gareth Greer Mr David Hunter Mr Robert Irwin Mr Mark Kent Mr W J Mccave Mr Br12n McGuire Mr Mark Neale Mr Philli Patterson Mr John Ruddock Iretired l June 20221 PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS The office bearers as at 31 December 2022 were Minister Clerk of Sesslon Hon Congregatlonal Secretary Hon Treasurer Rev Robin Brown Mr Robert Dowey Mr Nigel Mcclelland Mr Nigel Jameson
Presbyter an TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) AUDITORS Ruddell & Company Chartered Accountants & Reglstered Audltors 16 Church Street Dungannon Co TyronÈ BT716AB BANKERS Bank of Ireland 13 Market Street Lurgan Co Arma8h BT66 6AR
TRUSTEE5' ANNUAL REPORT (convd) srRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Sesslon The Lhiirlty tru5tee5 of the congregation isre the member5 of it5 Kirk Se55ion. Under the congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote the spirltual Interest of the congregatlon and of persons not connected with any congregation who are within it5 bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place in the congregation and seeks to further the contributlon of the church to Chrlstlan wltness and sen41ce In the local communlty. The Klrk Sesslon has delegated to Its Congregational Committee the temporal affair5 of the congregation including administering all funds and property belon8in8 to the congregation. Members of the Klrk Sesslon are members of the Congregatlonal Commlttee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregatlon. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings. except that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the con8re8ation, has no deliberatlve role but Dnly a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Klrk Session are held at least twlce In each year. To be chosen for the office of the eldershlp in the congregatlon a person must be ? 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 Session, Presbytery of Armagh Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate oversight of a con8regatSon Is the responsibillty of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affair5 Of the congregatlon5 asslgned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland. Flrst Presbyterlan Church Portadown has been assigned to the Armagh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly, minsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appolnred by the Klrk Session of each congregation.
an TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT (convd) The General Assembly The General A33embly 15 Llie supreme COUfL uf ihe LhuiLh, repiesentln8 lil oiie body ilie whule church and acting as Its supreme leg151ative, admlnlstratlon and judicial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before It. The General Assembly In 2022 was constituted from 22 to 25th June for worship and to conduct its business. At the end of buslne55, it is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the artive ministers of each congregatlon, retired minsters and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregatlon. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Flrst Presbyterian Church Portadown is a congregation of the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a reformed church withln the wider body of Christ Is grounded In the scriptures and exlsts to love and honour God through faith In His Son and bv the power of His Spirit, and to enable her members to playthelr part In fulfilllng God's mlssion to our world. The congregatlon's mlsslon purposes are by the grace of God, to help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our vlslon Ss. by the grace of God, to be an Incluslve, welcomlng communlty of Christ's people of all ages, which: is IncreasSngly characterised by love for God, and love and concern for others. Is committed to the historlc Chrlstian gospel as revealed in the Bible; is relevant to people of thls tlrne and place. The congregation alms to Ilve out Its mlsslon and vision as a family of God's people by being". a covenant community., where our relationships are rooted In the promlses of God by living faithfully toward him and toward one another; an intergeneratSonal community.. where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ; an outward lookin8 community: where we want the blesslngs of God that belong to us In the 805pel 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 15 the supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Confe5slon of Faith, along with the Lar8er and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Chrlstlan faith and practice.
an TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (convd) ACTivrriES AND OBJEcnvES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday mornin8 and evening and vlsltors are welcome. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper Is observed on several occasions during the year and all those who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Chrlst are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation holds regular Blble Sttjdy meetings and has a wide range of organisations including CLICK {minlstry to chlldren each Sunday) Youth Fellowshlp Edenderry C.E. Senlor C.E. Fellowshlp "Chatterbox" for mothers and toddlers Presbyterlan Women Edenderry Fellowship and Luncheon Club AcHIEVEMErS AND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and prayer The congregatlon normally meets for worship each Sunday at Il'.00am and 6:30pm. During the week the 8lble Study provides an opportunlty for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the Kriptures and for a tlme of prayer. As well as otjr regular services during the year we acknowledged God's gift of 3 new lives at the sacrament of Baptism. We also 8ave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved durlng the year. At 31 December 2022 there were 432 comrnunlcant members and 507 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship Is 360 and at evening worship 130. Pastoral care Members of the congregatlon who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are vlsited on a regular basis by the mlnlster, elders or by one of the congregation'5 pastoral Visitors.
Presbyter an TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Iconyd) Mlsslon and outreach At a local level the congre%ation is pro-active in seeking to be obedient to the congregation's mSssion statement whlch is 'Passion for Christ, Compassion for People". This mission is delivered through the faithful preaching of God's Word each Lord'5 Day, pastoral visitation and a varied programme of weekly events and teachlng through church organisations and occaslonal "one off" outreach events. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission whlch is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland. This fund enables congregatlons to support the wider mi55ion of the denominatlon and to do mission and outreach on denornlnatlonal basls beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The United Appeal fund provides financlal support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congregations Wlth the deployment of locally based staff, enable5 church planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premlses, asslsts wlth the running costs of Union Theological College, the church'5 training college for ministry students, and flnanclally supports congregations in the areas of worshlp, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadershlp and pastoral care. Presbytery of Armagh The congregatlon was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and an elder. Thi5 provides an Important Ilnk between the congre8atSon and the wlder structures of the church. General Assembly The minlster and one of our elders were nornlnated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland held In Assembly Bulldings, Belfast, in June. Orzanisatlonj The church has a Bible Class teaching programme each Sunday morning, and a Youth Fellowship on alternate Sunday evenlngs after church. During the week there Is a Boys, Brigade Company, a Girl Guide Company, Edenderry C.E. on Saturday nlght, a Senior Christian Endeavour, a monthly senior citizens, meeting and several prayer meetings. These organisations cover the full range of ages and Include Blble teachlng and a time of prayer. Each Wednesday our maln hallls used by our mothers, and toddlers, 8roup. Flfty chlldren and thelr carers are re8ular attenders.
an TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) Volunteers The trustees wish to acknowledge thelr deep appreciation of those who give freely of their tlme by serving on commlttee5 and helping wlth organisations and other church artivities. PUBLIC BENEFIT sfATEMENT The Presbyterlan Church In Ireland meets the publlc benefit requirement by provldln8 benefit to Its members and the general publlc by maklng known the Chrlstlan gospel of the Lord Je5US Christ through the advancement of religion. The dlrect beneflts which flow frorn the purposes of the church include the galnlng of an understandin8 in Chrlstlan bellefs as set out in the Bible and in the church's subordlnate standards (the Westmlnster Confesslon of Falth and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leadlng to spiritual and moral development and opportunltles for response to Bible teachin8. In turn, this framework leads to practlcal expressions of Christlan bellefs and 5tandard5 in the local communlty such as through the care of those in need {includlng the slck, dlsabled and bereaved). Generally, the above beneflts are dellvered locallv by congregations and their members, or are facllltated through Presbyteries or are or8anlsed and delivered centrally. Local delivery 15 facilitated by central resources in alm05t all cases. Publlc access is made known through the use of notlceboards, printed materlal, press advertlsement, websltes, and social media or in other ways. The beneflts are demonstrated through regular evaluatlon of the services and informal and ad-hoc feedback from members, their farnllles, and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only prlvate beneflt flowln8 from our purpose is related to mlnisters, mlssionaries, deaconesses. Irish Mission workers and lay agents who rece5ve benefits as a result of their holdin8 ofrice or employment. However, thls is incldental and necessary In order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private beneflts. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their famllies, other individuals that the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland is in dlrect and indirect contact with, the comrnunlty In whlch pastoral services are provided and other communltles throughout Northern Ireland, the Republlc of Irelarid, and worldwlde which benefit from our engagement wlth and support for both chrlstSan and other secular organ15ations, charlties and individual members of the public. The Klrk Session has had regard to the Charlty Commission's public beneflt requlrement statutory guidance.
an TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The principal source of income of First Presbyterian Church Portadown continues to be from donations and plate collertlons. The principal expense of First Presbyterlan Church Portadown Is in respect of payments regarding congregational runnlng expenses and donatlons to missions and charitles. First Presbyterlan Church Portadown had a net 8aln of £104,607.47 for the year ended 31 December 2022. First Presbyterian Church Portadown continues to be in a healthy financial state as at 31 December 2022 with total cash funds of £372,229.45. First Presbyterian Church Portadown alm5 to retain sufficlent reserves to meet Its expected future expenditure requlrements as well as potentlal future capitsl projects. RESPONSIBILrriES IN RESPEcf OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The trustee5 are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financlal statements in accordance wlth appllcable law and United Klngdom Generally Accepted Accounting Prattice. The trustees are requlred to prepare financial ststements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the congregation and the financial activities for that year. In preparing the financial statements the tfUStee5 are requlred to.. selett suitable accounting policies and then apply them conslstently 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 keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the funds, transaction5 and dlsclose with reasonable accuracy at any tlme the fSnanclal position of the con8re83tion and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Prattice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities (l January 2015}" They are also responsible for 5afeguardln8 the assets of the con8regation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the preventlon and detectlon of fraud and other irre8ularltles.
an TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) GOING CONCERN The activities of the congregation are dependent on ongoing contributions from its members. The trustees are of the opinion that the congregatlon ha5 sufficlent resources at the date of approval of these finanaal statements to meet commitments which will arise in the year from the date of signing this report and subjett to the continuing support from members to fund on an ongolng basis the congregation's current activitles and other financial commitments. RESERVES POLICY The trustees have considered the level of unrestrlcted reserves that it is appropriate to hold taking account of current and on6oin8 commitsnents. It is the pollcy of the trustees to hold reserves equlvalent to between 3- and 6-months' normal expendlture. At the year end unrestricted reserves were £170,542.34 which represents a higher level of reserves. The trustees however, consider it prudent to hold reserves at this level as the fundin8 of its present attivlties Is dependent on the on80ing 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 risks are in relation to the likelihood of reputatlonal damage and financial risks a>goclated with the expectation of ongoin8 financial support from members. These risks are mitigated by the trustees, and the Congregational Committee, regularly monitoring the varioijs activitie5 of the congre8ation at stated meetings and by encouraging member5 in their regular giving. Approved by the Klrk Sesslon at 3 meetlng on 9 May 2023 and slgned on its behalf by Mr Robert J Dowey Mr Samuel Gamble 9 May 2023 9 May 2023