Charity No: NIC104961 Drumhillery Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustee Report and Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2022
Drumhillery Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31, December 2022 Registered Charity in Norther Ireland INIC104961)
Drumhillery Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report Year Ended 31" December 2022 The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31, December 2022 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. Charity trustees The Charity Trustees who served during the year and are trustees at the date of this report were Mr. Robin Bell Mr. John Hamilton Ms. Caroline Hopps Mrs. Georgina Hopps Mr. Jim Hopps Mr. Alastair M itchell Mr. Ashley Mitchèll Mr. George Mitchell Mr. Howard Mitchell Mr. Ivan Orr Principal office bearers Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev. Alan Marsh Mr. Ivan Orr Mr. Derek Robinson Independent examiner, Mr Andrew Gilpin WHR Accountants Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 56 English Street Armagh BT617LG Bankers Danske, 78 Scotch Street, Armagh, BT617DJ First Trust, 18-20 Scotch Street, Dungannon BT70 IAZ Solicitors John Taylor & Co, l Mallview Terrace, Armagh, BT619AN
Drumhillery Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report Icont'dl........ Structure and management The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congregations governing documents, 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 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 SeiCe in the local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Member5 of the Kirk 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 ministers in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held at Drumhillery Presbyterian Church at least twice in each year and, in addition 4a} the Moderator may convene the Session on his own authority and shall do so upon the written request of any two members of Session,. and -Ibl the Session shall meet when directed to do so by the Presbytery or General Assembly. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant on it ordinance5. The selection 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 obtain two- thirds of those who vote. Presbytery- Armagh Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of goverr)ance the corporate oversight of a congregation is the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregation assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church i n Ireland. Drum hillery congregation of the Presbyterian Church 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 ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk session of the congregation.
Drumhillery Congregation of the Presbwerian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report Icont'dl........ 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 15 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 mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired minister5, and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. Description and Purpose The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Drumhillery congregation of the Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in I reland, 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 fulf illing God's mjssion to our world. The congregation mission purposes is that we may by the grace of God, help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is, that we by the grace of God, would 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 this time and place. The congregation aims to live out its M ission 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 towards him and toward one another An intergenerational Community.. where adult5 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 i n Ireland, we believe that the Bible is the supreme authority over all that we do, and that the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teache5 on key matters of Christian faith and practice
Drumhillery Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report Icont'dl........ Activities and Objectives The congregation meets for worship every Sunday at 12.00 noon and visitor5 are always welcome, and are encouraged to join for Worship. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on several 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 fellowship opportunities, and meetings for the purpose of discipleship and com munitv. Achievement5 and Performance Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 12.00 noon. During the week, we meet for Fellowship, Including Bible Study and Prayer. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledge God's gift of new lifo as we celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism. There were no communicant members formally welcomed in this past year. At 31, December 2022 there were 110 communicant members and 63 families connected with the congregation. The average week attendance at morning worship is 50. Pastoral care Members of the congregation unable to join on a Sunday due to sickne55 or age are visited on a regular basis by minister, elders and by other members of the Church Family. Mission and outreach God calls us to mission as witnesses to Christ through both though evangelism and social witness challenging the values of the world in which we live with the values of God's kingdom and winning men and women to faith and discipleship. We do this though seeking to love our neighbours, and witness for Christ in our family, work, and friendship circles. We are proactive in seeking new ways to share the reason for the hope that is ours, in Christ {1 Peter 3v151
Drumhillery Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report Iconvdl........ In Mission, both locally and Globally, the congregation supports the 'United Appeal for M ission, As a result, our congregation supports the wider mission of the PresbY(erian Church in Ireland. The United Appeal Fund provides financial support for the mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congregations Wlth the deployment of locally based staff, enables church planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, as515t with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and financially support5 congregation in the areas of worship,, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, Moderators Appeal and Sunday school projects. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and one of our elders. This provides an important link between the congregation and the wider structure5 of the church. 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 Building5, Belfast. Property There has been only routine service and maintenance carried out on the Church Property, in this past year. Organisations Sunday school Our Sunday School provides younger people and teenagers, the opportunity to engage with the message of the gospel and learn what it means to follow God in their lives. This 15 an essential part of the life and witness of the church. Girls Brigade The aim of the Girls Brigade is to help girls become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ through self- control, reverence and a Sense of responsibility to find true enrichment of life. The motto of the Girl's Brigade Is Seek, Serve and follow Christ. The GB is a key way, that we encourage evangelism and Discipleship in the lives of young women.
Drumhillery Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report (cont'd)........ Youth Fellowship Youth Fellowship provides opportunitie5 for our young people to engage with the Gospel Message, to which they are encouraged to personally respond, and to grow and mature in their faith. There is a freedom offered at YF, to confront concerns and worrie5 that they have, and to consider teenage struggle5 f rom a Biblical standpoint. Youth Club This year, we began a Youth Club in Keady on a Friday Evening5. This has been a helpful way to engage with teenagers, as well as providing them an avenue to express themselves safelyi Wlth friends, giving them an opportunity to invite friends along. Christian Endeavour This is a non-denominational movement which seeks to teach and train its members for SeiCe in their local church through participation in regular meetings and by taking an active role in group work. Members are encouraged to take the CE promise, which promotes commitment to Christ, the local church and fellow believers. Presbyterian Women The aim of Presbyterian Women are to encourage all women to become disciples of Christ and seek to fulfil the motto of the organisation 'Living for Jesus. and highlight the need for.. l. Love and unity, 2. Obedience to God, Christian living and spiritual maturity, 4. Service, using gifts, time and money, 5. Local and global mission. Men's Fellowship In 2022, a Men's Fellowship was initiated by the Elders, for the purpose of encouraging men, following the principal of Proverbs 27v17 '1ron sharpen5 iron, and one man sharpens anotherf. During the year, the Men met monthly, for social meet ups, as well as welcoming guest speakers to share how the Gospel transforms how we are to live as Men. Hope Café This year we also started a new venture, in the centre of Keady Town on a Thursday Morning. 'Hope Cafe, is designed to be an all age community, that provides a place of 'Hope'. During the year, we have welcomed many, who may never have entered a Presbyterian Church previously. This has provided an opportunity, to share the reason for the Hope that is ours, in Christ.11 Peter 3v151 Gospel Witness During the year, we are equipped, and encouraged to witness for Christ in our'everyday, life. During the past year, we have also had opportunities to organise a Summer Holiday Bible Club, with support of our Partner Church in Second Keady, as well as supporting a Easter Holiday Bible Club, in Keady. At Christmas, members of our Church produced gifts for our neighbours, and organised a Community Carol Service, in the Housing Estate opposite our Meeting house.
Drumhillery Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report Icont'dl........ Service 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. Publ ic Benefit Statement The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its members and the general public by making known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement 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 a nd in the Church's subordinate standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechism51 leading to spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Bible teaching. In turn, this framework leads to prattical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such a5 through the care of those in need (including the sick, disabled and bereavedl. 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 resources in almost all cases. 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 of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only prlvate benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, 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 charita ble 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 engagement with and support for both Christian and other secular organisations, charities and individual members of the public, The Kirk Session complies with the Charity Commissions Public benefit requirements statutory guidance.
Drumhillery Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report Icont'dl........ Finance Review The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 53 contributors during the year donating a total of £17,436. Statement of Trustee Responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accoLrnting practice. As the congregation total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64131 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 to prepare a receipts and payments account and a statement of assets and labilities. 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 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 irregularities. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 7 May 2023 and signed on its behalf by Name Name Mr. Ivan Orr Mr. Alastair Mitchell Date Date