Annalong Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland Trustees, Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2024 The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. Reference and administrative details Registered eharity name Annalong Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland Chorlty registration number N1104990 Principal office 30 Ballyveagl]rnore Road Ballymartin Co Down BT34 4UL The trustees Rev David Mccullagh Keith Hanna Brian G McKibbin Alan E Hill Trevor Mcconnell William Mcconnell Robert J Burden Harding R Acheson James A Hanna Jason Hill Charles Martin Samuel Mcconnell Independent examiner Purdy Quinn 42 Green¢astle Street KILKEEL Co Down BT34 4BH
Annalong Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland Trustees, Annual Report (continued) Year ended 31 December 2024 Structure? governance and managemenl The Klrk Session The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congregation's governing documenL The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and protnote the spiritual inlerest of the congregation and of persons not connected with any ¢ongTegation who are within its bounds. It ensur¢s pastoral care is in plare in the congregation and seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Sessions ha5 delegaled to its Congregational Committ¢e the temporal affairs of the congregation including adtninistering all funds and propety belonging to th¢ congregation. Mevnbers of the Kirk Session are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained tninisteJ and the ruling elders of the congregations. All members are ¢ntitled 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 least five times in each year OT more frequent if appropriate. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the Congregation a peTson must be a voting member and a regular atteTJdant on its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office can be either by the congregation or by the Kirk S¢ssion. Members are elected if they obtaiTh two-thirds of the votes cast. Presbytery Under the PresbyteTian Church in Ireland fomi of governance the corporate oversight of a congregation is the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of th¢ congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Annalong Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Newry Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The m¢mber3hip 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 eldeT appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. The General Assembly The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one body the whole Church and acting as its sllpreme legislativ¢, administratTon and judicial authority, in dealing with all matters bTought before it. The General Assembly is nornially constimted during the first week in June for worship and to conduct its business. At the end of business it is dissolved, The tnetnbership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retiT¢d minsters and a Tepresentative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. Objeclives and activities Annalong Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland. as a Reforn]ed Church within the wider body of Christ is grounded in the Scriptures, and exists to love and honour God through faith in Hi5 Son and by the power of His Spirit, and to enable h¢T members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregation's tnission purposes by the grace of God, to help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is, by the grace of God. to be an inclusive, welcorning 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 thi5 time and place.
Annalong Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland Trustees, Annual Report (continued) Year ended 31 Dgcember 2024 Objectives and aetivitl¢S (conlinued) The congregation aim5 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 InteTgenerational 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 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 in Ireland. we believe that the Bible is the supren]e authority over all we do, and ihat the Westtninster Confession of Faith. along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible t¢aches on key matters Of Christian faith and practice. The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join, The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observ¢d on several occasions during the year and all those who have been baptised alld who have rnade a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are admitted to the Lord's Supper, The congTegation holds regular Bible study meetings and has a wide Tange of organisations including.. Sunday Schools MotheTS and Toddlers Bowling Club - Presbyterian Woman Men's Fellowship Girls Brigade Boys Brigade Tuesday Fellowship Youth Fellowship Women's Bible Study - Warn] Welcome - Saturday Night Lights A¢hievem¢nts and performance Worship and prayer The congregation meets for worship each Sunday at I1.'30am (I 1:00 am during July and August) and 7:00pm. During the week the Bible study provides an opportunity for rnember5 to meet together for fellowship. to study the scripture5 and for a time of prayer. As well as our regular worship services during th¢ year we conducted several marriage services, acknowledged God's gift of new life as 7 people were baptised, l infant and 6 on profession of faith. We also gave thank5 for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2024 there were 243 communicant Members and 327 families connected with the congregation. Pastoral eare Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age were visited on a regular basis by the minister and the elders.
Annalong Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland Trustees, Annual Report (continuedj Year ended 31 December 2024 Achievements and performance At a local lev¢1 the congregation seeks to be a witness to the community by providing clubs and organisations for young and old to attend and by providing Spiritual and emotional support to everyone who seeks help. Another of ow yearly activities is Fit For Life which again ran on Tuesday nights during May for women. It consists of various types of exercise or walks around the village followed by a short epilogue from a guest speaker. As always this was well attended by a wide age range of women from our own congregation and local cornmunity. During the summer we ran two events for young people of the area. During July we had a Bible club for primary school children and during August we held "Connect" for young people of high school age. Also during the summer months we had Sunday night Lights, a chance for young adults to meet after the evening service for food and fellowship in various people's homes. This has Continued through the rest of the year, were young adults met one Saturday a month to study the Bible and have fellowship together. We had a collection of gift boxes for the Samaritans Purse Shoe Box Appeal in November these were delivered to their collection ¢¢ntre for distribution by that organisation. A joint Christmas Bible Club was held with Kilhorne Parish Church for Primary school children on ioth December to share the true meaning of Chrislmas. Also in December a cinnmunity carol service was held in the meeting house on ioth which many members of the local community attendecL Carols around the local Christmas Tree was also arranged and well attended on Christmas Eve. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of th¢ 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 upkeep of church premises. assists with th¢ running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministy students. and financially supports congregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, global n]is5ion, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The congregation was r¢pre8ented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister andlor one of th¢ elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General A$5¢mbly The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meettng of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast. Property During the year necessary repair work was carried out in the 'New Hall.. The 'Net Hall, also underwent refurbishment during the year. This accounts for the incre¢ in the annual 'repairs & maintenance, cost. In addition to this, a congregational meeting was held on 5, December to vote on acquisition of land adjacent to congregational property, The PUTchase of this land was passed unanimously and we will proceed in 2025. Organisations Sunday is the busiest day of the week with both Junior and Senior Sunday Schools running before our main worship service.
Annalong Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland Trustees. Annual Report (contlnued) Year ended 31 December 2024 Achievements and performance (confinued) Junior Sunday School caters for children of nursery and primary school age and runs from September until June. The Senior Sunday School has four different classes divided into Year 8, Year 9. Year 10 and Years I l and 12 combined. Our ev¢ning service is h¢ld later in the day with Youth Fellowship held after the service for young people of high school age. Dllring the we¢k various activities and organisation run during Sepiember to June catering for all age groups and everyone from the local co]nmunity is very welcome. These include.. Girls Brigade which met ¢v¢ry Monday with Tinies and Explorers {PTes¢hool to P4), juniors (P5 - P7), Seniors (Yr 8- Yrlo) and Brigadi¢rs (Yrl l upwards) and Boys Brigade which met every week on different nights with Anchor boys (Pl to P4), Junior Section (P5 to P7) and Company Section (age I I to 18) . The Bowling club which met on a Tuesday night has a wide Tange of ages attending providing an infornial evening of fellowship and fun. Tuesday Fellowship which was held every first and third Tuesday of the month. This organises activities for senior citizens providing an opportunity to meet other people and go on trips. Similarly. The Contact Group called Tots and Toys was held on a Wednesday rnorning and provided a ¢TOSS Cotnmunity link between the church and th¢ local COEnmunity for mothers and their toddlers. Saturday Night Lights a new organisation tailored for young adults met one Saturday a month to study th¢ Bible and have fellowship togeth¢r. Wednesdays see our midweek fellowship meet at night to study TlloTe of God's word and pray foT the local omrnunity and further afield. Everyone is treated to a cup of tea or coffee with some treats to eat on arrival. Once a month we rnn a meeting dedicated to women or men. PW known as Women Together and Men's night. Both have guest speakers and Provide a wami inviting place where th¢ aims of the church can be nurtur¢d and encouraged. Each hionday morning betwe¢n 10'.30 and 12:30 WaTrn Welcome meets in the Fellowship room of our main hall. This provides a warm space for anyone frotn the local community to meet for refreshments and a listening ear. Once a month the Ladies Bible Study meet to learn more from the Bible in a friendly and supportive environment. Volunteers 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. Public Benefit Stat¢m¢nt 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 purp05¢s 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
Annalong Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland Trustees. Annual Report {contlnuèd) Year ended 31 December 2024 Aehievements and performance (eontinued) teaching. In tum, 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. disabl¢d and bereaved). Generally the above benefits are deliv¢red locally by congregations and their members, or are facilitated through presbyteries or are organi5ed and delivered Centrally. Local delivery is facilitated by central resources in alrnost all cases. Public access is made known through the use of notic¢boards, printed material, press adv¢rtis¢rn¢nL websites, and social media or in other ways. Th¢ b¢nefJts are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the Services and infornial and ad-hoc feedback from rnembers, their families, and members of the public. Th¢ purpose doe5 not lead to harni. The only private b¢nefit flowing frotn our purpose is relatsd to Ministers, Mi5sionaTies, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receiv¢ benefits as a result of their holding office or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary in order to rther our charitable PUTpose. There are no other private benefits. The beneficiaries of thi5 puryose are members, their families, other individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with, th¢ Community in which pasloral services are provided and other communities throughout Northern Jreland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement with and support for both Christian and other s¢¢ular organisations, charities and individual members of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commission5 public benefit requirement StatOry guidance. Financial review The congregation's main SOUTce of incom¢ is members, contributions through the Weekly Fr¢ewill Offering. There weTe 270 (2023 - 240) contributors during the year. Total Income of the congregation during th¢ year was £301,781 (2023 - £245,199). The expenditure for the year was £285,085 (2023 - £254,709). The Charity reported an overall surplus for the year of £17,473 (2023 - d¢fi¢it (£8,145)). The reserves of the Charity at 31 December 2024 totalled £1,035,297 (2023 - £1,017.824). Responsibilitles in respect of tbe financial Statements The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the finan¢ial statements in accordance wit applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The Trustees are required to prepare fmancial statements for each financial year which give a trne and fair view of the state of affairs of the congregations and the financial activities for that year. In preparing the financial statetnents the Trnstees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently - niake judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent prepare the financial stateTnents on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that th¢ Fund5 will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsibl¢ for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explaiTh 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 Charlties Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the Statement of Recornmended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities ( l January 2015)"
Annalong Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland Trustees. Annual Report (contlnued) Year ended 31 December 2024 Financial review (C11n£4) They are also responsible for safeguarding th¢ asset5 of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other ]egular1ties. Going Concern The activities of the congregation are dependent on ongoing ¢ontribution5 from its members. The Trustees are of the opinion that the congregation has sufficient r¢sources at the date of approval of these financial statements to meet commitments which will arise 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 GU¢nt activities and other financial commitments. Reserves policy The Trustees hav¢ considered the level of unrestricted reserves that it is appropriate to hold taking account of current and ongoing wmmitments. It is the policy of the TnteeS to hold at least 3 month's nomial expendittlre in the General Fund. At th¢ year-end unrestricted general reserves were £73,750 (2023 £62,289) which represents a higher l¢v¢l 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. The trnstees, annual report w&$ approved on 15thApril 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by: Rev David M¢Cullagh Tn1¢¢ Keith Hanna Trustee LIU'G,.LLK William M¢Connell Trustee