Presbyter an SECOND DONEGORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104996)
an SECOND DONEGORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS 2nd Donegore congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 88 Connor Rd, Parkgate, Ballyclare, County Antrim, BT39 ODU Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC 104996) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Rev Ben Johnston Robert Duff Samuel Gawn Thomas J Gawn PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Ben Johnston Samuel Gawn Treasurer Thomas J Gawn INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Hopper & Co 6 Doagh Road, Ballyclare BT399BG BANKERS Danske Bank, 18 The Square, Ballyclare BT39 9BB SOLICITORS Macaulay & Ritchie, Cathedral Chambers, 11 Talbot Street, Belfast. BT12LD SECOND DONEGORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT
Presbyter an The Kirk Session The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk 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 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 service in the local community. The Kirk Session 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 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 minister in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are normally held each month [September to June]. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant of its ordinances. 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 Under the Presbyterian Church 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 nd Presbyterian Church in Ireland. 2 Donegorecongregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Templepatrick Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of its congregations, ministers who have retired from active duty, and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. SECOND DONEGORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conYd)
an 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 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 minsters 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. 2. Donegore 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 congregation's mission purpose is to be: a congregation proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ pointing people to him as their personal Saviour. a fellowship building up God's people in their faith and equipping them for Christian life and service. a body of caring people seeking to show Christ's love to each other, the parish and beyond. The congregation aims to live out its Mission ond Vision as a family of God's people by being.. increasingly characterised by lovefor God, and love and concern for others,. committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible,. relevant to people of this time and place. We aim to grow and develop under God and in the power of the Holy Spirit, seeking to be open and obedient to God's calling, led by the Holy Spirit in accordance with his Word. As a congreg(7tion of the PresbyteriGn Church in Ireland, we believe that the Bible is 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 Christian faith and practice. SECOND DONEGORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) AcfiviTIES AND OBJEcfivES
Presbyter an The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on several occasions during the year and those who have been baptised and who have made a credible 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 Bible Class Junior Christian Endeavour -Presbyterian Women Bowling Club Holiday Bible Club Friendship Hour -catechism Club ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.30am and at 6:30pm on the first and third Sunday of each month as well as occasionally on other special occasions such as Harvest and Communion. Duringthe week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at {6] Sacraments of Baptism, we conducted [1] marriage services and gave thanks for faithful service and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2022 there were 109 communicant members and 145 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 65. Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the minister, elders, or by one of the congregation's pastoral visitors. SECOND DONEGORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'd) Mission and outreach
Presbyter an In July we had our Holiday Bible club outreach with around 90 young people from 4- 15 yrs. The congregation supported the following mission agencies Donations from the General Account: _ Belfast City Mission Scripture Union Schools Worker £1,000 £1,000 Donations from Mission Support:_ Rev Alister Torrens £2,000 Middle East Reformed Fellowship £2,000 During the year collections were made for the following charitable appeals:. Moderators Appeal-ukraine Rev. Torrens Appeal -ukraine Christian Aid Tear Fund Pres. Children's Society £1180.00 £3950.00 £355.00 £800.00 £575.00 Members of the congregation also supported Belfast City Mission through Christmas gifts as well as the Samaritans purse shoebox appeal. 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 a 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 the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church'straining college for ministry students, and supports congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The collection in aid of Tear Fund was chosen this year instead of the Presbyterian Church's World Development as the Spar Food Chain were donating a similar amount to that given by our church. Monies given to World Development are distributed by Christian Aid and Tear Fund. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and/or one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly
Presbyter an The minister and one of our elders attended the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June. Property There was no major work carried out during the year. SECOND DONEGORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conYd} Organisations Session Re ort Each week Rev. Ben Johnston leads our worship and preaches from Gods word and leads our mid week meeting for prayer and bible study. Missionary speakers are invited from time to time .We enjoyed a walk in the castle grounds at the end of the season. We are glad to have Claire and family at church with us each week and give thanks to Claire for hosting regular events at the manse. Durin8 the year we were very pleased to have six infant and one adult baptisms and five persons joining on profession of faith. There are 109 people on the communion roll with 66 attending at least one communion. The session encourages all communicants to attend the sacrament of the Lord's Supper and we pray that the Holy Spirit will draw us to this special celebration. Rev Alastair Torrens spoke at our services and told us about his work in Ukraine, training pastors for their own war torn country. Rev lan Mcclean at a mid week shared with us about the important work carried out by The Middle East Reformed Fellowship. This included the countries involved in the recent earthquake.
Presbyter an In March the covid regulations were relaxed and many things such as seating arrangements were back to normal. A catechism club for the children has commenced on the second Sunday afternoon each month at the manse. This is a time of fun and learning from Gods word through the catechism. Holiday Bible Club took place from 5thto 8th July when about 90 young people attended. On 31st July after the morning service there was a thank you lunch for all the helpers. Special services included Easter dawn service at 6.30 am on Easter Sunday followed by a light breakfast. Harvest services on 9th October with a visiting minister Rev. Beggs speaking at the evening service. Christmas Eve seniice at 11.30pm with refreshments at 11.15pm. A harvest supper was held on 7th October with the group ' Abundant Life" and the Sunday school children providing the entertainment.. The mission support team no longer meet5 and the church committee is now dealing with the mission funds. Thanks to Yvonne Hall , Adrian Lawther and all who helped to organize this for many years. We were glad to be able to circulate the Dunamuggy News again to bring us up to date. Our sympathy goes out to all who have lost loved ones and we remember those who are sick and those who care for them. A special word of thanks and encouragement to our minister, the session, committee, all leaders, teachers, those involved in sound and power point, distribution of magazines, flower rota and to Evena and Stacey who lead our praise each week. We also remember all
Presbyter an who use their talents in many different ways where they see a need and most important to those who support the work of our church in prayer. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm ch. 9 v 1-2 Sam Gawn (Session Clerk} Church Committee Report A special thanks to all the sub-committees for all their work during 2022. Committee met bi-monthly during 2022. All meetings were well attended. A few items that committee progressed during the year were: _ New church sign at the end of the lane Handrail was fitted to the Schoolhouse, kindly donated and fitted by James Boyd Pelmet around pulpit was replaced Hygiene training was provided to all those involved in catering First Responder First Aid renewals were completed Entertainments Licence was renewed The following donations were given from the General Account: Belfast City Mission Scripture Union Schools Worker £i.000 £1,000
Presbyter an The Mission Support Group donated the following: Rev Alister Torrens £2,000 Middle East Reformed Fellowship £2,000 During the year collections were made for the following charitable appeals: Moderators Appeal -ukraine £1180.00 Rev. Torren's Appeal -ukraine £3950.00 Christian Aid £355.00 Tear Fund £800.00 Pres. Children's Society £575.00 The collection in aid of Tear Fund was chosen thi5 year instead of the Presbyterian Church's World Development as the Spar Food Chain were donating a similar amount to that given by our church. Monies given to World Development are distributed by Christian Aid and Tear Fund. The committee thanks the congregation for all the support that has been provided and welcome any suggestions from any member for discussion by Committee. Sharon Mcllveen (Congregational Secretary) Treasurerfs Report Donations to the Freewill Offering (FWO) rose from £48.125.30 in 2021 to £51,670.30 for 2022. This is an encouraging increase and gives hope to the prospect that our church could have a full-time minister at a future date. The closing balance in this account was£73,166.21. £30,000.00 of this amount has since been invested in a one-year fixed term deposit account.
The Renovation Account began the year with a balance of £8301.80 as expenditure was lower during the year 2021. Direct givings to this account in 2022 amounted to £5246.00. This was donated through the Harvest Appeal. The interest from several bequests and Gift Aid brought in a further £816.95. As well as the usual expenses, two larger items of expenditure were fitting new front door at 58, Hollybank Road and a fencing project at the Ballywee Farm. The closing balance was £5205.67. The United Appeal target for 2022 was £5,315.00 a reduction of £344.00 from the previous year. Direct Givings to the United Appeal amounted to £2,825.00. Gift Aid and interest from bequests came to £685.03 leaving a deficit of £1805.00 which was transferred from the General Account to make up the target amount. On behalf of the committee I would like to thank everyone for their contributions to the various funds of the church enabling Christian teaching and aid to be given both locally and abroad. The No. 1,2&3 accounts along with The Manse and Building Funds were audited by Hopper & Co, Ballyclare, and they also prepared the accounts for the Charity Commission. Thomas J. Gawn (Treasurer) Sunday School and Bible Class Report The year started off with 13 children in Sunday School. The older teenagers from the previous year had all left Bible Class and only Zac who had now started first year bravely came along on his own Sunday by Sunday to Bible Class. After the summer break we were pleased to welcome three P7s into Bible Class and Sunday School recommenced with 10 children. In both Sunday School and Bible Class we had looked at some of the Old Testament characters in the early part of the year. Sunday School then moved on to the Creation story and some of Jesus's parables while Bible Class studied the various pieces of the Christian Armour week by week. In Bible Class we also take time each week to look at the life of a well known Christian and in 2022 we listened to Stuart Briscoe, an international speaker and pastor, tell of lessons he had learned in his life. In the latter part of the year we watched a DVD on the life of Robert Sheffey, an American evangelist who lived in the 19th century. June was our Sunday School Outing and this year Claire Johnston had invited us to a bungalow in Castlerock This was a welcome invitation especially as the day turned out to be wet. We
Presbyter an travelled up in the train and managed to have our BBQand some games before the rain came on. Unfortunately we didn't get to stay long at the beach because of the weather but earlier in the day we were able to have a look around the Castlerock Clydesdale Show nearby with its horses and stalls. Many thanks to Claire's Mum for her kind invitation. Sunday School and Bible Class were asked to sing at the Harvest Supper in October and we chose"My God is So Big" and"Daniel was a Man of Prayerf, as we had taught about Daniel in Open Sunday School over the Summer Break. Our Christmas Get-together was again held at the manse this year and Claire had organised crafts for the children. We then had plenty to eat and an enjoyable time was had by all. Thank you Ben and Claire for opening up you home to us. Rosemary, Marbeth and Nichola continue to faithfully teach the children week by week and we owe them a great deal of thanks for their dedication and work. Thank you too, to those who accompany me in Bible Class each week under the Taking Care Regulations. Pam Kirkpatrick {Sunday school superintendent) FRIENDSHIP HOUR REPORT After a period of not being able to meet due to the ongoing COVID19 situation, we were delighted to recommence our monthly lunches in May 2022 in the Church Hall. This was followed by a lunch at Tullyglass Hotel, Ballymena in June. We had our usual summer break and started again in September. We are indebted each month to Sarah for preparing the delicious soup and thank her for her dedication to this task. Thanks also to the many ladies who organise the desserts, prepare the hall, serve lunch and tidy up afterwards. We enjoyed a variety of musical acts over the past few months- thanks to Sam for co-ordinating this. In December, Iris's Cuisine once again provided a beautiful Christmas meal. We sang a few carols afterwards and Rev Ben Johnston closed with a Christmas message. We had over 60 people joining together on this occasion and each person received a small gift. We plan to continue to meet throughout 2023 on the second Wednesday of each month (except forjuly and August). Everyone in our church family, their friends and the wider community would be made very welcome. Moira Hamilton {Secretary)
an Junior CE Report The year began with seven names on the Roll. We looked at the Superbook animations of Bible Stories each week which contained relevant applications of a truth which the children could apply to their own lives. Afterthe summer break we welcomed two more new members bringing our total to nine. During this term we watched a weekly episode from a DVD on the life of Lily Searle, a Missionary to Africa and finished off the year with the Christmas Story. We also heard about Gary and Mary Reid in our Missionary Spot and learned several Bible verses throughout the year. In our crafts we made Tealight Holders, Christmas Decorations and did some baking. We were also able to have Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday this year- we missed last year due to Covid. Other special nights included our Shoebox evening when we make up three Christmas Shoeboxes and we finished the year with our Christmas Party. Many thanks to Sarah who has been with me from the beginning and to Stacey who has now officially joined our team. Thank you also to the parents who bring their children along each week. Pam Kirkpatrick Tardree Sunday School Report The Sunday school opened on the 15th May and twelve pupils were enrolled. We were pleased to have Ivy Russell joining our Sunday School. Thankfully covid regulations had greatly reduced and pupils were able to sit together in their classes. Our first special event was the Sports Evening which was held on the 6th August. As the weather wa5 warm and dry the food was eaten outside. The pupils and parents took part in a range of activities which included sprint races, balloon race, throwing the wellie, water
Presbyter an games, knocking down cones and dribbling the ball. The pupils enjoyed the activities and had refreshments at the tuck shop afterwards. With our charity collection we sponsor a pupil called Huseini from Tanzania. The money raised this year {£104.001 was well in excess of his personal school needs and the surplus will be used for school items. The Harvest Thanksgiving Service was held on Sunday 23rd October and our special speaker was the Rev. Ben Johnston. The praise was led by Evena and the Dunamuggy Choir. The pupils took part also and sang the following pieces: Stand Strong, The Lord's Prayer and Be Strong and Courageous. At the close of the service their prizes were distributed by the Rev. Ben Johnston. In closing I would like to thank parents, teachers and children for their dedication and faithfulness. As we look forward to the coming season we ask for God's guidance and blessing in all we do. Thomasj. Gawn (Superintendent) 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 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 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 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, 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. 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 private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as aresult of their holding office or employment. However, thi5 is incidental and necessary in order to further our charitable 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 seniices 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 has had regard to the Charity Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. 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 accounting practice. As the congregation's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(31 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of assets and liabilities. 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. rd Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 23 May 2023 and signed on its behalf by [Name] (SONJ J+5r(rt-l Mi 1$ rfl [Datel I3/f/23 [Date]