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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)

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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.
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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]