Mourne Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland
Trustees, Annual Report
Year ended 31 December 2022
The trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended ) l December 2022.
Referenee and adm inistrative details
Registered charity name
Mourne Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland
Charity registration number
NIC105010
Principal office
Greencastle Street
Kilkeel
Co Down
BT34 4BH
The trustees
Rev William Bingham
Archie Alderdice
Ivan Annett
Ronald Annett
Stanley Annett
William Annett
David BaiTd
Doreen Bartholomew
Robert Bennett
Gary Bin(rham
Jackie Blue
Jim Chestnutt
Edward Forsythe
Gary Glenny
W A Grills
Roy Hanna
J W Hanna
R J Hanna
James Henderson
Rodney McBride
Sidney McKee
Joseph McKibbin
Martin McKee
Raymond McKee
David Morris
James Morris
Eric Niblock
Gregory Nicholson
Robert Patterson
Thomas Patterson
Alan Skillen
Maurice Skillen
Eric Skillen
Jatnes Stevenson
James Stevenson
Brian Townley
William Turner

Mourne Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland
Trustees, Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2022
Reference alld administrative details
Registered charity name
Mourne Congregation Of The Presbjterian Church In Ireland
Charity registration number
NIC105010
Principal 0￿]ee
Greencastl¢ Street
Kilkeel
Co Down
BT34 4BH
Principal O￿lee Bearers
Minister
Clerk of Session
Hon. Treasurer
Hon. Secretary
Rev William Bingham
William A Grills
William Turner
David Morris
Auditor
UHY Hacker Young Fitch Limited
27-29 Gordon Street Mews
Gordon Stre¢t
Belfast
BTI 2LG
Bankers
Danske Bank
58 HTII Street
Newry
BT34 IBD
Solicitors
Fisher & Fisher
l Newry St
Rathfriland
Co Down
BT34 SPY
Structure? governance and managemen¢
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 oovernment of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the
Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote the spiritual interest of the congr¢gation and of persons not
connected with any congregation who are within its bounds. It ensures p&storal care is in place in the
congregation and seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witne55 and service in the local
community- The Kirk Session has delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the
ongregation including adrninistering all funds and property belongino to the congregation. Mernber5 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 congregation5. All mernbers are
entitled to propose. speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator and the ministers in
active duty in the congregation, have no delib¢rative but only a casting vote.
Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held at least three times in each year or as appropriate. Exceptional
meeting5 were held during the year to deal with issues around church activities and Covid 19 restrictions.
To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congrecration a person must be a voting member and a regular
attendant on its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office can be by vote either by
the congregation or by the Kirk Session. Members are elected if they obtain two-thirds of the vote.

Mourne Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland
Trustees. Annual Report {continuedJ
Year ended 31 December 2022
Structure? governance and management (conlinued)
Presbytery
Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland forn] of governance, the corporate oversight of a congr¢gation is the
responsibility of a Presbytery which Superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the
congrecrations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Mourne
Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Presbytery of Newry within Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The
membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregations assioned to it by the
General Assernbly, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder 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 th¢ whole Church and
acting as its supreme legislattve, administrative and judicial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before
it. The General Assembly is nornially 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 ministers and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session
of each congregation.
Description and Purpose
Mourne Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in
ITeland, as a Refornied 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 purposes are 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, welcoming community of
ChTiSt'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 airns 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 Intergenerational Community.. where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage
and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ.
An Outward looking ComTnunity: 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 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.

Mourne Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland
Trustees, Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2022
Objectives and activities
The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. 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 and prayer meetings and has a wide range of organisations including.
Sunday School
Bible Classes
Midweek fellowship Group
Crèches
Children's Church
Sunday Knight Kids
Youth Fellowship Groups
Small Group Meetings
Boys Brioade
Girls Brigade
Presbyterian Women
Men's Fellowship
Badminton Club
Youth Club
Mothers and Toddlers
Walking Group
covering all spiritual and operational matters.
2022 saw a return to nonnal services of worship and organisational activities following Covid 19 restrictions in
2021.
Achievements and performanee
Worship and prayer
The congregation met for worship each Sunday at I1.30am and 7.00pm. During the week the Bible s￿dY
provlded an opportunity for meTnber5 to meet for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a tirne of prayer.
Live Broadcast services on Sunday mornings and evenin￿5 were available online with an average online viewing
of 1.500 for the morning and 1.000 for the evening services. The Trustees acknowledge and thank the Media
Team for their dedication and expertise in providing this service.
The midweek prayer meeting and bible study was held on Thursday evenings with an average atteT2dance of 70
people. Full members classes were held in the Spring. 16 people were admitted to The Lord's Table for the fLrst
time and 3 persons were received on transfer from other congregations. There were 13 infant baptisms, 7 adult
baptisms, 17 weddings and 23 funeral services.
At 31 December 2022 there were 585 communicant members and 997 families connected with the congreoation.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was served at evening worship in January and morning worship in May and
November. The average weekly attendance at worship was 750 in the moming and 350 in ihe evening. The
Trustees are very grateful to the 180 Band, organist, musicians and choir who led worship throughout the year.
Many have been blessed through their rninistry.
Monthly services also took place in Brackney Hall except for the summer months.

Mourne Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland
Trustees. Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2022
Achievements and performance (eontinued)
Pastor21 care
Member5 of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age were visited by the
minister, elders or by one of the congregation's pastoral visitors.
Mission and outreach
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 th¢ 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 grdnt support for the upkeep of church
premises, assists with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministy
students, and financially supports congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach,
leadership and pastoral care.
The congregation also supports the work of the Student Christian Organisation of Malawi and various projects
relating to the work of The David Gordon Memorial Hospital in Livingstonii Malawi. with a particular focus on
supporting the very poor and vulnerable members of the area.
The congregation supports various local charitie5 including The Fi5hern]en's Mission, The Southern Area
Hospice, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Mourne Stirnulus, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Belfast City Mission,
Arab World Ministries, Prison Fellowship, The Royal British Legion, The RNLI and The Presbyterian Children's
Society. The congregation also supports, both financially and prayerfully, members of our fellowship who
decide to do short or long-tem] service with mission focused organisations. Members who undertake study to
prepare them for service both at home and overseas also receive support from the congregation.
Presbytery
The congregation was represented at meetings of Presbytery by our minister and one of the elders. This provides
an important link between the congregations and the wider strnctures 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. The General A55embly of 2022 was held in June.
Property
During 20?2 there was no significant work done to the property. General maintenance was provided.
Organisations
Sunday School and Bible Classes met on Sunday mornings with an average attendance of over 280.
Sunday Knight Kids met monthly with an average attendance of 35.
Baby and Children's Crèche were held each Sunday rnorning. Attendance varied.
The Youth Fellowship groups met in the halls each Sunday evening with a combined average attendance of 95.
The Youth Fellowship also organised a holiday in England with over 80 young people and leaders attending.
The Girls, Brigade met on Tuesday evenings with a varied programme of garnes, crafts, cookino and Bible
Study. No parents, evening was held this year. There are around 200 members plus officers and helpers.
The Mother and Toddler Group met on Wednesday mornings from 9.30am to I I.00am. Over 70 children are
registered as members from throughout the community.
The Boys Brigade met on Wednesday evenings with a varied programme of sports, crafts games and bible study.
No Parents evening was held March. There are around 190 members plus leaders and helpers.

Mourne Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland
Trustees, Annual Report {continuedJ
Year ended 31 December 2022
Aehievements and performance (continued)
The Badminton Club met on Wednesday evenin(ys.
The Presbyterian Women's Group rnet on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month and held a Presbyterian
Women's Service in March 2022.
The Men's Fellowship Met two times each month.
No English Classes for people from other countries living in OUT community were held this year.
The Saturday Club met from Jan to March and Sept to December.
Small group Bible S￿dieS were held in the church halls throughout the year.
The Walking Club organised several walks this year.
The T￿SteeS wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their tirne by serving on
cornmittees and helping with ortsanisations and other church activities. They also thank our caretakers for the
excellent work in cleaning and maintaining the church properties.
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.
With the added uncertainties and stresses of the Covid19 Pandemic the message of hope and confjdence in God's
providence, sovereignty, love and grace was a comfort and blessing to even more people.
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 Lartser 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). A team of volunteers was also established to do messages for those living in isolation during the
period of Lockdown.
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 advertisemenl
websites, and social media or in other way5.
The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and via infonnal, ad-hoc feedback from
members, their familie5, and members of the public.
The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers,
Missionarie5, 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 charitable
purpose. There are no other private benefits. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their families, oth¢r
individuals that the PreSb￿erlan Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with, the community in which
pastoral services are provided and other communities throutshout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and
worldwide which benefit from our engagement with and support for both Christian and other secular
organisations, chartties and individual members of the public.
The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commi55ions public benefit requirement statutory guidance.

Mourne Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland
Trustees. Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2022
Financial review
The congregation's main source of income is rnernbers, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering.
There were 703 (2021- 979) contributors during the year. donating a total of £239.462 (2021- £222,336).
Total income during the year amounted to £567,881, compared to £451,630 in the previous year. The rernoval of
government Covid 19 restrictions allowed Church activity to return to pre pandemic levels.
Total expenditure for the year amounted to £498,650 (2021 £327,945). The increase in costs was due to the
increase in org3nisational and gen¢ral activity.
Going Concern
The activities of the congregation are dependent on ongoing contributions from its members. The Trustees are of
the opinion that the Congregation has sufficient resources 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 rnembers to fund on an ongoing basis the congregation's current activities and other financial
commitments.
Reserves Poliey
The Trustees have considered the level of unrestricted reserves that is appropriate to hold, taking account of
current and ongoing cotnmitments. It is the policy of the Trustees to hold at least three month's nornial
expenditure. At the year-end unrestricted reserves were £785,420 (2021 £765,292) which represents a higher
level of reserves. The Trustees however, consider it prudent to hold reserves at this level as the funding of its
PTesent activities is dependent on the ongoing f￿anCIal support of members.
Risk Review
review of major risks has been undertaken by the Trustees and systerns and procedures implemented to
manage identified risks. The principal risks are in relation to the likelihood of reputational damage and financial
risks associated with the expectation of ongoing financial support from rnembers. These risks ar¢ mitigated by
the Trustees, and the Congregational Committee, regularly monitoring of the various activities of the
congre(yation ai stated m¢etings and by encouraging members in their regular giving.
Trustees, responsibilities statement
The trnstees are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting
Practice).
The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements
for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity. and of the incoming resources
and application of resources, of the charity for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to-
select suitable accounting policie5 and then apply them consistently.
observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP.
make judgrnents and accounting ¢stimates that are reasonable and prudent-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
prepare th¢ financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the
harity will Continue in businc55.

Mourne Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland
Trustees. Annual Report (continuedj
Year ended 31 December 2022
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the
charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and
enable them to ensure that the financial stateTnents comply with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. They
are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees, annual report was approved on .............................. and signed on behalf of the board of trust¢¢s by..
Rev William Bingham
Trustee
William Turner
Trustee