Rector Canon H. Given.
TAMLAGHTFINLAGAN PARISH CHURCH
FFinlagan Rectory, 77 Ballykelly Road, Limavady, BT49 9DS. Telephone 02877762743
Annual report and statement of receipts,payments and cash and investment balances for the Parish of Tamlaghtfinlagan for the year ended 31 December 2023
Objectives and activities:
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of the Parish of Tamlaghtfinlagan is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of the Parish, the whole mission of the Church,pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity.
Review 2023 :
The parish strives to engage with the local community and a variety of clubs ran in the church hall throughout the year.
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Sunday School – 42 children registered.
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Rainbows, Brownies and Guides ran one night a week.
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Morther’s Union – mostly comprising of more mature ladies. They met once a month.
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Bowling club – Wednesday afternoons. Promoted as a cross community club.
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Slimming World – ran once a week – all of the community welcome.
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Friendly Friday club – Friday mornings. A cross community project for fun, crafts and activities.
Normal Sunday and midweek services took place in both Ballykelly and Myroe.
The fundraising committee planned several events throughout the year and raised a total of £1668.20 from a sale and car washes.
Financial review :
A review of the annual accounts provides a comprehensive and clear overview of the Parish’s financial position. Income and Expenditure is classified into a General Account and a Building fund Account (restricted funds). Restricted funds must be used for a specific purpose (maintenance of the church buildings, hall, graveyard, rectory, Sexton’s house and parish lands).
Income:
The main source of income continues to be raised from weekly freewill offerings and donations from parishioners – total in year ending 2023, £39,030.42. The Parish also offer a standing order option to
facilitate the freewill offering and we will continue to encourage parishioners to consider this as a method of giving. The HMRC Gift Aid scheme is a valuable source of income to the Parish. It allows the Parish to reclaim 25p for every £1 donated as long as the donor has completed a Gift Aid declaration and paid a sufficient level of tax to HMRC in that year to cover the 25p for every £1 they have donated. In 2023 we received a total of £7005.59.
Fundraising continues on a regular basis and monies raised are lodged to our separate Building Fund Account. We also have freewill offerings for this too. Total in 2023 £6858.90 and Gift Aid £958.73. Thanks must go to all who have been involved in the planning and execution of the fund raising events held throughout the year. As well as the obvious financial benefit, it also is an important social aspect as the sense of community is felt.
Expenditure:
The Annual Diocesan assessment levy is the largest item of expenditure which the Parish is required to meet. The assessment applied to our Parish based on parishioner numbers was £48,402.
As at 31 December 2023 both our General and Buildings Fund are financially viable and no cause for concern, however we have received comprehensive reports that our church has dry rot and we await final costings. This will have a huge impact on parish funds to repair.
Report approved by trustees:
Canon Harold Given Rector
Trevor Nicholl Secretary