Movilla Presbyterlan Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Reglstered Charlty In Northern Ireland (NIC105049)
Movllla Presbyterlan Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT CONTENTS Page 3 ................ . Reference and Admlnlstratlon, Trustees, Prlnclpal Offlce Bearers Page 5........................... . Charlty Structure and Management Page 6 ...- . Purpose and Oblertlves Page 8... . Actlvltles Page 9...-.-.- . Achlevements and Performance Pa8e 12 .....................-.. . Organlsatlons Page 13.....-.-.............. . Publlc Beneflt ststement and Statement of Trustees Responslbllltles Page 15 ............-. .Flnance Revlew
Movilla Presbyterian Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRE5BYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND (PCI) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 includin£ a Statement of Assets and Llabilitles as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINisfRATIVE DEfAILS Movllla Con8re8ation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 87 Movilla Road Newtownards BT23 8RQ Re8lstered Charlty In Northern Ireland (NIC105049) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charlty Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Rev. Robert Hamllton IModerator/Chalrman) Mr. 8rian Turtle (Clerk of Sesslon) Miss Margaret Garrett Mrs. Ena Stanfield Mrs. June Kelly Mrs. Alison Moore Mrs. Denise Turtle Mr. Ronnle Gamble M r. Raymond Mayes Mr. Robert Wilson PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Secretary Clerk of Session The Rev. Robert S. Hamilton Mrs, Joan Gordon Miss Chloe Mcmurran Mr. Robert Mcmurran Mr. Brian Turtle
Movilla Presbyterfan Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEESANNUAL REPORT (conydl INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr. Graerne Allen 8 Crossnamuckley Road Newtownards BANKERS Danske Bank Buslness Banking PO Box 183 Donegall Square West Belfast BTI 6JS SOLICITORS None retalned
Movilla Presbyterlan Church MOVILLACONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'd) SrRUuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Sesslon The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Sesslon. Under the congre8ation's 8ovemin8 document, The Code, the book of the constitutlon and 8overnrnent of the PCI, 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 wlthin its bounds" It ensures pastoral care is in place In the con8re8ation and seek5 to further the contrlbution of the Church to Christian witnes5 and servlce in the local communlty. The Klrk Session has delegated to its Congregatlonal Committee, the ternporal affalrs of the congregation Including administerlng all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Sesslon are ex•officio members of the Congregational Comrnitteé. The Kirk Session consists of the ordalned minlster and the rulln8 elders of the congregation. All members are entitled to propose, speak, and exerclse equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator. the mlnlster In active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative vote but only a casting vote. Stated meetln8s of the Klrk session are held. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting rnember and regular attendant on Its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office can be either by the congregatlon or by the Klrk Sesslon. Members are elected if they obtain two-thlrd5 of those who vote. subject to quorum. Presbytery Under the PCI form of governance, the corporate overslght of a congre8atlon 15 the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spirltual and temporal affairs of the con8re8atlons assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland. Movilla congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Ards Presbytery of the PCI. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active mlnisters of COng83tiOnS assigned to it by the Generdl Assembly, mlnsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation.
Movllla Presbyterian Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) 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 le8lslative. adminlstration and judlclal authorlty, in dealin8 With all matters brou8ht before it. The General Assemblyls normally constltuted durlng the flrst week in June for worship and to conduct Its business. At the end of business, it is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly conslsts malnly of the actlve ministers of each congre8atlon, retired minsters and representatlve elder appolnted by the Klrk Session of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES The charilable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Movilla congregation of the Presbyterian Church Is a congregatlon of the Presbyterlan 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 falth in His Son and by the power of His Splrlt, and to enable her rnembers to play thelr part in fulfillln8 God's mlsslon to our world. The congregatlon's vision statement is: "Movllla Presbyterian Church seeks to be an effectlve worshlpping and witnessln8 fellowship so that salvatlon In Jesus Chrlst may be proclalmed In the local communlty and the wlder world." Thls vlslon statement manifests Itself In the following practical applications: God's Call to us al Prayer - We wlll seek God'5 wlll and power so that we can enhance our church's impact on the area In whlch He has placed us. b) We have been blessed by effective teachlng from our mlnlsters. However, Chrlsvs call Is to us all to be His 'lighV and "salv. When we hold evangelical events, they are often well attended by Christlan members, but we need to do more to attract neighbours or friends who need to hear God's claims on thelr Ilves. If we are to be more effective then more of our members need to understand and be motivated to practice ways to share our faith, at home, at work, and where we spend OUT leisure tSme. This Is belng achleved In part through the development of "home groups" within the con8re8ation. We will also continue to develop a theme of disdpleshlp focu5sed on deepening the indlvidual's Christian experience and wltness. Irb 2022 we added to our Ministerial team through the appointment of an asslstant mlnister who has joined our leadershlp team until Autumn 2024. MOVILLA CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
Movllla Presbyterlan Church TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) c) Our Christlan ¢ommunlty already cares and provldes prayer and prartical sUPPOrt for members who are challenged by what Ilfe throws at them. We will devlse ways to ensure indivlduals are not mlssed. We also need to give thanks morefor thls sUPPOrtlng environment so that others will be drawn Into experience Chrisvs love throu8h how we care. dTr We wlll consider how bestto use the local news medSa, social medla and technology and have Implernented a revised strategy to enhance our use of these to Support b) and c) above. e} We will continuously review our youth mlnlstry to check it Is fit for purpose and that the or8anlsatlons work together to ensure that young people dropplng out of one organisation are pid(ed up by others. We need to succession plan, so as to ensure the contlnued leadership of these Important organlsatlons. In 2019 the rebranded and remodelled The Gospel Projecv was taken forward to sustain and bulld these elements of our children's minlstry. f) We have piloted a "Messy a)urch' initiative. This infomal service includln8 craft• games, modern pralse, a simple message and snack5 has allowed us to invlte famllies to experience God's love and understand our desire to engage with them In an unthreatenln8 / de-Jar8onised envlronmerrt. Thls wlll now be Introduced on a regular basss as part of our outreach. g) We will involve more of our youn8 people and newer or"marglnal' members In our Sunday worshlp services through actlvlties such as readlngs, young people's pralse group, soundlvideo projectlon, welcome and offerln8 teams. h) We have partnered the local Methodlst and Church of Ireland churches In the planning and Implementation of ' Chri5tma5 Star" This outreach through the performance based telllng of the Christmas story provlded a non- threatenlng celebratlon of our Lords birth wlth craft, 8ames, snacks and goody-bags focusing on God's love . i) We have Implemented a new memberfs Indueclon process whlch would deepen thelr understandlng of thelr faith and help them get to know each other and key Indlviduals In our congregation. 11 We need to implement a range of Inltiatives to engage more wlth unchurched familles who or whose chlldren attend organisations. Similarly, we need to art to reach out to individuals and families who have no current contact wlth us. The Initlatives could Include discussions based on toplcal morallsocial issues, debt/financlal management support, prayer walks, engagement with communlty"8atekeepers" and uslng our premlses to facllltate lor example Covid vacclnatlons. We have carried out leaflet drops In the new Rlvenwood development. We will engage wlth the Bowtown Cornmunlty Development Association to Improve our relatlonshlp with and access to thi5 area. kl A Youth Outreach member of staff took up post January 2023. She has been instrumentsl In developing an early Prirnary kids club wlth plan5 to augment thls with provlslon for 8-11 year old5 from January 2024. She has also been developing leaders and helpers to help run Kids Club, Hollday Blble Club and Messy Churc
Movilla Presbyterian Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) ACTIVITIES The congregation meets for worshlp every Sunday and visitors are welcome to joln wlth us The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on several occasions durin8 year and all those eligible to be, and who have been baptised and who have made a profession of fdith in the Lord Je5U5 Christ are admltted to the Lords Supper. The ¢ongrÈgation holds a weekly mi&week bible study and prayer meetlrq. In addilion, four small home bible study groups have been Inhlated whlch meet fortnightly. The congregats'on also has a wide range of organlsationsl activitles. Event/Organisation Age Frequency Average % not T If Jolnt state other rang• attendance members of ¢ongreqatlon(s) l Other Not•s thls con8. Sunday School Bible aass Sunbearns Mums & Tots Klds Club 4-10 , Weeklv 11- 15 Weeklv 0-3 Weeklv 18 Now the Gospel Prolert Now the Gospel Project Reopened June 2022 40 4-10 Weekly Bowling Club Mldweek Girls Brl8ade Praise Group Knitting & Natter Women's FellowshSp Boys, Brigade Prayer meetlngs 16-80 Weekly 30-80 Weekly 3-18 Weekly 14-80,, Weekly 55-80 ,' Weeklv 40-80 Monthly 40 25 33% Closed September 2023 Ongoing 15 25 25 70% 25-80 Weekly Tuesday Evenln8S Men's Fellowshlp Holiday Bible aub MovllSa Youth Connect New member Courses Carol Sin8in& 50- 80 Monthly 4-11 Annual 11-18 Monthly 25 loo 85% Suspended due to Covld 15-70 16-80 As needed Annual 20 20 Pre becomln8 communlcants Church Coach Holiday 40-80 Annual Llttle Ralnbows Group 2-4 Daily Prayer Cards System 40-80 Ongoing 10 12 Suspended due to staffin8 Requests submitted by members and friends Requests submitted by members and friends Home Study ' Currently four groups fellowshi p groups operating Subject to holiday periods which are varlable dependlng on the or8anisation Prayer Text System 20- 70 Ongoing 50 275 Fortnightly 35
Movllla Presbyterlan Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and prayer The con8regatlon normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11am and 7pm. Durlng the week the Mld- week meetln8 and Home Study Groups provide an opportunity for members to rneet for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. Under the constraints of Covld19 these were replaced from March 2020 by a prerecorded or Sunday YouTube service and a Tuesday mid-week Podcast. Slnce July 2020, withln the PCI 8uidance and after a replacement of the church's media equiprnent, live Sunday services were resumed frorn 2021 and live streamed to provide servlces to those shielding and as an outreach. Mldweek meetln8 have also resumed. A revlsed Worship Committee has been established under the convenorship of one of the Sesslon members/Charity Commlsslon trustee5. As well as our regular morning and evening s•rvices, at which God's Word is read and preached and praise offered, durin8 the year we gave thanks for faithful Christian servlce and sou8ht to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year through several funeral services. At 31 December 2023 there were 162 communicant members and 122 contributing farnilies connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship was 140 pre Covid and this had returned to 95 by the end of 2023 with a further 80+ households watchln8 online. Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are contacted bv telephone or vlsited on a regular basls by the minister or elders. Care often takes the form of the provislon of gifts of food and practical assistance. Inflrm members ee[ve the sacrament of Communlon at home to provide splrltual encouragement. We believe the introductlon of home study groups has further enhanced mutual support within the congregation. Post March 2020 and Covid, a network of pastoral care was established through weekly telephone calls, food, prescription delivery and CD IDVD delivery. Mlsslon and outreach Each Sunday we have two servlces when God's word is read and expounded, and lively pralse Is offered. At each service visitors/YouTube subscribers are welcome. The congregation usually contalns a mix of communicants, marginal members and vlsitors/ external viewers. Our rnove to services by YouTube and Podcast has provided a new vehlcle for evangelism allowing easy media- based access to servlces and members to share service Ilnks with friends and acquaintances. As a result 10 new indivlduals have b•¢om• communicant members of the church.
Movllla Presbyterlan Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) All members of the con8regatlon were sent Chrlstmas cards contalnlng details of the Christmas services in an attempt to re-en8age wlth Inactive or mar8lnal members. A ladies Coffee Club has commenced meetin8, SUPPOrtlng ladies In a social environment, partlcularly those unable to get out In the evenln8 or not en8a8ing in small groups or midweek. Houses In a nel8hbouring new development were vlsited In 2021 and literature contalnlng information about our actlvities and servlces left. Many of our organlsatlons act as a brldge Into the l¢xal communlty. Members of our congre8ation have also taken part in provlnce wide outreach by Jolning Scrlpture Unlon and CSSM teams working in schools, camps, and beach missions. In recent years individuals have been Involved In international mission in Uganda with ABAANA, Russia wlth Love Russia, Lebanon and Romanla working with chlldren's summer camps, outreach and medlcal SUPPOrt. Our congregation prayerfully and financially support several Christlan Charities such as Open Doors, The Belfast Clty Mission, Misslonary Avlatlon Fellowship, Love Russia, Project Romanla , Chr15tlan Aid, the Vine and the Link. In 2018 we formed a Youth Forum to encourage a coordinated approach to youth activities, leader tralnlng and succession planning. Marketing through professionally produced paper-based materlals and electronic Media had been reviewed and greatly enhanced. Four home study 8roups have been formed and are meeting fortnightly. A new memberfs course has been established for those wlshln8 to become full members of our con8re8ation. Through this those Joining will be challenged to Christian service in our church and communlty. During 2022 we commenced seeking resources both wlthln our congregation and outside it whlch will allow this to move forward. In December 2022 the staff member has been identified and they took up post on 01 January 2023. 10
Movllla Presbyterfan Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT (conVd} The congregation supports the United Appeal for Misslon which is a central fund of the PCI. This fund enables con8re8ations to support the wider mission of the denomination and to provide mission and outreach on a denominational basis beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The Unlted Appeal Fund provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists con8re8ations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church plantin8, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premlses, assists wSth the running Costs of Union Theolo8ical Colle8e, the Church'5 tralning college for mlnlstry students, and financlally supports congregations in the areas of worshlp, discipleship, global misslon, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The congregatlon also contributed to the denominatlons annual World Developrnent Appeal and other special appeals. Presbytery The congregatlon was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our mlnister and one of the •lders. Th5s provldes an Important Ilnk between the con8re8ations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meetin8 of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held In Assembly Buildin85, Belfast, This year this occurred wlth the support of medla technology. Property The maln focuses have been on general maintenance and ensurlng electrlcal and firel electrical safety compliance. The sound and multSmedia systems have been replaced allowlng enhanced soclally distanced services, podcasts with an overflow Sn the hall and their Ilve streamln8. A restructured Property Sub-committee is belng establlshed under the eonvenorship of one of the Session rnembers/Charity Commission trustees. 11
Movilla Presbyterian Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) Organlsatlons A schedule of organlsations, their frequency of meetin& the age group they serve, and average attendance is shown above. The Gospel Project meet weekly with a programme of on-site activltles includin8 blble stories, discussion, klds pra15e, game5 and craft. The members play a major part In Chlldren's day and Nativity servlces. The Mld-week, Women's and Men's Fellowships play a vital role In the prayer. praise and Bible study Ilfe of our congregatlon and have regular Inputs on a wlde range of topics from vlsltln8 speakers. The four home study groups contlnue to provide a vehicle for deepening our members, falth and the additional opportunities for fellowshlp and pastoral care. The Sunbeams mums and tots and our new Kids Club, provide a $18nificant outreach and opportunity to reach pre-school and Primary a8e children. We are fortunate to have a BB comany. It provides for children from age 4- 18, and offers a range of activities including drill, muslc, craft, blble class, cooking and offslte sponsored walks and visits to the cinema, the fire station, ten-pin bowllng, and sportlng events such as Ice-hockey and cross*ountry running. The praise group contrlbute Considerably to our general Sunday worshlp and provide rnuslcal Items for seasonal services such as the "Nine Lessons" and Carols service at Chrlstmas. Our bowling club meets weekly and provides outreach and fellowship with a backdrop of competitlve bowling. MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND 12
Movllla Presbyterian Church TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of thelr time by serving on committees and acting as leaders and helpers wlthin organisations and other church actlvltles. Thelr energy and commltment not only allow our wlde- ranging pro8rarnme to be dellvered but is also in Itself a Chrlstian witness to those adults and children who participate. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The PCI meets the public beneflt requlrernent by provlding benefit to its members and the general public by maklng known the Christlan Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of rell8ion. The dlrect beneflts whlch flow frorn the purposes of the Church Include the gaining of an understanding in Christian bellefs as set out in the Blble and In the Church's subordinate standards (the Westrnlnster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leading to splritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Blble teachln8. In turn, this framework leads to practical expressions of Christlan bellefs and standards In the local community such as through the care of those In need (Including the slck, disabled, and bereaved). Generally, the above beneflts are delivered locally by con8regations and thelr members or are facilitsted through presbyteries or are or8anlsed and delivered centrally. Local dellvery 55 facllltated by central resources in almost all cases. Public access Is rnade known uslng noticeboards, printed materlal, door to door visltation, press advertisement, websites, and social media or in other ways. The beneflts are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the seNices 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 flowin8 from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits because of thelr holding office or employment. However, this Is incidental and necessary in order to further our charitable purposè. There are no othèr private benefits. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, thelr farnllles. other individuals that the Presbyterian Church In Ireland is in direct and Indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral services are provided 13
Movllla Presbyterian Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT (conyd and other communlties throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which beneflt frorn our engagement with and support for both Chrlstian and other secular organisatlons, charlties, and Indlvldual members of the public. The Klrk Session has had regard to the Charity Commlsslon's Public benefit requlrement statutory guidance. 14
Movllla Presbyterian Church MOVILLA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (conVd} FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income Is members, contrlbutlons through the Weekly Freewlll OfferlnB. There were 122 FWO contributors during the year 2023 (140 in 20211, donatlng a total of £ 86,185 In 20231£73015 In previous year, 2022). Total Income of the congregation during the 2023 year was £127420 compared to £106,340 In the previous year. Total expenditure in 2023 was E 133,576 as compared with £106,104 in 2022. Our borrowin85 amount to £0 a5 compared wlth £3000 (Interest free loan) In 2021. A copy of the Recelpts and Payments accounts and Ststement of assets and Uabllltles is submitted in a separate file. An audlt certificate Is also separately attached. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBIUTIES The Trustees a spOnsIble for preparin8 the annual report and the financlal statements of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accountin8 practice. As the con8regatlon'5 total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under 5ectlon 6413) of the Char5tles Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a receipts and payment account and statement of assets and liabilitles. The Trustees are responsible f¢r keeplng adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the congregation's transactions and disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any tirne its financial posltlon. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the con8re8atlon and hence for takin8 reasonable step5 for the prevention and detectlon of fraud and other irregularities. th Approved by the Klrk Sesslon at a meetin8 on 20 February 2024 and si8ned on Its behalf by Rev. Robert Hamilton Mr. Brian Turtle 15