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)
SrRU￿uRE 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 COng￿83tiOnS 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
2￿75
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