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DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN
CHURCH IN IRELAND
Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022
Reglstered Charlty In Northern Ireland {NIC105059}

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DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN 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 DETAILS
Downshire Road congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Downshire Road, Newry BT34 IDX
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105059)
CHARITY TRUSTEES
The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this
report were
Mr Wllliam Cartmill
Rev Brian Colvin
Mr Raymond Copeland
Mlss Elizabeth Cunnigham
Mr David Cunnlngham
Mrs Irene Faloon
Mr Keith Faloon
Dr Helen McDowell
PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS
Minister
Clerk of Session
Secretary
Treasurer
Rev Brian Colvn
Mr David Cunningham
Dr Helen McDowell
Mr Colin Whiteside
INDEpENDE￿r EXAMINER
Mr Colin R Berry• Chartered Accounts Ireland
2 Wlllow Close. Banbridge BT32 4RG
BANKERS
Danske Bank,
58 Hill Street, Newry BT34 IAR
SOLicrtORS
Fisher & Fisher Solicitors
9 John Mitchell Place, Newryp BT34 2DP

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DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd)
STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT
The ￿1rk 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 Sessions 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 conslsts 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 ministers in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but
only a casting vote.
Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held at least twice In each year or as appropriate.
To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation 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 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
Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Downshire Road congregation of the Presbyterian Church
has been assigned to the Newry Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The
membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregations
a55igned to it by the General Assembly, ministers who have retired from active duty and an
elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation.

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DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd)
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 ministers 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.
Downshire Road congregation of the Presbyterian Church 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 congregations mission purposes Is 'by the grace of God and in the power of the Holy
Spirit to help people of all ages, nationalltles and backgrounds become fully devoted
followers of Jesus Chrlst and fully committed to the life, fellowship and mission of our
church, involving
o A commitment to prayer
A commitment to effective discipleship of all believers
o A commitment to making Sunday worship serrfices attractive to all
o A commitment to engaging more people in the study of God's Word
A commitment to reaching out to our many members on the fringes of church life
A commitment to children's and youth ministry
o A commitment to personal and corporate evangelism '
A commitment to building relationships in our community and addressing real needs
A commitment to mission beyond Newry
A commitment partnering with others for the sake of the Gospel

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DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd)
ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES
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 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
meetings on a Wednesday morning and Thursday evening and has a wide range of
organisations including
Sunday School
Youth Club
Mothers and Toddlers
Bowing Club
Badminton Club
Presbyterian Women
Good News Club (in partnership with Ryans Presbyterian Church)
Holiday Bible Club (in partnership with Ryans Presbyterian Church)
The congregation holds regular Joint evening services (usually twice per month from
September to June) with Ryans Congregation with whom Downshire Road has been linked
since May 2021.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Worshlp and prayer
The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11:30AM and twice monthly
with Ryans. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet
together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer.
We received two new communicant members, conducted two weddings but did not
conduct any baptisms. We gave thanks for faithful service and sought to comfort those who
had been bereaved during the year.
At 31 December 2012 there were 124 communicant members and 151 families connected
with the congregation. The average week attendance at morning worship is 80
Pastoral care
Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are
V15ited on a regular basis by the minister and elders and when needed by representatives of
PW to PW members; members of the congregation provide informal pastoral care to one
another

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DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
Mission and outreach
The congregation supports fully the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregations to support the wider
mi55ion 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 plantin& provides grant support for
the upkeep of church premises, assist with the running costs of Union Theological College,
the Church's training college for ministry students, and financially supports congregation in
the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care.
The congregation also generously supports the annual World Development Appeal of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland and when asked, Moderatorfs Appeals.
The Presbyterian Women's Group (PW) of the congregation generously donated to the PW
Mission Fund which is centrally administered.
The congregation through its Mission Fund supported the work of Abaana in Uganda.
The congregatlon joined with Sandys St Presbyterian Church, St Patrick's Church of Ireland
Church and St Mar¢s Church of Ireland Church to establish a Food Bank in premises owned
by the four churches in the centre of Newry
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
The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meeting of the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June.
Property
The installation of video recording equipment in the meetinghouse was completed, thereby
allowing us to record serrfices and upload them to You Tube for members who are unable to
attend and for others to watch. Work to identify and repair leaks to the roof of our kitchen
and extension continued through the year and into 2023

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DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
Oiganisations
With the ending of restrictions due to the Covid-19 Pandemic the congregation was able to
run its organisations
On a Monday morning, Mums and Toddlers meets in the church hall from 10:30AM to
12:00PM, providing a warm and welcoming environment for members of the congregation
and the wider community to bring pre-school children. about 12-15 children with their
parents/grandparents attend on a regular basis
On a Monday evening, the Badminton Club meets this is attended by 6-8 folk from our
congregation and wider community
On a Tuesday evening {twice per month from October to Easter), the PW group meets,
providing fellowship for ladies in the congregation; a visiting speaker is often presentl
On a Wednesday mornln& a Bible study takes place, provlding an opportunity for members
of the congregation and others to study the Bible and enjoy warm fellowshlp
On a Wednesday evening, the Bowling Club meets and about 10 members and others gather
to enjoy a 8ame of indoor bowls, and participate in competitions with other clubs.
On a Thursday evening (twice monthly} a Bible Study takes place, provlding an opportunity
for about 12-15 members to enjoy fellowship, to study God's Word and pray together
On a Friday evening {once per month) a Good News Club for Primary Age school children
took place in partnership with Ryans; about 12 children regularly attended and the evening
consisted of games, bible teachin& quiz, memory verse and choruses
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 attivities.

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DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)
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)
leadin8 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 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, other individuals
that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with, the community
in which pastoral services 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.

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DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly
Freewill Offering together with Gift Aid claimed on those donations authorised by the
contributors and investment income. There were 116 contributing families during the year
[114 contributing families in previous year, 2011] donating a total of £59723 (£57928 in
previous year, 2012)
Total Income of the congregation during the year was £121258, compared to £104710 in the
previous year. tThe main reason for the change was increased giving to FWO and Property
and the increased activity of the congregation)
Total expenditure was £105991 compared to £114,603 in 2021. The decrease is due in part
to Ryans Presbyterian Church paying 25% of ministerial costs.
(Add further details as necessary)
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 congregations total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected
under Section 64{3) of the Charities Act {Northern Ireland) 2008 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.
th
Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on June 12 2023 and signed on its behalf by
[Name]
[Name]
[Date] 121&612o za
[Datel 12_0 6-23