an REDROCKCONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105066)
an Redrock CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present thelr Annual Report and Flnancial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 irbcluding a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date, REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE Redrock congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Redrock Road Collone, Co Armagh Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC105066} CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Mr William Kelly Mr George Rainey Mr Hans Johnston Mr George Farley Mr Ernest Hawthorne Mr Jim Allen Mr William Cornett Mr Arnold Black Rev. Sam Finlay PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Sam Finlay William Kelly Ann Patton INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Gall Thompson. 7 Bawn Manor, Hamiltonsbawn. Co. Armagh BANKERS Danske Bank Armagh SOLICITORS Nelson Slngleton, Dromore
an Redrock CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT 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 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 congregatlon 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-officlo members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists 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 eSdership 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 off ice 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. Redrock congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Armagh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly, minsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation
an REDROCK CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) 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 condutt 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 minsters and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Sesslon of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. REDROCK 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, to help people of all ages become fully devotedfollowers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is, by the grace of God, to be an inclusive, welcoming community of Christ's people of all ages, which.. is increasingly characterised by love for God, and love and concern for others,. 15 committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible,. is relevont to people of this time and place. The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as o fomily of God's people by being.. A Covenant Community.. where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by livingfaithfully toward him ond tow(7rd one onother An Intergenerational Community.. where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. An Outward looking Community.. where we want the blessings of God that belong to us in the gospel to become blessingsfor others beyond the bounds of our community. As G 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 Redrock CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) ACTIVITIES AND OBJEcfivES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on three 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 from September to April and has a wide range of organisations including Sunday School Youth Club Shared Mothers and Toddlers group with sister congregatlon Bowling Club Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade Youth Fellowship ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 12noon and special evening services at 6.30pm. 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. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at 2 Sacraments of Baptism, we conducted I marriage services and gave thanks for faithful service and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2022 there were 285 communicant members and 156 families connected with the congregations. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 125 Pastoral care Members of the congregatlon who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis bythe minister and elders. Mission and outreach At a local level the congregation ran a community Holiday Blble Club in June and shared in outreach to teen5 through three teenage events in Feb and June. During the year we gave £10,315 to the work of several overseas mission agencies and charities.
an Redrock CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) The congregation supports the Unlted Appeal for Misslon which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregations to support the wider mission 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 planting, 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 congregatlon also contributes to the denomlnatlons annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School project and any other special appeals. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetlngs of Presbytery by our mlnister 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 During 2022 general maintenance was carried out, Organisations Sunday School and Bible Class meet weekly from September to June at 11am in our church halls. Sunday school is divided into year group classes with an average attendance of 30/35 children. Bible Class has a membership of 20 secondary school age young people. Youth Fellowship meets on alternate Sunday evenings in the loft. An average of 20 year 8 to year 12's meet for games, food and Bible teaching. Girls Brigade meets on Monday evenings. An Explorers group of 4-8 year olds meet at 515pm to 615pm with a company section of 9-16 year olds meeting from 615pm to 745 pm. In total there's an average attendance of 65/70 girls and throughout the year the girls enjoyed several outings and guest visits.
an Boys's Brigade meets in three age group sections on Tuesday evenings with 9 leaders looking after around 70 boys, Sports, crafts, bible study and outings take place throughout the year with an annual church enrolment service taking place jointly with our GB company in October. A Bowling club meets from September to March with about 15 members who take part in friendly and competitive matches throughout the season culminating in an AGM and awards night in April. The club comprises members from Redrock and visitors to our congregation. Youth club meets on Thursday evenings for primary and secondary school age children. Regular Thursday nights include sports and games with two or three outings to the swimming pool, soft play areas and other youth outings. In June a five night Holiday Bible Club is run for all primary school age children in the locality. Twenty leaders plan and run a programme of music, drama, crafts, games, teaching and food. The week ends with a family and friends Barbecue for the children and their families which also allows outreach to our community. 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 activities. Redrock CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN 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) 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). 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
an 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.
an Redrock CONGREGATION OF THE PRES8YTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 139 contributors during the year [140 in previous year, 20211 donating a total of £82,7731£98,840 in previous year, 2021) Total Income of the congregation during the year was £128,949, compared to £134,118 in the previous year. Total expenditure decreased from £210,535 to £135,238 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 congregation's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 6413) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 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 irregularitles. th Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 26 Oct 2023 and signed on its behalf by Sam Finlay Arnold Black 26th Oct 2023 th 26 Oct 2023