an REDROCK CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Registered Charity In Northern Ireland INIC105066)
Presbyter an Redrock CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 including 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 INIC105066) CHARrrY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Mr William Kelly Mr Jim Allen Mr George Rainey Mr Colin Dougan Mr Hans Johnston Mr Arnold 81ack MrGeorge Farley Rev. Sam Finlay Mr Emest Hawthome PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Sam Fin13Y Clerk of Session Arnold Black Treasurer Ann Patton INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Gail Thompson. 7 Bawn Manor, Hamiltonsbawn. Co. Amiagh BANKERS Danske Bank Arnia8h
Presbyter an SOLICtroRS Nelson Singleton. Dromore
an Redrock CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRU5fEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Session The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congre8ation'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 congre8ation and of person5 not connected with any congregation who are within its bounds. It ensures pastoral care ts in place in the congregation and seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and seprfice in the local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to tts Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the clgregatIOn including administering all funds and property belon8in8 to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-officio 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 meeting5, except that the Moderator. the ministers in attive 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 votin8 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 govemance 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 a55igned to the Armagh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregati0115 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 PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TrusrEES ANNUAL REPORT Icorfdl The General Assembly The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one body the whole Church and atting as its supreme legislative. administration and judioal authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The General A55embly is normally constituted durin8 the fsrst week in June for worship and to conduct its busine55. 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 bv the Kirk Session 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 Chufch in Ireland. The Presbyterian Churth 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 plav their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregations mission purposes is by the groce of God. to help people of oll ages becomefully devotedfollowers ofJesu5 Christ. Our vision is, by the groce of God, to be on inclusive. welcoming comnjunity of Christ's people of oll oges, which.. is increosingly charocterised by lovefor God. ond love ond concernfor other5.. Is committed to the historic Christian gospel os reveoled in the Bible.. is relevont to people of thi5 time ¢7ndploce. The congregorn oims to Iwe out its Mission ond Vision os ofvmily of God 5 people by being.. A Covenont Community.. where our relotionships ore rooted in the promise5 of God by livingfoithfully toword him ond towardone another An Intergenerotionol Community.. where adults intentionally toke the leod to engage with. encouroge ond nurture younger members to moturity in Christ. An Outward looking Community.. where we want the blessings ol God thot belong to us in the gospel to become blessingsfvr other5 beyond the bound5 of our community. As o congregation of the Presbyterion Church in Irelond. we believe that the Bible 15 the supreme outhority over oll we do. and tht7t the Westminster Confession of Faith, ¢71ong with the Lorger ondshorter Catechisms set out whot we understond the Bible teoches on key motters of Christianfoith ondprortice Redrock CONGREGAnoN OF THE PRES8YfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
Presbyter an TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES 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 or8anisations including Sunday School Youth Club Shared Mothers and Toddlers group with sister congregation Bowling Club Boys Brigade and Gids Brigade Youth Fellowship ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prnyer 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 5 Sacraments of Baptism, we conducted 2 marriage services and gave thanks for faithful service and soughtto comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2023 there were 280 communicant members and 156families connected with the congregations. The average weekly attendan at morning worship is 125 Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the minister and elders. Mlsslon and OUta¢h At a local level the congregation ran a community Holiday Bible Club in June and shared in outreach to teens through three teenage events in Feb and June. During the yearwe gave £9064 to the work of several overseas mission agencies and charities.
an Redrock CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEE5 ANNUAL REPORT (convd) The con8re8ation Supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Churth 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, a5Si5ts congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church plantin& provides grant support for the upkeep of church premise5, 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 pastor31 care. The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School projett and any other special appeals. 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 strutture5 of the churth. General Assembly The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meeting ofthe General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast. in June. Property During 2023 general maintenance was carried out. Organisation$ 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 30135 children. Bible Class has a membership of 20 secondary school age young people. Youth Fellowship meets on altemate Sunday evenings in the loft. An average of 20 year 8 to year 12's meetfor games, food and Bible teaching. Girls Brigade meets on Monday evenings. An EXplorS group of 4-8 year olds meet at 515pm to 615pm with a company sertion of 9-16 year olds meeting from 615pm to 745 pm. In total the.$ an average attendance of 65no girls and throughout the year the girls enjoyed sever31 outings and guest visits.
Presbyter 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 tske 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 rneets on Thursday evenings for primaryand secondaryschool age children. Regular Thursday nights include sports and games with two or three outings to the swimming pool, soft play areas and other youth outin8S. 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 friend5 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 PRESBftERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) PUBUC BENEFtr 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 ofthe Church include the gaining of an understanding in Christian beliets as set out in the Bible and in the Chufch's subordinate standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leading to spiritual and mor31 development and opportunities for response to Bible teaching. In turn. this framework leads to Pfattical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as through the care of those in need lincluding the sick, disabled and bereaved). Generally the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and their members, or are facilitated through presbyteries or are orB3nised and delivered centrally. Local delivery
an 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 infomial and ad-hoc feedback from members, their families, and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harni. The only private benefrt 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 Offi or employment. However, this is incidentsl and necessary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefits. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their familie5, 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 communitie5 throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagernent 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 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVdl FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 139 contributors during the year1139 in previous year, 20221 donating a total of £77,2201£82,773 in previous year, 20221 Total Income of the congregation during the year was £115,100, compared to £128,949 in the previous year. Totsl expenditure decreased from £135,238 to £128.753 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILMES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual rert 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,(IXI. the Trustees have elerted under Section 64131 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 stsps for the prevention and detettion of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 27th Ott 2024 and signed on its behalf by Sam Finlay Amold Black 27th Oct 2024 27th ott 2024