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← Regent Street Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

2025-12-31-annual-report

Presbytelitn REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF — THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105068)

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REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

Trustees Annual Report

The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 including a Balance Sheet as at that date.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Regent Street Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 48A Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4LP

Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105068)

CHARITY TRUSTEES

The Charity Trustees who served during the year or were trustees as of the date of this report are listed below:

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||||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Mr Norman|Armstrong|Mr|John|Joseph|Alexander|Bell| |Mr Andrew|John|Crawford|Mirs|Karen|Elizabeth|Glass| |Mr|Harvey|Hamilton|Mr|Ivan|Logan|Hamilton| |Ms|Joan|Catherine|Hamilton|Mrs|Joan|Hosford| |Mr|William|Hosford|Mr|lan|Macdonald| |Mr|Ronald|Martin|Mrs|Julie|Sarah|McClelland| |Mrs|Anne|Louise|McConnell|Mr|Robert|Malcolm|McConnell| |Mrs|Helen|Moffett|Dr|Gale|Samuel|John|Moffett| |Mr|Charles|Robert|Orr|Mr Alex|Palmer| |Rev Anne Tolland|(to|30"|Sept|2025)|Rev|Mairisine|Stanfield|(from|1°|Oct|‘25)|

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PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS

Minister

Rev. Anne Tolland (to 30/09/2025)

Vacancy Convener Rev Mairisine Stanfield (from 01/10/2025)

Clerk of Session Mr lan Macdonald (to 13/10/2025) Clerk of Session Mr Robert Malcolm McConnell (from 14/10/2025)

Treasurer Mr Andrew John Crawford

Presbytelitn

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Mr. William McAdam, Stanley Woods & Co, Alexander House, 49 / 51 Church Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AN

BANKERS

Ulster Bank, 22 Frances Street, Newtownards, BT23 7DP

SOLICITORS

Russell & Co Solicitor, 11 Lower Mary Street, Newtownards, BT23 4JJ

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 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 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 Session 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 consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregation. 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, but more typically six to eight times each year. The Kirk Session met six times in 2025, January, March, May, September, October, and November.

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 the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Regent Street congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Ards Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists of the active ministers of congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation.

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) The General Assembly

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The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one body the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administrative and judicial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The General Assembly is normally constituted during June for worship and to conduct its business. At the end of business, it is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly consists 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.

Regent Street 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 congregation's mission purpose is by the grace of God, to be a welcoming community of Christ's people who are "Living and Sharing God's Good News".

The congregation aims to live out its Mission as a family of God's people by being:

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES

The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are always welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is typically observed on four occasions during the year and all those who have been baptized and who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, are admitted to the Lord's Supper. During 2025 we observed the Sacrament of the Lords Supper on four occasions.

At present we conduct only one worship service each Sunday, it is hoped we will develop opportunities for more assorted styles of worship in the future.

The congregation has held a number of more informal services in previous years to try and reach out to families and individuals who are less comfortable with a more traditional Sunday morning service.

The congregation has a wide range of organisations including:

The congregation also allows its premises to be used for a number of young people's organisations administered and run by the Scout and Guiding Associations.

We havea history of wider community involvement and are more than happy to make the premises available for the use of local organisations.

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

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Worship and prayer.

The congregation meets for worship each Sunday at 11 am.

In addition, Christian education programs take place on a regular basis.

Prayer is an intrinsic part of church life, and time is set aside prior to the Sunday morning service each week and again on Monday lunchtime to focus on this aspect of our witness. There is also a successful program known as the Prayer Tree which allows members of the congregation to ask for specific prayers and a resolute team of individuals will carry out these requests.

During 2025 we continued the very successful practice of having a member of the congregation lead the Prayers of Intersession at Sunday worship.

There were no marriage ceremonies and one baptism during 2025.

Regretfully we did lose a number of members during the year, and we found ourselves giving our grateful thanks to God for their faithful service to our congregation and the wider world.

On 31 December 2025 there were 205 members on the Communion Roll and 238 families under the pastoral care of the congregation. The average weekly attendance at Sunday morning worship was 100.

Pastoral care

The minister and elders regularly visit all congregation members, especially those who are sick, elderly, or in hospitals and nursing homes. Sunday morning services are livestreamed, allowing everyone to participate in worship regardless of circumstances. Additionally, recordings of services are distributed via a "CD" ministry for those who cannot access the live stream. Both live streaming and CD’s are available for funeral services and special services (weddings and baptisms etc.) upon request.

Mission and outreach

The congregation supports various charitable programs and agencies, both financially and practically. Locally, it supports The Link Family and Community Centre and collects donations for a local food bank, with notable contributions in 2025. The 'Hub' at the front of the church welcomes everyone for tea, coffee, and conversation, regardless of religious affiliation on 3 mornings each week. On Sunday mornings, it serves refreshments to the congregation before the service.

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

Throughout the year, our association with The Link and CAP (Christians Against Poverty) increased as our minister became more engaged with both organisations.

The ‘Holiday Bible Club' and 'Easter Outreach Scheme’ conducted throughout the year achieved significant success. This initiative greatly benefited from our collaboration with the neighbouring Methodist Church.

The congregation also generously supported a number of other charities:

Christian Aid:

In 2025 a joint Christian Aid service was held with our neighbours from Regent Street Methodist. Members of the congregation also provided financial support to other Christian Aid events.

Samaritan's Purse:

A Sunday School led project involving the congregationin filling wrapped shoe boxes with small gifts of toys, crafts, toiletries, and knitted items, which are then sent to disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe and Africa. In 2025 some 100 shoe boxes were prepared and supplied to the local collection partner, along with a cheque for £500 to assist with distribution costs.

Brown Money Collection:

This is another Sunday School lead project encouraging members of the congregation to donate any spare ‘brown and silver’ coins. A total of £728.30 was donated to local charity, the Mae Murray Foundation.

The congregation also supports the United Appeal for Mission, a fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This enables congregations to contribute to broader missions beyond their own capacity. The fund aids mission personnel locally and overseas, supports local staff deployment, facilitates church planting, provides grants for church upkeep, funds Union Theological College, and supports areas like worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership, and pastoral care.

Additionally, the congregation participates in the denomination's World Development Appeal, Sunday School project, and other special appeals.

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Presbytery

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The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and 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, nominated by Kirk Session, attend the meetings of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in, held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast. In 2025 the General Assembly met from Tuesday 10" June to Thursday 12" June. In addition, there was a Special General Assembly held on 18" December.

Property

In 2025, there were no major maintenance or repair activities required.

Organisations.

While the following section describes the organisations that the trustees are proud to support, once again they spent most of 2025 continuing to build on the good work of the previous year. This continued demanding work remains a challenge, especially in relation to maintaining younger people’s interest in Christian knowledge and development in an increasingly secular society.

This year, we have continued our successful relationship with Regent Street Methodist Church. In addition to a variety of joint services, we collaborate on Sunday School, Quest, HBC, youth club, youth week, ladies' group, and men's group activities. This partnership has proven advantageous for both churches, leading to increased attendance and the positive outcomes associated with each meeting.

Sunday School.

The Sunday school meets after the children's address at each morning service, when the young people exit to their classes. The Sunday school provides a Christian education to the younger children in the congregation, and caters to children from P1 to P7. In addition, creche facilities for babies and toddlers are offered alongside Sunday School. ‘

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Quest.

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Quest gathers every Sunday morning for Year 8 to Year 14 young people, exploring the benefits and responsibilities of a Christian life within a church family.

Badminton Club

The badminton club is for individuals aged 18 and over, and meets every Monday evening for exercise, coaching, and social interaction. It is open to church and non-church individuals.

Choir

The choir leads our praise at each and every Sunday morning service. They meet when required to prepare special pieces for Easter, Harvest and Christmas services.

Bowling Club

The bowling club gathers every Thursday evening for social interaction and a friendly competitive game.

Thursday Club

The Thursday Club is designed for our senior members to engage in conversation, enjoy refreshments, and participate in a variety of activities, including talks and quizzes. The club convenes biweekly.

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First Friends

This toddler group meets every other Friday morning. It provides a warm welcome for parents or guardians who attend, while all the children participate in various activities.

Regent Ramblers

This is the congregation's walking group. There is typically one walk organised each month, apart from July and August.

Bible Study

Due to the personal circumstances of our Minister, and her departure part way through the year, there were no bible study events during 2025. These are scheduled to restart in May 2026.

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Youth Club

A joint venture with our Methodist neighbours, this meets monthly to provide a safe, Christian value driven environment for teenagers both within and outside of the congregation.

Ladies Group.

This is a joint venture with our Methodist neighbours, and is for women of all ages, meeting six times throughout the year to engage in informative discussions, acquire new skills, and enjoy general leisure activities and social interaction.

Mens Breakfast Group

This is also a joint venture with our Methodist neighbours, it is open to all men, meeting bi-monthly to enjoy social interaction over breakfast and listen to invited speakers.

Volunteers

The Trustees deeply appreciate everyone who volunteers their time for committees, organisations, outreach initiatives, and church activities.

PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing * benefit to its members and the 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).

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 all cases. Public access is made known using noticeboards, printed material, press advertisement, websites, and social media or in other ways.

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

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 because of their holding office or employment. However, this is incidental

and necessary 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.

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The congregation's main source of income is members’ contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 189 contributing families during the year (184 in the previous year, 2024) donating a total of £97,655 (£105,445 in the previous year, 2024).

As the total income of the congregation in 2020 was more than £250,000 the congregation had to prepare its accounts on an accrual’s basis, in line with the provisions in The Charities Accounts and Reports Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. The same basis is still followed.

Total Income of the congregation during the year was £182,544 compared to £195,157 in the previous year.

Total expenditure during the year was £153,078 compared to £199,844 in the previous year.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view ofthe state of affairs of the congregation and the financial activities for that year. In preparing the financial statements the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the funds transactions and disclose with

REGENT STREET CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the congregation and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities (1 January 2015)”. 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.

For the year ended 31 December 2025

GOING CONCERN

The activities of the congregation are dependent on ongoing contributions from its members. The Trustees are of the opinion that the congregation has sufficient resources at the date of approval of these financial statements to meet commitments which will arise in the year from the date of signing this report and subject to the continuing support from members to fund on an ongoing basis the congregation’s current activities and other financial commitments.

RISK REVIEW

A review of major risks has been undertaken by the Trustees and systems and procedures implemented to manage identified risks. The principal risks are in relation to the likelihood of reputational damage and financial risks associated with the expectation of ongoing financial support from members. These risks are mitigated by the Trustees, and the Congregational Committee, regularly monitoring the various activities of the congregation at stated meetings and by encouraging members in their regular giving.

Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 27" April 2026 and signed on its behalf by

Rev Mairisine Stanfield (Vacancy Convener)

Signature: MStanttetd Mr Robert Malcolm McConnell (Clerk of Session) Signature: VA ats Wa,

Date: 2} \or Jae Date 2+ / 4/20 Ca