an DRUMGOOLAND 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 2022 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Drumgooland congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Drumgooland Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan, BT319QG Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC105079) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Rev. Philip Cleland Mr. Clyde Cromie (Resigned 04109/22) Mr. Kenneth Johnston Mr. Hubert McGaffin Dr Alastair James Chestnutt Mr. Paul Fitzsimmons (Resigned 08/01/221 Mr. Gordon Malcomson (Retired 10/03/221 Mr. Joseph Whiteside PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev. Philip Cleland Dr. Alastair Chesnutt Mr. James Macauley INDEPENDENT EXAMINER S.M. Vint and Company Chartered Certified Accountants 8 Newry Road. BanbridEe, BT32 3HN. BANKERS Danske Bank 37-39 Bridge Street, Banbridge, Co Down. BT32 3JL SOLICITORS Trevor McBurney & Co Solicitors 11 Downshire Place, Banbridge, Co Down, BT32 3DF
an DRUMGOOLAND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Session The charity trustees of the congregation ale 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 congre8ation 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 elder5 of the congregation. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator. the minister 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. On 31, August 2023 Rev Cleland resigned as minister and consequently the congregation is vacant under the care of the Presbytery of Iveagh. Rev A Downey was appointed convenor of the vacancy on 1st September 2023. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate oversight of a congregation is the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintend5 generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Drumgooland congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Iveagh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
Presbyter an DRUMGOOLAND 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. administrative 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 minsters 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. Drumgooland 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 Scripture5, and exists to love and honour God through faith in His Son and by the power of His Spirit, and to enable its members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregation's mission purpose is to: Worship God and glorify His holy name. Proclaim the Good News of the Gospel through word and life 50 that people of all ages are drawn to a personal saving faith in Jesus Christ. Develop discipleship as we grow together as followers of Christ through worship, Bible study, prayer and mutual encouragement and support. Experience fellowship as God's people. united in a common faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord and committed to one another in practical love. Express our faith through acts of service - usinE the gifts and abilities God has given each of us to serve His purposes both in the church and in the wider world. The congregation aims to live out its Mi55ion and Vision os o family of God's people by being." •A Gospel centred church where the Good New5 of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection for sinners 15 proclaimed. We aim to see people of all ages come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and make Him known. A family church where everybody, from the youngest to the oldest are welcome and can feel at home. A community church. We are part of the community and we seek to reach out to and serve the members of the local community. Everyone is welcome to our services and activities. A friendly church. We would like to assure you that you will receive a warm welcome at any of our services and organisations. We would be delighted to see you.
Presbyter an DRUMGOOLAND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) AcfiviTIES 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 and has a wide range of organisations including: Bible Study and Prayer Group Bowling Club Boys Brigade Girls Brigade Good Companions Mothers and Toddlers Presbyterian Women Sunday School Youth Fellowship ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.00 am. 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 gave thanks for faithful service and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2022 there were 100 communicant members and 110 families connected with the congregation. The average week attendance at morning worship is 60-70 at present. 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 or elders.
an DRUMGOOL4ND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEE5 ANNUAL REPORT (convd) Mission and outreach The congregation continues to support a number of missions and charities. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission 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, asslsts congregations with the deployment of locally based staff. enable5 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 congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The congregation also contributes to the denomination's annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School project 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 congregation and the wider structures of the church. General Assemblv The minister and one of our elder5 were norninated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Chu rch in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June. Property No major repairs or refurbishments to our property were carried out this year.
an DRUMGOOIAND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conYd} Organisations On Sunday mornings the Sunday School and Bible class meet from 10-11.Ix)am. The Boys. Brigade normally meets in Drumgooland church hall from 6.30 -9.15pm each Monday evening ISept-March/April}. Different age groups are catered for rangingfrom Anchor Boys {Pl-P41, Junior Section {P5-P71 and Company Section (Year 8-141. On average about 30 boys attend the BB. Normally from Septemberto April the Bowling Club meets each Thursday evening in Drumgooland church hall. The Bowling Club has 15 plus members. They regularly play against other local clubs, with matches taking place at Drumgooland Church Hall and at the premises of the other clubs. Normally each Wednesday morning our hall is used by our mothers and toddlers. group. "Little Acorns" 15 plus children and their carers would normally attend. The group would usually meet in the Drumgooland church hall from 9.45am until 11.15am. Once a month on Thursday Morning Good Companions meets. l(k15 would normally attend with different speakers each month. Each Friday evening the Girls. Brigade normally meets in the church from 7.15 -9.00pm {Sept- March/Aprill. Different age groups are catered for ranging from Baby Explorers (3-5 years), Explorers15- 8 years,) Juniors18-11), Senior5 {12- 14 years). Brigaders114-18 year51. Our Youth Fellowship 'lgnite' meets fortnightly on Sunday evenings 7.00-8.30pm {Sept-Junel alternating between Drumgooland church hall and Kilkinamurry Presbyterian Women normally meets the first Tuesday evening of every month. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of theirtime byserving on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities.
an DRUMGOOLAND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conYdl PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its members and the Eeneral public by making known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ throu8h 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'5 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 15 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 service5 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 off ice 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 member5, their families, other individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and ind irect 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 DRUMGOOLAND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconyd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members. contribution5 through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 60 families contributing during the year [110 contributors in previous year, 20211 donating a total of £55,463 (£36,737 in previous year. 2021) Total Income of the congregation during the year was £89,424, compared to £63,182 in the previous year. Total expenditure increased to £96.660 from £71,151 in the previous year. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILrriES 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 £250,1X(), the Trustees have elected 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 conEregation'5 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 8 Ociober 2023 and signed on its behalf by Rev A Downey Dr A Che5tnutt