an DRUMGOOLAND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present theirAnnual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINisfRATIVE DETAILS Drumgooland congregation of the Presbyterian Chu rch in Ireland Drumgooland Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan, BT319QG Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC1050791 CHARITY TRUSTEES The Chartty Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Mr. Hubert McGaffin Mr. Kenneth Johnston Dr Alastairjames Chestnutt Mr. Joseph Whiteside PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Convenor Clerk of Session Treasurer Vacant Rev Andy Downev Dr. Alastair Chesnutt Vacant INDEPENDENT EXAMINER S.M. Vint and Company Chartered Certified Accountants 8 Newry Road, Banbridge, 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 DRUMGOOLANO CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMEKr The Kirk Session The charity tru5tee5 of the congregation are the members of it5 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 communrty. 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 consist5 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 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 forthe office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant on its ordinances. The selertion 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 Aueust 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 superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to it bythe 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. DRUMGOOLAND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) 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 rnatters brou8ht before it. The General Assembly is normally constituted duringthe first week in June forworship and to condurt its business. At the end of business, it is dissolved. The membership of the General 5embty consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired minsters and a representative elder appointed bythe 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 Scriptures, 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 lrfe so that people of all ages are drawn to a personal saving faith in Jesus Christ. Develop discipleship as we grow together as followers of Chrlst through worship, Bible studyi 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 prattical love. Expre55 our faith through acts of Se￿ICe- using the gifts and abilities God has given each of us to serve Hi5 purpose5 both in the church and in the wider world. The congregation aim5 to live out its Mission and Vision os afomily of God's people by being.. •A Gospel centred church where the Good News of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection for sinners is proclaimed. We aim to see people of all age5 come to knowjesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and make Him known. • Afamily church where everybody, from the youngestto the oldest are welcome and can feel at home. • A cornmunity church, We are part of the community and we seekto reach out to and sep4ethe members of the local community. Everyone is welcome to our seNices and activities. A friendly church. We would Ilke to assure you that you will receive a warm welcome at any of our servlces and organisations. We would be delighted to see you. an DRUMGOOLAND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd AcllviTIES AND OBJEcfivES 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 yearand 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 (Little Acorns) Presbyterian Women Sunday School Youth Fellowship {Ignitel 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 2023 there were 100 communicant members and 110 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 60 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 DRUMGOOLAND CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Mission and outreach The congregation continues to support a number of missions and charities. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mlssion 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 forthe upkeep of church premises, assist with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and financially supports congre8ations 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 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 congregation 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 No major repairs or refurbishments to our property were carried out this year. DRUMGOOLAND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) Organisations On Sunday mornings the Sunday School and Bible class meet from 10-11.00am. The Boys, Brigade normally meets in Drumgooland church hall from 6.30-9.15pm each Monday evening {Sept-March/April}. Different age groups are catered for rangingfrom Anchor Boys {Pl-P4},JuniorSection (P5-P71 and Company Section (Year 8-14). On average about 30 boys attend the BB. Normallyfrom 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 club5, 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. 10-15 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}, Explorers (5- 8 years,) Juniors (8-11), Seniors {12- 14 years). Brigaders (14-18 years). Our Youth Fellowship 'lgnite' meets fortnightly on Sunday evenings 7.00-8.30pm (Sept -Junel alternating between Orumgooland church hall and Kllkinamurry. Presbyterian Women normally meets the first Tuesday evenlng of every month. Volunteers The Trusteeswish to acknowledgetheirdeepappreciation of thosewho give freely of theirtime byseNing on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities. an DRUMGOOLAND CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'd) PUBUC BENEFITSTATEMENT 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 Ithe 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 prattical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as through the care ofthose 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 way5. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the seNices 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 holdin8 office or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary in orderto further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefits. The beneficiar.ies 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 Northem 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 PRESBYfERIAN 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 60 families contribLSting during the year160 families in the previous year, 20221 donating a total of £37,4461£34,520 in previous year, 20221 Total Income of the congregation duringthe yearwas £80,637, compared to £89,424 in the previous year. Total expenditure decreased to £62,011 from £96,660 in the previou5 year. 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 64131 of the Charities Act (Northern Irelandl 208 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of assets and liabilities. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting record5 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. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 7th August 2024 and signed on its behalf by A 3 LYV-J Rev A Downey Dr A Chestnutt