+ Church of Ireland
A wO￿l)ce ol the Cooinjyiiioi)
ST MELLAN'S PARISH CHURCH. AGHADERG, LOUGHBRICKLAND
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
The trustees present the Annual Report and Statement of Receipts and Payments and Assets and
5t
Liabilities for St Mellan's Church, Aghaderg Parish for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Objectives and ActivSties
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.
The principal function of St Mellan's Church, Aghaderg Parish is to 5UPPOrt the advancement of the
Christian religion by promotin& through the work of St Mellan's Church, Aghaderg Parish, the
whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and
engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help are fundamental to
the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity.
As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, St Mellan's Church,
Aghaderg Parish has custody of property and of records. materials and artefacts of significance to
the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the select vestry of
St Mellan's Church, Aghaderg Parish.
Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit 2022 {2021 in brackets)
The Parish continued to have regular services of worship throughout the year 2022. This year we
were allowed to meet every Sunday with no restrictions due to Covid, which was a good thing.
Services continued to be broadcast each week on the parish YouTube channel and Facebook page.
There were 52 {401 in-person main Sunday morning worship services in 2022 (20211 with an
average congregation of 27 {27). The average number of communicants each month was 22 (21).
As well as 6 {41 other Occasional Services, there were 2 (2) Baptisms, 011) Marriages, 7 {10) Burials
15 parishioners, 2 non-parishioners). On Christmas Day at service was held in Aghaderg and the
attendance was 20 {10)- For a few months a mid-week Holy Communion service was held. shared
with Scarva and the average attendance was 515). This year we had a Confirmation Service in the
group and 3 members of this parish were confirmed.
Pastoral work and visiting remained difficult in 2022 when restriction5 were in place and especially
in the settings of hospital and care homes, but as the year progressed restrictions were easing and
more visits were possible.
Church organisations include a Ladies Guild group and a Sunday School. The Sunday School
teachers have been vetted through Access Nl and we have officers in place in line with the Church
of Ireland Policy on Safeguarding Trust. The new parish-wide Youth Fellowship started up in
November 2022 and is going very well, with a healthy membership and leaders in place.
Page I

+ Church of Ireland
ST MELLAN'S PARISH CHURCH, AGHADERG, LOUGHBRICKLAND
TRU5TEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)
Repair5 and general maintenance were continued on the Church property during 2022.
During 2022 renovations took place on the old Rectory on the Banbridge Road and the house was
brought up to a liveable standard, it has now been rented out and a monthly income is coming into
the accounts of Aghaderg Church. The Parish along with Scarva and Donaghmore purchased a
property for the curate to live in, Aghaderg paying 45% of the total. The house 15 Situated in
Oaklands, Loughbrickland, number 15.
The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's
guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to
achieve the Parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit. As well as
providing burial facilities for non-parishioners with historic family connection5 to the Parish. the
Parish continues to maintain the rich cultural. historic and architectural heritage of St Mellan's
Church which is open to visitors upon request.
Financial Review 202212021 in brackets)
The income into the Parish's general fund from various sources was £110,594 {£54,103) with
outgoing5 of £186.044 (£44,075) giving a deficit of £75,090 (£10,028).
st
The bank and cash in hand balance at 31 December 2022 was £25,0371£96,709}. The balance of
investments held within the RCB Investment funds was £36,723 {£40.1411. It is the trustee'5 policy
to hold sufficient reserves to cover unexpected emergencies, to build up funds to pay for future
maintenance to the Church. Parish hall and grounds, and to further the objectives and activities of
the Church of Ireland.
Going Concern
The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are
adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activities and the financial
statements for the year ended 2022 can be signed off as a going concern.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document ond Constltutlon of the Chority
Chapter 111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial
Organisations. The select vestry members are the charity trustees.
Page 2

+ Church of Ireland
A ￿.0￿lf](e ¢1 the knwjran ConJnI¥in￿
ST MELLAN'S PARISH CHURCH. AGHADERG. LOUGHBRICKLAND
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Icontlnued)
Recruitment ond Appointment of Select Vestry (Trustees)
All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 and are either resident within the
parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least three
months, may register as members of the general vestry of the parish, allowing them to attend and
vote at meeting of the general vestry and to stand for election to the select vestry. Meeting of the
general vestry are held at least once a year. The select vestry is
elected as part of the general vestry meeting. The select vestry will hold their positions for a period
of one year. Select vestry members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number
of terms which may be served.
Pay and remuneratlon
The Rev Rodney Magennis remains in the fole of Diocesan Curate with special responsibilities for
the Grouped Parishes of Aghaderg, Donaghmore and Scarva, where he received a stipend, office
and locomotory allowance directly from the Parishes in accordance with figures approved by the
General Synod of the Church of Ireland. The Aghaderg Parish pays 45% of this sum which came to
£1,012.59 per month in 2022.
The trustee Mrs Anne Mccullough received £1,265 in 2022 for playing the organ.
The trustee Miss Hilary Fegan received £46 in 2022 for playing the organ.
The trustee Mr Raymond Fegan's company ID7 RGF Ltd) was paid £34,020 for works to the old
rectory and £360 in respect of white goods supplied for the 'new' rectory.
Organisational Structu
The select vestry is responsible for the day to day management of the Parish. The select vestry
consists of the member of the clergy serving in the Parish, the church wardens, the Glebe wardens
and generally not more than twelve other members of the general vestry as elected.
The select vestry is chaired by the member of the clergy officiating at the Parish. Select vestry
members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to
the Parish including deciding how Parish funds are to be applied.
The select vestry meets at times fixed by the members or by the Diocesan Synod. Special meetings
may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the church warden5.
Compliance with Public Benefit
The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's
guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped
achieve the parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.
Page 3

+ Church of Irelanc
ST MELLAN'S PARISH CHURCH. AGHADERG. LOUGHBRICKLAND
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (continued)
statement of Trustees. Responsibilitie5
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the statement of receipts anc
payments and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with income of less than £250,000 requires thE
trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payment5 and a statement of assets and liabilitiec
for each financial year.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain
the Parish's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilitiec
of the Parish. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Parish and hence for
taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the trustees
Trustee I
Trustee 2
Date
o&g.L_ 2L)23
Page 4