an SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Ststements for the year ended 31 December 2025 R•gist•r•d Charity in Northern Ireland: NIC105110
SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 2025 The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 Dember 2025 induding a Statement of Assets and Liabilities at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Second Dromara Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 4 Begney Hill Road Dromara, Dromore. Co Down BT25 2AT Registered Charity in Northem Ireland (NIC105110) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who seNed during the year or who Vre Trustees at the date of this report were: Mr Samuel Bingham Mrs Irene Burrows Mr Les Carson Mr Herbie Chambers Mr Steven Cuthbertson Mr Richard Kemaghan Mr Jeffrey Patterson PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Convenor. Rev Dr Allen Sleith (until 31 October 2025) Rev Paul Jamison (from 1 November 2025) Mr Richard Kemaghan Mrs Irene Burrows Clerk of Session: Treasurer= Secretary: Mr Johnny Graham INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Ivan Shannon & Co. Chartered Accountants, 39 Church Street. Ballynahinch. Co Down, BT24 8AF BANKERS Danske Bank, 62 - 66 Bow Street. Lisbum BT28 1YS SOLICITORS W G Maginness & Son Ltd, 68 Bow Street, Lisbum, BT28 1AL
SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 2025 STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Session The Charty Trustees of the congregation are the members of rts Kirk Session. Under the congregation's governing document, The Code, which is the book of the Constitution and Government ofthe Presbyterian Church in Ireland. the Kirk Session SkS to watch over and promote the spiritual interests of the congregation and of persons not connected with any congregation who are within its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in pla in the congregation and seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and Servi in the local community. The Kirk Session has delegated to the Congregational Committee responsibilty for handling the temporal affairs of the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister of the congregation and the ruling elders of the congregalion. All members are entitled to propose, speak, and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Mc¥lerator. the minister in active duty in the congregation. has no deliberative. but only a casting vote. Meetings of the Kirk Session are held at least lce in each year or as required. To be chosen for the Offi of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant of its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the Offi can be either by the congregation or by the Kirk Session. Members are elected rf they obtain the support of two-thirds of the those who vote. Pre3bytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland fonn of govemance 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. Second Dromara congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Dromore Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The congregation was represented at regular meetings of the Presbytery by the Convenor and one of the elders. This provides an important link betreen the congregation and the wider structures of the church. 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 giSlatiVe, administrative and judicial authority in dealing with all matters brought before tt. 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 ministers and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of eaGh congregation.
SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT 2025 OUR PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Second Dromara 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 GCKI through faith in His Son and by the power of His Spirtt, and to enable her members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. OUR MISSION AND OBJECTIVES Second Dromara congregation's mission is to glonfy the one and only true God and extend His Kingdom as we point people to Jesus and their need for a personal faith in Him as their Saviour and Lord. We seek to live out our mission by being a welcoming church family: where ordinary people come togetherto worship God and our extraordinary Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ that seeks to honour and serve Jesus, not just on Sundays, but every day in everything we do that makes. grows and nurtures disciples, encouraging them and enabling them to share their faith with confidence that reaches out to people of all ages and backgrounds in the wider community to demonstrate the love of Christ. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation continues to meet forworship every Sunday at 11.00am. Everyone is welcome to attend worship, vthether members of the congregation or not. At the mid-point in the Sunday moming sepiice from September to May, children and young people leave the service for age-appropriate aotivities. Children from 3 -10 years of age attend Shine on Sunday where they praise God using child-friendly worship songs, leam a memory verse, and listen to the Gospel message taught in creative ways. During the summer months Children's Church replaS Shine on Sunday. Twenty-two children were registered wtth Shine on Sunday in 2025. Young people from Year 7 upwards also leave at the mid-point of the service to attend Bible Class where they have an opportunity to discuss the Bible in a warm. relaxed setting. Six young people registered for Bible Class in 2025. A creche is also provided on Sunday momings for parents with very young children. The creche has a monitor which all0v those present to watch a live stream of the seN1.
SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 2025 At 31$t December 2025 there were 179 families under the pastoral care of the congregation and 127 communicant members. The average weekly attendance at morning worship during the year was 125. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper VRS observed on four cas1onS during the year. All who have been baptised and who have made a profession of fatth in the Lord Jesus Christ are admitted to the Lord's Supper. Bible study and prayer meetings were held on Wednesday evenings at 8.00pm. Pastoral care Members of the congregation, including those who are unable to attend church due to sickness, age or infirmty Vre vistted by the Convenor, the Stated Supply Minister or one of the elders. Mission In 2025 Second Dromara undertook to support prayerfully, as well as financially through fund-raising activities, a number of missionary organisations. including The Tanzanian Christian Farni Development Trust, Belfast Cty Mission (BCM), One Mission Society (OMS) and Tearfund. In addttion, the congregation contributed financially to 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 undertake mission and outreach on a denominational basis beyond what the congregation would do on its own. Outreach Second Dromara congregation has continued to play an active role in Dromara Connect, the Christian outreach group, comprising a number of local churches from the village and surrounding area. The group. which is volunteer run and led by committed Christians, holds regular prayer meetings and other Christian gatherings and organises events and activities which serve the needs of the local community. Recognising the importance of outreach in the local community. the congregation continued to employ a Communty OLrtreach Worker on a full-time basis. Key elements of the Outreach Workerfs role during the year included running a monthly All Age Service., continuing to develop Café Hope", working alongside volunteers to run various organisations and activities for children and young people" growing connections wtthin the local community,. and, where needed. providing some pastoral care for people within the congregation. Café Hope, our Sunday evening Outreach programme, met in the Connect Hall on the first and third Sundays of each month from January to April and again from September to December. It provides a relaxed and informal setting where people of all ages can meet, chat and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee or a milkshake. listen lo live Christian music and hear about
SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT 2025 the hope found in Jesus. The attendance on Sunday evenings ranged from beeen 30-50 people of all ages both from the ¢xJngregation and the wider community. The new year began with a quiz and dessert evening, while the theme for the following meetings was 'Look Again at Jesus,. when we considered how He is Gocrfj. True and Beautiful. These evenings were interspersed with two vistting speakers, the first of whom spoke about his work in Castlewellan and the second spoke about the work of Open Doors. As always music was provided by Revive, our praise band as well as other visiting musicians. The Dernber meeting was particularly special with music and poetry from Dromara Primary School choir. More than 80 people were in attendance on Ihat evening with many of the children's parents coming along for the first time. The Connect Hall was the venue also for two other major outreach events during the year, namely: BBQ held in May 2025, which was attended by over 100 people, of whom approximately 20 belonged to other churches in the area and 35 were not members of any church, but came along because of connections made through our organisations- and on 121h July. when Dromara was the venue for one of the larger parades, we used the Connect Hall to provide much needed shelter from the hot sun. free refreshments and hospitality to approximately 250 people. The Shine Holiday Bible Club is an important means of reachi out to children within the wider communty. It met from 30th June- 4th July from 6.45pm - 8.15pm with 64 individual children, aged 4- 11 years, attending throughout the vEek. A total of around 45 people from the congregation volunteered to help make this happen. This year's theme was based on the book of Jonah, using reSoUrS produced by Farth in Kids. The Friday evening BBQ and games, which because of inclement weather had to be moved at the last minute from its usual venue to the church hall, saw the biggest turnout of children and parents in renI years. The busy week finished with a well-attended all- age Se1 in the church hall. Outreach work continued over the summer yth 14 young people and 6 leaders participating in a number of events. In addition. 35 people enjoyed a coach trip to the Uster-American Folk Park followed by a BBQ at Gortin Glen. Two hikes in the Mournes were also well attended over the summer. In December 2025, as well as an Evening of Carols in the Connect Hall and Carols by Candlelight in the church building, more than 30 peop from the church and the communty joined together to sing carols at various prearranged venues around the village, finishing with Christrnas refreshments in the Connect Hall. The Living Room, a drop-in for parents with their primary-aged children and toddler siblings, is an outreach programme organised in conjunction with Dromara Connect. It runs on Tuesday aftemoons from 2.00pm - 4.00pm during tem-time in the Connect
SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT 2025 Hall and provides a safe, dry. and warm Spa where children and parents can meet with others. As well as toys and games there is space for the children to complete homework with tea, coffee, milkshakes. and nibbles available for all. Each week 35 - 45 adutts and children attend. not only from Dromara Primary School, but also from Fairhill Primary School and St Michaels Primary School. which are located in neighbouring settlements. From September to Dember the Communty Outreach Worker spoke once a month at the assemblEs of two local primary schools. Having become aware of a growing number of young people between 16-20 years in church, a monthly group commenced in September 2025 aimed specifically at this age group. Six young people met with the Communty Outreach Worker on three different evenings. Organisations Dromara Kids, Club Dromara Kids, Club meets every Monday evening during temi time from September - May (25 evenings), the younger age-group (Years 3 and 4) from 6.30- 7.30pm and the older age group (Years 5 - 7) from 7.30pm- 8.30pm. In totsl 53 children registered as members during 2025. The aim of the Club is to give children a safe and fun Pla to spend time with their friends and to communicate the good news of Jesus to them. Each evening there are fun group games followed by a thr&-week rotation of crafts, games and baking in the hall kitchen while football takes pla in the main hall. Thirteen leaders are involved in this Club- seven adults and six junior leaders under 18 years of age. BANG (Building A New Generation) Overall, 21 young people aged 11-18 years met on 14 occasions during the year. On average 11 young people came to each meeting. Meetings take pla either in the Connect Hall orthe church hall. The young people enjoy fun activities and consider what God says in His Word, the Bible. SÈX members of BANG are involved as junior leaders in Dromara Kids, Club and three former members help as leaders. Little Lambs Little Lambs, our Parents and Toddlers Group, meets in the church hall each Tuesday morning from 10.30am- 12 noon from September- May during tenn-time. The aim of the group is to help babies and toddlers develop social and physical skills through play, craft and singing and to provide opportuntties for parents and carers to meet, chat and relax in a Christian environment. Facilities were enhan in 2025 wrth the purchase of new child-friendly chairs and tables, part financed by a grant from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT 2025 With 42 babies and toddlers registered in 2025 and an average attendan of 30 children each week it is a busy and purposeful moming, enjoyed by parents. children and volunteers alike. Special events during 2025 included a Teddy Bear's Picnic at Easter and a Christmas paty where the children Vre entertained by a fa painter and a balloon modeller and reiVed gifts from Father Christmas, including an age- appropriate Christian book. Girls. Brigade The Girls, Biigade mts from September to March on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm- 8.30pm in the church hall. During a successful parent's night, held in March which concluded the 2024r25 session, a presentation was made to one of the OffirS who had completed 50 years in the company. This also marked the 55th year of the company in Second Dromara. The new session began in September 2025 with 35 girls and leaders, including some new members. The annual enrolment service, led by Rev George Mcclelland, was held in October wilh a good attendan of girls, parents and friends of the company. A variety of activities took place during the year, including Bible study (led on some occasions by women from the congregation), cookery, drill, dance and various crafts. all aimed not just at having fun, but most importantly. leaming more about Jesus. A visit to the pantomime before Christmas for the company sects'on and a party for the Explorers with Jump, Jiggle and Jive marked the end of 2025. Boys, Brigade 1st Dromara Boys, Brigade is under the oversight of four Dromara churches, namely First Dromara PreSberian, Second Dromara Presbyterian, Dromara Refomied Presbyterian and St John's Church of Ireland. The Junior Section of the Company meets in Second Dromara church hall on Wednesday evenings from mid-september to the end of March. Twenty boys, supported by 4 leaders. attended in 2025 and enjoyed a range of activtties including drill, physical recreation, games, and craft, with teaching by various methods to explain the basics of Christianty as we seek to fuffil the Boys, Brigade objective i.e. 'the advanment of Christ's Kingdom among boys.. Presbyterian Women (PW) The PW meets on the second Monday of each month from September- March. In 2025 between 10 - 15 women attended meetings. The aim of PW is to encourage women to live for Jesus and to reach out to others to share God's love as well as to enjoy the friendship and support of each other. The theme for the 2025126 session is °God... ever present.. rooted in Psalm 46'.1: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" which recognizes God's constant presence, offering comfort, strength, and protection in all cirCumstans.
SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 2025 The session ComMend with a bulb-planting evening, the results of which were evident in photographs of hyacinths and daffodils in lovely bowls at Christmas time. The programme continued with speakers from a variety of backgrounds addressing members on how they felt GCMJ was ever present in their lives. Members also enjoyed an outing to Hillsborough Castle in June 2025 where they were able to reflect on God's presence in the beauty of the flowers and trees of the Castle gardens. The Annual PW service took pla in April 2025 with guest speaker Roberta Irvine, Deaconess in Elmwood Presbyterian Church. Lisburn. Bowling Club The Bowling Club meets on Thursday evenings from September to March with a total of 17members. Sadly, two of the older members decided to reti at the end of the 2024125 season but the Club was delighted toWelcomeO new members in September 2025. Club play continued every Thursday night interspersed with friendly matches against local clubs. Internal competitions for trophies were held in the lead up to Christmas and will continue in March 2026. The Annual Dinner and Presentation of Awards will be held in April 2026. Property The Church Committee continues to provide oversight, Maintenan and development of the congregation's buildings and grounds to ensure they remain fft for purpose. As well as nomial grounds Maintenan work and the annual servicing of boilers, fire extinguishers. the fire alarm system and portable appliance testing, full electrical safety testing was carried out. Offerings received on Gfft Day and Harvest in both 2024 and 2025 were set aside specifically for the refurbishment of the church hall. This work was carried out during the summer of 2025 and included painting both the inside and outside of the hall as well as fffting new curtains for the stage and windows. and the provision of a number of new notice boards for use by the various organisations. Within the meeting house modrfications were carried out to the sound desk to facilitate new audio and video equipment and a number of monitors were installed within the building, replacing a single projection screen. A monitorwas installed also in the creche, enabling those using that facility to view the service. The creche was also made more child-friendly with a nursery rhyme themed mural, painted by a young member of the congregation who is a talented artist. Volunteers The Trustees wish to express their sincere appreciation to all those who give freely of their time and talents to serve Jesus whether through their work on committees; leading and helping with organisations,. playing the organ or as a member of the choir or praise band; managing the sound and VKleo recording systems" meeting and greeting visitors"
SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT 2025 helping with refreshments after church servIs, at Café Hope and other events,. cleaning and caretaking duties,. or any of the numerous other related and equally important activities that are required. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefft requirement by making known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion. The direct benefits which Ilow 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 beliets and standards in the local community such as through the care of those in need (including those who are sick, disabled or bereaved). Generally, the above benefrts are delivered locally by congregations and their members or are facilitated through presbyteries or are organised and delivered ntrally. Local delivery is facilitated by central resources in almost all cases. Public aCsS is made known using not1boardS, printed material. press advertisements, websff(es and social media or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and Inft)nal and ad-hoc feedback from members, their families and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefft flowing from our purpose relates to Ministers, Missionaries, DeanesSeS, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who re1ve benefits as a result of their holding Offi or employment. However, this is incidental and neSSary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefits. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members. their families, other individuals with whom the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in directand indirect contact, the community in which pastoral ServIS are provided and other communrties throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and worldwide which benefit from our engagement wff(h, 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 Commission's statutory guidance on the public benefit requirement. FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of incorne is members, contributions through the weekly Freewill Offering. In 2025 121 families contributed to the Freewill Offering (2024.121). Contributions increased in 2025 (2025: £60,846., 2024: £58,619).
SECOND DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 2025 The congregalion's totsl income in 2025, induding restricted and unrestrtcted funds. was £114,123 (2024: £105,482). an overall increase of £8,641. In 2025 unrestricted funds total £83.366 (2024: £80.226) and restricted funds totslled £30,757 (2024: £25,256). Total expenditure, including of organisations, in 2025 was £131,600 (2024: £103.657) an increase of £27,943. The increase in expenditure was due to neSSary work being undertaken to update audio visual provision in the meeting house and refurbish the church hall. Payments from General Fund (unrestricted) totalled £90,163 (2024: £82.145). Payments from restricted funds. which include the funds of the various organisations linked to the Church. totslled £41,437 (2024: £40,731). GOING CONCERN The activities of the congregatsn are dependent on ongoing contributions from its members. The Trustees are ofthe opinion that the congregation has sufficient reSoUrS at the date of the approval of the financAal ststements to meet mmItinents which will arise in the year from the date of the signing of this report and, subject to the continuing support from members, to fund on an ongoing basis the congregation's current activities and other financial commttsnents. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the corKJregation in accordan with the applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice. As the congregation's total income dS not exceed £250,0(K) the Trustees have electaj under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northem IrelarKI) 2008 to prepare a receipts and payments account and a statement of a&8ets and liabiltties. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are suFfiGient to show and explain the congregation's transactions and disclose wrth reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hen for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Th18 report and the accompanying accounts were approved by the Trustees at a meeting held on 2T March 2026. Signed on behalf of the Trustees by io