2020-12-31-annual-report

Newcastle Presbyterian Church

Trustees Report 2020[1]

The Trustees of Newcastle Presbyterian Church (NPC) are the members of Kirk Session (KS), which includes the Minister, Rev A Boreland. Rev Boreland acts as Moderator of all meetings of Kirk Session. The members of KS are appointed in accordance with the rules of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland[(1).]

Minutes are recorded by the Clerk of Session.

The work of Kirk Session is supported by a Committee elected by the Church members. The membership of both Kirk Session and Committee are all volunteers chosen from the congregation.

As a general rule, apart from July and August, Kirk Session meet on the third Tuesday of alternate months aligning our meetings with Committee. There were 8 face to face meetings in 2020 with all other business being done online. Each meeting commences with devotions led by Rev Boreland, a time of open prayer and we also close with prayer.

Public benefit statement

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its members and the general public by the advancement of religion, specifically by making known the Christian Gospel as found in the Holy Bible. The direct benefits include the gaining of an understanding of Christian beliefs which lead to spiritual and moral development through Bible teaching. This in turn leads to practical outworking of Christian belief in the local community through spiritual and temporal care of all (including those in special need). Local action is supported by centrally organised resources and events. public access is made known through word of mouth, noticeboards, public advertising and social media. Benefits are evaluated by formal and informal feedback from members of the church and from the public. The benefit does not lead to harm. The only private benefit coming from our purpose relates to Ministers, missionaries and lay agents who receive benefits as a result of holding office or employment. The wider beneficiaries of our purpose are members of the church and their families, individuals who are in direct or

1 The Book of the Constitution and Government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (the Code) available for download from www.presbyterianireland.org.

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indirect contact with the church and other communities through NI, or indeed worldwide which benefit from our support for both Christian and secular organisations, charities and individual members of the public.

The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions public benefit requirement statutory guidance.

Aims and purpose

KS have oversight of the aims of NPC which are set out in the rules of PCI. In summary, this is to work together with the minister in the oversight and government of the congregation, for the strengthening of God’s people in spiritual fruitfulness and holy concord, and for the extension of Christ’s kingdom among all people. In exercising this leadership the Kirk Session shall oversee and work along with other members who have leadership roles in the congregation. NPC can sum up its purpose with the phrase "Making Christ Known".

Achievements and performance

Worship Services and social activities

Although Kirk Session is responsible for personnel and all organisations within the Church and those who use our premises it is only a small part of the work of NPC in Making Christ Known. All worship services and other activities are open to all members of the community. Up to March 2020 there were two services each Sunday which allow for prayer, Bible study and singing. These services and all other activities held are open to all faith groups and all ages. Early in 2020 we held two services of Communion. In 2020 we had to change our normal pattern and we moved all Sunday Services online. From March to October our services were prerecorded and posted on social media. The reach of this method was considered using such metrics as numbers of views. Most other in person meetings were suspended over this period. From January to March, the weekday parents and tots group and creche on Sunday catered for the 0-3 year age group and their parents. Sunday School, junior badminton, Boys Brigade, Girls Brigade plus Bible study, badminton, bowls, tea and coffee mornings, fellowship groups and visitation catered for older age groups. From March to December all face to meetings and social activities were suspended and communication went onto social media. Normally there are three separate meetings for 13 -25 year olds. Our 13 - 25 year olds adapted to the changes quickly, using opportunities as lockdowns eased to meet in controlled social

settings, or to meet online when restrictions applied.

Interchurch services are usually held on a regular basis, but were suspended this year.

Interactions with the local community continued with our youth worker taking part in local primary school assemblies. An event for children from across the community was held ever the period of 1 week in late July. This is open to the children of all residents and visitors to Newcastle.

NPC continued to support local charities with finance, food and practical aid being available..

Members of the church continued to hold office on boards of local schools, some of the charities which received help and assist with running and maintaining the local foodbank.

NPC is an integral part of a local group of Presbyterian churches known as a Presbytery. NPC is part of the Presbytery of Iveagh.

General Data Protection Regulations and Child Protection are standing items on the agenda for each meeting of Kirk Session. No matters of concern were noted in 2020. Members of Session received refresher training in January. We are grateful to our approved trainers for their work.

Pastoral ministry

Rev Boreland, led Sunday Services, speaking and exhorting from the Bible both in church and online. It was difficult to evaluate the impact of online services, but views of the videos often exceeded the numbers of church members, which was encouraging. Hospital visitation by Rev Boreland, supported by retired minister Rev Quinn continued where possible.

A Prayer Action Team continues to coordinate prayer meetings across the church. A Global Mission Action Team promotes charitable works and missions not just around Newcastle, but further afield.

Church membership

Church membership has remained between 250 and 300 families in 2020. Of these around 250 people attend church each Sunday morning. While there was one baptism in 2020, sadly there were also illness and deaths, with 11 funerals being held. We are grateful to Rev. Quinn for his assistance to Rev Boreland in supporting our members and their families through difficult times.

Maintenance of social activity

The church committee held two full meetings during 2020.

Over the year the committee sought to continue to empower the church to effectively “Make Christ Known” in our community and further afield through our discussions and decisions. Maintenance and essential repairs were ongoing and strict social distancing maintained when employing contractors to repair or service facilities.

The catering team normally provides tea and coffee after church to promote a opportunity to get to know visitors and develop friendships. From March 2020 the catering teams activities were suspended.

Our audiovisual and IT systems were in great demand. Audio recordings are available after most services, and video recordings of services are available through multimedia channels.

Financial governance

The treasurer is supported by a Finance Sub Committee which reviews the monthly financial statements and the treasurer then reports to Committee at each meeting.

While Committee has overall responsibility for maintenance of church property, securing funds and dispensing monies, Kirk Session retained a monitoring role through receipt of Committee minutes at each meeting. Furthermore, members of Session also attended meetings of Committee and took part in the Finance Subcommittee meetings. The Finance Subcommittee provided recommendations to Committee on expenditure and on other issues such as banking and budgets.

The Committee have procedures in place to counting income by teams of at least 4 people and lodgements are carried out on the next working day after the church services. This procedure was suspended during the pandemic to minimise contacts and members encouraged to use online banking facilities..

Payments are made by cheque only or by standing order to utility suppliers. All cheques require 2 signatories.

While the church income is less than the £250,000 threshold for audit the

Committee appoint a qualified auditor to review the financial statements of income and expenditure. Mr Michael Daly of C Johnston & Co carried out this role in 2020 and provided a statement verifying the accounts.

The statement of Mr Daly is attached as a pdf document.

Both Committee and Session noted that our income was down, our overall expenditure also dropped in 2020 leaving a net surplus, even with the donations to support missions and charities, locally and internationally through gifts.

Access to the church books is available on request, though it should be noted that these are only available in hard copy. A statement of income and expenditure is below.

Statement of income and expenditure for year ended 31/12/2020[(1) ]

	Income(2)		£	Expenditure(3)		£
	Opening balance		30,383	PCI assessment		76,202
	Offerings		93,803	Insurance		6,900
	Gift Aid		25,406	Utilities		13,211
	Donations		37,493	Rates		2031
	Rent		35,970	Staff costs		45,388
	HMRCfurlough scheme		7,683	Maintenance		23,592
				Bank charges		1021
				Misc expenditure		21,999
				Closing balance		40,394
	Totals		230,738			230,738

Notes

• (1) The church reporting year runs from 1/1/2020 to 31/12/2020

• (2) income for 2020 was £200,355

• (3) expenditure for 2020 was £164,006

NPC does not hold any restricted funds.

NPC seeks to hold a reserve of cash at the bank equivalent to 3 months average expenditure.

Administrative information

Newcastle Presbyterian Church is located at:

39 Main Street, Newcastle, BT33 0AD, which is also the postal address of the church office.

Charities Commission NI reference NIC 105117

Minister: Rev Andrew Boreland.

Contact in respect of Charity Commission communication is:

Mr Jim King, email [e-mail], tel. [phone]