Presbyter an Creggan Presbyterian Church a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022 Re8lstered wlth the Charlty Comrnlsslon for Northern Ireland NICIOS118
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS Creggan Congregation of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland 20 Cloghoge Road. Cullyhanna. Newry, BT35 OLS Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC105118) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who Served durlng the year or who were trustees at the date of this report are: Rev. Robert Mcaure Mr. Cyrll Feely Mr. Davld Smyth Mr. Phlllp Johnston PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Rev. Robert Mcclure Clerk of Session Mr. Cyrll Feely Church Secretary Mr, Jonathan McBlrney Treasurer Mr. Nlgel Robb
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Sesslon The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congregatlon's governlng document, The Code, the book of the constltutlon and government of the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland, the Klrk Ses51on seeks to watch over and promote the spiritual Interest of the congregatlon and of persons not connected with any con8re8atlon who are within its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place In the con8regatlon and seeks to fvrther the contrlbution of the Church to Chrlstlan wltness and servlce In the local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the con8re8atlon Includln8 administerlng all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Klrk Sesslon conslsts of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the con8re8atlons. All members are entltled to propose. speak and exerclse equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the mlnlsters In active duty in the congregation, has no deliberatlve but only a casting vote. Stated meetlngs of the Klrk sesslon are held at least twlce In each year or as approprlate. To be chosen for the offlce of the eldership In the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant of Its ordlnances. The selectlon of those proposed to be called to the offi, can be elther by the con8regatlon or by the Klrk Session. Members are elected if they obtain two-thlrds of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church In Ireland form of governance the corporate overslght of a congregation is the responslblllty of a Presbytery whlch 5uperlntends generally the splrltual and temporal affalrs of the congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Creg8an Con8regation of the Presbyterlan Church ha5 been assigned to the Newry Presbytery of the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland. The membershlp of the Presbytery consists mainly of the actwe mini5ter5 of congre8ation5 aS5i8ned to it by the General Assembly, mlnisters who have retired froffl active duty and an elder appointed by the Klrk Se551on of each congregatlon.
Presbyter an TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) The General Assembly The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representlng In one body the whole Church and actln8 as its supreme le8i51ative, administration and Judlclal authorlty, 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 buslness It Is dlssolved. The membership of the General Assembly conslsts malnly of the actlve mlnlster5 of each congregatlon, retlred mlnlsters and a representatlve elder appolnted by the Klrk Sesslon of eath congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Cre88an Congregatlon 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 Chrlst is grounded In the Scripture5, and exists to love and honour God through falth In HIS Son and by the power of His Spirit, and to enable her members to play their part In fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregatlons, mlsslon purpose Is by the 8race of God, to help people of all age5 become fully devoted followers of Jesus Chrlst. Our vlslon Isi by the 8race of God, to be an inclusive, welcomin8 community of Chrlst's people of all ages, whlch: Is Increa51n8ly characterlsed by love for God, and love and concern for other5. Is committed to the historic Christian 8ospel as revealed In the Blble; Is relevant to people of this tlme and place. The congregation alms to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God's people by belng: A Covenant Communlty: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by livin8 falthfully toward hlm and toward one another An Intergenerational Community: where adults Intentlonally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. An Outward looking Community: where we want the blessin85 of God that belong to us In the gospel to become blessings for others beyond the bounds of our community. As a congregation of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland, we belleve that the Blble is the supreme authorlty over all we do, and that the Westminster Confession of Faith, along wlth the Larger and Shorter Catechlsms set out what we understsnd the 8ible teaches on key matters of Christian falth and practlce.
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The congregatlon meets for worshlp every Sunday and vlsltors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper Is observed on several occaslons durlng the year and all th05e who have been baptlsed and who have made a profession of falth In the Lord Je5U5 Christ are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregatlon holds regular Blble study meeting5 and has a wlde range of or8anlsations including Sunday School Presbyterlan Women ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Wor5hlp and prayer The congregation normally meets for worshlp each Sunday at 10.30am and 7.(X)pm. During the week the Bible Study/Prayer meetlng provldes an opportunity for members to meet tO8ether for fellowshlp, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. At 31 December 2022 there were 32 communlcant members and 24 familles connected wlth the con8re8atlons. Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or a8e are visited on a regular basis by the mlnlster and elders.
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) Mlsslon and outreach At a local level the congregatlon held several special Midweek meetings durlng the year where mlsslonary speakers were Invlted to come and speak to those present concerning their work. These meetings were supported by other local fellowships from the dlstrlct outslde of our denomlnatlon. The congregation sUPPOrts the Unlted Appeal for Mlsslon whlch is a central fund of the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland. Thls fund enable5 con8re8ation5 to SUPPOrt the wlder misslon of the denomlnatlon and to do mlsslon and outreach on denominational basls beyond what the congregatlon could do on its own. The United Appeal Fund provldes flnancial 5UPPOrt for mlssion personnel at home and overseas, a5slsts congregatlons with the deployment of locally based staff, enable5 ¢hurch plantin8, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, assist wlth the runnlng costs of Unlon Theologlcal College, the Church's trainln8 college for minlstry students, and financially supports congregations In the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadershlp and pastoral Care. During 2022 the con8re8ation also contributed to the work of: Ukralne Appeal. Presbytery The congregatlon was represented at the regular meetln8s of Presbytery by our minister and / or one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congre8ations and the wlder structures of the church. General Assembly The mlnlster and one of our elders were nomlnated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland held In Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in the month of June 2022. Property As our property15 In a good general state of repalr we had no major expendlture on property during 2022.
an TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) Or8anlsatlons Sunday School met each Sunday moming durin8 the months of February to June (10:15am until 11:00am) and September to December (10:15am until 11:00am) during 2022. It was normally attended by 11 chlldren from the age of 4 to 13 years and taught by 6 Sunday School teachers on a rota basls. The chlldren would sing as well as learn catechlsm, and were taught Bible lessons by thelr teachers. All teachers had the appropriate child protection training. Due to the Corona Virus Pandemlc the Presbyter5an Women dld not meet for a number of month5 In 2022. Meetings were held for fellowship, discusslon and support of various mlsslonary organisations. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciatlon of those who glve freely of thelr tlme by serving on commlttees and helpln8 With or8anlsatlons and other church actlvitles.
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convdl PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterlan Church In Ireland meets the publlc benefit requirement by provlding benefit to it5 members and the Beneral public by makin8 known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Chr15t through the advancement of religion. The direct benefits which flow from the purposes of the Church include the 8alnln8 of an understanding in Christlan beliets as set out in the Bible and in the Church's subordlnate standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechlsms) leadln8 to splrltual and moral development and opportunltles for response to Blble teaching. In turn, thls framework leads to practical expressions of Chrlstlan bellefs and standards In the local communlty such as through the care of those In need (Includlng the sick, d15abled and bereaved). Generally the above beneflts are dellvered locally by con8regatlons and thelr members, or are facllitated throu8h presbyterles or are organised and dellvered centrally. Local dellvery is facilitated by central resources In almost all cases. Publlc access Is made known through the use of notlce boards, prlnted materlal, press advertlsement, websltes, and soclal medla or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated throu8h re8ular evaluation of the services and informal and ad-hoc feedback from members, thelr famllles, and members of the publlc. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose 15 related to Mlnlsters, Mlsslonarles, Deaconesses, Irlsh Mlsslon workers and Lay Agents who recelve benefit5 as a result of their holding office or employment. However, thls15 incldental and necessary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefits. The beneflclarles of thls purpose are members, thelr famllles, other Indlvlduals that the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland Is In direct and Indlrect contact wlth, the communlty In whlch pastoral servlces are provlded and other communltles throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwlde whlch benefit from our engagement wlth and 5UPPQrt for both Chrlstlan and other secular organlsatlons, charities and indivldual members of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charlty Commissions public benefit requlrement statutory guidance.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregatlon's main source of Income is members, contributlons through the Weekly Freewill Offerlng. There were 24 regular contrlbutors during the year 2022. The Congregations total Income for the year 2022 was £26.153 and the total expenditure was £26,153. RESPONS181LITIES IN RESPEcf OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Trustees are responsible for preparlng the Annual Report and the flnanclal statements In accordan with appllcable law and United Kingdom Generally ACpted Accountln8 Prartlce. The Trustees are responsible for keeplng adequate accountin8 records that are sufficlent to Show and explain the funds transactlons and disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any tlme the flnanclal posltlon of the con8re8ation. They are also responslble for safeguarding the assets of the congregatlon and hence for takin8 reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other Irregularities. As the con8re8ation's totsl Income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under section 64(3) of the Charltles Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 to prepare a recelpts and payments account. Th15 Flnancial Account. for the year 2022, has been adopted by the congregation, approved by the Church Committee and audlted by Mr. Colin Whiteside, Newry. A copy of this Financlal Account wlll be submltted to the Charlty Commlsslon (Northern Ireland) with the Trustees Report Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 30 behalf by Rev. Robert Mcclure Minister Mr. Cyril Feely Clerk of Session