Portaferry Presbyterian, a Congregation of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland Trustees, Annual Report for the Year Ended 2021 Charity no. 105123 Date registered 0910812016 * Registered as a component element of a designated religious charity Contact Address: Mr James McDowell, 42 Cloughey Road, Portaferry, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 INQ Tel: 02842728333 The Trustees - Rev Dr Ian Dennis None on record Mr William David Mcmullan None on record Mr Ian McDonnell BEM None on record Mr James McDowell None on record Principal Office- bearers Clergy: Rev Dr S. Ian Dennis Clerk of Session: Mr James McDowell Church Treasurer: Mr lan McDonnell BEM Independent Examiners: Stanley Woods & Co Registered Auditors & Accountants Alexander House 49151 Church Street Newtownards BT20 4AN Portaferry Presbyterian Church Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022 Objectives and Activities To Make known the Christian Gospel. Portaferry is one of the first Presbyterian congregations in Ireland. It was found ed in 1642 and moved to the present site around 1662. Portaferry Presbyterian Church is used for regular Sunday worship and other religious activities. What your organisation does In September 2017 Rev Dr Ian Dennis was appointed as minister. Services of worship each Sunday at l 0.30 am open to anyone without regard to whether they are members of our congregation. Through prayer we support our members, our own church, other Christian Churches in the area, the community and leaders in society and government. There is provision for crèche and Sunday School for all young people of the appropriate age. Leaders are required to p&ss an Access NI check. Child Protection Our aim is to create and promote a safe environment for children, young people and leaders. We believe that next to proclaiming God's Word and the love of Jesus, nothing could be more important than keeping our children and young people safe. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has a child protection programme called 'Taking Care,, which advises and resources local congregations to provide a safe environment for children. young people and leaders. Our desi￿ated person and child protection coordinator is Shirley Pyper. Pastoral care Pastoral care is provided by Minister and elders of the congregation. We are pleased to have WhatsApp group which everyone can join. This is also a source of pastoral care as Prayer requests can be made by members. During 2022 there were 4 baptisms, Iwedding and 3 deaths within the congregation. Hospital visitation of the sick is conducted by the minister as well as home visits to sick and elderly. Events We organise meetings and events that support our charitable purpose. Church on Easter Sunday. Popular services include the Tenebrae service held each Good Friday. There is also a service of Carols and Lessons held the weekend prior to Christmas as well as a Christmas morning service and the annual harvest service. These regularly attract congregations of 150 - 200 people and are part of our annual outreach to the community. We are fortunate to have our main organist Professor Neil McClure ably supported by Mrs Winnifred Irvine and others on a rota basis. Mrs Tracy McDowell was appointed FWO secretary as a successor to Mr Hugh Anderson. During 2022 We continue to seek to reach out to those lightly attached to the church as well as regular church members. We have met together for church lunch at the Narrows ## **Cooperation** We participate in occasional services organised by Peninsular Clergy Group which is a cross-denominational Body. A member serves on the board of Portaferry integrated primary school. We continue to cultivate good relations with the other congregations within the town and participate in the life of the local community through working with Friends of Portaferry Church (now Portico) and Men's Shed who have use of the church hall. We are involved in local care home services organised by a member of the Methodist church. We also join with other denominations for cross community carol services each year. ## **Support of others** We participate in and support what the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the supervising Presbytery does. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of PCI. We support other secular and Christian organisations, including Newquay Singers, through volunteering, financial gifts and prayer. Our members support a number of causes such as Air Ambulance, the Royal British Legion, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Christian Aid. We support the Christmas toy appeal organised by the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul. The gifts were greatly appreciated by all recipients. Thanks The trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time helping the activities of the congregation. Public benefits 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 ChrisL 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 (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 beliefs and standards in the local community such as through the care of those in need (including the SICK disabled and bereaved). Public access is made known through the use of printed material, press advertisemenL websites, and social media or in other ways. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their families, other individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with and the community in which pastoral services are provided The charity's classifications The advancement of religion Who the charity helps General public How the charity works Religious activities Charitable purposes THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND, as a Refonned 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 wwer of His Spirit, and to enable her members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world Governing document Constitution Other name HMRC NUMBER XN 45538 Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 2022 Signed on Behalf of the Trustees Minister Clerk of Session Date 30, October 2023