TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 including a Balance Sheet as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS Ballydown Presbyterian Church a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Castlewellan Road. Banbridge. Co. Down. Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC105146) CHARITY TRUSTEES The CharltyTrustees who served durin8the yearor who were trustees at the date of this report were Dermot McElderry lan Montgomery John Campbell Andrew Adams Samuel Mills Liam Rutherford Ali5tair Copeland Samuel Martin James Martin William Porter Conrad Ferris Mark Moorhead PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev Liam Rutherford lan Montgomery Jame5 Ringrose INDEPENDEMf EXAMINER S.M.Vint & Co., 8 Newry Road, Banbridge, BT32 3HN. BANKERS Danske Bank. Newry Finance Centre. 58 Hill Street. Newry. BT34 IAR. SOLicrroRS Trevor M¢Burney & Co.. 11 Downshire Place. Banbridge. Co. Down. BT32 30F.
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVdJ STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The KI Session The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seek5 to watch over and promote the spiritual interest of the congregation and of persons not connerted with any congregation who are within it5 bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place In the con8re8ation and seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation includin8 administerin8 all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Se55i0n are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The firk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votÈs at meetings, except that the Moderator, the mlnisters in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a ca5tin8 Vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held monthly. To be chosen forthe office of the eldershlp In the congregatlon a person must be a votin8 member and a regular attendant on its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office Can be either bythe congregation or bythe Kirk Session. Members are elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote. Presbytery Underthe Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of governance the 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. Ballydown Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Iveagh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregations assigned to it by the General
an TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) Assembly, minsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed bythe Kirk Session of each congregation. The General Assernbly The General Assembly is the Supreme court ofthe Church, representing in one body the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, adrninistration and judicial authorFty, in dealing with 311 matters brou8ht 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 business it is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation. retired minsters and a representative elder appointed bv the Kirk Session of each Congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Ballydown Presbyterian Church is a con8re8ation 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 S¢riptures, and exists to love and honour God through faith in His Son and by the power of Hi5 spirit, and to enable her members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The con8re8ation's mission purpose is: "Reflecting Christ. Reaching People. Renewing lives." -REFLECTING CHRIST Our mission is to reflect Christs desires and charocter. We want people to see Jesus 'the 'ght of the World,. We are Hi5 lights reflecting His loving ond life-giving qualitie5. -REACHING PEOPLE Our mission is to make disciples, a5 Je5U5 commanded. We wont tofind ways of making meaningful contacts with people in our community and to shore God's love with them. -RENEWING LIVES Our mission is to see God's Splrlt take God's Word and tronsform lives. We want to see lives renewed os testimony to the power of the Gospel.
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'dl AcrivrriES AND OBJEcllvES The congregatlon meets for worshlp every Sunday and vlsltors are welcome to Joln. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on six occasions during the year and all those who have been baptised and who have made a professlon of falth in the Lord Jesus Christ are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation has a wide range of organisations including- Creche. Sunday School and Bible Class Youth Club Girls, Brigade Boys, Brigade Youth Fellowship Presbyterian Women Small Groups ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation meets for worship each Sunday at 10.30am at two locations. at Ballydown Presbyterian Church11S1 Ca5tlewellan Road, Banbrid8el and The Bridge (72-78 Newry St, Banbridgel and once a month at 7.30pm at The Bridge. The Bridge was established in May 2024 as a church plant seeking to reach the unchurched in the town of Banbrid8e. Duringthe week the Small Groups provide an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship. to study the scriptures and to pray. Durlng the yearwe acknowledged God's gift of new life at baptism, we conducted marriage services and funeral services. We also marked harvest and other key times in the Christian calendar induding Christmas and Easter. At 31 December 2025 there were 317 communicant members and 231 familie5 connected with the congregation. The average attendance at Sunday mornln8 worship was around 350 persons of all ages in Ballydown and another 50 or 50 at The Brid8e. Children's mlnistrles run durin8 the Services to meet the spiritual needs of children of all ages. Prayer Ministry is offered at the close of the service. We also serve tea and coffee after the servlce to allow for lrnformal fellowship.
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'd) Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to slckness or age are normally vislted by the minister. elders or by one of the con8regation's pastoral visitors. Misslon and outreach At a local level the congregation seeks to share the gospel of Jesus Christ both formally and informally. This 15 achieved through our regular church services, online services, uniformed and non-uniformed org3nisations and through the various clubs that we run as well as helplng to 5UPPOrt the local Food Bank and variou5 charitable organisations such as the Blvthswood Shoebox Appeal. The congregation supports 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 do mission and outreach on denominational basis beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The United Appeal Fund provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church plantin& provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises. as5i5t with the runnin8 Costs of Union Theological College, the Church's tralning college for minlstry students, and financially supports congregation In the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetlngs of Presbytery by our minister and / or one of the elder5. Thls provides an Important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The minister and one of our elders were nomlnated to attended the General Assembly of the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June. Property The church continues to maintain the propertyto a good standard Organlsations Small Groups: Nine small groups have met in the church premises and around our district on a weekly basls, averaging 16 people in each.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT IconVd} Youth Fellowship met on Sunday evenlngs and exists for teenagers to learn more about the gospel, worship together and enjoy various games and social artivities and a weekend awav. Average attendance 35. Youth Club rneets on Friday evenln8S With an average of 35 teenagers attending and enjoying all sorts of activities including football, board games, pool. basketball, table tennis and various vldeo games. Boys, Brigade in Ballydown is made up of three sections- Anchor Boys, Junior Section and Company Sertion. The Boys, Brigade sections have sought to fulfil their mission of 'Extendin8 Chrlst's Kingdom Among Boys" through their badge work, Bible Study and development of life-skill5. Girls, Brigade is made up of five sections. The girls range In age from 4 to 16 years old 5UPPOrted by 16 leaders. Ballydown GB is affiliated to GBNI as 377th GBNI Company. The GB meets weekly on a Tuesday to fulfil their mission which is, Yo help girls to become followers of the Lord Jesu5 Christ, and through self-control, reverence and a sense of responsibility, to find true enrichment of life." Creche Is split into three- Baby Creche {0 to 12 months}, Junior Creche11 to 2+ years) and Toddler Creche12+ to 4 years) and runs duringthe Sundayservice. Worship has been led each Sunday by a team of musicians and praise leaders. The Puppets Ministry has presented Bible stories to children - presented mainly by our teenagers. They have featured on speaal occasions such as Easter, Children's Sunday. Christmas and the Organisations, Enrolment Service. Camera Club has met fortnl8htly and existsto educate Its members about photography and taking better plctures. They have organised occasional field trip5 and created projerts ft)r members to complete. SewinB Bees has about a dozen ladies meeting to complete craft projects. Presbyterian Women has metthe needs of ladies of the congregation with an emphasis on both spiritual and practical activities. The PW prays for and supports overseas mission. The Carers. Group helpsthose who are caring fortheirfamily members was able to resume meeting once a month in the second half of year. Lift Group are small meetings of three to four people meetlng for prayer on an informal basis.
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) New men's and women's ministries have been established to help to maintain the personal links within our congregation and to encourage fellowship. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with or8anisation5 and other church activities.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVdl PUBLIC BENEFITSTATEMENT The Presbvterlan Church In Ireland meets the publlc benefrt requirement by providlng benefit to its member5 and the general public by makin8 known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion. The dirert benefits which flow from the purpose5 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 Falth and the Shorter and Larger Catechlsmsl eading to spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Bible teaching. In tum, this framework leads to practical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as throu8h the care of those in need (including the sick, disabled and bereaved). Generally the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and their members, or are facilitated through presbyteries or are organised and delivered centrally. Local delivery is facilitated by central resources in almost all cases. Public access is made known through the use of noticeboards, printed materiali press advertisement, websites, and social media or in otherways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular 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 benefrt flowingfrom our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a result of their holdin8 office or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary in orderto further ourcharitable purpose. There are no other private benefits. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, thelr famllles, other indlvlduals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with, the communlty In whlch pastoral setvices are provided and other commuDlties throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement with and support for both Christian and other secular or8anisations, charities and individual members of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions public benefit requirement sL3tutory guidance.
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The con8regatlon's main source of income is members, contrlbutions throu8h the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 174 contributors duringthe year donating a total of £181,524 Ipage 211 compared to 173 contributors donating £151,121 in previous year Total Income of the congregation during the year was £367,585 {pa8e 14) compared to £321,242 In the previous year. Total expenditure increased from £304,254 to £312,711 Ipage14). RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPEcf OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Trustees are responsible for preparingthe Annual Report and the financial staternents In accordance with applicable law and Unlted Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give true and fair view of the state of affairs of the congregations and the financial activities for that year, In preparing the financial statements the Twstees are requlred to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently make judgements and estimate5 that are reasonable and prudent prepare the financial statements on the golng concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Funds will contlnue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accountln8 records that are sufficient to show and explain the fund5 transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the congregation5 and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply wlth the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reportin8 by Charities {1 January 20151" They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other Irregularities. io
Presbyter TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {¢onYd) GOING CONCERN The actlvlties of the congregation are dependent on ongolng contributions from its members. The Trustee5 are of the opinion that the congregation has sufficient resources at the date of approval of these financial statements to meet commitments which will arise in the year from the date of signing this report and subject to the continuing support from members to fund on an ongoing basis the congregation's current activities and other financial commitments. RESERVES POUCY The Trustees have considered the level of unrestricted reserves that it is appropriate to hold taklng account of current and on8oln8 commitments. It is the policy of the Trustees to hold between three and six month's normal expenditure. At the year end unrestrlcted reserves were £167,069 {page 151 which represents a high level of reserve5. The Trustees however, consider it prudent to hold reserves at this level as the funding of Its present activities is dependent of the ongoing financial support of members. RISK REVIEW A review of major risks has been undertaken bythe Trustees and systems and procedures implemented to manage identified risks. The princlpal risks are in relation to the likelihood of reputational damage and financial risks associated with the expectation of ongoing financial support from members. These risks are mitigated by the Trustees, and the Congregational Committee, re8ularly monitoring the various activitles of the con8re8ation at stated meetin8s and by encouraging rnembers In their regular 8ivlng. Approved by the Klrk Session at a meetin8 on 18th May 2026 and signed on Its behalf by Rev Liam Rutherford James Rin8rose Minister Treasurer li