Presbyter an tN*JACH 111 IRELAtID MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 Re8lStered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105147) Presbyter an 111 IAELAMD MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT st The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS Mountnorris Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 43 Main Street Mountnorris ARMAGH BT60 2TS Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105147) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Rev Nigel Reid Samuel Walker John Kernaghan Henry Simms Robert Henry Frances Walker Sharon Porter Paul Toombs PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev Nigel J E Reid BD Dip Min Samuel Walker Mrs Sharon Porter MBE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER W J Mcclelland & Co. 7a, Gilford St Tandragee, Co Armagh BT62 2DA Presbyter IN IHELAIID MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) BANKERS Danske Bank, 58 Hill Street, Newry, Co Down BT34 IBD SOLICITORS Nelson Singleton 71 Main Street, Markethill, Co. Armagh BT60 IPH Presbyter an CHUACH IW IRFIANLI MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Session Members of the Kirk Session are the charity trustees of the congregation. Under the congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote the spiritual interest of the congregation and of persons not connected with any congregation who are within its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place in the congregation and seek5 to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and ser￿iCe in the local community. The Kirk Session has delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-ofPicio members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregation. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal vote5 at meetings, except that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the congregation. has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk Session were held on nine occasion5 during the year, of which eight were joint meetings with Tullyallen Kirk Session. Presbytery Under the 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. Mountnorris Congregation has been assigned to the Newry 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 Assembly, minsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. Presbyter an £HUHCM Itl IRELANO MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) 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 legislative, administration and judicial authority, 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 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 by the Kirk Session of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Mountnorris congregation 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 God through faith in His Son and by the power of His Spirit, and to enable her members to play their part in fvlfilling God's mission to our world. The congregation's mission purpose is to build up the Church family and to equip it to reach out to the local community with the Good News of the Gospel. Our vision is, by the grace of God. to be an inclusive. welcoming community of Christ's people of all ages, which: is increasingly characterised by love for God, and love and concern for others; is committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible; is relevant to people of this time and place. The congregation aims to live out tts Mission and Vision as a family of God's people by bein8: A Covenant Community: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward him and toward one another An Intergenerational Community: where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. An Outward looking Community: where we want the blessings of God that belong to U5 in the gospel to become blessings for others beyond the bounds of our communlty. Presbyter an CHURCH I* IHÉL•MD MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd) As a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we believe that the Bible is the supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Christian faith and practice AcfiviTIES AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to attend. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper was observed on Good Friday, and the first Sunday in May and November. The Congregation holds regular bible study meetings and has a wide range of organisations including Sunday School, Boys, Brigade, Youth Fellowship, Mother & Toddlers Group {TM Tots), Presbyterian Women, Men's Fellowship, Men's Choir. Bowling Club, and Badminton Club. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation met for worship each Sunday at 11.00am and at 7.00pm on the second and fourth Sunday each month for a United Service with Tullyallen Congregation. The Midweek Meeting which was held jointly with Tullyallen Congregation on a weekly basis from January to May and from September to December inclusive provided an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship. to study the scriptures and for a time of corporate prayer. During the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at ten Sacraments of Baptism. We also gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2022 there were 171 communicant members and 118 families connected with the congregation. The average attendance at morning worship was 80. Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the minister and elders. Worship Services are recorded on CD and copies are made available on request. Presbyter an URCN Itl IAÈLl4MD MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconyd) Mission and outreach The congregation sought to reach out to the local community through a range of activities and special events including the following:_ Ladies Walk & Talk was held at Gosford Forest Park on Tuesday evenings in June. Ladies enjoyed fellowship and a walk in beautiful surrounding5 followed by a healthy supper and an epilogue. 'Praise & Puddin¥ Evening on 5th June in Tullyallen Church to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Football Tournament held at Kilcluney 3G sports pitch on Wednesday 15 June attracted a good entry of teams from the local community. The proceeds, after expenses which amounted to £207 were donated to our mission fund. Our annual Holiday Bible Club for children of primary school age was held in Mountnorris Church Hall th from 4th_ 8 July. The theme was Brave Adventurers". An average of 60 children came along each evening. Artivities included Bible stories, memory verses, singin& crafts and outdoor games. The week concluded with a BBQwhich was a great opportunity for families from the congregations and the community to socialise and enjoy good food. th Our annual United Remembrance Day Service was held in Mountnorris Church on Sunday 13 November. Uniformed youth organisations and the Royal British Legion attended the Service. The offering which amounted to £2,110 was donated to the Royal British Legion Earl Haig Fund. Our United Carol Service was held in Tullyallen on Sunday Ilth December. Special music and praise was provided by the Church Choir and pupils of Mountnorris Primary School. The offering which amounted to £1,150 was donated to Mountnorris Primary School for the purchase of Equipment for Children with Special Educational Needs. A united group from Mountnorris & Tullyallen Congregations went carol singlng around Mountnorris village and local housing estates at Loughgilly, Glenanne and Lisnalea to bring the Good News of our Saviours birth. Our united Christmas morning Service was held in Mountnorris Church. The offering which amounted to £2,955.20 was donated to Southern Area Hospice in Newry which provide5 invaluable care and support to cancer patients and their families. The Congregation sUPPOrted the work and witness of Christ the Saviour Presbyterian Church in Krakow. Poland through the European Christian Mission Ireland by prayer and a financial contribution of £6,168. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission, which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and in 2022 achieved 108.1% of its target which amounted to £6.065.38. This fund enables congregations to 5UPPOrt the wider mission of the denomination and to do mission and outreach on a denominational basis beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The United Appeal Fund provides financial support for mission personnel at home and over5ea3 a55i3ts consre8ation5 With the deployment of locally based staff, enables church plantin& provides grant support for th@ upkeep of Presbyter an ¢WL*WCN 111 IAILAM MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) church premises, assists with the running costs of Union Theological College. the Church's training college for ministry student5, and financially supports congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach. leadership and pastoral care. The congregation contributes to the denomination's Sunday School project and Children's Society. Presbytery The congregation was represented at meetings of Presbytery by our minister and one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The minister and one of our elders attended the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland which was held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast in June. Property During the year the Church buildin& Church Hall and Session House were maintained in good order. Organlsatlons Average attendance Sunday School 10.00 am in Church Hall. Sunday School seeks to teach our children the divine truth found in the Bible which is God's inspired Word. "We will not hide them from their descendants,. we will tell the next genemtion the praiseworthy deed5 of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.... Then they would put their trust in God and would notforget his deeds but would keep his commands" (Psalm 78..4). Through Sunday School, we want to enable our children to learn what it mean5 to be a follower of Jesus Christ, to lead them to put their trust in Him as Saviour and Lord and to teach them how to be His faithful disciples. 40 All the organisations listed below are shared WTth Tullyallen Congregation and are managed jointly by Mountnorris & Tullyallen Kirk Sessions. The organisations draw membership from both congregations and the wider community. TM Tots 25 TM Tots, Parent & Toddlers group meets on Tuesday from 10am -12 noon in Mountnorris Church Hall. TM Tots seeks to support and encourage parents with young children in a safe and friendly Christian environment. Presbyter an 114 IAÉL MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) ThÉ Boyg Brigade IBB) Average attendance Anchor Boys Thursday 6.30 pm -7.30 pm. Age 4-7 Junior Sertion Tuesday 6.45 pm - 8.00 pm. Age 8-10 Company Sertion Tuesday 8.15 pm -10.00 pm. Age 11-18 All sections meet in Mountnorris Church Hall Our BB Company seeks to deliver the object of The Boys, Brigade which is the advancement of Christ's kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self respect and all that tends towards true Christian manliness. It caters for boys aged 4 years to 18 year5 and provides a varied programme of activities including Bible teaching, football. volleyball. and outdoor pursuits. 36 32 34 Youth Fellowship Fortnightly on Sunday 7.00 pm-8.15 pm in Mowhan Hall. The Youth Fellowship is attended by teenagers from Mountnorris & Tullyallen congregations and the wider community. It provides an informal context for fellowship and learning. It Seeks to encourage young people to become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ and to build their lives on Biblical principles. There are opportunities throughout the year to engage with similar groups from other congregations within Newry Presbytery. 15 Presbyterian Women (PW) First Thursday each month 8.00 pm in Tullyallen/Mountnorris Church Hall. Presbyterian Women encourages women to become disciples of Christ and seeks to highlight the need for love and unity, obedience to God, Christian living and spiritual maturity, seniice using gifts. time and money, and local and global mission. 25 Ladies Bible Study Fellowship Third Wednesday each month 7.30 pm in Tullyallen Church Hall The Ladies Fellowship provided an opportunity for ladies to have fellowship and study the Bible together in an informal setting. The theme for 2022 was "Loving God and others" 20 Presbyter an CMU•¢hlNIHELI# MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) Average attendance Men's Bible study Fellowship First Thursday each month 8.00 pm in Tullyallen Church Hall The Men's Fellowship provided an opportunity for men to have fellowship, to study the Bible and pray together in an informal setting. 15 Men's Cholr Monday 8.00 pm in Tullyallen Church Hall The Choir met for practice on Monday evenings commencing with a scripture reading and prayer. Membership is drawn from Mountnorris & Tullyallen congregations and other churches in the area. 20 Bowllng Club Wednesday 8.00 pm in Mountnorris Church Hall The club provides an opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy the game of bowls at recreational level and competitively. An annual Fun Tournament is organised to attract and encourage new members. Normally the Club participates in a local league which involves hosting vlsiting clubs and travelling to other locations to compete. Membership is drawn from Mountnorris & Tullyallen congregations and the local community. 20 Badmlnton Club Friday 7.30 pm in Tullyallen Church Hall. 20 10 Presbyter CMUficM IN IREIAMD MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT 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 Christ through the advancement of religion. 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 opportunitie5 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). 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 notice boards, printed material, press advertisement, websites, and social media or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal and ad-hoc feedback from members, their families, and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowin8 from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a result of their holding office or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefits. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their families, other individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral services are provided and other communities throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement with and 5UPPOrt for both Christtan and other secular organisations, charities and individual members of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions Public benefrt requirement statutory guidance. 11 Presbyter IN IAQLAIID MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The Congregation's maln source of income 15 members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offerlng. There were 121 contrlbutors during the year [115 in previous year, 2021] donating a total of £64,204.00 {£61,548.00 in previous year, 2021) Total income of the congre8ation during the year was £133,964.34 compared to £101,099.42 in the previous year. Total expenditure increased slightly from £107,360.95 in 2021 to £112,828.67 in 2022. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBIUTIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the congre8ation in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice. As the congregation's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of assets and liabilities. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the congregation's transactlons and dlsclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its flnancial position. 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 irre8ularities. th Approved by the Kirk Session on 29 June 2023 and signed on its behalf by J•ILo Rev Nigel Reid Samuel Walker 29 June 2023 29 June 2023 12 Presbyter HUACH Jlt IHELl4WD MOUNTNORRIS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of 31. December 2022 Fixed Assets The Congregation owns the Church Building and Session House situated at 43 Main Street, Mountnorris, ARMAGH BT60 2TS and Church Hall situated at 54 Main Street, Mountnorris, ARMAGH BT60 2TS and the associated fixtures and fittings. These have a combined insurance value of £1,909,000. Unrestricted Funds Restrirted Endowment Funds Funds 2022 2021 Bank & Deposit Balances Bank & deposit balances brought forward 34.335.50 4,341.72 38.677.22 44,938.75 Excess of Receipts over Payments for the year 9,588.24 11.167.43 20.755.67 {6,261.53} Transfers between funds Bank & deposit balances carried forward 43,923.74 15,509.15 59,432.89 38,677.22 th Approved by the Kirk Session on 29 June 2023 and signed on its behalf by Rev Nigel Reid Samuel Walker 29th June 2023 29th June 2023 13