an ST COLUMBA'S CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS St Columba's congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 10 Killaney Avenue, Lisburn, BT28 IQU. Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC105238) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were. Ellen Hillen Myrtle Ferguson Lexi Burrows Ronnie McAuley Rev Rodney Cameron Shirley Harrison PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Secretary Rev Rodney Cameron Ellen Hillen Valerie Nettleship Myrtle Ferguson INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mccleary & Co Ltd Chartered Accountants Garvey Studios 14 Longstone Street Lisburn BT28 ITP BANKERS Ulster Bank Ltd Bow Street an ST COLUMBA'S CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Lisburn BT28 IBN TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) SOLICITORS Carson McDowell LLP Murray House 14 Murray Street Belfast BTI 6DN STRUCTUREAND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Se55ion The charity trustee5 of the congregation are the member5 of its Kirk Session. Under the congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ire13nd, 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 seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Session has delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including adrninistering all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-officio 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 votes 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 are held on average 5 times per year-4 times in 2022 To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant on its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office can be either by the congregation or by the Kirk Se55ion. Members are elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote. Presbyter an ST COLUMBA'S CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) 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. St Columba's congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Dromore 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 the congregation: Mrs Ellen Hillen represents our congregation. 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, administrative 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 busine55. At the end of business it is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly consi5t5 mainly of the attive 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. St Columba'5 congregation of the Presbyterian Church 15 a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Reforrned 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 fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregations mission purposes is a5 a congregation we commit ourselves to worship which puts God at the centre, opens us up to His love. faces us with our shortcomings and. making known His forgiveness, frees us to grow through His grace. Presbyter ST COLUMBA'S CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND We commit ourselves to becoming a fellowship where we care for and encourage one another, using and developing the gifts that God has given us as we respond to His call to the young. an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) We commit ourselve5 to loving service to the community in which we are set, and to the world around us, witnessing to Christ, caring for a needy world, working for peace that God intends, and exercising a responsible stewardship for the environment. ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES Church attendance and organisation attendance remained steady throughout 2022 despite ongoing concerns about Covid-19. The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper 15 observed on four occasions during the year and all those who have been baptised and who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation holds regular bible study meeting5 and has a wide range of organisations including Presbyterian Women Afternoon Club Parent and Toddler Group Line Dancing Exercise Class Kids Club Drop-in Coffee Morning Drop-in Lunch (Monthly) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.30am and 6.30pm. As well as our regular services during the year gave thanks for faithful seniices and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. Presbyter an ST COLUMBA'S CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) At 31 December 2022 there were 51 communicant member5 and 170 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 45. 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, elders or by one of the congregation's p35toral Visitors. Mission and outreach Post Covid-19 restrictions, the congregation has been Sharing God's word to the local community through:_ Door Step Ministry - The pastoral care team continue to build on the door-step ministry started during lock-down with regular visits to housebound and those in need. Gift packs which include a spiritual message in the form of a "reflection" or a pamphlet or book is given along with the church magazine and a gift of food or flower5. Annual Harvest Appeal- Donations to the local food bank were provided to help local families in need. This was continued through the year when a Specific need was required. Annual Christm35 Gift Appeal- 32 gift parcels were given to the local Simon Community for each resident in 5UPPOrt of those who are temporarily homeless. Food Hampers were distributed to young families in need within the local community. Lisburn Food-Bank were provided with a large donation of food and household items. In conjunrtion with Salt Factory Sports, a children's outreach programme ran on Thursday evenings with up to 30 children attending each week. We made financial contributions to:_ World Development Appeal Earl Haig Fund Christian Aid Moderators Appeal for the Ukraine Crisis. an ST COLUMBA'S CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the Presby(erian Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregations to SUPPOrt 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 provide5 financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church planting, provide5 grant support for the upkeep of church premises, assists with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry 5tudent5, and financially 5UPPOrts congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. In 2021, St Columba's successfully reached their target set by Presbytery. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meeting5 of Presbytery by Rev Rodney Cameron, our minister and Mrs Shirley Harrison. This provides an important link between the congregation and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The minister and elder, Mrs Shirley Harrison attended the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June. Property Church Buildings: The exterior of the Church Buildings was painted in Spring 2022. Continued upkeep of gardens and external areas are ongoing. Manse: Day to day upkeep and maintenance. Organisations Post pandemic all organisation resumed in 2022. Children's ministry (Sunday School) 15 delivered on a Thursday evening through the Kids Club initiative which is run in conjunction with Salt Factory Sports. Thi5 allows us to reach children in the community that would not be in attendance on a Sunday. Presbyter an ST COLUMBA'S CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) PW met on the 2nd Tuesday of the month with an average attendance of 15. Guest speakers included the PW President and a retired deaconess from PCI. The group led Sunday morning worship on Mothering Sunday and h05ted the annual Christmas Carol Service attended by visitors from other PW groups in the Lisburn area. The afternoon club meets alternative Wednesday afternoons with approx. 12 regular attendees. The club is open to anyone in the local cornmunity and the ladies enjoy visiting speakers; quizzes. bring & buy sales and cinema outings. The group go on at least 2 trips per year. The Mid-week bible study meets on a Wednesday night and gives people the opportunity to study and discuss scripture. At least half an hour is set aside for prayer, where the group bring specific people and Situations before God. Throughout the year we hold a series of 6- 8 week bible studies which are open to all. The Kids Club runs during School term time and meets on Thursday evenings for Primary School age children. Attendance ranges from 15 - 30 children. who participate in games, share in a Bible reading, and complete a related activity sheet. A Parent and Toddler group commenced in September in conjunction with Bryson Care and is attended by mothers and grandmothers from within the church and from the local community. It runs every Friday morning and has opened up a new opportunity for the church to connert with young families. Weekly Drop-in and Monthly Lunch is an opportunity to reach out to church members and the wider community. Regular attendance has resulted in new friendships forged and during this periods of austerity. has provided a warm space for people to meet. 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 attivities. Presbyter an 5T COLUMBA'S CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) 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 Catechism51 leading to 5piritu31 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). 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 material, press advertisernent, 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 flowing 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 orderto 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 benefjt from our engagement with and support for both Christian and other secular organisations, charities and individual members of the public. The Kirk Session ha5 had regard to the Charity Commi55ions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. Presbyter an ST COLUMBA'S CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 83 families contributing during the year192 families in previous year) donating a total of £34,912 {£34,942 in previous yearl Total Income of the congregation during the year was £66,900 compared to £62,006 in the previous year. Total expenditure increased from £66,816 in 2021 to £69,314 in 2022. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the congregation 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 Att (Northern Ireland) 2008 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 transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. They are 3150 responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence fortaking reasonable steps for the prevention and detettion of fraud and other irregularities. Approved bythe Kirk Session at a meeting on 10 May 2023 and signed on its behalf by Rev Rodney Cameron Ellen Hillen 10 May 2023 10 May 2023 io