an RASHARKIN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2022 Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105288)
Presbyter an RASHARKIN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 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 DETAILS Rasharkin Presbyterian Church congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Moneyleck Road RASHARKIN BT44 8QB Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105288) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were: Rev. Jeffrey Blue (Resigned 16/08/2022) Mr. Adrian Moody Mr. Norbury Royle Mr. John Finlay (Deceased 01108/2022} Mr. Ivan Anderson Mr. Samuel Kirkpatrick Mr. Matthew T. Calderwood Mr. Stewart Mcmaster Mr. David Calderwood Mr. Joseph Close Mr. Fred Kyle Rev. Ali5tair Mccracken (Appointed 17108/2022) Mr. James Wilson PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister: Rev. Jeffrey Blue {Resigned: 16/08/2022) Convener: Rev. Alistair Mccracken (Appointed: 17108/2022) Clerk of Session: Mr. Norbury Royle Treasurer: Mr. Peter Hutchinson
an RASHARKIN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER John Mcmullan ACMA CGMA Mcmullan & Co Chartered Management Accountant sc High Street, Ballymoney. BT53 6AH BANKERS Danske Bank, Donegall Square West, Belfast. BTI 6JS National Savings & Investment5. Glasgow G58 ISB SOLICITORS Boal Anderson & Co. 56 High Street, Ballymena, BT43 6HU
an RASHARKIN PRESBYfERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (Contlnued) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk 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 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 seniice in the local community. The Kirk Session5 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-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meeting5, except that the Moderator, the ministers in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held on a monthly basis. apart from the months of July; August and December. 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. 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. Rasharkin Presbyterian congregation of the PresberIan Church has been assigned to the Ballymena 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, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation.
an RASHARKIN PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (Continued) 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 busines5 It IS dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired ministers 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. Rasharkin Presbyterian congregation 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 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 playtheir part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregation's mission purpose is to be focused on Christ; based on the bible; with it being central and foremost to all that we do and say. To be passionate about people; sharing the gospel with those who do not know Christ as their Lord and Saviour and having a heart for the world that we live in. The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as afamily of God 5 people by being.. A Covenont Community.. where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by livingfaithfully toward Him ond toward one another A Disciple making Community.. where adults intentionolly take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. An Outword looking Community.. where we share the goods news of the Gospel and the blessings that come with being afollower of Christ with those in our community,. our land and this world. 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 ond Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key motters of Christian foith and practice.
an RASHARKIN PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd) ACTIVITIES AND OBJEcfivES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on several 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 meetings and has a wide range of organisations including: Sunday School Children's Church Crèche Youth Fellowship Boy's Brigade Girl's Brigade Afternoon Fellowship Presbyterian Women Weekly Prayer Meetings and Bible Study Saturday Night Youth Club Ladies Walking Group ACHIEVEMENTSAND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 12noon {11am during the summer months} and 7.00pm. Each Sunday the sendice is made available on YouTube and between 30-40 CD'S and DVD'S are posted out each week to those without internet access. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. As well as our regular services during the year we conducted 3 funeral services. At 31st December 2022 there were 124 communicant members and 159 families connected with the congregations. The average weekly attendance at morning worship was around 110. Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are usually visited on a regular basis by the minister and/or elder.
an RASHARKIN PRESBYfERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Mission and Outreach The congregation are encouraged through the weekly Sunday services to realise that mission is a scriptural command for all those who are followers of Jesus. Members of the congregation are reminded that mission takes place both within the local community and on a global level. The congregation made financial contributions towards a number of different missionary organisations throughout the year; Belfast City Mission," European Missionary Fellowship; Scripture Union; Latin Link, Ambassadors, Tear Fund, Arab World Ministries and Child Evangelism Fellowship. Missionaries from the congregation are currently serving with Latin Link in Peru. The congregation is informed of their work through regular updates in written form and through updates given in church services. Young people from the congregation usually serve on mission teams in the summer months both at home and overseas but due to the global pandemic mission teams could not take place. 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 misslon 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 overseas, a55i5ts congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, assist with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and financially supports congregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School Project and any other special appeals. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular 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.
an RASHARKIN PRESBYfERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (Continued) General Assembly The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, which usually takes place in June. Property There were no major repairs or refurbishment projects during the year. Organisations SUNDAY SCHOOL - meets most Sunday morning between September and June for all school age children. They meetfor a time of praise and bible study using workbooks to help them in their understanding. There are regularly around between 20 and 25 in attendance. CRECHE - provides child care for all pre-school aged children during the Sunday morning service. YOUTH FELLOWSHIP Aimed at all those of secondary school age the group meet on a fortnightly basis between September and June with average attendance between 15 and 20 persons. The programme consists of a period of games and fellowship before a bible study. BOY'S BRIGADE - meeting on Monday evenings from September to Easter the company is aimed at boys of school age. The boys meet and spend time playing games; making craft and being part of bible lessons. They follow a programme set down by Boys Brigade Northern Ireland. There are approximately twenty boys in the company. GIRL'S BRIGADE - meeting on Tuesday evenings from September to Easter the company is aimed at girls from 4 to 18 years old. The girls meet and spend time playing games. making craft and undertaking biblical teaching. There are approximately forty five girls in the company. They follow a programme Set down by Girls Brigade Northern Ireland. AFTERNOON FELLOWSHIP - Meets once a month between October and Easter. While the group is open to all; most of those in regular attendance are retired. There are normally between 10-15 in attendance. The group enjoy a time of fellowship together before an invited speaker shares with the group. This group re-started after the pandemic in October 2022.
an RASHARKIN PRESBYfERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icontinued) pREsBER1AN WOMEN - this group meet on the first Thursday night of the month between October and March. The group is open to all ladies; with an average attendance between 30- 40. A speaker is invited along each month to share with the ladies and a time of fellowship is enjoyed over supper. An annual serlCe 15 held on the first Sunday in March. WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING AND BIBLE STUDY Approximately 20 people meet each Wednesday evening between September and June for a time of bible study and prayer. SATURDAY NIGHT YOUTH CLUB meeting each Saturday night between September and March the club has approximately 30 - 40 of secondary school age attending each week. Sport5; games; pool and video games take place with a short bible talk towards the end of the evening. The Saturday Night Youth Club re-commended after the pandemic in September 2022. LADIES WALKING GROUP - meeting one per week during April, May and June with about 10 20 ladies joining to walk at various local locations as an aid to both mental and physical fitness, but also to enjoy fellowship together. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of theirtime by serving on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities.
an RASHARKIN PRESBYfERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (Continued) 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 Jesu5 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 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 notice board, 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 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 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 support for both Christian and other secular organisations, charities and individual members of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance.
an RASHARKIN PRESBYfERIAN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {Continued) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering and these increased this year to £71,655 {2021: £70,638). There were 214 contributors during the year 2022 {218 during the year 2021). Total Income for the year was £173,268 (2021: £117,616) while Total Expenditure forthe year was £102,717 (2021 . £105,444). A legacy of £44,010 was received during the year. 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 congregations total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Settion 6413) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of assets and liabilities. The Trustee5 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 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. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 1st June 2023 and signed on its behalf by: Convener: Rev. Alistair Mccracken Clerk o ssion: Norbury Royle 10