an BALLYKEEL CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Flnanclal Statements forthe year ended 31 Dember 2024 including Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Ballykeel Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 23 Crebilly Road Ballymena BT42 40N Reglstered charity in Northern Ireland INIC1052901 CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charlty Trustees who seThed durlnB the year or WIK) were tNstees at the date of thls rewrt were Mr Francls McKendry Rev Dr Martin McNeely {Resi8ned 29 February 20241 Mr Thomas Simpson Mr lan Fretwell IRetlred 28 November 20231 Mr John Mcvlcker Mr Davld Moore Mr Andrew Houston MrGre80ry Baird MrTrevor Mcmullan PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Mln15ter Clerk of Session Secretary Treasurer Rev. Dr Martln McNeely (Reslgned 29 February 2024) MrThomas Slmpson Ms Marle Shlels Mr Michael Scrog8le INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr John Flnnegan Potter Finnegan Llmited Unit 25 The Courtyard Business Park 190 Galgorrn Road Ballymena BT42 IHL ANKERS Danske Bank 1-2 Broadway Ballymena BT43 7PE SOLICITORS McKervlll Nellly l BroadwayAvenue Ballymena 8T43 7AA
an BALLYKEEL CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conYd) sTRUuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Session The charity trustÈes of the congregation are the members of its Klrk Sessbjn. Underthe congregation's governing dotumenL The Code, the book ol the con5titutlon and 8overnment of the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland. the Kirk session seeks to watch over and promote the spiritual interest of the congregation and of persons not connected wlth any congregatlon who are withln its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is irt place in the congregation and seeks to furtherthe ¢ontrlbutlon of the Church to Christian witness and servitÈ in the local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to its Congregatlonal Commlttee the tèmporal affairs of thÈ congregation including administering all fund5 and property bÈlon8ingto thè tongrogation. MÈmbÈrs of the Kirk Session are ex-officio members of the Con8regatlonal Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of thÈ congregations. All members are entltled to propose, speak, and exerclse equal vote5 at meetlngs. except that the Moderator, the ministers in active duty in the congregatlon, has no dellberatlve but only a cèstlng vote. Stated meetlngs of the Klrk sesslon are held slx tlmes In each year. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a votlng member and a regular attendant on Its ordlnonce5. The selectlon of those proposed to be called to the offlce can be elther by the congregatlon or by the Klrk Sesslon. Members a elected If they obtsln two-thlrds of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterlan Church In lieland form of governance the corporate overslght of a congregation is the responsibility of a Presbytery whlch 5uperlntend5 8enerally the splritual and temporal affalrs of the congregation5 a55igned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland. Ballykeel congregatlon of the Presbyterian Church has been assi8ned to the Ballymena Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery conslsts malnly of the actlve mlnlsters of congregatlons asslgned to It by the General Assembly, minsters who have retired from actSve duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation. The Gènoral Assernbly The General Assembly Is the supreme court of the Church, representing In one body the whole Church and acting a5 its supreme legSslatlve. adminlstratlon and ludlclal authority, In deallng wlth all matter5 brought before it. The General Assembly Is normally constltuted during the first week in June for worship and to condurt its business. At the end of buslness, it Is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly conslsts malnly of the actlve mlnlsters of each congregatlon, retlred mlnsters and a representstive elder appointed by the Klrk Session of each congregatlon. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charltable purpose of the congregatlon Is the advaernent of rellglon. 8allykeel congregatlon of the Presbyterkn Church 15 a congregatlon of the Presbyterian church in Ireland. The Pfesbyterlan Church In Ireland, as a Reformed Church wlthln the wlder body of Chrlst Is grounded In the Scriptures and exists to love and honour God through faith in His Son and bythe power of His Splrlt. and to enable her membets to play their part in fulfilling God's misslon to our world.
an BALLYKEEL CONGREGATION OF THE PRES8YfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) DESCRIPTION AND PUAPOSE {conVd) The congregatlon's mission purpose is to be a Church of God's people, called to share and show the Gospel of Christ in every part of our lives, in every place and by the grace of God: and to help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jèsus Chrlst. Our vision is. by the grace of God, to be an inclusive. welcoming community of Chrlst'5 people of all ages, which: Is increaslngly charatterlsed by love for God. and love and concern for others. Is committed to the historic Chrlstian 8ospel as revÈaled In the BiblÉ. is levant to people of south Ballymena and further afield. The cong£atIon alms to Ilve out its Mi551on and Vision as a family of Gods peoplÈ by belng: A Covenant Communlty.. whefe our relatlonship5 are rooted in the promises of God by living*aithfullytoward him and toward one another. An Intergeneratlonal Communlty: where adults intentionally tske the lead to engage wlth, encourage, and nurture younger members to maturity In Christ. An Outward looklng Communlty: where we want the blesslngs of God that belon8 to us In the gospel to become blessin8S for others beyond the bounds of our community. As a congregation of the Pre5byterlan Church In Ireland. we belleve that the Blble Is the supreme authorlty over all we do, and that the Westminster ConfÈssion of Faith, along with the Lar8er and Shorter Catechism5 set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Chrlstlan faith and practlce. AcfiviTIES ANO OBJEcfivES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and vlsltors are welcome to Soln. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper Is observed on several occaslons durln8 the year and all those who have been baptlsed and who have made a profession of falth In the Lord Jesus Chrlst are admltted to the Lord's Supper. The congregatlon holds regular blble study meetings and has a wlde range of organlsatlons includlng: Sunday School Ballykeel Youth Ladles Fellowshlp The Well Pensioners Dlnner Communlty Servlce Several blble study groups An AGM took place on 23rd February 2024. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and prayer The congregation norrnally meets forworshlpeach Sunday at 10.IXlam and 6.30pm wlth a tlme of prayer before each servlce. There are S new Bible study groups- 2 rnen. I mlxed and 2 women'5 group. The Women's Fellowship also re-started with an average of 27 members. The Church year of 2024 has sÈen consbderable encouragement in the life of Ballykeel Presbyterian Church. Of particular note Is the number of new members who havejoined. both through transfer and professlon of folth. There has been a steady Increase in the number of children involved in the life of the congogation, The atmosphere and sense of fellowship on Sundays as well as through the week has been warm and welcoming. Sorne new Irkltiative5 have brought specific Increases to the outreach of the Church. A very successful Men behaving Dadly course. led by Andy Lamberton. was run on evenings during the Auttjmn. This Saw up to 12 or more men gather round tables to explore a Biblieal way of parentin8. A good number came from the local community. A new OLttreach Called the Well commenced on Wednesday mornlngs. This gathering 15 aimed at people who are free durino the day to pop In for a cup of tea. refreshrnents, and conversation. It ha5 attracted a good number of people- again. mainly local- wlth a good spread of ages.
an BALLYKEEL CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PÉRFORMANCE {conVdl All of the usual mlnlstrles of the Chufch have continued well, from small group5 to prayer meetlngsj to Ballykeel Youth on Sunday night for teenagers. March 2024 the Church was declared vacant. The Rev Rlchard Morrison, current Convenor for B3llykeel Church, arranges cover for gjnday Worship and attends Se55ioTr and commlttee meetings. and seeks to comfort the sick and bereaved. Convenor and Session have had several exploratory meetiry wlth repre5entstlves of Ballymena Presbytery on goingforward with the new confi8uratlon of ministry for Baltykeel Church. At31 December 2024 there were 88 communlcant members. and 160 familles connected wlth the congregatlon.The average week's attendance at morning worship Is 120. The regular evening servlce gathers up to 30 people. Normal business meetings. Includin8 klrk session and commlttee meetlngs have tsken place throughout the year, Pastoral care Members of the congregation who ale uftable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basls by the minister, elders or by one of the congregatlon's pastoral visitors. M5sslon and outreach At a local level, the congregation serves by practical wltness, prayer. pastoral visltatlon. local mission, and outreach in Ireland and overseas. We support a wide ran8e of mission includlng 81ble teathln& Youth work, practlcal aid. and translation. The congregatlon supports the United Appeal for Mission whlch Is a central fund of the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland. This fund eftables congregations to support the wlder mission of the denominatlon and to do m15slon and outreach on denomlnatlonal basis beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The United Appeal Fund provides financlal 5UPPOrt for misslon personnel at home and overseas, a55iSts con8re8atlons with the deployment of locally based stsff, enable5 church plantln& provldes 8rant support for the upkeep of church premlses. assist wlth the running costs of Unlon Theologlcal College, the Chuich's tralnin8 college for mlnistry students, and financlally supports congregatlon sn the aa5 of worshlp, dlsclpleship, global mlssion. outieach. leadership. and pastoral ca. The con8re8atlon also contributes to the denorn5natlon's annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School prolect and other special appeals. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the re8ular meetlngs of Presbytery by our minister and l or one of the elders. Thls provldes an important Ilnk between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The mlnlster and one of our elders were nominated to attend the rneetlng of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland held in A55embly Buildings, BelfasL in June. Property There were no major replacements. or renovation work5 completed durin8 the year. Organisatlons Youth fellow5hlp attendance 14 every Sunday evening Sunday School attendance 22 every ndaY morning Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge thelr deep apprecration of those who give freely of thelr tlme by servin8 on commlttee5 and helpÈng with organisations and other church activities.
an BALLYKEEL CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) The Trustees wish to acknowledge thelr deep appreclation of those who give freely of thelr time by serving on committee5 and helping with organisations and other church attivities. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Church In Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its members and the general public by maklng known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religlon. The dlrect beneflts whlch flow from the purposes of the Church include the galning of an understanding In Christian beliefs as set out in the 81ble and In the Church's subordlnate standards (the WestminstÈr Confession of Falth and the Shorter and Larger Catech15msl leadln8 to spiritual and moral development and opportunltles for response to 81ble teaching. In turn, thi5 framework leads to practical expresslons of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as through the care of those in need {includlng the SICK dlsabled. and bereaved). Generally. the above benefits are delhvered locally by con8re8ations and thelr members or are facllltated through presbyterles or are organised and delivered centrally. Local delivery is facilitated by central resources In almost all cases. Publlc access 55 made known through the use of notlceboards, prlnted material, press advertisement. websites, and soclal media or In other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the seNices and informal and ad-hoc feedback from members. their familles. and members of the public. Thè purpose does not lead to harm. The only prlvate benefit flowlng from our purpose Is related to Mlnlsters, Mlsslonarles, Deaconesses, Irlsh Mission workers and Lay Agents who recelve beneflts a5 a result of thelr holdlng office or employment. However, thls is Incldental and necessary in order to lurther our charitable purpose. The are no other prlvate beneflts, The beneficiaries of this purpose are member5. thelr famllles. other Indlvlduals that the Presbyterian Church In Ireland Is in direct and indlrect Contact with, the community in which pastoral seNices ale provlded and other communltles throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwlde whlch benefit from our engagement wlth and support for both Chrlstlan and other secular organisations, charities. and indivldual members of the publlc. The KSrk Sesslon has had regard to the Charlty Commlsslon's Publlc benefit requlrement statutory guldance, FINANCIAL REVIEW The Congregatlon's maln source of income is members. contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There weie 74 contributors during the year {2023: 811 donatlng a totsl of £51.64012023: £51.030). Total Income of the congregat5on durlng the year was £127.881 compared to £104.950 in the previous year. Total expenditure decreased from £120,811 In 2023 to £76,047 Sn 2024. 5TATEMEf4T OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparin8 the annual report and the financlal ststement5 of the congregation In accordance wlth appllcable law and generally accepted accountlng practtce. As the congregatlon's totsl Income does not exceed £250.000. the Trustees have eletted under Settion 6413) of the Charities Act {Northem Ireland) 2008 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a ststement of assets and liabilities. The Tnjstees are responsible for keeping adequate accountlng records that are sufflcient to show and explaln the congregatlorfs transactlons and dlsclose wÈth reasonable accuracyat anytime its financial position. They are also responsible foT Safeguarding the 05sets of the cor4gregatlon and hence for taking reasonable 5tep5 for the prevention and detection of fraud and other Irregulorlties. Approved by the Klrk Sesslon at a meetlng on 12 May 2025 and slgned on tts behalf by Trevor Mcmullan Thomos Sirnp50n Trustee Trustee