BallygoivAn Presbytei'lRn Chui'eh
Report of the Ti'ustees
for the year ended 31 December 2023
The tTUStees present their report with the financial ststements of the chai'ity foi. the year ended 31 December 2023. The
Iruste¢s have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Re¢ommended Practice
applicable lo charities preparing their accoun15 in accoi'dance with the Financial Reporting Standard 8pplicable in the
UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (eff¢cliv¢ l January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The charilable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of the Christiai) religion.
The Ballygowan congregation of the Presbyterian Church is a congregalion of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The
Presbyterian Church in Ii'eland, as a Reformed Chui'ch within the wider body of Christ is grounded in the Sci'iplui'es,
and exists to love and honour God IhTough faith in His Son and by tl?e power of His Spirit, and to enable members to
play their part in fijlfilling God's mission to our world.
The congregation's mission statement reads..
'for the Elory of God, Bxllygowan Pi'esbyterl8n Church desires to see the mAkinE 9nd mAtlli'ing of disciples of
Jesu5 Christ, this through ivorsliip* felloivshlp, servlce And evAngelism'
Our vision is, by the grace of God, to be an inelusive. welcoming community of Chrisl's people of all ages, which..
is increasingly characterised by love for God, and love and eoncern for others.
is cominitted to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible.
remains I'elevant to people of tliis tin)e and place.
The ¢on8r¢gation aim5 to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God's people by being..
A Covenant Community.. where our relationships ale rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward him
and toward one another.
An Intergeneralional Community.. where adult5 intentionally lake Ihe lead lo engage with, encourage and nurture
younger memb¢r5 to maLurity in Christ.
An Outward looking Community.. whei'c we want the blessings of God that belong to us in th¢ gospel to b¢¢ome
blessings for others beyond the bounds of our cornmunity.
As a congregation of the Presbytei'ian Chur¢h in Ireland. we believe that the Bible is the supreine autliority over all we
do. and that the Weslminster Confession of fialth, along with the Largei. and Shoi'l¢r Cateohisins set out what we
understand the Bible lea¢hes on key mattel's of Chi'islian faith and practice.
Significant Hctivities
The year 2023 conlinu¢d to be a challenging oiie. The numbers attending Sunday morning worship have been slowly
growing since the pandemic. The Sacrament of the Loi'd's Supper is usually observed on three occasion5 during the
ye8r and all Ih05e who have been baptised aiid who Iiaye mode a profession of faith in the IArd Jesus Christ are
admitted lo the Lord's Supper.
Pagc I

BAllygoivAn Pi'esbyteriAM Church
Report of thc TTUStees
for the year ended 31 Dcceniber 2023
OBJECTIVES AND ACTivrriEs
Th¢ Congregation holds regular bible study meetings and has a wide ran8¢ of organi&ation5 including
Sunday School l Bible Class
Youth Club l Youth Fellowship l Young Men's Group l Girls, Group
Midweek Fellowship l Life Groups l Energise
Presbyterian Women's Group
Parent and Toddlers
Boys Bi'igade
Gil'ls Bi'igad¢
Bowling Club
Badmiiiton Club
Varioiis other groups
Public beiiefit
The Presbyterian Church in IrelAnd meets the publi¢ benefit requirement by providing benefit to its meinbeTS and the
general public by making known the Chi'istian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ througli Ihc advancement of i'eSigion.
The direct benefits which flow from the purposes of the Churcli include the gaininE of an llnderslanding in Chi'istian
beliefs as Set out in the Bible and in the Chureh's subordinate standai'ds (the Westniinster Confession of Faith and the
Shorter and Larger Catechistns) leading to spiritU81 and nioi'al developmeiit and opportunities foi. response to Bible
teaching. In turn, tliis franiework leads to PTa¢tieal expressions of Chi'islian beliefs and standards in the local
comniunity such as through the care of tliose in need (including the sick, disabled and bereaved).
Generally the above benefits ore delivered locally by congi'egations and their members, or are facilitated IhrouEh
presbyteries oi. ai'¢ oi'ganised and delivered ¢eiitrally. Local delivcry is facilitated by centi'al I'e50ur¢¢s in alinosl all
case5. Public a￿e$S is made known thi'tsugh the use of noticeboaTds, printed material, pi'ess advertiscment. w¢bsit¢s,
and social Tnedia or in other ways. Th¢ beoefits al'e demonsti?ted thi'ough regulai. evaluation of th¢ sei'vices and
iiiformal and ad-ho¢ feedback from mcmbers, their families, and members of the public.
The purpose does not lead lo hai'm. The only private benefit flowing fmm our purpose is related to Ministers.
Missionaries. Dcaconesses. Irish Mission workei's and Lay Ageiits wl)o receive benefits as a r￿lI11 of theii. holding
officc or employnienl. However, this is incidental and necessai'y in ordei. lo further oui. charitable piirpose. There are no
other private benefits. The beneficio1.ies of this purposc are members. theii. families. other individua15 that the
Presbyterian Chul'ch in Ireland 15 irt dii'ect and indirect contaot with, the community in which pastc)I'al services are
provided and othei. Communities IhTougliout Northerii Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit
from our eng2genient with and support for both Christian and other secular organisations, Charities and individual
meinbers of ihe Pliblic.
The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Cornniissions Publi¢ benefit requirement statutory guidance.
Volunt¢ci's
The Trustees wish to a¢knowledge tlieir decp appreciation of t1105e who give fi'eely of their tim¢ by serving on
comTniltees and helpiiig will) oui. organisations and oth¢i' ¢hur¢h 8Ctivities. We continue to have robust child protection
policies and procedui'e5 in place.
Poge 2

DAllygow8n Presbyteriaii Church
Report of the Ti'ustees
for the year ended 31 Decembei. 2023
ACHIEVEI MENT AND PERFORMANCE
Ministry teAm
The ministry team is led by our niinister th¢ Rev Nick Cooper. Andrew Marlin started as a studenÉ assistant on 19th
September 2021.
Our youth rninislry throughout 2023 has been leil by our part time youth Worker Andrew Norrie. Howevei. Andrew
resigiied on 12th Nov¢inber 2023.
Pasioral care ond visitation is supported by Robin Faii'bairn our pastoral CRre worker.
Worship and prlyer
The eongi'egation usually meets ftir worsliip each Sunday at I1..30am and foi. half the year in the eveiling at 6-45pm.
Av¢rage attendance at Sunday morning woi'ship is around 130. Dui'ing (he week there are opportunities for Ineilibers lo
meet together again for fellowship> to Study the sci'iptui'es and for a time of prayer.
As well as our regular Siinday servic¢s dui'ing the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at 7 Sacrdments of
B8p¢isni and l D¢dieation and sought lo ¢omfort those who had been bereaved during the year. 3 mai'riage serviceg
were eonducted in 2023.
At 31 Deceillber 2023 there were 31 l ¢on)m4Jnicant members and 503 families coniiected with the congregation. 85 of
whom do not contribute financially.
PastorAI cAre
Members of the congregation who are unable to attend ¢hurch due to sickness or age are visited on a r¢gular basis by
the Inini5ter. elders or by thc congregation's pastoral care worker.
Mission And outreach
At a local level the congregation normally reaches out to our community regularly 11)rough the work of oui. pait-time
pastoi'al cair worker aiid through the work of our various action team5 who organize regulai. eve1115 e.g. Café Church,
Faiiiily Fun Days, Holiday Bible Club. Cinema nighis, Concert5, picnics. trips and oihcr special events.
At an international level the congirgatioii pi'cviously eoinpleted a substantial fund-raising effort to help refurbish the
outpatient and ¢mergeney depaitinents of Kiwoko Hospital in i'ural Uganda - o Christian hospital we have developed
Strong links wiih. Dui'ing 2023 we contiDued to sponsor Tural ¢ye clinic5 from Kiwoko Hospital and it is anticipated
that this sponsorship will continue year on yEar. Another overs¢os mission focus is in helping encouiagc and 5UPPOrt
the local cl)urch and villagers in a small village (Budai) in Moldova. A team from our Churcl) went out in 2023.
The ¢hurch continues to make regular donations to other various external Inissions and agencies and this ¢onlinued i
2023.
The ¢ongiEgation also support5 the United Appeal for fvIission wl)ieh is a cenlral fund of the Presbyterian Cliui'ch in
Ii'el8nd. This fund enables coiigregations lo support the widei. mission of the denomination and to do missioii and
outreach on a denominational basis beyond what tlie congi'egalion could do on ils own. The Uiiited Appeal Fund
piY)vides financial support for missioi) PBI'sonnel at home and overseas. a5s1sls eongregations with the deployment of
locally based staff. enables chuirh planling. provide5 grant support for the upkeep of chui'ch PTemiSBS, assisls with the
running costs of Union Theologiral Cvllege. the Chui'cli's training college for niinisliy students, and financially
SUPPOrts coiigi'egations in the area5 of worship, disciplcship. global iiiission, outreach. leadei'5hip and pastoral care.
Presbytery
The congrcgation is represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our niinistei. and on¢ of the elders. This
provides an imporLant link between the congregation5 and the widei. structures of the chui'ch.
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Ballygoivan Pi'esbyteriRn Church
Report of the Trustees
for the yeTri' ended 31 Decembei. 2023
GenerAI Assembly
The meeting of th¢ Gene121 Assembly of the PTesbyl¢rian Church in Jirland wa5 held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast.
Property
The congTegation continues to maintain its buildings and facilities.
FinAnces
The trustees giv¢ thanks for the ongoing SUPPOTt of so many who continue to give finan¢ially to th¢ work of the Church.
Howevei. our financial situation is giving us ¢oneern with the current high ¢osts of elecli'icity, heating oil etc.
Oi¥aDisations
The table below gives a brief summary of the organisations and avei'a8e att¢nd8n¢es.
Age
Range
ri requency of
meeting
Montlily
(Sept-may)
Bi-weekly
(Sept-June)
Weekly {Sept-Ap¥)
Avcrage
attendance
/0 non
mtmbei's
Oi'gAnlsAtion
Notes
Ballygowan PW Group
45-90
30-35
Midweek Fellowship
Badniinton Club
40-90
18+
10
15
Sat21.
Weekly {Sept-Apr) Wed 90-110
Weekly {Sept-Apr)
24
Weekly {Sept-Apr)
90-100
Twice monihly
before {Easter,
14aivcst.
Chi'istmas)
Twice nionihly
{Sept-May)
Weekly
(Sepl-June)
Twice moiithly
(Scpt-Api')
Aliern¥le Inonths
Weekly (Sept-
June)
Junioi. YC, once
per nionth. Senior
YC twice per
nionth Sept-june)
Weekly (Ort-mayl
Twice Yeai'ly
As requii'¢d
Weekly (Restarted
Feb 18)
66
Girls Bi'igade
Bowling Club
Boys Brigade
3-Adult
18-90
3-18
unkiiown
50
70
Choir
45-80
18
Energise
40-80
14
Parents & Toddlers
30-35
80
Life Groups
Feinale Focus
Suiiday School & Bible
Class
18-90
40-65
20
12
3-18
66
Jiinior 40
Senior 20
25
80
21
Youth Club
Evening Service5
Cafe Chiirch
Catering Corps
13
6-85
3-85
18-80
Youth Fellowship
12
Page 4

Ballygoivan Pi'e5bytei'i8n Chllr¢h
Report of the Trustees
for the year ended 31 December 2023
rilNANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The Congregational Committee have examined the Church's requirement5 for ieserve5 in light of the main risks to the
Chui'ch. It has established a policy whereby the Iinrestricled fund5 not committed oi. invested in tangible fixed assets
held by the Church should be between 3 and 6 months of the expenditure.
The reserves 8re needed to meet the workiiig capital needs of the Church and the Congregational Committee are
eonfident they would be able to continue the current activities of the Cliuirh iii the event of a diDP in funding. Al the
year end the levcl of reserves available to the Cliur¢l) is £581,089. £536,910 of this is r¢presenled by investment in
fixed assets. The remaining £44,179 is sufficient to cover the 3 months resei'ves policy.
At 31 Decembei. 2023 the Church also held £34,772 of resti'icled funds which have beell provided for the purposes
specified in note 15.
Review of the yeai.
The results for the year are set out in detail on paEe5 9 to 22. The results Show uniEslri¢ted net outgoing resources for
the yeor of -£12,743 (2022 -£29,921).
FUTUREI PLANS
The Church plans conlinuing the activities outlined within th¢ Annual Report in the ftirth¢otnin8 years.
STRUCTURE, GOVEI RNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Kii'li Session
The charity tiustees of th¢ Ballygowan congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland are the members of its Kirk
Session. Uiider the congregatioi)'5 governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and goveriin)ent of the
Presbyterian Cliurch in ITeland, thc Kii.k Session seeks to watch oyei. and promote the spiritual interest of the
congi'egation and of person$ not conllect¢d with the congregation who are within its bounds. It ensure5 pastoral cal'e is
in place in thc congr¢gation and s¢ck5 to further the eontribution of the Chuich to Christian witne55 and 5eTvice in the
local community and bcyond. The Kii.k Se$5ion has delegated to its Congi'egational Committee the tenipoi'al affaiiB of
the congregation including adrninistei'ing 211 funds and property belonging to the congregation. Nlembei's of tlie Kirk
Se55ion are ex-oificio members of Ilie Congregational Committee.
The Kirk Session eonsisls of th¢ ordained minister (Rev Nick Cooper) and the i'uling olders of th¢ congregation. All
meinbeis ar¢ entitled to piDpose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Modcrator. the minister in
a¢tiv¢ duty in the congregation. has no deliberative but only a casting vote.
Stated meetings of the Kirk Session are l)eld evel'y two iiionths and soinetime5 Inore frequently if requil'ed.
To b¢ chosen foi. the office of the eldei'ship in the congTegation a person rnust be a voting n)¢mber and a regulai.
attendant on its ordinances. The selection of those pi'oposed to be
called lo the Dffice can be either by the congregation or by the Kii'k Session. Memb¢rs are elected if they obiaiii
two-thirds of those who vole.
Page 5

BallygoTrvan Pi'esbyteriAn Churcli
Report of tlie Ti'ustees
foi. the yeAr ended 31 December 2023
STRucfuRE, GOVII RNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Presbytery
Under the Pi'¢sbyterian Church in Ii'eland form Df governance the corporate oversight of a congregation is the
responsibility of a Pitsbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and t¢mporal affairs of tlie congregation5
assigned lo il by the General Asseinbly of the Presbytei'ian Church in Ireland. Ballygowan congregation of the
Pi'esbylerian Cliureh has been assigned to the Down Presbytery of tl)e Presbyt¢i'ian Chureh in Ireland. The
membership of the Presbytery consists Inainly of the active niinisters of congi'egalions assigned to it by the General
Assembly. minstei's who have retired from a¢tive duty and an elder appointed by the Kii'k s￿$SOn of each congregation.
The GenerAI Assembly
The General Assembly is the Supreme court of the Church. representing in one body the whole Cliui'ch and acting as its
supr¢me legislative, administi'ation and jiidicial authoi'ity. in dealing with all matters brought before IL The General
Asseinbly is normally constituted during the first week in June for worship and io conduct its business. At the end of
busin¢ss it is dissolved. The meinbership of the General Assenibly con515t5 mainly of (he active ministers of each
eongi'egation, retired niinsters and a repi'¢sentalive elder apw)inted by the Kirk Session of each congregation.
RKFCRENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number
CN105295
Pi'incÉpAI Address
14 Church Hill
Ballygowan
Co Down
B T23 6JA
Triistees
Rev N Cooper
Mr R Burgess
Mr S Cleland
Mi'5 S Cleland
Mr J Gabbey
Mrs M Oibson
MT R Gibson
Mrs J Gi'ibbon
Dr R Harper
Mi. M Hile5
Mr J Johi)ston
Mi. M Lyons
Mr D McKee (Cl¢rk)
Mr J M¢Moi'die
Mi. M Mcmullen
Mr J Megraw
Mr D Milligan
Mrj Ralph
Mr C Scott
Mr H Scott
Independent Examiner
Mcllveen 14oward LiTnilcd
Chartered Accounlanls
169a Uppei. Newlownards Road
Belfast
BT4 3HZ
Page 6

BallygoiYAn Pi'e5byteriAii Chiirch
R¢poi't of the Ti'u5tce5
fui. the yeAI' elided 31 Deeombei. 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINI￿[L4T1VE DETAILS
Banl(ei
Dan5ke Bank
Donegal Squait Wesl
Bclfasl
BTI 6JS
Solicitors
H¢witt & Gilpi
Thomas House
14-16 James SIL'eet South
Belfast
BT2 7GA
Mlntstei,
Rev. Di.. Nick Cooper
Clei'li of Sesslon
David McKee
Seti'etAI'y to Coiigi'¢gfitionnl Commlttee
Sharon Mecloy
Cliurch Ti'eAsui'eJ'
Wendy Patt¢Tson
Independent ExRminei'
Mcllveen Howavd Liinited have been re-appointed as Independent Bxaminers foi. the ensuing y¢aT.
AppiDved by oiQer of the b041'd of Ii'ustees on .
and signed on ils behalf by..
Trustee
Page 7