Second Limavady Presbyterian Church a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Trustees Annual Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2022 Registered with the charity Commission for Northem Ireland NIC105308 [1]
SECOND LIMAVADY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2022 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Second Limavady Presbyterian Church a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 56-58 Irish Green Street Limavady BT49 9AN Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC105308 CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or were trustees at the date of this report were Rev. Geoffrey Jones (Minister) Mrs Heather Hood Mr William Ely Mr Mervyn Hood (Clerk of Session) Mrs Elizabeth McLaughlin Mr Mervyn Quigg Mr lan Martin Mrs Hilary Mullan Mr John Wilson PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Rev. Geoffrey Jones Mr Mervyn Hood Mr William Clyde Clerk of Session Treasurer INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr Austin Montgomery 25 McQuillan Park Limavady BT49 OBQ BANKERS Danske Bank 46 Catherine Street Limavady BT49 9DB Solicitors W. B. Thompson & Co. 36 Catherine Strt Limavady BT49 9DB [2]
SECOND LIMAVADY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (continued) 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 seNice in the local communty. 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-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. Standard meetings of the Kirk Session are held in January, March, April, May, September, and November. To be chosen for 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 Session. Members are elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland fonn of govemance 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. Second Limavady Presbyterian Church, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, has been assigned to the Coleraine & Limavady 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 each congregation.
SECOND LIMAVADY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A 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 business, 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 advanment of religion. Second Limavady Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Refonned 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 congregation's mission purpose is by the grace of God to help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. 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 pla The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God's people by being. A Covenant Communty: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by being faithful 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 us in the Gospel to become blessings for others beyond the bounds ofour community 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 [41
SECOND LIMAVADY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (continued) what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Christian faith and practice ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES 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 Boys Brigade Girls Brigade Presbyterian Women Parent & Toddler Group Craft Group Bowling Club Ladies Bible Study ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation meets for worship each Sunday at 11.45am. Evening services, normally on the second Sunday of each month (expt July and August) at 7.00pm, have not resumed after covid with the exptIOn of Harvest service in October. Opportunities for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the Scriptures and prayer time are normally, Tuesday morning where there is ladies Bible study at 10.30am. Restrictions on our regular ServIS during the year meant that no evening ServIS took place. We acknowledged God's gift of new life at O Sacrament of Baptism, we conducted 1 marriage service and at funeral ServIS sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 st December 2022 there were 432 persons on the Communion Roll and 215 families claiming connection to the congregation. The average weekly attendan at morning worship is 64. [5]
SECOND LIMAVADY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (continued) Pastoral Care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to ill health or age are normally visited on a regular basis by the minister and the elder who has been allocated to the district where they are in residence. Mission and Outreach At a local level the congregation has supported mission outreach by Supporting the local food bank with donations of food and toiletries in conjunction with the other Presbyterian churches in Limavady. A collection donation to the Moderator's Appeal for relief assistance as a result of the humanitarian emergency following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A Christmas day retiring offering was donated to the work of the Presbyterian Childrens, Society A retiring offering on Remembran Sunday donated to the work of the Royal British Legion. 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 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 overseas, assists congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, assists with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and financially supports congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of the Presbytery, by our minister andlor one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregation and the wider structures of the church.
SECOND LIMAVADY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (continued) General Assembly The minister and one of our elders normally attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June. Property With the major refurbishment of the church completed in 2011 and the manse exterior in 2014, only minor repairs and rna1ntenan were required in 2022. A major refurbishment of the bathroom in the manse is ongoing, completion date early 2023, estimated cost £10000 and an upgrade of the visual display in the meeting house is scheduled for Spring 2023 estimated cost £10000. Organisations Sunday School The Sunday School normally meets during morning worship each Sunday, excluding July and August, and provides instruction and tuition to young people of school age in the scriptures while encouraging them in recognition and love of their Heavenly Father and Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. Attendance is encouraged and rewarded by the presentation of League of Church Loyalty gifts of religious books during Family Sunday Service at the close of the yearly temi on the second Sunday in June. Boys Brigade The object of the Boys Brigade is the advanment of Christ's kingdom amongst boys and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, disciple, self-respect and all that tends toward a true Christian manliness. Through the Boys Brigade churches have opportunities to reach out to families with whom they would otherwise have no contact. The Boys Brigade comprises: The captain, 7 Officers, 6 Helpers, and 40 boys. Normal face to face meetings resumed on 31st January11St February following the pandemic. All sections participated in Mission 22, an interactive event with Bible Stories and games. During August the Coleraine Battalion held a fun event with bouncy castles, fuss ball, games, and barbeque. On 16th October a joint BB & GB Enrolment Service was held in the church.
SECOND LIMAVADY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (continued) Anchor Section 4 - 8 years old. Meets on a Monday night from 6.45-7.45 PM. 21 boys are in this section, with 3 OffIrS, and 4 helpers. Each week they take part in Badge work classes, hand craft, games, and Bible stories. The Section finished the BB year with the Coleraine Battalion joint Anchor and Junior Section Carol Service and Christmas Paty. Junior Section 8-12 years old. Meets on a Tuesday night from 7.00-8.00PM. 8 boys are in this section with 1 Officers and a helper. Each week they take part in Scripture classes, Badge work classes, hand craft, games, figure marching, five-a-side football, physical exercise, and quizzes. During May the section and officers participated in ten pin bowling at the Jet Centre in Coleraine Company Section 11-13 year old & Senior Section 14-18 year old. Meets on Tuesday night from 7.00-9.00 PM. 3 boys are in the company section with 8 boys in the Senior section with 3 Officers and 1 helper. Each week they take part in N.l.D. Scripture reading to prepare for a scripture exam at the end of the year, Badge work classes, drill, table tennis, badminton, and physical exercise. During December the sections participated in five a side football and went to the climbing wall in the Foyle Arena. During the Enrolment Service a President Badge and Queens Badge were awarded. Girls Brigade The Girls Brigade is recognised as a dynamic, relevant. Christ ntred organisation effectively reaching out to all girls to value, nurture and equip them for life. The Girls Brigade comprises: Explorers 3-7 years old with 21 members Juniors 8-10 years old with 18 members Seniors 11-13 years old with 8 members Brigaders 14+ years old with 10 members In addition to the Captain are 12 Offirs, 1 Sub OffirS and 1 sub officer in training, making a total of 71 members in the Company. The Girls Brigade meets on a Friday night in the church hall throughout the school year. GBNI requirements cover 4 badgework sections each year, Spiritual, Physical, Educational, and Service. At the joint Enrolment servi with the BB 3 Queens Awards and 2 Brigader Brooches were awarded. During the year the Brigaders made blankets for the neonatal unit in Altnagelvin hospital. All sections participated in district parades and Carol Services [8]
SECOND LIMAVADY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (continued) Presbyterian Women Presbyterian Women is an organisation for women within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. PW Groups are envisaged as women's fellowships in which women are encouraged to become Christians and to become Christ-like. In addition to supporting mission at home and overseas, each group is to seek ways of actively reaching women in its own area for Christ. The PW meets in the church hall on the second Wednesday night each month from September to March with a guest speaker at each meeting. The annual outing in May went to Woodpark House in Garvagh followed by afternoon tea. During December the ladies went to a local hotel for Christmas dinner. Currently approximately 35 ladies are on the roll. Parent & Toddler Group The parent and toddler group meets in the church hall on a Friday morning throughout the school year. Average attendan is fifty-five toddlers plus their parents and as well as fun activities light refreshment is provided. Supervision is by volunteer ladies from the congregation. Highlights are the Christmas, Easter and end of term parties where small gifts and religious children's, books are gifted. No activities took place throughout the year. Craft Group The craft group meets on a Thursday night in the church hall throughout the year except for July and August. The ladies engage in embroidery and quilting with donations from sales of works being given to charitable causes. Current attendance is 9. Meetings resumed in the middle of October on a fortnightly basis. Bowling Club The bowling club comprises 20 members and is a member of the Limavady and District Indoor Bowling League. It meets in the church hall on a Monday night for practice. Home games are on a Thursday night and are usually every second week with an away game in between. A summer fun bowls tournament was held every Thursday during July and August. In the season commencing September 2022 the club is playing in the B section in the Limavady league. The club also participates in a Charity Cup and Charity Plate competition.
SECOND LIMAVADY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian 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 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 beliets 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, the framework leads to practical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local communty 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 facilitsted 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 advertisements, 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 the Minister, organist, and caretaker who receive benefits as a result of their holding Offi or employment. However, this is incidental and neSSary 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 or indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral ServIS 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 benefrt requirement statutory guidan. [10]
SECOND LIMAVADY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (continued) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is our members contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 97 families contributing during the year (99 in the previous year, 2021 } donating a total of £69993 (£64071 in the previous year, 2021). Total income of the congregation during the year was £106581, compared to £95749 in the previous year. Total expenditure increased from £77347 in 2021 to £101520. 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 £250000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a receipts and payments 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 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 17/-Izoi>and signed on its behalf by NAME NAME DATE [11]