an MONEYDIG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC105315)
MONEYDIG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PREsBERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at thai date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS Moneydig Presbyterian Church congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Moneydig Road, Coleraine Re8lStered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC105315) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were tru5tee5 at the date of thi5 report were: Jim Topping John McAleese Alaii McAlee5e Brian Torrens Steven Torrens PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Position Vacant Steven Torrens John McAleese INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Dr R I Petcrs Gallagher, OBE, FCA Moore INI) LLP 32 Lodge Road Coleraine BT52 INB BANKERS Danske Bank Limited Donegal Square West Belfast BTI 6JS MONEYDIG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Session The charity trustees of the congregatlon are the members of its Klrk 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 service in the local community. The Kirk Session has delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the conRregation 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 meetings, except that the Moderator, the ministers in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only 3 casting votp_- Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held in September, October, November, January, February, March, April, May. 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 Session. Members are e5ected if they obtain two-thirds ot 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 (ieneral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Moneydig Presbyterian Church congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Coleraine and Limavady Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active minister5 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. 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 mallers brought before it. The General Assemblyls normally constituted during the first week in June forworship 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 minsters and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation.
MONEYDIG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Moneydig Presbyterian Church 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 play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregation's mission purposes is to serve Christ through serving the community. Moneydig Presbyterian Church is much more than a rural church. Moneydig is a family who gather Sunday by Sundayto meet with each other and with God. In Moneydig Presbyterian you wlll flnd people who know Jesu5 a5 Lord and 5aviour• people who are exploring what it might mean to know Jesu5 as their saviour and others who simply enjoy the familiarity and security of a traditional church service in a traditional setting. The glue that holds us together is the Word of God around which we seek to discover God's will and blessing in our lives as together we grow in our faith. The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God's people by being: A Covenant Community: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully 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 belongto us in the gospel to become blessings for others beyond the bounds of our community. A5 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 what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Christian faith and practice. 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 and Prayer meetings and has a wide range of organisations including: Sunday School and Bible Class Youth Fellowship Choir Campaigners Bowling Club P.W Presbyterian Women
MONEYDIG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer During 2023, all organisations including Sunday morning worship, Sunday School / Bible Cla55, Campaigners, Youth Fellowship, Midweek Bible Study / Prayer, PW and Bowling Club continued to meet regularly throughout the year. A5 well as our regular service5 during the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life with one Sacrament of Baptism. We also sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. Rev. Dr. Stephen Williamson, from Ballywillan Presbyterian Church continued as our th Vacancy Convenor until 28 February 2023, when Rev. Colin Martin was appointed by Presbytery and took over this role. Colin took unwell after a few weeks and Presbytery then ppointed Rev. Robert Mcmullan, Minister Emeritus from New Row Presbyterian Church to take on the role of Vacancy Convenor and he fulfilled the role of organising pulpit supplies and providing pastoral care to our congregation. We continued to look at different ways of providin8 a more settled ministry within the congregation. Kevin Hoy, the Founder and CEO of Smiles Foundation, came and spoke to the congregation about the work of Smiles Foundation in Romania. This led to a team within the church being challenged to go and serve for a week in Romania duringthe summer. During the summer months, we also held a number of events including summer walks, Holiday Bible Club, Youth Fellowship summer event and a Church lunch after Sunday morning worship. At 31 December 2023 there were 169 communicant member5 of which 85 attended at least one communion and 116 families connected with the congregations. The average weekly attendance at morning worship was approximately 70-80. Pastoral care Pastoral care was provided by the Vacancy Convenor Rev. Robert Mcmullan and by the Ruling Elders of the congregation. We read and prayed with families during visitations to their house and provided meals and CD recordings of the morning services to many families. Mission and outreach At a local level, the congregation runs a youth fellowship which meets on a Sunday evening, and where young people learn io follow Jesus. They chose their own worship and are encouraged by one another as they pray together. The Campaigners group run by the congregation supports the Blythswood's Christmas ShoeDox Appeal and through the support of the congregation packed 78 boxe5 which were sent to Eastern Europe.
MONEYDIG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PREsBERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd) The congre2ation continues to support the local foodbank, by leaving produce at the church which is distributed regularly. A special appeal was made at our Harvest Service in September where we encouraged the congregation to bring Foodbank produce to display in the church and to be distributed to the Foodbank afterward5. The congregation believe Moneydig is part of a bigger community and that community is close to our heart. There is a Bible study and Prayer Meeting held every Wednesday night at 8pm which is an opportunity to informally discuss a passage of scripture in 3 group meeting. The focus 15 to understand how God's word applies to everyd3y life. The congregation 5UPPOrt5 the Uiiited Appeal for Mi55ion which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregation£ to.£upport 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, a55i5ts congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church plantin8, 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 Convenor Rev. Robert Mcmullan and one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. There were a number of discussion5 about the future of mlnistry within vacant corigregations including Moneydig. General Assembly The Vacancy Convenor and one of our elders were nominated to attend thc mceting of the General Assembly of the Pre.£byterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings. Belfast. Property The Congregational committee, under the direction of the Kirk Session, continue to maintain the church property (rriain saiictuaryi church ha115 and manse) in a good condition. Ongoing repairs and maintenance have been kept up to date.
MONEYDIG PREsBERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Organisations Each Sunday approximately 17 young people from 4 years old to 18 attend our Sunday school and Bible class. Throughout the year the Sunday school has supported the PCI Sunday school project. The children raise funds through a Sunday morning offering and other forms of fund-raising during the year. Up to 12 teenagers meet for youth fellowship every other Sunday evening. This is a time of fellowship, praise and Bible study. The youth fellowship continue to sponsor a child through the organisation Stand by Me. Campaigners meet each Monday night between October and Easter. Campaigners is a uniformed organisation for boys and girls aged between 4 and 18. The Campaigners undertake several tasks throughout the year to earn badges. They also support the local food bank by placing a shopping trolley in the vestibule of the church and asking the congregation to donate foodstuffs that is then taken to the foodbank centre. The bowling club meet weekly and play an artive part in the local churches bowlin8 league. Approximately 15 people attend the midweek bible study and prayer meetings. This is an opportunity to discuss in more depth Bible books, passages and topics. PW mcets monthlyp when 15- 20 ladies attend and hear from different guest speakers. they have a missionary slot where they are updated on different missionary activitie5 and given the opportunity to pray for our missionaries. PW raise funds for missionary work which are administered through PW in assembly buildings. 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 activities.
MONEYDIG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbytgrian 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 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 congregation5 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 advertisement, websites, and social media or in other way5. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal and ad-hoc feedback from members, their families, and member5 of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose 15 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 benefit5. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their families, other individua15 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 Comrnissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members. contrlbutions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were a number of contributors during the year donating a total of £54,771. Total Income of the congregation during the year was £100,409. Total expenditure was £80,707.
MONEYDIG PRESBYtERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PREs8ER[AN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) 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 conEreg3tion's total income does not exceed £250,000. the Trustees have electod under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of assets and liabilities. The Tru5tee5 are re5pon5ible 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. th Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 29 August 2024 and signed on its behalf by . Mr. Steven Torrens Mr. John McAleese Date: 14th October 2024 Date. 14 Ottober 2024