First Garvagh Presbyterian Church a congregation
of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Trustees Annual Report
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland N1105322

FIRST GARVAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEE5 ANNUAL REPORT
For the year ended 310ecember 2023
The Trustees present their Annual Financial Report and Financial Statements for the year ended
31 December 2023 including a Balance Sheet as at that date.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
First Garvagh congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
31 Kilrea Road, Garvagh BT515LR
Registered charity in Northern Ireland INI 105322).
CHARITY TRUSTEES
The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report
were:
Rev. M. Donald
Mr. A. Galbralth
Mrs. B. Glass (appointed 19 March 20231 Mr. D. Gurney
Mrs. A. Henry {appolnted 19 March 20231 Mr. S. M¢Kee
Mlss L. Paul
Mr. J. Moody
Mr. M, Campbell
Mr. D. Torrens
Mr. W. Dohertv
PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS
Minister
Clerk of Session
Secretary
Treasurer
Rev. M. Donald
Mr. A. Galbraith
Mr. l. Matthew
Mr. W. Henry
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
John Mcmullan ACMA CGMA
sc High Street
BALLYMONEY
BT53 6AH
BANKERS
Ulster Bank Limited
30-32 Catherine Street
LIMAVADY
BT49 9DB
SOLICITORS
W.B. Thompson & Co
36 Catherine Street
LIMAVADY
BT49 9DB

FIRST GARVAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT
The Klrk Sesslon
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 service in the local community. 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 congregations. All
members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the
Moderator, the minister in active duty in the con8re8ation, has no deliberative but only a casting
vote.
Stated meetings of the Klrk sesslon are held at least twice in each year or as appropriate.
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 selettion of those proposed to be
called to the offlce can be elther by the congregatlon or by the Klrk Sesslon. Members are elected If
they obtain two-thlrds of those who vote.
Presbytery
Under the Presbyterlan 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. First Garvagh congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the
Coleraine and Limavady Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland. The member5hlp of the
Presbytery consists mainly of the ae(Ive 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.
The General Assembly
The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing In one body the whole
Church and atting 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 condutt 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
mlnisters and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation.

FIRST GARVAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAI REPORT Icont'd)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
The charitable purpose of the congregation Is the advancement of religion.
First Garvagh congregation of the Presbwcerian 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 members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world.
The congregation's mission purpose is 'Sharing and Serving Jesus To8etherf, by the grace of God, to
help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is, by the 8race of
God, to be an inclusive, welcoming community of Christ'5 people of all ages, which.,
Is increasingly characterlsed 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 place.
The congregation aim5 to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God's people by being:
A Covenant Communlty: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by livin8
faithfully toward him and toward one another
An Intergenerational Community: where adults intentionally take the lead to en8age wlth,
encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Chrlst.
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 of our 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 wlth the
Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of
Christlan faith and prattice.
AcfiviTIES AND OBJEcfivES
The con8re8ation meets for worship every Sunday and vlsltors are welcome to joln. The Sacrament
of the Lord's Supper is observed on several occasions durin8 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 meetlngs and has a wide range of organisatlons
including..
Sunday School, Bible Class & Crèche
Presbyterian Women
Parents & Toddlers Group
Bowling Club
Time for You - Seniors Group
Girls, Brigade
Boy5, Brigade
Good News Club
Saturday Night Live-youth Club
Youth Fellowship
Holiday Bible Club

FIRST GARVAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Worshlp and prayer
The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.30 am and fortnightly at 7.00 pm.
Durin8 the week the Bible Study and Home Groups provide an opportunity for members to meet
together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a tlme of prayer.
As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at 3
Sacrament of Bapt15ms and we sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year.
There wa5 one marriage service conducted this year.
At 31 December 2023 there were 244 communicant members, including 4 new full members and
190 families are connerted with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning
worship is 120.
Pastoral care
Members of the congreBation who are unable to attend church due to slcknes5 or age are vislted on
a regular basis by the minister and elders, DVD and CD recordings of the servlces are dlstributed to
the housebound. A Ilve stream of Services Is available along wlth Zoom Blble Studies and Prayer
meetings.
Mlsslon and outreach
At a local level the congregation seeks to wltness for Christ through the organlsations and attivities
we provlde within the church halls: Parents & Toddlers, Good News Club, Girls, Brl8ade, Saturday
Night Llve, Holiday Blble Club and Time for You. These or8anlsations draw people from the local
community. The provision of a minibus enables US to reach out to children from local housing areas
who would probably not attend our actlvities. As a nei8hbour to Trinity House residential care
home, run by the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland, we support the staff and residents in many
prattical ways including the provision of the minibus to bring residents to church and take them out
on day trips. Each month we also support the local foodbank.
The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the Presbyterian
Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregation5 to support the wider misslon 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 wlth 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 denomination's annual World Development Appeal,
Sunday School project and any other special appeals. We also support financially and prayerfully
James and Julia Mcmaster serving with Unevangelised Fields Mission in the West of Ireland, and Rev
Brian Wilson serving in the Peter Achimugu College of Theology in Nigeria.
The congregation also sUPPOrted.. Presbyterian Children's Society, European Missionary Fellowshipi
Ukraine aid organisations. the Leprosy Mission, and the Blythswood Care Shoebox Appeal, amongst
others.

FIRST GARVAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Presbytery
The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and l or
one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider
structures of the church.
General Assembly
The minister and one of our elder5 were nominated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June.
Property
The Church Property Sub-commlttee regularly reviews the fabric of its suite of buildin85 and brings
recommendations to the Church Committee for work required to the premises. The church
committee undertakes preventative maintenance and repairs any damaged property or equipment
on a timely basis.
Organlsatlons
Sunday School 'SonSeekers', Blble Class 'CY' & Crèche have around 40 children and young people In
attendance each Sunday. The children have a time of worshlp, follow a blble les50n, make crafts and
fundraise for varlous mission projects alon8 Wlth supporting a sponsored child. A blg breakfast Is a
popular feature of the programme. Crèche can have up to 8 infants on a Sunday morning.
Presbyterlan Women meets monthly on a Tuesday evening. The PW Is a fellowship group made up
of around 30 ladies from the congregation. The program consists of vlsitin8 Speakers, 5UPPOrtin8
missions and a devotional tlme. An annual church service and dinner are part of the pro8ramme.
Tots & Co. Each Wednesday mornlng our main hall is used by our parents and toddlers, group-15-20
children and thelr carers are regular in attendance. Tea, toast, cakes and fruit are served at break
time. Easter and Christmas celebrations are part of the programme.
Glrls, Brl8ade meets weekly on a Friday evening. It is a Chrlst-centred uniformed organisation with
around 60 girls in attendance of primary and secondary school age. A program of badge work and
bible study is followed, along with fun and games and the occasional outing. The program begins
with an enrolment service and concludes with a parents, evening.

FIRST GARVAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Boys, Brigade is a shared organisation with Main Street Presbyterian and St. Paul's Church of
Ireland. The Boys, Brigade meets weekly on a Friday evening. It is a Christ-centred uniformed
organisation with around 60 boys in attendance of primary and secondary school age. A program of
badge work and bible study is followed, along with fun and games and the occasional outing. The
program begins with an enrolment service and concludes with a parents, evening.
Bowling Club meets weekly on a Monday evening and consists of around 20 members.
Competitions are held within the club and they a150 have several external competition fixtures.
Tlme for You meets on Tuesdays on a monthly basls and provides a program of events and activities
for our senior members, along with visitors and friends. There are around 30 members. Speakers,
outings and lunches make up the program. Each gathering concludes with an epilogue and prayer.
Saturday Ni8ht Llve- Youth Club meet5 on Saturday evenin85 each fortnight. Up to 20 young
people aged P7+ come along and most are not members of First Garvagh. Sports such as football,
volleyball, basketball and unl-hoc take place in the main hall, The minor hall Is the venue for table
tennis, pool/snooker and X-BOX. The choir room is used for further computer games, TV, board
games and crafts. Each evenin8 concludes with an epi108ue and prayer. There have also been
outin8S to play ten-pln bowling and watch Ice-hockey.
Hollday Blble Club runs durlng the second week of August from Monday to Friday in the evenings.
An actlon-packed programme of bible teachingi song5, crafts, snacks• puppets, fun and games Is
followed wlth around 80 children In attendance from across the Garvagh communlty.
Volunteers
The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of thelr tlme by
servlng on commlttees and helpin8 Wlth organisations and other church actlvities.
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 dirett beneflts which flow from the purposes of the Church include the 8ainin8 of an
understanding of 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 practlcal expressions of Christ13n 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
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.

FIRST GARVAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT (cont'd)
The purpose does not lead to harm. The only prlvate 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 individLtals 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 Klrk Session has had regard to the Charity Commission's Public benefit requirement statutory
guidance.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The congregation's maln source of Income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill
Offerlng. There were 275 contributors during the year {259 in previous year, 2022) donating a total
of £88,4651£84,585 in previous year, 20221.
Total income of the congregation durin8 the year was £257,953 compared to £287,280 in the
previous year. The main reason for the change was a decrease in donations to restricted funds.
Total expenditure increased from £157,025 to £190,054, primarily due to an increase in
congregational running expenses.
RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the flnancial statements In
accordance wlth applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The Trustees are required to prepare financlal statements for each flnanclal year whlch give a true
and fair view of the state of affairs of the congregations and the financlal attivities for that year. In
preparing the financial statements the Trustees are required to:
Select suitable accountin8 policies and then apply them consistently
Makejudgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the funds will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accountin8 records that are sufficient to show
and explain the funds transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial
position of the con8regations and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with
the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities {1 January 20151".
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.

FIRST GARVAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELANO
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
For the year ended 31 De￿mber 2023
GOING CONCERN
The activities of the congregation are dependent on ongoing contributions from its members. The
Trustees are of the opinion that the congregation has sufficient resources at the date of approval of
these financial statements to meet commitments which will arise in the year from the date of
5i8ning this report and subjett to the continuing support from members to fund on an ongoing basis
the congregation's current activities and other financial commitments
RESERVES POUCY
The Trustees have considered the level of unrestricted reserves that it is appropriate to hold taking
account of current and ongoing commitments. It is the policy of the Trustees to hold at least 12
month's normal expenditure from unrestricted funds. At the year-end unrestritted bank balances
were £152,534 which represents a higher level of reserves. The Trustees, however, consider it
prudent to hold reserves at this level as the funding of Its present attivities is dependent on the
ongoing financlal support of members.
RISK REVIEW
A review of major risks has been undertaken by the Trustees and systems and procedures
implemented to manage Identifled risks. The princlpal risks are In relation to the likelihood of
reputational damage and financlal rlsks assoclated wlth the expectatlon of ongolng financial support
from members. These rlsks are mitigated by the Trustees, and the Congregational Commlttee,
regularly monitoring the various activities of the congregation at stated meetlngs and by
encouragin8 members in their regular giving.
Approved by the Kirk Session at a meetlng on
2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Rev. M. Donald
A. Galbrait
2024