## **CONNOR CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT** The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 including a Balance Sheet as at that date. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** Connor Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Carncombe Road Connor Ballymena BT42 3LA Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105329) ## **CHARITY TRUSTEES** The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were: |Rev PhilipDavid Thompson|Mr Robert Campbell Allen| |---|---| |Mr Matthew Currie|Mr CraigMark Preston| |Mr Nigel James Francey|Mr Charles RodneyHouston| |Mr Alistair John Greer|Mr James Barr| |Mr David Preston|Mr Warwick Farquhar| |Mr George McDowell|Mr William Mervyn Johnston| |Mr William Allan Agnew|Mr David Thompson| |Mr GeoffreySamuel Allen|Mr Frew Johnston| |Mr Robert James Nicholl|Mr Neil McCullough| |Mr David Murdoch|| ## **PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS** |Minister|Rev PhilipDavid Thompson| |---|---| |Clerk of Session|Mr William Mervyn Johnston| |Treasurer|Mr Nigel James Francey| |Secretary|Mr Alistair John Greer| ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** John Finnegan Potter Finnegan Limited Unit 25 The Courtyard Business Park 190 Galgorm Road Ballymena BT42 1HL ## **BANKERS** Danske Bank 1-2 Broadway Ballymena BT43 6EA ## **SOLICITORS** Boal Anderson & Co 56 High Street Ballymena Co. Antrim BT43 6UH 1 ## **CONNOR CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **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 service in the local community. The Kirk Sessions 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 congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. 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. Voting members of the congregation elect Elders to the Kirk Session. All meetings of the congregation are under the governance of the Kirk Session. Stated meetings of the Kirk session were held on 9 occasions during the year ending 31st December 2023. ## **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 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Connor Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Ballymena 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. ## **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** Connor 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. Connor Presbyterian Church exists to see unbelieving people become lifelong followers of Jesus Christ. We have three main objectives. **Objective 1** To encourage people to make use of the ordinary means of grace - The preaching and teaching of God’s word is central to all we do; - Prayer. Both as individuals and corporately; - Communion ## **Objective 2** To equip our people for service - Help our people to identify the gifts God has given them to serve others; - Strengthen and enlarge the core group of God’s people to take up key roles of ministry; - Identify appropriate training to enable our people to carry out acts of service. ## **CONNOR CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **Objective 3** To engage our people in missionary outreach at home and overseas. - To encourage our people to play their part in personal outreach and ministry. - We have followed this pattern by partnering with: - West Kirk Congregation in Belfast; - Grace and Hope church plant, Carlisle Circus, Belfast - Calvary Mission in Westport, Co. Mayo; - Hamsayeh International in West London; - EMF – Rogerio & Sonia Ramos in Sines, Portugal. - EMF – Krzystof & Aneta Rutkowscy Poland. Book translation. - PCI Missionaries in Kenya. - Operation Mobilisation Roscommon. ## **ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES** Meetings are as outlined below. The dedication and commitment of Rev. Thompson and leaders of the organisations is greatly appreciated, and we are thankful to God that congregational life is now reverting to a more normal arrangement. |Sunday|Prayer meeting||11.15am| |---|---|---|---| ||Sunday School & Bible Class||11.00am| ||Morning Service||12.00 noon| ||Prayer meeting||6.00pm| ||Evening Service||6.30pm| |Monday|Boys Brigade||| ||▪
Anchor Boys & Junior Section||7.00pm| ||▪
Company & senior Section||7.30pm| |Tuesday|A Warm Place–(November–March)|Weekly|10-12noon| ||Girls Brigade||| ||▪
Explorers||6.30pm| ||▪
Juniors, Seniors, Brigaders||7.30pm| |Wednesday|Prayer Meeting||8.00pm| |Thursday|Kirk Session meeting|Monthly|7.30pm| ||Presbyterian Women (PW)|Monthly|8.00pm| ||Church Committee|As announced|7.30pm| ||Indoor Bowling Club|As announced|8.00pm| ||Craft Group|As announced|8.00pm| |Friday|“Men Alive” men’s group|As announced|7.00pm| ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **Worship and prayer** The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 12.00pm and 6.30pm. During the week, the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. On a Wednesday evening, we have a prayer meeting. Two marriage services were conducted, and we also sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2023 there were 268 communicant members and 308 families connected with the congregation. 3 ## **CONNOR CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **Pastoral care** Rev. Thompson and the Elders carry out pastoral visitation throughout the year. Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the minister, elders or by one of the congregation’s pastor al visitors. ## **Mission and outreach** 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 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, assist with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church’s t raining college for ministry students, and financially supports congregation 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 and 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 elders 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 Congregational Committee met on 3 occasions during the year. The Congregational Committee had oversight of the material needs of the congregation. Their main activities ensured the upkeep of the Meeting House, Halls, Manse Farm and Graveyard. ## **Organisations** ## **The Kirk Session** The Kirk Session met throughout the year to deal with the spiritual interests of our congregation. The following organisations met throughout the year as announced. ## **Sunday Worship** Our Sunday Services were open to all to attend. We met to worship God, to pray and sing his praises. God’s Word was faithfully preached, and we believe by the power of the Holy Spirit God’s people were built up in their faith and those who do not have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ were challenged to repent and live for Christ. ## **Sunday School, Bible Class and Ablaze** Children and young people were taught God’s word in Sunday School and Bible Class. This is to give them an understanding of what God has to say through his word and that they may come to faith in Christ and live their lives for him. ## **A Warm Place** A Warm Place meets from 10 am to 12 noon on Tuesdays from November to March. It provides a time for people of all ages to come for tea or coffee and a chat. God’s word is read and explained at each meeting. 4 ## **CONNOR CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade.** The uniformed organisations of BB and GB meet from September to April, and these are open to all boys and girls, respectively. God’s word is taught in each evening and a full program of activities provided. ## **Presbyterian Women** Women of all ages met monthly until March. They had a varied programme providing reports on missionary interest and giving women opportunities for fellowship and special events. ## **The Congregational Committee** The Congregational Committee dealt with the temporal needs of the congregation as it met throughout the year. ## **The Bowling Club** The Bowling Club was open to all and provided friendship for those whose interests were in playing bowls. ## **The Craft group** The Craft group was open to all to learn new skills and nurture friendships. All the meetings come under the governance of the Kirk Session who appoint all leaders. Connor Presbyterian adheres to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Taking Care policy. ## **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. ## **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 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 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 using noticeboards, printed material, press advertisement, 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 Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits because of their holding office or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary 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 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 Commission's public benefit requirement statutory guidance. 5 an CONNOR CONGREGATION OF THE pRE5B￿ERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Ffeewill Offering. There were 197 contributors during the year1184 in previous year. 20221 donating a total of £156.4461£126.660 in previous year. 20221 Total Intome of the congregation during the year wa5 £359,285, compared to £325,496 in the previous year. Total expenditure increased from £261,779 to £295.464. RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPEcf OF FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the congregations and the financial attivities for that year. In preparing the financtal statements the Trustees are required to.. Select suitable accounting polrcies and then apply them con515tently Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the funds will continue in operation. The Trustees are re5pon5ible for keepin8 adequate accounting record5 that are sufficient to show and explain thè funds tran5action5 and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the congregations and enablè them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice-Accounting and Reporting by Charities11 January 20151~ They are a150 responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable 5tep5 for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 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 signing thi5 report and 5ubjert to the continuing support from members to fund on an on80ing ba51S the conBregation'5 current activTrties and other financial commitments. RISK REVIEW A review of major risks has been undertaken by the Trustees and systems and procedures implemented to manage identified risk5. The principal risks are in relation to the likelihood of reputstional damage and financial risks associated with the expectation of ongoing financial support from members. These risks are mitigated by the Trustees. and the Congregational Committee. regularly monttoring the various activities of the congregation at stated meetings and by encouraging rnembers in their regular giving. Approved by the Xirk Session at a meeting on 16th May 2024 and signed on its behalf by- Rev Philip David Thompson Trustee Mr Alastair John Greer Trustee