an
FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees presènt their Annual Report and Flnancial Ststements for the year ended 31 December
2024 including a Balance Sheet as at that date.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Flrst Ballymena Cong￿gatIon of Presbyterlan Church In Ireland
Church Offlce,
Meetlnghouse Lane,
Ballymena.
Co. Antiim
8T43 7BT
Reglstered Charlty in Northern Ireland (NIC105344)
CHARITY TRUSTEES
The CharltyTrustees who seThed during the year or who were trustees at the date of thi5 report were:
Rev Emerson McDowell
Rev Matthew Boyd Ireslgned 31 March 20241
Mr Harry Clarke
Mr Hughjames Cameron
Mrjames Donaghey
Mr Norman Graham
Mr Stephen Lamont
Mrs Kay LorlmÈr
Mr Alan Montgomery
Mr John McQuitty
M15 Diane Russell
Mr Rodney Wrl8ht
Mr Rodney 8ryans
Mr Maurlce Crabbe
Mr Dennis Hanna
Mf Randal Hayes
Mrstewart Heaney
MrTommy Heaney
Mr Robertjohnstone
Mr Geoffrey Lamont
Mrs Catherine MaybSn
Mr Ivan McNeill
Mf Lyle McQultty
Mr Colin Russell
Mr Roland Woods
Mrjames Wylle
PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS
Minister
Clerk of Sesslon
Rev Emèrson McDowell
Mr Tommy Heaney Icompleted hls term of office on 31 Au8u5t 20241
Mr Colin Russell lappolnted I September 20241
Mrs JacquiÉ Gilmore
Mrs Ruth Gib50n
Treasurer
Secrètary

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FIRsf BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
John Flnnegan
Potter Flnnegan LlmitÈd
Unit 25 The Courtyard 8u51ne55 Park
190 Galgorm Road
Ballymena
BT42 IHL
BANKERS
u15ter Bank Llmlted
49 W@Ilington Street,
8allymena
BT43 6A0
Flrst Trust Bank
78 Welllngton Street
8allymena
8T43 6AF
Natlonwlde Bulldin8 Society
70 Welllngton Street,
Ballymena
BT43 6AF
Cambrid8e & Countles 8ank,
Chamwood Court,
58 New Walk,
Lelcester,
LEI 6TE
Santander
Customer Sep4lce Centre
Bootle,
Merseyslde.
L30 46B
United Trust Bank Llmlted
l Ropemaker Street
London
EC2Y 9AW
SOUCITORS
Samuel Cummlngand Son
39 Llnenhall Street
8allymena
BT43 5

Presbyter
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FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conVd}
STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT
TlJeKlrkSesslon
The Charity Trustees of the congregation are the members of Its Kirk Sesslon. Under the congregation's governlng
document. The Code. the book of the tonstltution and 8overnment of the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland. the Kirk
Session seeks to watch over and promote the splrltual Interest5 of the congregatlon and of persons not connectecl
with any congre8atlon who are withln tts bounds. It ensures pastoral care is In place In the congregatlon and seeks te
further the contrlbution of the Church to Christian witness and 5ervlce In the local communlty. The Klrk Sesslon has
delegated to Its Congregatlonal Commlttee the temporal affalrs of the con8re8ation, includlng admSnlsterlng all funds
and property belon8lng to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-offlcio members of the
Congregational Commlttee.
The Klrk Session consists of the ordalned mlnlster and the rullnE elders of the congregatlon. All members are entltled
to propose, speak, and exerclse equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the mlnlster in actlve duty In
the eongre8ation, has no dellberatfve but only a castln8 Vote.
Stated meetlngs of the Kirk session were held on nlne occaslons In 2024.
To be chosen for the office of the eldershlp In the congre8atlon a person must be a votin8 member and a regular
attendant at its ordlnances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office can be elther by the
ongregatlon or by the Klrk Sesslon. Members are elected If they obtsln two-thlrds of those who vote.
Presbsrfery
Under the Presbyterian Church In Ireland Form of Governance, the corporate overslght of a con8regatlon Is the
responsibillty of a Presbytery whlch superlntends generally the 5plrltual and temporal affalrs of the congre8atlons
a5518ned to It by the General Assembly of the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland. Flrst Ballymena Presbyterlan Church has
been assl8ned to the Ballymena Presbytery of the Prèsbyterlan Church In Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery
consists malnly of the active mlnlster5 of congregatlons asslgned to it by the General Assembly, mlnsters who have
retired from actlve duty and an elder appointed by the Klrk Session of each congregatlon.
The GeneralAssembfy
The General Assembly Is the supreme court of the Church, representlng in one body the whole Church and acting as
Its supreme leglslatlve, admlnistratlon and ludlclal authorFty, in deallng with all matters brought before It. The
General Assembly Is normally constituted during the flrst week In June for worship and to conduct Its business. The
membershlp of the General Assembly conslsts malnly of the actlve minlster of each congregation, retlred mlnlsters
and a representative elder appolnted by the Kirk Sesslon of each congre8atlon.
DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
The charitable purpose of the congre8ation1s the advancement of rellglon. Fitst Ballymena 15 a con8regatlon of the
Presbyterion Church In Ireland. The Presbyterlan Church in Ireland. a5 a Reformed Church within the wlder body of
Christ, Is grounded In the Scriptures, and exists to love and honour God through falth in His Son and by the power
of HIS Splrit, and to enable it5 members to play thelr part in fulfilllng God's mlsslon to our world.
The congregatlon's mlsslon purpose is to have a passion forjesus Chr15t and a compassion for people. We alm, by
the grace of God, to help people of all a8e5 become disciples of Jesus Christ.

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FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT IconVd}
rhe congregatlon alms to live out Its Mlsslon and Vlsion by belng:
A Famlly of God'5 people who care for each other and Ènable each other to grow as disclples of Jesus at
whatever stage of life they are.
Invitatlonal- Inviting people to follow Jesus and then Serve Him in His church and His world.
Restorational-acknowledging that in our church famlly and our wider communlty there are brokÈn, hurting
people, and broken. fractured relatlonshlps that can be restored and healed throu8h Jesus Chrlst.
and by:
Serving- acknowledglng that as followers of Jesus we are to serve each other and to serve our world.
Telllng the good news of Jesus to all whom we meet.
ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES
The congre8ation meets for worshlp every Sunday and visitors are welcome to loin. Those who are conflned to thelr
home or to a hospital bed and those on holiday can joln the mornln8 serrflce vla the First Ballymena YouTube webcast.
DVDS of the servlces are distrlbuted to those who have no or Ilmlted access to the internet. The Sacrament of the Lord'5
Supper Is observed on several occaslons during the year and all those who have been baptlsed and who havÈ made a
profession of falth In the Lord Jesus Chrlst are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation holds regular 81ble
Study meetings and has a wide ranBe of organlsation5 Includlng:
Flrst Kids and other children's programmes
Women Together
Sports clubs - Bowllng
Luncheon and Coffee clubs
Youth and Youn8Adult programmes
ACHIEVEMENfs AND PERFORMANCE
Flrst Ballymena Presbyterlan Church has had a blessed year and Is pleased to report an Increase In Its membershlp from 2023.
The growth In young families Is particularly plea￿n£ to the point where we now see close to forty children attending worshlp
wlth their parents on a Sunday mornlng.
To help develop our Youth and Children's mlnlstry. the Church appolnted Mlss Molly Cranston to the mlnlstry team as our
part-tlme Youth and Chlldren's Worker In Ortober 2024.
The Church was pleased to welcome fifteen new communicants on profession of falth Into full membeTshlp of the
con8regatSon in November 2024.
Rev. Matthew Boyd stepped down as Ass(Klate Mlnlster on 31 March 2024. concludln8 his flve-year tenure. while waitlng
fora call to a con8regation of hls own. Matthew continues to be employed on a month to month rolllng contract basks. where
he falthfully preaches God's word, visits the sick and pastorolly supports the young tamilies In the congregation.
Mts. Dlane Ru55ell also retired as our volunteer Pastoral Carecoordinator after ten years of servlce at the end of March 2024.
To augment the mlnlstry team the church appolnted Rev. Dr. John Kirkpatricl former Moderator of p.c.i.. to a551st with
p￿aching. Th15 has freed up tlme for the ftev. Emerson and Rev. Matthew to concentrate more on the pastoral care work
which was previously carried out by Diane.
At the end of August 2024, Tommy Heaney completed hls temi of offlce as Clerk of Sesslon. Session is eternally grateful to
Tommy for his leadership over the past elghtyear5. Tommy was succeeded by Colin Russell who took up the position of Clerk
on 1st September. Session appointed Geoff Lamont as the Deputy Clerk of Sesslon.

Presbyter
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FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd)
In October the congre8ation elected a new Church Commlttee. The commlttee will look after the temporal affair5 of the
church for the next three yeaTS.
ThÈ Sesslon will contlnueto seek Gods will to develop His Klngdom through First Baltymena bolh splrituallyand numerically
In the days ahead.
Worshlp andproyer
The tongre83tlon normally meets for worshlp each Sunday at 11.00am wtth an evenlng servlce being held on the
second and fourth Sunday of each month at 6.30pm. All Sunday servlces are streamed online wlth the mornlng seNice
reeelvln8 between 250-500 vlews each week. Onllne streamlnE of setvlces has proved Invaluable, ertabllng the church
to remaln Sn contact with the housebound, those on hollday and those who must work and are unable to attend In
person.
Durlng the week, dlscipleshlp groups provlde an opportunity for members to meet for fellowshlp. to study the
Scriptures and for a tSme of prayer. As well as our regular Services during the year we acknowledge God's glft of new
life In the sacrament of baptlsm.
During 2024, 1 adult and 6 chlldren were baptlsed. We conducted 3 marrla8e 5ervlces and gave thanks for the Ilves
of the 17 members of our congregation who passed away during the year, seeking to comfort their grleving families.
On 31st December 2024 there were 303 communlcant members and 318 famllles connected wlth the con8re8atlon,
The avera8e weekly attendance In person is 294 at mornln8 worship wlth 70 attendln8 In the evenlng.
AIIAge Proyer Tlme
Members meet for prayer In the church hub on the first Wednesday of each month. Several chlldren are Involved In the
Wedne5doy prayer time. Prayer toplcs. includlng those su88ested by the ministry team. focus on the church famlly. the
church organlsations. the local communlty and our mls51onary piolects locally and overseas.
Postorolcore
Members of the con8re8atlon who are unable to attend church due to slckness, age or personal cri515 are vlslted on
a re8ular basls by the mlnlstry team. elders or by one of the con8regatlon's pastoral vlsltors. Pastoral care 55 also
exercised In our dlsclpleshlp communities as people share and pray together. The Sunday morning service is also
webcast and many who are conflned to thelr hornes Joln us through thls faclllty. We also provide food hampers,
clothing, and furnlturÈ for some In our con8re8atlon who flnd it dlfflcult to make ends meet. Grants from the
Presbyterian Chlldren's Soclety and from the Guys School Trust are applled for on behalf of parents In our
congregatlon who are 5tru881ing financlally.
Outreach
At local level. the congregatlon runs a programme entitled Flrst Grace which provldes è clothinB bank for people in
need. First Grace has supported numerous famllles In our communlty and 5urroundlnE are? In 2024. Flrst Grace
Mlnistry works on a referral basis. Slnce the onset of the cost-of-living crlsls. increasln8 refeirals have been made by
Soclal Servlces, SurÈ Start, Simon Community and Inter Ethnlc forum, Flrst Grace greatly appreclates the support of
the local food stores, whlch donate food whlch would otherwlse 80 to waste. allowln8 it to be distrlbuted amongst
the communlty in need.
HetslnqHandsHamper Mlnlstry
As a congregation we are passlonate about meeting both the prartlcal and splrltual needs of those both within our
church family and those Ilvlng in our lotal community. One of the ways we seek to do thls Is through our Helplng
Hands hamper mlnlstry. We have a monthly food collection. Thanks to the generoslty of those who have donated,
we have been able to provlde over 250 food hamper5 to families durlng 2024. From September Helplng Hands
Mlnlstry 55 now open every other Wednesday in the church premises to allow the local communlty to avail of some
refreshments whlle waiting for their hampers.

Presbyter
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FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT{cont'd)
Mlsslon
The congregatlon support5 the Unlted Appeal for Mi$51on whlch is a central fund of the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland. Thls
enables congregations to support the wldèr mlssion of the denominatlon and to do misslon and oLIt￿aCh on a
denominational basis beyond what the congregation could do on Its own. The Unlted.Appeal Fund provides flnancial
5UPPOrt for mi55ion personnel at home and overseas, assists con8regatlons with the deployment of locally based staff,
enables church plantin& provldes grant support for the upkeep of church premises. ass15t5 With the runnln8 Costs of Union
Theological College (the Churth's training college for mlnistry students) and financlèlly supports congregatlons in the area5
of worshlp. dlsciple5hlp. global mlssion. outreach. leadership and pastoral care. The Congregation also contributes to the
denomlnatlon's other speclal appeals. The congregatlon takes an interest In a wlde range of Christlan Missions and
organi5atlons. Wsiting speakers highllght their work in Church service5. they are prayed for regularly ond financlal support
Is given. In 2024 we supported the following: Majed and Anna Tinawl, Silk Road Mln15tries. Chiesa 8attista (Florencel,
Saphara Ilndlal. Belfast Clty Misslon. Sarah & B￿rn Pederson. Kal Akagl. Qre for Cambodla, Abel Tikaz IHun8aryl, Coachlng
for Chrlst, Scriptuie Union Northern Ireland. E3 for Schools Project In the Ballymena area. Ellsha Gufwan, Tear Fund Nl and
Sports Chaplalncy Ireland. The Church also supported Belfast Clty Misslon through Its Chrlstmas toy appeal,
Charltles
Through a charlty appeal the con8regatlon donates to some local charltles. Durlng 2024 WÈ 5UPPOrted The Presbyteilan
Orphan Chlldren's Soclety, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. Crohn's and Colitis Soclety Northern Ireland 8ranch, Headwav
Baltymena and held a retirlng collection for the Royal Britlsh Le810n.
Presbytery
The congrÈgatlon was represented at the regular meetlngs of p￿$bytery by our minlster and hls representativé elder. Thls
provldes an Important link between the congre8atlons and the wider structures of the church.
GeneralAssembty
The General Assembly took place in June 2024. as outllned earller. The Rt. ftev. Or. Rlchard Murray was installed as
moderator on 21st June 2024. Rlchard Murray Is the mlnlster of Drumreègh Presbyterlan Church In Co. Antrim.
ORGANISATIONS:
FI￿t Klds
On a Sunday mornln& our children of pre-school and primary school age 80 Out half-way through our church service to be
given a8È-appropriote bible teaching. The programme each Sunday rnornln8 includes worshlp, prayer, craft work.
Interactlve talks and discussion based on the key teaching polnts. The alm of Flrst Kids is to help our chlldfen to understand
the blg story of the 8lble so that they mlght have a real and 8rowlng relation5hlp with Jesus Chrlst,
Glrls, 8rfgade
61rls' Brlgade Northern Ireland is recognised as a dynamic, relevant. Chr15t-centred organisatlon effectlvely reachln8 out to
all glrls to value. nurture and equlp them for lrfe. The alm of the Girls, Brlgade, belng a Chrfstlan organisation, Internatlonal
and Snterdenomlnational. shall be: To help glrls to become followers of the Lord Jesu5 Chris¢ and through self-control,
reverencÈ, and a sense of responsiblllty, to tlnd true enrlchment of life. A5 a group we meet weekly on Tuesday evenings
between the months of September through to the end of March. All our leaders and girls have reaify enjoyed our week
gatherings and full programme of activitie5. which has included favourlte attivitle5 such as the kitchen for baklng and the
sports hall for physical activity. We contlnue to be thankful for the opportunltles we have to work with our girls at Flrst
8allymena G8 and pray thatour work wlll help them to "SeeK Serve and Follow Christ."
Boys'8rf9ode
The Boys, Brigade organisatlon was fomied in 1883 and Is a Christlan Based organ15ation for boys aged from 4 to 18 year5.
ThÈ Flrst Ballymena Company was formed in 1932 and15 now in its 92rd year. The BB meets each Frlday night from the start
of September through to the end of March. The company is sptit Into 3 sectlons- Anchor Boys (PI to P4 age group- rneetlng
from 7pm to 8pm), Junior Section IPS to P7 agegroup- meeting from 7pm to 8pm) and Company Section (Secondary school
age group- meeting from 7.30pm to 9.30pml. Flfst Ballymena Boy5 Brigade has a variety of opportunitle5 which includes
games. crafts, and Blble teaching- this bein8 the most Important part ol our organlsatlon's alms.

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FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
First Coffee
We meet weekly fortea. coffee. scones. biscuits. and thè occasional cake for speclal telebrations. Thi5 group provides the
opportunltytts soclali5e In a frIend￿, relaxed environment and to get to know our church famlly members and others who
loin us regularly. We hold an annual Macmillan Coffee Morning and donated £900 in 2024. In May we had our first
awayday to the Ard5 Penlnsula when 32 ofthe group enjoyed a wonderful day of sightseelng, good ft>od and fvn together.
On the Move Club
Thls club Is a ladles. walking group (aged 18 plus). It meets on a Monday evening at 7.ODpm. September to May, weather
PÈTmltting. The club walks approximatety 3 mlles wlthin the town boundary whlch usually takes an hour, As well as eKer¢i5e
It Is a good way to make frlends.
Tots Flyst
Meets each Tuesday from 10.00- 11.30am duriftg term tlme in the mlnor hall. It caters lor pre-school children and their
parents or carers. and a heatthy Snack is provided each week. Members engage In play activltles. artwork, 51n8ing and
rhymes and have vislts from Sure Stsrt twlce a year. This provides a safe environment for children and carers to relax and
develop friendships.
The Luncheon Club
This club meets on the third Thursday of each month. October to March, woviding a three-course meal at a very modest
prlce to the Sènlor Citizens of the congregation and thelr frlends. This enables the Seftior Cltlzens In our communlty to meet
n a safe comfortable environment and share fellowshlp together.
Flrrt fouch Football
Meets every Monday night from 6.15 -7.15 pm. We cuf￿nt￿ have 23 children attendlng Iglrls and ba￿) made up from P5-
P7 children. At Flrst Touch we want to coach the klds, football through drills and playing lots of matche5 and have fun along
the way. We also have the prfvllege of sharlng the gospel through dIffe￿nt talks.
714 Club
The 714 Club Is open during term tlme for an hour and a half on Saturday nights for youth aged 7 to 14 years. It alms to
provlde actfvltles that promote confidence, self-esteem and to insplre a love for Chrlst. The normal format for each night
Includes football. dod8eball. basketball and netball In sports hall. Table tennis, pool. board games, 8ames consoles and tuck
shop are In a smaller hall, along wlth a chlll out area for socialislng. A short epilogue Is dellvered at the end of the nlghL
with up to 50 young people attendin8.
The Caterlnq Group
Thls Eroup orEanises general caterlng for any funttions within the Church. We are blessed with a dedicated team of ladies
who volunteer on a rÈgular ba5[5 and on occasions at short notice.
Women Together fFormerlyP.W.J
In September 2024 the P.W. was rebranded to Women Together. This was to erKouTa8e a younger age group. Flrst
8allymena Women Together meets on the second Tuesdayof each month in the Minor Hall from Septemberto March. We
have speakers who come and share thelr experiences of life lived through their Chrlstlan farth. Women To8ether continues
to support both prayerfully and financlallythe mission work of ourchLFrch. The age group is betsveen 30 and 70+ and there
Is an average of 40 members attending each ftight.

Presbyter
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FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd)
Musl¢Mlnlstry
As a congregation we a￿ blessed to have several musicians and singers who help to lead us in pralse durlng our Sunday
service5. some Sundays are choir led whlle others are led by members of our praise band5. Thanks to the dedication and
creativityof our music mlni5tryteam, we have continued to find ways to engage ourchurch family in the worshlp and praise
of God each Sunday.
We also have a very actlve thlldren'51 young people's pralse group who are reEularl¥ involved In leadlng pralse.
Our annual First Ll8ht concert rèlsed £6,500 for Cancer Focus Nl and in June we held a Summer Slng wlth the proceeds of
thi5 evening1£2,0001 belng donated to the Big House, Llmavady.
The Indoor8owllng Club
The Bowling Club meetfrom September to March each season. It Is pleaslng to reportthat the tlub contlnued to play league
matches In the past year and the members very much appreciated the opportunlty to renew frlendshlps durlng
competltlons.
Connerted
Meetlng on two Saturday nlghts Sn the month from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Connected Is an Interactlve Bible Study Youth
Group for those of p7 and Secondary School A8e. Usln8 dramas, vldeos, ice breakers and talks. Connected seeks to teach
what the Blble says on toplcs that young people face every day. This year we are studying 'Ten thlngs every teen should
ask about Chrlstianlty."
Volunteers
TheTrustees wish to acknowledge thelr deep appreclat5on of those who Elve freely of thelrtlme by serving on commlttees
and helping wlth organisatlons and other church actlvltles. We havè around 200 volunteers helplng In a wlde varlety of
tasks.
PU8UC BENEFIT STATEMENT
The Presbyterlan Church in Ireland meets the publlc benefit requlrement by providing benefit to Its members and the
publlc. by makin8 known the Christlan Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of rell810n.
The dlrect benefits whlch flow from the purposes of the Church Include the gainlng of an understandSng in Christian
bellefs. as set out In the Bible. and In the Church's subordinate standards Ithe Westminster ConfÈsslon of Falth and the
Shorter and Larger Catechlsms), leading to spirltual and Moral development and opportunitie5 for response to Blble
teaching. In turn, this fiamework lead5 to practlcal eXp￿sSIonS of Christian beliets and standards Sn the local community,
Such as through the care of those in need lincludln6 the SICK dlsabled. and bereaved).
Generally. the above benefits are delivered localty by congregatlonal churche5 and members,or are facllltated through
p￿$bYterIes, or are or8anised and delivered centrally. Local delivery is facilitated bycentr31 resources in almost all cases.
Publlc ac￿55 Ismade known using notlceboards, printed material, press advertisemenL website5. and social medla or in
other ways.
The beneflts are demonstrated through regular evaluatk)n of the Se￿Ice$ and Infornial and ad-hoc feedback from
members, theirfamllles. and members of the public.

Presbyter
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FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
The purposÈ does not lead to harm. The only private benefitflowingfrom our purpose is related to Ministers, Misslonaries.
Deacone55es, Irlsh Misslon workers and LayAgents who receive beneffts as a result of their holding office or employment.
However. this is Incidental and necessary In order to ￿rther our charitable purpose. There are no other private beneflts.
The beneflclarles of this PLFrpose are member5. their families. other indlviduals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is
in dlrect and indlrect contart with. the communlty in whlch pastoral services are provlded and other communitles
throughout Northern Ireland. the R@publlc of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our en8agement wlth and
support for both Chrlstlan andothersecurarorganlsations,chari￿es, andlndivldual members of the public.
The Klrk Session has had regard to the Commission's Publlc beneflt requlrement statutory guidan￿.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
These financlal ststements consolldate the income and expenditure forthe General account and the other activitles of the
hurch organisatlons.
Overall income has decreased from E370,197 In 2023 to £350,777 in 2024.
The congregation's main source of Sncome is membets. contrlbutlons through the weekly Free Wlll Offerlng. There were
252 contributln8 famllies during the year1245 In 20231 donatlng a totsl of £146,5051£133.623 In 20231 to the General
account. 4012023.. 971 famllie5 contributed to the Buildln8 Fund. maklng donatlons of £21,07012023: £50,788). 87 famllles
{2023.' 891 contrlbuted to the Housekeeping account. maklng donatlons of £36,17612023: £35,102), Donatlons to the
Mlssion and Charltable Funds were £42,71712023.' £41,664).
Expendlture Increased from £271.939 in 2023 to £284.787 In 2024. The major items of expenditure are costs In relatlon to
mlnistry and support staff totalliftg £134,843 {2023.. £IIS,2221 and General Asse55ments to PCI of £15,421 {2023: £15,120).
Congre8atlonal running expenses and utllity ¢OSts have decreased from £71.547 In 2023 to £65,649 In 2024, During the
year donations to Mlsslons and Charltles of £58,170 were made12023: £54,949).
At 31 December 2024, the balance sheet is In a healthy posltlon with net assets of £2.102,09012023". £2,036,100).
TRU5TEES' RESPONSIBIIITIESIN RESPECT OFTHE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Trustees are responsible for preparln8 the annual report and the flnanclal statements of the con8re8ation In
accordance wlth appllcable law and generally accepted accounting practice. The Trustees are required to prepare
flnanclal statemènts for each flnanclal year which give a true and fair vlew of the statè of affairs of the congregatlon
and the flnanclal actlvltles for that year. In preparingthe financlal statements the Trustees are requlred to:
select sultèble accountln8 pollcles and then apply thern consistently: and
make judgements and estlmates that are reasonable and prudent,. and
prepare the financlal statements on the going concern basis unless it is Inapproprlate to presume thatthe
Funds willcontinue In operatlon.
The Trustee5 are responsible for kèeplng adequate accounting record5 that are sufflcient to show and explaln the
con8regatlon's tran5actlon5 and disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any time its flnancial position and enable them
to ensure that the fiftanclal statements comply wlth the Statement of Recommended Practlce "Accountlng and
Reporting by Charltles Il'january 20151". They are also responsible for safeguardln& the assets of the congregatlon and
hence for taklng reasonable step5 forthe preventlon and detection of fraud and other Irregularltles.

an
FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (confd)
GOING CONCERN
The congregational flnances remain strong. Thè Trustees are of the oplnlon that the congregation has sufficient resources
at the date of approval of these financial statements to rneet commitments. which will arise in the year from the date of
slgnlnE thls report. and. subject to the contlnulng support from membersto fund. on an on-going basis. the congregation's
current activities and other fjnoncial commitments.
RESERVES POUCY
The Trusteès have consldered the level of unrestrltted reserves that it is approprlate to hold toklng account of current
and ongolng commitments. It is the alm of the Trustees to hold unrestrlcted reserves eqtsatlnR to eighteen months normal
expenditure. At the year-end unre5trlcted reserves were £242,299. The Trustees consider that the amounts of reserves
wlll be dlctated by future donations and planned expendlture. Processes are Sn place to review both income and
expendlture on a monthly basls. Fundlng of Its present activities is dependent on the on8oln8 financlal support of
members.
RISK REVIEW
A review of major risks has been undertaken by the Trustees and systems and procedures Implemented to manage
Identified rlsks. The principal rlsks are In relatlon to the Ilkellhood of reputatlonal damage and flnanclal rlsks
associated wlth the expectatlon of on-golng flnanclal support from members. These rlsks are mltlgated by the
Trustees, and the Con8re8ational Committee. regularly monltorlng the varlous activities of thè con8regatlon at stated
meetlngs and by encoura8ln8 members In their re8ular 8ivin8.
Approved by the Klrk Sesslon at a meetlng on 2Slh March 2025 and slgned on Its behalf bv:
P051tlon: Mlnlster
Posltlon: Clerk of Se551on
Rev Emerson McDowell
Colln Russell
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