OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← First Ballymena Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

2025-12-31-annual-report

----- Start of picture text -----
coe Presbytefianaly,
----- End of picture text -----

FIRST BALLYMENA 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 2025 including a Balance Sheet as at that date.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

First Ballymena Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in treland

Church Office, Meetinghouse Lane, Ballymena, Co. Antrim BT43 7BT

Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105344)

,

CHARITY TRUSTEES

The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were:

Rev Emerson McDowell Mr Stephen Lamont Mr Rodney Bryans Mrs Kay Lorimer Mr Hugh James Cameron Mrs Catherine Maybin Mr Maurice Crabbe Mr Ivan McNeill Mr James Donaghey Mr John McQuitty Mr Norman Graham Mr Lyle McQuitty Mr Dennis Hanna Mr Alan Montgomery Mr Randal Hayes Mr Colin Russell Mr Stewart Heaney Mrs Diane Russell Mr Tommy Heaney Mr Roland Woods Mr Robert Johnstone Mr Rodney Wright Mr Geoffrey Lamont Mr[James][Wylie] Mr Harry Clarke (Retired 1 January 2025) —-

PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS

Minister . Clerk of Session . Treasurer Secretary

Rev Emerson McDowell Mr Colin Russell - Mrs Jacquie Gilmore Mrs Ruth Gibson

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

John Finnegan Potter Finnegan Limited 27-28 The Courtyard Business Park 190 Galgorm Road Ballymena BT42 1HL

‘

BANKERS

Ulster Bank Limited 49 Wellington Street, Ballymena BT43 6AD .

.

,

|

----- Start of picture text -----
Presbytelin
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
,
----- End of picture text -----

FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)

‘

Cambridge & Counties Bank, Charnwood Court, 58 New Walk, Leicester, LE1 6TE

Santander Customer Service Centre Bootle, Merseyside, L30 4GB

United Trust Bank Limited 1 Ropemaker Street London EC2Y SAW

;

Redwood Bank The Nexus Building ; Broadway Letchworth Garden City Hertfordshire SG6 3TA

SOLICITORS

Samuel Cumming and Son 39 Linenhall Street Ballymena BT43 5AJ

.

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 interests 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 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.

Stated meetings of the Kirk session were held on six occasions in 2025.

To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant at 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.

2

----- Start of picture text -----
Presbyterian.
----- End of picture text -----

oe , FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

----- Start of picture text -----
:
----- End of picture text -----

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. First Ballymena Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Ballymena Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in freland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers 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 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, administrative and judicial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The General Assembly is normally constituted annually in June for worship and to conduct its business. The membership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the active minister 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 advancement of religion. First Ballymena 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 its members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world.

The congregation's mission purpose is to have a passion for Jesus Christ and a compassion for people. We aim, by the grace of God, to help people of all ages become disciples of Jesus Christ.

The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision by being:

ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES

;

. ;

The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. Those who are confined to their home or to a hospital bed and those on holiday can join the morning service via the First Ballymena YouTube webcast. DVDs of the services are distributed to those who have no or limited access to the internet. The Sacrament of the Lord's 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: .

3

| Presbytefian

a

|

,

: FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont’d) :

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

First Ballymena Presbyterian Church has had a blessed year and is pleased to report an increase in its membership from 2024. The continued growth in young families is particularly pleasing to the point where we now have more than forty children attending worship with their parents on a Sunday morning.

The church continued to develop our Youth and Children’s work by expanding our First Kids ministry on a Sunday morning to cope with increased numbers. Molly, our Youth Worker, developed a new teenage / youth program called Connected Plus on Saturday evenings and organised our teenagers to.attend the youth camp Summer Madness. Along with our Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Brigade coming together to meet on Wednesday evenings, the church can report an increase in young people attending our youth organisations which is very encouraging. .

The church is very grateful for the dedicated support of our Youth leaders supported by our Safeguarding Team.

In November the church was pleased to welcome nine new communicant members on profession of faith into full membership of the congregation along with seven members who transferred from other congregations.

The ministry team of the Rev. Emerson McDowell, Rev. Matthew Boyd and the Rev. John Kirkpatrick have continued to faithfully preach God’s word, pastor the sick and comfort the bereaved and the congregation is very grateful for all their efforts.

On 1st January 2025 Harry Clarke retired as an elder and thus stood down as a Trustee to the charity. The church would like to place on record it’s heartfelt thanks to Harry for all -his efforts over the ten years he was an elder.

The church’s newly elected committee met for the first time in December 2024 and appointed its office bearers and sub-committee members. Throughout 2025 the committee have diligently looked after the temporal affairs of the church including administration, financial management and building maintenance. Special thanks go to Ruth Gibson (Hon. Secretary) and Jacquie Gilmore (Hon. Treasurer) who have coordinated the work in what has been a successful year.

The Session is indebted to ail who have volunteered in any capacity during 2025. Session will continue to seek God’s will to develop His Kingdom through First Ballymena both spiritually and numericallyin the days ahead.

Worship andprayer

The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.00am with an evening service being held on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 6.30pm. All Sunday services are streamed online with the morning service receiving between 250-500 views each week. Online streaming of services has proved invaluable, enabling the church to remain in contact with the housebound, those on holiday and those who must work and are unable to attend in person.

During the week, discipleship groups provide an opportunity for members to meet for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledge God's gift of new life in the sacrament of baptism. : During 2025, 1 adult and 2 children were baptised. We conducted 2 marriage services and gave thanks for the lives of the 12 members of our congregation who passed away during the year, seeking to comfort their grieving families. On 31st December’ 2025 there were 309 communicant members and 320 families connected with the congrégation. The average weekly attendance in person is 318 at morning worship with 85 attending in the evening.

All Age Prayer Time

Members met for prayer in the church hub on the first Wednesday of each month. From September 2025 this prayer time moved to the first Thursday of the month to accommodate the rescheduling of the BB and GB. Several children are involved in the monthly prayer time. Prayer topics, including those suggested by the ministry team, focus.on the church family, the church organisations, the focal community and our missionary projects locally and overseas.

----- Start of picture text -----
;
----- End of picture text -----

:

, a | FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)

----- Start of picture text -----
__-. Presbyteryan
----- End of picture text -----

Pastoral care

: Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness, age or personal crisis are visited on a regular basis by the ministry team, elders or by one of the congregation's pastoral visitors. Pastoral care is also exercised in our discipleship communities as people share and pray together. Sunday services are also webcast and many who are confined to their homes join us through this facility. We also provide food hampers and clothing, for some in our congregation and the wider community who find it difficult to make ends meet. Grants from the Presbyterian Children's Society and from the Guys Schoo! Trust are applied for on behalf of parents in our congregation who are struggling financially.

Outreach

At local level, the congregation runs a program entitled First Grace which provides a clothing bank for people in need. First Grace supported numerous families in our community and surrounding area in 2025. First Grace Ministry works on a referral basis. Since the onset of the cost-of-living crisis, increasing referrals have been made by Social Services, Sure Start, Simon Community and Inter Ethnic forum, First Grace greatly appreciates the support of the local food stores, which donate food which would otherwise go to waste, allowing it to be distributed amongst the community in need.

Helping Hands Hamper Ministry

As a congregation we are passionate about meeting both the practical and spiritual needs of those both within our church family and those living in our local community. One of the ways we seek to do this is through our Helping Hands hamper ministry. We have a monthly food collection. Thanks to the generosity of those who have donated, we have been able to provide 313 food hampers to families during 2025. Helping Hands Ministry is open every other Wednesday in the church premises to allow the local community to avail of some refreshments while waiting for their hampers.

Mission

The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This 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. The congregation also contributes to the denomination’s other special appeals. The congregation takes an interest in a wide range of Christian Missions and organisations. Visiting speakers highlight their work in Church services, they are prayed for regularly and financial support is given. In 2025 we supported the following: Majed and Anna Tinawi, Silk Road Ministries, Chiesa Battista (Florence), Saphara (India), Belfast City Mission, Sarah & Bjorn Pederson, Kai Akagi, Care for Cambodia, Jubilee Farm (Glynn), Coaching for Christ and Sports Chaplaincy Ireland.

Charities

Through a charity appeal the congregation donates to some local charities. During 2025 we supported The Presbyterian Children’s © Society, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, Crohn’s and Colitis Society UK (Northern ireland Branch) and Headway.

Presbytery

The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and his representative elder. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church.

General Assembly

The General Assembly took place in June 2025, as outlined earlier. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Trevor Gribben was installed as Moderator on 11th June 2025. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Gribben resigned from the position of Moderator on the 12 November 2025 with the Rt. Rev Dr. : Richard Murray returning to take up the post for the remainder of the Generai Assembly year. A Special General Assembly was held on 18 December 2025.

5

Presbytefiin

or

|

| ,

.

.

----- Start of picture text -----
|
----- End of picture text -----

FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) :

ORGANISATIONS:

First Kids On a Sunday morning, our children of pre-school and primary school age go out half-way through our church service to be given agethatappropriatediscussion they mightbasedbiblehaveonteaching. atherealkey and teachingThe growing programmepoints.relationshipTheeachaimSundaywithof First Jesus Kidsmorning,Christ.is to helpincludes our childrenworship, toprayer, understandcraft thework, biginteractive story of thetalksBibleand so

Girls’ Brigade

Girls' Brigade Northern Ireland is recognised as a dynamic, relevant, Christ-centred organisation effectively reaching out to all girls to value, nurture and equip them for life..The aim of the Girls’ Brigade, being a Christian organisation, international and interdenominational, shali be: To help girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and through self-control, reverence, and a sense of responsibility, to find true enrichment of life. As a group we meet weekly on Wednesday evenings between the months of . September through to the end of March. All our leaders and girls have really enjoyed our weekly gatherings and full programme of activities, which has included favourite activities such as baking in the kitchen and physical activity in the sports hall. We continue to be thankful for the opportunities we have to work with our girls at First Ballymena GB and pray that our work will help them to “Seek, Serve and Follow Christ.”

Boys’ Brigade

The Boys’ Brigade organisation was formed in 1883 and is a Christian based.organisation for boys aged from 4 to 18 years. The First Ballymena Company was formed in 1932 and is now in its 93"4 year. The BB meets each Wed nesday night from the start of September through to the end of March. The company is split into 3 sections; Anchor Boys (P1 to P4 age group - meeting from 7pm to 8pm), Junior Section (P5 to P7 age group - meeting from 7pm to 8pm) and Company Section (Secondary school age group — meeting from 7.30pm to 9.30pm). First Ballymena Boys Brigade has a variety of opportunities which include games, crafts, and Bible teaching - this being the most important part of our organisation's aims.

First Coffee

We meet weekly for tea, coffee, scones, biscuits, and the occasional cake for special celebrations. This provides the opportu nity to socialise in a friendly, relaxed environment and to get to know our church family members and others who join us regularly. We hold an annual Macmillan Coffee Morning and donated £1,000 in 2025, We also enjoy a full away day in the summer and a Christmas lunch locally,

: On the Move Club This club is a ladies' walking group (aged 18 plus). It meets on a Monday evening at 7.00pm, September to May, weather permitting. The club walks approximately 3 miles within the town boundary which usually takes 1 hour. As well as exercise it is a good way to make friends. .

Tots First

Meets each Tuesday from 10.00 - 11.30am during term time in the minor hall. It caters for pre-school children and their parents or carers, and a heaithy snack is provided each week. Members engage in play activities, artwork, singing and rhymes and have visits from Sure Start twice 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, providing a three-course meal at a very modest price to the Senior Citizens of the congregation and their friends. This enables the Senior Citizens in our community to meet in a safe comfortable environment and share fellowship together.

; First Touch Football

Meets every Monday night from 6.15 -7.15 pm. We currently have 40 children attending (girls and boys) made up from P5-P7 children. At First Touch we want to coach the kids’ football through drills and playing lots of matches and have fun along the way. We also have the privilege of sharing the gospel through different talks.

: , , .

) -

:

FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

714 Club

;

----- Start of picture text -----
Presbyter an
----- End of picture text -----

7

The 714 Club is open during term time for an hour and a half every other Saturday night for youth aged 7 — 14 years. It aims to provide activities that promote confidence, self-esteem and to inspire a love for Christ. The normal format for each night includes football, dodgeball, basketball & netball in sports hall. Table tennis, pool, board games, games consoles & tuck shop are in a smaller hall, along with a chill out area for socialising. A short epilogue ts delivered at the end of the night, with up to 40 young people attending.

The Catering Group

This group organises general catering for any functions within the Church. We are blessed with a dedicated team of ladies who volunteer on a regular basis and on occasions at short notice.

Women Together

First Ballymena Women Together meets on the second Tuesday of.each month in the Minor Hall from September to March. We have speakers who come and share their experiences of life lived through their Christian faith. Women Together continue to support both prayerfully and financially the mission work of our church. The age group is between 30 and 70+ with an average of 40 members attending each night.

Music Ministry

As a congregation we are blessed to have several musicians and singers who help to lead us in praise during our Sunday services. Some Sundays are choir led while others are led by members of our praise bands. Thanks to the dedication and creativity of our music ministry team, we have continued to find ways to engage our church family in the worship and praise of God each Sunday.

Wealso have a very active children’s / young people’s praise group who are regularly involved in leading praise.

In 2025 our annual First Light concert raised £5,520 for Marie Curie and we also held a Summer Sing which raised £3,000 for P.C.l. End of Life Care appeal.

The Indoor Bowling Club

The Bowling Club met from January to March 2025 and then recommenced the 2025/2026 season in September. It is pleasing to report that the club continued to play league matches in the past year and the members very much appreciated the opportunity to renew friendships during competitions.

Connected

.

Meeting on two Saturday nights in the month from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, Connected is an interactive Bible Study Youth Group for those of P7 and Secondary School Age. Using dramas, videos, ice breakers and talks, Connected seeks to teach what the Bible says on topics that young people face every day. In 2025 the young people took part in the Alpha Youth programme and studied what a Christian should look like in the light of the Fruits of the Spirit.

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. We have around 200 volunteers helping in a wide va riety of tasks.

:

7

,

oo

Presbytefien

FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT

:

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its members and the 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 congregational churches and 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 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 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 Iretand, the Republic of ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement with and support for both Christian and other secular organisations, charities, andindividual members of the public.

The Kirk Session has had regard to the Commission's Public benefit requirement statutory guidance.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

:

These financial statements consolidate the income and expenditure for the General account and the other activities of the church organisations,

Overall income has increased from £350,777 in 2024 to £366,473 in 2025.

The congregation’s main source of income is members’ contributions through the weekly Free Will Offering. There were 253 : contributing families during the year (252 in 2024) donating a total of £160,934 (£146,505 in 2024) to the General account. 86 families (2024: 87) contributed to the Housekeeping account, making donations of £34,744 (2024: £36,176). Donations to the Mission and Charitable Funds were £42,470 (2024: £42,717). : ‘

Expenditure increased from £284,787 in 2024 to £296,101 in 2025. The major items of expenditure are costs in relation to ministry and support staff totalling £138,860 (2024: £134,843) and General Assessments to PCI of £15,220 (2024: £15,42 1). Congregational running expenses and utility costs have increased from £65,649 in 2024 to £76,216 in 2025. During the year donations to Missions and Charities of £55,572 were made (2024: £58,170).

At 31 December 2025, the balance sheet is in a healthy position with net assets of £2,172,462 (2024: £2,102,090).

.

8

.

;

:

FIRST BALLYMENA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)

TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIESIN RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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. 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 congregation and the financial activities for that year. In preparingthe financial statements the Trustees are required to:

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 and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities (1**January 2015)". 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.

GOING CONCERN

The congregational finances remain strong. 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 this report, and, subject to the continuing support from members to fund, on an on-going basis, the congregation’s current activities and other financial commitments. :

RESERVES POLICY

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 aim of the Trustees to hold unrestricted reserves equating to eighteen months normal expenditure. At the year-end unrestricted reserves were £310,210 and are sufficient to meet this policy. The Trustees consider that the amounts of reserves will be dictated by future donations and planned expenditure. Processes are in place to review both income and expenditure on a monthly basis. Funding of its present activities is dependent on the ongoing financial support of members.

RISK REVIEW

;

A review of major risks has been undertaken by the Trustees and systems and procedures implemented to manage identified risks. The principal risks are in relation to the likelihood of reputational damage and financial risks associated with the expectation of on-going financial support from members. These risks are mitigated by the Trustees, and the Congregational Committee, regularly monitoring the various activities of the congregation at stated meetings and by encouraging members in their regular giving.

:

Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 24t» March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

----- Start of picture text -----
Position: Minister Position: ClerkvOfjSession
Comec °
Rev Emerson ADMMcDowell Colin Russe!| ALL
----- End of picture text -----

.

----- Start of picture text -----
.
----- End of picture text -----

9