an Kells Presbyterian Church a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Re8lStered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC105362
an CONTENTS TrLJStees annual report i-io Independent examiners report li Statement of financial activities 12 Balance Sheet 13 Notes to the accoLJnts 14-20
an KELLS CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Reporr and Financial Statements forthe year ended 31 December 2023 including Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINIRATIVE DAlL Kells congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 21 Church Road Kells Ballymena BT42 31U Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC1053621 cHARITYTRuEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Rev William Brian Boyd Mr Ronald Davicl Brown Mr Robert Fowler Mr Roderick Frew Mr Sam Gibsor) Mr John Hughes Mr Derek John Kernohan Mr James Clarke Irons Mr Rodney William Lorimer Mr James Mawhinnev Mr Richard Maybin Mr Alastair McKav Dr Thomas McNeilly Mr Robert Colin Montgomery Mr Kenneth Norman Murphv Mr jonathan Reid Mr Brian Franci5 Turtle Mr Mervyn Edward Foster Williamson Mr Trevor William John Wilson PRINapAL OFFICE 8EARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev William Brian Boyd Mr Brian Turtle Mr Sam Gibson INDEPENDETrff EXAMINER John Finnegan Potter Finnegan Limited Unit25 The Courtyard Bu5ine55 Park Galgorm Castle, 190 Galgorrn Road Ballymena BT42 IHL BANKERS Danske Bank 1-2 Broadway Avenue Ballymena Co. Antrim BT43 7PE
an KELLS CONGREGATION OF THE PREs8ERlAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEESANNUAL REPORT Icontdl RucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Session The charity trtjstees of the congregation are the member5 of it5 Kirk Session. Under the congregation's goveming 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 congregation. All rnembers 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 are held at least twice in each vear. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant on its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office can be either by the congregation or by the Kirk Session. Members are eletted if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate oversight of a congregation is the respon5ibilitv of a Presbytery which svperintend5 generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to It by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Kells Congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Ballymena Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery con515t5 mainly of the active ministers of congregation5 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 Assernbly The General Assembly 15 the supreme covrt 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 Gener31 Assembly is normally constituted during the first week In June for worship 8nd to condurt its business. At the end of business, it is dissolved. The membership of the Gener31 Assembly con51Sts mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired minster5 and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Se55ion of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Kells Congregation of the Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, 85 a Reformed Church within the wider body of Christ is grounded in the Scriptures and exists to love and honour God through faith in Hi5 Son and by the power of His Spirit. and to enable her members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregations mission purposes are as follows-.
an KELLS CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEESANNUAL REPORT (Convdl Kelts pbYterfan Church Mlsslon Plan Area Profile and StstiStics Kelps is a rural village just 6 miles South of Ballymena, standing on the stream known as Kells Water. It is closely associated with Connor village. separate(J only by an old stone bridge over Ke115 Water stream. The wider districr of Kells cont31ll5 the ruins of an Augustinian abbey known as Kells Abbey or Temple Moyle. Over the years it has played an important role In the history of Ireland most famously as the site of a fierce battle won by Edward Bruce who was subseqLJently crowned King of Ireland in 1316. Due to their close proximity, the villages of Kells and Connor are closely linked having a joint primary school, library, and development association. The villages and surrounding area comprise Kelps Ward which is contained within the Ballymena Borough Council area. The demographics of the Kells village highlighted below are taken predominantly from the 2011 census data. INISRA websitel GENERAL Kells Ballymena Resident Population 0-151%) 65+1%) M31e {%) Female (%} Catholic (%} Protestant and other Christian (%) Other Religion (%) No Religion {%) Births Births to unmarried mothers Unmarried births % of total births Deaths Non-UK nationa15 % CRIME Criminal offence512013-41 Burglary offences Criminal Damage Offences Violence with injury Itotall Possession of drugs Sexual Offences EMPLOYMENT120101 Adults economically active (%) Adults economically inartive l°Al Adults unemployed (%) Incapacity benefit Housing benefit Income support Children in Low income Families IVA) HOUSING120101 Number of households loccupiedl Owner occupied IQAI Rented (%) Lone pensioner households (%) Lone parent households (%) Households with car (%) 3364 20.9 15.1 49.2 50.8 5.26 88.79 64044 20.1 1.81 m 21.0 14.6 49.0 51.0 49.0 51.0 22.55 71.36 0.68 5.26 0.85 5.24 840 344 41.0 629 O_92 5.59 25273 10591 41.9 14968 13 26.5 33 87 3156 254 571 126 102560 9062 19849 14130 3757 2228 18 35 25 74 64.3 32.3 62.3 33.7 57.6 37.4 io 170 40 10.0 loo 4610 3570 162760 47210 1160 16.6 1281 76.1 20.2 9.65 11.9 87.1 25072 71.4 25.4 11.48 12.5 82.7 719390 66.9 30.0 11.1 14.25 77.3
an KELLS CONGREGAMON OF THE PRESBYfERIAI4 CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEESANNUAL REpoKf Iconvdl Based upon the data the following comments could be made.. l. Kells is fairly average in terms of age profile. If anything. it is slightly more youthful than most. 2. It is almost exclusively protestant. 3. The population has a very small ethnic element although this is growing in number as evidenced in successive censuses. 4. The incidence of unmarried births and lone parent households is considerably below the national average. 5. Recorded criminal activity data would indicate that Kells has a lower than average crime rate 6. Unemployment 15 well below the national average. 7. Car and house ownership is well above national average figures. The rural setting of Kells may account for a number of these findings. This would fit with data frorn research on deprivation from 2010 by NISRA as laid out in the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measures INIMDMI report. Within this report all 582 wards in Northern Ireland are ranked from I (the most deprived) to 582 (the least deprived). MEISURE FIANK Total Deprivation Income Employment Health Education Proximity to services Living environment Crime 436 455 433 411 315 190 329 391 These figures must influence the nature of our outreach. Clearly effort5 to reach the unemployed or even to provide help with benefit5 will impart very smèll nurnber5 of people. Effort5 involving childcare and other children's Bctivities will impart great numbers. Kells Presbyterian Church NUMBER Families 199 Contributor5 159 Per50nS 461 Communicants 197 Elders 19 Sunday School & Bible Class 45 A survey carried out in the community in 2008 of 202 persons yielded the result that 56.9% of the population claim to attend church on a regular basis.
an KELLS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELA)ID TRusfEESANNUAL REPORT (Coned) At present in 2022 we have the following organi5ations and events NAME TARGEf GROUP APPROXIMATE NUMBERS Morning Worship 160 Evening Worship 60 Midweek Meeting 30 Sundayzone 4-18 20 Isunday School & 8ible Class) Churchzone 15 -20 (Children's Church) Youth Fellowship 12 plus io Campaigner5 4-11 30 Choir 12 Presbyterian Women All women 40 Kells Tots Parents with young children 50 Women's Nurture Group New Christians and enquiring women Christian Endeavour 4-18 25 Sunday evening prayer meeting Voluntary Labour Group All believers 20 Men's Nurture Group New converts and interested men Care N Share Meals All who need help 20 providers 200+ recipient5 Ladies Bible Study All women 14 Of these Campaigners and Kells Tots would have the highest percentage of non-church people. Future Plans Ballymena Presbytery Mission Plan is based on Acts 2..42 thus it is appropriate that ours should also follow this pattern. "They devoted themselves to the apostle5' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bre8d and to prayer.~ (Acts 2..42 NIVI
an KELLS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRuEEs ANNUAL REPORT Iconydl Blble Teathi le's Teachi It is our belief that the word of God should be central in all we do. To that end it is our aim to encoLJrage more of OLJr people to attend events where the word is proclaimed and also to provide them with a means to study the word personally. We also will attempt to get the bible into the hands of those outside our fellowship. a. Every member will be encouraged to invite at least one other person to worship service5. b. Every member will be encouraged to attend the midweek meeting. c. Ongoing consideration will be given to the effectiveness of the midweek meeting including the CommenMent of monthly home study groups. d. Bible Study materials made available to all who request them. Free bibles given to any who show interest in discovering more about the Christian faith. f. Encouragement given to more people to attend Adult Bible class. g. Sunday School recently revamped to make it more interactive. h. Occasional special teaching weekend5 to be held on relevant and urgent topics. i. Kirk Session to set an example in attending and encouraging others to attend bible teaching meetings. The Fellowshl We believe that the local congregation is the single most important unit In god's plan for reaching the world with the gospel. To that end It Is our aim to encourage believers and unbelievers alike to feel so at home in our midst that they will Cent their lives on the fellowship. No one should enter any of our meeting5 or building5 Wlthout being spoken to and made to feel welcorne. b. Every effort will be made to provide adequate childcare at all events to enable parents to attend. c. All our buildings will be -disabled friendly" to enable people of all ages and physical conditions to easily access our events. d, Door to door visitation will be carried out at least biannually to make all aware to our interest in them. When special events are planned by any group invitations will be made available to all relevant people. Flyers and other advertising material will be produced and displayed for all relevant events. e. Existing organi5ation members will be encouraged to attend faithfully and to invite others. f. Existing leader5 should show commitment to the group they are part of, attending faithfully and punttually. g. Kirk Session will review the work of organisation5 regularly and will start such new ventures. as they consider it necessary to promote fellowship even if this means c1051ng existing organisations that have ceased to fulfil their function. The nature of our Ioc81 area will be taken into consideration to ensLJre that outreach programme5 are targeted effectively. Care will be taken not to overburden people with events at the expense of spiritual and family life. Special consideration will be given to ways of enabling people to make the jump from attending events to attending church. Consideration will be given to ways of involving new converts and new mernber5 in the full life of the fellowship. h. Every effort will be made to review the involvement of recent communicant members in the life of the congregation. Members will be encouraged to show love and consideration to each other and the wider community. Individuals should identify needs in their neighbours and seek to meet them. The care and share rnea15 team should be expanded. j. Kirk Session will lead by example in caring for their districts. k. Forms shall be provided in the pews and the vestibule to enable those attending services to express interest in congregational activities or to request pastoral visitation.
an KELLS CONGREGATION OFThE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (Coned) The Slcraments Breakl of Bread We believe that Christ Instituted 2 sacraments IBaptism and the Lord's Supper). These are signs and seals of the Covenant of Grace and as such play an important part In our life as a Congregation. To that end.. Careful instruction will be given to all parents seeking baptism for their children. b. Kirk 5es5ion will exercise their role and will admit to baptism those children of whom at least one parent makes a credible profession of faith and those adults who make a similar profession and who have not been baptised previously. c. Baptism will be administered PLJblicly and will be by sprinkling or pouring. d. All wishing to come to the Lord's Table through membership will attend a series of instruction classes after which they will meet with the Kirk Session to share how they came to faith and how they are walking with the Lord. e. Kirk session will admit to membership those who make a credible profession of faith and who cornmit to making Kells their spiritual home. f. All communicants will be encouraged to meet around the Lord's Table Pra Prayer is the life blood of any congregation to that end-. Attendance at all prayer meetings will be encouraged and our elders will set the example. b. Special seasons of prayer will be arranged as the Kirk Session sees fit. c. Private prayer by every believer will be encouraged. d. All organi5ation leaders will be encouraged to arrange special times of prayer for attivities within their organi5ation. e. At our prayer meetings we will not simply list our wants. Care will be taken to praise God, to confess our sins and pray for the wider community. AcrivlEs AND oBJEIVEs The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visltors are welcome to Join. The Sacrament of the Lords SLJpper is observed on sever31 occasions during the year and all those who have been bapt15ed 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 Sunday Zone I School Youth Fellowship Murns & Tots Campaigners Youth & Children'5 Ministry. Presbyterian Women After Schools Club Man Friday The impart of the Covid 19 Pandemic is now finally behind us. Services are now all conducted in person although we continue to live stream the morning service. The Midweek Meeting continues to be a joint meeting with our sister congregation of Eskylane. The first Wednesday of each month it is held in Eskylane and the others in Ke115. We now operate twice a month evening service of praise and thanksgiving one of which involves members of the congregation in leadership of the worship.
an KELLS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEESANNUAL REPORT Icontrdl ACHIEVEMEpifs AND PERFORMAN Worshlp and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 12 Noon and at 6.30 PM monthly. During the week, the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. Prayer meetings continued to be held before each Service and at 8.30arn on the first Sunday of each month. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God'5 gift of new life at Sacraments of Baptism for both Infants and adults, during 2023 there were three Infant Baptisms conducted. There were a number of funeral services during the year, and we gave thank5 for the life and faithful service of the bereaved. We sought to comfort those families who had been bereaved and to bring practical and prayerful support to many as we shared in their grief in their times of need following the bereavement. At 31 December 2023 there were 197 communicant members and 199 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship was 160 and numbers continued to view on live stream. Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church dve to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the minister, the Congregation Ladies and Family Worker, elders or by one of the congregation's pastoral visitors. Mlsslon and outreach At a local level the congregation supports the work of the organisations described below from its Mission Budget with many volunteers giving of their time and service. As well as the weekly / monthly activities there are nijmerous single events organised for Congregation and Community such as Holiday Bible Club week, Senior Citizen Outings. The Congregation also supports the United Appeal, the Presbyterian Children's Appeal, Remembrance Day, and any Moderators Special Appeal5. Many local and overseas Missions are supported by Financial Gifts and Special Collertions. The Congregation 31$0 encourages Members to be involved in local and overseas Mission and seeks to practically 3nd prayerfully support those involved. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which 15 a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Thi5 fund enables congreg8tion5 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 provide5 financial support for mi55ion personnel at home and overseas, a5515ts congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables chLJrch planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premise5, assists with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and fin8ncially supports congregations in the areas of worship. discipleship, global mission, outreach. leadership and pastoral care. The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School projett and anv other special appeals. preSry The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and one of our elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider struttures of the church. General Pssembly 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.
an KELLS CONGREGATION OF THE PRES8YfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRuEEs ANNUAL REPORT Iconvdl Property During 2023 quite a number of minor repairs, painting and general mailltenan were carried out on a number of the Congregation properties and the grounds. Following on from the demolition of the old manse. the new manse is now structurally complete and weather tight. with internal fit-out remaining to be completed. OLJr Minister continued to serve the congregation from his new home in Templepatrick, which will funttion as the Manse until his retirement. Organi5atlons These functioned as outlined above. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with the various organisations and other church attivities. PUBLIC 8ENEFrr srATEMENT 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 dirert benefits which flow from the purposes of the ChLJrch include the gaining of an understanding in Christian beliefs as set out In the Bible ancl in the Church's subordinate standards Ithe Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechismsl 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 lincluding the sick, disabled. and bereaved). Generally, the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and their members or are facilitated through presbyterie5 or are organ15ed and delivered centrally. Local delivery 15 facilitated by central resources in almost 311 cases. Public access is made known through the use of noticeboards. printed material, press advertlsement, websites. and social media or in other way5. The benefit5 are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and inform31 and ad-hoc feedback from members, their families, and rnembers of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose 15 related to Minister5, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits a5 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 th15 purpose are members, their families, other Individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirert contatt with, the community In which pastor31 services are provided and other communities throughout Northern Ireland. the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement with and 5UPPOrt for both Christian and other secular organisations, charities, and individual mernbers of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Cornmissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main SOLJrce of income is members, contributions through the Combined Weekly Offering. There were 158 contributors during the year12022.. 1591 donating a total of £199,59312022.. £181,364). Total Incorne of the congregation during the year was £311.853, compared to £387,285 in the previous year (albeit the previous year exceptionally benefitted from a number of significant donations and bequests). Our main source of income is Sunday morning offerings from our members. We are deeply thankful for the faithfulness of our members. Total expenditure changed from £250,061 in 2022 to £259.875 in 2023.
an KELLS CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT Icontrdl RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPEcf OF FINANCIALSTATEMENTS The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally acceptecj 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 financial statements the Trustees are required to- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply then consistently Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable 2nd 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 responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the funds transartions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any tirne the financial position of the congregations and enable them to ensure that the Financial statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities11 January 20151" They are also responsible for Safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detettion 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 h35 sufficient resources at the date of approval of these financial statements to meet comrnitrnents 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 ongoing bas15 the congregation's current activities and other financial commitments. RISK REVIEW A review of major ris ha5 been undertaken by the Trustees and 5VStems 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 ongoing 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 20 February 2024 and signe "ts behalf bv.. Jtr- RevWB Boyd Mr BrfanTurtle io