2025-12-31-annual-report - Donagheady Presbyterian Church

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Presbyterian

DONAGHEADY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

Registered Charity in Northern lreland (NIC105374)

Presbyterian

DONAGHEADY 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Donagheady congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

C/O 120 Dunnalong Road

Bready

Strabane BT82 ODP

Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105374)

CHARITY TRUSTEES

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

Mr Ernest Colhoun Mr Robert Clarke Mr Edmund Lynch Mr lan Fulton Mrs Harriet Lindsay irs Evelyn Elder MrJoseph Donnell Virs Beth Clarke Mirs Yvonne Lecky Mr Raymond Bresland

Rev Robert Orr

PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS

Minister Rev Robert Orr Clerk of Session Mr Ernest Colhoun Treasurer Mr lan Fulton & M/S Janice Browne

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Virs Rene Donaghy

BANKERS

Ulster Bank, 29 Abercorn Square, Strabane, BT82 8AL

SOLICITORS

Babbington Solicitors, 74 Railway Road, Strabane, BT82 8EQ

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

DONAGHEADY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT

The Kirk Session

The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congregation's[constitution][and][government][of][ the][Presbyterian] governing document, The Code, the book of[the] 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 ministers in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session were held on four occasions this year. 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 elected 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 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. Donagheady congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Derry & Donegal 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, minsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation.

Presbyterian

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

DONAGHEADY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

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 minsters 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.

Donagheady congregation of the 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. The congregation’s mission purpose is: Donagheady Presbyterian Church exists to bring glory to God through all that we say and do in our worship. We want to witness to others about God's life changing sift of salvation through our preaching and by living out that love as we seek to welcome new members into the fellowship. We desire that our people will grow deeper in their faith and that they might have the gifts to demonstrate and share their faith in their homes, in their places of work and throughout the community.

The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God’s people by being: - A Covenant Community: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward him and toward one another - An Intergenerational Community: where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. - An Outward looking Community: where we want the blessings of God that belong to us in the gospel to become blessings for others beyond the bounds of our community. - Asacongregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we believe that the Bible is the supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Christian faith and practice]

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

DONAGHEADY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES

The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on two 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 - Sunday School - Youth & Mini Club - Bowing Club - Presbyterian Women

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Worship and prayer

The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 10.00am. 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. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledge God's gift of new life at Sacraments of Baptism, conduct marriage services and gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year.

At 31 December 2025 there were 205 communicant members and 110 families connected with the congregation. The average week attendance at morning worship is 55.

Pastoral care

Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the minister or elders. DONAGHEADY CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

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 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 locaily based staff, enables church planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, assist with the running costs of Union Theological College,

Presbyterian

the Church’s training college for ministry students, and financially supports congregation in the areas oT worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School project and any other special appeals.

Presbytery

The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of 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/convenor 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

On-going maintenance and repair is carried out on all Church property as required.

Organisations

Sabbath School

Approx. 28 Children (aged from 4 to 15yrs) attend weekly Christian education classes on Sunday mornings (September — May). These classes are delivered by Church members in a voluntary capacity. Child Protection Policy is adhered to.

Public Benefits are expressed through the advancement of the children’s knowledge of Christian teaching, through reading the bible, storytelling and through the Educational structure provided by ‘Go Teach’ Christian Literature. Young children continuously develop their knowledge of the Christian faith through taking part in Christian services and special services, through reading, singing and drama etc. A Christmas Nativity play is performed each year. In May we normally join with children and teens from all over the Derry and Donegal Presbytery to perform in the Annual Sunday School Rally.

Youth club

20c young people (aged from 11-16 years) would have met every Friday night (Sept to May) under the leadership of volunteers however Covid restrictions prevented this during 2020 and 2022 and this has not yet resumed. All Leaders are checked in relation to the Child Protection Policy of the church. Social development opportunities are offered in the form of sporting activities such as football, hockey and netball. Other activities such as a trip to the local Bowling Alley and a day trip to a theme park in Antrim usually take place.

Public Benefits - opportunities within local community through social development — new friendships developed, developing old friendships and trust etc. This has assisted in creating a harmonious locat community for our young people.

Mini Club

30c children of Primary School age meet every Friday night (Sept to May, but again Covid prevented this and it has not yet been resumed) under the leadership of volunteers. All Leaders are vetted in relation to Child Protection Policy. Social development opportunities are offered in the form of arts and crafts, Bible stories, song and dance, football, hockey, Bible stories and DVDs etc. During the year an outing is normally arranged.

Public Benefits - cross community opportunities within local community through social development — this has resulted in building new friendships, developing old friendships, developing trust etc. and increasing Christian knowledge of our young people.

Presbyterian Women

A Christian Women’s group made up of church members of all ages (c12 participants) who meet ona monthly basis (October to March each year), encouraging Christian faith and enjoying social development opportunities.

Public Benefits — reaching out to ladies and encouraging participation in their Christian faith, encouraging overall social development meeting new friends and developing existing friendships.

Bowling Club

c20 members of organisation — Meet twice a week in winter months to play carpet bowls. Public Benefits — Encouragement of church members and non-church members to come along and join in. Cross community development is positive through invitations to other clubs to visit and compete together. Organisation of events and competitions throughout the past year has been successful resulting in creation of harmonious social development from different community and religious backgrounds.

Tennis

The church is fortunate to have a tennis court which is used by the members throughout the summer season. Membership (c20 people) is open to all and this encourages social development and cross community harmony.

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.

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DONAGHEADY 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 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 through the use of 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 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 Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

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

The congregation’s main source of income is members’ contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 76 families contributing during the year [76 in 2024] donating a total of £33,430 (£32,912 in 2024).

Total Income of the congregation during the year was £68,808, compared to £64,496 in the previous year. The main reason for the change was inilationary increases in givings. Total expenditure increased to £79,465 for 2025 from £62,449 for 2024.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

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. As the congregations total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 to prepare a receipts and payment account anda statement of assets and liabilities.

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. 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. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 10/02/2026 and signed on its behalt by

Rev Robert Orr

Rev Robert Orr Mr Ernest Colhoun ‘ , ps -2—- 2 & Date: (o| 2] 2026 Date: