First Ballymoney 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 2022 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date.
Reference and Administrative Details
First Ballymoney Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Meetinghouse Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6JN
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC105385)
Charity Trustees
The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of
this report were: Rev Stephen Mccracken, David Adams, Darren Brewster, Andrea
Carton, Heather Dunbar, Lynn Edwards, Derek Hamilton, Debbie Knight, Elaine Lee,
Helen Murray, Jeremy Murray, Derek McFarland, Lesley Owens, Trefor Owens, Tracy
Peden, John Peden, Neil Robinson and Mandy Walker.
Principal Office Bearers
Minister
Rev Stephen Mccracken
Clerk of Session
Neil Robinson
Treasurer
Elaine Lee
Independent Examiner
John Hamilton, D. T. Carson & Co., Chartered Accountants, 51-51 Thomas Street,
Ballymena, BT43 6AZ
Bankers
Ulster Bank, Coleraine Branch, 30 The Diamond Coleraine BT52 IDP
Solicitors
Greer Hamilton Galley inc Murphy Carey, 25-27 High Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6AJ

STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT
The Kirk Session
The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under
the congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and
government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch
over and promote the spiritual interest of the congregation and of persons not
connected with any congregation who are within its bounds. It ensures pastoral care
is in place in the congregation and seek5 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
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 are held at least six in each year or as
appropriate.
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 15 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 Ballymoney
Congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been a55igned to the Route Presbytery
of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consist5
mainly of the active ministers of congregations assigned to it by the General
Assembly, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by
the Kirk Session of the congregation.

The General Assembly
The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one body
the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administration and judicial
authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The General Assembly is
normally constituted during the first week in June for worship and to conduct its
business. At the end of business, it is di5501ved. The membership of the General
Assembly consists mainly of the active minister5 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 Ballymoney 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 the 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 to be a body of people called to show God's
love and tell of His grace in this place and time, so that others will become followers
of Je5US.
We value:
Prayer- We believe in the transforming power of private, family and corporate
prayer. When the Church prays amazing thing happen.
Worship- We want to love, honour and glorify God through faith in His Son and by
the power of the Holy Spirit.
People- We believe that people matter to God. He loves us passionately, He
pursues u5 relentlessly and He will never let U5 go. Therefore, people matter to us;
we want to be a caring and compassionate community in action.
Teaching- We believe in all matters of faith and practice, scripture 15 the final
authority and is the catalyst for change in our lives, church and community.
Outreach- We want to 5UPPOrt local and global mission in our prayers, financial
giving, education, and personal involvement.

The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision a5 a family of God's people
by being.
A Covenant Community- where our relationships are rooted in the promises
of God by living faithfully towards Him and towards 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;
As a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland we believe that 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.
ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES
The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on a number of 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-
o Jigsaw [Sunday Schooll
o Journeyers [Bible Class]
o Youth Club
o Youth Fellowship
o First Friends [Sunday Creche]
o First Friends [Monday Mother & Toddlers Group]
o Presbyterian Women
o Life Groups
o Meeting House
o Prayer Meeting
o Boys Brigade [Joint Company]

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Worship and Prayer
The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.00am and a
monthly 6.30pm from September to June. Prior to morning worship there is a time
for prayer. Every second and fourth week midweek Life Groups provides an
opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures
and for a time of prayer.
During the year there were
4 Sacraments of Baptism.
2 Marriage Services
5 New Communicant Members
2 New families.
Every bereavement is a great loss to a family and our church fellowship. We gave
thank5 for faithful service and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved
durin8 the year.
At 31 December 2022 the average weekly attendance at morning worship is 125
persons
Prayer Ministry
Prayer is at the heart of every Christian community and praying for each other is an
act of love. We believe that people matter to God and in the transforming power of
private, family and corporate prayer for our needs and the needs of others.
We encourage prayer within the various mid-week Life groups as well as in individual
situations. We hold a weekly prayer time prior to our Sunday worship service. An
Easter Prayer Room runs from Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday and is an
opportunity for members to reflect and pray in our church in the light of Easter.
Pastoral Care
Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or
age, are vi51ted on a regular basis by the minister, elders or church members.
Rev Jim Thompson retired from the role of Pastoral Care Worker during 2022 after
many years of service. The support he provided wa5 greatly appreciated by those he
visited and their families and our church fellowship.

Mission and Outreach
At a local level the congregation is actively involved in loving and serving the people
of Ballymoney, prayerfully, financially, raising awareness and serving with other
volunteers. Sometimes the congregation acts alone, whilst at other times the
congregation partners with other churches and charitie5. Our endeavours at a local
level during 2022 include supporting:
Ballymoney Foodbank- supporting those without food by ways of foodstuffs
toiletries and essentials left at collection points within the Church.
CAP [Christians Against Povertyl- supporting people in poverty and when
unemployed.
Schools Ministry-visits by our Minister and our Youth and Community Co-
Ordinator
Community Carol Service which was hosted by our congregation this year,
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 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 areas of worship,
discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care.
In addition the congregation continues to support the World Development Appeal
which is an annual initiative of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland that focuses on
helping people trapped in poverty. It endeavours to change lives and communities
for the better by channelling resources in support of sustainable development
projects in every continent. This work is taken forward throu8h PCI'S development
partners, Christian Aid and Tearfund.
PCI congregations are encouraged to highlight the World Development Appeal
during the Advent and Christmas period.
Holiday Bible Club
It has been several years since the congregation ran a Holiday Bible Club but 2022
saw its return during a week in August. This was a great event with 60 children
coming throughout the week.

Presbytery
The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our
minister and one of the elder5. This provides an important link between the
congregations and the wider structures of the church.
General Assembly
Our Minister, Youth and Community Co-ordinator and a nominated elder attended
the meeting of the General assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in
Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June 2022
Property
During the year periodic inspections and maintenance checks were carried out by
authorised professional services to inspect and report on safety and upkeep of the
church properties.
Organisations
Creche
This is a facility for parents with young children whereby the Service is relayed via
live stream TV link to the adjacent classroom equipped for babies and toddlers.
First Friends
During 2022 an additional facility for Mothers and Toddlers opened up in the church
halls meeting on Monday mornings for approximately 90 minutes. A varied range of
activities including free-play, nursery rhyme/story time, toys/crafts and snack time.
This Group 15 open to parents from within our congregation and the wider
community offering a venue to meet and make friends in a welcoming safe
environment.
Jigsaw
Jigsaw is our children's ministry group for boys and girls from 4- 11 years old. The
kids meet in the Session Room during our Sunday morning service. The leaders are
currently using'The Gospel Project for Kids, as their curriculum material, which takes
children on a Christ-centred chronological journey through the Bible.

Every week we enjoy worship, Bible stories, prayer, craft, drama, game5 and small
group study not forgetting snack timel Our aim is to help our children understand
the essential doctrines of our faith and to realise that the Bible is not a collection of
stories but God's unified story of redemption.
Jigsaw started the Septemberterm with a Big Breakfast and games.
A Light Party at mid-term and Selection Boxes were distributed a Christmas. The
children join their parents in church during our regular Together Services.
Youth Club
Youth Club provide a safe and welcoming environment for kids from P4 to year 8 to
come together where they can sit and chat, play games, make crafts etc. Our leaders
are there to guide them when they ask for help or when they are really excited to
tell us about their week, we are there to listen and celebrate with them.
This year activities recommenced in March. Initially, opening up for children from
within our own congregation with approximately 10 attending. At Easter we hired a
bouncy castle and enjoyed the usual chocolate treats.
In September the Club opened fully to the wider community which received a
tremendous response with 99 kids registering and on average 50 attending when
they meet alternate week5.
In October as part of our church Harvest celebration the Youth made and provided
for the elderly of our congregation gift bags. The kids really enjoyed decorating the
bags and putting the gifts inside their creations. To end their year in Youth Club they
organised festive craft event and those keen on football were able to enjoy the
World Cup matches on big screen in the company of their friends. The leaders
distributed selection boxes and enjoyed some party food together.
The leaders would like to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful helpers
and encourage others to consider volunteering to support this aspect of our Youth
Ministry.
Journeyers
Journeyers is a Sunday morning gathering for young people in year 8- year 10. It
meets during the morning church service. Over the course of the session young
people take part in ice breaker games and activities before covering some content
from the Bible. Mainly the content centres on something from one of the four
Gospels looking at the life of Jesus and what it looks like to follow him. It runs with
three core leaders most Sundays, with the exception of when the church holds an all
age service / together Sunday.

Youth Fellowship
Youth fellowship aims to meet every two weeks and is a Sunday night gathering for
young people in the church to come along to. Having around two hours together
gives plenty of time to catch up, play games, study the Bible together and enjoy food
/ snack5 togethertoo. The aim would be that youth fellowship 15 a place for young
people to come and explore faith freely through Bible study and through asking their
questions.
Meeting House
Meeting House is a Group for our Senior members including a few friends from
neighbouring congregations. They meet monthly on a Monday afternoon from
2.15pm to about 3.30pm. The organisation has been meeting since September
when Rev Stephen Mccracken was their guest speaker for their first meeting.
Throughout the year they invite a variety of speakers and musicians. At each
meeting they have a cup of tea and a time to socialise. Each meeting is opened with
a Bible reading and prayer and also close in prayer. Group members enjoyed a
Christmas lunch in the church halls.
Meeting House is open to all and is a great way of getting to know others and
remembering other's needs.
Presbyterian Women [PW]
This is the women's ministry within our church meeting on the first Thursday of the
month October-April. Meetings always open with a hymn, a Bible reading and
prayer.
Every year PW supports different projects at home and overseas as well as
Deaconesse5 training in Belfast. Each year a coffee party is held and all the money
raised is sent to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
The members demonstrate care and compassion to others by visiting members who
are ill, give gifts at Christmas to those confined to their own home or in a nursing
home. PW also supports bereaved families by providing catering in the halls.
Music Ministry
Sunday worship is led by a group of musicians under the leadership of our Worship
Co-ordinator.

Life Groups
Life Groups have been meeting twice each month during 2022.
All our groups have enjoyed close fellowship together, getting to know each other
better and welcoming new members into the groups. As they spend time with each
other, they share life experiences and have the opportunity to SUPPOrt each other in
practical ways, as well as praying with and for each other.
At the group meetings time is spent looking at what the Bible teaches and discussing
together what this means as individuals in our day to day life. In 2022 our studies
were based on the previous Sunday sermons giving the groups an opportunity to
reflect and apply the teachings.
YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CO-ORDINATOR
Our full-time Co-ordinator has been involved in these various youth ministries of
First Ballymoney but a150 in particular events in the wider church and community. He
has been involved school ministry in 5 local schools taking assemblies or speaking in
Christian Union. He and two other youth leaders began an inter-church Sunday
evening youth event called Young n Free that has now been held in 10 different local
churches.
VOLUNTEERS
The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely
of their time by serving on committee5 and helping with organisations and other
chu rch activities.
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by
providing benefit to its members and the general public by making known the
Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion.
The direct benefits which flow from the purpose 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 Catechism5) 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).
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Generally the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and their
members, or are 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 member5, 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 form our engagement with and
support for both Christian and secular organizations, charities and individual
members of the public.
The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charities Commission's Public Benefit
requirernent statutory guidance.
AGM
st
An AGM was held on the l June 2022
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through
Weekly Freewill Offering [WFOI. There were 200 contributors/191 contributing
families during the year to WFO1193 contributors/187 contributing families in the
previous year, 2021) donating a total amount of £95,614 (£86,102 in the previous
year, 2021}.
Total Income of the congregation during the year was £187,031 compared to
£191,378 in 2021
Total Expenditure was £167484 in 2022 compared to £137,537 in 2021
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STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the fina ncia I
statements of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally
accepted accounting practice.
As the congregation total income does not exceed £250.000. the Trustee5 have elected
under Section 64131 of the Charities Act {Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepa re a receipts and
payment account and a statement of assets and liabilities.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that a re sufficient to
show and explain the congregation's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at
any time its fina ncial 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 irregularitie5.
Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on I
2023 and signed on its behalf by
Neil Robinson
Dated Z¥1 t4-123
Elaine Lee
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