First Ballymoney Congregatlon of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. Reference and Admlni5trative Detai15 First Ballymoney Congregation of the Presbyterion Church in Ireland Meetinghouse Street, Ballymoney, 8T53 6JN Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC1053851 Charlty Trustees The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of thi5 report were.. Rev Stephen Mccracken, David Adams, Darren Brewster, Andrea Carton, Heather Dunbar. Lynn Edwards, Oerek Hamilton, Debbie Knight, Elaine Lee, Helen Murray, jeremy Murray, Derek McFarlond, Le51ey Owens, Trefor Owens, Tracy Peden, John Peden, Neil Robinson and Mandy Walker. Prlnclpal Offlce Bearers Minister Rev Stephen Mccracken Clerk of Sesslon Neil Robinson Treasurer Elaine Lee Independent Examlner Edwin McLau8hlin, D. T. Carson & Co., Chartered Accountants, 51-51 Thoma5 Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AZ Bankers Ulster Bank, Coleralne 8ranch, 30 The Diamond Coleraine B T52 IDP 50licitor5 Greer Hamilton Galley Solicitors 25-27 High Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6AJ
STRucfuRE 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 Bovernment 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 anv 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 fund5 and property belonging to the con8re8ation. Members of Kirk Session are eK-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the conEre8ation. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meeting5, except that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the congregation. has no deliberative but only a castlng 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 Sesslon. Members are elected If they obtain two-thlrds of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate overslght of a congregation is the responsiblllty of a Presbytery, which superintends generally the spiritua5 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 assigned 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, minlsters who have retired from actlve dtjty and an elder appolnted by the Kirk Session of the conBre8ation. The General Assemblv The General A55embly is the Supreme court of the Church, representing In one body the whole Church and actinB as its supreme legislative, administration and judicial authoritvi In dealing with all matters brought before it. The General Assembly 15 normally constituted during the first week in lune for worship and lo conduct its business. At the end of business, it is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the active minlsters of each congregatlon, retired ministers and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation.
ministers 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 15 a conEregation 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 H55 Son and by the power of the His Spirit and to enable her member5 to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregation's misslon purpose is to be a body of people called to show God'5 love and tell of H15 grace in this place and tlme. $0 that others will become followers of Jesus. We value.. Prayer- We belleve in the transformlng power of private, family and corporate prayer. When the Church prays amazin8 thing happen. Worship- We want to love, honour and 8lorify God throu8h falth Sn HIS Son and by the power of the Holy Spirit. People- We believe that people matter to God,. He loves us passlonately, He pursues us relentlessly and He will never let us go. Therefore, people matter to us., we want to be caring and compassionate communlty In action. reaching- We believe in all matter5 of faith and practice, scrSpture Is the flnal authority and 15 the catalyst for change in our lives, church and communlty. Outreach We want to support local and 8lobal mission in our prayers, flnanclal glvlng, education, and personal involvement. The congre8ation aims to live out its Mission and Vbslon as a famlly of God's people by being.. A Covenant Community- where our relationshlps are rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward5 Him and towards one another. An Intergenerational Communlty- where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encoura8e, and nurture younger members to maturlty in Christ. An Outward looking Community- where we want the bles5ing5 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 Falth, along Wlth the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teache5 on key matters of Chrlstian faith and practlce.
ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and vlsitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on a number of occasions durin8 the year and all those who have been baptised and who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Je5US Christ are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation holds regular bible study meeting5 and has a wide range of organi5ations including o First Friends Imonday Mother & Toddlers Groupl o First Friends Isunday Crechel o Jigsaw Isunday Schooll o Journeyers IBible Classl o LSfe Groups o Meeting House Iseniors Groupl o Prayer Meeting o Women @ First IPWI o Youth Club o Youth Fellowship Boys 8ri8ade ljoint Companyl ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and Prayer The congregation normally meet5 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. Everv second and fourth week per month there are Midweek Life Group5 meeting on Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning and Wednesday evening providing an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to Study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. During the year there were l O I Sacraments of Baptism. l O l Marriage Services l O l New Communicant Member5 I I l New membersl families. Every bereavement is a great1055 to o family and our church fellowship. We gave thanks for faithful service and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2023 the average weekly attendance at morning worship is11251 persons
Prayer Ministry Prayer 15 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 ihe transforming power of private, family and corporate prayer for our needs and the needs of other5. We encourage prayer within the various mid-week Life groups as well as in individual situations. We hold a weekly prayer time prior to ovr 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 Member5 of the congregation who are unoble to attend church due to sickness or age, are visited on a regular basls by the minister, elders or church member5. Mlsslon and Outreach The Warm Room Thi5 is an invStation to anyone within the church membership and the wider communlty to come along to the halls on the Fourth Monday of the Month between 2pm and 4pm for a cup of tea or coffee to enjoy company and chat in a warm and welcomlng environment. At a local level the congregation Ss actlvely Involved In lovlng and serving the people of Ballymoney, prayerfully, financially, raising awarene55 and serving wlth other volunteers. Sometime5 the congregation acts alone, whilst at other times the con8re8ation partners with other churches and charltles. Our endeavours at a local level durlng 2023 include supporting.. Ballymoney Foodbank- supportin8 those without food by ways of foodstuffs tolletrles and essentials left at collection points within the Church. CAP Ichristians Against Povertyl - supporting people in poverty and when unemployed. Schoo15 Ministry- Visits by our Minlster and our Youth and Community Co- Ordinator Communlty Carol Service whlch Ss attended by our Minister and members of the congregation each year. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission, which 5 a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregations to support the wider mission of the denomlnation and to do mi55ion and outreach on a denominational basis beyond what the congregation could do on It5 own. The Unlted Appeal Fund provides financial support for mi55ion personnel at home and overseas, assists congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church plantlngi provide5 grant support for the upkeep of church premises, a55iSt5 With the running c05t5 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 n 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 through PCI'5 development parlner5, Christian Aid and Tearfund. PCI congregations are encouraged to high5ight the World Development Appeal during the Advent and Christmas period. Presbyterv 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 conÉregations 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 lune 2023. Propertv During the year periodic Inspections and maintenance checks were carried out by authorlsed professlonal services to inspect and report on safety and upkeep of the church properties. Organisatlons Flrst Frlends Creche Creche runs on Sunday mornlng durlng the servlce for chlldren a8ed O to 3 years and Is supervised by a parent and or volunteer dependin8 on numbers. Creche currently meets In the Session Room In an area set up for play with toys. There15 also an opportunity to join in with some of Jigsaw activities listening to bible stories, singlng craft and games. First Friend5 Tots, Group First Friends Tots meet on Monday mornings for approximately 90 minutes during term time. There is a varied range of activilies including free-play, games, rhymes, song, story time, crafts and snack time. This Group is open to parents with infants ages O to 3 years from within our congregation and the wider community. Parents can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and fellowship while the children play with the various toys and take part in bible-
based craft. There 15 also a story and song session to close each week. The aim is to offer a venue to meet and make friends in a welcoming safe environment. At the end of each term there Is 3 party with special games and treats. Jigsaw Jigsaw is our children's ministry group for boys and girls from 4- 11 year5 old. The children meet in the Session Room durin8 our Sunday morning service. The leaders are currently using 'The Gospel Project for Kids, as their curriculum material, which takes children on Christ-centred chronological journey through the Bible. Every week we enjoy worship, Bible stories, prayer, craft, drama, Eames and small group study not forgetting snack tlme! 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 began the 2023-2024 year wlth a visit from Fun with Drums, a craft morning and some baking. In October 2023 many of our children and their friends enjoyed the Light Party. They finished the 2023 year with some festive celebrations joining Journeyers to have Christmas Party. The children also contributed to one of the Christmas Servlces with their performance of The Christmas Alphabet. Throughout the year there are also monthly altogether family servlces when everyone is in church. Journeyers Journeyers is a weekly Sunday mornln8 ministry which runs alongside the morning church service aimed at those in the junior side of secondary school. The focus is to spend time studying and discussing the life of Jesu5 from one of the four Gospel accounts. January to June was spent workin8 through key passages in John's Gospel based on a resource from the Gospel Coalition called 'Knowin8 the Bible John,. September to December was spent using the 'Uncover Mark, resource from UCCF luniversities and colleges Christian fellowship) as a gulde design session5. In total there have been approximately ten youn8 people involved throughout the year with an average of five per week. LIFE GROUPS Life Groups met thi5 year on Tuesday evenings, and on Wednesday mornings and evenin8S. We used a variety of locations- rooms in the church buildinss, people's homes, and on Zoom, so there was a time and locatlon to suit many preferences. In the Spring term we Started off looking at the letter of I Peter, simply reading a chapter together and asking ourselves a few questions about: What stood out for us. Were there any surprise5 or 'lightbulb' moments,. How It shows us something about our identity in Christ; What we will do as a result of what we have learned.
In June, July and August we had monthly gathering5 in the church, which were open to the whole congregation, and provided an opportunity to share some time together with praise, prayer, a short reflection, and of course, supper and chatl The August Eathering was an end of summer celebration when we enjoyed a barbecue together. In the Autumn term we studied The Bible Course - a video-based course developed by The Bible Society, which took us through the whole story of the Bible, helping us to see the big picture, and how to apply this in our everyday lives. This course was delivered in the church hall, which provided us with opportunities to meet with people we had not been in groups with before. It was great to welcome many people who had not been involved in Life Groups. In all our groups we enjoyed fellowship together, sharing our thoughts and questions, and developing deeper relationships with each other. Meetlng House Meeting House is a Group for our Senior member5 which is also open to friends from neighbouring churches. The Group meets on the third Monday of each month at 2pm. Throughout the year the group invites a variety of speakers and guests. At each meeting the attendees have a cup of tea, biscult and chat - a great way to catch up and socialise. Each meeting is opened with a 8ible reading and prayer and 31so closed with the Lord'5 Prayer. On 18, September 2023 Reverend Stephen Mccracken was the guest speaker. Group members enjoyed two fellowship events where catering was provided In the church halls l.e. 20, May 2023 afternoon tea and a festive Christmas meal wos enjoyed by all in November 2023. Meeting House Is open to all and Is a great way of 8ettlng to know others and remembering otherfs needs. PW Women@Flrst This is the women's ministry within our church meetlng on the flrst Thursday of the month September- April. This year in September the organi5ation launched Women @ First under the umbrella of PW. Our women chose the name at a Swlm & Stroll event in lune where we enloyed a dlp In the sea and a walk followed by supper at the beach. We have had four meetings from September to December 2023 September- Butterfly craft based on our orgonisations theme of"Being Transformed" October we weltomed 3 speaker from Hope and Light who highlighted how they support victims of human trafficking. November- Blessing Bag Ministry where gift bag5 were created to bless women and men of our church and the community going through difficult timesl bereavement, those youn8 people leaving School to start college or work and those having their first baby. December- Christmas Craft recycling of old ljooks to create paper wreaths, ange15 and crackers and a festive supper.
Every year PW supports different projects at home and overseas as well as Deacone55es 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 other5 by visiting members who are 511, give gifts at Christmas to those confined to their own home or in a nursinB home. The members continue to support bereaved famS1ies by providing caterin8 in the halls. Youth Club Youth Club provide a safe and welcomin8 environment for kids from P4 to year 8 to come tO8ether 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 thelr week, we are there to listen and celebrate with them. In 2023, forty children were registered with an avera8e of twenty-five attending each night Youth Club meets. The children enjoy craft, games and the leaders share the story of Je5US with them. At Easter Kidz Farm visited Youth Club settlng up In the hall where all the children got an opportunity to spend time with the different animals. This was a very enjoyable evening and the children also recelved Easter Eggs as a treat. Embrace Soclal was another great event where the team provided the children with games, music and an epilogue while they enjoyed pizza, chicken. sausages and chips to finish off the term. When Youth Club started up again In September the leaders organised games, craft and storie5 about Jesus. There 15 also a Tuck Shop for the children. At Harvest time the children make up Harvest Gift Bags which are distributed to the elderly in the con8regation. In December the children enjoyed a Chr15tmas Party with bouncy castle, games and partv food. The children were also given a Selection Box to take home. The leaders would like to take this opportunlty to thank all those who help on a regular basls to make Youth Club a welcoming and safe environment for the children who lookSn8 forward to coming and meeting up with their friends. The leaders would also appreciate prover support that this area of Youth Ministry would continue to grow as we connect with youth within OLtr congregation and the community. Youth Fellowshlp Youth Fellowship meets twice a month for 8atherin85 In our own church building. Additionally, there are extra occasional Sunday nights where we join with other churches or attend Presbytery wlde events. The aim of YF is to provide a space for secondary school age voung people to learn more about how to live out life as a Christian. Malnly focusing on New Testament teaching. As well as playin8 games and buildln8 rel3tionship5. The first part of 2023 was spent working through the book of 2nd Peter. After Easter we used the 'Hope Explored, course from Christianity Explored as the basis for our meetings. September to Christmas was spent looking at the Bible and having practical 5essSons on what it is, how to read it and why it'5 important. Attendance can fluctuate wlth weeks of only a handful of young people up to having night5 of ten in the room.
Outings in 2023 included an adventure day in Downhill Forest with Causeway adventures in April and a day outing in Portrush with Boardwalk Collective and other activities in May. Also in April was a church men's event which young people came along to at Room 2 Race. Holiday Bible Club Holiday Bible Club this summer ran for a week in August with around sixty children in attendance. The theme for the week was BE BRAVE. Each day looked at 3 different character in the Blble and how we can be brave in our faith in God. Similar to 2022 there was d good mix of children who are familiar to or connected to the church and those who weren't. The week finished off with a special Holiday Bible Club service on the Sunday of that week which children and parents attended. MUSIC MINISTRY Praise in songs and hymns is a fundamental aspect of worshlp on Sundays it Is led by various musicians and singers. In December 2023 a choir was formed to contribute to our Christmas celebrations by provldlng an evenlng carol seNice followed by supper. YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CO-ORDINATOR Our full-time Co-ordinator has been involved in these various youth ministries of First Ballymoney but also in porlicular events in the wider church and community. He has been involved school ministry in five local schools taking assemblies or speaking in Christian Union. He has been an officer in local BB Company. Teaming up with other youth leaders they have to held a re8ular inter-¢hurch event called Young & Free in ten different local churches. VOLUNTEERS The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by 5ervin8 on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by provSdin8 benefit to its members and the general public by making known the Chrlstian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion. The dlrect benefits which flow from the purpose of the Church Include the 8ainin8 of an understanding in Christian beliefs a5 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 teachin8. 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 bereavedl. io
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 Mi55ion Worker5 and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a rÈsuIt of their holding office or employment. However, thi5 IS Incldental and necessary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefits. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their familles, other individua15 that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is In direct and indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral servlces are provided and other communitie5 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 Charlties Commlsslon's Public Beneflt requirement statutory guidance. AGM An AGM was held on the 161h Mav 2023 FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregatlon's maln source of Income is members, contrSbutlons through Weeklv Freewill Offerlng IWFOI, There were11911 contributors11831 contributin8 families durSng the 2023 year to WFO compared to12001 contrlbutor5 and11911 contributln8 famllies In the previous year. 2022 donating a total amount of £100,374 for 2023 compared to £95,614 in the prevlous year, 2022. Total Income of the con8regatlon durlng the year 2023 was £182,403.00 compared to £187.031.00 in 2022 Total ExpendSture for 2023 was £173,208 compared to £167,484 In 2022 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RE5PON51BILITIES The Trustee5 are responsible for preparing the annual report and the flnancial Statements of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practlce, As the congregation total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64131 of the Charltles Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a recelpts and payment account and a statement of a55ets and liabllitles. li
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explaln the congregation's transattion5 and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. They are also responsible for 5afeBuarding the a55ets of the congregation and hence for takin8 reasonable Steps for the preventlon and detectlon of fraud and other irre8ularities. Approved by the Kirk Se$5ion at a rneetlng on 13 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by Neil Robinson Dated 131312024 Elaine Lee Dated 131312024 12