an ROSEYARDS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Registered wlth the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC105401 an ROSEYARDS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 including a Balance Sheet as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Roseyards congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 114 Kirk Road, Roseyards, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, BT53 8HN Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC105401) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were James Dunlop Jimmy Dunlop Rosemary Dunlop David Elliott Foster Gowdy Tommy Henry Mark Jones John McLernon Gary Orr David Ramsay Alan White PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev. Mark Jones Jimmy Dunlop Maureen Scullion INDEPENDENT EXAMINER J.A.S. Campbell & Co, 49 Managher Road, Aghadowey, Coleraine, N. Ireland, BT514DE an ROSEYARDS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) BANKERS Ulster Bank, 30 The Diamond, Coleraine, BT52 IDP Danske Bank, 6 High Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6AD First Trust, Meadowbank, Strand Road, Londonderry, BT48 7TN SOLICITORS Thomas Taggart & Co, 27 Church Street, Ballymoney. BT53 6HS an ROSEYARDS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) 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 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 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 twice in each year and as required. 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. Roseyards Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Route 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 each congregation. an ROSEYARDS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) 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 R05eyards Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Church within the wider body of Christ is grounded in the Scriptures and exists to love and honour God throu8h faith in His Son and by the power of His Spirit, and to enable her members to play their part in fulfilling God'5 mission to our world. The congregation's mission purposes is by the grace of God, to help people of all ages becomefully devotedfollowers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is, by the grace of God, to be an inclusive, welcoming community of Christ's people of all ages. which.. is increasingly chGracterised by lovefor God, and love und concern for others,. Is committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible,. is relevant to people of this time and place. 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 livingfaithfully toward him and tOWGrd one another An Intergenerational Community., where adults intentionally toke the lead to engage with, encourage Gnd 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 Presbyterit7n Church in Irelond, we believe that the Bible is the supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Confession of Foith, along with the Larger Gnd Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible te(Jches on key matters of Christian faith and practice. an ROSEYARDS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) AcfiviTIES AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are always welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on four 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 ministries for all ages, including: Sunday School Children's Church Youth Fellowship Boys, Brigade Girls, Brigade Presbyterian Women 'Pots of Clay, crafts ministry Book Club Friendship Group (Roseyards Friends) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 12 noon. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to studythe scriptures and to pray. This year we celebrated Communion on 4 occasions, with the April communion conducted by the Moderator of the PCI at the time, the Rt Rev Dr John Kirkpatrick. The sacrament of baptism was celebrated on 6 occasions (5 infant baptisms and one adult) This year there were 5 marriage celebrations. We also conducted 10 funerals, giving thanks for the lives of those who had died and comforting those who were bereaved. At 31 December 2023 there were 346 communicant members and 165 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at our morning services was about 100 people, with others participating online, and through dvd recordings. an 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, elders or by other members of the congregation. an ROSEYARDS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Mission and outreach At a local level the congregation served its members and the wider community in numerous ways through its various organizations and ministries (see below). 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 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 deployrnent of locally based staff, enables church planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, assist with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and financially supports congregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. As usual we supported the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal, as well as the local Ballymoney Foodbank. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and / or one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly 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. Property There was no major work done to our property this year. an ROSEYARDS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Organisations Sunda School: Sunday School continued to meet during the second half of the service from September to June, except during our monthly'all age, services. It was encouraging to see a good number of children attending Sunday School this year. The children had a leading role in our Christmas Nativity Service and our Children's Day Service in June. The Saltshakers Youth Fellowshi a joint venture with Bushvale for young people of secondary school age, met on Sunday evenings for bible study and fellowship. pw Presb erian Women met on a monthly basis, and gave generously to mission both at home and overseas. They also organized a harvest 'pudding party., Bo s, Bri ade and Girls, Bri ade ministered to children from age 3 (GB) or age 5 (BB) up to secondary school age: Bible teaching, life skills, discipline, marching, fun, sport5, crafts, singing, competitions. performing, etc. Rose ards Friends met monthly, providing refreshments and a range of interesting speakers for some of our senior members and guests. They enjoyed a special Christmas dinner together. 'Pots of Cla provided crafting opportunities and seasonal celebrations at Easter and Christmas. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with organizations and other church activities. 81Page an ROSEYARDS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN 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 (includingthe 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, theirfamilies, 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. an ROSEYARDS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 159 contributors during the year (164 in 2022) donating a total of £65,850 (£64,480 in 2022). Total Income of the congregation durin8 the year was £ 132,687 compared to £ 121,232 in the previous year. Total expenditure decreased from £131,010 in the previous year to £124,843. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparingthe annual report and the financial statements of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice. As the congregation's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64131 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a 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 27th October 2024 and signed on its behalf by Rev Mark Jones Mr James Dunlop th 27 October 2024 th 27 October 2024 101 Page