Page 3 Garrison Parish Church Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 The trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for the Best Church for the year ended 31 December 2023. Objectives and Activities The people of Garrison Parish Church are committed to working for and maintaining kingdom values and the dvancement of the Christian Faith,. our main mission is to be united in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to pray for and forgive one another. To embrace and welcome everyone, without losing our identity in Christ Jesus. The book of Hebrews encourages us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, with that in mind we. as a Group of Par ishes (Garrison Parish, Belleek Parish, Slavin and Kiltyclogher Parish) support and care for all in the group and worship together when the occasion demands. such as Remembrance Service. Harvest th Thanksgiving Services, 5 Sundays, Christmas Eve and Carol Services. We encourage one another to grow in the Christian faith. Our activities are being carried out through pastoral care. the holding of public worship, teaching through the exploration of the Word of God, prayer and Holy Communion in order to see God's kingdom here on earth. Being 3 Cross Border Community we engage in social activities, such as ecumenical choir, fundraisin& sports and mission outreach. We also offer benevolent to anyone in need. Garrison Parish Church has property. records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the Select Vestry of Garrison Parish Church. Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit Garrison Parish Church fulfils its functions in the weekly services, Holy Communion, Morning Prayer. family services, contemporary Worship. Lent Bible and prayer meetings. Our usual Harvest service extends an open invitation to the wider community, proving to be a very sociable occasion for the Church. as people love to come and see the Church decorated for the Harvest Thanksgiving Service. The Parish offers pastoral care and assistance. where feasible. to all in the parish, with vi51ts to homes. hospitals, residential and nursing homes. We offer the provision of home communions to the sick. elderly and housebound but this was limited throughout the year. Sunday School and Bible Study classes resumed in September 2023.
Page 4 Garrison Parish Church Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 {continued) The trustees are responsible for the upkeep of all church properties including the church hall, graveyard and rectory. They continuously carry out maintenance to the surrounds of the parish, church rectory and hall to ensure that all buildings and grounds are safe and accessible to all its members and public. The above mentioned activities provide evidence of how Garrison Parish Church continues to implement it5 charitable purposes. the advancement of religion and meets the Public Benefit requirement as set out in the guidance issued by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Garrison Parish Church through the implementation of the Church of Ireland safeguarding trust mitigated the potential for harm from its activities. Financial Review The main source5 of income were planned giving and freewill offerings. Fundraising events held during the year raised £1,182. An ener8V SUPPOrt payment of £600 was received during the year. The Financial statements show a deficit for the year of £773. Going Concern The activities of the congregation are dependent on the ongoing contributions from its members. The Trustees are of the opinion that the congregation has sufficient resources at the date of approval of these financial statements to meet commitments which will arise in the year from the date of the signing of this report and subject to the continuing support from it5 members to fund on an ongoing basis the congregation's current activitie5 and other financial commitments. Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document ond Constitution of the Charity Chapter 111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees Recrnitment ondAppointment of Select Vestry ITrusteesJ All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 and are either resident within the parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least three month5, may register as members of the general vestry of the parish, allowing them to attend and vote at meetings of the general vestry and to stand for election to the select vestry. Meetings of the general vestry are held at least once a year. The Select Vestry is elected as part of this General Vestry meeting. The Select Vestry members will hold their positions for a period of one year. Select Vestry members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of terms which may be served.
Page 5 Garrison Parish Church Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued) Pay and remuneration The Incumbent is paid directly by the Diocese and receives stipend in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland. Oryani5ationol Strurture The select vestry is responsible for the day to day management of the parish. The select vestry consists of the member of the clergy serving in the parish, the churchwardens. the glebe warden5 and generally not more than twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the General Vestry. The select vestry is chaired by the incumbent or other member of the clergy officiating in the parish. Select vestry members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding how parish funds are to be applied. The select vestry meets at times fixed by the Members or by the diocesan synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the churchwarden5. In 2023 the Select Vestry met 3 times during the year and the average attendance was 90Yo. Compliance with Public Benefit The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the actives entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit. Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Report and the statement of receipts and payments and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with Income of less than £250,000 requires the trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year. The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilities of the Parish. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Signed on Behalf of the Trustees Llk Rev Rebecca Guildea Date IF)L Lorraine Boyd (Treasurer) Date