SIXMILECROSS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105538)
an SIXMILECROSS 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 2023 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Sixmilecross congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 17 Meetinghouse Road Sixmilecross Omagh BT79 9NQ Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105538) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Tru5tee5 who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Rev Robert McFaul Mr Alan Gibson Mrjohn Anderson Mr David Beacom Mr Gareth Clarke Mr William Hetherington Mr William Kerr {until his death on 3 March 2023) Mr Robert Kidd rd PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev Robert McFaul Mr Alan Gibson Mrs Heather Anderson
SIXMILECROSS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Hamill Mcllwaine Chartered Accountants 28-30 Old Mountfield Road Omagh Co. Tyrone BT79 7BJ BANKERS Danske Bank 5-7 Market Street Omagh Co Tyrone BT78 IBN SOLICITORS Mcconnell and Fyffe 21 Church Street Omagh BT78 IDG
an SIXMILECROSS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'dl STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Session The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congregation'5 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-off icio 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 minister in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held four times a 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 it5 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. Sixmilecross congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Omagh 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.
an SIXMILECROSS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN 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 The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Sixmilecross 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 the members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregation's mission purposes are, by the grace of God, to help people of all ages become fully devoted followers 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 characterised by love for God, and love and concern for others,. is committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bi ble,. 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 promise5 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 SIXMILECROSS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'dl -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 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, ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to Vislt. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on two occasion5 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 number of organisations including Sunday School Campaigners Youth Fellowship Presbyterian Women's Group Badminton Club ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation meets for worship each Sunday at 10:30am, During the week from October to April the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet togetherfor fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. From time to time we acknowledged God's gift of new life with the Sacrament of Baptlsm and during the year I baby was baptised. One marriage service was conducted. Sadly members passed away and we gave thanks for their faithful service and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2023 there were 170 communicant members and 96 families connected with the congregation. The average week attendance at morning worship is 50. 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 one of the other members.
an SIXMILECROSS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Mission and outreach A Holiday Bible Clun was held during July and children from the surrounding area came along. During the year, Collections and donations were given to Belfast City Mission, Faith Mission, Tearfund, Moderators Appeal, Scripture Union Nl, RUCGC-PSNI Benevolent Fund and CEF, 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, assist with the running cost5 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. The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School project and any other special appeal5. 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 The congregation continue5 to maintain its buildings and facilities.
an SIXMILECROSS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Organisation5 Sunday School takes place on Sunday mornings during church from September to June, There are six teachers in two teams which serve on a rota basis and 15 children using the Go Teach material. Children's Church and Creche is available during most Sunday service5. The Presbyterian Women's Group meets once a month. The Badminton Club meets on Friday nights. Campaigners have a membership of more than 40 boys and girls. 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. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to it5 members and the general public by making known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesu5 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 centra Ily, Local delivery is faci litated 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.
an SIXMILECROSS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesse5, 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 The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 83 contributing families during the year [81 in previous year, 20221 donating a total of £34,6841£30,769 in previous year, 20221 Total Income of the congregation during the year was £72,422, compared to £71,604 in the previous year and total expenditure during the year was £70,905, compared to £52,972 in the previous year.
SIXMILECROSS CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) 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 congregation's 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 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 2nd May 2024 and signed on its behalf bv Rev Robert McFaul (Minister) Mr Alan Gibson Date 2 May 2024 10