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← Leckpatrick Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

2025-12-31-annual-report

LECKPATRICK CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105539)

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LECKPATRICK 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 2025 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Leckpatrick congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland AO Berryhill Road, Artigarvan, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, BT82 OHN

Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105539)

CHARITY TRUSTEES

The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were

Rev. RN Orr Mrs E.W. Patterson Mr D.J]. Patterson Mr G King Mr S Clyde Mrs A Miller Mrs G Heywood MrJ Boyd Mr P Fulton Mrs P Jones Mrs L Buchanan Mrs E Keys PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS

Minister Rev. R N Orr Clerk of Session MrS Clyde Treasurer Mir S Clyde

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Mrs Ashlene Henderson, 11 Millhaven, Sion Mills, Co. Tyrone BT82 9FG

BANKERS

Ulster Bank, 29 Abercorn Square, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, BT82 8AL

SOLICITORS

Babington, 74 Railway Street, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, BT82 8EQ.

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LECKPATRICK CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (coni’d)

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 seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Sessions 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 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 at least 4 times 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 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. Leckpatrick congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Derry and Donegal 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.

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LECKPATRICK 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 ail matters brought before it. The General Assembly is normally constituted in the month ofJune 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.

Leckpatrick congregation of the Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in treland. 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 her members to play their part in fulfilling God’s mission to our world.

The congregation’s mission purpose is to exist to see Jesus’ name glorified in all we do. We want to tell others about God’s transforming gift of salvation through our preaching and in the demonstration of the loving welcome that Jesus had towards others. We are committed to encouraging everyone to grow deeper in their faith and to demonstrate that in their homes, in their places of work and throughout the community.

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ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES

The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed normally on two or three 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, a weekly prayer meeting and has a wide range of organisations including

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Worship and prayer

The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.30am (10.30am during July and August). We now have a combined service with our linked congregation of Donagheady over the summer months, alternating July and August. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer.

As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God’s gift of new life at Sacraments of Baptism, we gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year.

At 31 December 2025 there were 247 communicant members and 159 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship was 108.

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 congregation’s pastoral visitors.

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LECKPATRICK CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)

Mission and outreach

At a local level the congregation works locally through the organisations of the church in outreach to the community. Many of those attending the organisations come from outside our church fellowship with Mums and Tots continuing to reach out to the wider community, to those of faith and no faith. It has been a safe place for Parents to come and share their experiences and we have worked alongside the local Nursery school to try and support its intake. The Tuesday Club’s programme of guest speakers on topics relevant to the health and welfare of the members has been open to the wider community to provide support and advice for those in later life. The organisations have also supported many charities overseas with some of our members going to Romania with the Smiles Foundation on a Mission Trip or by sponsoring children through Compassion UK.

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 Jocally 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 congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care.

The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, and many other special appeals.

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LECKPATRICK CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (coni’d)

Property

During the year, general maintenance on the Church and Halls was carried out. The exterior of the Church, Halls and boundary wall and railings were painted. The toilets in the main hall were refurbished.

Organisations

The Sunday school meets on Sunday mornings from September to May with up to 52 children attending aged from 4 to 16 years of age. Funds are raised through special collections and sponsored events such as Breakfasts and used to support children through the Presbyterian Children’s Society and Compassion UK. There are 17 volunteer leaders and helpers who take Sunday school on a rota basis.

Mums and Tots meet on a Tuesday morning from 10.00am to 12.00pm with 30 children registered. There are 10 volunteer helpers and leaders. Many of the children attending are not from our own congregation but from the surrounding area. The children, depending on age are enabled to mix together and enjoy structured playtime together while the parents or carers have the opportunity to meet with each other.

P.W. meets on the first Thursday of each month from September to April with an average attendance of 25 ladies. The group supports Presbyterian charities in Ireland and globally as well as sponsoring 2 children in Africa through Compassion. This year 2 ladies from our church who had visited Kenya and Smiles in Romania spoke at meetings and we donated to each project. Catering is provided after church funeral services.

The Tuesday Club meets once per month on the 3rd Tuesday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm from September to May with an outing at the end of the season. An average of approximately 22 retired people from the local area meet for a program of games and speakers.

The Bowling Club meet on Wednesday nights on a weekly basis from mid-September to mid-April. Membership age ranges from 9 years old upwards.

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LECKPATRICK CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

The Girls Brigade meets weekly from September to April on a Monday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. There are 12 girls from Nursery to P1 in Tinies, 28 girls from P2 to P4 in Explorers, 19 girls from P5 to P7 in Juniors, 18 girls from year 8 to year 10 in Seniors and 7 girls from year 11 to year 14 in Brigadiers, a total of 84. Approximately 60% are not from our congregation but from the local area. There are 13 volunteer leaders and helpers. Funds are raised through membership fees and fund-raising activities such as quiz sheets. Several local and International Charities are supported each year.

The Boys Brigade meet each Tuesday from September to April, the Anchor Boys and Junior Section from 6.30pm to 8.00pm and the Company Section from 7.30pm to 9.15pm with 7 volunteer leaders and helpers. There is a total of 46 boys between Anchor Boys, Junior Section and the Company Section. Funds are raised through membership fees and special collections and donations. Donations are made to charity.

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.

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LECKPATRICK CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)

PUBLIC BENEFIT SFATEMENT

The Presbyterian Church in treland 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 ofthose[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 centrally. Local delivery is facilitated by central resources in almost all cases. Public access is made known through the use of notice boards, 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.

The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, lrish 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 lreland, 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.

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LECKPATRICK CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN 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 153 contributing families during the year (151 in previous year, 2024) donating a total of £67,921, (£62,875 in previous year, 2024).

Total Income of the congregation during the year was £132,985, compared to £156,599 in the previous year. The income in the previous year was boosted by fund raising events to pay for the new roof on the main Church Hall.

Total expenditure decreased from £236,785 in 2024 to £132,639, in 2025. The higher expenditure the previous year was due to the cost of replacing the main Church Hall roof and improving the insulation in both halls.

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) 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 24th February 2026 and signed on its behalf by [Name] G (Y( Mo [Name] ol Ala [Date] D402. 2b [Date] 24 = “26 :

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