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2023-12-31-annual-report

First Kilrea Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland

FIRST KILREA 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 (NIC 105557)

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First Kilrea Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland

FIRST KILREA 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 ADMINSTRATIVE DETAILS

First Kilrea Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland Church Street Kilrea, Co Londonderry BT51 5QH Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC 105557)

CHARITY TRUSTEES

William Dinsmore Basil Irwin David Laughlin Trevor McCormick

PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS

Minister Trevor J McCormick Clerk of Session David Laughlin Treasurer Basil Irwin

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Mark Callaghan Coleraine

BANKERS

Danske Bank Bank Square, Kilrea, Co Londonderry, BT51 5QS

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First Kilrea Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland

FIRST KILREA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'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 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 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.

To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting members 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. First Kilrea congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Coleraine and Limavady 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, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation.

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First Kilrea Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland

FIRST KILREA 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 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 Kilrea 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 Scripture, 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 purposes is by the grace of God, to help people of all ages become fully committed 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:

As a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we believe that the Bible is the supreme authority over all we do, and 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. The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God's people by being:

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First Kilrea Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland

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

ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES

The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed at least twice 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 in partnership with First Kilrea Congregation and has the following organisations:

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Worship and prayer

The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11:00am. After the Pandemic restrictions there are a few occasional evening services, eg Harvest , Communion Thanksgiving and Carols. Praise is led by our dedicated organist and a group of faithful singers come together for special services. During the week the Bible study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship and study of the scriptures.

As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledge God's gift of new life at Sacraments of Baptism, and we conduct marriage services of members, and give thanks for faithful service and seek to comfort those who have been bereaved during the year.

At the 31 December 2023 there were 135 communicant members and 108 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 80.

Pastoral Care

Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to illness or age are visited on a regular basis by the minister, elders or by other members of the congregation.

Mission and Outreach

At a local level the congregation encourages regular prayerful and financial support of a range of charitable and mission agencies and individuals. In 2023 support was given to: Belfast City Mission, Overseas Mission Society, Christians Against Poverty, Charlene's Project, Royal British Legion, Stand by Me.

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First Kilrea Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland

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

The Congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The fund enables congregations to support the wider mission of the denomination and to mission and outreach on a denominational basis beyond what the congregation could not 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, assists with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and financially supports congregational life in the the areas of worship, global mission, outreach leadership and pastoral care.

The congregation also contributes to World Development through TearFund, the Sunday School project and any other special appeals.

Presbytery

The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of the Presbytery of Coleraine and Limavady by our minister and one of the elders, Mr David Laughlin. This provides an important link between the congregation and the wider structures of the Church.

General Assembly

The minister and one of our elders, Mr Basil Irwin, 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 major repairs to property undertaken in 2023 included: replacing footpaths around the Church and Graveyard; Replacing Church Hall porch. Routine upkeep and minor maintenance has ensured that buildings are fit for purpose, and are pleasant and safe place to meet.

Organisations

FaithFinders (Sunday School) and Bible Class meet weekly except during July and August. A syllabus of Bible teaching is followed and a range of age-appropriate activities and take-home sheets are used. In June there is a Sunday School service shared with our partner congregation, Boveedy, when the children and Young People lead the congregation in worship and review some of the lessons used during the year.

Midweek Bible Study meets weekly September to Easter. This is in partnership with Boveedy

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First Kilrea Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland

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

Congregation. Various programmes are used to give members a deeper understanding of the Scriptures, particular doctrines, and a Biblical understanding of current issues. This also provides an opportunity for members to meet together in fellowship.

Women Together meets monthly from September to March. There is an Annual Service and a varied programme of speakers and member-led meetings shared with the members of First Kilrea. The Annual theme is developed through the opening devotions and members are encouraged to develop and maintain an interest in various missionary projects. There are opportunities to meet with other PW members at Presbytery Link meetings, the Annual Rally and Breakfast. Invitations to join other groups are regularly received.

Book Club meets approximately twice a month giving ladies an opportunity to reflect on and discuss a book that has been selected by one of the members. This group proves to be a place of fellowship and mutual encouragement.

Tunes on Tuesday meets monthly in the afternoon. The programme is based on familiar hymns, some chosen as favourites by members, with an introduction to the author, the history and meaning of the focus hymn.

1[st] Kilrea Boys' Brigade Company is composed of 3 sections, Anchor Boys, Junior Section and Company Section, which meet weekly September – Easter. Early in the session all sections take part in their Annual Enrolment Service, that is when members are promoted from one section to another and young leaders (NCO's) are appointed. The weekly programme includes Bible lessons, games and PE, crafts and skills development. Junior Section and Company Sction members take part in Battalion competitions and events including football, volleyball, dodgeball, 10 pin bowling, badminton, carol service and church parade service. The session end with the annual display and presentation of awards which involves all boys.

Volunteers

The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on the Congregational Committee, and leading in organisations and other church activities.

Particular thanks are given to those who voluntarily work cleaning the church and undertake some maintenance.

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First Kilrea Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland

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

PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement 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 with flow from the purpose of the Church include the gaining of an understanding in Christian beliefs as set our 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 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 adhoc 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 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 Commission's Public Benefit requirement statutory guidance.

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First Kilrea Congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland

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

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The congregation's main source of income is member's contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 97 contributing families during the year ( 98 in the previous year 2022) donating a total of £54,497 (£54,496 in the previous year 2022)

Total income of the congregation during the year was £106,909, compared to £89,936 in the previous year.

Total expenditure increased from £91,803 to £93,758.

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 27[th] October 2024 and signed on its behalf by

(Name) (Name) (Date) (Date)

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