an CLOUGH 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 2022 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilkties as at that date. REFERENCE AIYD ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Clough Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. cOespondenCe address.. 48 Springmount Roa¢ Glfor(L Ballymeni Co. Antrim. BT44 9RB. Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105560). CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were: Mr Stanley AlexandeT Mr Robin Cherry Mr Jack Compton Mr Lyle Cubitt Mr Sammy Currie Mr lan Ferguson Mr Raymond Frew Mr George Gregg Mr Ross Humphrey Mr lan Johnston Mr Robin Johnslon Rev David Mcmillan Mr James Mcwilliams Mr Harold Richmond Mr Alex Waide Mr Geoff Wylie PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister: Clerk of Session.. Treasurers.. Rev David Mcmillan Mr lan Johnston Mr Wallace Gregg & Mr Alan Finlay INDEPENDENT EXAMINER James Gillespie (F.C.A.) Stevenson and Wilson Chartered Accountants 22-30 Broadway Ave, Ballymena. BT43 7AA. BANKERS Danske Bank l Broadway Avenue. Ballymena. BT43 7PE.
an CLOUGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CItURCH IN IRELAI¥D TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRUCTURE AIW MANAGEMEiYr The Kirk Session The charity trustee5 of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congregation's governing document. The Code. the book of the constitution and govenjment of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote the spiritual interest of the congregalion 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 lempordl affairs of the congregation including administering nds (excluding those specifically under session's control) and property belonging to the congregaiion. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-officto 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 Moderdtor, the ministers in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held at least stx times in each 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 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 Cburch in Ireland forni 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. Clough congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Ballymena Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The rnembership 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. The General Assembty The General Assembly is the 5upren]e court of the Church, representing in one body the whole Church and acting a5 Its supreme legislative, administration and judicial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The General Assembly is normally constituted during the fst week in June for worship and to conduct its busines5. At the end of business. it 15 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.
an CLOUGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAIND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The Charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Clough congregation of the Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Refonned Church within the wÈder 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 statement is as follows: Clough Presbyterian Church exists to propagate the Christian faith I religiol) in the village of Clough, Co. Antrim. The spiritual vitality and the material I social wellbeing of the local community are of paramount concem to the Trustees. As those who have subscribed to the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Trustees seek 10 promote a culture where God is glorified, honoured and enjoyed - both in word and deed. Furtherniore, the Kirk Session seeks to provide a wami, caring and ptoralIy-sen$tt7ve environmeni for the entire family. The family can, as a unit. experience the privilege of worshipping together at our stated services. In addition, there is a number of youth organisations that seek to enhance the educational, sporting and social skills of the children and teenagers ¢ntrusted to our care. In short. Clough Presbyterian Church is a God-centred, community-based and family orientaled community of Christians. ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper was observed on two occasions (May and November) during the year and all those who have been baptised and who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Cbrist are admitted to the Lord's Supper. In May 2022, we welcomed five new members who had received membership training from the Rev. Mcmillan. The congregation holds regular bible study meetings and has a wide range of organisations including.. Sunday School Indoor Bowing Club Boys, Brigade Girls, Brigade CorLnect Junior Christian Endeavour Holiday Bible Club Choir
an CLOUGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES AI¥NUAL REPORT (cont'd) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation meets for worship each Sunday at 12 noon (I l am July & August) and 7pm October to April. Crèche is provided for pre-school children during morning worship and other children up to the age of eight leaving the main church during the service for children's church. During the week the Mid-week Prayer and 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 six Sacraments of Baptisrn. together with one adult baptism. There was one malage service conducted in the church duTing 2022. During the year we had 6 people connected with the congregation who passed away and we sought to comfort thos¢ families. At 31 December 2022 there were 305 communicant members and 280 families connected with the congregation, The average attendance at morning Worship in 2022 was 140 and 40 at the evening service. 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 and elders. Mission and outreaeh The mission aspect of the congregation is founded on the mission Purpose as set out above and manifests itself in various ways &s comp&ssionate Christianity. Organisations under the direct control of the Congregation sucb as GB, BB, CE and Sunday School cater not only for the young people of the Church but for young people from the local community who have no connection with the Congregaiion. The midweek prayer meeting, Connect and the bowling club caters for the congregation members and are open to the wider conununity to attend. At local level the congregation is connected with the Primary school and the School is granted use of the Church prerni5es for tbeir annual Christma5 presentation. Reverend Mcmillan regularly attend5 the school to conduct morning worship. Glarryford Young Farmers Club hold their annual service in the Church every other year and the Loyal Orders are granted pennission for their anT]ual church services. The congregation supports the local Church of Ireland at their amiual harvest service and also if they have fund raising events. Apart from Freewill offering, repair Fund and the United Appeal charitable dollations by the Congregation and the associated organisations have been made inter alia to the following,. The Royal BTLtish Legion, European Mi55ion Fellowship, The Moderdtor s Appeal. Lepr05y Mission, Mission Fund homeloverseas, World Development Appeal and the Bible Society.
Presbyter an CLOUGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTEIUAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (¢ont'd) Mission and outreach (¢ont'd) Given the current cost of living crisis, the church wanted to do something to help those in the community who were struggling. The Tnsell Trust h&s setup Foodbanks throughout the UK to provide emergency food for tbose facing hunger and extreme povety and our local food bank is run from Ballymena. After visiting with the team, an appeal w&s made in our church asking the congregation to donate non-perishable itern5 which would be used to make up food parcels to help individuals OT faD]ilies. Lists of suggested non-perishable items were made available in the pews and the congregation was encouraged to leave items at the collection point in the vestibule over a 4-week period in ApTiI 2022. Two fijll car loads of items were delivered and these were greatly appreciated as supplies had been running low. After being in touch with the organiser of the Foodbank. we heard how stocks were running low after the holiday period, a fiJrtheT appeal was made in church during the month of September 2022. The foodbank shelves were replenished after a car full of generous donations were dropped off on Thursday, 15th September 2022. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This nd 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 fmancial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congregations with the deployment of IallY based staff, enables church planting. provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises. assisi with the running costs of Union Theological College. the Church's training college for ministy sNdents, and flnancially supports congregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission. outreach. leadership and pastoral care. The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Developrnent Appeal and any other special appeals. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the cburch. General Assembly The minister and the representative elder were nominated to attend the meeting of the General A55embly of the Presbyterian chUh in Lreland, held in Assembly Buildings in Belfast. The meeting nonnally takes place in June each year. Property There w¢re no property projects undertaken during 2022. EXpendit[e related to general repairs atLd ongoing rnaintenance.
an CLOUGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES AIYNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Organisations s, Bri ade September 2022 saw the rern of BB following the pandemic. First Clough CoTnpany of the Boys 'Brigade is comprised of three sections nornially meeting each week between September and March. We had three officers, five helpers and 35 boys on our register. from the ages of 4-18. We provide a wide range of activities each evening such as gatnes, drill, badge work and bible study. Girls, Bri ade The Girls, Brigade also reconunenced in September 2022. The Company had over 50 girls on their register together with a good number of officers and helpers. Girls are also encouraged to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award5 scheme, through our company. Junior Chrlstlan Endeavour The Junior C.E. met fortnightly from January 2022 to 27 March 2022 when we held our CE Family & Friends Service to mark the end of the winter season. During the service the Children sang" recited the Psalm 23 which they had beeT] learning. shared with the congregation the work of Spud Bear ministries and the Rev Mcmillan provided the address. After the summer recess, Junior CE resumed in September 2022. We started our new session with 23 children on our registeT aged between 4 and I l years. From September we looked at the stories of Jesus as told in the gospel of Luke. We started with John the Baptist and worked our way through to Jesus starting his ministy and selecting his disciples. Luke wanted to give an accurate account of the life of Jesus. And we have tried to do the same in CE as we have presented Jesus to the children. It is our hope and prayer that all will place their trust in Jesus. You are never too young lo give your heart to God. In Matthew 19 v 14 Jesus told the disciples "Let the little children corne to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" We had Lynne Dornan visit the CE children in November and she shared photos and stories of her recent trip to Kenya with Friends of Vispa. Our children listened so well and we were able to give Lynne a small donation to help with the ongoing work at the 0banage. We finished the year with our Christmas Party on 20th December 2022. The children enjoyed a scavenger hunt and ' Pin the nose on Rudolf before an epilogue by the Rev Mcmillan and refreshments. Holida Bible Club After 2 years of online meetings. the Holiday Bible Club resumed for face-to-face meetings on Monday, 25 July and running 5 evenings from 6:30- 8pm. It was so good to welcolne the boys and gTrls back into the church halls. God blessed the club by providing plenty of leaders. safety each night. glorious weather all week, with the exception of a small blip on Friday Night" and an amazing number of children - 84 children registeied aud an average of 72 attending each evening. We had a bit of a Secret Agent theme going on during the week. Through our guest Speakers, Ruth Moxen and Ivor Hutchinson, the children heard about God's Rescue Mission for the Israelites. Moses at the age of 80, w&$ tasked with going to Pharaoh to ask him to set God's people free. The Mission appeared impossible. but we found out all things aTe possible with our God. Ruth and Ivor also told the children about God's Tcscue plan for us. How Jesus was sent to die on the cr055 to seek and to save the 105t. The challenge to the chtldren, should they choose to accept it, was to itLVite the Lord Je5US into their hearts as Lord and Saviour.
Presbyter an CLOUGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) OrganAsations (cont'd) Choir During 2022 the choir was able to meet again and assist with leading the praise at each rnorning service. Attendances range from 15 to 30. The choir is often accompanied by a number of instnjmentslists. Connect The Connect ladies group meets most months and provides opportunities for the ladies within the congregation to hear guest speakers and financially support charitable causes. During 2022 they 5UPPOrted Street Pasiors, Nl Childrens. Hospice, PCI Mission Fund, Rival Movement and Hope & Light. Indoor Bowlin Club The Indoor Bowling nonnally meets on Tuesday nights from September to March. Average attendance on club nights wa5 approxirnately 20. The club competed in the local churches, league. Sunda School Because of COVID restrictions, we started the year 2022 with Sunday School for primary aged children only, meeting in the main church hall with chairs spaced l rnetre apart. This limited our activities somewhai. but we were still able to have a Bible story, prayer, memory verse and craft or colouring activity each week. We were pleased to be able to hold our ChildreTJ's Day service in June with the children from Sunday School fonniT]g the choir and leading the worship. In September 2022 we welcomed our secondary school age group back. though stnaller in number than pre-covid, At this stage we had a total of 64 children and young people on our Sunday School and Bible class roll. Our 9 teachers (and I helper) continue to use the 'Go Teach, materials as the basis for their lessons week by week, supplementing this with crafts, games and singing. We finished the calendar year with a Christmas parry for primary children and a movie and pizza evening for those of secondary school age. 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.
an CLOUGH COIYGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERW4 CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Church in ITeland meets the public benefit requirement by Providing benefit to its members and the generdl public by making known the ChTlStian Gospel of tbe 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 OPPOTtunities for response to Bible leaching. In turn. this framework leads to practical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as tbrough the care of those in need (including the skck, disabled and bereaved). Generally, the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and their members. or are facilitated thTough 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. atjd social media or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and infornjal and ad-hoc feedback from members. their famili¢s. and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harni. 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 ol¢e or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefits. The beneficiarie5 of this purpose are members, their families, other iT]dividuals that the Presbyterian Church in treland is in direct and indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral services are provided and other communities throughout Northem Ireland. Ihe Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement with and support for boih 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 staNtory guidance.
an CLOUGH 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 41 O contributors during the year 2022 (419 in previous year) donating a total of £82,206 (£79,399 in previous year). Totsl income of the congregation during the year was £162.560 cOmped to £128,157 in the previous year. The incorne figure for the CueTht year included a one-off legacy of £25,000. Total expenditure increased from £130,602 in 2021 to £142.593 in 2022. STATEIWIENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the atmual 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 undeT Section 64(3) of the Charities Act INorthern Ireland) 208 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of assets and labilities. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the congregation's transaclions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its fmancial p051tion. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable Steps forthe prevention and detection of fraud and otheT IegUlarIties. Approved by the Kirk Session on 15th May 2023 and signed on its behalf by: Signature.. Signature: Name: Rev. David Mcmillan Name: lan Johnston