an ARDSTRAW CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 including 8 Statement of A8set8 and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Ardstrew congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 4 Deerpark Road, Ardstraw, Ornagh, Co Tyrone, BT78 4LL Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC1055901 CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year ended 31 December 202S and up to the date of this report were:_ Rev David William Reid Mr Robert Oliver Ilvorl McFarland Mr James Victor Deane Mrsamuel Stevenson Mr Trevor Galbraith Mr T8r8nce Moore Mr Victor Noel Magee Mr Oliver Edward Stevenson Mr Merwyn Smyth Mr William Robert Wallace MrTerence Atcheson PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Rev David William Reid Clerk of Session Mlwllliam Robert Wallace Treasurer Mrs Amanda Laird Iresigned 2121261 Mrs Judith Patrick lappointed 9121261 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Miss Judith Pollock 9 Drumlegagh Church Road Newtownstewart BT78 4HF BANKERS SOLICITORS Danske Bank Donegall Square West Belfast BT16JS Mcconnell & Fyffe 21 Church Street Omagh BT78 1 DG
Presbyter ARDSTRAW CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT Icont'd} STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Sesslon The charity trustees of the congregatlon are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitLJtion 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 ensurès pastoral care is in place in the congregation and seeks to further the contribLJtion of the Church to Christian witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to its Congregalional Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all f unos and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kiik Session are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders ol the congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator. the ministers In active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held monthly except December. July and August. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member 8nd a regular attendant on its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office can be either by the congregatlon 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 supelintends gener211y the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Ardstraw 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 Gttneral Assembly. minsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation. The GeneralAssembly The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one body the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative. edministration 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 lo 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, relired 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. Ardstraw congregation of the Piesbyterian Church is a congregation ofthe Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyteiian 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.
an ARDSTRAWCONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT lcont'd) The congregation's mission purpose is to bring people to Je8US, SUPPOrt and nurture the Church family, magnify His name and build up Christians in their faith. Our vision 18, by the grace of God. to be an inclusive, welcoming community of Christ's people of all ages, which.. is increasingly char8¢terised by love for God, and love and ¢oncern for others- is committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible. is relevant to People of thi8 time and place. The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God's people by being.. A Covenant Cornmunity.. where our relationship8 are rooted in the promises of God by living taithtully toward him and toward one another An Intergenerational Community: where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with. encouragg and nurture younger membeis to maturity in Christ. An Outward looking Comrnunity: 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 Pwesbyferian Church in Ire18nd, we believe thatthe Bible is the supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Conlession of Faith, 8IDng with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set OLJt what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Christian faith and practice. ACTIVITIESAND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lolds Supper is observed on several 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 and prayer meetings, also from October to April Café Church has been introduced on the second Sunday evening each month. This gives an opportunity for worship in a more informal setting and speakers are invited to give personal testimony and talk about their work. The congregation has a wide range of organisations including Sundayschool Bowling Club Boys, Brigade Girls. Brigade pw Youth Fellowship Ilgnite) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.30am. During the week the Bible StLJdy provides an opportunityfor members to meet together for tellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer.
an ARDSTRAW CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT{cont'dl As well as our regular seNices during the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at five Sacraments of Baptism, two marriage services and gave thanks lor faithful service and sought to comfc)rt those who had been bereaved during the year. As at 31 December 2025. there were 346 communicant members and 159 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 86. 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 or elders. Mission and outreach At a local level the congregation macle don8tions in excess of £4,000 to various external missions and charities. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in lieland. This fund enables congregations to support the wider mission of the denomination and to do mission and OLJtreach on a denominational basis beyond what the congregation COLJld do on its own. The United Appeal Fund provides financial support for mission personnel 8t home and overseas, assists congregations with the (ieployment of locally 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 tinancially 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 appeals. Presbytary The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and l or one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider stiuctures of the church, G8naralAssembly 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 7 Derg Road was purchased as a new manse and has been occupied since March 2022. Organisalions Bowling Club meets each Tuesdayevening. Girls, Brigade meets each Monday night: Explorers at 6.30-7.30pm. JuniDrs at 6.45-7.45pm, Seniors & Brig8der'$ 7.45-8.45pm from Septemberto March. Boys. Brigade meets each Wednesday night: Anchor Boys at 6-7pm, Juniors at 6.30-7.45pm. Company & Seniors at 7-9pm.
an ARDSTRAWCONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT{Gont'dl Youth Fellowship Group Ilgnite) meets on the 1" and 3" Sunday nighrs of the month. nd PW meets on 2 Thursday ofthe month from Octoberto April. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreci8tion of those who give freely of their time by seNing 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 its members and the general public by making known the Christ18n 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 Ithe Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leading to spiritU81 and mor81 (Jevelopment 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 lincluding the 8ick, 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 advertiseme nt, websites. and social medi8 or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal and ad-hoc feedbackfrom members, their families, and members ofthe public. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, I rish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a result of their holding off ice or employment. However, this is incidental a nd necessary in order to f urther our charitable purpose. There are no other private benef its. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their families, other individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contactwith, the community in which pastoralseNices are provided and othercommunities 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 Off ering. There were 163 contributors during the ye8r12024.. 1531 donating a tolal of £53.99012024: £50,029).
an ARDSTRAWCONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'dl Total Income of the congregalion during the year was 2128,891, compared to £135,275 in the previous year. Expenditure decreased from £136,910 to £115.443. STATEMENT OFTRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the ¢ongYegation in accordance with applicable18w and generally 8ccepted accounting practice. As the congregations total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64131 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 adequ8te accounting record8 that are sufficient to show and explein the congregation's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial posltion. They are also responsible fo¥ 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 i and signed on its behalf by.. Signature.. Signature: Rev David W. Reid Minister Mr William Robert Wallace Clerk of Session