FIRST MAGHERAFELTCONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN 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
First Magherafelt congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
26 Meeting Street, Magherafelt, Co Londonderry, BT45 6BW
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC105608)
CHARITY TRUSTEES
The Charity Trustees who served durln8 the year or who were trustees at the date of this
report were
Mrs l Brown,
Mr R Campbell,
Mrs A Cr05sett,
Mr W. Currie,
Rev Drj A Curry
Mr H. Duncan,
Mrj Hamilton,
MrA.R. Ho
Dr. E. Hunter,
Mrs. H. McKay,
Mr R.G. McKeown
Mr J. Smyth,
Dr. M Stevenson,
Mr H Stewart,
Mrw. H.J.Todd,
Mr E. Wylie
PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS
Minlster
Rev Drj A Curry
Clerk of Session
Mr R J Hamilton
Treasurer
Mr E Glasgow
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Hopper & Co, 6 Doagh Road, B311yclare, BT39 9BG
BANKERS
Danske Bank, 18 Ballymoney Road, Ballymena BT43 5BY

¥*Èll Jtt
FIRST MAGHERAFELTCONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd)
STRUCfUREAND MANAGEMENT
The Klrk Session
The charity trustees of the congregatlon are the members of Its Klrk Session. Under the
congregation's governing document. The C<xle, the book of the constitution and
80vemment of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland, the Klrk Sesslon seeks to watch over and
promote the spirltual interest of the congregation and of persons not connerted with any
con8regatlon who are within Its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place In the
con8re8ation and seeks to further the contributlon of the Church to Christian wltness and
service in the local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to Its Congregational
Committee the temporal affairs of the congregatlon Including administering all funds and
property belongingto the congre8atlon. Members of the Klrk Session are ex-officio
members of the Con8regational Committee.
The Kirk Session conslsts of the ordained min15ter and Ihe rulin8 elders of the congregations.
All members are entitled to prop05e, speak and exerclse equ31 votes at meetings, except
that the Moderator, the minlster5 in actlve duty in the con8regatlon, has no deliberative but
only a castlng vote.
Stated meetings of the Klrk 5esslon are held five tlmes each year.
To be chosen for the office of the eldershlp in the congregatlon a person must be a voting
member Hnd a regular attendant on Its ordlnances. The selection of those proposed to be
called to the office Can be either by the congregation or by the Kirk Se5slon. Members are
elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote.
Presbytery
Under the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate overslght of a
congregation Is the responsibiltty of a Presbytery which Superintends generally the splritual
and temporal affairs of the congregatlons asslgned to it by the General Assembly of the
presbyterian Church in Ireland. First Magherafelt congre8atlon of the Presbyterlan Church
has been assigned to the Tyrone Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The
membership of the Presbytery consists malnly of the active min55tsrs of congregatlons
assigned to it by the General Assembly, minsters who have retired from artive duty and an
elder appointed by the Kirk Se55k)n of the congregation.

FIRST MAGHERAFELT CONGREGATION OF THE PREsB￿ERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)
The General Assembly
The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representln8 In one body the
whole Church and atting as Its supreme legislative, admlnistratlon and judlcial authorlty, In
dealing wlth all matters brought before It. The General Assembly Is normally constituted
during the flrst week in June for worship and to conduct Its business. At the end of busines5
it Is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the actlve
minlsters of eath congregation, retlred minsters and a representative elder appointed by
the Klrk Se5slon of each cong￿gation.
DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
The charltable purpose of the congregatlon is the advancement of religion.
Flrst Ma8herafelt congregation of the PresbY(erian Church is a congregation of the
Presbyterlan Church In Ireland. The Presbyterlan Church In Ireland, as a Reformed Church
withln the wlder body of Christ is grounded In the Scriptures, and exists to love and honour
God through falth In His Son and by the power of HIS Spirit, and to enable her members to
play their part In fvlfilllng God's mission to our world.
The congregations mlsslon purpose Is :_ As those who knowjesus, taking the Gospel in the
power of the Holy SpirlL to others, so that they ml8ht become disclples of Jesus Chrlst.
Our vision Is to be those who GLORIFY GOD as we Experience GRACE as His children, Share
LOVE in HIS family and Demonstrate COMPASSION to Hi5 world.
The congregation aims to live out its Mi551on and Vislon as a famlly of God's people by
being:
A Covenant Communlty: where our relatlonshlps are rooted in the promises of God by
living faithfully toward him and toward one another
An Intergenerational Community: where adults intentSonallytske the lead to engage
with, encourage and nurtu￿ younger members to maturity in Christ.
An Outward lookin8 Community: where we want the blessings of God that belong to us
in the gospel to become ble￿IngS for others beyond the bounds of our community.
As a congregation of the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland, we believe that the Blble is the
supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Confesslon of Faith, alon8
with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches
on key matters of Christlan falth and practice]

FIRST MAGHERAFELTCONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'd)
ACTivmES AND OBJEcfivES
The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visltors are welcome to join. The
Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on six occasions durlng the year and all those
who have been baptised and who have made a profession of falth in the Lord Jesus Chrlst
are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congre8ation holds regular blble study and prayer
meetin8s and has a wide range of organisations including:
Sunday School
Creche
Jr Church
Youth Fellowshlp
Girls Brigade
Ladles @First
Crafty Ladles
Parents and Toddlers
English Language Classe5
- Youth Club
Mission Awareness
- Coffee Mornings
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Worshlp and prayer
The congregation normally meets for worshlp each Sunday at 11am and 6:30pm. Durlngthe
week the fortni8htly Bible Studies and weekly prayer meeting provides an opportunity for
membersto meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for prayer.
A5 well as our regular servlces during the year we acknowledged God's glft of new Ilfe at the
Sacraments of Baptlsm, we conducted marrlage servlces and gave thanks for faithful
services and sought to comlort those who had been bereaved duringthe year.
At 31 December 2023 there were 226 communicant members and 294 famllie5 connected
wlth the congregations. The avera8e week attendance at morning worship Is 160
Pastoral care
Members of the congregatlon who are unable to attend church due to slckness or age are
visited on a regular basis bythe mlnister or elders.
Mlsslon and outreach
We run Engllsh language classes for mlgrants and many from all sections of the community
attend our minirtry programs such as Birls brigade. We run a community coffee morning
each week in partnership wlth the local special need school. We have strong mi5slon links
wlth Malawi and support various mlssion organisatlons.
The congre8atlon supports the United Appeal for Mlssion which is a central fund of the
Presbyterfan Church In Ireland. Thls fund enables congregations to support the wlder
mission of the derbornination and to do mlssion and outreach on a denominational basls

beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The United Appeal Fund provides
financlal support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congregatlons with
the deployment of locally based staff, enables church plantln& provide5 grant support for
the upkeep of church premises, assist wlth the runnlng costs of Unlon Theologlcal College,
the Church's tralning college for ministry students, and financially supports CQn8regations in
the areas of worship, discipleshipi global mlssion, outreach. leadershlp and pastoral care.
The congregatlon also contributes to the denomlnations other special appeals.
Presbytery
The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minlster
and one of the elders. This provides an important Ilnk between the congregatlons and the
wider Structure5 of the church.
General Assembly
The minister and one of our elders were nomlnated to attend the meetlng of the General
Assembly of the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildln8s, Belfast, In
October.
Property
The con8regation operates from its church bullding and hall complex located oil Meetln8
Street, Ma8herafelt 3nd from Its manse in King Street, Ma8herafelt
Or8anlsatlons
Small Group Bible Studles
Thi5 key aspect of our mldweek fellowship meets fortnlghtly and is open to everyone. It
does not requlre you to have any part5cular level of blble knowledge simply a desire to learn
together from God's word.
We encourage those who attend to read the passa8e and to answer the questions they can
beforehand. On the evenln8 they are free to share their answers or simply listen as others
do 50. The leaders of the groups will have meet with Rev Curry and been through the studles
and we also preach on the passa8es studied In our Sunday evenlng Services.
Prayer Meetlngs- the opportunltle5 for people to Join is In prayer include
(l) Maln Congregational Prayer Meetln& on Thursdays @8pm.
12) Weekly Prayer Time for Wor5hlp, Sundays 10.30-10.45
Junlor Sunday School
Junlor Sunday School for Primary Sthool aged chlldren contlnues to meet every Sunday at
10am to 10.45am frorn September to June. We take part in various services throughout the

year and really appreciate the effort the chlldren put into practislng and the support from
home. We use stories, songs and craft to encourage the chlldren to learn more about God.
We start each session with the children comlng into thelr clas5e5. We chat with them
about their week and getto know them more. We a150 open In prayer in our own classes.
Then we do our storles and activlties together. All the cla55es meet up together at the end
of the session to sing together from a variety of action songs to share God's love.
Senior Sunday Sthool and Blble Class
We continue to meet each sunday mornlng at 10am to 10.45am from September to June.
We have a good group of young people but would always welcome more. The, young people
take part in varlou5 family and youth services durlng the year, communicating the message
of Jesus through drama, readlng the Blble, prayer and song.
Creche
Crèche continuesto meet every Sunday morning durfngthe thurch service. Each ¢hlld
comin8 Out to creche now also gets a book when the league of church loyalty attendance
prizes are given out to the older children at the end of January. Many thank5 to all who are
involved in looking after the little ones on a Sunday morning. Your help is very much
appreciated.
Children's Church
Children's Church take5 place each Sunday mornlng wlth chlldren of Primary School age
leavln8 the maln servlce followlng the thildren's address. Age related activ5ties are made
available to them In the Church hall which follows a different theme for each calendar
month e& Creatlon, Bible characters, miracles etc. The activltles provlded include Blble
stories, arts / crafts and 8ame5.
Children's Church Is a team effort and w6th the number of chlldren attending on the
increase we would welcome other volunteersto Joln the team to assist with teaching or In a
more supportive / practical capaclty. Please speak to either one of us for further
Information.
Choir / pralse Band
There are sever31 opportunities to assist in leadlng the praise In our church. If you feel you
would Ilke to particlpate in any way please speak wlth our or8anlse or come along to any of
the pradtices noted in the announcements. We especlally welcome people who are
Interested In joiningthe choir on Sunday mornings to help lead our praise.
Mad@Flrst on Sundays ￿OUth Fellowshlp)
Mad@First on Sundays meets to worship at the evenlng service at 6pm and then for thelr
meeting In the Graham Room. We would like to encourage any youth of secondary school
age to come aEon8 to Mad on Saturday or Sunday nights and any of the other events
planned throughout the year.

Ladle5@First
Ladies @ Flrst meet mainly on the thlrd Tuesday of each month and hold other special
event5 throughout the year. In all of the meetings we are 5eekin8 to adhere to the alrn of
Presbyterlan Women and encourage women to become di%iples of Jesus.
We Invite all ladles to come along to our meetings and events. If It is dlfficult to commlt to
every month please feel free to come along when you can and you will be assured of a
warm welcome.
Engllsh Classes
The class meets on Monday mornlngs from 10 to 12 and the average attendance is between
10 and 20 with 3 to 4 volunteer tutors we would not call oursefves teachers rather we are
guides to the Engllsh language. The class at present comprlses Ukralnians, Portuguese and
Afghanl. The class starts with each person reading as best they can from a passage from the
Bible. We now are amazed wlth the progress some have made although they still have
difflcultles in understanding some of the phrases whlch are In common usage.
221StMagherafelt Glrls Brlgade
The 8irls meet in the Church hall every Wednesday ni8ht. Explorer5 meet at 6.1)Opm, Junlors
7.00pm. Seniors and Brl8aders from 7.45pm.
We pray as we contlnue in Glr15 Brigade to remember our motto at all tlme5:
'Seek, Serve and Follow Christ.,
Youth Club @ Flrst
The numbers in Youth Club remaln at a steady 20-25 regular Boys and Glrls every week.
The young people tske part in various actlvitles such as board 8ames, table tennls, pool, play
station and Wil garneswith the usual group games such as football and uni Hoc. We are
encouraged by our numbers and our rellable group of leaders. We would ask for your
contlnued support and prayers as we try to engage with these young people to come to
know and trust the Lord.
Volunteers
The Trustees wlsh to acknowledge their deep appreclation of those who give freely of thelr
time by serving on committees and helplng wlth organi5atlons and other church actlvitles.

FIRST MAGHERAFELTCONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
The Presbyterfan Church in Ireland meets the public benefrt requirement by providing
benefit to tts members and the general public by making known the Chrlstlan Gospel of the
Lord Jesus Chrlst through the advancement of reli8ion.
The dlrect benefits which flow from the purposes of the Church include the galnlng of an
understandlng in Christian beliefs as set out in the Bible and In the Church's subordin*e
standards (the Westrninster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Lar8er Catechisms)
leadlnB to spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Blble
teaching. In turn, this framework leads to practical expressions of Chrlstlan beliefs and
standards in the local community such as through the care of those In need (includln8 the
slck, dlsabled and bereaved).
Generally the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and their member5, or
are faalitated through presbf(eries or are organised and dellvered centrally. Local delivery
15 facilitated by central resources In almost all cases. Publlc access is made known through
the use of noticeboards• prlnted materlal, pre55 advertlsement websites, and social media
or in other way5.
The beneflts are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the ser¥tlces and inft>rmal and
ad-hoc feedback from members, thelr famllles, and members of the public.
The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private beneflt flowlng from our purpose Is
related to Ministers, Mlsslonaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mlssion worker5 and Lay Agents who
receive benefits as a result of thelr holding ofPice or employment. However, this Is incidental
and necessary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private
benefits. The beneficiaries of thls purpose are members, their families. other Indlviduals
that the Presbf(erian Church in Ireland is in dlrect and indlrect contart wlth, the community
In which pastoral services are provided and other communities throughout Northern
Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwlde which beneflt from our engagement with
and support for both Chrlstlan and other secular organlsations, charities and indivldual
members of the public.
The Klrk Session has had regard to the Charity Commlsslons Public benefrt requirement
5tstutory guidance.

FIRST MAGHERAFELTCONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT qcont'd)
FINANaAL REVIEW
The congregation's maln source of income is members, contributlons through the Weekly
Freewill Offering
Total Income of the congregation durin8 the year was £186,094 compared to £209,951 In
the prevlous year.
Total expenditure of the congregation durlng the year was £182,287 compared to £157,355
In the previous year.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILrriES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financSal statements of
the con8re8ation In accordance with Bppllcable law and 8enerally accepted accounting
practice.
A5 the congregatlons total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected
under Sectlon 64(3} of the Charitles Act (Northem Ireland) 208 to prepare a recelpts and
payment account and a statement of assets and Ilabilitles.
The Trustees are responslble for keeping adequate accountlng records that are sufficlent to
show and explain the ¢ongre8atlon's transactions and dlsdose wlth reasonable accuracy at
any tlme its financial positlon. They are also responsible for safeguardlngthe assets of the
congregation and hence for taking Teasonable steps for the prviention and detectlon of
fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Klrk Session at a meeting on Tuesday 22nd October 2024 and slgned on Its
behalf by
Name- Rev Dr Jonathan A Curry
Name- Robertjohn Hamilton
Signatur
Signature:
Date: 22nd October 2024
Date: 22nd October 2024