an FIRST MAGHERAFELT CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 Reglstered Charlty In Northern Ireland(NIC1056081
an FIRST MAGHERAFELT CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present thelr Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilitie5 as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS First Magherafelt congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 26 Meeting Street, Magherafelt, Co Londonderry, BT45 6BW Re8lStered Charlty In Northern Ireland IN IC1056081 CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Mrs l Brown, Mr R Campbell, Mrs A Crossett, Mr W. Currle, Rev Drj Acurry Mr H. Duncan, Mrj Hamilton. MrA.R. Hogg, Dr. E. Hunter, Mrs. H. McKay, Mr R.G. McKeown Mrj. Smyth, Dr. M Steven50n. Mr H Stewart, Mr W. H. J. Todd, Mr E. Wylle PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Rev Drj A Curry Clerk of Session Mr R J Hamllton Treasurer Mr E Glasgow INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Hopper & Co, 25 High Street, Carrickfergus, BT38 7AN BANKERS Danske Bank, 18 Ballymoney Road, Ballymena BT43 5BY
an FIRST MAGHERAFELT CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'dl STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Sesslon The charity trustees of the congregatlon are the members of Its Klrk 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 spirltual interest of the congregation and of person5 not connerted with any congregation who are within It5 bound5. 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 Sesslons has delegated to its Con8regational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all funds and property belongin8 to the congregation. Members of the Klrk Se551on are ex-officlo members of the Congre8ational Commlttee. The Kirk Se5slon conslsts of the ordained mlnister and the ruling elders of the congregations. All members are entitled to propose. speak and exerclse equal vote5 at meetlngs, 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 five times 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 ordlnances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the offlce can be either by the congregatlon or by the Kirk Session. Members are elerted if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote. PreSbery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate oversight of congregation is the responslblllty of a Presbytery which superlntends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. First Magherafelt congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been a55igned to the Tyrone Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consist5 mainly of the active ministers of congregations ssigned to it by the General Assembly, minsters who have retlred from attive duty and an elder appolnted by the Kirk Session of the congregation.
an FIRST MAGHERAFELT CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd} The General AemblY 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 authorlty. In dealing wlth all matters brought before It. The General Assembly is normally constituted durlng the first week In June for worship and to ¢onduct its business. At the end of business it is dlssolved. The membership of the General Assembly conslsts mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired minsters and a representative elder appointed by the Klrk 5e55ion of each congregatlon. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregatlon is the advancement of religion. First Magherafelt 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 Chrlst Is grounded in the Scripture5, and exlsts to love and honour God through faith in HIS Son and by the power of HIS Splrit, and to enable her members to play thelr part In fulfilling God's mlssion to our world. The con8regatlons mission purpose Is :_ As those who know Jesus, taking the Gospel in the power of the Holy 5pirtt, to others, so that they might become discSples of Jesus Christ. Our ViSiDn is to be those who GLORIFY GOD as we Experience GRACE as His children. Share LOVE in His family and Demonstrate COMPA5510N to His world. The congregatlon èlms to Ilve out Its Misslon and Vision as a family of God's people by being.. A Covenant Community: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward him and toward one another An Intergenerational Community: where aduFts Intentionally take the lead to engage wlth, encourage and nurture younger members to maturlty in Christ. An Outward looking Community: where we want the blessings of God that belong to us in the gospel to become blessings for Dthers beyond the bounds of our communlty. As a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we believe that the Bible is the supreme authorlty over all we do, and that 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 practicej
an FIRST MAGHERAFELT CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEE5 ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) AcfiviTIES AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and vi51tors are welcome to loln. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on six 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 admltted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation holds regular bible study and prayer meetings and has a wide range of or8anisation5 including,, Sunday School Creche Jr Church Youth Fellowshlp Girls Brigade Ladies @First Crafty Ladies Youth Club En81ish Lan8ua8e Cla5se5 Coffee Mornings M15sion Awareness ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11am and 6:30pm. During the week the fortnightly Bible Studies and weekly prayer meeting provlde5 an opportunlty for members to meet together for fellowsh5p, to study the scriptures and for prayer. As well as our regular seNices during the year we acknowledged God's Eift of new life at the Sacraments of Bapt15m, we conducted marriage services and Eave thanks for falthful services and sought to comfortth05e who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2025 there were 227 communicant members and 292 famllles connected with thè congregatlons. The average week attendance at moming worshlp Is 135 Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sicknes5 or age are visited on a regular basis by the minister or elders. Mission and outreach We run English language classes for migrants and many from all sectlons of the community attend our rninistry pro8ram5 such as girls brlgade. We run a communlty coffee morning each week in partnership with the local Special needs school. We have strong mission links wlth Malawi and support variou5 mission organisation5. The congregation 5UPPQrt5 the United Appeal for Mlssion which Is a central fund of the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland. This fund enables con8re8ations to support the wider mission of the denomination and to do mission and outreach on a denominational basis
an beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The United Appeal Fund provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, as515ts congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church plantlng, 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 worshlp, dlsclpleshlp, global misslon, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The congregatlon also contrlbutes to the denominatlons other special appeals. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our mlnister and one of the elders. This provides an Important link between the congregatlons and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterlan Church In Ireland held in Assembly Buildin85, Belfast, in October. Property The congregation operates from Its church building and hall cornplex located on Meetlng Street, Magherafelt and from its manse in King Street, Magherafelt Organlsatlons Small GTOUP Bible Studies This key aspect of our midweek fellowship meets fortnightly and is open to everyone. It does not require you tu have any particular level of bible knowledge simply a deslre to learn together from God's word. We encourage those who attend to read the passage and to answer the questlQllS they can beforehand. On the evening they are free to share their answers or simply listen as others do so. The leaders of the groups will have meet with Rev Curry and been through the studies and we also preach on the passage5 Studled In our sunday evening servlces. Prayer Meetings- the opportunities for people to join is in prayer include (11 Main Congregatlonal Prayer Meeting, on Thursdays @8pm. 121 Weekly Prayer Time for Worship, sundays 10.30-10.45 Junlor Sunday School Junlor Sunday School for Prlmary School a8ed chlldren contlnues to meet every Sunday at 10am to 10.45am from Septemberto June. We take part in various services throughout the
an year and really appreciate the effort the children put into practising and the support from home. We use stories, songs and cr3ft to encourage the children to learn more about God. We start each session with the children coming into their classes. We chat with them about their week and get to know them more. We also open in prayer In our own classes. Then we do our stories and activitie5 together. All the classes meet up together at the end of the session to slng together from a variety of action songs to share God's love. Senior Sunday School and Bible Class We continueto meet each Sunday mornlng at 10am to 10.45am from Septemberto June. We have a good group ofyoung people but would always welcome more. The young people take part in various famlly and youth services durlng the year, communicating the message of Je5US through drama, reading the Bible, prayer and song. Creche Crèche contlnues to meet every Sunday mornin8 during the church service. Each child comlng out to creche now also get5 a book when the league of church loyalty attendance prizes are glven out to the older children at the end of January. Many thank5 to all who are involved in looking after the little one5 on a Sunday morning. Your help is very much appreclated. Chlldren's Church Children's Church takes place each Sunday morning with children of Primary School age leaving the main service following the children's addre55. A8e related artivFtie5 are made avallable to them in the Church hall whlch follows a different theme for each calendar month eg. Creation, Bible characters, miracles etc. The attivitie5 provided include Blble stories, arts1 crafts and games. Chlldren's Church is a team effort and wlth the number of children attending on thÈ increase we would welcome other volunteers to join the team to a55iSt with teaching Of in a more supportive / practical capacity. Please speak to elther one of us for further information. Cholr I Pralse Band There are several opportunities to asslst in leading the praise in our church by playing Instruments or leading our congregational singing èither on a regular basls or for special services. Mad@First on Sundays (Youth Fellowship) Mad@First on Sundays meets to worshlp at the evening 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 along to Mad on Saturday or Sunday ni8hts and any of the other events planned throughout the year.
an Ladies@First Ladies @ First Meet mainly on the thlrd Tuesday of each month and hold other special events throughout the year. In all of the meetlngs we are seeklng to adhere to the alm of Presbyterian Women and encourage women to become d15ciples of Jesu5. We invite all ladies to comè along to our meetings and events. If it Is difficult to commit to every month please feel freeto come along when you can and you will be a55ured of a warm welcome. English Classes The class meets on Monday mornings from 10 to 12 and the avera8e attendance is between 10 and 20 with 3 to 4 volunteer tutors we would not call ourselves teachers rather we are guldes to the English language. The class at present cornprises Ukrainians. Portuguese and AfEhanl. The class starts with each person readlng as best they can from a passage from the Bible. We now are amazed with the progress some have made although they stlll have difficulties in LEnderstandin8 some of the phrases which are in common usage. 221. Magherafelt Glrls Brlpde The girls meet In the Church hall every Wednesday nlght. Explorers meet at 6.00pm. juniors 7.00pm. Seniors and Brigaders from 7.45pm. We pray as we continue in Girls Brigade to remember our motto at all tlmes.. '5eek, Serve and Follow Christ,, Youth Club @ Flr5t The numbers in Youth Club remain at a steady 15 -20 regular Boys and Girls every week. The young people take part in variDUS activities such as board games, table tennis, pool, play station and Wil games with the usual group game5 Such as football and unl Hoc. We are encouraged by our numbers and our reliable group of leaders. We would ask for your continued 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 appreciation of those who glve freely of thelr time by serving on cornmittees and helping Wlth or8anisations and other church activities.
an FIRST MAGHERAFELT CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IREL4ND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'dl PUBLIC BENEFITSTATEMENT The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providin8 benefit to Its members and the general public by maklng known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion. The direct beneflts which flow from the purposes of the Church include the gainin8 of an understanding In Christian beliefs as Set out in the Bible and in the Church's subordinate standards (the Westmlnster Confesslon of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechism51 leading to spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Blble teaching. In turn. this framework leads to prartlcal expressions of Christian bellefs and standard5 In the local community such as through the care of those in need lincluding the sick, disabled and bereaved). Generally the above benefits are dellvered locally by congregations and their members, or re facilitated through presbyterles or are organised and dellvered centrally. Local delivery is facllltated by central resources in almost all cases. Public access 15 made known through the use of noticeboards, printed material, press advertisement, websites, and social medla or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal and ad-hoc feedback from members, thelr famllles, and members of the publlc. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private beneflt fSowlng from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mi55i0n workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a result of thelr holding office or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary In order to further our char¢table purpose. There are no other private beneflts, The beneficlaries of this purpose are members, thelr familie5, Other individuals th2t the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Is In direct and indirect contact with, the Communlty in which pastoral services are provided and other communities throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement wlth and support for both Christian and other secular organisations, Charities and individual members of the publlc. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charlty Commlssions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance.
an FIRST MAGHERAFELT CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBrfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'dl FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's rnain source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewlll Offering Total Income of the congregatlon during the year was £192,411 compared to £190,473 in the previous year. Total expenditure of the congregation during the year was £164,389 compared to £161,465 in the previous year. STATEMENT OFTRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustee5 are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financlal statements of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting prattice. As the congregations total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have eletted 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 adequate accountlng records that are sufficient to Show and explaln the congregation's transactions and discI05e 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 meetlng on Tuesday 28th April 2026 and signed on Its behalf by Name- Rev Drjonathan A Curry Name- Robert John Hamilton Signatur Signature., th Date: 28 April 2026 Date: 28th April 2026