an DRAPERSTOWN 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 2022 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Draperstown congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 47 High street Draperstown Co Londonderry Reglstered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105613) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served durlng the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Mr G Dickson Mr J Smyth Mr S Linton Mr W Phillips PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Reverend T Boyd Mr Gordon Dickson Mr Gareth Bodkin INDEPENDENT EXAMINER David Lyttle Co Ltd 15 Meeting Street Magherafelt Co Londonderry BT45 6BN BANKERS Ulster Bank Broad Street Magh8raf8lt Co Londonderry
an DRAPERSTOWN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Sesslon 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 Psbyterlan Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote the spirttual 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 Christlan witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to its Congregational Commlttee the ternporal affairs of the congregation includlng administering all funds and propety belonging to the congregatlon. Memb8r8 of the Klrk Session are ex-officio members of the. Congregational Committee. The K5rk Sesslon conslsts of the ordalned mlnlster and the rullng elders of the congregatlons. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exerclse equal votes at meets'ngs, except that the Moderator, the mlnlsters In active duty in the congregatlon, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk sesslon are held as required throughout the 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 Klrk Sesslon. Members are elected if they obtain 0-thirdS of those who vote. Pre6bytery Und6r the Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate overslght of a congregation is th8 responsibility of a Presbytery whlch superlnÉends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations asslgned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Draperstown congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been asslgned to the Tyrone Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Th8 membershlp 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 appolnted by the Klrk Session of the congregation. 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 nomially constituted during the first week In June for worship and to conduct its business. At the end of buslness It Is dlssolved. The membership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired minsters and a representative elder appointsd by the Kirk Session of each congregation.
an DRAPERSTOWN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregatlon is the advancement of religion. Draperstown congregation of the Presbyterian Church Is a congregation of the psbYterlan Church in Ireland, .The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Reformed Church within the wider body of Christ is grounded in the Scriptures, and exists to love and honaur 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 congregatlons misslon purpose Is, by the grace of God, to help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our vlslon is, by the grace of God, to be an inclusive, welcoming community of Chrlst's people of all ages, which., is increasingly characterised by love for God, and love and concern for others. is committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible., Is relevant to people of th18 tlme and place. The congregation alms to live out It8 Mission and Vislon as a family of God's people by being.. A Covenant Community., where our relatlonships are rooted in the promises of God by Ilving falthfully toward him and toward one another An Intergenerational Community.. where adults Intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. An OUard looking Community.. 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 Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we believe that the Bible is the supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Confesslon of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Chrlstian f81th and practlC8 ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The COnggatIon meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to loin. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed on several occasions during the year and all those who have been baptised and who have mad8 a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Chrlst are admitted to the Lord's Supper, The congregation has several organisations including Sunday School Women's, Association
an DRAPERSTOWN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 10.'45am. As well as our regular services durlng the year the Church offers Sacraments of Baptism and marriage services. As a congregation we gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2022 there were 27 communicant members and 25 famllies connected with the congregatlon. The average week attendance at morning worship is 19. Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to slckness or age are visited cn a regular basts by the minister, elders or by one of the congregation's pastoral visitors. MIs81on and outreach At a local level the congregation regularly supports Tearfund, an evangellcal Christian relief and development charity, working with partners to tackle the causes and effects of poverty, bringing Jesus Christ's good news to the poor in over 100 countries around the world, Gary and Mary Reid P.C.l. Missionaries are based In Southwest Kenya In the heartland of the Maasai tribe where Gary teaches in the established churches there, The Reid's also work with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development, Children's Department in Narok, helping vulnerable children who have suffered, or have been threatened with abuse, Female Genital Mutilation, child labour and neglect. They also help women who have been abused and provide refuge at the Misslon when thls is required. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission whlch Is a central fund ofthe Presbyterlan Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregations to support the wider misslon of the denomination and to do mission and outreach on a denominational basis beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The Unlted Appeal Fund provides financial support for mission personn81 at home and overseas, assists congregations wlth the deployment of locally based staff, enables church planting, provldes grant support for the upke8p of church premises, assist with the runnlng costs of Unlon Theologlcal College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and financlally supports congregation in the areas of worshlp, dlscipleshlp, global mlsslon, outreach, leadership and pastoral care, The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School project and any other special appeals. DRAPERSTOWN CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (confd) Presbytery The congregatlon 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 structures of the church. General Assembly
an The minister and one of ourelderswere nominated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June. Property The Church Commtttee continue to provide oversight and maintenance of our suite of buildings to ensure they remain fit for purpose. Organisation8 The Sunday School meets every Sunday at am where the children learn about God through various activities. Voluntsors The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on commlttees and helplng wlth organisations and othar church actlvltles. 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 Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion. The dlreGt benefits which flow from the purposes of the Church include the gainlng of an understanding in Christian bellefs as set out In the Bible and in the Church's subordlnate standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leading to spiritual and moral development and opportunitSes for response to Bible teachlng. In turn, this framework leads to practical expressions of Chrfstian beliefs and Standards in the'local communlty 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, prfnted material, press advertisement, websites, and social media or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and inft)rmal and ad-hoc 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 Mlssion workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a result of their holding Offi or employment. However, th15 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 provlded and other communltles throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement wlth and support for both Christian and other secular organlsations. charities and indlvidual members of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance.
an DRAPERSTOWN 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. The results for the year are set out on page 9, which the Trustees consider to be satisfactory. The reserves of the Congregation are held for the advancement of its charitable purpose, other than restricted reserves which are held for a designated purpose. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Twstees are responsible for preparlng the annual report and the financial statements of the congregation in accordance wlth applicable18w and generally accepted accountlng practlce. As the congregation's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustee8 have elected under Section 64(3) of. the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a recelpts and payment account and a statement of assets and Ilabilities. The Trustees are responslble for keeplng adequate accounting records that are sufflclent to show and explain the congregation's transactions and dlsclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any tlme Its financial position. They are also responsible ft)r safeguardlng 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 the 2nd May 2023 and slgned on Its behalf by Reverend T Boyd Mr Stephen Llnton Minlster Trustee