Presbyter an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustee5 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 Cumber Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Foreglen Road Brackfield Londonderry BT47 3TP Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105638) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served durin8 the year or who were trustees at the date of thls report were Mrs Joan Pollock Mr Eric Christie Mr John Pollock Mr Paul Mccorkell Mr Myles Smith Mr Cecil Pollock Mr Samuel Galbraith Mr George Thompson PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Clerk of Session (Joint) Mr Cecil Pollock Mrs Joan Pollock Mr Alistair Sterritt Treasurer INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr Arthur McFarland 10 Cregg Road Claudy BT47 4HX BANKERS Danske Bank, PO Box 183, Donegal Square West, Belfast, BTI 6JS SOLICITORS lan Mccarter, Babingtons Solicitor5, 9 Limavady Road, Londonderry, 8T47 6JU
an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Se55ion The charity trustees of the con8regation are the members of its Kirk 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 spiritual interest of the congregation and of persons not connected with any congregation who are within its bounds. It ensure5 pastoral care is in place In the congregation and seek5 to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all funds and property belonging to the congre8ation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregatlons. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the ministers in attive duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetin85 of the Kirk session are held at least twice in each year or as appropriate. 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 5e55ion. 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 con8regation is the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congre8ations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Cumber congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Derry and Donegal 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 General Assembly, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed bythe Kirk Session of the congregation.
an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) The General Assembly The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one body the whole Church and acting as it5 Supreme legislative, administration 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 to 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, retired Ministers and representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancernent of religiori. Cumber congregation of the Presbyterlan Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Reformed Church withln 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 SpirSt, and to enable her members to playtheir part In fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregation's mission purposes is by the grace of God, to helppeople of ollages becomefully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is, by the grace of God, to be an inclusive, welcomln9 community of Christ's people of all oges, 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 this time ond ploce. The congregation oims to live out its Mission and Vision os olomily of God's people by being.. A Covenont Community.. where our relationships ore rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward him ond toward one another An Intergenerational Community.. where adults intentionolly take the lead to engage with, encouroge and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. An Outward looking Community.. where we wont the blessings of God thot belong to us in the gospel to become blessingsfor others beyond the bounds of our community. As a congregotion of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we believe thot the Bible is the supreme authority over all we do, ond that the Westminster Confession of Faith, olong with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Christion faith ond proctice.
an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'd) ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to joln. The Sacrament of the Lords 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 meetings and has a wide range of organisations including Sunday School Youth Club Youth Fellowship Junior Bible Club Bowling Club Book Club Presbyterian Women Men's Fellowship Walking Group Rainbows/Brownies/Guides Pampered & Prepared Ladies Meetings Saturday Morning Bible Study Group ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worshlp each Sunday at 10.15arn. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for time of prayer. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at 2 Sacrament of Baptisms and gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2023 there were 295 communicant members and 110 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 50. Pastoral care Members of the con8re8ation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the minister or elders.
Presbyter an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) Mission and outreach At a local level the congregation reaches out to the local communlty through its or8anisations which are open to all. We support local and international mission organisations. holding regular fvndraisers for charity, The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregations to support the wider mission of the denominatlon and to do mission and outreach on a denornlnational basis beyond what the congre8ation could do on Its own. The United Appeal Fund provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congregations with the deployment 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 financially supports congregatlon in the areas of worship, discipleship, 8lobal 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. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and / or one of the elders, This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meetin8 of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June. Property The buildings have been maintalned to a high standard over the last numbers of years with extensive work including paintingthe interior and railings to the front. This has meant no major works have been required this year.
Presbyter an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Organlsations Youth Club meets every Saturday night for a range of activities and also go on regulartrips. Approximately 35 children attend, Junior Bible Club meets monthly on Friday evenings. We have crafts, games, stories for primary school age children. Bowling Club meets every Tuesday night. It competes in the local churches league. There are approxlmately 20 members. Book Club meets approximately every six weeks. Having read a chosen novel, it is then discussed. There are around 10 members meeting in various homes. Presbyterian Women meets monthly and has various speakers and fellowship times. There are around 15 ladies of all ages involved. Walklng Group meets fortnightly. Members and friends choose a local walk/forest and enjoy a stroll and a cup of tea afterwards. There are usually about 15 people involved. Organlsations Rainbows/Brownies/Guides rneet weekly in the church buildings. 'Pampered & Prepared, is a ladies outreach that meets each week In May or June. It is open to the whole community. There are a range of activities including craft, beautytherapy, health, cooking and walking. A local speaker addresses the ladies before they have supper. Around 70 ladies attend. Saturday Morning Bible Study Group meet monthly. Ladies come for breakfast and dlscuss a short Blble Study together. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of theirtime by serving on committees and helpin8 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 Christian 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 understandin8 in Christian beliefs as set out in the Bible and in the Church's subordinate standards (the Westminster
Presbyter an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'd) Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leadlng to spiritual and moral development and opportunitles 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 (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, prlnted material, press advertlsement, websltes, and social media or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal and ad-hoc feedback from member5, 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 Minister5, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a result of their holding office or employment. However, this 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 15 in direct and indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral services are provided and other communitles 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 re8ard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is mernbers, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 80 contributing families durin8 the year 2023 donating a total of £38,5961£33,979 in previous year, 2022) Total Income of the congregation during the year was £61,664, compared to £57,554 in the previous year. Total expenditure increased from £38,444 to £50,347.
an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial 5tatement5 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 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 accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the congregation's transactions and dlsclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial posltlon. They are also responsible for safeguardin8 the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. th Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 9 April 2024 and signed on its behalf by; GJ ffA£ PaJi.cL Mr Cecil Pollock Clerk of Session s Joan Pollock Clerk of Session