an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present theirAnnual Report and Financial Statements forthe year ended 31 December 2024 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Cumber Congregation of the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland Foreglen Road Brackfield Londonderry BT47 3TP Re8lstered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105638) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charlty Trustees who served durin8 the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Mrs Joan Pollock Mr Eric Christie Mr John Pollock Mr Paul Mccorkell (Resigned 9 Nov 2024) Mr Myles Smith Mr Cecil Pollock Mr Samuel Galbraith Mr George Thompson Rev Ross Kernohan th PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Convenor Clerk of Session (Joint) Rev Ross Kernohan Mr Cecil Pollock Mrs Joan Pollock Mr Alistair Sterritt Treasurer INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr Arthur McFarland 10 Cregg Road Claudv BT47 4HX BANKERS Danske Bank, PO Box 183, Donegal Square West, Belfast, BTI 6JS SOLICITORS Babingtons Solicitors, 9 Limavady Road, Londonderryi BT47 6JU
an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Sesslon The charity trustees of the congregatlon are the members of its Klrk Session. Under the congregation's 80verning document, The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Klrk Session seeks to watch over and promote the spiritual Interest of the congregation and of persons not connected wlth any congregation who are within its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place in the con8re8ation and seeks to further the contrlbutlon of the Church to Christian witnes$ and service in the local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to its Congregational Commlttee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Klrk Session consists of the ordained mlnlster and the ruling elders of 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 congregatlon, has no deliberative but only a castlng vote. Stated meetings of the Klrk session are held at least twlce 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 caSled to the office can be either by the congregation or by the Kirk Session. Mernbers are eletted if they obtain two-thlrds of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate oversight of a congregation s the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations 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 Done8al Presbytery of the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists malnly of the active mlnisters of con8regations asslgned to It by the General Assemblyi mlnisters who have retired from actlve duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation.
CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) The General Assembly The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representin8 in one body the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administration and judlcial authorityi 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 conslsts 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 charltable purpose of the con8re8ation Is the advancement of religion. Cumber congre8ation of the Presbyterian Church is a con8regatlon of the Pfesbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian 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 faith in His Son and by the power of His Spirlt, and to enable her members to play thelr part In fulfilllng God's mission to our world. The congregation's mission purposes is bythe graceof God, to help people of all ages becomefully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, Our vision is by the gmce ol God, to be on inclusive, welcoming community of Christ's people of all oges, which.. is increasingly chorocterlsed by love for God, and love and concernfor others,. Is committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible,. Is relevant to people of this time and ploce. The congregation aims to Ilve out Its Mlsslon ond Vision as afamily ol God's people by being.. A Covenant Communlty.. where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by livinglaithfully toward hlm and toward one another An Intergenerational Community.. where adults intentionally take the lead to engage wlth, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. An Outword looklng Communlty.. where we want the blèsslnos of God thot bèlono tè us In the oospèl to become blessingsfor others beyond the bounds of our community. As a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we believe that the 8ible is the supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the L(Jrger Gnd Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Chrlstian faith and proctlce.
an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) 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 occaslons 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 meetin85 and has a wide range of organisations including Sunday School Youth Club Youth Fellowship Junior Bible Club Bowlin8 Club Book Club Presbyterlan Womèn Men's Fellowshlp Walklng Group Rainbows/8rownies/Guides Pampered & Prepared Ladies Meetin8S Saturday Mornlng Blble Study Group ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worshlp and prayer The congregation normally meets for worshlp each Sunday at 10.15am. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scrlptures and for time of prayer. As well as our regular Services durlng the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at 2 Sacrament of Baptlsms and gave thanks for faithful services and soughtto comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2024 there were 295 communicant members and 110 families connected wlth the congregatlon. The average weekly attendance at rnornlng worship is 50, 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.
an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) Mlsslon and outreach At a local level the congregation reaches out to the local community through its organSsatlons which are open to all. We support local and international mission organisations, holding regular fundraisers for charlty. The congregatlon supports the Unlted Appeal for Mlsslon whlch Is a central fund of the Presbyterlan Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregatlons to support the wlder mission of the denomlnation and lo do mission and outreach on a denominational basis beyond what the con8re8ation could do on its own, The United Appeal Fund provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congre8ations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church plantin& provides grant support forthe upkeep of church premises, assist wlth the running costs of Union Theological Colle8e, the Church's training college for ministry students and financially supports congregation In the areas of worship, dlsclpleship, 8lobal mlssion, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The congregation a150 contrlbutes to the denomlnations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School project and any other special appeals. Presbytery The con8regation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and / or one of the elders, This provides an important link between the con8regatlons 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 Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildin85, Belfast, in June. Property The buildin8s have been malntained to a hlgh standard overthe last numbers of years with extensive work includin8 painting the interior and railln85 to the front. This has meant no major works have been required this year.
an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) Organlsatlons Youth Club meets every Saturday night for a range of attivltles and also go on regular trips. Approxlmately 35 children attend. Junior Bible Club meets monthly on Friday evenings. We have crafts, games, storles for primary school age chlldren. Bowllng 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 vafiOUS speakers and fellowship times. There are around 15 lad ies of all ages involved. Walking 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. Orga nlsatlons Rainbow5/Brownies/Guides rneet weekly in the church buildings. 'Parnpered & Prepared, is a ladle5 outreach that meets each week in May or June. It is open to the whole community. There are a range of attivities including craft, beauty therapy, health, cooking and walklng. A local speaker addresses the ladies before they have supper. Around 70 ladies attend. Saturday Mornlng Bible Study Group meet monthly. Ladies come for breakfast and discuss a short 8ible Study together. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge thelr deep appreciation of those who give freely of theirtime by serving on committees and helping with or8anisations and other church activities. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Church In Ireland meets the public benefrt requlrement by providin8 benefit to its members and the general public by making known the Chrlstian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion, The dlrect benefits which flow from the purposes of the Church include the gaining of an understanding In Chrlstian beliefs as set out in the Bible and in the Church's subordinate standards (the Westminster
an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) Confesslon of Faith and the Shorter and Lar8er Catechisms)1oading to Spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Bible teachlng. In turn, this framework leads to practlcal expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local cornmunity, such as throu8h the care of those in need (including the sick, disabled and bereaved). Generally the above benefit5 are dellvered locally by con8regatians and thelr members, or are facilitated through presbyteries or are or8anised and delivered centrally. Local delNery is facilitated by central resources In almost all cases. Publlc access is made known through the use of noticeboards, prlnted materlal, press advertisement, websites, and soclal medla or In other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the service5 and informal and ad-hoc feedback from members, their famllies, and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, Mlssionarie5, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a result of their holding offlce or employment. However, this 15 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 indlviduals that the Presbyterian Church in Sreland is in direct and indirect contact with, the community In which pastoral services are provided and other communities throughout Northern Ireland, the Republlc of Ireland, and worldwlde which benefit from our en8a8ement with and support for both Christlan and other secular organisations, charities and individual members of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's Public benefit requlrement statutory guidance. FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's maln source of income is members, contrlbutlons through the Weekly Freewill Qfferln8. Ther• wgrq 78 contrlbutln8 families durin8 tho year 2024 donatin8 a total of £39,241 (£38,596 in prevlous year, 2023) Total Income of the congregatlon duringthe year was £69,512, compared to £61,664 In the previous year. Total expenditure increased from £50,347 to £55,440.
an CUMBER CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILrriES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financlal statements of the congregation in accordance wlth applicable law and generally accepted accounting practlce. As the congregation's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3} of the Charltles Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a recelpts and payment account and a statement of assets and Ilabilities. The Trustees are responslble for keeping adequate accountin8 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 safeguarding the assets of the congregatlon and hence for taking reasonable steps for the preventlon and detection of fraud and other Irregularities. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 151 May 2025 and signed on its behalf by; Rev Ross Kernohan Mr Cecll Pollock Clerk of Session Convenor