OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2022-12-31-annual-report

EBRINGTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022

Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105644)

1

EBRINGTON 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

EBRINGTON congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 1 Limavady Road Waterside Londonderry BT47 6JU

Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105644)

CHARITY TRUSTEES

The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were

Mrs. Frances Anderson Mrs. Ruby Millar

Mr. David Baxter Mr. Alan Rowan

Mr. Colin Colhoun Mr. David Simpson Mr. David Faulkner Ms. Patricia Thompson (resigned 15/9/2022) Mr. Uel Harvey Mr. Mervyn Wray Mr. William McFaul Mr. Robin Young Mr. Tom McQuillan

ELDERS EMERITUS

Mr. Billy Manning Mr. Alwyn Wilson M. Patricia Thompson (15/12/2022)

2

PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS

Minister Clerk of Session

Treasurer

Rev. P. Linkens Mr. R. Young (resigned 15/9/2022) Mr. A. Rowan (appointed 15/9/2022) Mr. K. Hegarty

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Mr. Richard McCorkell McCorkell & Co Accountants 41a Clooney Terrace Waterside Londonderry BT47 6AP

BANKERS

Danske Bank Altnagelvin 27 Glenshane Road Londonderry BT47 2LN

SOLICITORS

A D McClay and Company 1 Limavady Road Waterside Londonderry BT47 6JU

3

EBRINGTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)

STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT

The Kirk Session

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 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 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 Sessions has delegated to its Congregational Committee 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 Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister 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 congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote.

Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held monthly from September to June inclusive.

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 Session. 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 congregation is 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. Ebrington congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Derry & 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, minsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation.

4

EBRINGTON 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 its 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 minsters and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation.

DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE

The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion.

Ebrington 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 Christ is grounded in the Scriptures, and exists to love and honour 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.

Ebrington Presbyterian Church is a Fellowship of Christ’s People under God’s Word empowered by His Spirit to live for His Glory.

Therefore, each member has a significant part in fulfilling our commitment to God by:-

5

EBRINGTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)

ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES

The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is observed on four occasions during the year and visitors from any religious tradition are made welcome provided they have been baptised and have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus. The congregation holds regular bible study meetings and has a wide range of organisations including

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Worship and prayer

Physical Sunday worship was delivered at 11.30am during 2022 with an average of 90 members and the availability of live streaming and DVD deliveries offered to the congregation in conjunction with in church services.

During the week Bible study provided the opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. Again this mainly continued through 2022 via zoom meetings and physical gatherings.

As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God’s gift of new life and gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort 9 families who had been bereaved during the year.

At 31 December 2022 there were 304 communicant members and 258 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship was 90.

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 and elders.

6

Mission and outreach

Donations have been made during 2022 to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s Appeals, Missionary Outreach and other worthy causes. A summary of the payments during 2022 is as follows:-

Mission / Agency Payment 2022
£
PCI – United Appeal 8156
PCI – Moderators Appeals 3488
OMF 3259
HelpingHands Ministries 2901
Cheptebo Student Sponsorship 2445
Scripture Union NI 2000
Tear Fund 1894
Presbyterian Childrens Society 1645
Chegilet 1454
PCI – World Development Appeal 1304
PCI – Missionaries 936
Bible Society 911
Cheptebo –J.&S. Kimelli 900
P & E Davis 786
LeprosyMission 699
YoungPeople(Summer Outreach) 400
Irish Mission 369
Zambia 363
Cheptebo Projects 271
PCI – Wider World 216
AIM 189
Ukraine(W. Lynch) 80
CEF NW 62
Royal British Legion 50
Other miscellaneous donations less than £50 31
Total for Year 34809

7

EBRINGTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)

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 denomination and to do mission and outreach on a denominational basis beyond what the congregation 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 congregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care.

The congregation also contributes to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School 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 meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June.

Property

The Church property accounts consist of the Repairs & Renovation account and the EPC fund. These funds showed an increase of £10,515 during 2022 to give a balance at 31[st] December 2022 of £29,063 (2021 £18,548).

Income of £19,514 arose from members collections (£7,483), donations in lieu (£7,915), insurance payment (£1,876), gift-aid refunds (£2,233) and interest received (£7).

Major expenditure was incurred during 2022 in repairing the Church halls flat roof (£2,376) following theft damage but overall expenditure was kept to a minimum with a constrained level of expenditure of £6,623 on church and manse general expenses (such as annual inspections, servicing, surveys and general maintenance and repairs).

8

Organisations

Up until August 2022 all organisations continued to be impacted by the remaining pandemic social distancing and lockdown measures, but thankfully there has been a welcome return to normality by the end of 2022

All our organisations were greatly relieved to return once again to physical gatherings and face to face meetings.

A brief summary of the activities of the main organisations within the church for the past year was as follows:-

– Sunday School Creche / The ROCK / The GIG / Bible Classes

On Sunday mornings when restrictions allow the following groups meet:-

Creche facilities are available for any child under 4 years old on a Sunday morning to allow parents / carers to attend Sunday worship.

The ROCK (Reaching our Children for the Kingdom) is a children’s organisation under the direction of Kirk Session that meets each Sunday morning and is open to all children aged 4-11 year olds from 11.30am to 12.40pm.

There are a total of 5 leaders on the rota. All leaders and helpers have followed child protection vetting procedures and been approved by the Kirk Session and registered by the Taking Care officer of Ebrington Presbyterian Church.

The children normally sit with their families in the main church building at 11.30am and participate in worship with the congregation. When they have listened to the children’s address by the minister and sung the children’s hymn, the children then leave with their leaders to participate and learn about the bible and how to follow Christ.

One Sunday each month the ROCK stay with the congregation in the main church building for the entire service. It is a family service with the main address aimed at the young people.

However, during the lockdown period when the church was closed, leaders continued to post activities for children via the church Facebook page. The children also took part in the church services from time to time via recordings sent by their parents.

The GIG welcomes young people from Year 8 to Year 11 inclusive each Sunday morning at 11.15am. The GIG starts its time together by enjoying a snack in the Bistro. Then in Grounded there is a game or icebreaker before a time of worship. The GIG has Bible study, watching a DVD or film, and discussing what has been learned in a short question and answer session.

9

Bible Class meets each Sunday morning from 10.30am to 11.10am for young people in Years 12 and 13. This forms part of their preparation for admittance to The Lord’s Table.

The Bible Class has not been able to meet since March 2020 due to COVID restrictions and advice by PCI but thankfully has resumed it’s normal face to face gatherings since September 2022.

Youth Club

The Youth Club meets on Saturday evenings twice a month in the church halls from 7-9 pm and once to go to Freedom, a youth event run by Exodus, SUNI and COI.

At a usual youth club meeting young people enjoy chilling out, pool, JustDance, tuck shop, board games and sports in the hall, finishing each evening with a short epilogue.

Om Freedom nights we meet in McDonalds at 6pm for some food and banter before heading to the event in Richill Baptist Church. There are always games, worship and time to explore the bible together before hearing from a speaker.

We have several special youth club nights during the year when we order food in and have some organised activities like baking, crafts and big group games, as well as a youth club trip each term. During 2022 we went to watch ice hockey in Belfast in December, and ended the year with a Harry Potter themed evening.

Tiddlers

The Tiddlers meetings have resumed since September following the restrictions due to the pandemic over the past couple of years. Each Wednesday during school term time, from 9.30am to noon, babies and toddlers (namely Tiddlers) come with their parents/carers to the Church Sports Hall. A wide variety of age appropriate equipment, toys, puzzles and books are provided for both fun and learning. Coffee, tea, toast and pancakes are available on arrival and throughout the morning. The average weekly attendance is 35 children and 25 adults. The Tiddler team seeks to welcome everyone and encourage all who come to enjoy their time with us. We open our space to people of all denominations and none and people from any race. In turn we are encouraged by the gratitude of those who come and the development of friendship and support amongst all age groups. We note that grandparents are very often the care givers nowadays.

The Tiddlers team would like to thank our minister, session and committee for their ongoing support and encouragement. We would also like to thank our caretaker for his helpfulness and co-operation.

Presbyterian Women

Ebrington Presbyterian Women meets once a month from September to April on Monday evenings at 7.45pm in the Rankin Hall. The motto of the organisation is “Living for Jesus”.

10

It is designed for women of all ages, both within and outside the congregation, and approximately 25 ladies regularly attend. For the group to flourish we realise that it is important to encourage younger ladies and we have tried to make the programme more attractive for younger people. We have been supporting mission work in the Presbyterian Church for more than 140 years.

Bright Hour

Bright Hour is a meeting open to seniors and meets on the first and third Thursday of the month from 3.00pm to 4.00pm, with each meeting starting with tea and a chat. The programme of speakers normally starts in September and each week welcomes a selection of guest speakers and vocalists.

Bright Hour also supports missionary friends who work in Mexico, Asia and Romania.

The programme finishes in April with an enjoyable meal at the Everglades hotel.

Classy Lassies

Classy Lassies is a group of ladies who enjoy fellowship and a common interest in crafts. It was formed so that no woman should be lonely on a Monday evening. This group is open to anyone (whether they attend Ebrington Presbyterian Church or not) who enjoys knitting, crochet, sewing or any other craft and the members are always willing to teach those who would like to learn.

Since the end of restrictions during the pandemic our meetings are held on the 4[th] Monday of each month during term time. We meet on these evenings from 7pm to 9/9.30 pm in the church Devotional room and have an average attendance of 7.

We enjoy some light refreshments during the class. The items which we make may go into stock to be sold or given to good causes as needs are brought to our attention. We increase our income by having occasional sales tables at Fabric World (Maydown) and three times a year at Tiddlers within the Church.

The motto of the organisation is “Caring through Craft”

Classy Lassies team would like to thank our minister, session and committee for their ongoing support and encouragement. We would also like to thank our caretaker for his helpfulness and co-operation.

Boys Brigade

The Boys Brigade is a Christian youth organisation for boys aged between 5 years and 18 years. A varied programme of activities is provided such as Bible teaching, quizzes, football, volleyball, craft and drama. The Boys Brigade enjoys outdoor pursuits and working towards the President and Queens badges.

The Brigade is split into three sections with the Anchor Boys (for 5 to 8 years old), the Junior Section (for 8 to 11 years old) and the Company Section (for 11 to 18 years old) all meeting on a Friday evening.

11

Girls Brigade

Ebrington Girls Brigade is a place for girls to be girls, make lifelong friends and have fun. The Girls Brigade motto is “Seek, Serve and Follow Christ” and with this in mind we continue to encourage the girls through Bible teaching to know God through Jesus Christ, to know themselves and to understand the world around them. Activities have included arts and crafts, singing, drama, and games together with an emphasis on learning a new skill.

Normally we meet on Thursday evenings from September through to April. Explorers (age 3 to P4) meet from 6.30 pm to 7.30pm. Company section includes Juniors (P5, P6 and P7), Seniors (Years 8, 9 and 10), and Brigadiers (Year 11 up to age 18) meet from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Like all other organisations during 2022 we were unable to restart until September with face to face contact. Prior to this, we continued to meet the girls online via video conferencing on alternate weeks – Explorers and Seniors one week and the Juniors and Brigaders the following week. We have fun doing games online such as “Bring me….!” and looking at a bible verse together, while others follow a study on Easter using study cards.

We are thankful to God that our activities have resumed since September 2022.

Volunteers

The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of all who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities.

12

EBRINGTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)

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 understanding in Christian beliefs as set out in the Bible and in the Church’s subordinate standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leading to spiritual and moral development and opportunities 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, printed material, press advertisement, websites, and social media or in other ways.

The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal 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 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 is in direct and indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral services are provided and other communities 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 regard to the Charity Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance.

13

EBRINGTON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)

FINANCIAL REVIEW

During 2022, with income less than £250,000, once again the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 to prepare a receipts and payments account and a statement of assets and liabilities.

The congregation’s main source of income is members’ contributions through the weekly Freewill Offering. There were 130 families contributing during the year (134 in 2021) donating a total of £79,181 (£79,351 in 2021) net of any gift aid refunds.

Total Income of the congregation during the year was £173,048 as compared to £163,721 in 2021. This showed overall income generally held up during the year despite the restrictions put in place as a result of the COVID pandemic. Additional income from Youth Worker, Education Authority and The Honourable Irish Society grants of £14,442 was the main source of increased income.

Total expenditure decreased from £179,783 in 2021 to £166,312 in 2022. As mentioned in the property report on page 8 this was due to an amount of £39,600 spent on roof repairs during 2021.

Overall there has led to an increase in funds during the year of £6,736 reflecting an increase in of £11,602 within restricted funds (arising mainly from the Property Funds balances) partly offsetting a decrease of £4,866 within unrestricted funds, giving a reassuring closing funds balance for the congregation of £116,212 (£109,476 in 2021). All of these fund balances are held in bank current and deposit accounts along with a small cash balance within some of the church organisations.

14

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice.

As the congregations total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 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 disclose 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.

15