Presbyter an FIRST OMAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105655) Presbyter an FIRsf OMAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Tnjstees present theirAnnual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAIL5 First Omagh Congregation of the Presbyteri3n Church in Ireland 19 Dublin Road Omagh BT78 IHF Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC105655) CHARITY TRUSTEE5 The CharityTrustees who seNed duringthe year or who were trustees at the date of this report were: Mrs Isobel Bell Mr David Bowman Mr Mervyn Boyle Mr Godfrey Crawford Mrs Margaret Cummings Mr Ketth Davison Mr Philip Ewing Mr Neville Hagan Mr Hubert Hamill Mr Samuel Hammond Mrs Floren￿ Harper Miss Audrey Hodge Mr Edwin Johnston Rev Patricia Jane Nelson Mr Arthur Rainey Mr Ivan Short Mrs Dorothy Simpson Mr Ivan Simpson Mr David Swann Mr William Swann Mr David Vance an FIRST OMAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (congd} PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev P Jane Nelson Miss Audrey M Hodge Mr Neville Hagan INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Hamill Mcllwaine Chartered Accountants 28-30 Old Mountlield Road Omagh BT79 7BJ BANKERS Ulster Bank Limited 14 High Street Omagh BT78 IBJ an FIRST OMAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Icirk Session The chartty trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Underthe congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the Constitution and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the firksession seeks to watch over and promote the spiritual interest of the congregation and of persons not connected with any congregation who are within tt5 bound5. It ensures pastoral care is in place in the congregation and seeks to furtherthe contribution of the Church to Christian witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Session 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 member5 of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregation. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the congregation. has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Fcirk session are held on alternate months of each year, usually five times a year. To be chosen forthe off1￿ of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attend3nt on its ordinances. The selertion of those proposed to be called to the office can be either bythe congregation or by the Kirk Session. Members are elected if they obtain the votes of two- third5 of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland form Df 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. First Omagh congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Omagh P￿SbYtery 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. Presbyter an FIRST OMAGH CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) The General Assembly The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one bocfy the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administration 3ndjudicial authortty, 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. Atthe 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. First Omagh 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 Christ IS grounded in the Scriptures and existsto love and honour God through faith in His Son and bythe power of Hi5 Spirit, and to enable its mernbers to playtheir part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregation's mission purpose is to become a people called to worship God and by the power of the Spirit to share love in Christ with the world. building communities of hope, healing and transformation and to revitalise the life and worship of the congregation in order to encourage a more effective Christian witness in a changing community. Mission Statement- First Omagh congregation exists to respond to the Gospel of God's love in Christ through worship, fellowship, discipleship. care forthe church family, witness in the community and to the widerworld. Mission Plan - First Omagh congregation intends to focus on the following three aspects of mission: _ Develop and strengthen our understanding of Chrisvs mission in the world and the role that we, as a congregation. play in it. Find ways of connecting with the increasing number of irregulaT or non-attending members of the congregation and encourage them to engage with issues of faith. Gain an understanding of the needs of the wider community and identify ways in which we can meet those needs in Chrisvs name. an FIRST OMAGH CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IREtAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) AcrivmES AND OBJECTIVES The congregation meets forworship every Sunday and visitors are welcome and encouraged tojoin. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on several occasions during the year and all those who have been baptised and who have made a profession of f3ith in the LordJe5us Christ are adrnitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation holds regular bible study meetings and has a wide Trnge of organi5ations including... Sunday School (incorporating JIGSAW. BLAsf and TOT5} Boys, Brigade Craft Group Coffee Stop Bowling Club Badminton Clubs pw Bible Study Prayer Meetings Walking Group Aerobics Toddle Along Sunday Lunch Bunch ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.30 am and special evening service5 at 7.00 pm are organised throughout the year. Sunday School take5 place each Sunday morning during the morning Service: children are in church for approximately 15 minutes and then theygo to their age specific group5. During the week many organisations meet in our premise5 offering a varied program of activities and events bringing many people together from inside our membership and from the wider community. Bible Study Series held in the autumn and the spring, usually lasting 6-8 week5, provide an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for 3 time of prayer. Monthly congregational praise and prayer services offer another opportunity to meet togetherfor prayer time and reflection. We also have the support of a very successful Prayer Chain to respond to the many challenging sttuation5 faced in our congregation and local community. an RR¥f OMAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVdl As well as our regular servI￿S during the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at 4 53cr8ments of Baptism and gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2024 there were 367 communicant members and 280 families connected with the congregation. The average week attendance at moming worship 15 104 with around 20 others watching online. 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, elders or by one of the congregation's pastoral visitors. Most services are livestreamed and are available to view or download from the internet. Mission and outreach This year First Ornagh sUPPOrted financrally the Mi55ion Station at Embangweni (Malawil. Scripture Union Nl and also the Harold Mccauley House Residents, Comfort Fund through its Outreach Fund. An annual week-long Holiday Bible Club is organised in August each year (since 2013 but Covid affected In 2020, 2021 and 202213nd this has been well supported from both inside and outside the congregation. Duringthe year donations were made to various charitsble organisations and good causes. The congregation supports the United Appeèl 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, assists with the running costs of Union Theological College. the Church's training college for ministry Students, and financially supports congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship. global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The congregation also contributes to the denomination5 annual World Development Appeal and any other special appeals that occur. Presbyter an FIRSf OMAGH CONGREGATION OF THE pREsB￿ER1AN CHURCH IN IREUIND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conydl PreS￿ery 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 Bttend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in June. Property There were no major projects carried out on our premises in 2024. General maintenance and repairs on our church and halls. on our manse and on our sexton's house came in at£23,717. Presbyter an FIRsf OMAGH CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEE5 ANNUAL REPORT (convd) Organisations Jigsaw, Blast and Tots (Sundayschooll meet on a Sunday morning during Moming Worship with 25 children averaging in attendance. Boys, Brigade meetweekly on a Tuesday evening with an average attendance of 20. Craft Class meets weekly on a Monday evening facilitating around 10 people. Coffee Stop meets on a Wednesday moming (open to non-members) with an average of 25-30 calling in for a cuppa and a chat. Toddle Along is our Mum5 and Tots Group and meets on a Thursday moming with around 30 children and their guardians. Bowling Club meets on a Wednesday evening land occasionally on a Friday evening) with a membership of around 25. Badminton Clubs meet on a Tuesday moming {ladiesl and a Monday and Thursday evening lopenl with numbers attending around 12-15. PW meet on the 2. Tuesday of the month with approximately 25 joining in. Sunday Lunch Bunch provides a 3-¢ourse meal on the last Sunday in the rnonth (Sept to April) forthose member5 who live on their own. Usually be￿een 10 and 20 people attend. Bible Study has two sessions (autumn and spring) with around 25-30 meeting together- approximately 10 of whom meet in a morning house group 2nd the other5 meet in the church halls in the evening. Praise and Prayerservices take place on the third Sunday of the month and usually 15-20 come together to pray for our congregation and comrnunity. Walking Group meets on a Tuesday evening from April till October. Open to non-members this group can reach as many as 50. Volunteers The Trustee5 Wlsh to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with organisations and other church activities. Presbyter an FIRST OMAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IREL4ND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) PUBUC 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 adVan￿rnent 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 Shorterand Larger Catechisms) leading to spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Bible teaching. In tum, this framework leads to practical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local communtysuch 35 through the care of those in need (including the sick, disabled and be￿3Ved). Generally, the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and their members or are facilitated through presbyteries orare organised and delivered centrally. Local delivery 15 facilttated by centtsl resources in almost all cases. Public access is made known through the use of noticeboards, printed Material, press adverttsement. websites, and Social media or in otherways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal and ad-hoc feedback from members, theirfamilies. and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to ham. The only private benefitflowingfrom 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 employrnenL 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 contsct with, the community in which pastoral servi￿$ are provided and other communities throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland. and worldwide which benefitfrom 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 Commission's public benefit requirement statutory guidance. io Presbyter an FIRST OMAGH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESB￿ERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conYd} FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freowill Offering. Total donations received from the congregation during the year as FWO was £75,482. compared to £77,547 in the previous year. Other amounts were received includin& for specific charitable collections, from investment income and to off-set specific expense5. totaling £98,116. Total expenditure of £154,859 was spent during the year in achievingthe church's charitable objectives. srATEMEf+lT OF TRusfEE RESPON51BILmES The Tmstee5 are responsible for preparingthe annual report and the financial statements of the congregation in accordan￿ wth applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice. As the congregation's totsl income does not exceed £250.000. theTrustee5 have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northem Ireland) 2008 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a ststement of assets and liabilities. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufFicientto show and explain the congregation'5 transactionsand disc105e with reasonable accurdcy at anytime its financial position. They are also responsible for safeguardingthe assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Kirk Se55ion at a rneeting on 14 May 2025 and signed on its beh31f by: d. Rev PJ. Nelson Miss Audrey M. Hodge li