an CASTLEDAWSON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020 Reglstered Charity in Northern Ireland INICIO5668)
an CASTLEDAWSON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020 including a Statement of Asset5 and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS CASTLEDAWSON congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Main Street, Castledawson, Co Londonderry. BT45 8AA Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC1056681 CHARITY TRUSTEES The CharityTrustees who served duringthe year or who were trustees at the date of this report were John Mullan Norman Mcmullan Evans Fulton Keith Gilmour Kenneth Taylor Samuel McFadde Graingerstewart James Ewart Neil Savage Matthew Davidson Peter Lennox Mervyn Fulton PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of session Treasurer John Mullan Grainger Stewart Norman Mcmullan INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Shaun McElhinney. Ib Brookmount Cresent, Omagh, Ca Tyrone. BT78 5HG BANKERS Danske Bank, 14 Broad Street, Magherafelt, Co Londonderryi BT45 6EA SOLICITORS John J. McNally. 2 Moneymore Road, Magherafelt, Co Londonderry. BT45 6AD
an CASTLEDAWSON CONGREGATION OF THE PRES8ERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk 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 Presbw(erian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote the spiritual interest of the congregation and of person5 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 it5 Congregational Commlttee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administerin8 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 at least four in each year. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a votin8 member and a re8ular 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. Castledawson congregation of the Presbr(erian Church has been assigned to the Tyrone Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congre8atlons 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.
an CASTLEDAWSON CONGREGATION OF THE pREsBER1AN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconyd) 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 di5501ved. The membership of the General Assefflbly 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. Castledawson congregation of the Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Sreland, 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 Hi5 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 congregation's mission purpose is acknowledging our sin5 to be faithful to God's word as salt and light in our community, praying that God would fnove and save people in our town and district. AcfiviTIES AND OBJEcfivES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. 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 prayer meetings and has a wide range of organisation5 including- Sunday School Focus Boys Brigade Girls Brigade Presbyterian Women Friendship Group Good News Club
an CASTLEDAWSON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBITERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'dl ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 12 noon and 6pm. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. While these had to take alternative fomis due to the pandemic we continued to meet online for worship and fellowship. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at three Sacraments of Baptism, we conducted two marriage services and gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sicknes5 or age are Vislted on a regular basis by the minister or by elders. Mission and outreach At a local level the congregation while following the pandemic restrlctlons we continued to use online means to outreach and engage with children, teena8er5. and our community at large. 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'5 training college for minlstry students, and financially support5 congregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, 8lobal mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care.
an CASTLEDAWSON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Icont'd) The congregation support5 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 ba51S 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 plantin& 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 student5, and financially supports con8regation 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 projett 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 A55emblv 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. Organisations It was extremely difficult year as our organisations could not function as normal but our leaders continued to think of innovative ways to encourage and serve members of thelr groups. Volunteers The Trustees wish 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.
an CASTLEDAWSON CONGREGATION OF THE pREsBER1AN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Iconyd) PUBLIC BENEFITSTATEMENT The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meet5 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 standard5 in the local community such a5 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 case5. 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 seNices and informal and d-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.
an CASTLEDAWSON CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEE5 ANNUAL REPORT Iconvd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 155 contributors duringthe year compared to 135 in 2019 donating a total of £74,088 compared to £80,966 in 2019. Total Income ofthe congregation during the year was £186,109. compared to £242,000 in the previous year. The main reason for the change was the pandemic restrictions on meeting together. Total expenditure decreased from £298,536 to £170,476 due to the additional purchase of a building in 2019. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILrriES 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 prartice. As the congregations total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elerted under Section 64131 of the Charitie5 Act INorthern Irelandl 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 con8regation'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. Approved by t e Kirk Session at a meeting on 16-09-21 and signed on its behalf by INamel IDatel 27-16-2( IDate] IQ