Presbyter an CHURCH IN IRELANO FIRST DROMARA CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Registered Charity in Northern Ireland NIC 105676
The Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 Dccemb¢r 2023 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AI¥D ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS CHARITY NAME First Dromara Congregation of th¢ Pr¢sbyterian Church in Ireland ADDRESS 4 Church Road, Dromari DROMORF,, Co Down, FIT25 2NS CHARrrY NUMBER Registered Charity in Northcrn Ircland NIC 105676 CHARITY TRUSTEES Rev. Scott W Moore William CIinghan David A Copes Robert Hawthorne Paul Reain Norn]an Biggerstaff Brian Copes Ronnie Crawford Ian David Mccullagh PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Rev Scott W Moorc Clerk of Kirk Session Ian D Mccullagh Congregational Secretary Mrs Angela Cobb Treasurer Nornian Biggerstaff INDEPEI¥DENT EXAMINER Mrs A¢S Michelle Hartc c I Woodvalc, DromarL DROMORE, Co Down, BT25 2JA BANKERS Danske Bank, 35-39 Bridge StreeL BANBRIDGE, Co Down, BT32 3JL SOLICITORS W G Maginess & Son Ltd., 68 Bow StreeL LISBURN, Co Antrim, BT28 IAL
First Dromara Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report 2023 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 Prcsbyterian Chuwh in Ir¢land, th¢ Kirk Scssion SkS to watch ovcr and promotc 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 withess and service in the local community. The Kirk Session has delegated to its Congregational Committee the tempornl 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 congregation. All cmbcrs arc cntitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at mectings, except that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings 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 propos¢d to b¢ called to the office can be either by the congregation or by the Kirk SessioJL M¢mb¢rs are elected if they obtsin two- thirds of those who vote. Presbytery Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland forni of governance the corwrate oversight of a cOngatiOn is the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations assIed to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. First Dmmara congregation of the Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Dromore 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 apinted by the Kirk Session of the Collgation. The General Assembty Th¢ G¢n¢ral Assembly is the supr¢mc court of th¢ ChurclL r¢pr¢scnting in one body the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, admirristrative and judicial authority, in d¢aling with all matters brought before it. The General Assembly is norn]ally 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 a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation.
First Dromara Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees, Annual Report 2023 DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. First Dromara congregation of the Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Refornied 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. The congregation's mission purpose is the spread of the Gospel. the good news of Jesus ChrisL locally. nationally and internationally and to encourage our members of all ages to a greater Christian experience an(L with God's help. to be engaged in all aspects of this outreach work. Our vision is, by the grac¢ of Go(L to be an inclusive. welcoming community of Christ's people of all ages, which: is increasingly chardcterised by love for G and love and concern for others" is committed to the historic Christian gospel &8 revealed in the Bible. is relevant to people of this time and place. In all of this we, at First Drom seek to honour the LoTd. We believe the Lord Jesus ChTiSt to be the sole King and Head of the Church. We believe the Word of God as set forth in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the only infallible rule of faith and practise and the supreme standard of the church. We uphold and teach thc doctrines of grace set forth in subordinate standards. that is the Westminster Confession of FaidL Larger and Shorter catechisms. We seek through word and actions to honour God in all we do, to encourage the saints and to reach the lost. We earnestly seek to integrate all age groups into our church family and encourage all age groups to be involved in sharing th¢ gospel message and to become blessings for others beyond the bounds of our COnegatiOn. ACTIVITIES AND OWECTtVES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. 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 mad¢ 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 Bible Class Youth Fellowship Mothers and Toddlers Inspire Ladies Grnup Ladies Bible Study and Prayer Group Congregational Bible Study and Prayer Meeting Boys, Brigade (in conjunction with other local churches) Girls, Brigade Youth Club Feast Annual Holiday Bible Club Ambassadors Football Camp
First Dromara Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trust¢es' Annual Report 2023 ACHtEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation nornially meets for worship each Sunday at 11.30am (I I.00am during July and August) and 6.45pm.(except during July and August). During the week the Bible Studyl Prayer Meeting providcs an opportuuity for mcmbcrs to mcet together for fcllowship. to study thc Scripturcs and for a time of prayer. We gave thanks for faithful service of the deceased and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved. At 31 December 2023 therc weT¢ 127 communicant members and 182 fatnilies conncctcd with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning WOTship is 135. During the year the attendance at most activities h&s slowly returned to near the pre-pandemic level. We recognise that some have not returned to the services of worship either by choice of because of failing health so we continued to live-stream services. We are pleased to have attracted some new members during the year, many of whom have taken a full part in our various organisations and activities. 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 in an effort to support them both practically and spiritually. The freezer ministy continued through the year. Mission and outreach We have an active Mission Committee which seeks to maintain contact with and support for workers at home and overse&s. Financial support is given to rnission workers in various countries. Many in our congregation have a genuine concern for the spread of the Gospel. During 2023 four members of the congregation travelled overseas on mission teams or mission conferences. Locally, some members have been involved in our Pr¢sbyt¢ry Outr¢ach at thc Balmoral Show. Our young people are also heavily involved in mission work. During 2023 fourteen of our teenagers have been involved as leaders in PCI, CSSM, CEF, Scripture unlo New Horizon and Ambassadors Football teams. Twelve of our young people attended various camps during the summer. Eighteen members hosted an Ambassadors Football Camp and around forty members organised our Holiday Bible Club. In 2023 a team travelled to Dundalk Presbyterian Church in the Irish Republic to conduce a Holiday Bibl¢ Club in in that church. It was well received in the local congregation and about 40 children attended. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fimd of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This fimd enables congregations to support the wider mission of the d¢nomination and to do mission and outreach on a denominational basis beyond what the ongregation could do on its own. Th¢ United Appeal Fund provides fllwicial 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 ministy students, and financially supports congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global Missio outreac leadership and pastoral care.The congregation also contributes to the denominations Sunday School project. to the Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Appeal and other special appeals.
First Dromara Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland TnLStees' Annual Report 2023 Presbytery The congregation w&s represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our rninister and 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 property owncd by the congregation includes a Meeting House and suite of Church Halls with car parking areas and Graveyart a Church Manse and a fornier caretakerfs residence. Organisations Sunday School The Sunday School meets at l 0.30am on Sunday mornings from September to Jurje with an average attendanc¢ of 20-22 childrcn from 5 to l l years. Through tcachiDg the Bible, the Catechism and various activities. children learn what it means to b¢ a Christian. The Sunday School children lead a Nativity Service in December and a Sunday School Service in June. Bible Class The Bible Class is for young people from 12 to 18 years. It meets at l 0.30am on Sunday mornings from September to May and had an average attendance of14-16 young people. Here, the young people are taught from God's WoriL the Bible" mor¢ about how to become a Christian. and thosc who have already taken that step are encouraged in their Christian life. Youth Fellowship Youth Fellowship meets weekly on most Sunday evenings from September to May with monthly social meetings on Saturdays. For young people from 12 to 18 years and with 25 members and an average attendance of16-18. With a Mixtu of our own leaders and external speakers, the young people are encouraged to follow God's teaching from the Biblc. A residential w¢¢k¢nd away was arranged in S¢pt¢mb¢r to encourage all members for the new season. Mothers and Toddlers This group meets on Monday mornings during school temi time. Average attendance is around 20- 25 children and 15-20 Mothers or Guardians. There is a structured programme of play activities, crafts, refreshments. singing and a short Bible story. The group seeks to encourage babies and small children to interact with each other and also encourages the moth¢rs and guardians to share with each other. It was not possible for the Mothers and Toddlers group to meet during the year.
First Dromard Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Tn]stees' Annual Report 2023 Inspire Ladies Group The Inspire Ladies Group meets on the third Monday of each month from September to May and has a membership of 24 and an average attendance of 20 ladies. There is varied programme of activities and speakers on relevant issues in a spiritual context. Ladies Bible Study and Prayer Group This group of about l O members meet for a time of Bible Study and Prayer on Tuesday mornings during school tern] time. Studies are led by various members of the 0Up on a rota basis. Congregational Bible Study / Prayer Meeting This group has an average attendance of 14 people of all ages. Time is taken to study a short passage from God's Word, the Bible, and members take part in a time of corporate prayer. Meetings continued throughout the year with breaks for public holidays. Boys, Brigade The Boys, Brigade is under the oversight of the four Dromara Churches namely First Dromara Presbyterian, Sccond Dron]arn Prcsbyteria Dromara RefOrnI Presbyterian and St. John's Church of Ireland. The youngest section - the Anchor Boys, with an average attendance 36 boys, and the oldest section- the Company sectio with an average attendance of 24 boys, meet in First Dromara Church Halls on W¢dn¢sday ¢ningS from September to June. Th¢ progressiv¢ programme of activities seeks to encourage the physical, mental and spiritual growth and development of boys from 5 to 18 years they seek to fulfill their object "To advance Christ's Kingdom among boys... . The Company Section encourages participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Girls, Brigadc The Girls, Brigade had an averdge attendance of 85 girls on Thursday evenings from September to April. A varied programme of activities relevant to the various age groups is offered each week as they seek to infiuence, for good, each area of the girls, lives. The object of Girls, Brigade is that Girls might "SeeL Serve and Follow Cbrist" Feast This group> principally for those in their 20s and 30s, usually meets monthly throughout the year for social events and for Bible Study. Meetings are held either in the Church premises, leaders, homes or other outside venues. Youth Club The Youth Club is organised in two sections. The Junior Club for 8 to I l years had 35 rncmbcrs with an avcragc attcndancc of around 20-22 children. The Scllior Club for 12 to 18 years had a membership of 40 young people with an average attendance of around 25. Leaders arrange various games and activities each Friday evening from September to April and there is tuck shop and epilogue each evening. Occ&sional outings are arranged. Ambassadors Football Camp This has taken placc in recent years over a week in July. About 60 young people participated led by about 18 leaders. Fithess and football skills are developed and there is a gospel message each evening.
First Dromara Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustccs, Annual Report 2023 Annual Holiday Bible Club A Bible Club was organised for children and young people from nursery school age up to those in their 20s. Some met in the evenings and other groups met dwing the day, during a week in July. The programme included sport and recreatio involvement in music and visual arts. and a Bible lesson. Some groups were taken to outside activity centres. Approximately 120 children and young people from our congregation and district attended. VoluDteers 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. Special thanks must be expressed to those who gave up their time and talents to broadcast services and produce recordings during the year, which has become an irnportant part of our outreach. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENr The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its m¢mb¢rs and the general public by making known the Cbristian Gospel of thc 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 sicL 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 c&ses. Public access is made known through the use of noticeboards) printed material, press advertisement, websites, and social rnedi or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and infonnal and ad-hoc feedback from members, their families, and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harni. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, Global Mission Workers, Deaconesses, Irish Mission Workers and Lay Agents who receiv¢ bcncfits as a result of their holding officc or cmployment. However, this is incid¢ntal and necessary in ordcr to fLrther 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 dir¢ct and indirect contact witty the community in wl]icb p&storal scrviccs are provided, and other conllnunities thmugbout Northem IrelanQ 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 Cl)arity Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance.
First Dromara Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Tn]stees' Annual Report 2023 FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 136 contributors during the year donating a total of £72,425 (£70,275 in the previous year, 2022). Total Income of thc congregation during the year was £228,389 compar¢d to £143,056 in the previous year. This incre&se was partly due to increased giving by members but also as a result of a bequest from a fornier member. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the am]ual 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) 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 disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. They are also res)nsIble for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable st¢ps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 9 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by Rev. Michael Davidson (Interim Moderator) Ian D Mccullagh Date Date