The Trustees of Castlereagh Assembly (the Assembly) submit their annual report and unaudited financial statement for the year ending 31[st] March 2024
Constitution & Governance
Castlereagh Assembly is an independent local church dating back to 1957. The church (Assembly) is currently constituted by a Trust Deed dated 8[th] June 1957.
The Assembly registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 12[th] September 2016 as required by the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (Registration No: NIC 105708).
The Trustees have legal responsibility for the Assembly and meet at least twice a year. Day-to-day oversight of its affairs, with agreed terms of reference, is delegated to three committees, one of elders, one of elders & deacons and one of the property trustees. Each of these committees may delegate responsibilities further in any way that is conducive to the administration of the charity. The trustees have the power to appoint new charity trustees.
The Assembly have appointed Martin Pitt FCA as honorary examiner of the financial statements. The trustees would like to thank Martin for his willingness to fulfil this role and for the time it has taken him to examine the records and produce his report.
Purposes of the Charity
The church was set up to:
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a. Advance the gospel of Jesus Christ among the general public in accordance with biblical principles and practice in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and abroad.
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b. Provide a place to worship where public services for communion, prayer and bible teaching are held and also a range of other activities for children, young people and adults.
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c. Reach out to the local community with Christian love and concern and to help in whatever way we can, including through the use of a rented property in a neighbouring housing estate.
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d. Provide funds by Christian giving through freewill offerings by the church members for local and overseas needs.
Statutory Guidance Statement
The Trustees hereby confirm that this report has been prepared and agreed with full regard to the Commission’s Public Benefit Requirement statutory guidance. In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
Activities and Achievements
Purpose a) The gospel of Jesus Christ has been faithfully promoted through the preaching and teaching of our weekly Communion Service, Sunday School (known as Footsteps), Messy Church, prayer and teaching meetings, and also outreach meetings both at the church and at the Unit*. Members and others attending have matured in their faith through the bible teaching.
Purpose b) A communion service is held each Sunday morning followed by bible teaching. An evening service is also held each Sunday for bible teaching or Gospel outreach and a prayer meeting is held on Thursday evenings. The assembly and visitors have benefited from the teaching provided by the elders and various visiting speakers on many varied and helpful subjects.
Purpose c) The Unit*is a rented property in the neighbouring Braniel Estate and provides a comfortable tearoom and meeting place for the local community. In addition to the drop-in coffee mornings, various activities are held including a monthly outreach meeting, a Kid’s Club on Thursday nights & a fortnightly youth meeting for teenagers. The Unit is now open on Friday mornings for a breakfast club for school age children.
Purpose d) We have been able to give just over £40400 to prevent or relieve poverty in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and abroad, to support projects or organisations which seek to care for children and disadvantaged adults and to support education in developing countries. £8210 went to overseas needs including gifts to missionaries working in Zambia, & help towards various needs in other parts of Africa, Pakistan & Romania. £32191 went to local Christian work & workers.
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