2025-12-31-annual-report

Ballylane Reformed Presbyterian Church Trustee Report 2025 Charities Number: NIC106231 2025 has been a good year for our Church with much going on in our efforts to spread the word of God. Throughout our work we always endeavour to promote the Purpose of the RPCI in our local church area, in Galway, Limerick (which is now becoming well established), Spain and Nante in France. This Purpose is to support and advance the Christian Faith according to the Word of God in accordance with the 'Book of Government and Order of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland. In 2025 we continued to worship jointly with our RP sister church, Ballenon. Our pastor, the Reverend Robert Robb continues faithfully in his delivery of the gospel message. Membership to the church has reduced by one since last year due to death. Services within the church building have continued throughout the year with pleasingly high numbers at both morning and evening services. The average morning attendance was forty three while the evening was twenty-six. Once a month after the Evening service we have a time of Psalm singing followed by supper. Our second evening service in the month is also followed by supper These are both well attended. The Southern Presbytery holds monthly Psalm singing evenings rotating around the churches. These are well attended too. Sunday School ran throughout the year apart from the summer holidays. Numbers are still low due to the age profile of the church members but we are encouraged by the enthusiasm of the children. The Lord's supper was observed twice this year as is our custom. It involved a pre communion service, the communion service and a thanksgiving service all of which were well attended. Our Pastor is still providing Daily Devotionals via YouTube twice weekly and they are well viewed. In continuing our aim of spreading God's Word in our congregation, local community and further afield we use: Pra er time. This takes place weekly for fifteen minutes at the beginning of our morning service and also at the end of twice monthly midweek meetings. Some members of our congregation also attend the Southern Presbytery prayer meeting. Women's Fellowshi . Women from our two churches meet faithfully each month. Activities have included a pudding evening followed by an epilogue by a group member, fellowship through a games night, a talk from a spokesperson on behalf of a charity called Malawi Project, an outing with a talk to Davidsons Nursery Armagh, a craft night with an epilogue and a meal out together. We support other churches women's groups in our Southern Presbytery and other local churches by attending their speaker nights. Our Women's Fellowship Group provided a financial contribution to Outreach work in Galway for their Stay and Play group, to Sports Academy George Nl and Christian Institute Nl this year. Several members attended the WF Spring Conference . Men's Grou . This group meets monthly. It is very well attended by men from both congregations. Activities have included our Pastor leading discussion on portions from the Bible and a meal out together where a visiting speaker provided an epilogue for the men. Women's Bible Stud . Running from September to May women from our churches meet one morning per month. Our Pastorfs wife leads discussion on different themes throughout the Bible. Friends are encouraged to come along. This fellowship is greatly appreciated by all those who attend. Go Relief Work. We continue to help the RP Go Relief Team both financially and hands on. This year our Pastor with some church members travelled in August to Bulgaria to help with some construction work on a church premises. Con re ation activities. We contributed/supported the Blytheswood shoebox appeal and Church members take part in Southern Presbytery events such as the annual BBQ youth quiz nights etc. We also had the annual Church outing, this time going to Downpatrick Heritage Railway followed by a meal together in Newry Mourn Country Hotel. In September a Coffee Morning was provided by the women for the local community, proceeds of which we gave to the Go Relief Team of the Church. A church lunch was also provided by the church ladies at the end of November. It was an enjoyable time of fellowship for all those involved. Holida Bible Club. This Club, now well established took place as a one day event in April, as a three day event at the beginning of July and again at the end of December as a one day event. It was a joint activity for our two churches and was very well attended with a daily average of forty children. Many activities were on offer all aiming to promote Christian development. The summer gathering concluded with a BBQ and the children showing their parents and church family what they had learned. Seniors Club Monthly this new group meet for fellowship, games, talks and coffee. It also aims to bring more community members into the church. Annual Church Business Meetin . To achieve our aim of transparency we held our annual business meeting in February. Reports were presented, passed, and adopted by the congregation as true and accurate accounts. We facilitate through the use of our Ci%urch hall and kitchen, the oppott&ufiity for feiiv'v4SiiiP and Coil Glenanne Women's Institute. This group meet monthly in our hall. Southern Presb Youth. This group use our hall for monthly activities and meals. Financial situation. As can be seen from our Accounts although we are small in number, our congregation are able to fully meet all our expenses, our pastor's salary and building running costs. We fully meet the Targets of Honour set by our Synod for: RP Mission work which they distribute where they find the need and for the advancement of the Christian faith, and for Finance Committee payments which help out less well-off congregatloils SUPPOrt their pastors. Our main income is from Freewill offering by members and adherents. The Trustees: Reverend Robert Robb, Mr lan Douglas and Mr Billy Wilson. 11 lini Ity involvement: 61/ J/