Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church Trustees, Annual report and Statement of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for the year ended 31 December 2024 Charities Number- NIC 106258 Wylie Ruddell Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Contents Pages References and administrative details of the Charity Trustees, report Independent examiner's report to the Trustees Receipts and payments account Statement of assets and liabilities Notes to the financial statements Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church References and administrative details Charity Name: Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church Charity Registration Number: NIC 106258 Contact Address: Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church % Mr Rodney Murphy {Clerk of Session) 20 Clogharevan Road Bessbrook Newry Co Down BT35 7BH Trustees Rev Nigel Agnew Mr Alex Lyons Mr Clifford Watt Dr Noel Mccune Mr Drew Murphy Mr Rodney Murphy Independent Examiner Wylie Ruddell Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Unit 63 Armagh Business Centre 2 Loughgall Road Armagh BT617NH Bankers Danske Bank Hill Street Newry Solicitors D & E Fisher Unit A 8 Trevor Hill BT34 IDN Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church Tru5tees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Introduction This document is the annual report for Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church. The principal address of the charity is Basin Walk, Newry, BT35 6HU. The Church was registered with the Charity Commission on 13 February 2017 under Northern Ireland Charity Number 106258. This report relates to the calendar year 2024. The names of all charity trustees on the date the report wa5 approved and all individuals who served in such capacity during the year is as follows:. Rev Nigel Agnew Mr Alex Lyons Mr Clifford Watt Dr Noel Mccune Mr Drew Murphy Mr Rodney Murphy Purpose The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland exists to honour and worship God and to share the good news of Jesus Christ His Son. Structure Session The charitytrustees of the congregation are the members of the Session, which consists of the minister and ruling elders of the congregation. In case of vacancy (where a congregation has no minister), an acting minister from within the Presbytery Ilnterim Moderator) is a member of the Session, though without being a charity trustee. Elder5 and ministers are chosen by a vote of all communicant members of the congregation. Election of elders, calling of ministers and transaction of Session busines5 are carried out in accordance with the 'Code' the Book of Government and Order of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Wider Governance In the Presbyterian form of church government practiced by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, each local congregation belongs to a Presbytery. Riverside congregation belongs to the Southern Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The membership of each Presbytery consists of the active and retired ministers of the Presbytery, along with a representative elder from each member congregation. The Presbytery 15 responsible for the spiritual oversight of the congregations within its care and meets a minimum of four times per year. The highest court of the Reformed Presbyterian Church is its Synod, which consists of the membership of all of the presbyteries of the church. The Synod meets at least annuaSly to transact the business brought to it by its constituent presbyteries and Synodical committees. Committee The committee is responsible for the temporal affairs of the congregation, including matters related to the finances and property of the church. The committee is elected each year at the annual general meeting of the congregation and are accountable to Session for their activities. Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church Trustees. Annual Report forthe year ended 31 December 2024 Volunteers The congregation relies on the generosity of volunteers in giving their time to assist with a range of activities in the church, including work with children and young people, provision of hospitality, and maintenance of the premises. Artivities Public Worship Within the period covered by this report, Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church has provided public worship services for instruction and devotion, held regularly at 11:30AM each Sunday and at 7:00PM 4th Sunday of month, which are open to all. A midweek meeting for Bible study, discussion, and prayer is also held regularlv. The Lord's Supper has been observed in the past year and participation is open to all who have been baptised and who make a credible profession of saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Pastoral Work The elders of the congregation provided pastoral visitation to those unable to attend the public worship through age or ill-health. Denominational Activity Representative5 of the church Session attended Presbytery meetings regularly and the annual denominational Synod. Contributions were made to central Synodical funds for general expenses {such as training of ministers and youth workl. Outreach and Mission As noted above, nationwide and overseas mission work was supported financially through contributions to denominational funds (Reformed Presbyterian Missions). Youth Work Instruction of children and young people in Sunday School, New Youth, a joint youth group with Newry Baptist Church, meets every other Saturday night for Bible teaching and fun. Public Benefit Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church meets the public benefit requirement by providing a place for worship {through weekly services of worship and other meetings), by increasing awareness and understanding of religious beliefs (through public preaching from the Holy Scriptures, literature distribution, pastoral counselling and youth work), and by engaging in and supporting missionary and outreach work, both in the Newry area and overseas. The work of the church in fulfillment of its purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit is for Ministers and others who may receive benefit as a result of their employment. Such benefit is incidental to the work and purpose of the congregation. The Charity trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commi55ion for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Charitys objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit. Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Financial Situation The primary source of income is mostly members, weekly contributions. Gift Aid is sought for the relevant funds. In 2024 unrestricted donations amounted to £44,01712023'. £38,506). The congregation has drawn on some capital which had been invested in previous years to meet the cost of charitable activities and incidental costs. Statement of Trustees Responsibilities 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 practice. 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 responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. As the congregation's income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64131 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a receipts and payments account and a statement of assets and liabilities. The Church constitution is a historical document and had contained a clause that the annual accounts should be audited. A motion was passed at the June 2019 Synod that the wording of this clause would be changed at the June 2020 Synod which did not take place due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The change was approved at the Synod of June 2021 to state that the accounts should be 'independently examined by a competent person,. Approved by the Session at a meeting on 8 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by: Rodney Murphv Clerk of session Rev Nigel Agnew Trustee r¥?" Leyt kirJre Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church Independent examinerfs report to the Charity Trustees We report on the accounts of Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church forthe year ended 31 December 2024, which are appended. Respective responsibilities of Charity Trustees and examiner As the Charitvs trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is our responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act. Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Commission under section 6519)(bl of the Charities Att. State whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basis of Independent examinerfs report We have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 6519llbl of the Charities Act. Our examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters. Our role is to state whether any material matters have come to our attention giving us cause to believe: l. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act. 2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records. 3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act. 4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Independent examinerfs statement We have completed our examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters {11 to (41 listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, we have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. D Ruddell For and on behalf of Wylie Ruddell Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors Unit 63 Armagh Business Centre 2 Loughgall Road Armagh BT617NH Date: 8 Ortober 2025 co o Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church Charity number: NIC 106258 Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2024 2024 2023 Bank and cash balances General Bank Account 20,707 296 19,921 909 Women's Mission Account Trustees Account 19,296 19,296 Total cash at bank 40,299 40,126 Investment Assets Opening balance Transfer from trustees account 496,329 489,599 Transfer to current account (12,000) 16,596 112,0001 18,730 Gainl{Lossl on investment fund Total Investment Assets 500,925 496,329 Fixed Asset5 Assets retained for the church's own use comprise the following properties and are stated at insured values - Manse 245,976 245,976 Church Buildings and Contents and Graveyard Total Fixed Assets 1,862,419 1,862,419 2.108,395 2,108,395 Approved by Session at its meeting of Chair- Rev Nigel Agnew Trustee- ney Murphy Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Accounting policies Set out below are principal accounting poli¢ie5 which have been adopted in the compilation of the Receipts and Payments Account and the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. (a) Receipts and Payments Account All items of income and expenditure included within the Receipts and Payments Account have been accounted for on a cash receipts basis. (b) Statement of Assets and Liabilities li) Assets retalned for the Church's own use The congregation own the church building and adjoining church hall and contents at Basin Walk, Newry, and a Graveyard at Church Road, Newry. These premises and contents have an insurance valuation of £1.862,419. The congregation own the manse and contents at 26 Castleowen, Newry. These premises and contents have an insurance valuation of £245,976. Valuation of Tilney Investments: £500,925. Ic) Fund Accounting Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be retained either permanently or at the congregation's discretion; the income derived from the endowment is to be used either as restricted or unrestricted income funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established in the first place. Restricted funds comprise lal income from endowments which is to be expended only on the restricted purposes intended by the donor and Ibl revenue donations or grants for a specific congregational activity intended by the donor. Unrestricted funds are income funds which are to be spent on the congregation's general purposes. Designated funds are general funds set aside by the congregation for a specific use in the future. Donations Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2024 2024 Unrestricted Fund5 2023 Restricted Funds 2023 Total 2024 Total 2023 Freewill offering Mi55ions and synodicals Building and repairs Special collections Other collections 44,017 44,017 38,506 38,506 560 366 366 560 420 420 Total 44,017 366 44,383 38,506 980 39,486 Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Charitable activities Unrestrirted Restricted Fund5 Funds 2024 2024 Unrestricted Funds 2023 Restricted Funds 2023 Total 2024 Total 2023 Ministerial expenses Premises expenses Mission and synod expenses Other expenses Total 39.638 1,751 676 39,638 1,751 676 38.260 12,045 2,458 38.260 12.045 2,458 42,065 42,065 S2.763 52,763 Reconciliation of Cash Funds Total Cash Funds at Beginning of the year Receipts for the year Payment5 for the year Transfer from Investment Assets 40,126 122,044 1133,871} 12,000 Total Cash Funds at end of the year 40,299 Trustee/Related Party Transactions Included within 'Ministerial expenses" at note 3 is the annual salary paid to Rev Nigel Agnew who 15 also a church trustee.