ReforTned Presbyterian Church OF IAELAND CULLYBACKEY CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Cullybackey congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland 2 Main Street, Cullybackey, County Antrim Registered Charity in Northern Ireland INIC106370) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Mr Maurice Knowles Mr lan Mccluggage Dr David McKelvey Dr Andrew McKelvey Dr William Roulston Mr Ivor Mcmullan Rev Philip Moffett Dr John Turner Mr Daniel Wright PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev Philip Moffett Mr Ivor Mcmullan Mr Nigel Simp50n INDEPENDENT EXAMINER D.T. Carson & Co., Thomas Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AZ BANKERS Danske Bank, 1-2 Broadway Avenue, Ballymena, BT43 7PE SOLICITORS Boal Anderson & Co., 56 High Street, Ballymena, BT43 6UH
Reformed Presbyterian Church OF IIELAND CULLYBACKEY CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) 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 of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, and The Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote 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 witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Session has delegated to its Deacon Board the temporal 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 Deacon Board. 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 10 times 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 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 Reformed Presbyterian Church of 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 Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, Cullybackey congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Northern Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregations assigned to it by the Synod, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Se55ion of the congregation.
Treformed P(esbyterian Church OF IKELAND CULLYBACKEY CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) The Synod The Synod is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one body the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administration a nd judicial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The Synod is normally constituted during the second week in June for worship and to conduct its business. At the end of business, it is dissolved. The membership of the Synod consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired minsters and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Se55i0n of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Cullybackey congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, 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 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 purpose5 are by the grace of God, to help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is, by the grace of God, to be an inclusive, welcoming community of Christ's people of all ages, which: is increasingly characterised by love for God, and love and concern for others; is committed to the historic Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible,, is relevant to people of this time and place. The congregation aims to live out it5 Mission and Vision as a family of God's people by being: A Covenant Community: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward him and toward one another. An Intergenerational Community.. where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. An Outward looking Community: where we want the blessings of God that belong to Us in the E05pel to become blessings for others beyond the bounds of our community. A5 a congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, we believe that the Bible is the supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Christian faith and practice.
Reformed Presbyterian Church OF IItIAPID CULLYBACKEY CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) AcfiviTIES AND OBJECTIVE5 The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. These services are also broadcast online. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on four occasions during the year and all those who have been bapt15ed and who have made 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: Sabbath School Youth Club Mothers and Toddlers Young Adults Group Men's and Women'5 Fellowship Groups Boys, Brigade (held jointly with Cullybackey Methodist Church) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.30am and on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at 6.30pm. These Services are also broadcast online and have an average viewing figure of around 50 views per service. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for feSlowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. As well as our regular services during the year we acknowledged God's gift of new life at 3 Sacraments of Baptism, and gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2023 there were 84 communicant members and 64 families connected with the congregations. The average week attendance at morning worship is 120. 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, elders or byvarious members of the congregation. Mission and outreach At a local level the congregation have heard reports of various mi55ion organisations, including local Christian charities, and we have had opportunity to support local mi55ion and outreach including donations to external mis5ion5 and agencies.
Refonned Presbyterian Church OF IkELhN CULLYBACKEY CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) We have also had opportunity to hold a Holiday Bible Club for local primary school children, hold outreach events among women, and our minister has opportunities to take school assemblies and Religious Studies classes in the local primary school and secondary school. The congregation supports the Targets of Honour which is a central fund of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of 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 Targets of Honour provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, finances for denominations camps and conferences, printing of Sabbath School material, enables church planting, provides grant support for those in need, assists with the running costs of Reformed Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and financially supports congregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The congregation also contributes to any other special appeals. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. Synod The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meeting of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland held in Knockbracken Reformed Presbyterian Church, Belfast, in June. Property The footpath in our graveyard had major repair work carried out to keep it safe for anyone visiting it. Repairs were also made to the tile5 and a leak in the roof near the lift. New boilers were installed for the heating and the car park lights were upgraded. Organisations The Anchor Boys from the Boys, Brigade Company use the church hall on a Thursday night, with an attendance of 23 boys along with the leaders. Every other Wednesday our hall is used by our mothers and toddlers, group. 10-12 children and their carers were regular attenders.
Reformed Presbyterian Church OF IIFLAND CULLYBACKEY CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) 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 activitie5. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland IRPCI) was established in 1811. The RPCI believe5 in the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that its members can enter into relationship with that God through acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. That relationship is expressed through a range of activitie5. The purpose of the RPCI is to support and advance the Christian Faith according to the Word of God and in accordance with the 'Book of Government and Order of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The Church carries out its purpose by promoting weekly public worship services and Bible Study meetings. The Church also runs special meetings for the public at which the teaching of the Word of God will be made known. The Church also provides opportunities for fellowship and will give advice, counsel and support to members and the public. The church carries out missionary and outreach work. It also undertakes training of students for the Christian Ministry through the Reformed Theological College. The direct benefits which flow from these purposes are the provision of churches as places of worship. Public access to worship of a devotional nature. The provision of a moral/ethical framework based on Biblical principles. Opportunities for social interaction among members and with the public in general. Encouragement to live and participate in and contribute to community life based on Christian principles. These Benefits are demonstrated in that each Congregation provides a place for meeting and worship. These are open to all. Other benefits will be seen in the lives of people conforming more and more to the highest of ethical and moral standards in accordance with Christian faith. There will be further benefit to the public as members interact with the communities in which they live a nd demonstrate the benef its of living accord ing to Christian princi ples in consistent Christian faith. Benefits can be demonstrated through our missionary and outreach work and through ourtraining of students for the Christian Ministry at the Reformed Theological College.
Reformed Presbwerian Church OF IRELA.%D CULLYBACKEY CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 60 contributors during the year [64 in previous year, 2022] donatin8 a total of £136,111 (£129,204 in previous year, 2022) Total Income of the congregation during the year was £190,355 compared to £182,410 in the previous year. The Main reason for thi5 wa5 the continued generosity of the congregation. Total expenditure increased from £159,255 to £181,002 The main reason for this was the repair work to the graveyard path, new heating boilers and upgrading of the car park lights. STATEMENT OF TRusfEE RESPONSIBILrriES The Trustees are responsible for preparingthe annual report and the financial statement5 of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice. As the congregation's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 to prepare a receipts and payment account and statement of assets and liabilities. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the congregation's transattions and disclose with reasonable 3ccuracy at any time its financial position. They are also responsible for safeguardingthe a55ets of the congregatlon and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 4th August 2024 and signed on its behalf by Philip Moffett Ivor Mcmullan