Reforned Presbyterian Church OF IKELA4D BALLYLAGGAN CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Registered with the Charity Commi55ion for Northern IrelandNIC106376
Refonned Presbyterian Church Of IKELAND BALLYLAGGAN 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 Balance Sheet as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Ballylaggan congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland 81 Curragh Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, BT514BS Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC106376) CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Hugh Wright James Salmon Richard Pollock Robert Quigg Thomas Pollock Robert Mccahon PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Clerk of Session Treasurer Rev David T Fallow5 Robert Mccahon John Campbell INDEPENDENT EXAMINER H R Ritchie, FCCA, 57 Lisnagrot Road, Kilrea, Coleraine, BT515SF
Reformed Presbyterian Church OF IRELAN& D BALLYLAGGAN CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) BANKERS Ulster Bank, 30 The Diamond, Coleraine, BT52 IDP SOLICITORS Macauley Wray LLP Solicitors, 35 New Row, Coleraine, BT52 IAH
Reformed Presbyterian Church OF IIiELA_YD BALLYLAGGAN CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Sesslon The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Session. Under the congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, the 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 Session has delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Session are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregation. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Session are held monthly (Sept-junel and as required. 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 Session. Members are elected if they obtain a majority of the votes cast. 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. Ballylaggan Reformed Presbyterian Church has been a55igned to the Northern Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregation5 assigned to it by the Synod, minsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Session of each congregation.
Refomed Prestyterian Church OF IkELA,YD BALLYLAGGAN CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd) The Synod The Synod is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one bodythe whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administration and 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 Session of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Ballylaggan 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 15 grounded in the Scriptures, and believes in the triune God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that its members can enter into a relationship with that God through acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. That relationship is expressed through a range of activities.
Refoffned Presbyterian Church OF IRELAND BALLYLAGGAN CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) ACTIVITIES AND OBJEcfivES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are always welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on three occasions during the year and all those who have been baptised 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 ministries for all ages, including". Sunday School Covenanter Youth Women's Fellowship Men's Fellowship Friendship Group Holiday Bible Club ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 12 noon. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for time of prayer. As well as our regular services during the year we gave thanks for faithful services and sought to comfort those who had been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2023 there were 104 communicant members and 62 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 70. 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 by other members of the congregation.
Reformed Presbyterian Church OF IKELAX'D BALLYLAGGAN CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Mission and outreach At a local level the congregation served its members and the wider community in numerous ways through its various organizations and ministries (see below). The congregation supports the Mission Committee 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 Mission Committee provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and / or 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 June.
Reformed Presbyterian Church BALLYLAGGAN CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Organisations Sunda School: The children were taught weekly from the Bible. 12 children were on the roll. The Women's Fellowshi met on Tuesdays {monthly) and gave generously to mission at home and overseas. Typically about 24 women attended. The Friendshi Grou met rnonthly on Fridays, providing refreshments and a range of interesting speakers for some of our senior members and guests. The Men's Fellowshi enjoyed two outings to local businesses throughout the year which were followed with a meal in a local establishment. Covenanter Youth meetings were held most months as organized by a Presbytery Youth Committee. Holida Bible Club was held over 4 evenings in June and attracted over 40 Primary School aged children, mostly from the surrounding area. Volunteer5 The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on committees and helping with organizations and other church activities. A large proportion of the membership volunteer for some role and all volunteers are Police checked. Regular seminars are conducted by trained representatives on Safeguarding.
Reformed Presbyterian Church OF ]KELAD BALLYLAGGAN CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The purpose of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland 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,. l. What Gre the direct benefitsflowing from the organisotion's purposes? The provision of churches as places of worship Public access to worship of a devotional nature 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 2. How can the benefits identified be demonstrated? The benefits are easily 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 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 and demonstrate the benefits of living according to Christian principles in consistent Christian Faith. Benefits can be demonstrated through our missionary and outreach work and through our training of students for the Christian Ministry at the Reformed Theological College. 3. Is there any harm arising from any of the purposes ? There will be no harm as a result of the work of the Church 4. Who Gre the charity's beneficiaries ? The weekly worship services and Bible study and prayer groups are open to members and adherents and other members of the public who may wish to attend. Only those who meet the membership requirements of the denomination may participate in the observance of the Lord's Supper {Holy Communion). Outreach work is conducted in the neighbourhoods of the places of worship and in those areas where the denomination is seekingto establish a presence. Many congregations maintain a website which will include access to audio recordings of services including sermons or will make the services available via YouTube. 5. Is there any private benefitflowing from any purposes ? The only private benefit within the context of the work of the Church will be the deeper understanding and experience gained by those who are involved in promotin8 the aims of the Church.
Reforn&J Presbyterian Church OF IXELAN& D BALLYLAGGAN CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd) The Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions public benefit requirement statutory guidance.
Reformed Presbyterian Church OF IKELAND BALLYLAGGAN 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 58 contributors during the year (61 in 2022) donating a total of £70,3851£69,914 in 2022). Total Income of the congregation during the year was £ 114,992 compared to £ 118,052 in the previous year. Total expenditure increased from £ 91,856 in the previous year to £ 158,586 in the current year. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE 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. 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 responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. th Approved by the Session at a meeting on 29 October 2024 and signed on its behalf by Rev David T Fallows Mr Robert Mccahon i)aT IJ 29th October 2024 th 29 October 2024 101 Page