BALLYMONEY REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES, REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2023 STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT THE SESSION The Charity Trustees of the congregation are the members of its Session. Under the congregation governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Reformed Presbyteriaii Cliurcli of Ireland, tlie Session seeks Lo Wdlili uver diid prurTlUte tlie 5piritUd l iriterest 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 thc congrcgation. Mcmbcrs of the Session are ex-officio member5 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 con8re8ation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetln85 of the sesslon are held bl-monthly and as required. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a rpgijlar attpndant nn it5 ordinances. The selection of the 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. PRESBYfERY Under the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland form of governance, the corporate oversight of a conRregation is the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregation assigned to it by the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Ballymoncy Rcformcd Prcsbytcrian 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 congregation assigned to it by the Synod, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Session of each congregation. THE SYNOD The Synod is the supreme court of the Church representing in one body the whole church and acting as its supreme legislative, administrative 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 ministers and a representative elder appointed by the Session of each congregation.
BALLYMONEY REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES, REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued) DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Ballymoney 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 it5 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. ACTIVITIES AND OBJEcfivES The congregation meets for worship at 12 noon and 6.30pm every Sabbath and visitors are always welcome to join. The congregation hold regular bible study/prayer times and has a wide range of ministries for all ages, including:_ Sabbath School Women's Fellowship Coffee, Chat and Chew Girls, Brigade Kids Club ACHIEVEMENT5 AND PERFORMANCE WORSHIP AND PRAYER The congregation meets for worship each Sunday at 12 noon and 6.30pm. During the week the Bible Study provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a timc of praycr, As well as our regular services we give thanks that representatives from missionary organisations update us on their work. we seek to bring comfort to those who have been bereaved during the year. At 31 December 2023 there were 55 communicant members and 32 families connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morning worship is 37. 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 other members of the congregation. These members can also listen into prayer meetings and Sabbath servicÈs by confer@nc@ call on their telephones. MISSION AND OUTREACH At a local level the congregation served its members and the wider community in numerous ways through its various organisations and ministries. The congregation supports the Mission Committee which is a central fund of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. This fund enables congregationsto supportthe wider mission of the denomination and to do mission and outreach on a dcnominational basis bcyond what thc congrcgation could do on its own. The Mission Committee provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas.
BALLYMONEY REFORMED PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND TRUSTEES, REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2023 {continued) 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 congregation 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 PreSberlan Church of Ireland held in June. ORGANISATIONS Siinday School - The children were taught weekly from the bible. 5 children were on the roll. The Girls Brigade meet on a Thursday night from September through to April. In total we have 69 girls with a Captain and 18 officers. The Women's Fellowship meet four times a year on a Thursday. Typically, about 14 women attend. The ladies give generously to mission at home and abroad. The Kids Club has up to 16 children attending every month. At each meeting the children hear a Bible story, play games and complete a craft. Ballymoney Coffee, Chat & Chew has the primary aim of bringin6 together member5 of the congregation, their friends and people from the local community to meet in an informal relaxed and friendly environment. They enjoy the opportunity for a catch-up and cuppa on the last Monday of each month between 10.30am and 11.30am followed by a short talk. Attendance varies between 28-37 people. VOLUNTEERS The trustees wish to acknowledge their appreciation of those who give freely of their time to serving on committees and helping with the different organisations and other church charities. A large number of the membership volunteer for some role and all volunteers are PSNI checked. Regular seminars are conducted by trained representatives on safeguarding. Respectfully submitted: Hugh Mccluggage Clerk of 5esslon