THE BALLYMENA PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Fillancial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Rcgistcred Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC106461)
THE BALLYMENA PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTEIUAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual R¢port and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 includiiig a Staiement of Assets and Liabilities as at that dat¢. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The Ballymena Prcsbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 24 Grasmere, Coleraine BT52 2DJ Registcred Charity in Northern Ircland (NIC106461) CHARITY TRUSTELS The Charity Trustces who servcd during th¢ year or who were trustees at the date of this report were: Rev William Moody Rev Stephen Kennedy Rev Mark Neilly Eric Mccallum Rev Joseph Andrews Rev Alislair Mccracken Rev Darran Mccorrislon Rev Matthew Boyd Rev William Sinclair Rev Linda Keys Dennis Hanna Robert Reid Rev Edwin Cheslnuti Colin Patton Trevor Mcllhagga Tom Heaney (Resigned 3110312024) Rev Norman Cameron Rev John Brogan Rev Alislair Bales Tommy Simpson Rev Daniel Kane Albert Magill Angela Mcclintock Rev Philip Mccullough Rev Jeffrey Blue Rev Norman McDowell Very Rev Dr RLJssell Birney Rev William Dick&y Very Rev Dr John Finlay Rev Eddie Kirk Rev Desmond Knowles Rev Kenneth Mcconnell Rev George Preston IEF Dr Paul Hughes Rev Richard Morrison Noel Connor Robin Fowler Mark Hood Hugh Young Rev Trevor Kane Junior Whyte David John Galbraith Brian McKinstry Adrian Lowry James Harris Rev Emerson M¢Dowell Very Rev Dr Harry Uprichard Rev Ronald Agnew Rev Philip Thompson Rev David McGaughey Brian Alexander David Shaw Alistair Hamill Alexander Rankin Nick Greer David Woodburn James Mcwilliams Anne Dines Colville Elliott Mark Rodgers Rev Alislair Beattie Rev George Johnston Rev Brian Mcmanus David Preston Rev Dr David Murphy Derek Patterson Samuel McKee Rev Noel Mulholland Rev Brian Boyd Rev Roland Watt James Gillan Rev Albert Baxter Adrian Moody
PIUNCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Moderator Clerk of Presbytery Financc Convener / Deputy Clerk INDEPENDLNT EXAMINER Mr John Finnegan 190 Galgorni Road Ballymena BT42 1 HL Rev Pliilip Mccullough Rev Joseph Andrews Mr David Preston BANKLR.S Danske Bank POBOX 183 Doncgall Squarc West Bclfast B Tl 6JS
THE BALLYM'A PRESBYTLRY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT Presbytery Under thc Presbytcrian Church iii Ireland fonn of governance the corporate oversight of a ongregatioll is tlie rcsponsibility ora Presbytcry which superintends generally tlic spii'itual and tcmpoi-al affairs of the congregations assigned to it by the General Asscmbly of tlie Presbyierian Church in Ireland. Thc following congregations of the Presbyterian Church have been assigncd io The Ballymena Pre8bytcry of the Presbyterian Cliurch in Ireland. Ahoghill - Broolcside Ahoghill First Alioghill Trinity Ballee Ballykccl Ballyloughan First Ballymcna Ilanyville Iligh Kirk Wellington West Church Broughshane - First Broughshanc - Sccond Buckna Cairnalbana Carnlough/Cushendall Churchtown Clough Clougliwatcr Connor Cuninghain Mcinorial Eskylane GlcnanTt Glenwhcrry Grange with Craiginorc Kells Killymurris Ncwlowncrommelin Portglcnone - First Townhill Rasharkin A Presbytery makes arrangeinents for the election of ministers in congregation, ordains liccntiatcs aiid iiislalls or inducts and appoints miiiistcrs IAI the congregations assigned lo it. They also ord<iin or install and appoint clders, commission and appoint deaconesscs, scnior lecturers, auxiliary ministers, lay agcnts and iiiissionaries who liave becn called by an auihorised body in Ihe Church. A Presbytery has a role in seeing that iiiinistcrs prcach ihe Word faithfully to tlieir coiigregations, regularly visit the families uiidcr thcir chargc, visit the sick, pi"oinotc peace and temperance and scc that the dutics of th¢ eldcrship are propcrty dischargcd. Presbyleries oversee thc resignation and retircments of ministers and elders. Presbyteries provide advice to Kirk Sessions and Congrcgational Cominillces when i"cquii'cd and have a role in approving matters in relation to congregational property. Thcy rcport annually to the Geiicral Assembly and have the right to malce a nomiiialion for ihc officc or Moderator of the General Assembly. The inembership of the Presbytery consists mainly ofthe active ministers of coiigregalions assigned io li by the General A.sseinbly, minsters who have retired from active duty and an
THE BALLYMENA PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation. This provides an importanl link betweeii thc Collgregations and the wider structures of Ihe church Statcd Meetings of Presbytery are held on the first Tuesday of March. May, October, November, December aiid Fcbruary and the sccond Tuesday of Septciiiber. All members arc entitled to propose, speak and cxercise equal votes at meetings, cxcept that the Moderator, the Ininisters in active duty in thc congregation, has no deliberalive but only a castiiig vole. The GL'ncral Assembly The Gcneral Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, reprcsenting in onc body the wliole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administration and judicial authorily, in dcaling with all matters bi'ought before it. The General Assembly is normally eonstitulcd during the fii'st week in June for worship and to conduct its business. At the cnd of biisincss it is dissolved. Thc mci7)bcrship ofihc Gcncral A8scmbly consists mainly of ihc aclivc miiiislers of eacli coiigrcgation, rctircd miiisters aiid a represeiitalive elder appoiiiled by tlic Kirk Scssion of cach congregalion. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The cliaritable purpose of the presbytery is the advancemcnt of religion. The Ballymcn(I Prcsbytery is a presbytery of the Prcsbytcrian Church in Ircliind. Thc Presbyterian Church in Ircland, as a Refonned Church within tlic wider body ot Christ is grounded in the Scriplures, aiid exists to love and honour God ihrough faith in I-IIS Son and by the power of His Spiril, and to enable her membcrs to play ihcir part in fuifilliiig God's mission to our world. The presbytcry's mission purposes are in line with ihose of the Presbytcrian Cliurcli iii Ireland: THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND, as a Reformed Church within the wider body of Christ is grounded in the Scriptures, and exists to love and honour God
1'HE BALLYMENA PRLSBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) 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. GOD CALLS US TO A SHARED LIFE in which we love, honour and are reconciled to one another whilst respecting our diversitv within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. We are called to encoLJrage the exercise of the gifts of every member of the Body for the work of ministry and, seeking the renewal of the whole Church, to co-operate with other parts of Christ's Church without betrayal of our convictions. GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP HIM with our whole lives, meeting together in groups large and small and gathering especially on the Lord's Day for the preaching and study of His Word, the celebration of the sacraments and the offering of prayer and praise with reverence and joy, Using language, form and music appropriate both to Scripture and to our time and culture. GOD CALLS US TO MISSION as witnesses to Christ through both evangelism and social witness challenging the values of the world in which we live with the values of God's kingdom and winnin8 men and women to faith and discipleship. This mission is to be pursued amongst all the people of Ireland and the peoples of the European Community and the whole world: those with whom we feel comfortable, those from whom we feel alienated and those who are in any way distant from us in culture and faith. WE OURSELVES ARE CHALLENGED with a biblical discipleship which is radica l in its self denial, simplicity of lifestyle.
THE BALLYMENA PRESBYI'ERY OF THE PRESBYTLIUAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) stewardship of money, faithful relationships, prayerfulnes5, concern for the world which God has created and love for its people whom he loves and for whose salvation He gave his Son. ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The Presbytery inects on the first Tuesday of March, May, October, Novcmber, Dcceinber and February aiid ihe secoiid TuL'sday of Scptcrnber and on other occasioiis as requircd, All mccting coinmcnce witli a limc of worship dnd are opened and closcd with prayer. The prcsbytery carrics out the following activities Supports those candidating for the Ministry Installs Ordained ministers Provides pastoral sUPPOrt for ministers and their families Holds a number of events such as Youth, Overseas and Irish Mission Rallies PW Link is an initiative of Presbyterian Women intended to improve communications and build relationships between Presbyterian Women. PW links include a representative from each congregations and run events to support the mission and outreach of Presbytery. ACFIIEVEMENTS AND PEIIFORMANCE A regular series of stated meetings were held during 2024 carrying out the business of the Presbytery. It was a busy year with considerable work required to deal with matters before it. Much of this work was delegated to various Commissions and Committees, At the 31 December the following numbers of pcrsons were under the care of Presbytery Minister iii active servicc in con Retired Ministers Licentiates Students for tlie Minist 2024 22 21 ations 2023 27 19 During the year credentials werc received from another Prcsbylery in respect of I niinister who was installed iii a coiigregation assigned to tl)e Presbytcry. Crcdentl<ils were prcsenled to another Prcsbytery in respect of two minister wEio werc called to congregations in another Presbytery.
THE BALLYMEIYA PRESBY'TERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) The presbytery encoui'ages the congregations assigned to it to supports the United Appcal for Missioii wliich is a central fund of the Presbyteri] Churcli in Ireland. This fuiid eiiables congregalions to support the wider mission of thc denomination and to do mission and outreach on a denominational basis beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The United Appcal fund provides financial support for missioii pcrsoiiiiel at honie and ovcrseas, assists congrcgations with the deployment of locally based 5tiiff, enablcs churcli planling, providcs grant support for the upkeep of church premiscs, assist with the running costs of Union Theological College, thc Church's training collcge for minislry students, and fiiiaiicidlly supports coiigregation in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outrcach, Icadcrship and pastoral carc. Tlie presbytery also cncourages congregations to contributc lo the denominations annual World Developmcnt Appeal, Sunday Scliool project and tiny othcr spccial appcals. Gcncral Assembly Presbytcrics ar¢ rcprcscnted on tlic various Councils of the Gcncral Asscmbly of the Presbytcrian Church in Ireland and report on an annual basis to the General Assembly Property Presbytery neither holds nor has intcrest in any property. Voluntcers Thc Trustccs wisli to acknowledge their deep apprcciation of thosc who give freely of their timc by sci-ving oil Presbytery, ils comiiiissions and p]els.
I'HE BALLYMENA PRESBYTLRY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Prcsbyterian Church in Ircland meets Ihe public benefit requircm¢nt by providing benefit to its members and the general public by inaking known the Christian Gospcl of the Lord Jesus Chrisl through the advaiicement of religion. The direct benefits which flow from the PULyoses olihe Church include the gaining of an understanding in Clirislian belicfs as sLt out in the Bible and in the Church's subordinate standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and ihe Shorter and Larger Catechisnis) leading to spiritual and moral developmenl and opportunitics for rcspoiise to Bible teaching. In turii, this frarncwork leads to practical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in thc local community such as through thc care of thosc iii iieed (including the sick, disablcd and bcrcavcd). Generally the abovc benefits are delivcrcd locally by congregation<il churchcs aiid meinbcrs, or are facililiiled through presbyteries or are organised and delivered centrally. Local delivery is t"aLilitated by ccntral resources in alniost all cases, Public access is made known through thc usc of noticcboards, prinlcd m<iterial, press advertisemcnt. websitcs, and social mcdia or in oiher ways, The bencfits are demon.8trated through rcgulai. evaluation of thc services and inforn)al and ad-hoc t"eedback froin mcmbcrs, thcir families, and members ofthe public. Thc pUoSe does not lead to liann. Tlie cliarities b¢nLficiarics arc ils Ineinbcrs, Ilicir familic.s, otlicr individuals that the Prcsbytcrian Cliurch in Ireland is in dii'cct and indii'cct contact with, Lhc coinmunity in which pastoral services are provided and other cominunitics throughoul Northcrii Irelaiid, thc Republic of Ireland, aiid worldwidc whAch bciiefit from our ciigagcinent wilh and suppori for boih Christian and other sccular organisations, ch¢irities and individual meinbers of the public. The only private bencfit flowing from our piirpose is rclated to Ministcrs, Missioiiarics, Deacoiiesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a resuli of thcir holding office or employmcnt. Howcvcr, tliis is incidcncal and necessary in ordcr to further our charitable purpose. Thcrc iirc no othcr private bcncfits. Thc prcsbytery has had regard io the Charity Coinmissions Public bcncfil requireincnt sldlutory guiddnce.
THE BALLYMENA PRESBYI'ERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) FJNANCIAL REVIEW Tlie Presbytery's maiii source of incomc is an assessmeiit tliat is Icvied on the congregatioiis assigned to it and £16,649 was reccived in the current year (£15,957 in prcvious year, 2023) Total expenditure decreased from £24,590 to £20,962. This expenditure includcs payments madc to the Clerk of Presbytcry, Deputy Clerk and Finance Convcner for the rcsponsibililies of tlieir respcclive positions. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES Tlie Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the presbytery in accordance with applicable law and gcncrally acccptcd accounting practice. As thc presbytcry's lotal incoiiic does not exceed £250,000, the Truslees havc clccted uiidcr Seclion 64{3) of the Cliarities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 to prcparc a reccipts and payinenl account and a statement of assets and liabilitics. The Trustees arc rcspoiisible for keeping adequate accounting rccords that are sufficient to show and cxplain the prcsbytery's transactions and disclose with I'casonable accuracy at any lime its financial position, They are also responsible for safeguarding thc asscis of thc presbyicry and Iiciicc for takiiig rcasonable stCP&* for the preventioii aiid delcctioii of fraud aiid other irrcgularitics. th Approved by the presbytcry at a ineetiiig 0114 March 2025 and signed on ils bchaifby Imoderatorl th 4 March 20 (Clerk) th 4 March 2025