# **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND** **Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022** **Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC106481)** 1 ## **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT** The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** The Route Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland c/o 3 Rosses Meadow, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, BT42 2SD Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC106481) ## **CHARITY TRUSTEES** The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Rev Alan Buick Rev Hugh Cubitt Rev Peter Douglas Rev Kenneth Henderson Rev Dr Mark Jones Rev Dr. Ian McNie Rev John Stanbridge Mrs Patricia Crossley Mrs Suzanne Gamble Mr Harris Gerrow Mr Rex Humphrey Mr Ivan Kerr Miss Dibbie McCaughan Mr Andrew. McGugan Mr Samuel Morrison Mr James Scott Mr Brian Spiers Mrs Elizabeth White Rev Kenneth Crowe Rev. Dr. Nancy Cubitt Rev Roy Gaston Rev David Irvine Rev Rodney Moody Rev Richard Murray Mr W. Campbell Mr David Cusick Mr Jack Gault Mr Foster Gowdy Mr Jim Kane Mr Jackie McBride Mr Derek McFarland Mr. Brian Mulligan Mr John Reid Mr Robert Sharpe Mr John Surgenor ## **PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS** Moderator Clerk of Presbytery Finance Convener Rev David Irvine B.Sc, M.Div. Rev. Noel McClean B.Sc., Dip. Th. Rev. Kenneth Crowe M.A., B.D. 2 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** ## **Mr. John McMullan, 5c High Street, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, BT53 6AH** ## **BANKERS** **Ulster Bank Ltd, 11 Church Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6HS** ## **SOLICITORS** **Greer Hamilton Gailey Murphy Carey, 27 High Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6AJ** 3 ## **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Presbytery** Under the Presbyterian Church in 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 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The following congregations of the Presbyterian Church have been assigned to The Route Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Armoy Ballycastle Ballymoney, First Ballymoney, St. James’s Ballymoney, Trinity Ballyweaney Bushmills Bushvale Croaghmore Dervock Drumreagh Dunloy Dunluce Finvoy Garryduff Kilraughts, First Mosside Ramoan Roseyards Toberdoney Toberkeigh A Presbytery makes arrangements for the election of ministers in congregation, ordains licentiates and installs or inducts and appoints ministers in the congregations assigned to it. It also ordains or installs and appoints elders, commission and appoint deaconesses, senior lecturers, auxiliary ministers, lay agents and missionaries who have been called by an authorised body in the Church. A Presbytery has a role in seeing that ministers preach the Word faithfully to their congregations, regularly visit the families under their charge, visit the sick, promote peace and temperance and see that the duties of the 4 eldership are property discharged. Presbyteries oversee the resignation and retirements of ministers and elders. Presbyteries provide advice to Kirk Sessions and Congregational Committees when required and have a role in approving matters in relation to congregational property. They report annually to the General Assembly and have the right to make a nomination for the office of Moderator of the General Assembly. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly, minsters who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of the congregation. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church Stated meetings of Presbytery are held on the first Tuesday of February, March, May, October and November. 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. 5 ## **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **The General Assembly** The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one body the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administration and judicial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The General Assembly is normally constituted during the first week in June for worship and to conduct its business. At the end of business it is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired minsters and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. ## **DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE** The charitable purpose of the Presbytery is the advancement of religion. The Route Presbytery is a presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian 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 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. 6 ## **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES** The presbytery meets on the first Tuesday of February, March, May, October and November and on other occasions as required. All meetings commence with a time of worship and are opened and closed with prayer. The presbytery carries 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 mission rallies for Irish and Overseas Mission, training sessions, social events. - 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 congregation and run events to support the mission and outreach of Presbytery. During the year The PW link ran a Big Breakfast and rally ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** During the period covered by this report the schedule of meetings which had been severely disrupted due to the Covid 19 pandemic returned to normal. At the 31 December the following numbers of personal were under the care of Presbytery ||2022|2021| |---|---|---| |Ministers in active service in congregations|15|14| |Retired Ministers|11|10| |Licentiates|1|0| |Students for the Ministry|0|0| 7 ## **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** The Presbytery encourages the congregations assigned to it to supports the United Appeal for Mission which is a central fund of the Presbyterian Church in 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 United Appeal Fund provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, assist with the running costs of Union 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 presbytery also encourages congregations to contribute to the denominations annual World Development Appeal, Sunday School project and any other special appeals. ## **General Assembly** Presbyteries are represented on the various Councils of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and report on an annual basis to the General Assembly ## **Property** The Presbytery has no property under its care. ## **Volunteers** The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on Presbytery, its commissions and panels. 8 **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT** The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its members and the general public by making known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion. The direct benefits which flow from the purposes of the Church include the gaining of an understanding in Christian beliefs as set out in the Bible and in the Church’s subordinate standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leading to spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Bible teaching. In turn, this framework leads to practical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as through the care of those in need (including the sick, disabled and bereaved). Generally, the above benefits are delivered locally by congregational churches and members, or are facilitated through presbyteries or are organised and delivered centrally. Local delivery is facilitated by central resources in almost all cases. Public access is made known through the use of noticeboards, printed material, press advertisement, websites, and social media or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal and ad-hoc feedback from members, their families, and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. The charities beneficiaries are its members, their families, other individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral services are provided and other communities throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement with and support for both Christian and other secular organisations, charities and individual members of the public. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a result of their holding office or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefits. The Presbytery has had regard to the Charity Commissions Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. 9 ## **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)** ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** The Presbytery’s main source of income is an assessment that is levied on the congregations assigned to it and £9,721 was received in the current year (£11,586 in previous year, 2021) £2,309 was raised at Presbytery events. Total expenditure increased from £14,203 to £23,957. This includes a payment made to the Clerk of Presbytery for the responsibilities of that position. ## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the presbytery in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice. As the presbytery’s 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 presbytery’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the presbytery and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Presbytery at a meeting on 13[th] September 2022 and signed on its behalf by Rev. Noel McClean Rev. Kenneth Crowe 12/09/2023 12/09/2023 10 ## **IINDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PRESBYTERY OF ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND** I report on the accounts of The Route Presbytery for the year ended 31st December 2022 ## **Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner** As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is my 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 65(9)(b) of the Charities Ac.t State whether particular matters have come to my attention ## **Basis of independent examiner's report** I .have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. My 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. My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe: 1. 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 Examiner's Statement** I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have feund no matters that require drawing to your attention. John McMullan ACMA CGMA Chartered Management Accountant Sc High Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6AH Date 17th October 2023 11 ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITY (Receipts and Payments Account) for the year ended 31 December 2022** ||**Note**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**2022**|**2021**| |||£|£|£|£|£| |**Receipts**||||||| |Donations and legacies|2|9,721|0|0|9,721|11,586| |Charitable activities|3|2,309|3,411|0|5,720|220| |Other trading activities|4|0|0|0|0|25| |Investment Income|5|0|2,709|393|3,102|2,710| |Other|6|0|0|0|0|0| |||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |||12,030|6,120|393|18,543|14,516| |Sale of Investments|||||0|0| |Sale of fixed assets|||||0|25| |Loans Received|||||0|0| |||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |**Total Receipts**||12,030|6,120|393|18,543|14,541| |||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |**Payments**||||||| |Raising funds|7|0|0|0|0|0| |Charitable activities|8|13,431|8,747|0|22,178|11,862| |Investment costs||0|1,778|0|1,778|1,778| |Other|9|||||| |||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |||13,141|10,525|0|23,956|13,640| |Purchase of Investments||0|0|0|0|0| |Purchase of fixed assets||0|0|0|0|0| |Loan Repayments||0|0|0|0|0| |||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |**Total Payments**||13,431|10,525|0|23,956|13,640| |||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |Net receipts / (payments)||(1,401)|(4,405)|393|(5,413)|901| |Transfers between funds||0|0|0|0|0| |||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |Net movement in funds||(1,401)|(4,405)|393|(5,413)|901| |Funds brought forward||14,099|183,877|52,287|250,263|249,362| |||----------|---------|----------|----------|----------| |Funds carried forward|12|12,698|179,472|52,680|244,850|250,263| |||======|======|======|======|======| 12 ## **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES** ## **As at 31 December 2022** |**s at 31 December 2022**|||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**| |||||**2022**|**2021**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |**Funds Reconciliation**|||||| |Bank and Cash at start of year|14,099|183,877|52,287|250,263|249,362| |Net movement in funds|-1,401|-4,405|393|-5,413|901| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |Bank and Cash at end of year|12,698|179,472|52,680|244,850|250,263| ||======|=======|=======|=======|=======| |**Bank & Cash Balances**|||||| |Bank Deposit Accounts||||52,680|52,288| |Bank Current Accounts||||192,170|197,975| |Cash in Hand|||||| |||||----------|----------| |||||244,850|250,263| |||||=======|=======| |**Other Assets**|||||| |Fixed Assets – Note 10||||0|0| |- Church Premises||||0|0| |- Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment||||0|0| |- Vehicles||||0|0| |Investments – Note 11||||0|0| |Gift Aid receivable on donations||||0|0| |||||0|0| |||||----------|----------| |||||0|0| |||||=======|=======| |**Liabilities**||||0|0| |Loans|||||| |||||0|0| |Other|||||| |||||----------|----------| |||||0|0| |||||=======|=======| Approved by the Presbytery at a meeting on 13[th] September 2022 and signed on its behalf by Rev. Noel McClean Rev. Kenneth Crowe **12/09/2023 12/09/2023** 13 **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** **31 December 2022** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** As the total income of the presbytery is less than £250,000 the presbytery has elected in accordance with the provisions in The Charities (Accounts and Reports Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 to prepare its accounts on a receipts and payments basis. These accounts do not incorporate the accounts of the congregations assigned to the Presbytery. These have a separate legal identity and are individually registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. ## **FUND ACCOUNTING** Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be retained either permanently or at the presbytery’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 (a) income from endowments which is to be expended only on the restricted purposes intended by the donor and (b) revenue donations or grants for a specific presbytery activity intended by the donor. Where these funds have unspent balances, interest on their pooled investment is apportioned to the individual funds on an average balance basis. Unrestricted funds are income funds which are to be spent on the presbytery’s general purposes. Designated funds are general funds set aside by the presbytery for use in the future. ## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES** ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**2022**|**2021**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |Assessments on congregations|9,721|0|0|9,721|11,586| |Collections at events|0|0|0|0|0| |Donations and gifts|0|0|0|0|0| |Gift Aid|0|0|0|0|0| |Legacies and bequest|0|0|0|0|0| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||9,721|0|0|9,721|11,586| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| 14 ## **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **31 December 2022** ## **3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES** ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**2022**|**2021**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |Income from charitable activities|0|0|0|0|0| |Fundraising events|2,309|0|0|2,309|0| |PW Link|0|3,411|0|3,411|220| |Grants|0|0|0|0|0| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||2,309|3,411|0|5,720|220| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ## **4. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES** ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**2022**|**2021**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |Sale of Cabinet|0|0|0|0|25| |Trading income|0|0|0|0|0| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||0|0|0|0|25| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |**5. INVESTMENT INCOME**|||||| ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**2022**|**2021**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |Deposit interest|0|2,709|393|3,102|2,710| |General Investment Fund|0|0|0|0|0| |Rents investment properties|0|0|0|0|0| |Other investment income|0|0|0|0|0| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||0|2,709|393|3,102|2,710| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| 15 ## **ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (cont’d)** ## **31 December 2022** ## **6. OTHER INCOME** ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**2022**|**2021**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |Insurance claims|0|0|0|0|0| |Other income|0|0|0|0|0| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||0|0|0|0|0| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ## **7. RAISING FUNDS** ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**2022**|**2021**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |Fundraising events|0|0|0|0|0| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||0|0|0|0|0| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |**.**
**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**|||||| ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**2022**|**2021**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |Presbytery ministry and support|8,572|0|0|8,572|10,651| |staff costs|||||| |Presbytery running expenses|4,359|5,224|0|9,583|1,171| |Donations to missions and|500|0|0|500|0| |charities|||||| |PW Link||3,523|0|3,523|40| |Governance costs|||||| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||13,431|8,747|0|22,178|11,862| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ## **8. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES** 16 ## **ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (cont’d)** ## **31 December 2022** ## **9. OTHER EXPENDITURE** ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**2022**|**2021**| ||£|£|£|£|£| |Investment properties expenses|0|0|0|0|0| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||0|0|0|0|0| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ## **10. FIXED ASSETS** The presbytery owns no fixed assets. ## **11. INVESTMENTS** The Presbytery has the following investments. Amounts are shown at market valuation. ||**2022**|**2021**| |---|---|---| ||**£**|**£**| |General Investment Fund|52,680|52,288| |Property||| |Other investments||| ||----------|----------| ||52,680|52,288| ||----------|----------| 17 ## **THE ROUTE PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (cont’d)** ## **31 December 2022** ## **12. FUND BALANCES** |**Fund**|**Balance**|**Receipts**|**Payment**|**Surplus /**|**Transfer**|**Balance**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**at start**|||**(Deficit)**||**at end**| ||£|£|£|£|£|£| |**Unrestricted Funds**||||||| |Incidental Fund|14,099|12,030|13,431|(1,401)|0|12,698| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||14,099|12,030|13,431|(1,401)|0|12,698| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |**Restricted Funds**||||||| |Education Board|109,440|1,935|6,038|(4,103)|0|105,337| |Sick Supply Fund|73,734|774|964|(190)|0|73,544| |PW Link|703|3,411|3,523|(112)|0|591| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||183,877|6,120|10,525|(4405)|0|179,472| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| |**Endowment Funds**||||||| |Education Board|52,287|393|0|393|0|52,680| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| ||----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|----------| |Total|250,263|18,543|23,956|(5,413)|0|244,850| ||----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| 18