2023-12-31-annual-report

1 . Introduction This document is the annual reFx)rt for Rathfriland Refonned Presbyterian Church, Northem Ireland Charity Number NIC106596. This reFK)rt relates to the calendar year 2023. 2. Purpose The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion. Ralhfriland Refomed Presbyterian Church is a corwJTegalion of the Refomed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The Refomed Presbyterian Church of Ireland exists to honour and worship God and to share the good news of Jesus Christ His Son. 3. Structure Session The charity trustees of coTrJregation are the members of the Session. which consists of the minister and one ruling elder of the COngr￿ation. In case of vacancy (where a congregation has no minister), an acting minister from within the Presbytery (Interim Moderator) Is a member of the Session. Elders and ministers are chosen by a vote of all communicant members of the congregation. Election of elders, calling of minislers arKI transaction of Session business are carried out in accordance with the 'Code'. the Book of Govemmenl and Order of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Wider Governance In the Presbyterian form of church govemment wactiS8d by the Reformed Presbyt8rian Church of Ireland. each local Congregation belongs to a Presbytery. Rathfriland congregalion belong5 to the Southem Presbytery of the Refonned Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The membership of each Presbytery consists of the aclive and retired ministers of the Presbytery. along with a representative elder from each member congregation. The Presbytery is responsible for the spiritual oversight of the coThJregations within its care and meets a minimum of four times per year. The highest court of the Reformed Presbyterian Church is its Synod, which consists of the mernbership of all the presbyteries of the church. The Synod meets at least annually to

transact the business brought to it by its constituent presbyteries and Synodical committees. Committee Members The comtnittee memLErs are responsibkg for the lemporal affairs of the congregation, including matters related to the finances and property of the church. Committee members are elected by a vole of all communicant members of the congregation and are accountable to Session for their activities. Volunteers The congregation relies on the generosty of volunteers in giving their time to assist with a range of activibes in the church, including work with children and young p￿pIe, provision of hospitalty. Taising the singing and management of the audK) ministy. Activities Public Worship Within the period covered by this report, RathfrilarKI Reforn￿d Presbylerian Church has provided public worship servi￿$ for inslrLthn and devotion, held regularty at 12.00 Noon and when advised at 7.00pm in the evening. which are open to all. A mid￿￿ek meeting was also held as advised. The Lord's Supper VRS observed once in the past year. Participation is open to all who have been baplised and who make a credible profession of saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The work of the Sabbath School carried on each Sunday and was led by our two Sabbath School teachers Mrs. Janice Bell and Mrs. Felicty HennirYJ. The Women's Fellowship continued during the year with Blble studies and varK>us other activities. This was well supported by the ladies of the congregation. A new venture was starled with the men in the form of a men's breakfast. and this was held on two occasions during the year.

Pastoral Work For the first half of 2023 horne visitation was carried out by Rev Paul Flynn and by our Interim Moderator Rev Peter Dundee in the second half of the year. Denominational Activity Representatives of the church Session attended Presbytery meetings ￿gularlY, and the annual denominational SyrK)d. Contributions werè made to central Synodical funds for general expenses (such as training of ministers and youth work). Outreach and Mission As rK)ted above. nat￿nWK1e and overseas mission work was supported financially through contributions to denominational funds (Refornied Presbyterian Missions). Financial Support Youth Work Instruction of chiklren and young people in meetings of Sunday School, Bible Class and church services as well as opportunities for infomial fellowship. All leadérs and volunteers in the youth work have gone through A¢￿$$ Nl vetting. Church Property The church property is in good condition after the completion of renovation work and work carried out to meet health and safety and disabled access requirements. Regular cleaning of the meeting house and hall look place. al0￿ with upkeep of the church grounds and maintenance as required. Recordings The services of worship are recorded and a￿ accessible via CD'S. These recordings provide access to the pulpit ministy to those who are unable to attend public worship due to ill health or olher circumstsn￿5.

1. Public Benefit Rathfriland Refomed Presbyterian Church meets the public benefit requirement by providing place for worship (through weekly sep4ices of worship and other meetings). by increasing awareness and understanding of religious beliefs (Ihrough public preaching from the Ho Scriptures, literalure distribution. pastoral counselling and youth work), and by erKJaging in and supporting missionary and outreach work in the Rathfriland area and overseas. The work of the church in fvlfillment of its purpose does not lead to hami. The only private benefit is for Ministers and others who may r8ceive benefft as a result of their employment. Such benefit is incidental lo the work and purpose of the corKJregalion. The Charity Trustees have had regard to the Public Benefft to the Charity Commission's Public Benefft ststutory guidancE.
2. Financial Situation The congregation's main source of income is members contributions through the weekly Freewill Offering. Totsl re￿ip1S in Ihe year were £33.839 {£33.369). Total income of Ihe congregation during the year was £78,610 compared lo £65.313 in the previous year. Total expenditure increased to £239.586 from £33,684 in the previous year.
3. Useful Information Contact Details Rathfriland Refomied Presbyterian Church % Mr. Ray Morrison (Clerk of Session) 10 Castle Fields RathfrilarKI BT34 5BN 028 40630237 Charity Trustees Rev. Peter Dundee Mr. Ray Morrison

Bankers Ulster Bank 22 Bridge Street Banbridge BT32 3JT Solicitors Fisher & Fisher 1 Newry Street Rathfriland BT34 SPY Independent Examiners S,M. Wint & Co. 8 Newry Street Banbridge BT32 3HN 8. Statement of Trustees Responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and Ihe financial slatements of the congregakn'on in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounkn'ng practice. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the congregation's Iransactions 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. As the congregation's income does nol exceed £250,000, the Trustees have dected under Section 64{3) of the Charities Acl (Northem IrelarKI) 2008 to prepare a receipts and payments account and a statement of assets and liabilities. Trustee Trustee Rev Peter Dundee Morrlson