Straid Congregational Church
Financial Report 2024
FINANCIAL REPORT 2023
MINISTER Mr. A Patterson SERVICES Sunday morning 11.30am Sunday evening 6.30pm SUNDAY SCHOOL & BIBLE CLASS Sunday morning 10.15am STRAID CHRISTIAN WOMEN FELLOWSHIP 2[nd] Monday each month MUMS & TOTS Each Tuesday 10.30am PRAYER MEETINGS Wednesday and Thursday 8.00pm and (Including Missionary Prayer times) 10.00am PATHFINDER GROUPS Friday evening 7.00pm STRAID YOUTH Friday evening 8.15pm YOUTH FELLOWSHIP 1[ST] and 3[rd] Sunday each month 8.00pm
DEACONS
Mr Thomas Strange Mr Brian McFall Mr Chris Carson
Mr John Strange Mr Ralph Gilmour Mr John Haaijer
Mr Richard Gilmour Mr Michael Ewart
Interim Secretary: Mr John Haaijer
Treasurer: Mr Thomas Strange
FINANCIAL SECRETARIES
Mrs Margaret Bailie Mrs Betty Ogilby Mr. Jason Chartres Mr Brian Morton Mr Bill Bailie
AUDITOR
Mr Desmond Dunn & Mr Tim Girvan (Book Keeper)
CARETAKERS Mr & Mrs R Gilmour
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Straid Congregational Church
Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2023
| Income Offerings (note 1) Gift Aid Rental Income Gifts Other Expenditure Salaries and expenses (note 2) Pulpit supply Missionary Support (note 3) Rates & Water Insurance Electricity & Fuel Security Books, Publications & Stationery AV ministry Catering Repairs and Renewals Telephone & Broadband Transport Other (including prof. fees) Surplus/Deficit for the year |
2024 £ 108,851 25,214 15,098 3,680 135 152,977 45,043 2,435 25,511 3,076 5,114 10,604 209 2,337 1,530 2,569 15,719 843 460 4,171 119,622 33,355 |
2023 £ 102,192 23,966 12,388 9,140 2,229 |
|---|---|---|
| 149,915 | ||
| 14,933 9,085 48,524 2,811 4,596 9,908 475 2.515 1,803 4,856 11,226 588 3,920 13,751 |
||
| 128,991 | ||
| 20,924 |
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Bank Accounts
| Current Account Opening balance at 1 January Surplus for the year Transfer – Ulster Bank Investment a/c Closing balance at 31 December Investment Account (Bank of Ireland) Opening balance Interest Closing balance at 31 December |
2024 £ 29,659 33,355 -50,000 13,014 2024 £ 154,390 1,393 155,783 |
2023 £ 108,735 20,924 -100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 29,659 | ||
| 2023 £ 154,390 - |
||
| 154,390 |
Initial investment matured in March 2024 and rolled over to mature in March 2026.
| Investment Account (Danske Bank) Opening balance (opened June 2015) Interest Closing balance at 31 December This is a fixed deposit account due to mature Investment Account (Danske Bank) Opening balance (opened June 2015) Interest Closing balance at 31 December |
2024 £ 100,000 - 100,000 in June 2025. 2024 £ 50,000 - 50,000 |
2023 £ 100,000 - |
|---|---|---|
| 100,000 | ||
| 2023 £ - - |
||
| - |
This is a fixed deposit account due to mature in August 2025.
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| Investment Account (AIB) Opening balance Interest Closing balance 31 December |
2024 £ 151,553 7,872 159,425 |
2023 £ 151,251 302 |
|---|---|---|
| 151,553 |
Initial investment matured in Aug 2024 and rolled over to mature in Aug 2025.
| Investment Account (Ulster Bank) Opening balance Interest Closing balance 31 December |
2024 £ 156,522 7,455 163,977 |
2023 £ 151,083 5,439 |
|---|---|---|
| 156,522 |
Initial investment matured in September 2024 and rolled over to mature in September 2025.
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Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
| 1 Offerings Freewill loose offering Standing Orders Other income 2 Salaries Minister Minister's wife Caretaker 3 Missionary Support Support of Church Missionaries Other missionary gifts |
2024 £ 54,179 54,672 - 108,851 36,396 2,000 6,647 45,043 18,606 6,905 25,511 |
2023 £ 49,714 52,478 - |
|---|---|---|
| 102,192 | ||
| 8,199 1,000 5,734 |
||
| 14,933 | ||
| 30,885 17,639 |
||
| 48,524 |
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Sunday School 2024
| Income Balance Brought Forward From Church Account Income Balance Brought Forward Money for Christmas Gifts |
£ Expenditure 38.71 1,000.00 Sunday School Materials Straid Sunday School Outing & Food Carnfunnock Bouncy Castle Christmas Selection Boxes Bank Fees Balance Carried Forward 1038.71 Pathfinders 2024 £ Expenditure 153.75 100.00 Movie Night Snacks Senior Group Christmas Gifts Junior Group Christmas Gifts Balance Carried Forward 253.75 |
£ 461.00 108.00 36.75 80.00 63.00 36.60 253.36 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1038.71 | ||||
| £ 21.00 78.36 94.00 60.39 |
||||
| 253.75 | ||||
| Income Balance Brought Forward Weekly Income Bank Interest |
Mums & Tots 2024 £ Expenditure 985.76 639.02 Weekly Supplies 24.20 Outreach/Gifts Balance Carried Forward 1648.98 |
|||
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Straid Youth 2024
| Income £ Expenditure Balance Brought Forward 103.28 Tuck Shop 82.55 Balance Carried Forward 185.83 Straid Congregational Women 2024 Income £ Expenditure Balance Brought Forward 177.91 Collections 217.40 Speakers Feb Meeting Acre 77.56 Stationary/Biscuits etc. March – Hope for Youth 131.00 Acre Gospel Mission Glenarm Castle 560.00 Hope for Youth Ministry Coffee Morning 174.20 Glenarm Castle Chittys in Spain (Nov) 120.00 Glenarm Castle Ticket Refund Coffee Morning Chittys The Carrie Restaurant balance Balance Carried Forward 1458.07 |
£ 185.83 |
|---|---|
| 185.83 | |
| £ 80.00 93.60 77.56 131.00 632.50 20.00 174.20 120.00 35.00 94.21 |
|
| 1458.07 |
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Freewill Offerings 2024
| No. | £ | No. | £ | No. | £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | £1,200 | 30 | £3,180 | 65 | £2,340 |
| 3 | £2,250 | 31 | £235 | 66 | £5,400 |
| 4 | £1,020 | 33 | £1,040 | 68 | £10,400 |
| 5 | £1,120 | 34 | £1,540 | 71 | £675 |
| 6 | £800 | 39 | £12,200 | 72 | £850 |
| 7 | £360 | 40 | £1,280 | 73 | £3,540 |
| 8 | £35 | 42 | £40 | 77 | £1,870 |
| 9 | £4,080 | 44 | £1,440 | 79 | £3,230 |
| 10 | £309 | 46 | £1,600 | 80 | £2,080 |
| 11 | £3,650 | 48 | £160 | 82 | £240 |
| 12 | £2,400 | 50 | £1,500 | 86 | £1,040 |
| 14 | £1,530 | 52 | £365 | 87 | £1,450 |
| 15 | £1,200 | 53 | £370 | 88 | £1,650 |
| 20 | £1,035 | 56 | £1,590 | 91 | £870 |
| 21 | £200 | 60 | £960 | 92 | £540 |
| 24 | £1,295 | 64 | £2,000 | 95 | £170 |
| 96 | £2,400 |
Minister’s Report 2024
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I’ve recently been reading through Psalm 118, and in beginning to write this short Minister’s Report, I thought I would start and finish as Psalm 118 does; ‘O give thanks to the Lord for He is good’.
Sharon and I can truly say that throughout this year, in ministering here in Straid Congregational Church, the Lord has been good to us personally, and to us all as a Fellowship.
We give thanks to the Lord for His help in the preaching of His Word as we have studied the life of Joseph, the Book of Haggai, the Ten Commandments and most recently, 1 Peter.
We give thanks for those who have trusted the Lord as Saviour this year through the witness of the Church, and for the opportunities we each have had to share the Gospel in this Community.
We give thanks for answered prayer and grace given, as we, together, have prayed for individuals and families going through bereavement, sickness and very real difficulties.
Also, we give thanks for answered prayer regarding the granting of Planning permission for the renovation of the church building, and for those in our Fellowship with expertise and experience to help lead us through this Project.
To finish, I want to highlight two things: First, a word of caution…
It can so easily happen that we have a new church building, but have a Church Fellowship divided with broken relationships, people hurt, the church’s testimony damaged, and most of all, the Holy Spirit grieved. Please take this seriously, and think carefully about our words and attitudes ‘endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’ (Eph 4:3) Let’s take to heart the teaching of 1 Peter 5 regarding the right personal response to ‘Authority’, ‘Humility’ and ‘Anxiety’. Let us also be aware of the enemy, Satan’s existence, and his subtle attacks and inroads; we need to ‘be vigilant’ and ‘resist him steadfast in the faith’.
Secondly, a word of appeal to Members and Adherents …
Please consider planning to, or rearranging priorities or life schedule, so you can commit to attending the prayer times in the church. A lot of things in life will come and go, but our own spiritual life and walk, the salvation of our family members and our communities, are of eternal consequence. Prayer times are not always easy; this is a spiritual battle, but of real lasting value.
Thank you so much for your prayers, fellowship, support and encouragement to Sharon and myself; we are very grateful!
Together, let us
‘Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever.
Rev Alistair Patterson
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Missionary Report 2024
As we look back into 2024 and have gone into 2025 we praise God for his hand upon our missionary work within the church and for those who answered the call to go to various places to spread the good news of the gospel. At our monthly missionary meeting we always have different speakers who keep us up to date in what is happening in the country they are working in. In January 2024 we had FAITH MISSION, February ASIA LINK, March SGA and also IBI same month. April VISPA, May EMF, June SASRA. Our annual Missionary Weekend began with ASIA LINK on Wed. 28/8/24, SHINING LIGHTS on Friday 30/8/24 and on the Sunday 1/9/24 we had CEF at our am service and GMSA at our pm service, this is always a great weekend. On the Friday evening we always have a 7pm start and we have a special time for the children and we say a big thank you to those who volunteer to help with this. The Sunday morning speaker always takes the Sunday School, which we all love and appreciate so much. In October we had OMS, November REVIVAL MOVEMENT and in December WORLD GOSPEL MISSION. All of the Missionary Society’s receive the complete collection plus £200 from the church. Our total missionary giving for 2024 was £9737.63 which included £400.00 .in pennies for Odessa Orphanage which has been collected and counted by Margaret and Hugh Caldwell for many years. A big thank you to them both.
As a fellowship we continue to support our own missionaries:
John and Irene Barfoot Immanuel Studios
Stephen and Joan Singleton IBI Dublin
Nigel and Ruth Wilson and Family Faith Mission
Michael and Julie Chitty and Family Spain
Johnny and Kathryn Gault and Family Frontiers in Mozambique
We continue to pray that the Lord will bless their ministry wherever they are and that they will see much fruit for their labours.
Ralph Gilmore
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Secretary Report 2024
When I think of 2024 what comes to mind is the Lord’s prayer and in particular the phrase, “Your kingdom come, your will be done”. This is our prayer as a church and we have seen very evidently in 2024 the Lord doing His will.
There is a lot that we can be thankful for as we look back over 2024. It has been great to have Alistair with us for his first full year and we have already greatly benefitted from his preaching, visiting and other work. We can also be very thankful for how God has worked in all the different church groups that have had meetings and outings over the last year. God has provided safety, guidance and has worked in hearts through these groups that cater for the oldest right through to the youngest. We would like to say a big thank-you to all those that lead and help in these groups as well as those that serve the Lord in other practical ways in the church. It is very much appreciated.
With so many groups in the church it is hard to mention all that went on over the last year and I’m sure each group have a few highlights that they can think of. In June the Friendship club had their special event called “A Journey Back in Time to Straid” and it was great to have people in from the village that don’t attend the church here. In August we had our first Holiday Bible Club since COVID in the church buildings and this went very well with a good number of children in each evening. This year things ran a bit differently with our first Sunday morning Holiday Bible club service at the end of the week. It was great to see the church well filled with parents, again, some of whom had never been in the church before. In December we had the Christmas Tree Light’s event and it was again great to see the church hall filled with so many from the village. May we continue to pray for all those in the village who don’t know the Lord that the Lord would work in hearts and use us as a witness to this community. May the Lord’s kingdom come to this community.
Another thing we can praise God for is getting planning permission for the new sanctuary. We had been praying about this for a long time and it was starting to seem that the process was never going to end with more and more delays. I have to say that given the HED had rejected the plans I didn’t have a lot of hope that the permission would be granted. But then finally in October we were officially granted planning permission. We may have felt that the planning office was in control of this but ultimately the Lord’s will was done.
2024 also had it’s challenges and times of sadness. In August Sam McCrory went home to be with the Lord. Sam finished the race well and he will be sorely missed. There were also those in our fellowship who suffered with poor health and other issues. It’s in these times of sadness and difficulty we again pray, “Your kingdom come” as we think of a day when there will be no more pain or sadness. May we continue to remember in prayer those in our fellowship that are continuing to suffer in these days.
As we look ahead to 2025 I’m sure it will bring it’s joys and it’s challenges also. But may our hearts desire and prayer be that “Your kingdom come, your will be done.”
John Haaijer
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Group Leadership/responsibility for 2024
| Sunday School | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Patricia McLean | Alison Forsythe | Pat Gilmour | |
| David Weir | Alison Johnston | ||
| Pathfinders | |||
| Junior | |||
| Lisa Darrah | Jennifer Robinson | Brittany Strange | Grace Herron |
| Olivia Jenkins | Asha Hilditch | Claire Brown | |
| Seniors | |||
| Chris Carson | Aimee Jenkins | Michael Ewart | John Strange |
| Cherith Gilmore | Hannah Cahoon | Julie Williams | |
| Straid Congregational Women | |||
| Hannah Cahoon |
Asha Hilditch | Barbara Cathcart | Pauline Weatherup |
| Jill Brown | Amanda McFall | Ruth Cathcart | |
| Catering Committee | |||
| Joan Hutchinson | Cherith Gilmore | Hazel Forsythe | Amanda McFall |
| Julie Williams | Jill Brown | ||
| Straid Youth Leaders | |||
| Claire Brown | Matt Hilditch | Janice Drummond | Aimee Jenkins |
| Alex Mairs | Aimee Haaijer | Brian McFall | John Haaijer |
| Andrew Vance | Richard Gilmour | ||
| Missionary Committee | |||
| Ralph Gilmour | Roy Greer | Hugh Caldwell | Jennifer Evans |
| Pat Gilmour | Rosemary Weir | Judy Sempey | |
| Mums & Tots | |||
| Joan Hutchinson | Barbara Cathcart | Jennifer Evans | Grace Herron |
| Sharon Patterson | Rosemary McAnally | Joanne Vance | Betty Ogilby |
| Musical Team | |||
| Brenda Strange | Andrew Vance | Betty Greer | John Haaijer |
| Hannah Cahoon | Janine Close | Brittany Strange | Joel Patterson |
| Sharon Patterson | |||
| Audio Visual Team | |||
| Martin Brown | Claire Brown | Richard Gilmour | Peter Lawson |
| John Haaijer | Wesley Johnston | Alex Mairs | Rachel Lawson |
| Matt Johnston | Robin Cahoon | Ben Robinson | |
| Junior Church | |||
| Brittany Strange | Chris Carson | Carla Carson | David Cathcart |
| Joanne Vance | Chloe Robinson | Brian McFall | Ben Vance |
| Aimee Haaijer | Hannah McAllister | Janice Drummond | Joy Ewart |
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| Church Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesley Johnston | Colin Forsythe | |||
| Flowers | ||||
| Pat Gilmour | Marleen Strange | Hannah Cahoon | Matt Hilditch | |
| Jennifer Haaijer | ||||
| Youth Fellowship | ||||
| Chris Carson | Tim Girvan | David Cathcart | Rachel Lawson | |
| Aimee Haaijer | ||||
| CHOIR | ||||
| Brenda Strange | Margaret Caldwell | Chris Haaijer | ||
| Jason Chartres | Alison Forsythe | Jennifer Robinson | ||
| Hannah Cahoon | Julie Williams | Tim Girvan | ||
| Joel Patterson | Andrew Vance | Hugh Caldwell | ||
| Brittany Strange | John Strange | |||
| Child Protection Co-ordinator | Robin Cahoon |
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