an THE CARRICKFERGUS PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC106881)
an THE CARRICKFERGUS 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 2023 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The Carrickfergus Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland The Manse 5 Whitla's Brae LARNE Co. Antrim BT40 3BY Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {N IC1068811 CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Rev Dr Colin David Mcclure Rev Leslie James Addis Rev Robert John Bell Rev Peter Aaron Bovill Rev David Cromie Rev Nathan Duddy Rev Gabrielle Farquhar Rev Terence Richard Graham Rev Trevor David Gribben Rev Dr. Cecil Grant Rev David Kelly Rev Robert James Mccullough Revjonathan Moxen Rev Benjamin Samuel Preston Rev Heather Rendell Rev Mark Russell Rev John Philip Stanbridge Rev Robert Vallely Rev Andrew Watson Mr Alan Desmond Bell Mr Norman Carmichael Mr George Clarke MrAdam Cree Mr David Robert Fulton Mr Desmond Hawthorne Mr Warren Heggan Mr Trevor Crawford Heron Mr William Hunter Mr Brian Ingram Mr William Peter Logan Mr Robert Logan Mr Robert McAlister Mr William Geoffrey Mc8ride Mr Niall Mcconkey Mr Andrew McKeegan Mr Robert Penney Mr Jack Smith Mr Norman Smyth
an THE CARRICKFERGU5 PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Icontinued PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Moderator The Rev. David Kelly (until March 2023) The Rev. Andrew Watson (from March 20231 Clerk of Presbytery The Rev. Dr. Colin David Mcclure Finance Convener Mr. Alexander Mcmullan INDEPENDENT EXAMINER MBS Chartered Accountants 3 High Street Larne BT40 IJN BANKERS Danske Bank PO Box 183 Donegall Square West BELFAST BTI 6JS SOLICITORS None
Presbyter an THE CARRICKFERGUS PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 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 Carrickfergus Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland: Ba Ilycarry Ballyclare Ballylinney Ballynure Cairncastle Carrickfergus - Downshire Carrickfergus - First Carrickfergus-joymount Craigy Hill Greenisland Islandmagee Larne First Larne- Gardenmore Loughmorne Magheramorne Raloo Whitehead Woodburn Woodlands
an THE CARRICKFERGUS PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT Presbytery A Presbytery makes arrangements for the election of ministers in congregation, ordains, installs or inducts and appoints ministers and licentiates in the congregation5 assigned to it. They also ordain or install and appoint elders, commission and appoint deaconesses, senior lecturers, a uxiliary 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 eldership are properly discharged. Presbyteries oversee the resignation and retirements of ministers and elders. Presbyteries provide advice to Kirk Ses5ion5 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 each 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, November; the second Tuesday of September. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator has no deliberative but only a casting vote.
Presbyter an THE CARRICKFERGUS PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT 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 for several days 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 Carrickfergus 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. The Presbytery's mission purposes include: 'connecting 'with the many commuter families who have come to live in our Presbytery area,. effective ministry among young people and younger adults; showing the Gospel in action as well as sharing it in words- especially at a time of uncertainty in a global socio-political context and in challenging economic conditions, nationally and globally. It is important to recognise that much valuable work is already being done by all the congregation5 in our Presbytery and that many people are engaged in work which clearly involves 'outreach, and some have done fresh and imaginative thinking about mission activity, and are seeking to develop new and creative approache5 to evangelism and Christian social witness.
an THE CARRICKFERGUS PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Presbytery is committed to supporting and encouraging this approach to mission, and wishes to challenge all its congregations to ask themselves if there are further steps that need to be taken in understanding the needs of the communities in which they are located, in identifying ways in which they can serve people unconditionally, and in developing strategies by which the spiritual reality and hope of the Gospel can be effectively shown and shared in their communities. ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The Presbytery meets on the first Tuesday of February, March, May, October, November, the second Tuesday of September, and on other occasions as required. During the recent pandemic, by resolution of Presbytery on 5th May 2020, provision was made for the business of Presbytery to be conducted by 3 Presbytery Standing Commission {20201 for the duration of restrictions during the pandemic. This Commission normally meet via "Zoom" video conferencing. However, from May 2021 all meetings have been conducted "in-person" Indeed, all scheduled meetings of Presbytery are now "in-person" and the Standing Commission is no longer required. All meetings of Presbytery commence with a time of worship and are opened and closed with prayer. By resolution of Presbytery a Business Committee may, if necessary, conduct routine and non- controversial business between scheduled meetings, especially in the extended periods between the November and February, March and May, and May to September meetings. The Presbytery carries out the following regular activities: Supports those candidating for the Ministry Installs Ordained ministers and elders Provides pastoral support for ministers and their families Holds a number of training and resourcing events, as well as occasional public services of worship. PW Link is an initiative of Presbyterian Women intended to improve communications and build relationships between Presbyterian Women. PW Link includes a representative from each congregation and runs events to support the mission and outreach of Presbytery. During the year there will also usually be events designed to encourage, inform and resource PW members. This list is not exhaustive and will on occasions be supplemented by extraordinary events which are usually services of worship and/or training opportunities in response to specific needs, developments or resource release e.g. Safeguarding, GDPR.
an THE CARRICKFERGUS PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE At the 31 December 2023 the following numbers of persons were under the care of Presbytery 2023 2022 M inister in active service in congregations 13 13 Ministers emeritus Ministers emeritus (released) Licentiates Students for the Ministry During the year credentials were received from other Presbyteries in respect of I licentiate. Credentials were presented to other Presbyteries in respect of I minister who was installed as a minster in a congregation assigned to that Presbytery. l Minister without charge, O Transferring ministers, 2 Licentiates and 2 students were under the care of Presbytery during the year. The Presbytery encourages the congregations assigned to it to support 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, assists with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry students, and financially supports congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mi55ion, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. The Presbytery also encourages congregations to contribute to the denomination's annual World Development Appeal, Youth & 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.
an THE CARRICKFERGUS PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Property The Carrickfergus Presbytery has no property. 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. 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. Loca I delivery is facilitated by central resources in almost all cases. Public access is made known through the use of noticeboards, printed material, press advertisement, websltes, 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 ind irect 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 Commission's Public benefit requirement Statutory guidance.
an THE CARRICKFERGUS PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL REVIEW The Presbytery's main source of income is an assessment that is levied on the congregations assigned to it and £13,958 was received in the current year12022 - £13,768}. Other income received in respect of presbytery events held during the year was as follows.. 2023 2022 Bereavememt Awareness Training £0 £80 Total expenditure increased from £13,001 in 2022 to E13,177 in 2023. The main reason for this increase can be attributed to increase in Clerk's Fees. RESERVES POLICY The Trustee5' policy 15 to retain a level of free reserves or general reserves which matches its needs at the current time and in the foreseeable future. Free reserves are those unrestricted reserves not invested in fixed assets, which are available for general use. The main reason for holding reserves is to ensure that the charity has enough resources to fund its programmes and to hold sufficient resources to meet it5 commitments. The Trustees believe that our reserves policy is both responsible and prudent but have not specified a particular level of reserves to be held. At 31 December 2023 the charity held unrestricted funds of £11,620 representing more than 12 months, expenditure which is in line with what is regarded as an appropriate level. The charity also held £5,946 of restricted funds which have been provided for the purposes specified in Note 7. No endowment funds are held by the charity. io
an THE CARRICKFERGUS PRESBYTERY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FUNDS HELD AS CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF OTHERS There are no funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others. PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS The Trustees have no specific plans for future periods, however as at 31 December 2023 the charity held £4,202 of restricted funds for the provision of grants to Students for the Ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. 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 6413} 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 d isclose 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 Tuesday 10th September 2024 and signed on its behalf by The Rev. Mark Russell (Moderator} The Rev. Dr. Colin D Mcclure (Clerk of Presbytery) ioth September 2024 ioth September 2024 li