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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)

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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

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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
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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

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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
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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
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