an SECOND CASTLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105610)
an SECOND CASTLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN 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 DEfAILS Second Castlederg Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 55 Strabane Road, Castlederg, Co Tyrone, BT817HZ Registered Charity in Northern Ireland {NIC105610) CHARITY TRusfEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were: Rev Clarke Deering {appointed 30/10/2022) Rev Charles Clements (Retired October 2022) Mr John Allen (retired May 2022) Mr Mervyn Buchanan Miss Rosemary Craig BEM Mr Alex Fletcher Mr Bert Huey MrJack Mitchell Mrsjean Mcmullan Mrs Bertha Pollock (Retired May 2022) Mrs Pearl Quigley Mr David Thompson Miss Sandra Thompson Mrs Daphne Watt PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister in charge: Clerk of Session: Treasurer: Rev Clarke Deering Mr Bert Huey Miss Doreen Mccain
an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Hamill Mcllwaine Chartered Accountants 28-30 Old Mountfield Road Omagh BT79 7BJ BANKERS Ulster Bank Strabane Branch 29 Abercorn Square Strabane BT82 8AL SOLICITORS Babingtons Solicitors 74 Railway Street Strabane BT82 8EQ
an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The Kirk Session The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote the spiritual interest of the congregation and of persons not connected with any congregation who are within its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place in the congregation and seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Session has delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all funds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-officio members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the minister in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held in January, March, May, September and November and as required. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant on its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office can be either by the congregation or by the Kirk Session. Members are elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote. 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. Second Castlederg Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Omagh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. 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.
Presbyter an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRE5BYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES 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 Second Castlederg Presbyterian Church is a congregation 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 its members to play their part in fulfilling God's mission to our world. The congregations mission statement is: second Castleder Mission Statement We are the church at the heart of the town, called by God to have a heart for Him, a heart for each other and for our community and our world. A heart for God: In worship. in praying together; in studying and reading His Word in the Bible; in learning together in Sunday School; in using our time and our gifts to serve Christ and others. A heart for each other: In welcome,. in friendship; in our laughing together and ourweeping together; a heart for each other as we encourage one another," bear one another's burdens. pray for one another. forgive one another and love one another. A heart for our community: As in GB we seek serve and follow Christ together; as in BB we make it ouraim to be sure and steadfast. In the fellowship and friendship of bowls; In the sharing of good new5 in Holiday Bible Club,. A heart for our community as we hear Christ's call to love our neighbour as we value our own life.
an SECOND CASfLEDERG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) A heart for God's world: In PW as women meet to pray, to encourage and support mission at home and overseas; in our support forTear Fund, Mission in Cambodia, United Appeal Projects, Operation Christmas Child; in giving to the Presbyterian Children's Society, World Development, Moderatorfs Special Appeals and the many personal opportunities to give and to care that Christ shares with us daily. We are the church at the heart of the town, challenged to keep the Lord at the heart of all we are and ever hope to be. AcfiviTIES AND OBJEcfivES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday at 10.30a.m. with visitors often joining us for the Service especially at Baptisms and at Harvest. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is observed in January, April and September during the year and all those who have been baptised and who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are admitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation holds a fortnightly Bible study meeting and has a wide range of organisations including Sunday School Girls, Brigade Boys, Brigade Bowling Club Presbyterian Women ACHIEVEMENTSAND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer During 2022, many of the restrictions associated with Covid 19 were gradually relaxed, so that by the end of the year just one area of the church building retained social distancing. The church choir is once more leading the praise along with our dedicated organist and they have been involved in preparing special music for Harvest and Christmas. As in 2021, gift bags of Easter eggs and Easter messages were left in the church pews for our Easter All Age Service and Communion. The Harvest Evening Service was reinstated and as it was our Ministerfs last Service before retiring it was well attended and was followed by a Harvest Supper in the church hall. Members of the congregation led the Christmas Carol Service and the Sunday School led the Nativity Service on the Sunday before Christmas.
an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) The Bible Study Group comprises both members of Second Castlederg and our linked congregation of Urney with 10-15 people attending our fortnightly meetings for study and prayer. We finished our series on Life Lessons from the Psalms and we also completed 12 studies in New Testament Characters. Both questions and Ministerfs comments continue to be ernailed to church members and a paper copy is also made available. The congregation is now also on Facebook, giving us more opportunities to connect with people and to advertise special events. Our Sunday morning Prayer Time has also resumed in person and continues to be well supported as we remember those who are ill and bereaved and as we prayfor our current vacancy and the appointment of a new Minister. Before Sunday School re-opened in September, Kirk Session distributed flyers to all families with children and this produced a very positive response with many children starting Sunday School for the first time. With the relaxation of Covid restrictions and social distancing, numbers attending Sunday Worship are gradually improving with between 60-100 at Worship each week. The Sacrament of Baptism welcomes children into our Church family and in 2022 seven children were baptised. There were six weddings and we also met to give thanks for the lives of nine of our members who died during the year and two former members re-joined the congregation. At 31 December 2022 there were 304 communicant members and 194 families connected with the congregation. Pastoral care The Ministervisits the sick and housebound on a regular basis and brings Home Communion to those who are unable to attend Sunday Worship. Members of Kirk Session have Elderfs Districts and visit Church members several times in the year. The monthly Service in one Nursing Home was gradually reintroduced during 2022 with the Minister leadingthe Service without the previous support of choir members. Pastoral visiting gradually returned to something more 'normal', but hospital visiting was often limited and sometimes only permitted for end of life care.
an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) Mission and outreach At a local level the congregation has a wide-ranging mission and ministry to the Castlederg community. Mission happens in manyways in our congregation. In our Youth Organisations we reach out to young people from the area, sharing the message of the Bible with those who have link with their local church and those who have none. Mission is also about serving and many of our members serve in local groups and committees that benefit the community in practical ways, such as Derg Valley Care. Contributions to our United Appeal for Mission that supports many individual ministries and projects at home and overseas raised £7589.70 exceeding our Target of Honour which in 2022 was £6400. The World Development Appeal for 2022 was entitled Rekindling Hope" and had its main focus on Lebanon. Along with its own political, economic and social difficulties worsened by Covid 19 and the devastating explosion in Beirut Port in 2020, Lebanon hosts 1.5 million refugees from Syria. Being a refugee not only labels you as 'stateless' but it also means that you are less likelyto access education for your children, health care and employment. This yearfs project supports a Tear Fund led project that aims to provide schooling, health care and self-employment in an area in southern Beirut. We will also be supporting a project in Sudan where as many as one in every three people have been displaced from their homes by conflict. Church members raised £1155.50 for the Appeal including Gift Aid. The PW co- ordinated the Samaritan's Purse Christmas Shoebox Appeal and 46 filled boxes were donated by the congregation and left safely for collection in the church pews. Instead of collecting 20ps and filling Smartie boxes, the Sunday School had a Sponsored Walk in Gortin Glens Forest Park in October raising £830 and cheques for £415 each were sent to E ile Action Nl and LTC Outreach and Foodbank in Omagh. The annual collection for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal on Remembrance Sunday raised £168.56. The annual collection for the Presbyterian Children's Society which supports hundreds of children and families with regular grants and also provides special emergency support took place in November and raised £588.75. Donations were also received for a special Afghanistan Appeal via Tear Fund and a total £257.50 was raised. With the outbreak of war in Ukraine and the huge humanitarian crisis that resulted, the Moderator launched a special appeal which raised £2060. The Holiday Bible Club resumed for three days at the end of July and focused on part of the story of Peterthe disciple. An average of 30 Primary School age children attended each evening, taking part enthusiastically in games, songs, memory verses and craft work. We are deeply indebted to all the leaders for the faith and skills they shared with the children. Up until his retirement in October, the Minister continued to lead School Assemblies in the local Primary School for different key stage age groups. Overseas, the congregation supports the missionary work of Khmer School of Language (KSL) Mercy Project in Cambodia, through the sale of used clothing and in 2022 this raised £2028. We are grateful that this project has been so well supported by the church and local community. The money raised is used to help purchase approximately 500 school uniforms for severely disadvantaged village children (this enables them to get an education, a meal per day and greatly reduces the risk of them being sold into the sex trade in Thailand). Each child also receives a
an SECOND CASTLEDERG pREsBER1AN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) supply pack {pencils, exercise books, etc., at the start of the school year). Children are not allowed to go to school if they don't have a uniform. If their parents can't afford a uniform, then the children can't go to school and parents see them as having no future so are tempted to sell them to the sex trade. These villages are incredibly poor- most people barely have enough money for one meal a day and live in extremely basic accommodation. A lot of these children would not get to school without support from the project. The KSL team also lead special Christian outreach events in their villages at Easter and Christmas as well as monthly visits to preach the gospel. In December 2022 the KSL team were able to distribute some seasonal treats of sweets and cookies on their visits to these village children. The project also supports 3 students in higher education with fees costing approximately £500 per student per year. These students are grateful forthe financial support which enables them to gain qualifications and enhances their opportunities in the work sector. All the money sent goes direct to the KSL Mercy Project. 100% of what we send is used by the project. Bowlin Club Re ort 2022 The Bowling Club normally meets on Wednesday evenings from 8.00pm until 10.00pm from January to March and from September to December. However, there was a very high incidence of Covid-19 in the area in the early months of 2022, so the club did not re-open until September 2022. In the period during which play was not possible, from March 2020 until it re-opened in September 2022, many of the older members had become too infirm to return to the mats and numbers were low at the beginning. However, membership gradually increased and by the end of 2022 there were 14 members, (11 men and three ladies) seven of whom are members of Second Castlederg Presbyterian Church and the other seven drawn from the wider community. We were pleased to see a number of younger members in their 30s joining the club and each member paid a fee of £20.00. The club made a donation of £100 to Second Castlederg Presbyterian Church. Several of these younger members played in competitions at other clubs, while the older members enjoyed the fun and companionship of competing in their home club against their friends and being able to have some social contact after more than two years of relative isolation. At the end of October 2022, our club in 2. Castlederg held an internal competition, which was fiercely fought and greatly enjoyed by all the members. Regardless of age, all the members enjoyed their cup of tea and biscuits, with the weekly chat and mutual support that is so important for all and especially forthose living alone. We lookforward with optimism to 2023. Presb erian Women Our PW encourages women in their Christian life and invites them to know God's presence as they meet in fellowship and love. The PW group in Second Castlederg Presbyterian Church seeks, through the Grace of God, to be a blessing in our homes, our church, our community and in the wider world. Our PW group, to which all ladies from our congregation are invited, usually meets on the third Monday evening of each month from Octoberto April. Between 12 and 16 attend.
an SECOND CA5fLEDERG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) Every second year, (not since 2019, due to Covid pandemic) at the AGM, the ladies elect a PW Committee, consisting of a Leader, Deputy leader, Secretary and Treasurer, plus four other members. The present Committee was elected in April 2022. In June 2022, the PW Committee had a meeting to plan the PW programme for the 2022/2023 session. The Committee subsequently met via zoom on two occasions forfurther planning, and also kept in touch with each other via WhatsApp and email. One member of our Committee does not have this facility. The Leader continued to communicate with hervia telephone, updating her on Zoom and WhatsApp discussions and subsequently sharing her views with the other Committee members. The PW Committee organised a programme of worship, reflective readings, poetry and fun activities. We followed the PW theme for 2022/2023, "Deeper Together" from the Inspirational book produced by the PW Panel at Assembly Buildings in Belfast. As Covid restrictions eased we were gradually able to reintroduce visiting speakers. These included Flexercise demonstration and talk Preparing for Easter- reflection and Easter plant pot Previous member of our church family told us about her recently published book Local E3 school worker In April 2022 five ladies attended the Annual PW Rally which was held in Irvinestown. In May 2022 three ladies attended a PW conference at Assembly Buildings in Belfast. The speaker introduced the theme for the coming year, "Deeper Togetherf,. In October 2022 two ladies attended the PW Link meeting for the Omagh Presbytery. Many of the ladies who attend our meetings subscribe to "Wider World" the PW magazine which is published quarterly. During 2019 the ladies of ourgroup decided to sponsor a child through the"Adopt A Child" charity. The child we sponsor is from Guatamala. The money we send {£240 per year Plus £10 for a Christmas gift) to this organisation, contributes towards the cost of providing nutritional meals, dental, medical and pastoral care for the child. The ladies write to the child, regularly also sending Christmas, Birthday and Easter cards to show our encouragement, support and Christian love. In September and October 2022 the PW ladies, other members of our congregation and community collected items for our annual shoe box appeal forthe charity, Samaritans Purse. Committee members volunteered to shop for anyone who was unable to so. 46 boxes were filled and collected. The shoe boxes, containing suitable items for children of varying ages, were subsequently sent to children in poorer parts of the world, including Ukraine. These boxes brought joy, hope and Christian love to these children who have so little. During the year some of the ladies from our PW group knitted some garments for charity. small baby hats, baby cardigans and blankets for Neonatal Unit, Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Belfast baby hats for Labour Ward, Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry men's wool hats for Seafarers Mission trauma teddies for a respite facilityfor disabled children
an SECOND CASfLEDERG PRES8YfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) Our annual Fund Raising event is normally held in March. Unfortunatelythis was not able to happen in 2022 as we still had Covid circulating and some restrictions still in place. A Fund Raising Gospel Concert is planned for March 2023. Afamily gave a donation to PW for providing a funeral tea and two bequests from deceased members were sources of PW funds. During the year ladies save money in their Mission boxes which is sent to PW headquarters at Assembly Buildings, Belfast, for Home Mission, Overseas Mission projects and the support of Deaconesses. In 2022 charitable donations totalling £870 were made to the following: Mission boxes £620 - Adopt A Child £250 Bo s, Bri ade The Boys, Brigade is one of the biggest Christian Youth Organisation5 in the UK & Republic of Ireland, committed to providing opportunities for boys to meet together and engage in a range of fun and developmental experiences. Our company welcomes boys from the local area and a large proportion of these are not members of our Congregation. The company is divided into three sections: Company Section, for boys aged 11- 18 years, with 19 boys and two officers; Junior Section, for boys aged 8 - 11 years, with 13 boys, two officers, one adult helper and two young helpers from Company Section: Anchor Boys, for boys aged 4 - 7 years, with 26 boys, one officer and five adult helpers. Our Boys, Brigade groups normally meet each week from Octoberto the end of March. In 2022, however, there were no face-to-face meetings in January, due to the coronavirus pandemic, but leaders still maintained contact with the boys through technology, bearing in mind Child Protection guidelines. Face-to-face meetings resumed in February. All boys pay an enrolment fee of £10 at the beginning of each session and then pay a weekly subscription of £1.00. Other income comes from an Education Authority grant and from donations made at the annual Enrolment Service and at the Parents, Night. From the income received, capitation fees have to be paid annually to BB Headquarters and the remainder is spent on supplies for weekly activities, transport to events and prizes for the end-of-year Parents, Evening. In 2022, our income came from enrolment fees and weekly subscriptions during October, November and December, a BB Weekfor boys in the Company Section, donations at the Enrolment Service, along with a grant from the Education Authority. Our normal well-attended Parents, Evening was not held in March, reducing the income of the Company. Anchor Bo The Anchor Boy Section of the Boys Brigade meets weekly on a Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in our Church Hall. Several meetings were cancelled in the early part of the year due to high rates of Covid 19 in the area but when we resumed, the boys enjoy a varied programme throughout the year of Bible stories, games, crafts & cookery. We were pleased to be able to have our normal Enrolment Service in December this year. We ended the year with an enjoyable party and we lookforward to 2023. 10
an SECOND CASfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (conVd} Junior Section In common with the other sections, we had to cancel our meetings in January. When we came back, we had quizzes, games and crafts in the Church Hall and finished up the season with a paty in March. The new season started in October 2022. During the meetings, the boys took part in games, including football, land, sea and air and team games in squads. They also had arts and crafts and cookery, along with Bible work, including mime, Bible quizzes and word searches. We held a Hallowe'en party and games night at the end of October. A new venture was when we had a 'pet night, where the boys told us about their pets and then uploaded photographs of their pets on the group WhatsApp page. In November, boys from the Junior Section, along with boys from the Company Section, represented the Company at the Remembrance parade in the town centre. Our Enrolment Service was held in December and we also held a Christmas Jumper night to raise funds for the Cancer Fund for Children. We rounded off 2022 with a Christmas party, with Father Christmas giving each boy a present. Com an Sertion Although there were no meetings in January due to high rates of Covid 19 in the area, face-to-face meetings returned in February, but with a restricted range of activities. In January and February, our boys who were preparing for their President's and Queen's badgestook part in Skills Building Training via Zoom. At the beginning of the new Session in the autumn, Officers attended meetings of BBNI and the West Ulster Battalion regarding a prospective severing of the link between the BB in Northern Ireland and that in GB. Normal activities recommenced in October. During their Friday night meetings, boys took part in Scripture sessions, drill training, gymnastics (box work) football and team games. Two boys represented the company at the wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday in November. Also in November, our Officers attended a First Aid course to update their skills. In December, we held a BB Week to raise funds for section expenses and our Enrolment Service took place. We ended the year with a Non-uniform and Pizza Night to raise funds forthe Cancer Fund for Children. Sunda School We encourage in our children an understanding of the importance of attending Church and Sunday School, putting God first in our lives, and the importance of prayer and praising God. 11
an SECOND CASfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) Janua -June 2022 We had twenty-two pupils on our register and four leaders/teachers with two regular helpers and seven casual helpers. Lessons include the workbooks "Go Teach," The Lord's Prayer, Easter, forgiveness, and the Ten Commandments. We are including more crafts into the lessons, and memory verses. We are continuing to adapt to encourage children to attend Sunday School. We are using less workbooks and creating more crafts, using more memory verses, and incorporating more Christian songs and hymns for the children to listen to or sing to. More games and activities are also included and illustrate or relate to the bible story, creating a more fun environment. In June we had ouryouth and Young People's Service where the children took part in readings, prayers and short speaking parts, the theme was the Queen's Jubilee. We encouraged attendance by using our Facebook Parent group to encourage attendance, provide dates and times and to upload words of songs etc. We also presented Sunday School prizes. Younger children received Christian books and children movingto the senior classes [High School] received a Bible, while the older children received a £10 one4all voucher with book-marks, note-pads and pens with Bible verses included. We had our barbeque after the service and funds collected from the barbeque were divided between two charities, Smiles and Sightsavers. We also included any 20p smartie box collections which we were still receiving. A total of £800 was received and divided equally between Smiles and Sightsavers. In August we individually hand-delivered invitations to all parents in to encourage and warmly invite all children back to Sunday School in September. We ensured all parents were also invited to our Facebook parent group. t 2022 - Dec 2022 We have twenty-eight pupils on our register and four leaders/teachers with one regular helper and five casual helpers. Lessons include the workbooks "Go Teach," The Lord's Prayer, Harvest- sowing the seed, the Ten Commandments, Christmas. We are including more crafts, games and quizzes into the lessons, and memory verses. We continued with the two classes; however, we change and adapt lessons to encourage attendance, to suit children and make it more fun. We brought in more activities such as planting bulbs, displaying our activities on boards in the hall, creating scrap books which the children can take home in June, with all the activities and memory verses included. In October we organised a sponsored walk in Gortin Glen Forest Park and the money collected was divided between the two charities, Outreach Centre and foodbank Omagh and the Epilepsy Action Nl. We used our Facebook Parent group to encourage support and upload photographs. The total collected was £810 and £405 was contributed to each charity. 12
an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) The Sunday School children took part in the Harvest service saying a Harvest Poem and singing. Our minister was also retiring, and the children made Rev Clements an extra special gift, which had been included in our crafts during Sunday School. It was a tree with each child's fingerprint illustrating a leaf with their name beside it. We included a memory verse and framed it. We included it in a lesson about 'Giving.' Children also took part in our Christmas Service, reading a poem and dressing up in nativity costumes. They sang Littlè Donkey" One child also sang a solo, '0 little town of Bethlehem., Teachers also took part. Children were presented with selection boxes after the service. Photos and videos of the performance were added to the closed Facebook page for all parents to see, enjoy and support. We tried to organise a fun night, however this did not work out due to other commitments of parents and leaders, so as an alternative we held a party at our Sunday school class instead, when we decorated the hall, put up a Christmas tree and had party food and games and played Christmas music. Girls. Brigade 2022 Girls, Brigade is a worldwide, interdenominational, Christian, youth organisation, for girls aged 3 to 18 years. We meet outside school hours and offer ouryoung girls in the community an escape from the pressures of their everyday world. The company is run by officially trained volunteers. The Girls, Brigade programme is built on four headings, Spiritual, Physical, Educational and Service. The leaders present a balanced, age-related weekly programme suitable for the needs and interests of the girls, based on these four main areas. January- March: COVID-19 restrictions gradually commenced to ease little by little while at the same time we exercised extreme care and caution on health and safety. We were allowed to come together more and mix the groups. We were able to introduce additional activities and increase variety to the weekly meetings. Meeting times were extended. We held a pizza fun evening in March. Prizes and gifts were distributed to the girls. September: We were permitted to recommence by GBNI and our church leadership with many of the COVID-19 restrictions no longer applicable. Reopening night took place the first week in September with large numbers of returning members and new members for registration. Officers attended a GB teach-in scripture webinar. New leaders attended GB webinars on safeguarding and theory knowledge. A short entertainment programme of singing, dancing and poetry reciting was performed by the girls for the officers who had retired during the pandemic. October: Brigaders took part in the district unihoc competition. The older girls engaged in a competition organised by GBNI where they designed a postcard on a provided template on the 13
an SECOND CASTLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSfEES ANNUAL REPORT (conyd) theme 'What home means to you,. They used words, pictures, pens and pencils for their designs. In no more than 200 words, the girls were required to include why they chose the design and explanation. There were several of our entries highly commended. The winning designs will be used by Habitat Ireland to create postcards for promotion and engagement. GBNI has a new charity partnership with Habitat for Humanity Ireland. The younger girls participated in the GBNI art competition. They created and designed their own house or building using an old cereal box. They used paint, glitter and felt to decorate the boxes. They wrote a short description on a provided template about the building e.g. who lives or works there, what sort of things happen there, why is this building important. November: The Company was represented at the Annual Remembrance Service and Parade by three sub officers. Three leaders attended a local First Aid course and on successful completion each one was awarded a First Aid certificate. December: The Company attended the joint GB and BB Enrolment Church Service. Brigaders and Seniors had a Christmas shopping trip to Foyleside shopping centre. The officers and leaders organised Christmas parties and refreshments for all sections. A welcome visit from Santa with the presents went down a treat. Explorers had worship, songs, craft, no-bake cookery, games and stories with lots of visual aids as in big picture books, puppets and posters. The children's Bible was used with the very young girls and colour-in-sheets, while the older Explorers followed the Biblical course set by the spiritual team of GBNI. Juniors, Seniors and Brigaders had their GBNI scripture teaching and Bible class. These same sections enjoyed a variety of crafts, cookery, sport and Brigade knowledge in the weekly programme. Seniors and Brigaders were involved in group challenges, team work and decision making. The numbers of girls and leaders attending has been consistent. There has been no decrease in membership following the pandemic and resuming 'back to normal, activities again in September. We have girls from our own congregation and also a large number attend from the neighbouring churches. There are 125 girls and 14 leaders. 2022 Membership Explorers: 3-7 years 52 girls 5 leaders Juniors: 8-10 years 25 girls 3 leaders Seniors: 11-13 years 4 leaders Brigaders: 14-18 years 23 girls 2 leaders 14
an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYtERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) Volunteers None of this outreach, ministry and service to the community would be possible without the large number of people who volunteer to be involved in the work and witness of Second Castlederg. The Trustees recognise their commitment, dedication and their willingness to share their time and abilities. We also record our gratitude to the members of the Church Committee, past and present, for their faithfulness, hard work and the multitude of ways that they make a difference through the sharing of theirtime and the living out of their faith. PUBUC 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 congregations and their 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 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 beneficiaries of this purpose are 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 Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions public benefit requirement statutory guidance. 15
an SECOND CASfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT {conYd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main source of income is members, contributions through the Weekly Freewill Offering which totaled £63,826 in 2022 (£65,339 in previous year). Total income for 2022 was £110,501 (£106,807 in previous year}. Total expenditure increased from £90,933 to £102,705 in the year. RESERVES The Trustees of Second Castlederg Presbyterian Church have considered the level of unrestricted reserves that it IS 3ppropriate to hold, taking account of current and ongoing commitments. It is the policy of the Trustee5 to hold at least six months, normal expenditure. At the year end, unrestricted reserves were £63,997, which represents a higher level of reserves. The Trustees, however, consider it prudent to hold reserves at this level as the funding of its present activities is dependent on the ongoing financial support of members. This policy was adopted by the Trustees attheir meeting on 13 January 2022. 16
an SECOND CASTLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the congregation in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice. As the congregations 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 congregation's transactions 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 irregula rities. Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 04" 25 and signed on its behalf by lJ<•- Daphne Watt Alex Fletcher 17
an INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRusfEES OF SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND We report on the accounts of Second Castlederg Presbyterian Church for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on pages 19- 25. Respective responsibilities of tharity trustees and examiner As the charitvs trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is our responsibi lity to: Examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charites Act Follow the procedures laid down in the general Direction given bythe Commission under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act State whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report We have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charites Act and our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. Our 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. Our role is to state whether any material matters have come to our attention giving us cause to believe: l. 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 Charites Act 4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Independent examinerfs statement We have completed our examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (l) to (4) listed above and in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, we have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. Hamill Mcllwaine Chartered Accountants 28-30 Old Mountfield Road Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT79 7BJ Date: 18
an SECOND CA5fLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTY Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2022 Note Unrestricted Funds Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Total 2022 Total 2021 Receipts Donations and legacies Cha rita ble activities Investment Income Other 58,771 30,429 4,825 284 13,550 89,200 4,825 1,138 15,338 95,610 4,824 924 5,449 854 1,788 61,413 49,088 110,501 106,807 Sale of fixed assets Loan Received Total Receipts 61,413 49,088 110,501 106,807 Payments Raising funds Charita ble activities Other 66,819 20,846 10,040 87,665 10,040 81,122 4,811 66,819 30,886 97,705 85,933 Purchase of fixed assets Loan Repayment 5,000 5,000 5,000 Total Payments 66,819 35,886 102,705 90,933 Net receipts / (payments) Transfers between funds (5,406) 13,202 7,796 15,874 Net movement in funds Funds brought forward (5,406) 69,403 13,202 53,885 7,796 123,288 15,874 107,414 Funds carried forward 11 63,997 67,087 131,084 123,288 19
an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES As at 31 December 2022 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Total Funds 2022 Total Funds 2021 Funds Reconciliation Bank and Cash at start of year Net movement in funds 69,403 (5,406) 53,885 13,202 123,288 7,796 107,414 15,874 Bank and Cash at end of year 63,997 67,087 131,084 123,288 Bank & Cash Balances Bank Deposit Accounts Bank Current Accounts 109,308 21,776 110,565 12,723 131,084 123,288 Other Assets Fixed Assets- Note 9 Investments- Note 10 45,533 49,606 45,533 49,606 Liabilities Loans (6,000) (11,000) (6,000) (11,000) Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 04/ -/z5 and signed on its behalf by: Daphne Watt Alex Fletcher 20
an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE pRE5BERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND NOTESTO THE ACCOUNTS 31 December 2022 ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS As the total income of the congregation is less than £250,000 the congregation have 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. The congregation has reviewed the basis on which it prepares its accounts and in order that these are prepared on a strict receipts and payments basis it has eliminated from its fund balances any funds which are not held in bank or cash balances. Any other funds which the congregation holds, in particular investments, are disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. FUND ACCOUNTING Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be retained either permanently or at the congregation's discretion. the income derived from the endowment 15 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 congregational 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 congregation's general purposes. Designated funds are general funds set aside by the congregation for use in the future. 21
an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND NOTESTO THE ACCOUNTS 31 December 2022 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES Unrestricted Funds Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Total 2022 Total 2021 Freewill offerings Loose collections Donations and gifts Gift Aid Legacies and bequest 50,394 220 15 8,142 13,432 113 12,695 4,189 63,826 333 12,710 12,331 65,339 191 18,560 11,520 58,771 30,429 89,200 95,610 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Unrestritted Funds Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Total 2022 Total 2021 Fees from weddings and funerals Fundraising events Grants 4,825 4,825 4,824 4,825 4,825 4,824 INVESTMENT INCOME Unrestricted Funds Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Total 2022 Total 2021 Deposit interest General Investment Fund Other investment income 186 656 12 194 932 12 16 897 11 276 854 284 1,138 924 22
an SECOND CASTLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (cont'd) 31 December 2022 OTHER INCOME Unrestrirted Funds Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Total 2022 Total 2021 Organisational income Period icals Other income 13,298 252 13,298 252 1,788 4,642 240 567 1,788 1,788 13,550 15,338 5,449 RAISING FUNDS Unrestrirted Funds Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Total 2022 Total 2021 Fundraising events CHARITABLE AcfiviTIES Unrestrirted Funds Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Total 2022 Total 2021 General Assembly Assessments Presbytery fees Ministry and support staff costs Congregational running expenses Donations to Missions and charities Governance costs 10,990 434 34,214 20,541 10,990 434 34,295 26,243 12,538 442 38,186 16,379 81 5,702 15,063 15,063 640 12,957 620 640 66,819 20,846 87,665 81,122 23
an SECOND CAsfLEDERG PRE5BYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (cont'd) 31 December 2022 OTHER EXPENDITURE Unrestrirted Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Funds Total 2022 Total 2021 Organisational expenses Loan Interest Periodicals 9,632 156 252 9,632 156 252 4,415 156 240 10,040 10,040 4,811 FIXED ASSETS The congregation owns the Church premises situated at Strabane Road, Castlederg and the associated fixtures, fittings, plant and machinery. These have an approximate insurance value of £1,553,000. The congregation also own the manse building which has an approximate insurance value of £333,000. During the 2018 year the congregation purchased a property for £154,000 to enable the church to expand their car parking facilities. During 2019 the demolition of the property took place and a car park built in its place. The work was completed at a cost of £34,406. 10. INVEsfMENTS The congregation has the following investments. Amounts are shown at market valuation. 2022 2021 General Investment Fund Other investments 45,511 22 49,587 19 45,533 49,606 24
an SECOND CASfLEDERG PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (cont'd) 31 December 2022 11. FUND BALANCES Fund Balance at start Receipts Payment Surplus/ Transfer Balance at {Deficit) end Unrestricted Funds General Fund 69,403 61,413 (66,819) (5,406) 63,997 69,403 61,413 (66,819) (5,406) 63,997 Restricted Funds Property Fund Missions Fund Organ Fund Sunday school Girl's Brigade Bo¢s Brigade pw Bowling Club Youth Council Bequest to stipend Magazines 37,726 272 634 5,612 6,912 332 1,326 1,025 46 20,103 13,577 (10,200) (13,849) 9,903 (272) 47,629 634 5,516 10,565 495 1,161 1,041 46 1,777 9,336 2,507 1,275 180 {1,873) (5,683} (2,344) (1,440) {164) (96) 3,653 163 (165) 16 81 252 (81) (252) 53,885 49,088 {35,886} 13,202 67,087 Endowment Funds General Investment Fund Other investments Total 123,288 110,501 (102,705) 7,796 131,084 25