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2023-12-31-annual-report

Moneyreagh Community Church Trustee’s Annual Report 2023

Reference and administrative details

Charity Name: Moneyreagh Community Church Charity Registration Number: 108195 Contact Address: 21 Laurel Bank Manor, Moneyreagh, County Down, BT23 6FF

Independent Examiner: Vivienne Thompson, FCA.

Bankers: AIB, 35 University Road, Belfast, BT7 1ND

Trustees of the Charity: The members of the Moneyreagh Community Church Committee and principal office bearers act as trustees for the purposes of charity law. The trustees are

Rory Blake-Knox (Ordained Local Minister and Chair) Basil Barnes Malini Colville David Capper Kim Davison Barbara Hamilton Keith Hamilton Elaine Jones Alice McCallum Ross McQueen Jeremy Stewart

Gavin McClintock (resigned 14[th] April 2024) Jenna Laverty (resigned 14[th] April 2024) Allison Gourley (resigned 14[th] April 2024) Stephen Moore (resigned 14[th] April 2024)

Moneyreagh Community Church (MCC) is a missional church community within the Diocese of Down and Dromore, in the Church of Ireland. MCC is led by an ordained local minister and other staff, with vision, leadership and spiritual oversight provided by the Bishop of Down and Dromore.

Charitable purposes

As an organisation within the Church of Ireland, the charitable purpose of Moneyreagh Community Church is to advance the Christian faith, subject to the constitution of the Church of Ireland, and under the authority of the Bishop of Down and Dromore. The principal function of Moneyreagh Community Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of the parish of Moneyreagh, Crossnacreevy and Ballygowan, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, educational and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help is fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity.

Public Benefits

The expression of the precepts of the Christian religion through engagement with the general public, and in particular with the disadvantaged, the sick, the elderly and the young is a public benefit. This can be measured and evidenced through increased social integration and pastoral care delivered at the point of need. The direct benefit of participation in Church life includes the enjoyment of public worship and the giving and receiving of pastoral ministry, improved understanding of the values relating to civic engagement, community cohesion and providing a bridge between diverse groups as well as improved educational outcomes through the Church’s ministry of teaching. The beneficiaries are the general public, and the public valuation of the benefits can be evidenced through attendance at public worship, participation in Church governance and willingness to support through contributions the continuing witness of the Church. The wider benefit to the public will outweigh any detriment arising in the course of Christian outreach. Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of our Christian ministry or to lay staff is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of religion. No Trustee may receive remuneration, reward or other private benefit for carrying out their Trustee responsibility.

The following is a summary of some of the activities and initiatives of Moneyreagh Community Church within the community, delivered through staff, parish members and volunteers during the year.

Achievements, Performance and Public Benefit

All the functions of the parish relate to the advancement of religion through holding regular worship and communicating with and caring for parishioners and others in our community.

Regular worship and prayer services are held for the congregation and indeed for the wider local community.

Sunday mornings 11am

Sunday evenings

Prayer - New prayer rhythms

Life groups

Reflecting the number of young families in the parish, Moneyreagh Community Church has sought to provide a wide range of activities and initiatives for young people in the community.

Youth + Children’s

For adults in the church and in the community, Moneyreagh Community Church organised a number of other opportunities for fellowship and social activities during the year.

Men’s + women retreats & events

Men’s retreat in Rostrevor with Dolway Johnston Women’s retreat in Newcastle with Helen Warnock Men’s motorbike trip Women’s brunch and walk

Men’s group outings to rugby matches.

In fellowship with Christians throughout the world, Moneyreagh Community Church held special services and events/activities at Easter.

Easter 2023

Another special time of year for the Church and for the community is Christmas, and this is reflected in church activities.

Christmas 2023

Seniors

2023 was the 10[th] anniversary of the founding of Moneyreagh Community Church. To mark this occasion there was a special service with Bishop David McClay, with invitations to community leaders, sponsors/supporters and others from the wider Church of Ireland community. Special videos were recorded by various members of the congregation, testifying of the transformation in their lives.

The leadership and congregation of Moneyreagh Community Church recognise that where the church is placed matters and they are fully committed not just to the flourishing of personal spiritual lives, but also to the flourishing of their local community. Local community engagement is therefore of vital importance.

Community coffee drop in on Friday afternoons

HOST

Community Fun day

- Car boot sales May/June

Harvest pumpkin patch family event

Supporting other organisations The church recognises its responsibilities to look beyond its own locality and during the year provided financial and other support to

Made for More – a group that provides workshop support for young people in relation to mental health, self-esteem, drugs and alcohol, usually partnering with other youth organisations.

Open Doors – a charity that support Christians throughout the world who are persecuted for their faith.

Christians Against Poverty – an organisation that seeks to help deal with debt and poverty.

Safeguarding Policy

Moneyreagh Community Church complies with the policies and procedures of the Church of Ireland Safeguarding Policy. All relevant staff have received the appropriate training and safeguarding is audited by Diocesan staff periodically. In all our activities designed to reach out to children and young people the parish adheres to Safeguarding Trust, the Church of Ireland policy for good practice in working with children and vulnerable adults. The Parish safeguarding trust panel continues to undertake its important role. The panel interview and obtain Access NI reports for all

new volunteers. In addition, each year the panel members ensure every Parish organisation is fully compliant and all their volunteers are aware of their responsibilities and standards of behaviour.

Financial Review

Moneyreagh Community Church’s policy is to create and retain dedicated reserves in keeping with prudent best practice planning. These reserves will need to be of sufficient size to meet the running costs for an agreed period ahead and facilitate medium- and long-term planning including provision for reinstatement and maintenance of all assets.

Going Concern

The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the parish can continue its activities for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these accounts and the financial statements for the year ended December 2023 can therefore be signed off as going concern.

Structure, Governance and Management

Moneyreagh Community Church is subject to the Church of Ireland Constitution. The Church Committee (Select Vestry) members are the charity trustees.

Recruitment and appointment of the Church Committee

All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 and either resident within the parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least 3 months, may register as general members (general vestry) of the parish, allowing them to attend and vote at general meetings, and to stand for election to the Church Committee (Select Vestry). General meetings are held at least once a year. The Church Committee (Select Vestry) members will hold their positions for a period of one year. Church Committee (Select Vestry) members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of terms served.

Pay and Remuneration

The salaries, tax, National Insurance and pension contributions of permanent staff were paid by Moneyreagh Community Church. Remuneration is in line with what is approved by the Diocese of Down and Dromore.

Organisational Structure

The Church Committee (Select Vestry) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the parish. The committee (Select Vestry) consists of the member of the clergy serving in the parish, and generally not more than twelve other members of the General Vestry elected at the General Vestry. The Select Vestry is chaired by the member of clergy officiating the parish. Select Vestry members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding how parish funds are to be applied. The Select Vestry meets at times fixed by the members. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the parish. The Chair of the Select Vestry is the Ordained Local Minister. Others serving on vestry include up to 12 registered members of the general congregation.

Compliance with Public Benefit

The trustees of Moneyreagh Community Church have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that parish activities entered into during the year have helped them to achieve the parish’s objectives as well as providing public benefit. The services and activities we provide benefit all age groups in our community by contributing to the spiritual wellbeing of the participants and the reinforcement of Christian values. They also provide pastoral support and connection to the church for families, individuals and those who live alone, in the local community.

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the statement of receipts and payments and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with Income of less than £250,000 requires the trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year. The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilities of the Parish. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

_____ 23[rd] October 2024

Church Committee (Select Vestry) Secretary