THE CHURCH OF GOD at LARNE
MINUTES of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Charity held at 3- 5 Princes Gardens, Lame, BT40 IRQ. Charity no: NIC108337
HMRC no: NIO1296
Meeting on 30/06/2025 at 11.00am
Present: Pastor Alan Patton, Pastor Thomas Bell, Pastor David Spence, Pastor Stephen Reynolds.
Also in Attendance: Mr. William Foster representing the Congregation.
Apologies: None
1 Quorum
The Chairman opened the meeting and confirmed that a quorum was present, and the meeting proceeded to business.
Church of God Larne is constituted as a charitable trust registered with the Northern Ireland Charity Commission 18' October 2021. It is governed by a Trust Deed. The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits in their role as trustees.
Those present received a copy of the church accounts for the year ending 30[th] September 2024. The accounts showed an income of £15315.00 against an expenditure of £68529.00. This resulted of a deficit of £53214.00.
An explanation for this deficit was given as follows:
In April 2024 the Church of God Larne was approached as to the possibility of making an interest free loan of £60,000 to Glenmachan Tower House. (Nursing Home)
At that time, it was agreed that such a loan could be made. With the understanding that Glenmachan Tower House was to be sold and upon the sale of the above property repayment of the loan would be made in full.
As to the situation at present: The sale of Glenmachan Tower House is in its final stages and upon completion it is expected the loan will be repaid in full.
Leaving aside the loan and focusing on the day to day running of the church the accounts show an income v’s expenditure surplus of £6786.00
Sunday services have continued and will continue as usual from 11:00am and 6.30pm. Sunday School runs for children aged between 3 & 10yrs old. And an open prayer meeting is held every Tuesday morning at 11.00am.
We endeavor to make our Church an accessible and welcoming venue where all Christians, and/or those who wish to know more about the Christian faith and lifestyle, can gather together to learn about and put into practice their religion and worship.
An important part of our faith is charitable giving, and we are pleased to receive gifts and give gifts for the sole purpose of the relief of need and financial hardship of others, we will continue to support charities within the town of Lame and surrounding area. The trustees expressed their thanks to all helpers who generously volunteer their time and talents to support the Church throughout the year.
Objectives and activities: The objects of the charity are set out in the charity's trust deed and are summarized as follows To advance the Christian faith in the Lame area for the benefit of the public in particular through the holding of church services, prayer meetings, Sunday School and the distribution of literature on the Christian faith to the interest and benefit of others.
There being no further business to discuss the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Chairperson
Alan Patton