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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£0.4K
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Spending
£0.4K
Public benefits
The direct benefits flowing from the organisation's purposes are: Adults from different denominations and traditions living in Ballymena town and surrounding area are invited and welcomed to share in Christian worship and meditation with accompanying social interaction through simple hospitality. These events generate a sense of goodwill and
foster interdenominational, interfaith and cross-community friendships. Audiences have opportunity to hear and question high profile and authoritative speakers on their life experiences, benefits and challenges of interdenominational and cross-community activities. Political representatives for Ballymena constituency at Borough Council, Assembly and Westminster levels are welcomed to meet in neutral and non-combative settings to share experiences and aspirations with each other and citizens from across denominational and faith groups. These benefits are evidenced through formal and informal feedback from attendees and participants in events has been positive. Individuals have expressed their appreciation of the opportunities to meet others and request repeats e.g. Day Retreats, social events. Attendances at Advent Reflections and Good Friday Walk have been maintained over many years and increased in 2018/19. BCMF (with other fora) is recognised for its 'valuable work' by M&EABC in its Good Relations Strategy Report 2018-2022 under Priorities 2 and 4. BCMF invited to be represented in wider community initiatives e.g. PSNI local Signposting initiative. We have not encountered any harm from any of these purposes nor do we expect to do so. The beneficiaries are members of the general public residing in Ballymena area. There is no private benefit flowing from the organisation's purposes.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Annual weekly Advent lunchtime Reflections held respectively in Catholic, Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian churches and led by their clergy. Open invitation on BCMF Facebook, churches Bulletins and local press. Simple hospitality provided by host church after each service. Annual Day Retreat usually led by member of local clergy and
held in Christian Retreat/Conference Centre. Transport provided. Open Invitation. Occasional Day Visits to other faith groups/centres organised jointly with Interethnic Forum (IEF). Transport provided. Open invitation. BCMF promotes and supports Annual Good Friday Walk of Witness in Ballymena arranged by Clergy Fraternal. Healing Services led by International Divine Healing Ministries or non-denominational speaker These have been held in Catholic, Church of Ireland and Methodist churches according to availability. Open invitation. Social evenings. Occasional informal evenings to bring Forum members, friends and other organisations together. 'Conversations' involving high profile religious and civic representatives on issues of faith, politics and social concerns e.g. Baroness May Blood with Baroness Nuala O'Loan; Father Martin Magill with Reverend Steve Stockman; Christian/Jewish/Muslim leaders. Discussion, light refreshments. Neutral venues. Open Invitation. Talks series e.g. 'Forgiveness', 'Common Good' with facilitated discussion. Intentional engagement with local elected representatives, MLAs and MP for Ballymena area by meeting with individuals and cross-party small groups. Ongoing. Other joint events with IEF e,g International Café. Open invitation. Proposed march 2020 Festival: Community/Church groups Art Project, panel discussion, musical evening, town centre prayer walk.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity
Who the charity helps
- General public
How the charity works
- Cross-border/cross-community
- Religious activities
