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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£175.5K
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Spending
£160.2K
- Charity no. 100058
- Date registered. 12/03/2014
Public benefits
In addition to spiritual benefits that derive from Christian practices and disciplines recent research shows that many other benefits accrue to church participants. T.M. Luhrmann has identified a range of physical and mental health benefits from church attendance such as lowered prevalence of depression, stress and blood pressure and bonding and
bridging social capital. New York Times, April 20, 2013. Bacon, 2004 (Splendid & Disappointing) provides local research evidence of these benefits and others. In addition to providing spiritual benefits both now and in Eternity, Biblical teaching and its application to daily life promotes respect for other persons and for law. It strengthens families, promotes citizenship and fosters democracy. Home groups generate social capital, and promote neighbourliness. They foster social integration and sharing of food and study on a weekly basis. Citizenship is promoted and Christian ethics are promulgated when the words and teachings of Jesus Christ are studied and followed. Activities for young adults & adolescents reduce anomie & promote altruism and mutual understanding. Since its inception in 1981 a key principle of this church has been to respond to poverty and human need whether in our community or across the world. Elsewhere in this report we have provided an account of recent church donations to alleviate poverty and bring help to people in Ireland and overseas. Another key principle of the church is to welcome all whom Christ would welcome and to stress the value of, and need for, mutual understanding and reconciliation in our local communities and across the island of Ireland. Valuable public benefit accrues from the considerable quantum of voluntary and community work involved in presenting our English classes, the Art Club, Drop-in and related activities. With regard to the purpose of "Reconciliation" public benefit flows in the first place from the fact that our building is widely regarded as a neutral space and on a daily basis is visited by many people of all ages and diverse community and ethnic backgrounds. Further public benefit with regard to "Reconciliation" flows from many of the activities of the charity such as our English classes, the Art Club, Drop-in. Participants in those activities, who come from different community backgrounds, engage in reconciliation by meeting each other, participating in various educational and cultural activities, by forming friendships, and as they develop the confidence to explore their stereotypes and prejudices and experience new appreciations of diverse social and ethnic backgrounds. This interaction and broadening of views makes an important contribution toward improving mutual understanding, fostering reconciliation and to promoting community harmony.
What your organisation does
Each of the following activities is open to members of the public. Public Worship and instruction: Communion and all age Bible teaching take place each Sunday morning. This includes Bible teaching for adults, Sunday school and Bible class with crèche facilities provided. Six home groups meet on week nights in Coleraine and the surrounding area
providing an informal space for Bible discussion, prayer and mutual support and friendship. Our parent and toddler group ‘Jolly Tots’ provides a safe place for babies and toddlers to play together, and serves as a gathering place for mums, dads, grandparents and other guardians. English Classes: provides an important free weekly resource to the local immigrant communities (especially Polish and Bulgarian). The Youth Club is a place where teenagers can meet in a safe and relaxed environment, and engage with a variety of creative activities, under the care of skilled and caring leaders. Drop-in: Provides an informal connection point for older teenagers to meet and chat. Art Club: this informal club meets twice each week and provides an opportunity for artists of all abilities (including beginners) to practice and learn together, under the supervision of an encouraging mentor. Sandelfest: This is a week-long summer community festival which provides a whole variety of free events for children, young people and adults. Mountsandel Christian Fellowship has developed a fruitful partnership with Oasis, a local charity, which provides a varied range of practical support for vulnerable people.
The charity’s classifications
- The prevention or relief of poverty
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of religion
- The advancement of citizenship or community development
- The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity
- The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
Who the charity helps
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- Ethnic minorities
- General public
- Overseas/developing countries
- Parents
- Preschool (0-5 year olds)
- Youth (14-25 year olds)
How the charity works
- Education/training
- Religious activities
- Welfare/benevolent
- Youth development