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Ballyclare
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Home Beliefs History in Ireland History in Ballyclare News and Upcoming Events Annual Report 2006 Annual Report 2007 Annual Report 2008 Annual Report 2009 Annual Report 2010 H.Q. 
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News and Events
Dear Friends,
I was just reading a poem by Eleanor Farjeon, which began:
When trees did show no leaves, And grass no daisies had, And fields had lost their sheaves, And streams in ice were clad, And day of night was shorn, And wind had got a spear, Jesus Christ was born In the ending of the year.
Certainly it is getting dark quite early in the evening and the shops are beginning to display the seasonal items. We have had a busy few months in Church, and we have a full programme for the next two months. We are approaching the ending of the year, and the celebration of the Birth of Christ. Let’s focus on all the good that can be done for others as we seek to serve Him in the months ahead. Do please make an effort to come along to Sunday Worship—you will feel the benefit of spending time in Church. Christ did come to make a difference—as the poem concluded:-
Like daisies to the grass, His innocence He’ll bring; In keenest winds that pass, His flowering love shall spring; The rising of the morn At midnight shall appear Whenever Christ is born In the ending of the year.
Colin Campbell
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Church News - December 2011
Plans for the use of the Session House are moving slowly and there is a need for considerable repair, refurbishment or restoration before it can be brought back into active use. - Watch this space.
The Women’s Group have had two interesting meetings recently.
Members from the Percy French group came along for the visitor’s evening. Through the readings of poetry, prose and song, illustrated with a wide range of slides the ladies had a most entertaining and enjoyable evening. Naturally the evening finished with a good supper, which the minister managed to arrive in time for. Excellent reports from all the visitors and thanks to our ladies for organising the show.
The Craft evening gave
the ladies a chance to learn and make their own individual Christmas
cards. Marion McClean from Holywood brought along a range of materials
and after some coaching the ladies got to work. Some of us may receive
one of these special cards in the near future. Again, after a good supper the ladies continue to meet and work together. The next project may be our dinner at the end of November. All ladies invited along to meetings .
Harvest Service on 9th October. Mr Mervyn McCullagh a former missionary to Indonesia and the current executive officer of the Irish Council of Churches, was the guest speaker at the service. He gave an interesting talk to the children and a challenging address to the congregation. The church was beautifully decorated and the choir, under the guidance of Mrs Ethel Logan sang a number of anthems.
The children also played their part guided ,by Mrs Mary Surgeoner, Jennifer Forsythe and Cathy Warnock., to complete a very enjoyable service. Our thanks to all who contributed in any way.
Exhibition of paintings by SJ McKendry on 13th and 14th October. There was a really interesting and beautiful display of paintings in the church and schoolroom for the exhibition. Many people had the opportunity to look back to earlier times in Ballyclare and the surrounding district when they saw some of the paintings from times past.
Thanks to Jeanette’s energy , skill and enthusiasm, some £580 was raised for the Children’s Hospice and a further £580 plus door offerings for the church funds. Cheques were presented on 30th October to the minister and Roberta McCudden.
I would express our thanks to Jeanette Mckendry for her hard work. And to all who came along and supported the event.
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Church News - September 2011
Annual Church Outing
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Children’s Day On Sunday 19th June the Annual Children’s Day Service was held when the pupils of the Sunday School were responsible for morning worship. The service was led and introduced by Jack Forsythe while the children’s choir sang the Introit "Thank You Lord" and later the piece "Jesus Loves Me". The Bible readings were done by Rebecca, Ewan and Adam plus a special reading for Father’s Day from Christina, William and Rhianna. The Offering was collected by Jed, Emily ,Lauren and Rhianna after a special Children’s Day Sermon by Rev.Colin Campbell, who also presented the prizes for Attendance and Sunday School Work.
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Two very special presentations were made to the two Sunday School teachers who between them had given almost fifty five years to the work in the Sunday School. Rev. .Campbell paid a fitting tribute to Jackie Crooks (Sunday School Superintendent) who had been in charge of the Sunday School for no less than 36 years and also to Evelyn Meharg who had been her assistant for 18 years.
Mrs Mary Surgeoner has taken over as Sunday School superintendent with the support of Mrs Cathy Warnock and Mrs Jennifer Forsythe as new teachers. We offer them our best wishes and full support. Children are always welcome and encouraged to join the Sunday School.
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The Academic Training Board of our Church has produced a programme for the coming winter with a theme based on the 400th Anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible.
There will be four meetings held at 7.00 pm on Sunday evenings.
Nov 20th Ballycarry. Rev Dr John Nelson. Creation of the King James Version. Feb 12th Comber. Mr Mervyn McCullough. Translations and use of the KJV. Mar 11th Dunmurry V. Rev. Bill McMillan. Bible - Interpretation, authority and application . April 22nd Newry TBC. Scripture – Comfort or Challenge.
The programme should prove to be both interesting and valuable with lots of food for thought. The board would encourage members to support the activities arranged.
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PROGRAMME OF MEETING TOPICS FOR ---oOo---
Best wishes to :- Mr. Robert Irvine who has been in hospital. Mr. Mervyn Carnwrath who is recovering from a serious fall. Those members who have been ill or are unable to get out regularly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Previous News Church News - July 2011
The Rev Colin Campbell took Mrs Kathleen Campbell away to Tenerife to celebrate Kathleen’s Big Birthday. During Rev Colin Campbell’s absence Mrs Jeanette McKendry took the Service on Sunday 15 May and Dr Heather Walker on Sunday 22 May. We were very pleased to welcome Jeanette and Heather again to our pulpit.
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According to a recent survey, more than a quarter of all seven to fourteen year olds have not written a single letter in the past year. One in ten has never written a letter in their entire life. Yet about half of them in this age group regularly send emails or leave messages on a social networking site.
World Vision, who commissioned the recent poll, found that child education experts are concerned at these findings. It seems that many children are leaving primary school unable to even set out a letter. One expert says: “If children do not write or receive letters, they miss out on key developmental benefits.” A hand-written letter is more personal than an electronic message any day. If any of you, children or adults would like to write a letter for the Calendar, then I know that I would be pleased to use it in the Calendar.
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WHY BRITISH MEN LIKE WEARING SOCKS WITH THEIR SANDALS
It is not a pretty sight, but at least there may be an historic explanation as to why British men have a liking to wear socks with their sandals in the summer. It seems the idea could be ‘one of the things the Romans did for us.’ Seriously.
Archaeologists on a dig in Yorkshire recently uncovered a rusty nail from a Roman sandal which had impressions from fibres that suggest that a sock-type garment was being worn by the Roman invaders. The idea of Ben Hur in socks boggles the mind, but - you never know.
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The recent Fireside Quiz in aid of support for Rev. Campbell’s Romania Appeal raised £136. My thanks to Irene Campbell for organising the Quiz and to all who supported it. THE LAST 100 YEARS
In the last 100 years, since the census of 1911, what has been the biggest, most significant event to happen? In a widespread recent survey, the invention of the internet beat the Second World War and men walking on the moon into first place.
It seems that for sheer worldwide impact, there is nothing to compare to that eureka moment of Sir Tim Berners-Lee back in 1989. His invention has transformed daily life for billions of people the world over.
What of the next 100 years? Predictions for world-changing events include: a woman president in the USA, sea levels rising across the globe, men on Mars, the fall of the British monarchy, and World War Three. Seems we won’t be bored, whatever else. Genes Reunited, the family tree researchers, carried out the study.
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Sunday School The Sunday School have had another busy year and at the denominational Annual Service and Prize-giving our children and young people won 4 first prizes, 4 second prizes and 8 third prizes , in addition to the Betty Weaver Award for the best music/drama entry.
Jack Forsythe collected the award at the service in our Moneyreagh Church. All the prizes, along with our regular prizes for attendance, catechism and Sunday school work will be given out at the Children’s Day Service at our own church on Sunday 19th June.
As Mrs Jackie Crooks and Mrs Evelyn Meharg will be retiring from Sunday School after many years working with the children, this will also be an opportunity to say thanks to them. The whole team of teachers have worked exceedingly hard over the year, with the support of some members of the congregation and we are indebted to them.
The Sunday School outing took place on June 11th to Larne museum, where the children enjoyed the interactive dinosaur exhibition and other displays. This was followed with a visit to Carnfunnock Country Park for a Bar-B-Q with games, orienteering and a scavenger hunt. Our thanks to Mrs Mary Surgeoner for co-ordinating the events and activities and to all who helped out.
At the Children’s Day Service the offering will be for the work of the Sunday School and we hope that everyone will come to the schoolroom after the service for a cup of tea or coffee.
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Wedding
Congratulations to Brian Jones and Kathryn Barron who got married on 30th May 2011.
Bereavement. Mr Bertie McFerran died on June 8th . Bertie had been in nursing care for the last two years and had been in declining health. He had lived in our session house for twenty years and looked after the church while he was able. Bertie was one of Ballyclare’s real characters and had a deserved reputation as a fine ballroom dancer. His observations and humour will be missed. I would convey our sympathy to the family circle.
Members. A number of members of the congregation have been ill or in hospital recently and I would offer my thoughts and prayers to those members and their families. It is often when our health fails or when we are forced to remain at home that we really appreciate the health that we had. I do hope to see many of those recovering from illness or broken bones in the near future.
One opportunity to meet up together is on the Annual Church Outing which this year will be to Greenmount Agricultural College on Monday 13th June at 7.30 pm. Our thanks to Mrs Ethel Logan for organising the event from her ‘Sick Bed’.
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Our Harvest Thanksgiving Service... ...took place on Sunday 120h October 2010 and was conducted by the Rev. Jim Campbell a retired Presbyterian Minister and former missionary in Malawi who also chaired the Irish Council of Churches Board of Overseas Affairs. Special music was provided by the church choir led by their conductor and organist, Mrs Ethel Logan. The church was beautifully, yet simply, decorated and the choir sang an introit. The Children performed a presentation on the theme of HARVEST as well as welcoming the congregation to the church. Members of the congregation supported the service in a variety of ways and I would extend my thanks to all who helped in any way. Following the service some flowers, fruit and vegetables were distributed to those unable to come out regularly.
The Treasure Hunt... ...organised by Irene Campbell was a great success and raised over £120 for the Romania fund which supports a worker in Baraolt in Transylvania. It is hoped that some of our older young people will visit there next summer and Irene is now in the process of producing a Fireside Quiz to raise more funds. Many thanks Irene.
Centenary of first NSPCI Synod.
Mervyn McCullough; Mayor of Belfast and Rev Norman Hamilton were guests at the dinner which was held in the Harbour Commissioner’s Office.
The Session House It has been decided that the Session House should be refurbished. Having laid empty for a while the church made an application for planning permission for a change of use to allow us to undertaken business activities. This has been granted and we are now looking to develop plans to update the premises. Initial thoughts are to retain the outside character of the Session House but refurbish the interior including new kitchen area, toilets and new interior layout. Ultimately we are thinking of turning the house into an exhibition/office space. We have also considered establishing a heritage centre facility for Ballyclare as well. This may mean that the church grounds may need to be opened up to allow access to the refurbished premises. This will hopefully allow us to reach out to the wider local community to spread the word of God. However this will cost and initial estimates are that this could be in the region of £30,000. We will need to consider how best to fund this and will need to plan some fund raising activities. If you have any ideas or wish to discuss these please speak to Colin or any member of the Committee.
Back to Church Sunday There was a good attendance at our service in September and Billy Livingstone sang two lovely solos to add to the occasion. After the service there were refreshments in the schoolroom.
On Friday 17 December, the local clergy will collect for the Dean of Belfast’s Black Santa Appeal. They will, on a rota basis, sit out in Main Street and appreciate the support of the community for this worthy cause which gives to many local charities.
Congratulations to
Alan and Caroline Laird on the safe arrival of their baby daughter
and to
Clare and John Shannon on the birth of Isabella.
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Presentation.
Mrs Patricia McCadden from the local Children’s Hospice Support Group came in June and spoke about the work that is being done. She received a cheque for £550 which was raised through the sales of this year’s congregational calendar, which was organised and compiled by Mrs Jeanette McKendry using her own original paintings of Ballyclare and district.
The Congregation.
Mrs Jean Fears, one of our long serving and faithful members died after a short illness in June. Jean had a great love for the church and she was an active supporter of the Sunday School. The session and committee extend the sympathy of the congregation to her family at this time.
A number of other members of the congregation have been ill and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. At the time of writing, Mrs Rene Peoples is in Whiteabbey Hospital and I know that she enjoys the support of her family and the concern of the congregation. Mrs Annie Blair, wife of Sam has also been in Whiteabbey, and we also wish her a full recovery.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Dr.Gillian Rennie on completion of her medical
training and to Vanessa Surgeoner on her appointment as Head Girl of
Ballyclare High School.
Church News
There was a large congregation
for the
Annual Children's Day Service
on Sunday 20 June
. Most parts of the
service were carried out by the pupils of the Sunday School where
numbers at present are small. The service was introduced by Matthew
McIlrath who announced the various readers. Finn Devlin read the
Introductory Prayer---Dear Father and the first reading " The Robins
Song " was by Rebecca Smith. The children's choir sang "Jesus love is
very wonderful" and "Our God is a great big God" with soloist part by
Christina Warnock. Jack and Ewan Forsythe gave the reading "The two
brothers" and a prayer was made by Georgia McCann. The reading "I will
go with my father aploughing' was by Adam Surgenor and the special
collection was taken up by Jed McCann, Emily Warnock, Lauren Buchanan
and Finn Devlin.
Distribution of Prizes and
Awards The Sunday School Superintendent Mrs Jacqueline Crooks asked the Minister Rev.Colin Campbell to present firstly the individual prizes and then also the Awards which had been won by the children at the annual Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Ireland Conference at Comber earlier in the month. At the Conference , Ballyclare collected 10 cash prizes. they had the following successes---B3 Section 1st, B4 3rd Christina Warnock; B5 2nd Christina Warnock; B6 2nd Rihanna Logan;C1 3rd; D2 1st Adam,Ewan and Georgia;D3 2nd Adam,Ewan and Georgia; D4 3rd Finn Devlin;F7 2nd Jack Forsythe;G3 2nd Finn,Georgia,Adam and Ewan. Afterwards presentations were made to the staff of the Sunday School and those who had helped during the year
Annual Church Outing
This was a very enjoyable evening where everyone appreciated the wonderful summer weather as well as the meal and the visit to the old church.
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Wilson Logan, Phyllis Boyd, Clover Watts and Rev Colin Campbell at the excellent concert given by the Ballyclare Male voice choir on Friday 26 March in our Holywood Church. There was a very good attendance and many complimentary remarks about the soloist Clover Watts and the Male Voice Choir.
A lovely supper provided by the ladies was served after the concert in the Schoolroom.
Some of the people who walked from Bangor to Holywood on Easter Saturday. Here they are having some refreshments.
In this picture you can see the Moderator receiving a cheque from Rachel McEvoy for £200 for his Appeal to supply water in Bangladesh.
Rachel and the Moderator are enjoying a well earned rest!
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The Annual General Meeting of the Congregation was held on Sunday 21st March after morning worship.. There was a good attendance and Rev Colin Campbell conducted proceedings.
Mrs. Evelyn Meharg delivered a comprehensive ‘Secretary’s Report’, which highlighted the activities of the congregation over the last year. The ‘Treasurer’s Report’ was presented by Dr. Trevor Forsythe, and the ‘Sunday School Report’ was given by Mrs Jackie Peoples and ‘Women’s League Report ‘ submitted by Mrs Doris Forsythe. All of these reflected the commitment of members of the congregation and were adopted.
The Church Officers were re-elected. And the Rev. Campbell thanked everyone for their support. The Meeting concluded with prayer.
The A.G.M. is a once a year opportunity for each of us to be involved in the affairs of our church, to learn of the opportunities and concerns with which we will be faced in the coming year, and to be able to assist in furthering the well-being of our congregation.
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Denominational News.
The Moderator elect for the Denomination, is Rev Sam Peden. Sam will be installed as Moderator at the Synod Service at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 8th June in Dromore. This is an open service and everyone is welcome to come along. The main business of Synod will take place on Wednesday 9th June beginning at 10.00 am. with Rev. Norman Hutton due to be elected as Clerk. There will be a social evening at 7.00 pm on the Wednesday to conclude this year’s Synod. ---oOo---
I would like to thank the men’s working party for tidying up the front of the church. The Session House is still under observation and consideration.
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There will be a meeting of the Church Committee on Monday 7th June at 7.30 pm
In the Schoolroom. ---oOo---
Just a thought:
Intentions may be written in pencil, commitments should be written in stone.
---oOo--- Sunday School The Junior Sunday School Outing took place on Saturday 8th May,when the children visited Springvale Open Farm accompanied by Mary Surgeoner and Cathy Warnock with other teachers.
The Children have been working hard on their projects and this year the conference will be held on Saturday 5th June at 2.30 pm. This will be followed with prize giving and a Bar B Que.
The Children’s day Service will be held in Church on Sunday June 20th at 10.15 am and everyone is encouraged to come along and support the children and their teachers.
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The Women’s League Quarterly Meeting will be held on Saturday 5 June in the Meeting House at Dunmurry at 1.00 pm.
The cheque for their Annual Charity, which this year was for research into Macular Degeneration, will be handed over to the guest speaker.
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The Table Quiz on 18th September 2009, organised by Irene Campbell raised £106 for our Romania appeal. The evening was great fun and with plenty of prizes, everyone was a winner.
The Ladies Group met at ‘the
Manse’ in September with everyone bringing along a recipe. It proved to
be entertaining and the recipes were shared around. The second
meeting of the group, in October took place in the schoolroom with
possibly a Hallow’een theme. Childhood memories were shared and plenty
of laughter heard.
Samantha Zoe Buchanan, daughter of Mark and Sarah was baptised on Sunday 4th October. In the picture is Mark’s sister Julie who was married just a week earlier.
The Harvest Service took place on 11th October when the Moderator, Rt. Rev. R. McKee led the worship and the choir sang a number of anthems.
The church was beautifully decorated and after the service some gifts of fruit or flowers were distributed to some of those now unable to get out regularly.
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Women's League The Quarterly Meeting was held in Ballyclare Non-Subscribing Church on Saturday 13 June 2009 with 55 members attending. The meeting was opened with a short Service conducted by Marlene Ritchie Then the ladies were served a delicious tea.
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Annual Church Outing. Sunday School Games - Ballycarry Heat
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Your
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