Celebrating 400 Years of Presbyterian Witness

with Thanksgiving

The Session, conscious that this year will be the four hundredth anniversary of the Plantation of Ulster decided to mark this milestone in some appropriate manner.

They appointed a sub-committee to investigate how best we could move forward.   This Committee – 2010 Committee – have had a number of Meetings and in their recommendations have proposed a wide range of activities to be held during the year.  These include: Hogmanay Watchnight Service, Thanksgiving Service, Gospel Concert, Bowls Fun Night and Supper, Old-Tyme Communion Service, Treasure Hunt and BBQ, Open Air Service, Children’s Party, Youth Praise Night, Congregational Meal and ending with Hogmanay Watchnight Service.

As an introduction, we have published “The Planters: Roots and Branches” by Jim Reaney. This book follows the footsteps of the people who came from Scotland. These Presbyterian ‘planters’ came to live, build houses and churches. They established a new way of life and a faith, of which we as a congregation during 2010 do give thanks to God.

The ‘2010 Committee’ also recommend there be no admission charges to most of these events. However, a voluntary subscription can be given to defray expenses. Any surplus will be given to our “Planting Mission”. Also, the sale proceeds of “The Planters: Roots and Branches” will be donated to our “Planting Mission” and the Irish Mission of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI).

What is the ‘Planting Mission’? It will be a fund administered by the Kirk Session for distribution to the ‘planting’ or building of a new church in conjunction with the Board of Mission Overseas of PCI. It is envisaged that rather than send a Team to build that we will forward money enabling much needed employment to the local community.