MINISTER: Rev Peter McIntyre

CLERK OF SESSION: Mr Neville McIlwrath TREASURER: Mr Jeffrey Condell

KIRK SESSION: Mr Jeffrey Condell, Mr John Irwin, Mr Ian Mcclung, Mr Jim McClung, Mr Neville McIlwrath, Mr Neville Robinson, Mr Wills Robinson.

CHURCH COMMITTEE: Mr Leslie Allen, Mr David Hetherington, Mr Rodney Condell, Mr Andrew McMullan

26th February 2023

It is difficult to believe that another year has passed by; time appears to move with increasing speed! In God’s Work this only serves to highlight the brevity of our lives, just like the flickering candle; so little time to let our lights shine. We are so grateful for the lampstand here in the Clogher Valley which brings forth the message of Christ, the light of the world.

The Lord’s Treasury

On behalf of our Session and Committee I thank you as a congregation for your sacrificial giving to the Lord’s Treasury. To God be the Glory!

The summary of the accounts for the year ending 31st December 2022 shows that the free will offerings have increased substantially from the previous year, by approximately £14,000.

The page relating to the building project highlights several salient points. While the project spend to date has been £1,040,540, the Lord, through this congregation, has provided over £600,000 to date – an astonishing amount. This leaves us a debt of £349,003. This debt consists of £260,000 in interest free loans and £89,0003 in bank overdraft as at the close of 2022. This debt will rise this year as we have approximately £50,000 yet to pay to bring the project to a completion.

Therefore, to meet the target of clearing all debts by our 60th Anniversary in 2030 we need our Building Fund income to reach £50,000 per annum. Based on our giving to date this is a most realistic and achievable target.

The monthly Building Fund offering will continue as normal on the third Sunday of each month. There will be special offerings during the year also, our next special offering will take place at Easter. As we have now required bank borrowing, I am appealing for further interest free loans. An interest free loan will always be repaid on demand or on the death of the lender(s). We have already saved a lot of money through the interest free loans we have already received. Please speak to either myself, or the Treasurer, if you have any questions.

During the past year works were carried out to the Manse. With a new oil boiler, wood burning stove and insulation to the sitting room the accommodation has been greatly improved; Elizabeth and I appreciate this work which was approved by Session and Committee.

As always, we are greatly indebted to our Treasurer, Mr Jeffrey Condell for his painstaking and conscientious labours, who along with Mr David Hetherington (Assistant Treasurer) are most faithful stewards.

Worship and Prayer

Your support and encouragement throughout the year means more than words can possibly convey. During 2022 we studied the 1st Epistle of John in our morning worship, completed a series on the Books of Chronicles in the midweek Bible Studies and returned to some meditations in the Book of Psalms. It was a blessing to be able to return to normal Communion Services after the Covid restrictions.

The Sunday evening testimony season in May was well supported as we heard stories of grace from Mr Alastair Hamilton, Mr David Robinson, Mr Lavelle McIlwrath and Pastor Trevor Gillanders. During harvest, and in the following week, we greatly appreciated the ministry with brethren who have been associated with our witness through the years; Rev’s David Brown, Raymond Robinson, Raymond Morrow, Ray Carscadden and John Morrow.

Missionary visits throughout the year have sharpened our vision for the worldwide field. Two visits stand out in memory. One from Stephanos and Magda Botonis, colleagues of Andrew and Beulah from CEF in Greece. Their insights into God’s work in Greece was challenging and helpful. Rev Ray Carscadden also conducted deputation on behalf of the work in Uganda, where he will be relocating, together with his wife and children later this year.

Please pray that God’s Word will change our lives and that our prayer meetings would be faithfully supported, a place where we meet with God.

Church Activities

2022 saw a full return to our church program after the COVID years. We are thankful to all who lead and assist with the Children’s and Youth Ministries of our congregation. The Clogher Valley Show outreach provided an opportunity once again to sow the seed of God’s Word which, together with the cost-of-living themed video, reached a substantial cohort with the gospel. I have re-commenced visiting the Gilbrooke Nursing Home every month to bring a message to the residents. Our appreciation to Mr Neville McIlwraith who led this good work faithfully for the last twenty years. The radio broadcast continues to be aired every Sunday at noon, reaching people we will probably never meet. Please pray for these various aspects of ministry this year, that precious souls will be won for Christ.

Church Hall Opening

During Harvest in October our former meeting house was reopened as a Church Hall by one of our former pastors, Rev David Priestley. This was a happy of evening of fellowship when we were able to enjoy the facilities provided by the Church Hall for the first time.

Radio Ulster Broadcast

In October we had the most unique privilege of having our Sunday Morning Service broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster to the tens of thousands of listeners who tune in on a weekly basis on the 10:15 time slot. Our Youth and Sabbath School participated with one of our Sunday School Teachers, Mrs. Avril Robinson bringing her testimony, which I know was a help to many people. The Lord gave help for the ministry of His Word when I spoke on the perfect love which casts out all fears. As a follow on from this event I was invited to share my testimony in the Belfast Telegraph in November. Opportunities such as these, to share the Gospel with many people, are an amazing privilege.

Sunday School Exams

We thank God we are blessed with a Sunday School where children have a desire to learn God’s word. Throughout the year each class memorizes a portion of God’s word and a number of catechisms, all of which are recited in the January examination. This year 38 pupils sat the exam with an excellent result achieved across all classes. Special mention to Noah Honeyman and Robbie McIlwrath who answered the full 107 questions in the Shorter Catechism. We pray that God would continue to keep His hand upon all the children of our Sunday School and particularly, Noah, Robbie and Matthew Kerr as they leave Sunday School and step out into adult life.

Congratulations

Once again children have been born into our church family, and we wish Shannon and Timothy Andrews and baby Arthur, and Bethany and Philip Wilson and baby Nayana, continued happiness and the Lord’s blessing. Christopher and Charlotte Allen, James and Jenny McMullan, Gary and Bethany Donaldson Alan and Rachel Neville, and Calvin and Hollie Moore also experienced the joy of marriage and we wish each couple well for their future.

Outgoing Church Committee

On behalf of the Kirk Session, I want to thank the outgoing Church Committee, Messrs. Leslie Allen, Rodney Condell, David Hetherington and Andrew McMullan for their work over these past nine years. The building project has meant long meetings, late hours with long suffering wives waiting at home! Every decision was taken in a good spirit when the presence of God was evident. We have been fellow labourers in the Gospel.

The Session also wishes to pay tribute to our two brethren elected onto the Church Committee at the last election just over nine years ago, but who are now in Glory. The late Messrs. Kenny Andrews (Church Secretary) and Norman Boyd left empty seats; we missed their presence and their words. Both brethren loved the work of God in the Clogher Valley and made positive contributions to the discussions that ultimately led us to the building project.

Appreciation

A word of personal thanks to our Caretaker Mr Clive Keys, appointed only last year; our groundsman Mr William Cuthbertson and his workers, who also keep the car park salted and safe in frosty weather, our organist Mrs. Ingrid Irwin and the team of pianists for their faithfulness in providing musical accompaniment, Mr John Robinson and his team of technicians who look after sound, visuals and livestreams, Mr George Condell for his help with the announcement video each week, Mr Andrew Robinson for looking after the Church heating and to our two Missionary Council representatives, Mr Mark Robinson and Mr Robert Gillespie who not only attend the meetings but keep us updated with the ongoing work of our missionaries across the world.

Praying for God’s blessing upon every family in our congregation.

 Your Friend and Pastor

Peter McIntyre

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