2023 IN REVIEW

CLOGHER VALLEY FPC ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2023 Ballagh Road, Kiltermon, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone

Charity Reference: 109429

MINISTER: Rev Peter McIntyre

CLERK OF SESSION: Mr Neville McIwrath

TREASURER: Mr Neville Robinson

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 George Condell, Mr Rodney Condell, Mr Robert Gillespie, Mr David Hetherington, Mr Clive Keys, Mr James McCluskey, Mr John Robinson.

Financial Summary

On behalf of the Session and Committee of Clogher Valley Free Presbyterian Church, it is my privilege to thank all our members and supporters for their committed and sacrificial giving to the Lord’s Treasury throughout 2023. An increase in the Free Will Offerings of £15,000 bears testimony to your commitment to the work of the Gospel in Clogher Valley. While our overall debt levels are only marginally down on the 2022 statement, we must bear in mind that the bulk of the retention money and other works were paid to Weir Brothers in December. Despite this large bill of £40,000, and other payments throughout the year, our debt was still reduced, indicating the strength of support for the Building Fund.

Retirements from the Treasury Team

During this past year our Treasurer, Mr Jeffrey Condell, announced his retirement after almost thirty years of faithful service. Jeffrey has been a most conscientious and meticulous Treasurer, spending many hours labouring over the Church accounts. To Jeffrey we express our appreciation. Recently Jeffrey told me that the work was never a burden, and I know that this was so because he did it joyfully unto the Lord. We are inspired by his example. Throughout most of his years as Treasurer Jeffrey was assisted by Mr David Hetherington, who is also retiring as Assistant Treasurer. We thank David for his constancy over many years.

Church Committee

In March last year we had an election of the Church Committee. We congratulate each brother and I appreciate the spirit of unity that we enjoy together in our deliberations. The one member of the previous committee who was not returned (as a result of not allowing his name to go forward for reelection due to his increasing commitments with CEF) was Mr Andrew McMullan. We thank Andrew for his work throughout the building project and his contribution to our committee meetings. We continue to pray for both him and Beulah with their many responsibilities and opportunities as directors of the South West Europe region of CEF.

Mr Neville Robinson was elected in 2023 as Church Treasurer and, Mr Rodney Condell as Assistant Treasurer with Mr Robert Gillespie appointed to look after the sale of books and magazines. Mr George Condell has agreed to take on the role of Data Protection Officer, which is a new position made necessary by GDPR regulations. Mr James McCluskey is looking after the catering requirements of visiting speakers with Mr John Robinson overseeing the media team and Mr Clive Keys advising on Church and Manse maintenance. The Church Committee also appointed Mrs Sarah Smith as Caretaker last year. We thank Sarah for her willingness to take on the role and her attention to detail. We also express our appreciation to Clive for fulfilling the role for the first two years since the new Meeting House opened.

Youth Fellowship

Mr Neville McIlwrath retired as Youth Fellowship Leader in 2023 after 32 years’ service. Multiple groups of young people passed through our youth group over these years benefitting from Neville’s consistency, his passion and his organizational ability. We appreciate Neville’s outstanding service to such an important aspect of the Lord’s work.

The Kirk Session appointed a new leadership team to oversee the Youth ministry, this being Mr Andrew and Mrs Victoria Robinson and Mr George and Mrs Nicola Condell. Their work began in earnest over the summer during the annual Teen Challenge week when Mr Phil Hartin brought the Word, being assisted by young people from his Serve Youth ministry.

Please remember them in prayer as they organise programs, meetings, catering, activities, annual weekends and as they endeavour to mentor the young men and women under our care. Pray especially for the Word of God, which is central to every youth gathering, that through it, the Holy Spirit would mould young lives.

New Ventures

In 2023 the Kirk Session authorised three new ministries. Mrs Avril Robinson is leading the Ladies Fellowship, Mr Neville McIlwrath “Faithtime” – the Twenties and Thirties Fellowship – while I am hosting a monthly lunchtime group. The opportunities this provides for fellowship and friendship as well as opening up gatherings that we can invite others to is a good use of these buildings which the Lord has provided us with.

Sabbath School

The work of our Sabbath School continues steadily under the oversight of Mr Ian McClung, our Superintendent. As always, Children’s Sunday was a major highlight of the year with Mrs Doreen McClung’s input to the singing and musical items being especially appreciated. In January the pupils were examined by Ian and myself on their work for 2023. It was a privilege to hear 43 children and young people recite scripture and answer the catechism questions so accurately. Two young men, Joshua Larner and Matthew McClung, answered all 107 questions of the Shorter Catechism with great precision: a fantastic achievement! We wish them both God’s richest blessing as they take leave of the Sabbath School. We currently have 47 children on the roll with 7 teachers. A word of gratitude to Mrs Ruth Andrews who retired after almost 10 years teaching. Please pray that God’s word would be hid in these young hearts, that each one would serve God in the future.

Children’s Bible Clubs

Many thanks to the Wednesday and Thursday teams under the leadership of Mrs Beulah McMullan and Mrs Rhonda McIlwrath, who work to bring the Gospel during our winter Bible Clubs. We had an encouraging number of children and parents along to our annual parents’ service before Easter in 2023 when Mrs Gillian Moore from Bethel Children’s Crusade brought the address.

Holiday Bible Club took place in August using the excellent facilities in Fivemiletown College. Once again there was a committed team of volunteers and a great response from the local community. Mr Jonathan Storey, one of our Licentiate Ministers engaged the children well each evening as the Word of God was taught. We were delighted to learn of Jonathan’s call to the ministry in Mount Merrion and we pray that God will bless him as he labours in East Belfast.

Evangelistic Efforts

The Clogher Valley Agricultural Show outreach, led by Mr Neville Robinson on the last Wednesday of July, provides us with an opportunity to interact with the community in the sharing of Gospel literature. In 2023 we published a tract based around the theme of a mobile phone texting conversation, written by Mr John Robinson. It certainly aroused some interest especially among the younger people.

In November FPC Mission Board evangelists Mr Noel Shields and Mr Colin Maxwell visited the local community before launching into a two-week Gospel Campaign. The seed was sown and we give God the glory.

Media and Radio Ministry

Each Sunday at Noon a radio gospel broadcast is aired on Radio Star Country (981 MW). Additionally, all our services are streamed with radio messages being uploaded as podcasts. This distributes the Gospel to local homes and to people far away in lands we shall never see. A special word of thanks to all in the media team for their hard work and resilience in handling all the technological challenges associated with this aspect of outreach.

Nursing Homes and School Assembly

On a monthly basis I am engaged in Gilbrooke Nursing Home bringing ministry to the residents. Quite recently a new opportunity has arisen in Copperfields in Aughnacloy, where Mr Jim McClung, one of our elders is in care.

I am also engaged in monthly school assemblies in Carntall and Augher with opportunities through the year in Fivemiletown College. Please pray that God would bless His Word to both young and old.

Bereavements

2023 was a year of sadness, being the first occasion in my, almost, 22 years in the Clogher Valley that we had to say farewell to four precious friends. In March we lost one of our foundation members, Mr James Gillespie. In July we were stunned by the sudden homecall of Mr Leslie Andrews. Towards the end of the year in November and December two sisters in the Lord passed away, Mrs Wendy Hassard and Mrs Edith McCluskey, also suddenly. We are comforted that each one was promoted to glory, to “the General Assembly and Church of the First Born”. Please continue to pray for those who mourn that they might be comforted.

Births

It was our joy to welcome newborn babies into the Church family in 2023 – Nayana Wilson, Joel Robinson, Heidi Keys and Gracie Bennett. We pray for these and all our parents that they will know wisdom for the raising of our little ones.

New Members

It is always a blessing for the Kirk Session to interview and welcome new communicant members into the fellowship of the Church.

During the past two years we have received in ten new members: Mr David Liggett, Miss Phil Walsh, Mr Stephen and Mrs Sara Dalton, Mr James and Mrs Jenny McMullan, Mr Philip Andrews, Mr Robert and Mrs Donna Graham and Mrs Bethany Wilson.

Farewell

In September we said farewell to Mr David Wilson, his wife Anne and their family. We were encouraged that God had answered prayer for our brother in opening a door of service in Ballyclare Free Presbyterian Church, where he was called to minister. Please pray for David and Anne and their family, that the blessing of God would be poured out upon his ministry.

Personal Appreciation

Elizabeth and I appreciate the care, the support and the prayers of Session, Committee and the entire church family. In 2023 the Committee agreed to me moving my study into one of the upstairs rooms above the prayer room. This has given me an excellent facility for the storing of my personal library, for study, for Zoom meetings and for recording podcasts and videos.

Also, a word of thanks to our organist Mrs Irwin and her team of pianists for using their talents for the Lord in the provision of musical accompaniment. We also recognise William and Luke Cuthbertson for their work in cutting the grass and keeping the car park salted in frosty weather.

Youth Facility

The Session and Committee are currently considering the transformation of the entire 1^st floor above the Prayer Room into a Youth area. This requires some thought and additional expense but we do believe that it will be a good use of the space, which is currently not utilized. Please pray for wisdom and be mindful of this matter in your giving to the building fund.

Defibrillator

Towards the end of last year the Session and Committee purchased a Defibrillator. These machines are potentially lifesaving for people who suffer a cardiac arrest and have become the standard for public buildings. As part of the package several individuals within our church family have received CPR and Defibrillator training. This training has completed, and the machine is now commissioned.

A Final Word

Our Motto Text for 2024 is a reminder of the value of prayer in church life and personal devotion. I certainly appeal that you would continue to pray for the ministry of the word and the oversight of the flock which the Lord has purchased with His own blood. We live in dark days characterized by departure from God and His truth but these are the days when we need revival in the Church as never before. May God be pleased to give us a vision, that the fire might fall and that the course of our nation might be turned.

Your Pastor and Friend

Peter McIntyre (Rev)

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
5^th– 26^th May at 7pm	Testimony Month
Saturday 4^th May	Ladies Fellowship Outing
Saturday 25th May	Sabbath School Excursion
23rd June 11:30 & 3:30pm	Children’s Sunday with Jonathan Eccles
31^st July	Clogher Valley Show Outreach
12^th – 16^th August 6:30pm	Holiday Bible Club with Jeannie Graham and Teen Challenge with the Serve Youth Team
Saturday 5^th October	Over 60’s Mystery Tour
Saturday 19^th October & Sunday 20th	Harvest Thanksgiving with Revs John Gray, Paul Thompson & John Woods
October / November	Christian Workers Training Academy hosted in Clogher Valley FPC (Thursday nights) – Watch out for the enrollment.
10^th November	Remembrance Service