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 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 2024.

We appreciate the work of our Treasurer, Mr Neville Robinson and the treasury team which ably assists him. This is a task which he has carried out with commitment and dedication. We also appreciate the expertise and advice of Mrs Victoria Robinson in the setting out of accounts, especially during this period of transition, as we have moved to Charity Registration.

The giving of the congregation is most encouraging. For example, the Free Will Offerings are up by £4,537 on the previous year. Overall, the Church brought in £54,055 more than what was spent. This has enabled us to reduce our overall debt from £328,344 to £274,290. In addition to the £54,055 of a surplus, 2024 saw significant bills which will not recur in 2025 (£13,768 to Weir Brothers as a result of the building works and £23,277 for Manse refurbishment). In sustaining this level of giving, the clearing of our debts by our Sixtieth Anniversary in 2030 remains a realistic target.

It was good to see continued growth in our missionary fund. While we take special offerings for all missionaries, we appreciate that sometimes owing to the number of deputations it is not always possible to give to every cause. The missionary fund as well as supporting our radio ministry, enables the Church Committee to supplement all deputation offerings, by adding £300 to every offering. Consistent giving to the missionary fund therefore enables support for a wide range of evangelistic causes.

None of this would be possible, however, were it not for the diligent and generous giving of the congregation. We thank you most sincerely knowing that God will be mindful of your work and labour of love.

Manse Refurbishment

On behalf of our household I wish to thank you as a congregation for your continual prayers and support. We have been particularly humbled and are most grateful for the money invested into the Manse in 2024. The new kitchen and further insulation of the walls has added greatly to our comfort and has enhanced the home.

Pastoral Review

Last year was another busy twelve months of new arrivals, who are a constant source of joy. Karen and Stephen Irwin (Anastasia), Jill and Adam Baxter (Asher), Bethany and Philip Wilson (Jasper), Rachel and Allan Neville (Oliver) and Bethany and Gary Donaldson (Lucinda), Nicola and George Condell (Samuel) and Jenny and James McMullan (Daisy) were all blessed with little children.

Elizabeth and I also had the privilege of celebrating Tom and Chloe McMullan’s marriage with the happy couple. It has been a blessing to see this young couple becoming so involved in the life of the congregation.

We were greatly saddened in 2024 by the passing of the Lord’s servant, church elder and former Clerk of Session, Mr Jim McClung. Jim was a faithful man of God, a dedicated prayer servant and one whom I leaned on heavily during much of my ministry in this congregation. He has gone to his eternal reward but his contribution to our Church fellowship will never be forgotten. We continue to pray for his dear wife Lena and family, for the comfort and grace of
God.

There were other funerals in our churchyard over the course of the year; Mrs Lilia Bingham, Mr Jim Garland and Miss Sylvia Garrity. We continue to pray for these families and others that have lost loved ones, that they will experience the binding up of the broken heart.

On a pastoral level our congregation has been afflicted with serious illness over this past year. This necessitated a special season of prayer in the autumn when we remembered those who have had a cancer diagnosis. There are of course others with health issues and who struggle through age and infirmity. Your prayers for the sick and suffering are appreciated more than you will ever know. It is most encouraging to have witnessed answers to prayers for the sick in recenttimes, which must always be a cause for gratitude.

It was a blessing to see our Church Hall being used for the Whitefield Christian Workers Academy in the Autumn of 2024.

An Excellent Team

We have an excellent team of workers in our congregation, all of whom are required to sustain our ministries and special efforts.

The Session and Committee are good and godly men whose deliberations are characterised by unity and good humour. Above all they take their duties seriously and are committed to the work of the gospel. I don’t think any minister could have a better group of men around him. We are blessed indeed.

A word of thanks to the leaders and all who help out in Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, Winter and Holiday Bible Clubs, Teen Challenge, Ladies’ Fellowship, FaithTime, Over 60’s Mystery Tour, Gilbrooke Outreach, the Audio Visual and Media Team, Clogher Valley Show Outreach and the Monday Lunchtime Fellowship.

A personal word of gratitude is also due to our organist, Mrs Ingrid Irwin, and the team of pianists who accompany her. Also to Mr Clive Keys for his attention to all maintenance matters. Mrs Sarah Smith (assisted by husband Scott) cleans the church with great care and attention to detail. Sarah appreciated the purchase of two Robot cleaners. We thank Sarah for all her hard work. We are also indebted and William and Luke Cuthbertson for looking after the grounds; cutting the grass in the summer months and applying salt to keep us safe in frosty winter weather.

Pressing Forward

Our Motto Text for 2025 is “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

This certainly challenges us in our support of foreign missions both prayerfully and practically. The visit by Dr Treboulsi and my own visit to Nepal this year has emphasised to my own heart that we are one Church serving God across frontiers, languages and cultures.

Our Motto Text also challenges us with respect to our own locality and the growing need that exists for gospel witness.

This year we are intending to complete our young people’s area in the space above the prayer room. This will be a first-class resource for nurturing our young people keeping them together within an atmosphere of Christian influence.

We are also anticipating and praying for the joint tent mission with Aughnacloy, Dungannon and Sixmilecross FPC congregations. With a busy summer ahead, we encourage you to commit your support to the furtherance of the gospel, using whatever opportunities become available for serving Christ, who gave Himself for us.

Your Pastor and Friend

Peter McIntyre (Rev)