Annual Review 2020

20 20 A YEAR IN REVIEW

2020 “We look forward to 2020. It may bring things that are new; hopefully a continuing freshness in our vision and worshipping life together, as we “overflow” into the community and world around us. But we continue to worship, send and serve under the same God, Father, Son and Spirit and holding on to and holding out the same good news of hope in Christ Jesus.”

(Ben Walker, Annual Review 2019)

I don’t think there was a class at Union Theological College on what to do in a global pandemic. If there was, I missed it. Who could have anticipated what 2020 held at the start of January? We might just have heard of Covid then – a distant issue but of no great concern to us. As someone said – for all our 20:20 vision, who saw that year coming? Who knew?

God alone knows – and if one thing emerges from this year, it is that God alone is sovereign. How humbly we must look at the world and our place in it; how seriously we must take matters of life and death; how lightly we must hold things to which we once clung so tightly; how acutely we feel the need for the company of others; how precious is the faith and hope we have in God, the one who is loving, faithful and true.

As I reflect on the year, it has been a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences.

January and February felt exciting, the anticipation of a new year, my first full year. We had a communion service when we ran out of cups; and a 60th birthday celebration complete with cake, pass the parcel and a powerful sermon from David Bruce (who was yet to be elected as Moderator – we were ahead of the curve!). There were baptisms – new life among us; and the talk about a new vision within session. We had lots of Girl Guides, from Rainbows to Rangers at an All-age Service; and a substantial group of men (in number, as opposed to size!) went to the Irish Men’s Convention.

Yet, the months were marked by some deaths among our number and the news that a new virus was on its way.

March and April felt appropriate to the months that hold Easter. As Christ was emptied of life on the cross, these were emptying months. We started by losing handshakes and hugs and coffee after the service; and ultimately lost real human contact, no longer able to meet together. Across society we were emptied of so much of life that we knew. Yet, as Christ was raised to new life, there was something novel and fresh in those months of spring sunshine. We had to begin finding new ways of doing things – of worshipping together online; of meeting together over Zoom (not least for a quiz); we developed E20M and the Wednesday Prayer Video. Strange and disconcerting new patterns of life emerged, but perhaps with things to be thankful for among all the drawbacks. There was a certain sense of novelty.

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As lockdown continued, May and June felt more reflective and a time to begin to unearth some of the profound things we might be learning as we realized we might not be going back quickly, or at all, to the way things were. During those months we dwelt on the beautiful story of Ruth: a story of brokenness and faithfulness; of God’s providence and redemption. We took time to focus on prayer: looking at the Lord’s Prayer together (hearing it in so many languages - remember?) and having a weekend of prayer, with Worship at Home as part of that. Those months left me with one of the lines of lockdown (and indeed life beyond it): “Don’t just do something, sit there.”

The summer months of July and August were a little more mixed with possibility and uncertainty.

Restrictions began to lift and seeing people became increasingly feasible. A few couples announced their engagements which was joyful. A CSSM-less summer without a mission trip to Kenya, or anywhere else, captured the apartness and limitations that still remained. A summer series on “Luke Street” – encountering Jesus in people’s homes and the weekly feature of “Who lives in a house like this?” might have captured the moment and shown us getting increasingly into the habit of worshipping “Together, Apart”. But we were feeling the interminable nature of it all too, as week upon week of the summer rolled by.

September to November, that autumnal “season of mist and mellow fruitfulness”, felt hopeful: the possibility and then reality, of meeting together again; of seeing one another; of restrictions lifted.

Some planning meetings happened in the buildings (and how thankful I am for that group and all who helped us get back inside) and soon enough we were into the pattern of meeting every third week, then every other week, with The Ark and Sunday Picnic, too. Socially distant, but for those who could, it was so good to be back. Groups were also getting back together: RED, KFC (Kids Friday Connect) – a new venture for older primary school children; the Needlecraft Group and a one-off Tuesday Break on a Wednesday! New interns began and David Timothy also started on placement and helped lead an Alpha Course. We had a Church Weekend at Home at the end of October and it was wonderful for many of us to be able to share in Communion at the Lord’s Table for the first time since January. And yet everything – including communion – was a little strange and different. There were new rituals of entering and leaving the building; wearing and singing behind masks; recording a Christmas Carol service with small groups of distanced singers over November evenings.

December began and perhaps this year we knew, better than before, what the waiting of Advent felt like. The hope of Christmas sat alongside the lessons of patient endurance in uncertain days that we would have to take into the New Year. Around us, society spoke of “saving Christmas”. We were learning that we do not “save Christmas”. Celebrations don’t always turn out as you hope: a dream of a crisp, snowy, Christmas Day service in front of the church buildings melted into the sensible reality of greeting one another by video from our homes. Indeed, sometimes, like in Matthew 2, the recognition of Jesus’ coming seems only to make things more immediately worse. The end of December brought further lockdown and more deaths from among our church family. So, we do not, and did not, “save Christmas” simply as a traditional festival. But “Christmas saves us”. For the birth of Jesus - God in flesh, like us and with us in the reality of our messy, painful, broken, sinful world – and his life, death and resurrection, is at the heart of our true and lasting hope.

And so, my first full year at SRPC ended. Not one where I got to meet and see as many in this church family as I would have hoped, but one in which I am so thankful for your great support and encouragement and the humble, gifted service of so many and in so many ways. Not the year I might have imagined, but one full of the unanticipated richness of experiences and learning – Together, Apart - under God. He alone knows the past, the present and the future. He knows you and me. He holds all things together. There is a simple but profound truth for 2021: “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

Ben Walker

Saintfield road presbyterian church

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1960 60 years of serving Christ

2020

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annual review 2020

Saintfield road presbyterian church

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A yearinonline worship BenWalker

Around the end of 2019 we discussed, briefly in Session, the pros and cons of recording our services and having them online. We resumed DVD production, started an audio podcast, but left any further steps for a little more reflection. How little did we know that in the coming months we, along with every other church, would be thrown in at the deep end with online services!

From the first recording of a service on a Saturday in mid-March 2020, to be shown the next day (you can still find it on YouTube), to our current live-streaming at 11am each Sunday morning, we have travelled quite a journey.

At first, every element was pre-recorded and “knitted” together to produce one video which was put up on YouTube with a link on our website. That method took us up to September and beyond and involved fantastic work by a large number of gifted people.

To give an example. In those “early days”, by Tuesday each week, Gary Myles would record the basic piano part of three or four songs and send them by email to various musicians and singers. They would record their parts (some at first simply into their phones, but it got a bit more sophisticated as time went on!) and email them back to Gary who would then mix them all together, maybe add in some more sounds and effects, and send them on to Chris Thomson. Chris, having received the words of the songs from Moni, would create a video with the words aligned to the music for each song and send them to me by Friday night. I would then “drop” them into the rest of the service as I put it together. When I’d put all the bits of the service together, I’d upload it to YouTube. Typically, Gavin would then link that to the website on Saturday and burn up to twenty copies of it on a DVD to send out for those who did not have access to the internet. Phill Dane would also enable that to become an audio podcast to download, as well as link it to the phone-line service we had set up.

None of that is to mention the other parts of the services- for example, readings and prayers recorded in homes and sent in; and E20M. This all produced a well-packaged video service for any of us to watch at any time from Sunday morning onwards – but it took a fair amount of work beforehand. As the weeks went in, things became slightly more streamlined. For example, we were able to use some of the songs again, thereby easing the load on Gary and the musicians.

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After we got back to meeting together in September and worked on the possibility of “live-streaming” (for which Phill Dane built and donated a computer especially for this) we set about doing that from November onwards, whether a congregation was able to gather or not. Live-streaming enables both the musicians and me to do a certain amount “live”, rather than spend time recording, editing and knitting things together during the week.

We’ve also learned how much we appreciate seeing the musicians and indeed the building. From early on, when I occasionally filmed in church and in different places around the building, I got positive responses from people saying how much they liked to see the place – so I made a point of pre-recording largely at church. The building is not the church, of course, but we do value it.

Obviously, online worship “Together, Apart” (and the CD was a fruit of such labour earlier in the year) has many drawbacks and is not, ultimately, what we understand church to be. We have missed being together, singing together, talking together, drinking coffee together, sharing in sacraments together – and such physical togetherness is vital. We long for it back and certainly don’t want to breed long-term “church-in-pyjamas-on-the-sofa”.

Yet for all the challenges, there have been some benefits through all of this.

We’ve developed an online presence to work with into the future; we’ve got better at helping those who can’t be with us to join as best as they can; there’s been a sense of creativity in what we’ve produced, as we’ve learned and found new ways to help each other engage with the message of Scripture and with one another in worship. We’ve continued to involve a lot of different people in front of camera and behind the scenes as the different members of the body have all been playing their part. We will undoubtedly find that this time online will shape our worship together in the weeks and years to come.

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Church Life

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annual review 2020

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Session Report Alistair McCracken Clerk of Session The New Year, 2020, started with great anticipation as we looked forward. At our 60th Anniversary Service on Sunday 12th January, the Rev. David Bruce gave an inspirational sermon based on Psalm 126 encouraging us to go forward with joy, with the Lord, but also warning us that there could be difficult times ahead.

Later in January the Churches Together in Unity Service, led by our own minister, was held in Saintfield Road. Ben started a Sunday morning teaching series on the Apostles’ Creed. In early February SRPC Kirk Session had a Saturday morning conference to think about and discuss SRPC Vision 2027. We wanted to prayerfully consider where God might be leading the congregation over the next few years. We had an exciting morning full of ideas. On the first Sunday of March, Pip Florit, PCI Missions Support Officer, talked about the Mission of the Church and in particular the work supported by the United Appeal. We were also delighted to host a Presbytery Celebration when the Moderator, the Rev. William Henry brought us a message from God’s Word.

While all this was going on, we were becoming increasingly aware of a new disease which had originated many thousands of miles away. It was spreading globally and was to have an impact on all of our lives in ways in which we could never have anticipated. On 17th March the Government imposed a total lockdown and all face-to-face church activities stopped, due to restrictions aimed at slowing the spread and impact of Covid19. New behaviours became the norm: social distancing; wearing masks; only leaving the house for limited reasons; furlough; only meeting others outside – Ben and I met on one occasion in the garden with the rain pouring down, soaking us both! Sunday morning services went online. “Together - Apart” became the norm.

Saintfield road presbyterian church

Services were highly enjoyable. As well as Ben who led each morning and taught from God’s Word, many individual members took part from their own homes bringing prayers, Bible readings and other contributions. At the same time each week there was a separate online resource, E20M, for children and families. Thanks to Gill Gourley along with Ruth Thompson and many willing contributors for organising this. An integral part of these online services was the music. Co-ordinated by Gary Myles, but involving a large group of musicians and singers the standard was extremely high. This led to the production of a CD, ‘Together - Apart’ which was enjoyed by many in the congregation, especially over Christmas. Online services would not have been possible without the highly skilled team of technical experts: Gavin Hamilton, Chris Thomson, Phillip Dane and Chris Pollock who worked incredibly hard every week to ensure that the service was ready for viewing on Sunday morning in a number of different ways.

These include live streaming of the service at 11.00am on each Sunday morning with around 85 homes watching on YouTube. During the week there were 40 – 50 additional views. This probably represents over 200 individuals. In addition 20 DVDs are posted out; around 20 people listen to the Podcast and a small number accessed the service via telephone.

Wednesday Prayer time went online. We had contributions from a wide range of members of the congregation. Wally and Aimee McKee brought together two Worship at Home events which were a huge inspiration and encouragement to everyone who tuned in.

Everyone became acquainted with ZOOM. Session meetings were held on ZOOM – the only masked face to masked face meeting was held in November. We gradually became used to seeing each other virtually in our own homes – trying to see what books people had on their bookshelves became an interesting distraction! While presenting many challenges, these meetings were often quite productive. Many Life Groups met on ZOOM and the online quizzes organised by Johnny Bell and Derek Henderson were really enjoyable. Nevertheless, we longed for the time when we would be able to meet together as a church family.

In late summer we tentatively started to meet again in the church for Sunday worship. At the first service back Session and Committee members tried out the new Covid secure arrangements developed by the “Moving Back In” Group. After that it was Districts 1 – 5; 6 – 10 and 11 – 15 and later when all of the practical issues had been sorted out, odd and even numbered districts alternate weeks. We owe a debt of gratitude to Derek Henderson, Trudy Stanfield, and the members of the Moving Back In Group who put a great deal of thought and hard work into making the church

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building safe for meeting for Sunday worship. The socially distanced layout of the church certainly looked and felt strange but we have gradually become used to it. In November we celebrated the Lord’s Supper. Three consecutive services were held, with seats being steam cleaned between each. Communion looked and felt very different from our usual practice but it was indeed a thrill to be able to take part.

During the year a number of our members died, and we would convey our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by their loss. We were saddened by the deaths of Dorothy Stevenson, the Rev. Sam McClintock, June Lowry, Doris Patterson, Richard Nesbitt, Norman and Winnie Wilkinson, Frances Sher, Rachael Duff, Dorothy Pinkerton and Mollie Buxton. We thank God for their lives and for the contributions they made to SRPC. One of the major challenges of lockdown and Government restrictions preventing us meeting and / or socialising was to ensure pastoral care for all members, particularly for people who were unable to get out and about. District elders made a point of contacting members in their District. Three letters were sent from the minister to every household, partly to keep everyone informed about what was happening and partly to encourage them. The SRPC website was kept fully up-to-date and did, amongst other things, point users towards a whole range of online resources to help them read the Bible more regularly, to learn together as families and to learn of everything that was happening around SRPC During the year, on three different occasions, small gifts were distributed to over five hundred homes in the immediate vicinity of the church. The gifts contained some words of hope and encouragement as well as a bar of chocolate. People were also invited to contact SRPC if they would like to talk to someone or have someone pray with them. While only a few people did make contact, the response was very positive.

Advent and Christmas looked very different in 2020.

Nevertheless, as a congregation we still enjoyed the anticipation of celebrating our Lord’s birth in

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Bethlehem. Advent candles were lit remotely and virtually as well as in the Church building. Ben’s teaching helped us to understand the importance and excitement of Jesus’ birth but also that Jesus was born into a difficult and challenging world. On the Sunday before Christmas there were three consecutive services (with seats steam cleaned between each) giving as many as wanted to the opportunity to worship together. Ben, Johnny and Gill directed our thinking towards Jesus, Light of the World. The musicians and singers put together an excellent and enjoyable Carol service which was available online and enjoyed by many. As 2020 came to an end the country faced a new extended lockdown and services once again went online.

Myrtle and Brian Agus stepped down from playing the organ. Myrtle had been playing in church for over twenty-six years. A small presentation was made to both Myrtle and Brian in December when we expressed our thanks and appreciation for their contribution to worship over many years.

In June the Rev. David Bruce was elected as Moderator of the General Assembly. Ben was selected as one of his chaplains. Prof. Gordon Campbell was appointed as the Principal of Union Theological College. Gordon takes up this challenging role at the start of 2021 as the College undergoes significant changes, developing new courses and relationships with other Institutions.

Thanks are due to Johnny Bell and Gill Gourley and a large team of volunteers who worked so hard to keep in touch with our children, young people and families.

Over the months this was a blend of virtual and live meetings. It was really encouraging in the weeks before Christmas to have Sunday Picnic (nursery and P1 – 3) and the Ark (P4 – 7) meeting during the Sunday morning services.

We are very thankful for our minister, the Rev Ben Walker who has led us through this most difficult of years. We appreciate his energy, enthusiasm, creativity and his Bible teaching which has been so relevant and appropriate for the times in which we live. We commend Ben, Ruth and their family James, Beth and Ethan to the Lord and His keeping.

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Committee Report Philip Hamilton Congregational Secretary 2020, a year like no other. A year when ordinary people, doing in the main, ordinary jobs, became extraordinary people, or in Covid lexicon- Key Workers. Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives was the message for the rest, as the Government paid those who could not work from home to stay at home.

We entered 2021 with concern around a further wave of infection at our hospitals busiest time but with the hope that the rollout of a vaccine brings. We have however been living with hope throughout this period – “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Congregational Committee met as planned in January 2020, however in keeping with the rest of the country, business was paused as we entered lockdown in March. For the first time in history your Committee met virtually, in May. Through the wonders of modern technology, we Zoomed into each other’s homes; together, apart. This format was repeated for the remaining scheduled meetings of the year. Plans for the election of a new Congregational Committee were postponed until 2021.

Development of a Communications Strategy continued with the aim of addressing the lack of clarity as to where the Church entrance is and the poor visual appearance of the buildings from the Saintfield Road, following the transfer of the main entrance to the Hub. Designs have been considered and are being refined, for a sign at the vehicular entrance, on the fascia at the Hub entrance and at the junction of Myrtledene and Saintfield Road.

The Property Sub-Committee, ably led by Neil McKnight, has again undertaken a wide range of maintenance tasks. The year began with some remedial work to the heating system in the Manse and the testing of the fixed electrical wiring within the

Saintfield road presbyterian church

Church Building. All but essential work was suspended during the initial “lockdown” restrictions but resumed in late summer.

In September, the tripping of the building alarm was traced to a gas leak in the cleaning store, which required the replacement of a significant length of supply pipeline. The trees on the boundary at the rear of the Church were cut down by DfI Roads as a preadoption measure for Myrtledene Drive and a new fence provided. The exposed graffiti was removed from the rear of the McAdam Hall and the brickwork face of the retaining wall at the front of the Church has been power hosed. The maintenance team has also refreshed the exterior paintwork. The Grounds Maintenance Team, under the management of Gerry Carr, completed a successful season’s maintenance.

Trudy Stanfield, our Health and Safety Advisor, had a particularly busy year. Trudy’s report to the January meeting was routine, noting the acquisition of a salt spreader for use around the Church but her work departed into more challenging areas for the remainder of the year. Trudy’s advice was central to our safe return to the Church Buildings and to worship in the latter part of the year. We are greatly appreciative of her counsel.

Whilst the economy of the country has fallen victim to the pandemic, our Treasurer, David Thomson, has kept a steady hand on the purse strings. Standing orders from around ninety members (providing over 60% of our income) have proved a solid income base and the drop in income experienced during the initial “lockdown” has largely been recovered. Our total income was slightly more than last year and Committee appreciates the generosity of members in their continuing financial support. There was a surplus in the General Fund but a deficit in the Support Fund. The overall deficit in the Restoration Fund was just over £81,000 at the end of the year.

2020 has seen many going beyond the normal remit of their job, particularly in the medical and caring professions, to ensure the wellbeing of those in their community. This pandemic struck when our Chairman and Minister, the Rev. Ben Walker, was in his first year in charge of his first church. Ben has however led his congregation like a seasoned professional, adapting to the prevailing and evolving circumstances. He quickly mastered online ministry and led us back to worship in the church buildings in a way that we were comfortable with. Recognition and thanks must also go to those whose technical skills and dedication made online worship possible, in particular Gavin Hamilton, Chris Thomson and Phill Dane. There are many others who have appeared in front of camera and worked behind the scenes, including District Committee Members / Elders keeping in touch with our Church family, who are due our appreciation. I would also like to thank our Church Administrator, Moni Wilson, and our Church Officer, Roy McCann, for their continued good work.

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Families Report GillGourley Family Worker As 2020 began we were unaware of what lay ahead.

Tiny Tots Tiny Tots had been meeting each Wednesday, with an average attendance of twenty adults and toddlers.

Volunteers continued to welcome and feed the guests, who were largely from the community, not SRPC members.

Coffee and Croissants Coffee and Croissants continued to meet once a month for families to get together before Sunday services to build friendships.

Messy Church Messy Church happened in January, with families from SRPC, local churches, the community and Tiny Tots. The diversity of volunteers from SRPC continued to provide welcome, craft, Bible teaching, songs and food.

Specific training for parents to help them open the Bible with their children was led by Lindsay Marks, from Scripture Union, and Johnny in March; Ruth Thompson and Gill attended a province-wide training on “Church and Boys” hosted by the Boys Brigade.

In March, however, it become evident that church could no longer function as usual due to the lockdown of non-essential services. We therefore needed to make alternative plans to stay connected and engaged with our church families.

Lockdown meant that we had to find new ways to gather people, so by using Zoom, messaging and phone calls we stayed connected, “together apart”.

Tiny Tots could no longer meet but we kept in touch with most via WhatsApp, inviting them to online services and alerting them to weekly E20M. Coffee and Croissants met once via Zoom, to allow younger children the chance to see each other.

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First 20 Minutes The usual First 20 Minutes of church became a prerecorded Extra 20 Minutes on the church website, looking at The Ten Commandments, houses Jesus visited in Luke’s Gospel, and an overview of the Bible, using the Jesus Storybook Bible. This enabled us to use a wider group of contributors recording children’s talks from their own homes, sometimes with their own children involved.

Using pre-recorded videos, children from the church family led us wonderfully in a service in June, calling us to worship, reading, praying and sharing their thoughts on life in lockdown. Children and families have continued to be part of our Sunday worship services, recording prayers and Bible readings, strengthening our sense of connectedness, whilst apart.

Pentecost Weekend of Prayer During May, families were provided with resources to use as more creative and interactive ways to focus on God and pray for others. Using these resources, many signed up for an hour slot in the Virtual Prayer Room.

Easing of lockdown restrictions allowed us a socially distanced afternoon in August at Ganaway where kids enjoyed water sports and parents could reconnect (with coffee and buns). This first ‘in-person’ meeting was an encouraging and happy re-connection, reminding us how much we thrive on face-to-face relationships.

Kids Connect This was followed up in mid-August by Kids Connect, three evenings for P5-7 children. While it was a difficult decision to invite only our own church children, it was deemed necessary and responsible to limit numbers. Social distancing rules were planned in detail and adhered to by the fifteen children who attended.

Connections continued to be made regularly throughout lockdown with parents by phone-call, text, Zoom and walks, but also through postal deliveries of chocolate, sunflower seeds to plant, and Bible-study and worship song ideas for children. This was to remind everyone of their belonging to our church family and to have common tasks on which they reported back.

“2020 has taught us how much church family matters, how much we are made for relationships and that our connectedness with God himself is vital” annual review 2020

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Kids Friday Connect (KFC) As school returned in September, we used the same format as August i.e. games, a Bible talk and craft to provide KFC on alternate Friday evenings. It was great to see the children interacting but the program was interrupted by further Covid restrictions; KFC then provided some online input.

Return to Worship As we were able to return to Sunday worship, November saw the start of Sunday Picnic in the McAdam Hall for infants to P3s and The Ark for P4-7 children in the Minor Hall. This enabled parents to reengage with church, knowing there was input for their children during the service.

October Church Weekend The October Church Weekend again gave families an opportunity to sign up for an hour-slot for prayer in the Virtual Prayer Room. Many also took part in the Saturday “Who Dunnit?” activity, finding clues which had been posted in the local area by Johnny. The event concluded at church with a video to reveal the ‘criminal’ and bags of sweets for all (to ease the shock and pain of discovering that Lorna Rodgers had stolen Ben’s pumpkin!)

The last activity before a further lockdown was a Christmas Movie/Pizza Evening when, maintaining social distancing, we used the church building to allow families to meet together.

Baby hampers, gifts from the church family were happily delivered to the Wardlows and Hamiltons in October.

Saintfield road presbyterian church

It has undoubtedly been a challenging year, but through new means and media, we have attempted to stay connected. 2020 has taught us how much church family matters, how much we are made for relationships and that our connectedness with God himself is vital and life-giving, despite our human circumstances.

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Youth Ministry Report JohnnyBell Director of Children’s, Youth & Family Ministries 2020 isn’t a year we’re likely to forget. January started with a load of energy, enthusiasm and dreams for our young people. Numbers at Vibe were higher than ever; there was a buzz in the community as new relationships developed; young people were committing to summer mission adventures. Then…

Slap! Bang! Wallop!

Lockdown. Home school learning. Not able to meet up with friends. Church buildings closed. But hey, Zoom this is class. Disney Plus subscriptions. New Netflix series. Exams are still on. No wait, they’re cancelled.

No graduation services. No leavers parties or school trips. No final sporting matches. Overseas trips are off.

No CSSM. More screens. More walks. More time with family. More time – just with family! Oh no! – not more Zoom!

This has been a disrupted season for our young people.

For all the potential benefits that may emerge from this season (the slowing of fast-paced lives, more family time, appreciation of experiences previously taken for granted,) young people have lost a year of milestones and markers. Rites of passage and developmental moments replaced with questions about the future and feelings of isolation, confusion and uncertainty. Losing a year at 15, feels greater than losing a year at 40.

And yet through it all we’ve been trying to journey with them. To care. To listen. To laugh. To help them make sense of what’s going on. To hold on to the other thing that is certain – the big story of our God, loving His people and working out His plans. Even in the chaos we continue to influence a generation for Jesus; to help them find their place in His story.

What did happen in 2020?

The Vibe The Vibe had a fabulous start to the year, jam-packed with activity including:

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Three basketball sessions for Juniors hosted by Peace Players who build cross-community relationships through sport; Ryan Karianos from Made for More led a workshop for Seniors to think through their identity; In February, we took 89 (!) Juniors & Seniors to the Ice Bowl - and brought them all home again.

After a great start COVID kicked our plans into touch.

The weekly program was put on hold; unfortunately, the Juniors’ Activity Weekend at Delamont was cancelled, as was the scheduled TBUC program for Seniors.

Thanks to the willingness and creativity of our leaders, we were able to move parts of our program online to maintain relationships with our children and young people in all the upheaval. Whilst online wasn’t for everyone, we were encouraged by the numbers who did engage. Juniors had three Zoom Quizzes in April, May and June, and Senior Vibe produced its very own Friday Night Show on Instagram - “Vibe is Live”.

Thanks to the presenting skills of Chris Pollock, we ran for a 10 week stretch with weekly features including: Dinger vs Chris / Big Bird’s Challenge / All by Myself / The End of the Show Show. Ant & Dec better watch their backs!

A loosening of restrictions in the summer allowed for a couple of face-to-face gatherings: Seniors went to Sky Trek (August) and Juniors & Seniors went to Pirates Adventure Crazy Golf (September). Seniors were also able to meet in person with another Made 4 More session and the Christmas Party (December).

Baked by Corri extravaganza - Ethan Walker and Lucy Hamilton taking home the star baker awards; Juniors got active in a live Zoom-Ba workout (Joe Wicks has nothing on our guys!)

The whodunnit investigation into “Who stole the headmaster’s wig?” – with Reuben McKnight’s Australian alter-ego and a shifty looking, colander wearing Jack Knox; Boys vs Girls challenges including an Escape Zoom, TV Game Show Night and an Absolutely Massive Quiz.

When we meet, we continue to share a short Gospel message, and thanks to Jack Knox, we now have a midweek Instagram vlog for our teens – which has enabled us to connect with young people who wouldn’t regularly attend. We trust that God is nurturing faith through the seeds we’re planting, but we can’t wait to be back in person once again. Youth ministry at a distance is not nearly as good and we’re really missing the fun-filled Friday nights at SRPC. Red In January we kicked off the year with the Youth Alpha Course. This video-based resource enabled us to ask big questions about our lives, faith and the identity of Jesus. As with most years the highlight was the RED Weekend (13th-15th March). Bruce Campbell

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‘I’ve learned to write my plans in pencil’ #johnnys2020lifelesson (Exodus) led us through Hebrews 11, exploring what true faith in Jesus looks like. We also enjoyed late night worship, toasted marshmallows at the campfire, making TikTok videos on Portstewart Strand and playing Marshmallow Assassin. Looking back, we’re able to appreciate God’s grace in allowing us to meet, laugh and grow closer to one another, just before we went into lockdown.

From March until June we changed format. Small Groups met online throughout the week to chat, pray and complete the Youth Alpha Course. We gathered every Sunday on Zoom, working out how to play games online (Bring Me, Catchphrase), praying together and exploring how God was at work in the lives of Ruth and Boaz – the man! In May, we were delighted to host the wider church, when Reuben got us “psyched” for church, young people led games in Break Out Rooms, and Joel, Rachel and Tom shared testimonies of their lives in lockdown. The young people also sent some personal letters & chocolate to some in our church family who had been shielding – a lovely way to connect.

A bigger boost was being able to meet for three (socially distant) RED Summer Sessions in August.

Hosted by Jonny and Bethany, we got back to playing our much loved “Round the World”, setting up a footgolf course in the church, enjoying milkshakes and travelling to Seapark, eating Little Wing Pizza on the beach. Even the simple things felt really special.

Since September we’ve met fortnightly - in person when government guidelines have allowed, and on Zoom on other occasions. Our September session was in glorious sunshine outside; in October some Happy Meals made us smile; November had a hot chocolate run to Newton Café in the pouring rain and Thomas

Saintfield road presbyterian church

Compton cycled 12km during Dinger’s talk on Trials; December allowed for a Christmas meet up in the church. Although it all felt a bit awkward at first, meeting with face masks became the norm and a welcome change from connecting online.

I want to give a special shout out to our young people and their families who have remained committed to attending RED, no matter in which circumstances we’ve found ourselves. Their dedication is an example to us all and we pray their faith will be all the more resilient because of it.

A Huge Thanks All of the above just wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment of a large team of leaders who continue to show up, go the extra mile, doing whatever they can to connect with young people and shape the next generation for Jesus.

The Youth Ministry Interns have brought a new energy and creativity to all of the above. Anna Stanfield, Chloe Compton, Daniel McKnight, Melissa Emerson and Sarah Buchanan completed their year of service in June; Dan and Melissa returned in September for round two and were joined by Jack Knox, Reuben McKnight and Zara Torney. What a joy to see their faith working its way out in service of the children and young people at SRPC. Thanks also to Derek Henderson and his team who work so hard to enable us to meet safely and keep us right with the latest regulations.

We walk into 2021, longing for more face-to-face connection with young people, arrangements made (in pencil) and holding to Biblical wisdom that reminds us that, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19v21

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Thanks forthe memories!

Brian& Myrtle Agus

Myrtle started playing the original pipe organ, located in the then church balcony, twenty-six years ago. It was the late Rev. Len Heaney, convener of the vacancy, who asked her to play for six months until the new minister arrived - that was Rev. Alistair Bill! The norm then was morning and evening services, all hymns played on the organ – quite a commitment! She had organ lessons as a teenager and had played in her two previous churches. Although Brian never had any organ lessons, he became self-taught to a sufficient level and subsequently began to share the load – even though he could never manage to play the pedals!

Myrtle always practiced diligently and rarely played any wrong notes. Brian chanced his arm a lot, with occasional key changes and last verse ‘extravaganzas’.

The late Rev. Sam McClintock said he never needed to turn round to see which of us was playing: “When it’s right notes, it’s Myrtle!”

ministry. Myrtle played for the first broadcast, with brass players beside her in the balcony, Gary Myles at the Clavinova downstairs and Brian conducting – with Myrtle watching through a mirror. Brian played the final hymn for the second broadcast, when with time running short, he had David Rice beside him passing on the producer’s signals regarding which verse should be sung next. Now having organ and Clavinova playing together on the same level is a great benefit.

The fire in 2016 damaged the pipe organ beyond economic repair and we helped choose the replacement digital organ – still two manuals plus pedalboard but with thirty-three speaking stops instead of just fourteen. Myrtle can play it properly of course, but the six pre-set stop combinations (from very soft to very loud), plus the automatic pedal button, make Brian sound a much better organist than he really is.

Thank you very much indeed for the contemporary glass bowl presented to us on Sunday 20th December as we step aside from regular organ playing. Inscribed “Brian & Myrtle Agus. Thank You from everyone at SRPC, December 2020” and with a replica of SRPC’s ornamental organ pipes engraved, it is really beautiful.

We will treasure it for ever. Myrtle was also delighted with the accompanying bouquet of flowers which bloomed a long time.

It has been an honour and a privilege to have led the worship for all these years and to have played for almost all the funerals and in Myrtle’s case, until more recently, the weddings. We will still be available to play for any funerals or any celebratory services, if requested.

How things have changed now, but with the widespread use of contemporary songs rather than hymns it is good to see several different instrumentalists led from the Clavinova.

Perhaps the most exacting organ playing needed was for the two morning services BBC Radio Ulster broadcast ‘live’ from SRPC during Alistair Bill’s

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We wish to emphasise that the step from piano/ Clavinova to the SRPC organ is a relatively small one.

For the longer term we would be keen to give a guided tour and every support to any of our regular keyboard players interested in extending their capabilities. You too could soon play SRPC’s organ – just ask!

annual review 2020

// ChurchLife

LifeGroups Life Groups during 2020 became more than Bible studies. They kept us together, in some ways brought us closer together, and provided a focus for prayer and mutual support. We looked at God’s plans for us, how he shares his plans and carries out his plans, no matter what. We discussed how to apply God’s plans to the messiness of daily life.

When our plans are thwarted, God’s plans are best.

We were encouraged to come together; to be a Christ-centred community during challenging circumstances. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be part of a Life Group. We’d love you to join us.

Here’s some of our members experiences of lockdown: This September, we started leading a new Young Adult Life Group. It’s been such an encouraging start for this new group as we’ve loved getting stuck into the Bible and have enjoyed praying for each other and the wider church family serving at home and abroad. We’re thankful for the young adults in this group and their hunger to keep growing in Him. Praise God for the people of SRPC who have supported this new Life Group. As a group we’re thankful for Zoom. Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to meet during lockdown.

Pray for young adults living in challenging situations – those who might be lonely, without social interaction.

A lot of young adults are studying online and spending hours in front of a screen, please pray for their mental health. Even though we find this time tough, please pray for us to keep engaging with church online services and Zoom meetings.

Chris Pollock & Sarah Buchanan Having two Young Adult Life Groups since September has given us the opportunity to allow face to face meetings when restrictions have allowed twelve people in the Youth Room. It has been such a blessing to be able to continue to meet via Zoom or face to face in a time of such uncertainty.

Emily Costello Whenever I think of Life Group over the past year, the first thing that comes to mind is that I’ve never been quite as thankful for technology! Secondly, how wonderful it has been, that in the midst of so many cancelled events and social restrictions, we were still able to meet, pray and study God’s Word together. The highlight for me was that I still felt connected to my church family even if it wasn’t face to face.

Joanne Wardlow Our Life Group has been such a source of fellowship and strength to me during this strange and unnerving year. Isn’t it strange that in a year when we haven’t been able to meet, we feel closer than ever? God has comforted and challenged us as we have chatted, prayed and enjoyed His Word through little rectangles on a screen or words on a WhatsApp. God has been ever faithful. He has answered prayers as we gave Him our thanks, our worries and our requests. Please think about joining us, you would be so welcome. It won’t be long until we can meet together again and I can welcome you in with a smile!

Lorna Rodgers Saintfield road presbyterian church

As I was reflecting on our Life Group over this last year, I realise that it is not just the fact we are able to look at God’s word together but something deeper that makes our group an important part of my spiritual life. Despite having to meet using Zoom, I have felt a real warmth, love and concern within our group that has been very special to me. At the end of our study together we take a few minutes for each of us to share what kind of week we have had and any requests for prayer. With openness, we have been able to share what is on our hearts and bring these requests to the group knowing that they will pray with us and for us. The sense of fellowship is not for just an hour but always in the background!

Eleanor Timothy We had a stable group meeting until this was no longer possible. Thereafter, as almost all members did not want to participate by Zoom, the group was inactive until such time as small meetings in church premises became permissible. Meetings were very helpful to those who were able to attend and it was with deep regret that activities had to be suspended again because of Covid-19 restrictions.

John & Iris Francey For those of us who are technically challenged 2020 brought with it opportunities to take our IT skills to Zoom Megastar Level! Initial challenges of using a church television to show a PCI evangelism video paled into insignificance when faced with hosting online meetings overviewing a Bible Study. We may have been apart but the phrases, “You’re on mute!”, “We can’t see you but we can hear you!”, “I think they have frozen!” brought us all together.

For me, there was an evocation of childlike delight, (memories of the opening credits of the Muppet Show) to see lots of familiar smiling faces boxed on screen for our Zoom meetings. The support, care and love which shone from the group made lockdown less lonely and more bearable. We bonded over Zoom and buddied up for prayer.

WhatsApp became invaluable - a source for encouraging each other to keep looking up whenever we felt down: a conduit for seeking prayer support and holding each other’s arms up when needed.

We may not have been going out, or “out - out,” but travel was never far from our thoughts. Zoom meetings meant that it was as easy to keep up to date globally as it was locally. Group members had personal links with India, Kenya and South Africa. This ensured we were up to date as we prayed for our missionary interests. It put into perspective the needs of others in this global storm.

But the joy of being able to meet together without technology can’t be beaten. We made use of the window of opportunity to meet at the church during the summer. Even masked, sanitised and two metres apart, real meetings are better. During a summer Bible study outside, when the strength of the sun’s heat meant a relaxation of requirements to be masked, discussions about how Christians take a stand in environmental issues led to the seed of an idea for a church community garden; an idea which is being nurtured.

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Mission

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annual review 2020

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Home Mission Joanne Wardlow - Team Administrator at Biblica 2020 was an unprecedented year but it was also a year that we grew! In early January I got to travel to the US to assist with meetings, then I unfortunately spent a lot of my time asking hotels and airlines for refunds, as events and face to face meetings were cancelled. Despite this, it was amazing to see Biblica’s work continue: 45 new Bible translation projects underway; 6 new Scripture launches; our translations now covering 5.2 billion people; special COVID–19 resources in 31 languages; and 180,000 printed Bible resources for those in the Middle East.

Our CEO said that if 2020 showed us anything, it is that God is beyond our circumstances and He is still moving. It’s very true. I’m very thankful to be involved and be able to play a small part in making God’s word accessible to all.

Jonny McClune- Ministry Support at Youth For Christ Northern Ireland Youth for Christ has undoubtedly had a challenging year but there have been many positives. I have continued to support and encourage staff throughout the periods of furlough, moving programs online and spending more time out on detached youth work (street-based engagement).

It was great to work with SRPC’s own Chris Pollock this summer, as we produced and launched a YouTube channel called ‘Against the Odds’ which provided engaging online content for our staff and young people.

We’ve got used to staff time on Zoom and I have enjoyed hosting teaching and training sessions and social times like a unique digital Christmas party involving the usual laughter and fellowship.

I’ve had more time this year to be involved in communications, web development and strategic plans for the future. We continue to be expectant for what God is leading YFC into.

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Lynn Guiney Assistant Chaplain at Presbyterian Chaplaincy at Queen’s University Belfast I work as Assistant Chaplain at the Presbyterian Chaplaincy at QUB. We have a Hall of Residence (Derryvolgie Hall) and a student centre on Elmwood Avenue. A Chaplaincy week is normally full of activities including Sunday Night Worship, Guys & Girls Groups, I-meal (International Student Meal), sports and a ministry programs.

This year we have been unable to offer this wide range of activities but have been fortunate to offer, intermittently, Sunday Night Worship at Fisherwick Pres. The Derryvolgie Hall students overall are happy, enjoying new friendships and Christian community. It has been a different experience for international students who are more isolated, finding it difficult to meet and make friends. Please pray for our Chaplaincy Team, for their morale and creativity, for international students experiencing isolation and students with mental health problems.

Alfred Thompson- Head of Communications at Wycliffe Bible Translators “You can see the difference having the New Testament in our Vwanji language makes. You can really see it,” said Rev Ahimidiwe Amhali at the launch of the Vwanji New Testament in 2020.

Despite the disruption of the pandemic, Wycliffe has seen how God has been at work through the ministry of Bible translation. The Vwanji New Testament in Tanzania is just one example of newly translated Scriptures that are changing lives.

This year more people than ever before have the Bible in their language. The number of languages with the full Bible passed 700 - a huge cause for celebration. It has been a privilege to be part of the work of Wycliffe during the past year and to tell the stories of translators working in difficult and sometimes dangerous situations. Thank you for your prayers for me and your support of the work of Wycliffe.

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Overseas Mission Heather Lowry- India 2020 - A year to trust Following the death of Mum in January, I returned to India to continue working in the school as an English Support Teacher. Soon the restrictions of Covid-19 hit and the school was closed. No one could come and go from campus. I needed to decide if I should stay or go, but UK residents were being encouraged to leave. After several cancelled flights, I took a repatriation flight home in April. I moved into a PCI house in Belfast where I stayed until October. Despite this lockdown I still managed to see friends and meet people by Zoom.

I met regularly with Ben and reconnected with a Life Group at SRPC. In August I took a part time job in Oxfam which I enjoyed, until a further lockdown at Christmas.

God spoke to me on one of my less positive days through this song, known to me for years: “I know who holds the future, and He guides me with His hand.

With God things don’t just happen, everything by Him is planned.

And as I face tomorrow, with its problems large and small.

I’ll trust the God of miracles, give to Him my all” John & Birita Timothy- Japan After 2 years and 3 months of language school, we were excited to be going to our first ministry designation in Hirosaki city. It was an interesting time to arrive, just when churches were deciding on how to operate with the threat of the new virus looming. We were, however, spared many of the pains that most countries have gone through and have been able to carry on in a relatively normal fashion throughout the year. The transition into our new working environment was quite a challenge at times, but through prayer, God has helped us to overcome those difficulties. We feel especially grateful for His provision of friends who have been a solid support to us.

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Through church events, Bible studies, short talks, preaching and day to day activities, there have been plenty of opportunities to share the Good News with the people here in Hirosaki. With each opportunity comes a stretching of our language capacity that is often painful but refines our reliance on God. With just a year left until home assignment, our goal is to build on relationships we have established in this community and to seek God’s guidance for our next steps in ministry.

Gerald & Louise Mwangi - Kenya Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy! 2020 started well here in Kenya. We had fifty-one students sign up for TransformD, doubling the number we had in 2019.

In Kenya there are often tribal tensions between different speaking groups but we are happy that our programs are becoming more and more diverse, demonstrating that the Gospel goes beyond race, colour, tribe and language.

Sadly, our programs were curtailed because of Covid but we are glad that we have kept in contact with most people through online conversations and calls. At one point we gathered in our offices for a reunion and fellowship. Some students have gone on to university, with others still waiting to know what is next for them. We hope they will continue to shine the light of Christ wherever they go.

We were geared up to hosting a summer team from SPRC, but given the current situation, we have postponed this to 2022. We appreciate the existing partnership with SRPC and hopefully, when the time is appropriate, a team can come and see what we do.

We are grateful to God for healing Gerald who had contracted Covid at one stage. We are also grateful for Louise’s recovery after the birth of James. Jeremiah and Daniel took a bit of time to adjust to the new arrival but we are thankful that they both adore him, and he also loves observing what they are doing.

We are grateful for your prayers and support through 2020!

annual review 2020

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What have you been thankful for during 2020…?

God’s Faithfulness God’s Word God’s Kindness God’s Grace God’s Sovereignty

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Organisations

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annual review 2020

// Organisations ChurchLife

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, our various community groups have been unable to use the facilities at SRPC since the beginning of March 2020. They all, including the Guiding sections, hope to resume activities whenever it is safe to do so.

Tuesday Break

JeanMcClune

The spring program involved many from our own church fellowship leading our gatherings: a table quiz led by Fred Wilson; another episode of Yes Minister from Nigel Hamilton, and Desert Island Discs hosted

by Alistair McCracken in conversation with Victor Corrie and Harold Hamilton, including stories and choices of music. Each meeting concluded with a Bible thought.

We also enjoyed an interesting afternoon with George Busby talking to us about the Spies of Gilnahirk: giving us an insight into the local wireless station and a group of secret listeners into enemy communications during World War II. Our soup and sandwich lunch saw a good turnout and we had an interesting talk on Lebanon from Reverend Richard Kerr, son-in-law of our Honorary President, Sam McClintock. It was with sadness and thankfulness that we heard of Sam’s passing shortly after that in February, and in the same week Mrs. Dorothy Stevenson - the Honorary Vice President.

Their cheerful, friendly inclusive natures, their service over many years, their Godly example and influence will long be remembered. During the year, past members Rachel Duff and Mollie Buxton also passed

away; to all these bereaved family circles we extend our sympathy.

Our spring program was curtailed as COVID restrictions arrived, and we looked forward to meeting together later in the year.

Mindful of the age profile of our members and recognizing the need to be wise, we were able to meet together in person in October, with a difference - we met in the main church building and on a Wednesday!

Although not all were able to join together it was a joy to be able to restart. We enjoyed more of Fred’s quiz questions and hearing from Heather Lowry who updated us on her journey to India, current situation, and potential future plans with the orphanage and school in Bangalore.

As we concluded the year again apart, each member was sent a card, some advent reflections, a small gift of chocolate, and a hand-made decoration. Thanks to Gill and to Kids Connect for their smiling pictures on the front of the Christmas cards.

We look forward to being together again in 2021 and would welcome newcomers.

NeedlecraftCircle Iris Francey From the beginning of January 2020 until Lockdown in March we continued to meet weekly on Thursday mornings from 10am until 12noon in the Youth Room, with refreshments in the Coffee Bar. There were usually about eighteen ladies who enjoyed a relaxing, friendly morning.

From March we kept in touch by phone. When we were able to meet again for a few weeks in the Autumn, only eight members felt comfortable about coming. We were however glad to see each other again even though we only met for an hour and with no refreshments. Initially we met in the Hub but later,

Saintfield road presbyterian church

because of the small numbers, we returned to the Youth Room.

Sadly, during the year two members, who don’t belong to SRPC, lost their husbands. Karen sent both these ladies sympathy cards and flowers from our group. At the beginning of December, Audrey sent a letter and a Christmas poem to each of our members.

This was greatly appreciated by all.

We trust that we will be able to resume meeting again at some stage in 2021, even if our numbers are low.

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Church info

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annual review 2020

// ChurchInfo ChurchLife

OurYearinNumbers

507145 286287 People of all agesclaimingaconnection

Children&YoungPeopleinvolved

PeoplerecordedonCommunionRoll

Families claiming a connection

At the start of the year, when we still could, we had: 197 people attend Communion.

Chloe Compton join on profession of faith 2 Baptisms Rory Templeton: 19 January & James Withers: 8 March

Over the course of the year, we were saddened by the death of the following members: June Lowry 16 January

Richard Nesbitt 30 September

Dorothy Stevenson 15 February

Frances Sherr 14 November

Sam McClintock 19 February

Rachel Duff 17 November

Norman Wilkinson 25 April

Dorothy Pinkerton 27 December

Winnie Wilkinson 30 April

Mollie Buxton 30 December

Doris Patterson 7 June

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// Church Mission ChurchInfo Life

Financial Summary SessionandCommitteeareverygratefultoindividualsandfamiliesfortheirfinancialsupportinwhatwasa verychallengingyear.FullfinancialstatementswillbepublishedinduecourseandputontheSRPCwebsite.

Belowisagraphicalrepresentationofsomeofthekeyfigures.

Income £141,000 FWO (Free-will Offering)

Total Income: £264,000

£43,000 Support Fund £34,000 Gift Aid £51,000 Restoration Fund £5,000 Misc. income & loose collections

Where does your money go…

51p Ministry & Support Staff costs 24p Donations to missions & other bodies 9p Central PCI & Presbytery 3p Property Costs

For every

£1

13p Other Costs

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annual review 2020

// ChurchInfo Mission ChurchLife

Watching our Services Since the pandemic we have begun to livestream all of our services. You can watch or listen live, or catch up on any previous weeks on any of the below platforms: YouTube

Watch previous Sunday services along with all of our Wednesday Prayer Videos and Worship from Home services.

Podcast

Listen to each weeks sermon on PodBean or Google Podcasts.

DVD

If you would like a free DVD, please contact the church office.

Via Phone

If you don’t have internet access, you can access all of our services via phone. Contact the church office for more info.

Contact Us Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church 1 Myrtledene Road Belfast BT8 6GQ

Contact Us

www.srpc.org.uk info@srpc.org.uk 9040 3333

Socials

facebook.com/saintfieldroad twitter.com/saintfieldroad

Saintfield road presbyterian church

With special thanks to…

The editors would like to extend their thanks to everyone who contributed articles and content for this Annual Review.

Design & Formatting: Chris Thomson Church Photos: Chris Pollock Editors: Derek Henderson Alistair McCracken © 2021 Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church Registered Charity No. NIC104268 CCLI & Streaming License: CCLI36224

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// Church ChurchInfo Life

Our YearinViews With lockdownrestrictionsinplace,allofour SundayServices and Prayer Gatherings moved online as this graphfromYouTubeshows.Itchartsthenumberof“unique viewers” (that is, different devices – most likely differenthouseholds)whowatchedonlineeach day.Youcan see the regular Sunday spikes!

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Good Friday A service involving South Belfast Presbytery and SRPC Easter Sunday

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200

150

Pentecost Our Prayer Weeken first Worship from H

Lockdown begins So did our online services. Each week, we had an online, pre-recorded service available, with contributions from musicians, singers and readers all filmed remotely. We also produced short Wednesday Prayer Videos in place of Midweek

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50

0 Wednesday, 1 January 2020

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Saturday, 1 February 2020

Sunday, 1 Marc h 2020

Wednesday, 1 April 2020

Friday, 1 May 2020

Monday, 1 June Wednes 2020 July 2

annual review 2020

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Across 2020, we uploaded 138 videos, gaining a total of 2,900 viewing hours, with over 15,600 views!*

Christmas Carol Service We broadcasted our Carol Service on YouTube featuring several members of the congregation singing - filmed over several days.

nd, along with our Home

esday, 1 2020

Start of Live-streaming As we went into November we started Live-streaming

A slight drop As we were able to meet in-person with reduced numbers each week

Saturday, 1 August 2020

Tuesday, 1 Thursday, 1 September 2020 October 2020

Sunday, 1 Tuesday, 1 November 2020 December 2020

*We’re slowly catching up with Netflix…

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// ChurchInfo

Church Diary Sunday 11:00 am

Sunday Morning Worship My Church Crèche (up to age 3) Little Stars (up to P4 during holidays)

11:30 am

The ARK Beginners’ Sunday School (age 3-5) Primary Sunday School (age 5-8) Junior Sunday School (age 8-11) Bible Class JCBs (age 11-14) Snr. Bible Class (age 14-18)

6:45 pm

RED (Relate, Engage, Disciple) Ages 13-18 (Twice Monthly)

Evening & During week

Life Groups (See Page 17)

7:30 pm

Young Adults (18+)

Monday 10:15 am

Sing & Sign*

6:15 pm

Rainbow Guides* Girls aged 4-7

6:30 pm

Brownie Guides* Girls aged 7-11

7:45 pm

Girl Guides* Girls aged 10-14 Beechill Rangers Unit* Girls aged 14+ (alternate weeks)

8:00 pm 32

Presbyterian Women 3rd Monday of each month

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// ChurchInfo

Tuesday 2:30 pm

Tuesday Break 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month

Wednesday 10:30 am

Tiny Tots

7:30 pm

Young Adults (18+)

7:30 pm

Midweek Prayer & Bible Study

Various

Pilates *

Thursday 10:00 am

Ladies’ Badminton Club Needlecraft Circle

7:00 pm

Zumba*

Friday 6:30 pm

Junior Vibe Youth Club Age P4 - P7

8:00 pm

Senior Vibe Youth Club Year 8+

* Community - run organisations which use the church facilities Following the first Covid19 lockdown in March 2020, none of the Church activities have ran as normal.

Activities have been a mixture of in person (when permitted and safe) as well as virtual.

None of the external organisations using the Church premises have met since March 2020.

If you want to keep up to date on any of the above organisations, please get in touch with the church office.

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// ChurchInfo

OurStaff & Ministry Team Rev.BenWalker Minister

3 Royal Lodge Park Belfast BT8 7YP

JohnnyBell

DirectorofChildren’s, Youth&FamilyMinistries johnny.bell@srpc.org.uk

ben.walker@srpc.org.uk 9508 1207 07881 935509

Gill Gourley

FamilyWorker gill.gourley@srpc.org.uk

ChurchAdmin Moni Wilson info@srpc.org.uk

District Members During 2020, with the pandemic in mind, a few personnel changes were made to some districts.

01

LornaRodgers Johnny Bell Heather Smyth

02

DavidRice Gavin Hamilton Ross Withers

04

Neil Templeton Billy McClune Alan Compton

03

05

Robert Clarke JohnFrancey Phill Dane

06

07

MalcomBuchanan AlisonTempleton

08

JohnHamilton Andrew Hamilton Hay Chan

09

Alison Mullen AlistairMcCracken Deborah McKnight

10

PatrickBuchanan GordonCampbell

11

DerekHenderson Linda Moore

12

HeatherMontgomery Kyle Whiteside

15

JeanMcClune Deirdre Withers

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Jonathan Patterson AlfredThompson Harold Hamilton Brian Agus

14

Iris Francey Jonny McClune (HeatherLowry) Grace McClune

IanMullen Eileen Hamilton Kim Templeton

Kevin Maguire DavidThomson

annual review 2020

// ChurchInfo

Church Leadership Kirk Session

AlistairMcCracken a.mccracken1@ntlworld.com Clerkof Session Johnny Bell

Kevin Maguire

PatrickBuchanan

WilliamMcClune

Malcom Buchanan

JeanMcClune

GordonCampbell

JonnyMcClune

Robert Clarke

HeatherMontgomery

Iris Francey

Alison Mullen

JohnFrancey

IanMullen

Andrew Hamilton

Johnathan Patterson

EileenHamilton

David Rice

GavinHamilton

Lorna Rodgers

Harold Hamilton

Alison Templeton

JohnHamilton

NeilTempleton

Derek Henderson

Alfred Thompson

HeatherLowry

David Thomson

Elders Emeritus Kathleen Press, Ethel Scott, Ken Bell, David Greenaway, Hugh Bradford & David Clarke.

Office Bearers Treasurer

Cong.Committee Secretary

FreewillOffering Secretary

PropertyManagement

Grounds Maintenance

A/VCoordinator

Health& Safety

Facilities Mgmt

Editor- InTouch

FlowerDistribution

Church Officer

Free-willOffering Team

TakingCare Issues

Magazine Agents

Rosa Parkes MargaretMaguire Paula O’Niell

RuthThompson DerekHenderson

Presbyterian Herald Moni Wilson

David Thomson

Phillip Hamilton

Neil McKnight

Trudy Stanfield

ElaineHutton

Gerry Carr

DerekHenderson

RoyMcCann

DavidMcAuley

GavinHamilton

Chris Thomson

WiderWorld Helen Craig

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To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me Through the deepest valley He will lead Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome Yet not I, but through Christ in me

© 2021 Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church