It has been a busy few months at Ballinderry. We have continued with our usual programmes including coffee mornings, youth events and Sunday School. We have also hosted a party for families and young people during the half term holidays which saw over 100 people attending. This was a wonderful event facilitated by our volunteer youth workers Paulina and Jordan and their team of volunteers.
We celebrated Harvest on 29th September. Dr David McMillan, a good friend of the congregation was our special guest speaker.
In October the Ballinderry Scouts had their special service where the leaders and young people made their promises and were presented with their scarves. The Church was filled to the brim, and it was an evening filled with great excitement and celebration.
As a congregation we have been responding to the needs of the community and have renovated the Sanctuary. We had a great day of fun on 19th October when we had the chance to apply for a grant to continue the community outreach in Ballinderry. The process was that each group seeking funds would have a stand and the opportunity to speak to visitors and explain the vision and purpose of the funded programme. We were able to have many conversations and the opportunity to meet new people as well as spending time together as a congregation. We are pleased to report that we have been successful with the grant, and we look forward to being able to increase our community engagement, providing a space of welcome and the opportunity to share Christ’s love.
Another exciting occasion was welcoming the Bishops Conference to Ballinderry on 22nd October. It was a joyous occasion to welcome Bishops from across the Unity, to spend time with one another and to share in a wonderful lunch kindly prepared by members of the congregation.
We are in the process of planning our Christmas sale and will be starting a new Bible Study series in the coming weeks. We are very excited for the special Christmas services and all this season has to offer.
We are extremely thankful to all the willing hands and hearts that continue our mission in sharing God’s love in the community.
Sr Elaine Gourley Stephens
