Blog Archives

The accent took a bit of getting used to....

27/9/2015

Rev Tom Wilson from Glasgow and his family at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Rev Tom Wilson (Scotland) was visiting preacher at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church. Included are his wife, Tracy and daughters Emma (10) and Katie (7).

The accent took a bit of getting used to .... but the message was clear - Jesus is Lord.

Rev Tom Wilson (Scotland) was visiting preacher at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church on Sunday, 27 September 2015. The whole family joined us for worship and the children attended Sunday School. Included are his wife, Tracy and daughters Emma (10) and Katie (7) - with "Minnie".

Rev Wilson encouraged the congregation to "walk our faith", not just talk it. Everyone, he said, was looking for something - peace and love - but it often eludes them. And so our mission is to go out and share our faith, not just with those who already know it, but with everyone. How we speak, treat, help, care for and love those areound us, including our enemies, should point to the fact that "we know the shepherd".

"Because I know the Psalm,
but he knows the Shepherd."
There’s an old story about a priest was celebrating his 50th Anniversary of Ordination. For this occasion he had invited his personal friend, Richard Burton, to come and recite his favorite Psalm 23. Richard Burton agreed to do this on the condition that the priest would also recite it after him. At the appointed time, Richard Burton stood and proclaimed the popular psalm with such oratorical mastery the congregation immediately applauded. And then this humble pastor stood up and began to recite, from heart, this beloved Psalm. After he had finished his not nearly so professional recitation, the congregation was in awe, and some moved to tears. Someone in the front pew with Richard Burton leaned over and asked him, "Why did people loudly applaud you and yet were silently moved by the pastor?" Burton replied, "Because I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd."

Rev Tom Wilson (Scotland) preached in Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church for the first time on 27 September 2015

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Hands of the carpenter

24/9/2015

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Ernie Martin

Once hailed as 'the best joiner in Dromore' by a former employer, Ernie Martin's service to his own church, and others in the area, has drawn on his trade, as well as his faith.

Ernie spent 38 years working for John Graham (Dromore), reaching the managerial position of Joinery Foreman before working for several other local construction companies.

One of a family of craftsmen - his late father Walter and late brother Joe were also noted carpenters with John Graham (Dromore) - among other things Ernie turned his 'God-given' talent to making the pulpits for Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church, Dromore and Drumlough Presbyterian Church.

Described as a brilliant woodworker, he personally constructed two 16-foot windows at either side of the pulpit, as well as the sacramental War Memorial window, at First Dromore (Non-Subscribing) in the early 1980s.

Ernie's oft-quoted life philosophy - "Better wearing out than rusting out."

Beyond that, he has for decades been actively involved in various church activities, including the Property Committee, helping to ensure the smooth running of Christian worship in the Rampart Street meeting house.

Ernie's oft-quoted life philosophy - "better wearing out than rusting out" - is equally evident in his other pursuits, which between them demonstrated an until-recently tireless athleticism, a commitment to charity, a passion for music and, again, his skill at woodworking, with which he has produced five guitars and the racing body for a 1929 Riley sports car.

A keen sportsman, he began in the mid-1980s to take part in fun-runs, only lately hanging up his running shoes, and his most recent achievements include raising £1,720 for the Paul Russell Trust Fund.

His love of music finds voice not only in his church choir, but among the ranks of the renowned Dromore and District Male Voice Choir, of which he has been a member for some 20 years. (Dromore Leader 2009)

I have had the pleasure of knowing Ernie and his family through our own connections with Dromore Non-Subscribing Church and shortly after his retirement at 80, he allowed me to photograph him by the magnificent windows which he built.

Don't tell our minister but during services I often sit in our family pew and admire the workmanship, the wonderful light which the windows bring into the church, and the faith which Ernie showed - in God and himself.

I'm sure God is pleased with Ernie's work, and Ernie was back in church this morning, singing in the choir.

You might enjoy a blog post,
"Banbridge town's most famous son".

Drew McWilliams| Photographer

Stained glass window at Dromore Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church

Ernie Martin admires the stained glass windows at Dromore Non'Subscribing Presbyterian Church

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Ordination and installation of Elders

21/9/2015

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A service for the Ordination and Installation of Elders to the congregation of The First Presbyterian (Non-Subscribing) Church, Dromore was held on the 20th September 2015 by the Presbytery of Bangor. The Moderator of Presbytery, Rev Robert McKee conducted the installation of Sam O'Mullan, Ann McMillan and Roderick McMurray.

Installation of church elders at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Sam O'Mullan, Ann McMillan and Roderick McMurray were ordained and installed as Elders to the Congregation of The First Presbyterian (Non-Subscribing) Church, Dromore,

The Moderator of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Rev Chris Wilson gave an exposition of Presbyterian Church Order, relating the various roles of Luther, Calvin and Knox in its development. He emphasised that Presbyterianism was a form of church governance and not a sect, and that church elders were therefore important in the life of the church.

Ann McMillan and family attended her installation as an Elder - Raymond, Kyle and Cameron Stirling and her morther, Rosemary McMillan.

Siobhan Magill was a very proud daughter as she witnessed the installation of her father, Sam O'Mullan.

During the 'Charge to Elders and Congregation', the Rev Brian Cockcroft also emphisised the important role church elders play, not only as trusted advisers to the minister but in a many practical ways in the day-to-day life of the church. He suggested their motto might mirror that of the Scout Association - "Be Prepared".for almost anything as they serve and support the minister and congregation.

What is important, he said, is that elders lead by example with regard to helpfulness, good citizenship, and regular attendance at church

Roderick McMurray, Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Roderick McMurray enjoys the support of his wife, Nicola at his installation as a Elder.

At the installation of Elders in Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Kyle Stirling found he had to "be prepared"

In giving the Charge to Elders, Rev Brian Cockcroft encouraged our new Elders to use the Scout motto: "Be Prepared". You must be prepared for almost anything - and so it seems must an Elder's children. Kyle attended the service for his mother's installation as an Elder and ended up doing the dishes!

Following the service our new elders, guests and congregation enjoyed supper and fellowship in the Ervine Hall.

Hymns included:
"Spirit of grace and health and power,
Fountain of light and love below,";
"Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.";
"O Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end:"
Organist: Julie Black

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Don't forget to mark THE BIG BREAKFAST in your diary

19/9/2015

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Saturday 28th November
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and support a good cause.
This is one of the highlights of our church social calendar. and we are grateful to
John Gamble (Funeral Directors, Dromore)
for his annual sponsorship of this event.
All proceeds in aid of the Church Building Fund.
Come along - and bring your friends!

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Discipleship and Differences

13/9/2015

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The Moderator of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Rev Chris Wilson

The Right Reverend Chris Wilson, Moderator of the General Synod of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and his wife Sandra were our guests recently. The Moderator entitled his address, "Discipleship and Differences".
"O people the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

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World's Biggest Coffee Morning

7/9/2015

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WE ARE MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT

Donna McDonald recently held to a Coffee Morning at her Ballymacormick Road home, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
She was delighted to announce that a total of £660 was raised.
Donna is no stranger to fund raising and thinking of others. Donna is a church committee member, sings with the choir, and is a Bible Class leader.

Charity fund raising by the Bible Class at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Members of the Bible Class at Dromore Non-Subscribing Church held a Coffee Morning in aid of 'Charlene's Project' to build a primary school in Uganda. Included are Bible Class teachers Donna McDonald and Ivor Park.

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Obituary: Allen McIlroy

6/9/2015

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It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of our friend and committee member Allen McIlroy.

Allen was a true friend to all of us who met him through this Church. But he will be remembered as well for the Church Newsletter which Jean and he had been publishing for years for us all to enjoy. It was something we all looked forward to reading.

Those who knew him will have valued his friendship, his advice and his sense of humour.

Allan passed away on the 14th July, his funeral to this Chruch anon the 17th July and the Service at the Crematorium on 18th July, his 70th birthday.

To Jean, John and Alex and all the family circle of friends we extend our sincere and profound sympathy. Allen was someone I personally will not forget, for to me he was a true friend.

Jesus said, "In my Father's House are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you." (John 14:2)

Sam Peden

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The Special Years

6/9/2015

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A talented observer of like and song writer too....Irish singer, Val Doonican died "peacefully" recently at a nursing home in Buckinghamshire. His music was an important part of my childhood and growing up and will always take me back in my "mind's eye" to those special years in my life.

Doonican reached Number 7 in 1965 with, "The Special Years" - a song he wrote himself, no doubt as he watched his own two daughters grow:

"From pigtails to wedding bells; from pinafores to lace.
And in between are the special years, Time never can erase".

Even though it was written with little girls in mind, this song reminds me of my own happy childhood, boyhood friends and good neighbours.

Our neighbours - and they still live in the same house - were great Val Doonican fans and more often than not it seemed that Val's songs were playing when we were there.

There were no mobile phones (we didn't even have a telephone in the house), or computer games (we didn't even have calculators never mind computers), Radio 1 hadn't been broadcast and, while I wasn't usually allowed to stay up that late, TV finished before midnight.

We played outside ALL DAY with friends, our toys and our imagination.

Hopefully my images of children help their families remember those Special Years

The Special Years (Lyrics by Val Doonican)

From pigtails to wedding veils
From pinafores to lace
And in between are the special years
Time never can erase

From play toys to college boys
From little girl to wife
And in between are the special years
You remember all of your life

The special years are filled
With sweet promises and pain
But love will never taste
Quite so wonderful again

So slow up, don't rush to grow up
You'll be a woman before long
So stay awhile in the special years
Their magic will soon be gone.