Following our Palm Sunday Service, Rev Mike O'Sullivan and his wife, Kaye, joined us for a light lunch in aid of Muscular Dystrophy NI and served by the Women's League.

The church would wish to thank the ladies of the Women's League for all their hard work and effort - and the ladies of the Women's League would wish to thank everyone who attend for their generosity. £560 was raised for Muscular Dystrophy NI.

While many seniors are active in their communities and continue to have a social circle well into their golden years, many are confined to their homes by illness or simply can’t perform daily tasks the way they used to. For these people--and especially for those who don’t have family nearby--belonging to a church can be a blessing. Not only can it provide a sense of belonging and community, members can also prove very helpful and supportive during difficult times.
 
Belonging to a church can also improve mood and self-esteem and can provide a welcome place for seniors to go during the day to get social, play games to help improve memory and brain function, and get out of the house for a while.
 
Here are some of the best benefits of attending a church when you’re a senior: 
 
A shoulder to lean on
 
Becoming an active member in the church means having a sense of belonging and a support system during the most difficult times, such as battling substance abuse, going through marital troubles, or coping with health issues. Many churches even offer counseling services for members of all ages to take advantage of.
 
Help during hard times
 
Most churches will offer help for seniors who are confined to their homes, such as coming by to clean up the house, bringing groceries by, or just checking in and visiting for a while. For those who don’t have nearby family, loneliness can be one of the hardest things to get through, and being a member of a church allows them to feel a sense of family and community.
 
Adult day care
 
Many seniors have in-home care, and when those caregivers need a break or to take time off, adult day care is a perfect way to ensure the senior’s safety and happiness in their absence. Many churches offer these services, which allows the individual to come and socialize, participate in arts and crafts, or offer their own services for a charity. 

​Ease stress
 
Belonging to a supportive group of people can help ease stress and anxiety and boost mood and energy levels, especially if the individual is active within the group. Many churches have community outreach programs, a choir, and various other activities that seniors can participate in. This can help them feel important and vital in their community.
 
Better decision making
 
Studies have shown that people who pray daily exhibit better decision-making skills, because they feel more grounded and self-confident. For those who pray within a group setting, the benefits are even more obvious because the individual feels a strong connection to others and forges relationships.
 
 
Guest post: Jason Lewis

On Saturday Afternoon 28th January Sonya Russell, Helen Kinghan and Marie Holmes attended the Service and meeting in our Cairncastle Church.

This special service, led by Rev Lena Cockcroft, was the start of celebrations to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding in 1927 of the Ulster District of the Women’s League.

Nine candles were lit commemorating the nine decades of work and worship of the League. The 48 members attending rededicated themselves, as Liberal Christian Women, to the ideals of the League:

companionship
prayerful and practical witness
charitable giving and, most importantly,
hospitality to all those who wish to join with us.

All present were very pleased that our Moderator, Rt. Rev Chris Wilson and his wife joined us for this special occasion. The Moderator was most complimentary of the work and witness carried out by the women of our Churches.

The Women's League enjoyed a beautiful Christmas Dinner....and craic at the Riverside Tearooms, Dromore.

The artistic talents of our church were on full display 60 years ago with a well-received theatrical production which left the audience demanding more.

Here follows excerpts from a report which featured in The Leader on March 16, 1956.
The Rampart Street Schoolroom, Dromore, was filled to capacity on three evenings last week when the local N.S. Presbyterian Church Amateur Dramatic Society presented “Bed of Rose’s” (a broad comedy in three acts by Falkland L Cary). So much was the comedy enjoyed that there have been requests for a repeat performance. This has been arranged for Wednesday evening next at 8 o’clock.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the Players were at their best, and the performances reflect the very highest credit on them and their producer, Miss Margaret Whitehead. It was very evident that much time and thought had been given to the production. The cast were all well suited to their parts, and all, including three newcomers to the stage (Joan Russell, Audrey Agnew and her brother Sam), played with confidence.

Of the more seasoned players there were Anna Ferguson and Jim Flanagan, who, in their own inimitable way, brought an ever-popular touch of romance into the picture; Violet Scott, very much at home in a serious role; Edith Boal, playing with apparent ease in a part which called for actions as well as words; the one and only Sam Agnew (senior), always equal to any emergency; and last but not least William Wilkinson, whose versatility enabled him to “care for the body” with the same ability with which he “looked after the soul” in last season’s production.

The full cast in order of appearance was as follows: Jenny Pickersgill, Anna Ferguson; Pam Pickersgill, Audrey L Agnew; Mrs Blisden, Violet Scott; Bob Huggins, Samuel Kane Agnew; Rose Pickersgill, Edith Boal; Matt Pickersgill, Samuel Agnew; Basil Graves, James Flanagan; Doctor Raheney, William Wilkinson; May Rossiter, Joan Russell.

​Highlights in the performance were a scene which developed when Jenny Pickersgill invited the debonair Basil Graves to tea; and later, a round of fisticuffs between Basil and Bob Huggins.

Rev A E Peaston, who presided each evening, complimented and thanked the Players and Producer. He also expressed indebtedness to many who had helped in various ways, mentioning the names of Messrs Bob Crookshanks and others (stage improvements), William J Scott (decorations), Samuel Mann (lighting), Thompson Bros (stage furnishings), F Russell (transport), P E Neeson & Co (furniture), James Russell (curtains), Samuel Flanagan (door steward), William J Scott and Robert McIlrath (stewards), Wm McMillan (sexton), the programme sellers, and the Clarke family for all their help.

​Here, Mr Peaston made special mention of the serious illness of Mr John Clarke, expressing the hope that he would have a speedy recovery. John, he said, is a great Dromore character and a great lover of this Church. Mr Peaston added that before John was taken so ill he was busy making the artificial roses which they saw on the stage.

The church's Big Breakfast 2015 was a big success. Over £1500 was raised for the Church Building Fund. Thank you to all those who "cleaned their plate" for your donation. Thank you to John Gamble (Funeral Directors, Dromore) for sponsoring the event for another year, and all our suppliers. And, of course, thank you to our very dedicated and very hard-working volunteers who made sure everything was cooked and prepared to perfection, made sure everyone was catered for and looked after, who made sure everyone "had their fill", and who made sure everything was cleaned and tidied away again afterwards.

The Women's League monthly meeting was treated to a Flower Arranging Demonstration by Anna McVeigh, with an emphasis on arrangements suitable for Christmas at home. The League meets monthly in the Session Room and all are welcome.