Well, it certainly wasn’t the driest summer we’ve ever had, but we hope you’ve had a good summer anyway!
We had great fun at the Big Fab Holiday club, we hope you were able to get along and join in. It was lovely to see lots of the parents and siblings come along on the Friday to enjoy the BBQ.
The regular church organisations start back again this month including FAB on Friday 15th September
Parentalk
We have a new course starting on Tuesday this week for all parents. Whether you are rocking parenting, feeling overwhelmed, both or somewhere in between Parentalk is designed to give you a safe environment to discuss the many challenges facing families today.
See the Parentalk page here for more details.
Welcome Lewis!
This month we’re delighted welcome Lewis. Lewis has just started his degree in Youth Ministry and Practical Theology at CYM. As part of his course he will be on placement with us for the full 3 years of his course. We’re very excited to see what God has in store for both Lewis and us as a parish.
“Hello, my name is Lewis Mason, and I’m a new placement student. I’m studying Youth Ministry and Practical Theology at CYM. I live in Saintfield but usually only spend the latest hours of night in the town as I’m busy travelling the far and wide of the country most days. I have only recently finished my A levels but instead of taking some time off of education, decided to get stuck right back into education while at the same time serving the Lord on my course. I’m looking forward to quickly becoming part of Derryvolgie’s church community and getting to know everyone who I will be serving alongside and also seeing around the church on a weekly basis.”
Toilets toilets everywhere
We were delighted to welcome back Susan from Toilet Twinning today. You have been busy saving up and spending your pennies in our Toilet Twinning Toilet and we were delighted to hand over a cheque for £600 to help with this fundamental basic right for those in desperate need.
Thank you for all your support over the last few months on this, something as simple as a toilet can be life changing.
The FAB Summer Holiday Club
The FAB Summer Holiday Club ran from Monday 21 Aug – Friday 25 Aug. A team of volunteers had been trained and were ready to welcome 40 primary aged children over the course of the week. Each evening started at 6.30 with a FAB introduction. Then after a team game, each participant was challenged to attempt 8 different tasks and complete a card. After juice and biscuits, Stephen helped us to think about how God gives us what we need as we go through life. We looked at some B ible stories to help us. (David and Goliath, Jacob’s sleep at the bottom of a Heavenly staircase, Mary who washed Jesus’ feet and Jonah and the whale)
Even though Friday evening was a wash out, ninety children and
parents came to a Family night with BBQ. A big thank you to everyone who gave of their time and helped to bring the good news of Jesus into young lives
Summer Madness 2017
Five of our young people attended the Summer Madness festival in Glenarm at the beginning of July. In all there were approximately 1500 people in attendance from all over Ireland. The camping was a bit drier this year. Once up in the morning, there was lots to do. Each day started with a session in the Big Top followed by a host of activities (seminars, sports events and even sailing) After tea, which was once again cooked and supplied by Connor diocese under the watchful eye of Rev Mark Taylor, we benefited from an evening session in the Big Top. It was a great occasion when all involved grew in their faith and were challenged to live as disciples of Jesus. One of the favourite late evening events was the UV disco party following the Big Top. Thank you to the Select Vestry who once again subsidised the cost of the tickets. God willing, we will be there again next year.
Summer has begun!
and in many ways. All our kids are now off school and raring to go for their summer holidays. For all you lucky ones heading away this summer, we hope you have a brilliant time away.
If you’re staying a little closer to home this summer there are a few big events on to choose from.
Summer Madness @ Glenarm started today and some of our young folk will be there again this year. It’s on until the 4th July with plenty of seminars, workshops and fun activities so why not head on over for a visit.
Following soon after summer madness is New Wine down in Sligo. It’s running from 9th – 14th of July and is well worth the trip.
Then in August we have New Horizon up in Coleraine running from the 5th – 11th in the university campus. This is another excellent week of Bible teaching, praise and worship.
And last, but by no means least it’s our very own Big FAB Holiday Club! Back again after its break last year it’s running from 21st – 25th of August. Check out the event page here for more details closer to the time.
Happy holidays!