On Saturday 10th June, Magheragall Ramblers presented proceeds from a recent Car Boot Sale to support the work of Magheragall Parish Church and also missionary outreach work by two church members - Grace Park who is currently in Brazil working with Tear Fund; and Kerri Cunningham who is going to Kenya on 10th July with the Church Missionary Society Ireland(CMSI).

In planning our summer programme we decided to pay a return visit to Rathlin Island. We last visited the Island about two years ago, however during talks with the Rector, our trip to Rathlin became a much bigger event because it was decided to extend an invitation to parishioners and friends to join with the Ramblers on this occasion and turn the event into a Parish Day Out, as part of our 175th Anniversary celebrations.

After much deliberation and planning a group of 76 people made the outing to Rathlin to join the Islanders in a service in St. Thomas's Church. At the Islanders' invitation our Rector celebrated Holy Communion at the Service and we were joined by three Islanders so this made our Day Out extra special.

We used a 52 seater bus and private cars and were joined at the ferry by other parishioners who had been caravaning in the area. We had pre booked the ferry tickets and were all escorted like royalty to the ferry. We were blessed with glorious weather and had a calm crossing with a slight breeze. The service was lovely and afterwards while some of us enjoyed sitting about on the shore in the sunshine, the others divided into three groups and enjoyed a choice of walks to the three lighthouses and the bird sanctuary.

We took the 5.30 p.m. ferry home and again had a smooth crossing except for a swell lasting about 5 minutes and a slight shower from the waves. At the end of the day most of us displayed red faces from the sun and the wind but we arrived home jubilant and wanting a similar trip next year which just goes to show the success of the day.

In closing the Ramblers would like to thank the Vestry of St. Thomas's, Rathlin, for their kind invitation to join with them at their Morning Service on the 11th June and pray that the Lord will bless them in the years ahead.