Magheragall
Parish Church
Rev. Nicholas Dark
April 2013
The Annual General Vestry is scheduled for 16th April 2013 at 7.30 PM in the Parish Hall. This is a very important meeting within the life of our parish and I would urge you to attend. The business of the meeting is to receive the Annual Financial Report and elect a new Select Vestry for the year 2013 to 2014. It is not my business to choose people for the Select Vestry that is why we have an AGM with provision for elections if necessary. The Select Vestry is representative of the parishioners and takes responsibility for the fabric and finance of the parish. My role is to chair the Select Vestry and work with the people who are elected by the parishioners. My appeal to you is that you support your church in whatever way you can and if the Select Vestry is an avenue where you can share in the ministry of the church then please get involved. Come along to the AGM. You are most welcome. If you have someone in mind, a person who could make a useful contribution to work of the Select Vestry, then encourage them to get involved.
As we prepare to hold the Annual Vestry, I would encourage you to pray for that meeting and for the work of the Select Vestry in the year ahead. We are living through very difficult economic times and the current Select Vestry has been very concerned about the level of expenditure that is required to maintain the buildings and ministry of the church. The Select Vestry is seeking to ensure that we have the ability to pay our way and the Select Vestry agreed at its meeting on the 19th March 2013 to send a letter out to the parish detailing the current financial situation. That open letter to the parish has been reprinted in the on-line magazine. (See Page 1) Please read it prayerfully and respond, as you are able. I would thank you on the behalf of the Select Vestry for your support in years past and your response at this time.On page two of the magazine, you can read the names of those who are currently serving on the Select Vestry and they deserve our thanks for the year that has just drawn to a close. The work of the Select Vestry is entirely voluntary. Individuals give up their time and use their talents to serve the church and it is a vital ministry, so thank you to them all.
At the last meeting of the Select Vestry on the 19th March 2013, a number of decisions were taken in respect of essential building work and maintenance work that needs to be done in the year ahead.
The Select Vestry also decided that the parish should hold a community event to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second. It will happen on Sunday 2nd June. A celebratory lunch will be preceded by a special thanksgiving service. Please mark the day in your diary. It will be a very special day. After the lunch, you will be able to continue the celebrations by going into Lisburn for the Coronation Parade of uniformed youth organisations. Our own Brigade Company will be part of that parade which is to be organised by the Mayor and for further details please read the letter from the Mayor on page 15 of this edition.
Of course, before all of that, we will celebrate Easter and I imagine most of you will receive this edition of the magazine just after Easter, as Easter Day falls on the last Sunday in March. Easter is of course a time to celebrate, the joy of the Resurrection, the victory over death and the hope of a new beginning for all humanity.
When God speaks he never leaves his people without hope. This is what the prophet Isaiah say, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” So this Easter Season come to church and celebrate the dawn of a new age. Celebrate with God’s family the joy, the victory and the hope of the Resurrected Christ.
Wishing you a Happy Easter,
Nicholas