Dervock Presbyterian Church hold AGM

The Rev. John A. Hawthorne, minister of the congregation presided. He welcomed all present and the meeting was opened with praise from Psalm 115 verses 1,2 & 8-11 followed by prayer and a reading from Psalm 102.

Business commenced with the secretary reading the minutes of the previous congregational meetings, held on the 23rd January 2009 and the 29th May 2009. Reports of all the congregations’ organisations had previously been typed, bound and circulated to all the members of the congregation.

The reports were presented by the following:

Session - Mr T Ivan McConaghie (Clerk)

Committee- Mr. Archie McKeeman (Secretary), Mr. William Bleakly (Treasurer)

Sabbath School - Mr David Millar (Superintendent), Mr. T. Ivan McConaghie (Treasurer)

Women’s Missionary Association - Mrs. Jean McKeeman (Recording Secretary), Miss. Eileen Kerr (Treasurer)

Covenanter Youth - Miss. Rachel McCahon (Secretary), Mr. Michael Hawthorne (Treasurer)

Lighthouse Youth Club Holiday Bible Club - Mrs. Alison McConaghie (Secretary), Mrs. Heather Lyons (H.B.C. Team Leader), Mr Archie McKeeman (Treasurer)

Seniors’ Fellowship - Mr. Archie McKeeman (Leader), Mr. Alan Kerr (Treasurer)

Walkers’ Group - Mrs. Heather Lyons

Mr. Hawthorne thanked all who had prepared and presented reports, with special thanks to Miss Eileen Kerr for compiling the reports .The nine reports and six financial reports represented a variety of work which had been undertaken conscientiously and gifts of the fellowship had put to good use by all involved, this was noted and very much appreciated. Reports don’t tell the whole story of what God has been doing in the hearts and minds of people we don’t know but we believe he is working. From January to April Mr. Hawthorne preached on Genesis chapters 4-11, May to December the Lord’s parables, and at the evening services The parable of the sower and the Seven I’ams of Christ. Prayer of session is that all professing His name may be nourished up.

Mr. Hawthorne noted the following points:

The death of Violet McKeeman one of our senior members was mentioned with sadness, and the weakness and frailty of other members was also mentioned as an ongoing matter for prayer.

The retirement of David Millar as Sabbath School superintendent, after 25 years years plus 5 years of teaching previous to this. Since September interest has focussed on the erection of the new hall, which will prove to be a great asset to our work.

The work of Margaret McConaghie our caretaker was noted with thanks.

Mr. William Bleakly was then asked to present the financial report. William highlighted some important aspects of this report, giving remained the same over the year (Freewill Offerings, Synodical, Weekly, Monthly and Mission collections) but it was noted special collections were down, the gift day collection and giving’s to the building project over the year were really encouraging. Mr. Hawthorne spoke of how all appreciated the work that William and Ruby do as treasurer.

These reports were adopted on the motion of Mr.Stephen Hunter, and seconded by Mr. Robin McConaghie.

The congregational committee was re elected on block for another year on the proposal of Mr. David McKeeman and seconded by Mr. Samuel Bleakly all were in agreement.

Following the business part of the meeting, Mr. Hawthorne spoke on “The Church’s Prosperity’ from Psalm 102 verses 13-14. He pointed first to the nature of the Church’s prosperity showing what did and what did not constitute it. Turning to the necessity of the Church’s prosperity, he stated that the prosperity of the church was necessary for our own sakes, our families’ sake, the community’s sake and for Christ’s sake. He spoke next of the means of the Church’s prosperity. This is something that God alone can do when He arises and has compassion on Zion. Finally our attention was drawn to the signs of the Church’s prosperity. ‘A church is prospering under God’s blessing’, said Mr. Hawthorne, ‘when there is love among God’s people and a well attended prayer meeting’.

Once the business was concluded there followed a social programme. An excellent children’s programme, which included a sketch of the camping trip, accompanied by songs and poems organised and presented by Rhonda Bleakly, Janice Hunter, Alison McConaghie and Jacqui McKeeman. Jane Dawson accompanied musical items.

Mr. Hawthorne thanked all the children and helpers for an excellent presentation, and gave thanks for the supper, provided by the ladies of the congregation.

After supper Mr. David Millar (Sabbath school superintendent) asked Miss. Eileen Kerr to present the Sabbath School prizes. The pupils were congratulated on the year’s work with excellent results in the written examination. Mr. Stephen Hunter newly appointed Sabbath School Superintendent presented an oil painting of Ballintoy Harbour to David Millar on his retirement as Sabbath school teacher and superintendent and Sarah Bleakly presented David’s wife Marlene with an arrangement of flowers.

The final part of the evening concluded with a poem by Eileen Kerr and Rhonda Bleakly, Neville and Jane Dawson, Stephen and Janice Hunter and Marlene Millar, who sang some very nice pieces and Neville read some poems. This brought the social aspect of the evening to a close and once again Mr. Hawthorne thanked all for their participation.

MR. Hawthorne closed the meeting with praise from Psalm 121A and the benediction.