Posted on by David Steers

Dunmurry Harvest 2024

We had a wonderful Harvest Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 20th October 2024. The service was conducted by Rev Dr David Steers, the organist was Allen Yarr and the readers were Lochlan Black and Erin Black. The Church was beautifully decorated throughout including the frieze depicting We Plough the Fields and Scatter made by the Sunday School and Youth Group. The service was live streamed and you can view it here on YouTube:

Here are some images from the day, beginning with We Plough the Fields and Scatter frieze created by the children and young people:

We were very pleased to welcome the Moderator, Rt Rev Alister Bell, who spoke warmly of the service and the work done by the children.

We also gathered a considerable amount of produce, both fresh vegteables and fruit, as well as tinned and dried foods, biscuits, pasta, sauces, tea, coffee etc. All of this has now been distributed to L’Arche Belfast.

What Is L’Arche?

“L’Arche (French for ‘The Ark’) is an international federation of 140 communities worldwide founded on faith and inspired by the gifts of people who have learning disabilities. By ‘community’ we mean a group of people of different ages, creeds, capacities and social and ethnic backgrounds connected to one another through a belief that everyone, irrespective of their circumstances, can have a positive impact on the lives of others. In our communities people with and without learning disabilities choose to live together in a spirit of friendship. We recognise the unique value of every person, the gifts we have to offer and our need for one another.” (From L’Arche website).

The newly created garden at the centre of the L’Arche community Belfast

You can find out more about L’Arche Belfast by clicking here.

Posted on by David Steers · 2 Comments

Dedication of the William McMillan Library

Thank you to everyone who came along for our service of dedication and formal opening of the Very Rev William McMillan Library on Sunday, 22nd September. The service was livestreamed on Facebook and this video now on YouTube includes not just the service but also the Act of Dedication outside the Library, Sheila McMillan’s speech and cutting of the ribbon, the presentation to Sue Steers, and Colin Flinn’s speech after the tea as well as some scenes from the McCleery Hall, the Library and the Session Room.

Click above to see the service and the other events of the day

A big thank you goes to everyone who helped on the day, especially the ladies who prepared the wonderful refreshments. In his speech Colin Flinn commended them for their smart turn out and expressed a hope that on future occasions some men might join them in their ranks!

Dunmurry NSPCI Ladies Group

A big thank you goes to Elma McDowell for her floral arrangements and to Allen Yarr for playing the organ. All these things and more can be seen on the video.

Flowers in the Hall

The congregation of Dunmurry is grateful to the Bright Fund for their financial support for the project and to everyone who has made donations to the Library over the last few years. We gratefully acknowledge the receipt of books and other items donated to the Library. Special thanks also goes to Sue, Kathy and the members of the Library Group for all their hard work in cataloguing the Library over the last four years.