## **Annual Report for the year ended December 31[st] 2023** The Trustees of Glengormley Free Methodist Church are pleased to submit their report and accounts for the period January 1[st] , 2022 - 31st December 2023 ## **Church Services** The Church meets weekly to hear bible-based teaching and to give God their sacrifice of praise. It is also a time of prayer, both public and silent. Hymns and modern songs are played by our pianist or guitarist. Pastor is responsible for delivering the sermon and his co-workers give a short children’s address. Sunday evenings are similar in format but followed by a tea/coffee supper. Our evening services, however, take a less formal stance and are held in our church hall. Teaching videos on the Bigger Picture by Andrew Ollerton have proved a real blessing this year and have given great insight as to how the bible is put together and how each book fits in with historical events. All who attended said it was Faith Inspiring. Our AGM was held March 28[th] 2023. Pastor Robert briefed all members on Church issues around the building project after a time of bible reading and prayer. Further discussions were held in other meetings held in July. In May Pastor Cass and his Lay Delegate and others attended the F M Conference in England. A leadership training course followed for all Pastors and leaders in July in Lisburn conducted by our National Leader. This was a great time to meet with other workers and to share experiences. The training and teaching were uplifting and beneficial to all. Pastor Robert had the joy also of conducting a dedication service in July. The Church service was well attended, and a delicious lunch was provided by the members in the church hall afterwards. Whilst Pastor was on holiday visiting speakers occupied the pulpit. In September videos were released from our Bishop which proved to be a real encouragement to all. In November we held our Remembrance Day Service as always to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. Our Christmas Dinner this year was held on 9[th] December and was cooked by our local chef. Our Pianist had organized some musical Karaoke, and a fun time was had by all. Our local carol services in the folds took place on 17[th] December. Many of the residents familiar and new came to hear the Christmas message of hope for all. It was well attended as always, and gifts of chocolates were given to each fold by the church fellowship. To complete the year our Watchnight service was held on 31[st] December. Light Refreshments were served beforehand, and each one was given an opportunity to testify of Gods goodness in the year past. Pastor Robert gave an encouraging word for 2024. ## Church Business Solicitor advises incumbent Board can become trustees but must be named on deeds. Changes to deeds completed later in the year with 4 Trustees being named. Church Insurance renewed. CCLI License renewed. Minor church repairs carried out by Pastor and others. ## **Prayer Meeting** Our prayer meetings are held weekly and consist of a time of sharing, listening to Gods word the Bible, and praising God through the singing of hymns. Prayer is the main focus and many needs from those in the fellowship and community are central to the meeting. The persecuted church is remembered almost every week. Pastor is responsible for those meetings. ## **SOUP LUNCH** This year we kicked off the month of January with our free Soup Lunch. This was made possible by the kind gifts of others. This year we also had the help of the Community Magazine writer Kelly who advertised this event for us which we really appreciate. We had a mixed attendance in age but mostly senior citizens. Our chef made homemade soup and other additions were given to complement same. This lunch carried on all year exclusive of the summer months up until December. It was a great time for all who made new friends and enjoyed the company of old ones. In February we also have a Compassion lunch where everyone is invited to participate if they want to in providing a gift for missions and to those who are less fortunate than themselves. The lunch is usually a soup lunch/dessert menu and is really appreciated by all who attend. ## **Ladies Meeting** Unfortunately, due to bad weather our ladies meeting had to be cancelled in January. Pastors’ wife taught on various topics throughout the year. In March she organized a speaker for Mother’s Day services - Joanne Andrews. Joanne encouraged all with her teaching and a little gift was given to each lady in celebration of Mothers. Pastors’ wife organized trips out and those who had cars facilitated lifts to those without. The Ladies outing was on 05/07/2023. In December Pastors’ wife organized a quiz and games night, helped by L Fulton. Our closing moments turned our thoughts to the true meaning of Christmas – The birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. ## **Youth Club** Our Youth club commenced in September 2023, and it was great to be back. Our numbers had decreased after Covid 19 and some of the children had grown into young men on return. These later moved on to other venues suitable to their own age group. Although our group was smaller it was still a real blessing. Our program remained virtually the same, sports, team games, food, baking, crafts, bible stories which were centered around the teachings of Jesus in the Beatitudes. Nearer the end of the year we focused in on the name of God “I AM” and why that was so relevant when Jesus came and declared many times “I AM the shepherd, the door, the bread of Life, the Light of the World proving he was God. Pastors wife also ran a guitar class but the children found it too difficult and quickly gave up. At the end of the summer term in June we had our outing which consisted of kayaking and rafted canoes, team building with wood in the forest, learning to light fires with flint stones and then enjoying toasted smores. These costs were met by the church for the children and leaders only. The parents of the children who also came really enjoyed the event and asked could they come again. It was a super way to end the youth club term. We aim to begin our club again in September 2024 ## **Harvest** One of our outreach initiatives is supporting the Trussel Trust who oversee the administration and distribution of food for the needy at the local food bank. We have adopted this practice of bringing tinned foods, teabags, pasta rice etc as opposed to perishable foods, to our Sunday service. On Sunday evening the ladies’ bag up the food gifts for the Pastor to deliver. The day the distribution center is open, Pastor Robert and his wife pass on these gifts to the local coordinator at the Centre. ## **Missions** Yearly mission boxes are requested by those within the church family to provide much needed funds for those in need. These include International Childcare Ministries, Release International and others. Our church fellowship has a real heart for missions and give sacrificially. They are to be highly commended. In conclusion the Board would like to thank all church members and attendees for their love, support, time, gifts and wish to place on record their recognition of these contributions. Mrs L Cass (Board Member)