MAZE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Knowing, Serving and Sharing Jesus
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
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Minister
Very Rev. Dr. W.J. Henry B.Sc. B.D. The Manse 47 Kesh Rd
028 92 621269
Kirk Session
Mr B Adams Mr C Bell Mr J Brown Mr G Browne (Clerk) Mr A Gibson Prof P Hanna Ms A Harte Mr S Houston Mr A Irvine Mr K Irwin Mr A Martin Mr D Morrow Mr H McKendry Mr G Page Mr A Peoples Dr G Redpath Mr S Thompson Mr R Watson
Elders Emeritus
Mr D Adams Mr L Bell Mr S Swan
Committee
Robert Cleland Dale Gill Peter Hanna Caroline Hutchinson Mark Kirkwood Florence Leathem Brian Miller Edna Moneypenny Keith Redfern Diane Rosbotham, Trevor Shannon Jacqueline Swan, Valerie Wallace Paul Young
Secretary Mr A Irvine tel 028 92 665959 Treasurer Dr G Redpath tel 028 94 423837 Membership Secretary Prof P Hanna tel 028 92 665369 Gift Aid Secretary Dr G Redpath tel 028 94 423837 Finance Committee Mr C Bell Prof P Hanna Dr G Redpath Mr G Browne Property Committee Mr H McKendry Mr B Adams Churchyard Convener Mr K Irwin
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Church Record 2022
Baptisms
Jack Dillon Moneypenny Zachary Matthew Bell Maisie Arwen Mullin Emma Catherine Simpson Zara Elliott Bailey Ben Edward Dorman
Weddings
Gemma Houston to Aaron Curry Melissa Martin to Curtis McDonald Bethany Henry to Luke Hanson
Deaths
Mr Jackie Kennedy Mrs Heather McCaw
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– Maze Presbyterian Church Annual Report 2022
Church activities during 2022 started to resemble activities prior to the Covid 19 Pandemic, with a number of organisations restarting.
Kirk Session
The Kirk Session met on 8 occasions in 2022. Four new Elders were installed and ordained in 2022 - Giles Page, Annette Harte, David Morrow and Stuart Thompson. All members of the Kirk Session are Trustees of Registered Charity 105201.
The Kirk Session is the governing body of the congregation in its Christian calling and as such has the following rights and duties.
The Kirk Session shall -
- (a) watch over and promote the spiritual interest of the congregation, and of persons not connected with any congregation who are within its bounds;
(b) ensure a scheme for pastoral care is in place in the congregation, in line with current General Assembly guidelines;
(c) seek to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and service in the local community;
(d) authorise such measures of practical co-operation with other Churches as may involve the life and work of the congregation.
(e) act as the charity trustees and be responsible for the congregation’s compliance with the requirements of charities legislation in Northern Ireland;
(f) ensure that the Congregational Committee complies with the decisions of Kirk Session;
(g) after considering the grounds for disqualification for being a charity trustee under charities legislation in Northern Ireland and as appropriate, refer to Presbytery the consideration of removal from office in the congregation of a ruling elder;
(h) act as the employing body concerning all those in remunerated employment in the congregation.
(i) as charity trustees of the congregation, where applicable, execute the vesting declaration required by the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2006 to carry into effect a resolution of the General Assembly for the merger of the congregation with another congregation or charity.
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Some of the topics for discussion at Kirk Session meetings during 2022 included PCI Covid Guidance and lessening of restrictions, Pastoral Care, restarting Youth Ministry at Maze post Covid, Child Protection and updates from Dromore presbytery meetings.
Church Committee
The church Committee consists of members of the congregation and Elders. Its main job is to look after the smooth running and maintenance of the church buildings and manse. During 2022, Committee met seven times and the following business formed much of our discussion:
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Church finances . Our treasurer kept us up to date with regular reports on the state of church accounts. Committee is content that repayments on the church development loan remain on track and that organisations have submitted accounts, which have been examined and approved by our independent examiner.
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Policy for use of church premises. Following a discussion at Session, Committee was asked to develop a policy in relation to requests from external groups who wish to use church property. A sub-committee was set up to consider requests for the use of our buildings. Tin 2022 we were pleased to accommodate Lisburn and Castlereagh BeeSafe program, Christian Guidelines marriage preparation classes, Scripture Union training events, Various PCI groups and the annual conference of the Northern Ireland Ministry Assembly.
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Property maintenance and manse redevelopment. Maintaining the carpark continues to be a challenge, temporary markings have been put in place until an affordable final solution can be found. For many years, the manse has been showing signs of age and has required considerable work to keep it at a reasonable standard. Committee spent much time discussing the state of the manse and approved redevelopment which was subsequently agreed at a congregational meeting. Plans for our new manse have been submitted for planning approval. The redevelopment of the manse has not gone ahead due to rising costs of materials and rising interest rates, the redevelopment will continue to be a priority for Committee.
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AV improvements . Committee regularly gives thought to how best to use our excellent facilities to enhance worship and to make our services accessible to those who are unable to join us on a Sunday. An improved camera and software allow us to record sermons which can now be viewed online via links which are posted on the church website each week. We also have live streaming our services which can be viewed online via YouTube. We have regular viewers watching our services online.
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Normal weekly activities at Maze Presbyterian Church usually include the following.
| MONDAY | Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme | |
|---|---|---|
| TUESDAY | Tuesday Club for Senior Citizens | |
| 2ndTuesday of month | 10.30am | |
| Fortnightly Fellowship Group | 8pm | |
| WEDNESDAY | Fortnightly Fellowship Group | 8pm |
| Fortnightly Prayer Gathering | 8pm | |
| THURSDAY | Parent + Toddlers | 9.30 am |
| Craft Club | 11am – 1pm | |
| Women@Maze_as announced_ | 8pm | |
| FRIDAY | Youth Club Juniors | 6.30-7.30 pm |
| Seniors | 7.30-9 pm | |
| Crossroads | 8.45-10.30pm | |
| (fortnightly) | ||
| SUNDAY | Sunday Club + Bible Class | 10.15am |
| Morning Worship | 11.30am | |
| Evening Service 1stof month | 6.30pm | |
| Youth Fellowship | 7.30pm-9pm |
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Church Organisations
The following activities normally take place annually, but their operation in 2022 was constrained by ongoing Covid issues.
Sunday Club
Sunday Club is for children and young people aged preschool-18. The aim of Sunday Club is to advance God’s Kingdom among children and their families, teaching the truths of the Bible and making this relevant to the lives and experience of the children and young people who attend. Parents and families are also encouraged to develop the spiritual lives of their children.
Crossroads
Crossroads caters for secondary school age young people, allowing them to meet informally in a youth club style format.
Youth Fellowship (YF)
YF meet weekly on a Sunday night to encourage young people to grow in faith, to develop relationships with other young Christians and to challenge young people to think beyond their everyday life.
Maze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Maze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme provides young adults; from the ages of 14 years to 25 years, from Maze Presbyterian and the surrounding community, with an opportunity to complete their Award in an Open Award Centre with a Christian Ethos.
Craft Club
The Craft Club normally meets in the welcome area of the church on a Thursday morning to enjoy a time of craft and fellowship. The Club also fundraises for particular charities.
Women@Maze
Woman@Maze is a place where those who attend are challenged and encouraged in their faith, both by the speakers and by each other. During the Pandemic the group used WhatsApp to communicate and motivate each other with practical and prayer support.
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Men@Maze
Men at Maze aims to provide men of all ages with the resources to develop Godly character and help equip them to influence their world for Jesus. The aim is to bring men into a personal relationship with Jesus and to unite them together in ministry and fellowship and to develop accountability to each other.
Parents & Toddlers Group
The Parents and Toddlers Group provides a time of fellowship and fun for toddlers under 3 years of age and their parents, grans, and carers. The creche room is well equipped with suitable play materials for the age group. Playtime and chat are followed by a themed craft activity, story time, singalong, and refreshments.
Tuesday Club
The Tuesday Club normally meets monthly from September to June, comprising of approximately 20 ‘very young at heart’ attendees from the congregation and surrounding area. An opening prayer time is usually followed with a guest speaker and then the all-important tea, coffee, and scones.
Maze PC Walking (for health) Group
Apart from the undoubted health benefits of walking, the group provides an opportunity for church and non-church members to get to know one another better. There are always great conversations, so much so, participants often don’t realise how far they have walked!
Youth Club
Maze PC Youth club recommenced on Friday 30th September 2022, welcoming local children from pre school to P7, with an average of between 70-90 children per week. After registration and sign in the children are welcomed to the front of the stage for a time of lively singing before breaking into 3 separate age groups to complete 3 zones. Group 1 (preschool - p2) start the night in the craft zone. Group 2 (p3-p5) enjoy games in the upper rooms including board games, tablet tennis etc alongside a refreshing snack. Group 3 (p6-p7) start the night competing in sports and games in the big hall. Every 20mins each group moves to a new zone. The last 15mins of youth club, everyone comes back together again to hear a Bible lesson given by one of the leaders, before closing with a short game to finish the night.
Christmas Trail
To round off the 2022 youth club year, Maze PC organised a Christmas Trail on Friday 16th December and invited the local community to attend. Several families at a time were led along a trail through the church buildings where the Christmas story
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was read at each zone. At the end of the Christmas trail, the children had an . opportunity to meet Santa before enjoying fellowship and refreshments
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