TULLYVALLEN RPC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2023
The 2023 Annual General Meeting of Tullyvallen Reformed Presbyterian Church took place in the Committee Room at Tullyvallen on Thursday 7th March 2024.
The meeting was chaired by Rev Philip Murphy and commenced with the singing of Psalm 98A, stanza’s 1-5, followed by prayer conducted by Mr Murphy. The Minutes of the previous meeting of 23[rd] March 2023 were read and agreed.
Rev Murphy went through the Reports made available for the meeting. He commended the Session Report as comprehensive. He commented that not everyone had yet returned after Covid but said it was an encouragement to everyone to have the Nesbitt family worship at Tullyvallen and for two of their children to attend Sabbath School. He explained that the decline in attendance at evening services was due in part to the emergence of meetings in another local congregation on the same dates. It was pleasing to see that the very full programme of activities undertaken by the Women’s Fellowship had a strong Mission focus. Friday club numbers were steady, perhaps more from Fairview at the moment. Approximately 30 children attended the Holiday Bible Club which was pleasing and reflected the number of children locally in that age group. He thanked those who had helped at the Holiday Bible Club, appreciating that this was a very significant and worthy commitment at this time of year. The CY maintained a regular programme of activities, the most recent speaker being Rev Joey Dunlap from the Loughbrickland congregation. He commented on the excellence of pupils in the Sabbath School examinations, commending those who taught and prepared the children in Sabbath School. Some discussion took place around the Financial Report. Overall, the end of year balance was down just under £4000, in part due to significant capital spending during the year. Heather reported that bank interest was up, and that financial targets were lower because of reduced membership. She commented that investments were still intact and that in general the present income is still able to meet present financial demand. It was mentioned that the financial support for Kenny Stephenson for his studies for the ministry would end in this financial year; also that the denomination Finance Committee had provided a financial intervention across the denomination of £30,000 in this current year which should lower the financial targets for all congregations. Ivan gave a verbal report on the work of the Committee. It had met once during the year, the Minutes of that meeting to be presented for approval at a future Committee meeting. A comprehensive programme of works had been identified; he drew attention to two major works (concreting the car-park and fitting new doors in the kitchen) as examples of the work completed to date, other works to be reported at the next Committee meeting. The reports were adopted on a proposal by Eric Nicholson, seconded by Douglas Hughes.
Three items of “Other Business” were covered. Rev Murphy informed the meeting that he was giving active consideration to retiring during 2025, possibly around September of that year. It was agreed that Ivan would finalise arrangements with Malcolm McGaughey regarding his very generous and thoughtful offer to donate an outdoor seat in memory of his mum, the late Ruth McGaughey. Some discussion took place concerning the 2024 Sabbath School excursion, this year being Tullyvallen’s turn to organise. It was agreed that Tullyvallen Sabbath School teachers would continue to consider this and liaise with Fairview as soon as possible.
Rev Murphy spoke on Philippians Chapter 3. He referenced the story of the famous athlete, Bill Rodgers, who waited at the finishing line of one particular race to welcome disabled participant Bill Broadhurst across the finishing line some hours after him, declaring Bill a winner. Bill Broadhurst, despite his disability, and knowing he physically wouldn’t win the race, still entered it. His motivation was to run and complete the same race as his idol, Bill Rodgers. This is what Paul, Rev
Murphy emphasised, was speaking of in Philippians Chapter 3 v 14 when he said: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. Rev Murphy exhorted those present to be like Paul, to be like Bill Broadhurst, that no matter how burdened we might feel and how much society might resist, we are to endure, and press on toward the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Rev Murphy concluded the meeting by thanking all those contributing in their various ways to the activities of the congregation. There being no “further business” Rev Murphy closed the meeting in prayer at 9.10pm. There then followed a time of fellowship over a cup of tea and tray-bakes.
Rev Philip Murphy (Chairman)________
Mr Ivan Bingham (Secretary)_________
Date____