Faughan Reformed Presbyterian Church
Trustees Report 2023
(NI Charity No. 106406)
Introduction
We thank and praise God for another year in the life of the Faughan Congregation. There were many encouragements over the last twelve months. In particular, we are thankful that the Friday Night Club restarted, and are grateful to all involved in organising it and helping.
As always, the preaching of the Word of God was central to our worship and we appreciate our Minister’s diligent preparation of sermons that aim to honour Christ, build His people up in their faith and urge unbelievers to seek the Lord.
The Worship of God
The congregation met for worship each Lord’s Day. The services were recorded and uploaded on to the church website shortly after they took place. The average attendance at the morning service in the church meeting house was 43. We averaged 26 at the evening service in the church hall.
As there were 53 Sabbaths in the year, we had two Annual Praise Services. The first was held on 1[st] January. The theme was “Redemption in the Book of Psalms.” The second was held on 31[st] December with the theme, “The Story of Salvation as Told in the Book of Psalms”.
Session thanks those who provided pulpit supply during our minister’s holidays and at other times when he was away preaching in other congregations, and to those who led us in praise.
Sacraments
During the year the Lord’s Supper was observed in January, May and September.
Work of Session
Session met a total of 13 times during the year. The elders also attended the various meetings of Presbytery and Synod.
Congregational Youth
The Sabbath School met most weeks during term time. We give thanks for the superintendent and teachers. We encourage parents in their duty to train up their children in the ways of the Lord. We believe the instruction of our covenant youth is a very important part of our church’s work, and we trust and pray that the diligence of those involved will bear fruit.
Church Calendar
The Church Calendar was produced electronically each month and uploaded to the church Facebook page and the front page of the website, as well as being circulated to the congregation by email.
Church Website
We are grateful to those involved in recording the services, editing the audio files and uploading them to the church website.
Changes to Congregational Roll
There were no changes to the congregational roll during the year.
Midweek Meetings
The midweek meetings on Tuesday evenings were held in the church hall. Two of these took the form of missionary meetings.
Fellowship
There were opportunities for fellowship over light refreshments after evening worship on the 1[st] and 3[rd] Sabbaths of each month.
A Congregational Weekend was held in May. Together with spiritually profitable talks from our guest speaker, there were enjoyable times of fellowship, with a breakfast, a visit to Garvagh Museum and Forest, and a dinner kindly prepared and served by a nearby Church on the Saturday, together with a Congregational Lunch after morning worship on the Sabbath.
We thank all those who played a part in arranging and helping at these events and those who provided hospitality.
Outreach
The main regular activities - Bowls Club, Ladies’ Bible Study and the Pop-Up Café – took place and offered good opportunities to make contact with members of the local community. We are very grateful to all those involved in organising these important activities and pray that the Lord would draw souls to Himself as a result of these means.
A Men’s Breakfast was held on 15[th] April. After the meal, one of our members gave a fascinating and moving illustrated talk entitled, “From Drumahoe to the Somme” , focussing on the life of First World War veteran Jim Donaghy who lived in the former Sexton’s Cottage of the Church and is buried in the graveyard. Over 60 men attended and heard a very clear and challenging epilogue from our Minister.
In July, open air services were held at the Peace Bridge, with members of the Gateway and Bready Congregations, together with a number of visitors, joining us. We thank God that on all five Sabbaths, the weather was such that these services were able to go ahead and we pray that He would work graciously in the hearts of at least some who heard the Gospel.
The Ladies’ Fellowship held a guest evening in September with a speaker from the Bready Congregation.
It was particularly encouraging that, for the first time since the pandemic, the Friday Night Club was able to restart. The first six-week session went well and we are grateful to all involved in leading, organising, teaching and helping. May the Lord cause His Word to flourish in the young hearts of those who attended. We pray that He will bless the planned further session to be held, DV, in early 2024.
Door-to door visitation took place in June, July and September. Also, some 600 calendars with Scripture texts were distributed in the local area in December. We pray that God may use these forms of outreach to grow His Kingdom and bring new people to our services .
We thank all those involved in making these means of evangelism possible.
Committee
We thank the members of the Committee for their diligent work in overseeing the congregation’s properties and finances and the way in which they have continued to support the Lord’s work financially, both in terms of our own denomination and through donations made to a number of Christian organisations.
Conclusion
We thank God for his love and care for us over the past year and look to Him for His blessing and guidance in the year ahead.
“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14.
Submitted by the Trustees
Rev. Steven Robinson (Minister)
James Steele (Clerk of Session)
James Snodgrass