Annual report 2024
All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 1 Peter 1.v24
Meeting for Worship is held every Sunday morning when a small number of members and attenders gather both in the Meeting House and virtually by means of Webex. Webex has enabled those who through illness or frailty are no longer able to attend physically. Thanks to those who send out the Webex link and those who make the necessary internet connection each Sunday. Sunday School, takes place on the first Sunday of each month when up to seven children attend. Thanks to the Sunday School, coffee/ tea and freshly made buns are served after Meeting for Worship on this Sunday.
Adjourned Preparative Meeting took place on Friday 19[th] January. Social events have been curtailed due to our small numbers but the regular meeting up of some members and attenders on the first Saturday of the month at Dobbies, has continued throughout the year.
2024 has been a difficult year for Lisburn Preparative Meeting bringing as it did the deaths of a number of our long-term members, who though for many years were not able to attend Meeting for Worship, were still very much in our thoughts. We hold their families and friends in our thoughts and prayers.
A monthly Prayer Meeting, attended by Friends from Lisburn, Lurgan and Bessbrook has been held throughout the year.
Our connection with Friends’ School has continued for many years with the giving of Bibles embossed with the school crest. These are presented at the annual Bible Sunday meeting to school leavers and staff members who are retiring or leaving.
We also purchased ‘It’s Your Move’ booklets from Scripture Union which were given to Year 7 pupils in the Preparatory School.
Our annual service of carols and readings was held after Meeting for Worship on Sunday 22[nd] December. The theme was The Lamb of God.
With regard to the duties in the Book of Organisation and Christian Discipline, Chapter 5, Paragraph 4, the clerk has agreed to inform the Monthly Meeting clerk that we have attended to the following duties;
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Weekly Meetings for Worship have been held
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Pastoral care of individual members and regular attenders
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Monthly Meeting has been informed of births, deaths and transfers
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General Christian Counsel and advices and a selection of queries have been read in meetings for worship during the year
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Sunday School has been held on a regular basis during 2024.
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The Finance and Property Committee looks after the Meeting House and other property and the finances of the meeting.
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The Meeting has made a separate Child Safeguarding report, showing it adheres to the Ireland Yearly Meeting Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.