Annual service at Ballyblack church

Members of the farming community recently gathered at Ballyblack Presbyterian Church, Newtownards for the Annual Service of Thanksgiving for the Farming Community.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th May 2016, 08:11 BST
Front row: Bill Forsythe, Roberta Simmons and Mrs Forsythe. Back row: Alex Warden, Session Clerk, Rev Simon Henning and Simon Doherty.Front row: Bill Forsythe, Roberta Simmons and Mrs Forsythe. Back row: Alex Warden, Session Clerk, Rev Simon Henning and Simon Doherty.
Front row: Bill Forsythe, Roberta Simmons and Mrs Forsythe. Back row: Alex Warden, Session Clerk, Rev Simon Henning and Simon Doherty.

The service was conducted by the Minister of the congregation, the Rev Simon Henning. The guest speaker was Mr Bill Forsythe who spoke about the life and career of Harry Ferguson and reflected on the fact that his innovations were still used in farming techniques up to the present day.

Roberta Simmons, President of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster read one of the lessons and the second lesson was read by Mr Simon Doherty of the Send a Cow Charity. He also told the congregation about the work of that charity to which the very generous offering of £564 was donated.

Other members of the farming community also took part in the service.

The ladies of the congregation served a delicious supper in the church hall following the service.