Harvest thanksgiving service at St. Andrew�s Church, Killaney

Pictured at the Harvest Thanksgiving Service in St. Andrew�s Church, Killaney last Sunday afternoon (15th October) are L to R: (front) The Rector, the Rev John Auchmuty, the Mayor - Councillor Trevor Lunn, the Mayoress - Mrs Laureen Lunn and the Rural Dean, the Rev Warren Russell. (back row) Bill Connor - Rector�s Churchwarden, Alasdair MacLaughlin - Carryduff Parish Organist, Fred May, Betty May - Killaney Parish Organist and Anita Pielou - People�s Churchwarden

The Mayor - Councillor Trevor Lunn and the Mayoress - Mrs Laureen Lunn were the special guests at a Harvest Thanksgiving Service in St. Andrew�s Church, Killaney (near Boardmills) last Sunday afternoon (15th October). The Rev John Auchmuty, Rector of Carryduff and Killaney Parishes, conducted the service and led the prayers. The Rural Dean, the Rev Warren Russell, Rector of Magheradroll Parish (Ballynahinch), was the visiting preacher.

Mr Auchmuty welcomed the large congregation and in particular his special guests the Mayor and Mayoress. He thanked the ladies of the congregation who decorated the church so tastefully and also thanked the organist, choir, readers, visiting preacher and everyone involved in the service.

Carryduff Parish Church Choir pictured at the Harvest Thanksgiving Service in St. Andrew�s Church, Killaney last Sunday afternoon (15th October). L to R: (front row) Andrew Thomas, Selina Eralp and Kyle Poustie. (second row) Henrietta Boyd, Rebe Graham, Elizabeth Sweetnam, Alasdair MacLoughlin - Carryduff Parish Organist, Betty May - Killaney Parish Organist, Pat Williams, Elizabeth Fleming and Maureen Bennett. (back row) Ken Bennett, Helen Long, Sandra Duffy, Denis Carson, Andy Graham, Shannon Poustie, Avril Wood and Robin Sweetnam.

Carryduff Parish Organist, Alasdair MacLaughlin, and the Carryduff Parish Church Choir led the singing. The hymns were �Come ye thankful people come�, �We plough the fields and scatter�, �Holy is the seed-time� and �For the fruits of His creation�. The psalm was �You are to be praised O God in Zion� and the canticles were � �Great and wonderful� and �Glory and Honour�. The anthem was �Look at the World�. The Mayor read the Old Testament Scripture lesson and Fred May read the New Testament Scripture lesson.

Mr Russell based his address on Luke 12, the story of the rich fool, choosing as his topic �Our Money and Our Life�. He explained that the parable is about values and what is important in life; and concluded by asking that we take an honest look at ourselves and try and see ourselves as God sees us, and not �be fools�.

Tea was served after the service providing the opportunity for members of the congregations from both Carryduff and Killaney parishes to meet the Mayor and the Mayoress. The Rector thanked the Mayor and Mayoress for expressing an interest to visit every church in the Lisburn City Council during his year in office. He greatly valued and appreciated their presence at the Harvest Thanksgiving Service and asked that he convey the greetings of their parish to Members of Council at the next meeting. The Mayor thanked the Rector for his invitation and welcome saying that he was pleased to have attended the service.