At the Action Cancer Family Service in Trinity Methodist Church last Sunday afternoon (7th December) are Cairan O'Neill (Chairperson of Action Cancer), Eddie Bell, Norma Bell MBE, Councillor Ronnie Crawford (Mayor), Mrs Jean Crawford (Mayoress) and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson MLA.	Lisburn Mayor Councillor Ronnie Crawford pictured with the Lisburn Action Cancer Group at the Family Service in Trinity Methodist Church last Sunday afternoon (7th December).

The 7th annual Inter-Denominational Family Service of Celebration and Praise marking over thirty-five years of Action Cancer' s caring support was held in Trinity Methodist Church, Lisburn last Sunday afternoon (7th December).

Organised by the Lisburn Action Cancer Group, the programme was directed by Brian Trainor and hosted by Salvation Army Divisional Youth Officer Laura Kerr. Arthur Scott opened in prayer. Norma Bell MBE, Chairperson of the Lisburn Action Cancer Group, welcomed the large congregation. Taking part were: Killowen Primary School (Conducted by Wesley Wright) with a duet by Anna Curran and Rebecca Johnston, Wallace Prep (Conductor June Wilson), St Aloysius Primary School (Conducted by Una Tracey), Meadow Bridge Primary School (Conducted by Jaclyn Wortley), St Patrick' s Choir (Accompanied by Colum McGarry) and Trinity Praise Group (Accompanist Alan McCauley). The soloists were: Joanna Hyndman (accompanied by Shannon Rainey), Bronagh Mullan (accompanied by Stephen McLoughlin). The instrumentalists were: Brendan Monaghan (Uilleann pipes) and Mark Wilson (Drums), John Wilson (Pianist), Scott Barr (Pipes) and Claire Chapman (Harp).

The congregational hymns were, ' Lord the light of your love is shining' and ' Come on and celebrate' .

Norma Bell MBE thanked all who gave of their time and helped in any way and Albert Prentice closed in prayer.

In her closing remarks compere Laura Kerr, picking up on a line from a carol sung by one of the choirs, ' Christmas is a wonderful reason to sing' said, ' Christmas is indeed a real reason to sing loudly with joyful hearts. However, for some people it is a sad time of the year as they consider loved ones who no longer sit around the table on Christmas Day' . Laura concluded, ' Today, let us celebrate their lives and their memory as we give thanks for the blessings of family and friends. May we each know the peace and the love of the Christ child in our hearts this Christmas' .

Prior to leading the closing prayer, Albert Prentice thanked Norma Bell MBE whom he says he, ' holds in the highest esteem' and thanked her for the exemplary work she does on behalf of Action Cancer. Referring to the film ' The Quiet Man' Albert also spoke of the great support Norma gets from her husband Eddie - a quiet but equally hard working person.

In closing, Norma, on behalf of Lisburn Action Cancer Group, thanked all who gave of their time and helped in any way to make the family service such an enjoyable festive occasion.

The retiring offering was over ' 2,000.
 

Accompanist Colum McGarry (left) and St Patrick' s Choir.	Some members of Trinity Praise Group. L to R: Lynne Barr, Barbara Gamble, Rev Ed McDade, Angela Sofley and Vi Manning.
Uilleann piper Brendan Monaghan and drummer Mark Wilson.	Bronagh Mullan, accompanied by Stephen McLoughlin, pictured entertaining the large congregation.
Norma Bell MBE, Chairperson of the Lisburn Action Cancer Group welcomes the large congregation.	Stephen McLoughlin with Lisburn City Council employees Rhonda Frew (Mayor' s Secretary) and Dianne Smyth.

Ulster Star
07/12/2008