Rev Dr Stanley Barnes retires after 35 years exemplary service

Pictured at a special service in Hillsborough Free Presbyterian Church last Tuesday (30th October) marking the retirement of the Rev Dr Stanley Barnes after 35 years of exemplary ministry are L to R: (seated) Mr David Williamson MBE (Clerk of Session), Mrs Emilene Williamson, Rev Dr Stanley Barnes, Mrs Ina Barnes, Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley MP and Baroness Eileen Paisley. (back row) The Mayor - Councillor James Tinsley, The Mayoress - Mrs Margaret Tinsley, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA, Rev Dr John Douglas, Rev Alan Smylie , Rev Dr David McIlveen, Rev Ron Johnstone (Deputy Moderator), Rev Dr William McCrea MP MLA, Rev John Morrow and Pastor Eugene Groza (Romania).

After a long and effective ministry at Hillsborough Free Presbyterian Church, the Rev Dr Stanley Barnes preached at his final services with the congregation last Sunday (28th October). Dr Barnes was installed as the church's first ordained minister in October 1972 and under his 35-year ministry the church continued to grow; a new church building was opened in June 1974 and the present church in September 1987.

At a farewell service last Tuesday evening (30th October) the chairman, Mr David Williamson MBE (Clerk of Session) welcomed the congregation, visitors and special guests including the Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley MP and his wife Baroness Eileen Paisley, the Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA, His Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor James Tinsley and the Mayoress, Mrs Margaret Tinsley. The preacher was Dr Paisley (Moderator) and the Rev Ron Johnstone (Deputy Moderator) brought greetings on behalf of Presbytery and the Rev John Morrow spoke on behalf of his colleagues. Dr David McIlveen spoke on behalf of the Free Presbyterian Church Mission Board, the Rev John Morrow on behalf of Mr Barnes Ministerial Colleagues and Pastor Eugene Groza paid tribute to Mr and Mrs Barnes for the work that they had done in Romania throughout the past 17 years. Their son Andrew spoke of growing up at the manse with his sister Heather. 'His father gave sacrificially to the Lord's work and although he was retiring from the church, he won't be retiring from the family' he said.

Patricia Hamilton presided at the organ and Elizabeth Cordner on piano. The congregational hymns included, 'To God be the Glory' and the final hymn, which was sang with great emotion for Mr and Mrs Barnes was aptly 'God be with you 'til we meet again'. The Ladies Fellowship and Youth Choir, the Romanian Quartet and the Rev Dr William McCrea MP MLA brought several items of praise.

During the evening, presentations were made to Dr and Mrs Barnes from various departments of the church. Speaking on behalf of the congregation, Mr Williamson thanked Dr Barnes for his 35 years of ministry saying that as a Pastor he had been faithful as a preacher of the Gospel and teacher of the word of God. Speaking of his Pastoral ministry he said that Dr Barnes was 'always attentive to the sick, elderly and bereaved and proved himself to be a friend that sticketh closer than a brother'. Mr Williamson continued, 'You will be greatly missed in the days that lie ahead' and concluded by wishing him and his wife Ina 'a long and happy retirement'.

Mr Williamson read the following poem, which he had written especially for occasion:

Speaking on behalf of his wife and himself, Dr Barnes thanked Mr Williamson for his kind words of appreciation and also for the presentations that had been made to him from the church. He counted it a 'great honour to have had the privilege of being their minister for 35 years' and said that it was 'his earnest prayer that the work would continue to grow and prosper in the days that lie ahead'. He also said that it was through Dr Paisley's ministry that he was called into full time service and he expressed his gratitude to Dr and Mrs Paisley for their encouragement and support to himself and his family over the years.

In an interview Dr Paisley said, 'I pay tribute to Dr Stanley Barnes. I have known him since he was a boy. I have watched his development as a Missionary Student and later when he was unable to go to the mission because of health, I saw him prepare for the Christian ministry and ordained as a preacher of the Gospel. If anybody wants to see this man as he is, they should come to this church where he has been pastor for 35 years; there they will see a great congregation, a great youth work and most of all a wonderful world wide missionary endeavour - these demonstrate the sort of man he is. I wish him well in his retirement and look forward to see him commence a new part of his service for Christ'.

Following the service, supper was served by the ladies of the church allowing the congregation and friends to add their congratulations and best wishes for their retirement.

	L to R: (seated) Rev Dr Stanley Barnes, Mrs Ina Barnes, Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley MP and Baroness Eileen Paisley. (back row) Jonathan, Hugh and Heather Garret and Andrew and Beverley Barnes.
	The Ladies Fellowship and Youth Choir
	The Romanian Quartet and Little John (right).
	An emotional time for Mr and Mrs Barnes as the congregation sing the final hymn 'God be with you 'til we meet again'.
	Reception committee and car park attendants pictured at a special service in Hillsborough Free Presbyterian Church last Tuesday (30th October) marking the retirement of the Rev Dr Stanley Barnes. L to R: (seated) Billy Foster, Trevor Hewitt, Robert Murphy, Eric Spence and George Reid. (back row) Ronnie Walker, Robert Porter, Richard Lockhart, Michael Coulter, Alex Graham, Trevor Malcolmson and Jimmy Murphy.

	L to R: (seated) Rev Dr Stanley Barnes and Mrs Ina Barnes pictured with their family (back row) Beverley and Andrew Barnes and Hugh, Heather and Jonathan Garret.
	Rev Dr Stanley Barnes and Mrs Ina Barnes cut a cake marking Mr Barnes retirement.
	The retirement cake.
	The retirement cakes.
	MLA Edwin Poots, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, looks on as Mr and Mrs Barnes cut their retirement cake.
	Mr David Williamson MBE (Clerk of Session) and Mrs Emilene Williamson pictured after presenting gifts on behalf of the congregation to Rev Dr Stanley Barnes and Mrs Ina Barnes.

01/11//2007