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Hundreds flock to Fun Day at Maghaberry Elim

Maghaberry Elim church worship teamSEVERAL hundred people packed the grounds of Maghaberry Elim as the church celebrated its most successful ever Free Family Fun Day last Saturday (June 5). Prayers for a sunny day were answered as three of the church's youth organisations combined to provide a fantastic range of activities and attractions.

Although the Free Family Fun Day has only been running for a few years, judging by the hundreds of people who attended the events both inside the church and in the church car park, it has already established itself as one of the top community attractions in the Maghaberry locality. Fun Day Co-ordinator, Mr Brian Mercer, who is also the drummer in the church's worship team, said: "Our team of helpers really pulled out all the stops and put on a family fun day which everybody thoroughly enjoyed."

The various activities included live Christian music from the church's worship team, giant slide and bouncy castle, a puppet show, magician, face painting, bungee run, nail design, burgers, ice cream, and a tea room in the church hall.

As well as the stalls and games, the police and fire service had their vehicles on display. One of the most popular stalls was for Christian books and Gospel literature.

The church's worship team under the musical guidance and leadership of Mrs Sharon Hodgins and Mr Morley Bradford has spent recent months recording a CD of inspirational Gospel songs.

The team hopes to launch the album later this year and played a terrific selection of songs from the CD at various times during the fun day.

Three of the church's popular youth organisations had joined forces under Mr Mercer to make the fun day plan a reality. They are the junior youth club, Detonate, led by Mr David McKee; the Sunday School led by Superintendent Mrs Freya Gilmore, and the Bible Class led by Mrs and Mrs Simon Hodgins.

This is a busy month for activities at Maghaberry Elim. As well as the Free Fun Day, around 40 church members are now taking part in an Away Weekend in at White Park Bay, near Portrush.

And later this month, church members will be participating in a sponsored walk around Maghaberry's roads to raise much-needed funds to buy equipment for a hospital in the African nation of Zimbabwe, where the Elim movement has a number of Christian missionaries.

Ulster Star
11/06/2010