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Rev Victor Sinclair's farewell sermon at Ballycairn

Pictured at the final service in the active ministry of the Rev Victor Sinclair in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church last Sunday morning (1st April) are L to R: (seated) Mrs Anne Gowdy, Mrs Maje Sinclair and the Rev Victor Sinclair. (back row) William Steele - Clerk of Session, David Gowdy ' Treasurer, William Clarke ' Elder and Victor Sinclair (jnr). Missing from the photo is Bill Dornan ' Church Secretary. The Rev Victor Sinclair and Mrs Maje Sinclair cut a cake to mark Mr Sinclair's retirement as minister of Ballycairn Presbyterian Church. The photo was taken at a Farewell and Presentation Evening in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church Hall last Thursday (29th March). The cake was donated by Mrs Ina Gowdy.

Pictured at the final service in the active ministry of the Rev Victor Sinclair in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church last Sunday morning (1st April) are L to R: (seated) Mrs Anne Gowdy, Mrs Maje Sinclair and the Rev Victor Sinclair. (back row) William Steele - Clerk of Session, David Gowdy ' Treasurer, William Clarke ' Elder and Victor Sinclair (jnr). Missing from the photo is Bill Dornan ' Church Secretary.

The Rev Victor Sinclair and Mrs Maje Sinclair cut a cake to mark Mr Sinclair's retirement as minister of Ballycairn Presbyterian Church. The photo was taken at a Farewell and Presentation Evening in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church Hall last Thursday (29th March). The cake was donated by Mrs Ina Gowdy.

The Rev Victor Sinclair, who was installed as the sixth minister of Ballycairn in April 1975, preached the final sermon in his active ministry at an emotional farewell service in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church last Sunday morning (1st April, 2007). The church was crowded for the occasion. Bible readings were taken from Psalm 146 and Hebrews 10 and the Anthem by the Choir, under the leadership of Mrs Edith Douglas, was 'God Will Take Care of You'. Mr Sinclair spoke to the Children about courage and in the course of his sermon he said, 'Everyone must hold fast to their faith and hope in Christ, because it is a faith that will not let us go or let us down'. He emphasised that Christ is both Saviour and Judge and one must never surrender to despair or doubt. He exhorted the congregation: 'Let us be faithful for Christ is faithful' and in conclusion, he said, 'I commend you to God and his gracious word.'

Following the Benediction the choir sang, 'God be with you till we meet again'. Refreshments were served after the service providing an opportunity for the whole congregation to say farewell to their long serving minister.

Last Thursday (29th March, 2007) a 'Farewell and Presentation Evening' was held in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church Hall to mark the retirement of the Rev Victor Sinclair as the minister of Ballycairn Church after 32 years of exemplary service. After welcoming a packed hall of members of the congregation, visitors and guests, William Steele - Clerk of Session, recalled the formation of the first Ballycairn church in 1830, as a breakaway from Drumbo and also of a historic open-air service held in 1980 on the site of the original church (near Drumbo village), commemorating the 150th anniversary of the congregation. He gave a glowing tribute to their long serving minister, recalling the 38 year old former Belfast City Missionary's installation in 1975 and spoke of the early years of his ministry at Ballycairn when Mr Sinclair continued his university education and obtained a Master of Theology degree, based on the life and teaching of St Paul.

Mr Steele also spoke of Mr Sinclair's well-researched sermons and excellent pastoral work. He said, 'The congregation of Ballycairn are now looking for a new minister and if we find as good a replacement as Mr Sinclair, we will be very fortunate'. Speaking also of Mr Sinclair's wife Maje's contribution to Ballycairn PWA and her talents as pianist and organist, he reminded the congregation that in 1975 they got 'two for the price of one'. Mr Steele concluded by wishing Mr Sinclair and his wife Maje a very happy retirement.

Pictured at a Farewell and Presentation Evening in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church Hall last Thursday (29th March) to mark the retirement of the Rev Victor Sinclair are L to R: (seated) William Steele - Clerk of Session, Rev Victor Sinclair, Mrs Maje Sinclair, Victor Sinclair (jnr) and Rev Cowper Lynas - Convenor of Ballycairn vacancy (1975). (back row) Mrs Elizabeth Walker - Vice President of the PWA, Paul McCarroll - RBP 116 and LOL 1933, Rev Canon John Bell - former Rector of Drumbo, Rev Trevor Anderson - Clerk of South Belfast Presbytery, William Clarke, Miss Gillian McBride, Mrs Anne Gowdy, Mrs Edith Douglas and Miss Joy Rainey. Unable to attend was Mr and Mrs Sinclair's son Kenneth, their daughter-in-law Rebecca and grandchildren Megan and Kenneth. Kenneth is currently a Presbyterian Minister in America.

Pictured at a Farewell and Presentation Evening in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church Hall last Thursday (29th March) to mark the retirement of the Rev Victor Sinclair are L to R: (seated) William Steele - Clerk of Session, Rev Victor Sinclair, Mrs Maje Sinclair, Victor Sinclair (jnr) and Rev Cowper Lynas - Convenor of Ballycairn vacancy (1975). (back row) Mrs Elizabeth Walker - Vice President of the PWA, Paul McCarroll - RBP 116 and LOL 1933, Rev Canon John Bell - former Rector of Drumbo, Rev Trevor Anderson - Clerk of South Belfast Presbytery, William Clarke, Miss Gillian McBride, Mrs Anne Gowdy, Mrs Edith Douglas and Miss Joy Rainey. Unable to attend was Mr and Mrs Sinclair's son Kenneth, their daughter-in-law Rebecca and grandchildren Megan and Kenneth. Kenneth is currently a Presbyterian Minister in America.

Mrs Edith Douglas - organist and Ballycairn Church Choir pictured at the final service in the active ministry of the Rev Victor Sinclair in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church last Sunday morning (1st April)

Mrs Edith Douglas - organist and Ballycairn Church Choir pictured at the final service in the active ministry of the Rev Victor Sinclair in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church last Sunday morning (1st April)
Ballycairn Church Choir, accompanied by Mrs Edith Douglas on piano, pictured providing a great programme of sketches, verse and song at a 'Farewell and Presentation Evening' in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church Hall last Thursday (29th March).

Ballycairn Church Choir, accompanied by Mrs Edith Douglas on piano, pictured providing a great programme of sketches, verse and song at a 'Farewell and Presentation Evening' in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church Hall last Thursday (29th March).

In response, Mr Sinclair endorsed Mr Steele's comments about his wife Maje. Speaking of his installation in 1975 he recalled looking over a 'sea of new faces' as the new minister of Ballycairn. Mr Sinclair also recalled the 150th anniversary service in 1980, the opening of the extension to the church in July 1984 and the many fetes, flower festivals, coffee mornings and special occasions held during his long ministry. However, he said, 'It's not just the things we remember - it's the people' and went on to speak about the suffering, pleasures and joys of his 32-years spent at Ballycairn. They were 'good years - supported and fulfilled,' he said.

Mr Sinclair, who will now become Minister Emeritus at Ballycairn, thanked the congregation for giving him and his wife Maje a 'night to remember'. Recalling how the congregation grew old along with him, he concluded by saying, 'the best is yet to come - when we see Jesus'.

Mrs Sinclair spoke fondly of the people of Ballycairn and of her husband and two sons. Her anecdotes were greeted with laughter and she wished the congregation God's richest blessings in the years ahead.

Mrs Maje Sinclair, who was Vice President of Ballycairn PWA for over 32 years is pictured with Mrs Anne Gowdy (left) and Miss Gillian McBride at a Farewell and Presentation Evening in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church last Thursday (29th March) to mark the retirement of Maje's husband, the Rev Victor Sinclair. Missing from the photo is Mrs Elizabeth Walker - Vice President, who presented Mrs Sinclair with a gift on behalf of Ballycairn PWA. Mrs Elizabeth Walker - Vice President of Ballycairn PWA is pictured presenting a gift to Mrs Maje Sinclair in recognition of over 32 years service as President of Ballycairn PWA. The photo was taken at the final service in the active ministry of Maje's husband, the Rev Victor Sinclair in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church last Sunday morning (1st April)

Mrs Maje Sinclair, who was Vice President of Ballycairn PWA for over 32 years is pictured with Mrs Anne Gowdy (left) and Miss Gillian McBride at a Farewell and Presentation Evening in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church last Thursday (29th March) to mark the retirement of Maje's husband, the Rev Victor Sinclair. Missing from the photo is Mrs Elizabeth Walker - Vice President, who presented Mrs Sinclair with a gift on behalf of Ballycairn PWA.

Mrs Elizabeth Walker - Vice President of Ballycairn PWA is pictured presenting a gift to Mrs Maje Sinclair in recognition of over 32 years service as President of Ballycairn PWA. The photo was taken at the final service in the active ministry of Maje's husband, the Rev Victor Sinclair in Ballycairn Presbyterian Church last Sunday morning (1st April)

Greetings were also brought by the Rev Trevor Anderson - Clerk of South Belfast Presbytery, Rev Canon John Bell - former Rector of Drumbo, Rev Cowper Lynas - Convenor of Ballycairn vacancy (1975) and Miss Joy Rainey - Ballycairn Elder.

Presentations were made by William Clarke (Elder), Mrs Anne Gowdy and Miss Gillian McBride (Church Committee) on behalf of the congregation; Paul McCarroll on behalf of RBP 116 and LOL 1933; and Mrs Elizabeth Walker - Vice President of the PWA presented a gift to Mrs Maje Sinclair on behalf of Ballycairn PWA.

Following a delightful supper provided by the ladies of the congregation, everyone enjoyed an interesting photographic presentation entitled 'Down Memory Lane'. This had been compiled by members of the congregation and recalled the many changes at Ballycairn during Mr Sinclair's long ministry including visits of Presbytery, outings, fetes and many other special events. The choir, accompanied by Mrs Edith Douglas on piano, provided a great programme of sketches, verse and song, which was compered by Mr Brian Johnston with Stephen Gilbert in charge of sound. The choir rounded off the evening of entertainment with an adaptation of the well-known song 'Wish me blessings as you wave me goodbye'.

Rev Robert Neill, Rector of Drumbo Parish Church, brought the proceedings to a close by thanking all those who had been involved in providing such an excellent and fitting farewell for Mr Sinclair. Those assembled sang the Doxology and all gave personal good wishes to Mr and Mrs Sinclair as they left for home. Certainly a memorable night in the long history of Ballycairn Presbyterian Church.

02/04/2007