Members past and present packed Mount Zion Free Methodist
Church last Saturday night (18th October) for a 4-course
dinner celebrating the 30th anniversary of the present
church.
Following the delightful meal, which was prepared and served
by Ruth Frazer, Phyllis McCormick and her team of helpers,
Christine McCormick accompanied by Elizabeth Campbell on
piano sang, 'How lovely is Thy dwelling place'.
Ronnie Nesbitt (Church Secretary) gave an interesting talk
on the history of the church since the formation of the
early congregation in 1969, the opening of the first church
(a portable wooden structure) in February 1970, the present
church in September 1978 and the new manse in August 2008.
Speaking of the church as a 'Missionary minded Church' he
spoke of the 28 church members who went to serve in full
time Christian work as Pastors, Missionaries etc., including
founder member Billy Wright, now 81 years of age, who in an
emotional talk recalled the early days of the congregation
and gave thanks for the fellowship he enjoyed at Mount Zion
before going out to the mission field at 44 years of age.
The anniversary dinner commenced a weekend of Harvest
Thanksgiving services. Pastor Nick Serb was the preacher at
the morning and evening services last Sunday and the guest
singers were Louise Watterson, Dorothy Smith and Ruth Miller. The Rev Colin Meneely was the guest speaker at the service on Monday
evening and the guest singer was Ruth Trimble. Special
guests at the harvest services included the Mayor,
Councillor Ronnie Crawford and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey
Donaldson.
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Members past and present who
packed Mount Zion Free Methodist Church last
Saturday night (18th October) for the 30th
Anniversary Dinner. |
Billy Wright and his wife
Margaret (left) and John Mackin and his wife
Mary and daughter Elizabeth (right) pictured at
the 30th Anniversary Meal in Mount Zion Free
Methodist Church last Saturday night (18th
October). |
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Enjoying the 30th Anniversary
Dinner are Jim and Sally McBride, Ria Sloan and
Edith Greer (left) and Rev Fergus Bell (Pastor
from 1991 to 1996) and his wife Norma and
David and Sarah Seeds (right). |
At the 30th anniversary dinner in
Mount Zion Free Methodist Church last Saturday
night (18th October) are Building Contractor
Ernie Part and his wife Jean. |
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Browsing through pictures of
Mount Zion through the years are Ronnie Nesbitt
(Church Secretary) and Mavis Ross (nee Heaney)
who recorded the history of Mount Zion in her
book entitled, 'Lisburn - Life in the County
Down'. |
Mount Zion's gourmet chefs who
cooked up the delightful 30th anniversary dinner
last Saturday night (18th October). L to R:
(front) Julie McCormick, Ruth Frazer, Phyllis
McCormick and Jenna Patterson. (back) Andrew
McCormick, Angela Bryans and Warren Patterson, |
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Founder Members John Mackin (89)
and Billy Wright (81) pictured at the 30th
anniversary dinner in Mount Zion Free Methodist
Church last Saturday night (18th October). |
Rev Fergus Bell (Pastor from 1991
to 1996) and his wife Norma pictured at the 30th
anniversary dinner in Mount Zion Free Methodist
Church last Saturday night (18th October). |
19/10/2008
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