In Luke’s gospel, Jesus was asked what we must do to enter the Kingdom. The answer was to love God and to love our neighbour as ourselves.

As individuals, we should reflect this in our lives and our prayerful support for others. The church family here in Groomsport has risen to the challenge in many ways over the years by regular giving to the Mission Fund, United Appeal, World Development Appeal, Christian Aid and the Moderator’s appeals.

We support the Leprosy Mission, Fair Trade, Storehouse and send gifts to The Belfast Mission at Christmas. In Sunday School our children learn about those less fortunate than ourselves and each year will raise money for different mission projects. The PW send boxes of medical equipment, clothes and educational materials to Malawi. At home, the church holds the friendship lunches, and weekly coffee mornings throughout the summer. In our church magazine  Eagle Wing, we also learn of the outreach work in our community at home and abroad and we hear about the work being done by our many past interns as they continue their ministry. This is only some of the ‘mission work’ going on in our church and we must strive to reach out even more like followers of Jesus.

The Mission Committee is made up of a small group of enthusiastic members. The committee aims to raise the profile of mission within our church by having a short presentation about once a month called ‘Mission Focus’. It is also planned that the committee supports some specific projects that may not be so well known or have such a high profile. The hope is to run occasional events and look to your support for these. If you wish to help in any way, whether it is through a donation or giving your time, please contact the Mission Committee on office@groomsportpresbyterian.com.

Here is a link to our sister presbyterian church in Knysna, South Africa.
You can access their weekly online broadcast produced by Rev Tim Hawkridge by visiting their website CLICK HERE.

Knysna Presbyterian Church, South Africa

Our sister Presbyterian Church in Knysna, South Africa is also providing online services at this time of global pandemic. If anyone is interested in accessing these, the links are available on their website.

The Mission Committee would like to thank the congregation for their continued support during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

The response of the congregation to The Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoebox Appeal has been amazing. This year, despite the pandemic, we have received 128 boxes to send overseas – more than 40% up compared to last year. Thank you everyone for your kindness and generosity.

Recently we were able to deliver a further 11 bicycles to the International Meeting Point. The assistant leader, Henry Coulter, would like to thank Groomsport Presbyterian Church for their on-going support. These bicycles will make a real difference to many marginalised folk living in our community. We have also continued donations of baby clothes to the ‘Op Shop’ at Carlisle Circus. Again these donations were gratefully received by Sharon Heron, the deaconess working at the IMP.

Recently the Mission Committee arranged a collection of men’s toiletries to go to the IMP.  They were very pleased with the generosity of the congregation and the village of Groomsport.  A huge thanks must go to everyone who donated gifts and participated on the day.

We were able to make several other donations from our mission fund this past Christmas. There are links to some of these charities below.

Thank you for your prayers for the continued work of the committee.

The Mission Committee has been reviewing the various projects that we had hoped to support this year. Here are some useful links to these projects:-

Our Scottish Country Dancing Night had planned to raise funds for ‘Sight Savers’.

We give Open Doors our continued support.

We are keen to support improvements in water and sanitation following our successful ‘Auction of Promises’ last year. This year we have twinned our church taps and toilets through Tearfund. 

Support for PCI’s Christian counselling service ‘Fresh Light’. This is one of the projects supported by the United Appeal this year. This video highlights what this appeal is about.

Developing countries are also struggling to cope with the coronavirus. Here is information about a locally inspired project to manufacture masks in Malawi. This not only will help prevent spread of infection but will also provide employment and income for tailors in Malawi. Masks For Malawi.

Following approval by session, these projects have received donations from Groomsport Presbyterian Church. We have also sent donations to ‘Storehouse North Down’ and ‘Hope Christian Trust’ that supports a Christian school in Gaza. Please remember the work of the mission committee and the projects run by our partner organisations in your prayers. Thank you.

Dr Michael Steele (Convenor of the Missions Committee, Groomsport Presbyterian Church).