If you’re one of those people who likes to do their good works away from the spotlight, and would be interested in helping set up and/or take down audio and visual equipment for the 10am service, then please contact Matt Flenley. Full training will be provided (though it’s really not very hard, so said training will probably only take five minutes!).

The recent Songs of Praise event, held on Friday 2nd December, was by all accounts a great success and credit is due to the organisers Norman and Mandy Houston for putting it together.

Please click here to go to a full review of the evening from the Down and Dromore website.

“The Events Committee would like to thank everyone who helped, baked and came to
support the Christmas Fair last Saturday. A total of £1,620 was raised which was a tremendous amount.
“Following the unfortunate events last Sunday morning the Events Committee are donating the proceeds from the cake stand (£300) to East Belfast Mission. Thank you again for all your support,
The Events Committee”

“Thank you very much to everyone who has contributed money and parcels to the East Belfast Mission Neighbours in Need campaign. Thanks to your generosity many more food parcels and over £1000 has been donated since last weekend.
Kathryn”

“I have been overwhelmed by not only the scale of the parish’s response to the theft on Sunday, but also that many of you are engaging with the challenging issue of how we recognise and address poverty within our local community. How as a community of faith we can respond, as disciples of Christ, to the needs within Hillsborough.

“There is a real sense that God is calling us to action. As Advent is a season of preparation, I invite you to pray and reflect on how God is wanting us to respond.

“I feel very privileged to be your Curate.
Mike“

Please note:

We regret to report the theft on Sunday 20th November of the donations of non-perishable food for East Belfast Mission that people had very kindly left in the church porch. If you can contribute to helping us replace what was lost, or providing more for this very worthy cause, please leave any donations in the Parish Office (see below). Many thanks.

Background

Last year Hillsborough Parish helped East Belfast Mission with their Neighbours in Need Christmas hamper project. Over 365 hampers were distributed to vulnerable families in East Belfast and throughout the city – almost double the number of hampers as the year before.

With the effects of the financial downturn impacting local families more than ever, this year the number of hamper requests is expected to grow. If you would like to respond to the real dilemmas facing families and individuals in the wider community, please pick up a leaflet as you leave church.

Donations of non-perishable food, vouchers or money are all welcome, in the church office.

If you are able to help with making up the hampers at East Belfast Mission on Saturday 26th November, please sign the list in the porch or contact Kathryn Baird on 07715476242 or 02892683242.

Last year hampers were described as “lifelines” by some of the people who received them and again this Christmas we can work to lessen the financial stress, hunger and isolation felt by many vulnerable individuals and families.