St John’s Parish Church in Newtownhamilton has made a donation of £1,000 to Southern Area Hospice Services following their successful Flower Festival.
The Festival, which was held from Friday, May 24 to Monday, May 27, featured 29 flower displays, presenting many of Jesus’ parables and miracles in a range of imaginative ways.
The arrangements were sponsored by church families, local businesses, other churches within the parish group and Newtownhamilton Primary School.
Proceeds from the collection were for the Hospice, alongside the Church Hall Building Fund.
The events held across the weekend were very successful with visitors from the local area and further afield coming to witness the church in full bloom.
The opening service was held on Friday with guest speaker Bishop Andrew Forster, the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe and formerly Rector of St Anne’s, Dungannon and Archdeacon of Ardboe.
Also taking part in the service was the talented Tullyallen and Mountnorris Men’s Choir.
On Saturday, a Gospel Concert was held with gifted singer Joy Boyd and the group ‘Testify’ leading the music.
Sunday was the praise service with guest speaker Archdeacon Roderic West, who recently retired as Rector of Holy Trinity, Banbridge.
There were also special singing items by well-known local group Lisnadill Harmony.
There are future fundraising events still to be held at the church including; a tractor run on Saturday, September 21, a coffee morning on Saturday, October 19 and a Community Carol-Singing Evening with Tullyallen Silver Band on Saturday, December 14.
Writing on social media following the event, a spokesperson for St John’s said: “Best thanks are expressed to all those who contributed to the success of the weekend; to those who provided the flower arrangements, the many church members who helped with catering, security, supervision in the church and in other ways and the businesses which provided facilities and food, with many of these being provided at a reduced rate or free of charge.”
