A rural Presbyterian church has organised a 12 hour “musical marathon” to help raise funds for their new Meeting House.
Calling their fundraising event the ‘Musicathon’, Ahorey Presbyterian Church will aim to complete 12 continuous hours of play in a highlight of their Harvest Weekend celebrations.
Beginning at 9am on Saturday, October 11, a variety of talented local musicians will play throughout the day until 9pm that evening.
The day’s theme is inspired by Psalm 150, which calls on all to praise the Lord with a variety of instruments and voices, and – in line with Harvest – the space will be beautifully decorated with stunning floral displays to mark the occasion.
Those performing on the day include, Rev Rodney Magennis, Wayne Brown, David Wilson, Andrew Glenny, Heather Sandford, Ahorey Presbyterian Instrumentalists, Helen and Milele Mason, The Smith Family and Jack, Muriel, and Margaret Woolsey.
The church organ – a combination of an original installed in 1963 by George C Barlow, Essex – was extended and refurbished in 2009 using a Walker organ from a closed church in Londonderry. It will feature throughout the day, along with piano, strings and singers.
The final hour of the event, from 8pm to 9pm, will be dedicated to a special time of praise and favourite hymn singing.
All monies raised on the day will go towards the new Meeting House building fund.
In June, the church submitted plans to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council requesting permission to build the new church building as an “annexe” to the existing church hall within the grounds of the current car park.
The new two-storey church building would be constructed to replace the current Ahorey Presbyterian church building on Ahorey Road near Portadown.
Ahorey Presbyterian Church have said all are welcome to drop in at any time to enjoy the music, admire the harvest decorations, and show support.
Refreshments will be available, and donations will be gratefully accepted throughout the day.
