ANNUAL EASTER GENERAL VESTRY posted 12/04/2026
Have you ever considered putting your foot on that first rung of the ‘governance ladder’
of YOUR parish church? If so, your rector and fellow parishioners will be delighted to
welcome you as you take that participative step.
Interested, articulate people, in all the age groups from 18 years upwards, are always
needed to help with the running and upkeep of our church and parish buildings.
This ‘ladder’ can take you from Easter General Vestry to Select Vestry roles to elected
Diocesan Synod membership where you can represent our parish.
That’s why it is important to attend the Annual Easter General Vestry Meeting – equivalent
to an annual general meeting – YOU deserve to have YOUR voice heard in YOUR church.
YOU can be effective and make a difference! Please consider this YOUR invitation.
We’d love to see you on Wednesday 15th April at 7.30pm for YOUR Annual Easter General Vestry Meeting
in Christ Church Parish Hall, Bessbrook
CAROLS TOGETHER PRESENTATION posted 27/02/2026
This past week members of Bessbrook Development Company gathered in Christ Church
to present their cheque to the Children’s Kidney Fund NI from their Carols Together service
which was held in our church in December 2025. £1200.00 was donated in total.
HOLY BAPTISM posted 08/02/2026
A very special service was held in Christ Church this morning, Sunday 8th February,
when Sadie Grace Doughty received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism from Rev Alan Synnott.
Together with her parents Derick and Rachel and her brothers Joshua and Noah,
Sadie was surrounded by her wider family circle and was warmly received into the family
of Christ Church by the parishioners present.
We look forward to Sadie growing up within our church family.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF VESTRYPERSONS posted 31/01/2026
The Registration List for Vestrypersons is open for its annual review during the month of February.
Open to all paying parishioners, aged 18 + over, if you aren’t yet registered, but would like to commit
more to the parish, please obtain a form from the Churchwardens or Hon. Secretary.
Such a registration secures your right to vote at the Easter General Vestry.
Completed forms must be returned by Sunday 1st March as the list will
be reviewed at our next Select Vestry meeting.
KINGSMILLS 50TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE posted 03/01/2026
A Service commerating the 50th Anniversary of the Kingsmills atrocity will be held in Bessbrook Town Hall
on Sunday 4th January at 3.00pm.
Organised by the Kingsmills Memorial Committee, the service will be led by local clergy and Tullyvallen
Silver Band.
A cordial invitation is extended to everyone to attend.
2025 WEEKLY OFFERING posted 03/01/2026
Thank you to everyone who has supported our parish with financial contributions during this past year.
We are so grateful to all who faithfully donate to parish funds which enable us continue our worship in
the local parish as well as undertake the practical requirements involved in maintaining our parish properties.
Our Hon. Treasurer, Mr John Cunningham, is keeping our 2025 books ‘open’ for weekly offering contributions
for the next few weeks. Any donations made in your 2025 envelopes (up to & including Sunday 18th January)
will be included in our 2025 Financial Report later in the year.
WEEKLY GIVING posted 03/01/2026
At the beginning of each new year we provide weekly offertory envelopes to all parishioners if requested.
Regular financial contributions are very important to our parish as they allow us to continue weekly public
worship within our parish and maintain our parish properties.
Donations may be made to our two accounts:
1) General Parish Funds &
2) Property Account which includes the upkeep of church and glebe buildings.
Donations to church funds may be made via our envelope system or via online 'Direct Debit/Standing Order'
arrangements with your bank. Anyone who donates via online banking can use a 'dummy envelope' to avoid
embarrassment when the offertory is being collected. These are available from the rear of the church.
We stock a small number of spare envelopes if you wish to contribute to church funds on a regular basis.
Subscribing through either our envelope or online system confirms your membership of our parish and
provides us with the opportunity to keep you informed of church events.
If you wish to be added to our subscribers list please contact our Hon. Treasurer, Mr John Cunningham,
or either Churchwarden, who will be delighted to help you.