Gracehill, Northern Ireland - Nov 2025
With trees and flowers blossoming around the village and warm weather lingering into the evening, spring and summer in Gracehill were vibrant seasons, alive with family, all-age and wider community activities.
Our Girls’ and Boys’ Brigade displays were well-attended and thoroughly enjoyed by extended families and friends. The young people presented a commendable array of fun, inclusive and challenging team games, fitness and drill activities, bible-based expositions and the ever-popular parents versus children general Christian knowledge contests. It was a delight to observe their enthusiasm, creativity and growing confidence in new skills, with a depth of knowledge firmly embedded in Christian values.
Fun and fellowship were also at the heart of our first film evening since COVID-19, held in Cennick Hall in late March. Organised by the MWA (Moravian Women’s Association), the universally appealing classic ‘Babe’ was savoured with a mixture of laughter, obligatory tears and copious quantities of fresh popcorn and other cinema treats. Such was the success of the evening that similar events have been promised by the MWA for later in the year …
On a larger scale, Gracehill’s annual village fair is by now well-renowned as a great day of community spirit, attracting visitors from all over the province. Blessed with glorious weather, this year’s event did not disappoint, and the village was a veritable hive of excitement, activity and entertainment. We enjoyed a children’s fancy dress parade, live music, line-dancing, a sizzling BBQ, a plethora of exciting games with special prizes and stalls ranging from bric-a-brac to all kinds of sweet treats and homemade ‘goodies’ to the perpetually queued ice-cream vendors!
As the school year closed in June, our young folks had the opportunity to participate in diverse summer church events, beginning with a highly successful Children’s Church fundraising coffee morning. Friends and family appreciated the children’s proactive service at craft, cake, tombola and raffle stalls, accompanied by some musical performances. As a well-deserved end-of-year treat for the commitment of both children and leaders, they enjoyed a fabulous day trip to Rosepark Farm, Ballymoney, with its unique Lagoon Beach, enchanted forest, freestyle farming and petting zones. A picnic was shared in the indoor barn and the day ended in style (despite a slight drizzle!) with rides on the quirky quad train.
There was no doubt amongst our children that their annual church service would be a celebration and time of thanksgiving for Sr Sarah’s tireless encouragement, prayerful kindness and enthusiastic involvement in all their activities during her almost fourteen years of ministry in Gracehill. It was indeed an exuberant morning as the children presented music, bible readings and reflections, a special ‘SARAH’ poem and a most amusing, yet inspirational interview with Sr Sarah being prompted to spontaneously share some hitherto unknown ‘secrets’ and personal anecdotes.
There was surely no better way to conclude our summertime children’s activities in August than the eagerly anticipated Holiday Bible Club. This year, through a variety of lively, engaging and inclusive craft activities, guided play, music and interactive bible storytelling sessions, we explored the dynamics of RESPECT: for God’s Creation, for our neighbours, and for the local environment. Given the wonderful weather, the children were also able to participate in invigorating, often hilarious team games in the village square.
Undoubtedly, summertime in Gracehill has been a period of physical refreshment, spiritual blessing and a great sense of community spirit when many lasting memories were created. As autumn approaches, it is with thanks and openness that we look forward to God’s continued grace and gifting of the Holy Spirit: ‘From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised’ (Psalm 113: 13).
Sr Ruth Johnson
