The Rev. Alan Wilson told the November meeting of the Presbytery of Derry and Donegal that two well supported meetings had been held with Crown Jesus Ministries.
He was confident that a number of initiatives would be held during the new year.
The Rev. David Latimer reported on a meeting which had been held in Monreagh Heritage and Education Centre on the future of the magazine of the former Donegal Presbyt
ery.
It had been widely used and it should be extended to cover the new Presbytery with all congregations contributing news items.
He paid tribute to Mr. William McKinley who would continue as editor with help from Mrs. Valerie Stewart.
Another meeting has been arranges for January 19, 2010 to review progress on the magazine.
Youth matters were dealt with by the Rev. Nigel Craig.
He commended Mrs. Glenda McKee for her work as secretary to the Donegal Presbytery Youth Committee.
He asked that someone from north of the border should be sought to help.
A youth evening with games, a table quiz and other activities had bee planned for Saturday, November 21 from 6.30pm. to 10.30pm. in Lisneal College, Londonderry.
It is being headed up by David Herington a youth club leader.
He said letters of thanks had been sent to members of the Youth
Committees of the former Presbyteries for their work.
The next meeting of the youth council is being held on Wednesday, 25th November in Ray Church at 7.30pm.
Keith Simpson, a Youth Worker said he travelled round churches in Donegal helping Youth Fellowships with Bible Studies and getting to know the young people.
He tool part in a youth rally when the speaker was Rev. James Lamont.
Rev. Brian Brown presented a report from the Church’s Union commission on the future of ministry.
He said a lot of number crunching and work went into it and it dealt mainly with ministry, money and mission. “Congregations,” he said, “may receive a lot of money from Church House to supplement stipends with out knowing it.
The Commission anticipates that there will be pressure to keep these amounts as small as possible.
The fact that new projects are being proposes which further the mission of the Church, for example through Church planting, is encouraging.
However, there simply not be enough ministers to undertake these developments unless some ministerial resources are released through the amalgamation or union of existing charges.
