Holy Baptism and Marriage in Church

Baptism marks an extraordinarily important landmark in a person’s life and what’s more, its biblical, both for adults, and for children in a Christian home.

But Baptism is not just something for family and friends to celebrate - it’s a celebration for the family of the church too, as we welcome a new member.

We are delighted that you may be considering Baptism in one of our beautiful churches and look forward to sharing this special occasion with you.

It is important that you feel relaxed on the big day, so we would like to see you in church regularly before we make any concrete arrangements, but families that come to church for baptism often find that the church has a great deal more to offer them and start to come regularly anyway.

MARRIAGE

Whether it’s in the extraordinary countryside of Urney, with sheep grazing in the fields beside the church, or the majesty of the unique architecture of the Church of the Good Shepherd (refurbished in 2011) in the centre of Sion Mills, the beautiful churches of Urney Parish really do provide the perfect setting for a church wedding. If you live within the parish or have family links with the church here, and would like to discuss the possibility of celebrating that BIG day with us please do CONTACT us.

What do you imagine when you hear the word ‘CHURCH’ ?

Whilst we are justifiably proud of our beautiful church buildings its the people that make the church what it is, NOT the bricks and mortar.

In the Bible followers of Jesus concerned themselves with much more than meeting for prayer and worship. They would support and care for one another, and their community, in all kinds of different ways.

And that is what we are striving to be like in the Parish of Urney today. Take a look at just some of the things we have to offer:

How dull would life be if we all liked the same things, or expressed ourselves in the same way?

Messy Church IS Church, but done in a refreshingly new way. It’s NOT instead of the music or words or tradition that many love and are most familiar with, but IN ADDITION to it.

There’s still prayer and Bible reading, there’s still singing, although perhaps a little louder and more energetic than we’re used to. But there’s much more as well… art and craft, messy games AND a decent cooked meal.

Messy Church takes place FOUR times a year, and is widely advertised in local shops and through our schools.

Look out for the next one, we’d love to see you, and all the family there.

Groups for Adults and Special Events

The Bible Study Group meet on a Wednesday evening from 8.00pm at the Rectory.

At present we are reading through the Acts of the Apostles and reflecting on what is necessary for the local church to grow and thrive as it did in first century after the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus.

Just come as you are, prepared for good fellowship, frank discussion and the challenge of the Holy Spirit as we read God’s word together.

MOTHERS UNION

The aim of the Mothers’ Union is the advancement of the Christian religion in the sphere of marriage and family life.To uphold Christ’s teaching on the nature of marriage and to promote its wider understanding.

To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church.

To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians, united in prayer, worship and service.

To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children.

To help those whose family life has met with adversity.

There are more than four million members of Mothers’ Union today in 83 countries around the world.

Our Mothers’ Union Group meet in the Church Hall, beside the Church of the Good Shepherd, Sion Mills, on the last Tuesday of every month. We are a modest little group but thoroughly enjoy our evenings of fellowship together. The bond between different Mothers’ Union branches across the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe is a very strong one and the annual Festival Service in the Cathedral there, is always well attended

LADIES GUILD

New faces are always most welcome in the Ladies Guild. We meet for fun and fellowship on the Second Monday of every month, in the Church Hall in Sion Mills.

In addition to welcoming a wide variety of Guest Speakers, the group have enjoyed cookery and flower arranging demonstrations, and listened to presentations on subjects including healthy eating and crime prevention.

Trips out are also a popular part of our programme and these have included visits to the theatre, garden centres and shopping.

STRAWBERRY FAYRE

This years’ Strawberry Fayre on 22nd June marked 25 years of an event that every year attracts hundreds of people from right across our community.

The fayre includes something for everyone, from the traditional fairground attractions like the bouncy castle and swingboats that are always popular with the children, to the strawberries and cream and the Ricketty Wheel, where there’s many a decent prize to be had.

Celebrities that have previously attended the Strawberry Fayre included UTV presenter Paul Clarke, and we were thrilled to welcome country singing sensation Robert Mizzell to the stage beside the Church of the Good Shepherd, in 2013.

Sunday School

and Uniformed Groups for Children

We have Sunday School both in Sion Mills and at Christ Church, Urney, beginning an hour before the main Sunday Service.

Using all kinds of different materials, crafts and games we strive to grow in our children a sense of God’s love for them, and the knowledge that through Jesus we can enjoy a personal relationship with God today.

Rather than simply read stories taken from the Bible we encourage children to explore and read the Bible for themselves.

Children from BOTH Sunday Schools work together to present their own take on the Nativity Story at Christmas and at the end of the School year they thoroughly enjoy a day-out with their leaders.

Those involved in teaching or helping to lead our children in Sunday School are fully trained and vetted in accordance with best practice and Safeguarding Trust - the Church of Ireland’s guidelines for the care of young people.

Sunday Schools DO NOT meet when there is a FAMILY SERVICE in Church.

SCOUTING

Beaver Scouts are the youngest members of the Scouting family. Their activities are based around making things, outdoor activities, singing, playing games, going out on visits, investigating nature, listening to stories, learning how to be safe, and most importantly, making new friends.

Beavers are usually aged between six and eight years old, though they can be as young as five and three quarters. Earlier entry is at the Beaver Scout Leader’s discretion.

Beaver Scouts meet in the CHURCH HALL on a MONDAY evening from 6.30 - 7.30pm (term time only)

Cubs are the second section of the Scout movement, for young people aged between eight and ten and a half years old.

During their time in the Pack, Cub Scouts will get a chance to try lots of different activities both indoors and outdoors. There’s loads of everyday scouting adventures from knots, crafts, games and camping, and there are a range of badges available which Cub Scouts can wear on their uniforms to show everyone how they’re doing.

Cub Scouts also get to go on trips and days out, to places like the zoo or a farm. Sometimes they will be able to go on short camps with the Scouts and take part in all kinds of outdoor activities.

Cub Scouts meet in the CHURCH HALL on a THURSDAY evening from 6.45 - 7.45pm

(term time only)

Scouts are the third section of the Scouting movement. From the first experimental camp for 20 boys in 1907, the movement now has an estimated 28 million members worldwide, and in the UK alone there are over 499,000 boys and girls involved in Scouting.

The Scout section is for young people usually aged between ten and a half and fourteen years of age.

Scouts are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities as part of their programme.

Scouts meet in the CHURCH HALL on THURSDAY evenings from 8.00 - 9.15pm  

(term time only)