Ballymore Parish Church

02/06/2026

☺️ GFS

At the GFS awards event on Monday night at Armagh Cathedral, GFS Ballymore
received the Donaghmore Sheild, in recognition of 70 years of commitment to the girls of Ballymore 🥳. It was commended for its caring leadership and promotion of Christian values and teaching. There have been many leaders over the years but the contribution of Beth Wortley, who recently eased back on her involvement, is noteworthy.

Another award went to Esther Humphrey 👏. Esther was awarded an ALL IRELAND GFS prize after being placed first in handcraft for her recycled bird box/feeder. No doubt grandparents, Des and Linda, are proud of her achievement ☺️.

29/05/2026

🌞🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🏞

Striders,strollers and Stragglers held their last walk for the season at Wallace Park, and finished with a lovely lunch in Lisburn.

22/05/2026

📌 UPCOMING COURSE

For further details please see below

And always like and share 😊

20/05/2026

Introducing Harry Simpson, soon to be Rev Harry Simpson, who will be serving in Ballymore and Clare for a period from June. We look forward to Harry coming, and welcome him and Julie'.

It's Saturday and we continue our series of weekly posts through the month of May, focusing on the Ordinations that are happening in the Diocese of Armagh, we hear this week from Harry Simpson, who will be ordained as an OLM Deacon on Sunday 31st May in St Patrick's Cathedral Armagh. Please do remember Harry in prayer.

29/04/2026

📅 Christian Aid Week is happening soon: 10-16 May.

7 days to make a difference. This Christian Aid Week, what will you do?

Christian Aid Week is a powerful expression of what can happen when compassion leads to action. It's our shared moment to come together – across churches, communities and households – to stand alongside people living in poverty around the world.

For one week each year, thousands of people across the island of Ireland give, fundraise, pray and act together. Together, those actions make change possible.

There will be a collection at the Spar in Tandragee on 16th May. Or on 10th May, you can donate in Ballymore's main service - any loose cash given that day will be passed to Christian Aid.

Learn more about the work of Christian Aid in this video. Christian Aid is what it's name suggests - Christians compassionately helping others, in the name of Jesus

https://youtu.be/e-BbnBvzUOw?si=y_1SwiwWGNnEbFHT
Christian Aid Week 2026

21/04/2026

The countdown is on 🥳

We welcome everyone this Saturday to Blevins Big Breakfast 😋

Starting at 9.30am to 12noon. So breakfast or brunch is sorted 😄

Please give this a like and share 💕

And pop it in your diary 😉

06/04/2026

We are absolutely delighted that several girls from our parish have qualified, with Blevins Academy, to represent Northern Ireland at the Dance World Cup this July 🎉

To help support them on their journey, our wonderful catering team will be hosting a Big Breakfast fundraiser:

📅 Saturday 25th April
🕤 9:30am – 12:00pm
📍 Ballymore Parish Church Hall

💷 Suggested donation: £8 for adults and £5 for children

We would love to see as many of you there as possible. Your support means so much to the girls and their families.

Thank you in advance 💛

05/04/2026

Parochial Group of Ballymore and Clare

⛪️ Ballymore Parish Church 11am
1st Sunday – Holy Communion 2
2nd & 4th Sundays – Morning Prayer 2
3rd Sunday – All-age Service
5th Sunday - Celebration of Wholeness and Healing & Anointing with oil – not in March
8.30am
2nd,4th & 5th Sundays - Holy Communion
Wednesday weekly 10.30am
Holy Communion followed by refreshments

⛪️ Clare Parish Church 9.45am
1st, 2nd, 4th Sundays - Morning Prayer
3rd Sunday - Holy Communion
5th Sunday - Celebration of Wholeness and Healing & Anointing with oil – not in March

On Easter Day, there is no morning service, with Easter Praise at 7pm
7th June, there will be a service at 3:30pm but none at 9:45am

Easter Day Readings: Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 28:1-10

APRIL, MAY, JUNE

✝️ CLARE EASTER PRAISE the evening of Easter Day @ 7pm

☕️ MIDWEEK COMMUNION AND CUPPA none Wednesday 8th, resuming 15th until the end of June – Wed 10.30am in the church. Praying by name for those who are unwell or in need. Give names for prayer to Rector, if you are not able to be there.

📅 S CLUB resumes 19th & 26th, May 3rd & 10th, Prize giving May 17th, June 14th & 28th

👩‍👧‍👧 GFS resumes April 15th, 22nd and 29th for Parents Evening

🚶‍♀️STRIDDERS, STROLLERS & STRAGGLERS 2nd & 4th Thursdays meet 10am in church carpark. Contact Joanne 07870 994826

🧘‍♀️ PILATES SESSIONS continue Thursdays 6.30-7.30pm

📅 MOTHERS’ UNION You are invited to "JOIN US JOIN IN" for the last meetings of the Spring season:
April 16th at 7.30 pm - Speaker Mrs Janet Maxwell, Lay Canon Armagh Diocese and Head of Communications for Church of Ireland.
May 13th at 7.30 pm - Festival Service in Armagh Cathedral.
May 21st at 10.00 am - Summer Outing: Morning Coffee and a tour of Stormont Castle, followed by a visit to Dundonald Garden Centre with Restaurant and shopping in the "Secret Garden" All ladies of both parishes, Ballymore & Clare, are most welcome.

📅 CONFIRMATION CLASSES 3-4pm April 19th & 26th, May 10th 17th & 31st

⛪️ CONFIRMATION SERVICE June 7th 11am

🎵POYNTZPASS SILVER BAND Charity Coffee Morning Saturday April 18th 9.30-12.30 in Poyntzpass Legion Hall – in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association

👋 YOUTH FELLOWSHIP April 19th. May and June’s gatherings are pencilled in for the 3rd Sunday each month but will be subject to change

📅 EASTER VESTRY April 20th @ 7:30pm in Minor Hall. Everyone is invited to attend this important meeting, when we elect Parochial Nominators, Diocesan Synod Representatives, People’s Glebewarden and People’s Churchwarden and Select Vestry representatives. Only registered members of the General Vestry are entitled to vote or stand for election

⛪️ COMMISSIONING OF DIOCESAN & PARISH READERS - Armagh Cathedral Sunday June 14th 3.15pm. All being well, Foster MacAdam of Ballymore & Janet Little of Clare will be commissioned.

📖 PARISH READER APPLICATIONS speak to the Rector in the next few weeks if you would like to train as a parish reader. Training is one night a month in Richhill from September to June.

🙏 OPEN DOORS WATCHLIST 50 – Information and prayer guide for persecuted Christians in the 50 worst places in the world to follow Jesus. Available in porch. Please take a copy.

🙏 CHURCH REPAIRS During the church repairs, access is via the choir door.
At times we may not be able to open the church for private prayer.

🏡 PASTORAL VISITORS - In Ballymore, we have many housebound parishioners who appreciate regular contact with their church. If you know a member of Ballymore who has difficulty with mobility or is housebound and would appreciate receiving an occasional visit from one of the Parish Pastoral Visiting team, speak to the Rector.

Or if anyone wants a visit for any pastoral or faith issues, also contact the Rector.
Does anyone sense God nudging them to join the team of Pastoral Visitors? Not sure what’s involved? Want to know more about the training? Speak to the Rector. This is a very valuable parish ministry.

🛍 BLACK BAGS of old clothes, paired shoes, material (no duvets or pillows) can be left at hall porch anytime.

☎️ CONTACT DETAILS
Rev Canon C Darling 07925 672340

Administrator Linda McCord 07759 322059 Email: [email protected]

2025/26 Churchwardens.
People’s Churchwarden
Stephen Elliott 07778 558500
Rector’s Churchwarden
Ann Poole 07568 514281

03/04/2026

📌 EASTER DAWN SERVICE CANCELLED

Due to the incoming storm Dave this weekend the decision has been taken to cancel the Easter Dawn Service at the Argory

We would warmly welcome everyone to our Easter morning Services in Ballymore Parish Church and Clare Parish Church

Stay safe everyone 🙏