113 Years Of Service
Londonderry City Mission – 113th Annual Report Under God, the Mission continues to quietly and effectively make a contribution to the bringing of help and hope to our city. Statistics are constantly being produced highlighting the northwest’s lowly position in all kinds of leagues of social ills. The needs never seem to diminish but we have a great God whose blessing continues to be abundant. We have been celebrating Sean Boyle’s twenty-five years working in our Hostel for Homeless Men. Originally employed as a support worker, Sean has risen through the ranks and now oversees a complement of forty-seven residents and thirty-three members of staff. In so many respects the work has changed but at its heart it remains a compassionate response to the needs of homeless men. We are blessed to have Sean as the manager of our Hostel and are delighted he has reached this milestone in his career with us. Long may he continue to do the work he is doing. Special celebration dinners were held at the Mission Centre in Clooney Hall and at the Hostel. As a token of its appreciation, and the esteem and affection in which he is held, the Mission presented Sean with a large framed photograph of the city and a handsome cheque. The Clooney Centre, the heart of our Mission in the city, has had a good year. The necessary re-modelling of part of the building has resulted in increased activity and an improvement in finances. The Centre is a means of grace, as are those who work in it. The NCH Clooney Family Centre continues to address locally all the national problems highlighted in the disturbing UNICEF report published in February this year. NCH is now the lead body in a local area Surestart programme and we are delighted to be involved in this work too. Ken Porter has been replaced in the round as our Circuit Steward. We are grateful to God for all Ken’s prayerful and thoughtful support. Maureen Young has been appointed by the Circuit to take Ken’s place and we have no doubt she also will make a valuable contribution. David Cairns, a faithful supporter of the Mission over many years, died during the year, and we thank God for every remembrance of him. The Mission’s work could not continue without the backing of its funding bodies, its staff, its Mission Committee, the Circuit and the Connexion, and appreciation is deeply felt for all the assistance given. The Mission is in good health and we thank God it continues to be a blessing in a city that is still suffering job deprivation, social depravation, and spiritual disinterest. The Committee for the Connexional Year 2007/08 Rev T H Samuel McGuffin, Superintendent of the Mission and Chairman of the Committee, Revs: Lynn D Cairns, Noel A J C Fallows, Christopher C Fraser. Messrs, Hamilton Blain and Tim Bryson, Mrs Muriel Bullock, Mrs Marion Cairns, Mr Ken Connor, Mrs Joan Doherty, Messrs Mervyn Doherty, James Duff, John Gibson, Miss Jane Given, Mrs Joan Hunter, Dr Peter Leeson, Miss Janice McCandless, Mrs Christine Mitchell, Miss Ivy Nicholl, Mr James Simpson and Mrs Maureen Young. Miss Jane Given is the Secretary of the Committee Mr Allen Faulkner is the Mission Administrator Dates of Committee Meetings: the first Mondays of September and December, the last Tuesdays of February and May.