Ballybeen to lead Worship
On Thursday 28th August, the third night of Bishop’s Bible Week in Willowfield Parish Church, worship will be led by a group from St Mary’s, Ballybeen. There has been a worship group responsible for leading the worship in the services in St Mary’s for over 20 years with a changing membership over the years. One or two musicians have been part of the group for most of that time and the others in the present ‘band’ have joined the ranks at various stages over the past two decades, while others are young people who have grown up in the parish.
The worship group consists of 9 members; Nick Crawford (Bass), Tommy Burns (drums), John Lawlor (guitar), Rachel Manning (flute), Rebecca Manning (violin), Ruth Manning (piano and vocals), Susannah Manning (vocals), Joan Meneely (piano, drums and vocals) and David Trimble (guitar and vocals).
Susannah Manning is the soloist on Thursday night, performing two pieces. Susannah won the under 18's Regional Final of a competition to find a voice for the Persecuted Church. Hope Academy - billed as a Christian version of the X Factor - came to Belfast for two days of auditions before the final was held in Willowfield Parish Church at the end of March this year. Part of the winner's prize - which included a recording contract and support from Christian music promoters NGM - included a visit to the Persecuted Church in Cairo Egypt.
For more information on the Bishop’s Bible Week, see the news item entitled “Countdown to the Bishop’s Bible Week”