A Perfect Pentecost: The Dedication of reopened Derrylin Hall & Sunday School Service
What a day of celebration we had yesterday! The dedication of our beautifully refurbished Derrylin Hall could not have fallen on a more perfect Sunday – Pentecost, the birthday of the Church itself. It felt wonderfully fitting that as we celebrated the rebirth of our beloved hall, we were also marking the day when the Holy Spirit breathed new life into the early Christian community.
Canon Ruth West, who has been such a blessing to our parish during this period of vacancy, led our special service with her usual warmth, humour and grace. We were delighted to be joined by Bishop Ferran Glenfield, whose presence made the occasion even more special. But the real stars of the day were our Sunday School children, who brought such joy and energy to the proceedings.
The youngsters were wonderful, contributing songs, readings, poetry, and prayers that captured the spirit of renewal we’re experiencing. Seeing so many children actively learning God’s word and participating so enthusiastically in our worship is a beautiful sign of the parish’s renewal – not just in bricks and mortar, but in spirit and community. Sunday School leader Sara Jordan and Bishop Ferran presented each child with books of devotion as their well-deserved end-of-year prizes, and their beaming faces were a picture to behold.
During his sermon, Bishop Ferran beautifully wove together the themes of Pentecost and our hall’s renewal. He spoke movingly about how our parish community, with special recognition for Helen Finlay’s tireless efforts, had invested so much time and care in restoring the fabric of our church building – just as God invested in the world by sending Jesus and the Holy Spirit to build His church.
The Bishop’s words about the “language of love” particularly resonated. Just as the disciples were able to speak to people from all nations in their own languages through the power of the Spirit, Bishop Ferran reminded us that God’s universal language is love itself. He challenged us to consider how we speak to one another – not just our words, but our tones and attitudes – ensuring they always convey divine love. “Come Holy Spirit” became our prayer for the day and for the future.
After the service, our newly refurbished hall truly came into its own. The space was packed with parishioners and visitors, all enjoying delicious sandwiches and tempting desserts alongside the essential cup of tea! The fellowship was wonderful to witness – conversations flowed as freely as the tea, laughter echoed off the fresh walls, and there was a real sense of community and thanksgiving.
It was one of those days that remind you why church buildings matter so much. They are not just structures of stone and timber, but spaces where community flourishes, where faith is nurtured, and where love finds its expression in the simplest acts of sharing food and fellowship. Our hall is ready for whatever God has in store for us next – and judging by yesterday’s celebration, that future looks very bright indeed!
Canon Ruth West and Bishop Ferran Glenfield with Betty Emo and Ivan Moran cutting the cake
