The PCI Family Holiday takes place in the week immediately following the Easter weekend each year. It offers something for everyone. Families who come along can expect a time to relax, a range of activities and the opportunity to make new friends. Over the years, many families have found the holiday to be a place in which they can spend time away together and enjoy fellowship, support and encouragement.
It offers something for everyone. Families who come along can expect a time to relax, a range of activities to enjoy together and the opportunity to make new friends.
Accommodation is provided in Castlewellan Castle in a variety of rooms suitable for families of all sizes and all meals are included.
“We’re just home from Family Holiday and it was brilliant!” “We spent four days with new friends, listening to God’s Word and praising him together.”
You can also find out more about the Family Holiday by contacting the Congregational Life and Witness department by telephone +44 (0)28 9041 7246 or email clw@presbyterianireland.org
The Family Holiday 2024 will take place from Tuesday 2 – Friday 5 April 2024.
Funding for this holiday is available the Presbyterian Children’s society.
The Youth Fellowship meets tonight. This is an important opportunity for our young people to spend time reading and discussing the word of God to discover how it applies to their lives. Please pray for our young people, pray that they would mature in their relationship with God.
Monday 27th November
Several of the ladies in our congregation meet each Monday for coffee. Pray for all the relationships within our church. Pray that we would become a family, brothers, and sisters in the Lord.
Tuesday 28th November
The congregational committee meet tonight. Give thanks to God for our committee and pray for them as they seek to be good stewards of our buildings and finances.
Wednesday 29th November
Poverty continues to be a blight on our society. An increasing number of holiday homes within Portstewart create a pressure on housing for families living in the area. A higher-than-average proportion of pupils in the primary school require free school meals. Pray that we as a church would learn how to best respond to the needs in our community.
Thursday 30th November
This evening is the last night of our bible study on the life of Elijah. Thank God for the opportunities we have to read his word together, and to talk about what that means and how it applies to our lives. Pray that we as a church would be able to find ways of creating opportunities for others in our community to read the word of God.
Friday 1st December
Treasure Hunters continues Sunday by Sunday. Give thanks to God for Wendy Porter and her team of helpers who provide a valuable environment for children to hear the stories of the bible, some for the first time. Pray that God would use these stories to reveal himself to our children and their families.
Saturday 2nd December
Michelle continues to run our youth clubs on a Saturday night. Pray for Michelle as she connects with the young people but also that she would be able to build relationships with their families.
This morning we welcome Christine Craig, a ministry student, to our church. Pray for Christine, not only as she leads worship but as she studies and prepares for ministry in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Pray also for Thomas Black who continues his placement with us and takes part in today’s service.
Monday 20th November
This morning Michelle will be taking the nursery – primary 4 assembly in the school. Pray for Michelle, the children, teachers and all who work in the school. Pray that the current planned industrial action can be resolved and that children will not be adversely impacted.
Tuesday 21st November
Kirk Session is meeting tonight. Pray for our Kirk Session as they seek to give leadership and provide pastoral care within our congregation. Thank God for each elder and continue to pray for Helen, Samantha, and Julie as they prepare for the congregational meeting and vote on Sunday.
Wednesday 22nd November
We continue to be blessed with more children being born in our congregation. Thank God for Allistair and Samantha Nicholl’s baby daughter Esme Poppy who was born on the 5th of November. Pray for Esme, Samantha, Alistair, and Riley. Ask God’s blessing and protection over them.
Thursday 23rd November
Our community coffee time continues today between 2 and 4 pm. Pray for all who make this happen and for the people who come in and use it. Ask God that this would be a time when new friendships are formed.
Friday 24th November
Stuart and Joe continue to visit those who are sick and bereaved as well as routine pastoral visits. Pray for Stuart and Joe. Pray that their visiting would bring comfort and encouragement. Above all pray that God would be honoured and glorified through those visits.
Saturday 25th November
Another busy church week ends with the Blaze and Chill youth clubs. Pray for the children and young people who come along to both these clubs. Pray that among the fun and games they would see something of the love and grace of God.
Thomas Black is a candidate for the ministry in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Thomas will be joining us for a short placement as part of his application process. Please pray for Thomas.
Thank you for taking the time to pray with us this week.
Sunday 12th November
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 kjv) This morning we give thanks to God for the sacrifices of so many in the defence of freedom and justice. Pray for the families of all those who mourn the loss of loved ones because of man’s inhumanity to man.
Monday 13th November
This afternoon our after schools’ clubs meet in Portstewart Primary School. Pray for this important work among the children attending the local primary school. Pray for the school, teaching and non-teaching staff. Pray also for the children and their families that they would know how much they are loved and valued by us as a church, but also by God their creator and Jesus their saviour.
Tuesday 14th November
PW meets tonight. Give thanks to God for this important ministry among the ladies of our congregation. Thank God for all the women who do so much to ensure the life and witness of this church is maintained.
Wednesday 15th November
Last week our GB packed over 20 shoeboxes. Thank God for all the boxes that will be sent not just from this congregation but from across to the church to families who have little in comparison to us. Thank God for the real expressions of joy on so many children’s faces when these gifts are handed out.
Thursday 16th November
Our world continues to tumble further and further into turmoil. Pray for the many places where suffering seems to reign, and misery dictates how people live their lives. Thank God for his sovereignty and the promise that he will bring all suffering to an end. Pray for that day to come.
Friday 17th November
Stuart is convenor for Ballywillan while they are vacant. Pray for Ballywillan, and the many other vacant congregations across our denomination. Pray for especially for those congregations who are enduring or facing long vacancies.
Saturday 18th November
Joe Fell continues to faithfully visit in our congregation. Thank God for Joe, pray for him as he ministers among us. Pray also as he does this while facing illness within his own family.
Each Sunday morning we publish a prayer diary which is designed to help us pray more regularly throughout the week. We would be delighted for as many people as possible to join us in prayer.
Sunday 5th November
He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19 nlt) Take time this morning as we come to the Lord’s table to remember what he has done for each of us, as individuals and a collective.
Monday 6th November
As the weather turns colder and people begin to make decisions as to whether they can afford to heat their homes, pray that our society would become fairer. Pray for our local economy remembering Jeremiah’s words to the exiles, that if Babylon prospers, they will prosper.
Tuesday 7th November
This evening there is a special meeting of Presbytery to discuss how the Presbyterian Church in Ireland responds to the fact it cannot provide ministry in the way it always has to many of our congregations. Pray for wisdom and sensitivity in these discussions. Pray also for those congregations who have been vacant for a long time and have little prospect of calling a minister of their own.
Wednesday 8th November
At the time of writing the events in Gazza and Israel show little signs of improving with more and more civilians caught up in the fighting on both sides of the war. It’s hard to believe this is a land where Jesus demonstrated so much love and compassion. Pray for all who have been caught up in the fighting, pray for the day when God finally beats the swords into ploughshares, breaks the shield and burns the spear.
Thursday 9th November
Robin Gawne, our treasurer, has been reporting an improving picture for the church finances, however the church still operates at a significant deficit. Pray for our finances, pray that God would provide not just for the church to keep going, but for the means that we would be able to continue to reach our community for Christ.
Friday 10th November
Thomas Black is a candidate for the ministry from 1st Coleraine. Thomas will be joining us for a four-week placement on Sunday as part of his application process. Pray for Thomas, pray that he would know God’s blessing and presence, but also that he would know God’s leading as he continues to explore God’s call on his life.
Saturday 11th November
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the guns fell silent. Thank God for the ending of wars, pray for those who still suffer the effects of war, and pray for those who have been caught up in war.
