Reflexology with demonstrator Hazel Boyd.

Venue - Parish Room.

This morning there will be an informal family service with Carols to celebrate our Lord’s birth.

A service of nine lessons and carols with Ballyclare Victoria Flute Band.

The Una Voce choir for female voices, from Glengormley, will be holding its annual concert in St Bride’s.

The festivities begin this evening with the switching on of the Christmas tree lights just outside the Parish Hall. The evening begins in the church when school choirs from Doagh Primary School and Kilbride Central Primary School will be singing in the church. Then everyone will move down to the Parish Hall for the big switch-on.

Come along and join in the fun organised this year by 1st Kilbride Guide Group. And don’t be surprised if a special guest dressed in red and with a big white beard makes an appearance!

Edward Montgomery, a parishioner in St Bride’s, will be giving an illustrated talk to the church men’s group on the Montgomery family which has lived at Benvarden House, outside Ballymoney, for 8 generations. The house is set in parkland with the River Bush running through. Edward will concentrate on his family history and that of the house but many will remember the Causeway Safari Park which was situated at Benvarden, and was once one of the biggest attractions on the Causeway Coast operating from 1970 until its closure in 1997, eventually reverting to the estate.

Open to everyone.

Venue - Parish Room

Art and craft evening with demonstrator Hilary Hinds.

Hilary is an extremely talented ceramicist and artist based in north Down and she will be talking about her craft and some of her beautiful pieces will be on display.

Venue - Parish Room

Time - 7:30pm

CMSI is a Christian mission organisation that exists to help God’s people engage in God’s mission.

​CMSI is part of the global CMS family, which was established in 1799 with a threefold focus:

• the abolition of the slave trade

• social reform at home

• world evangelisation

 CMSI’s own story started in 1814, with the formation of the Hibernian Church Missionary Society. Since then, it has worked with the Church - in Ireland and across the world - as it responds to both spiritual and physical needs.

Its history, identity and most of its work is associated with the Anglican Communion, but its members work across denominations to equip the Church in mission.

Linda Abwa works for CMS Ireland and she will be visiting Kilbride Parish Church to give a talk on the work of CMS Ireland across the world, and in particular regions for which she has particular responsibility. Linda is the Partnership Co-ordinator for a number of regions in Africa, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypy and South Sudan..

Linda joined the staff team in 2015, after a period of mission partner service in Nigeria with Mission Africa. Some of the Global Partners she works with are ministering in contexts of significant civil strife and upheaval - a particular challenge for the Church.

Ballyhamge House on the Burn Road in Doagh was once the grand residence of Rev. George Henry McDowel Johnston, for many years vicar of Donegore and Kilbride. On his death in 1864 his nephew, Rev. Francis C. Young, took over as the first rector of the newly separated parish of Kilbride, and he lived in Ballyhamage House until his death in 1886.

David Holmes will be giving a talk on the history of the house and some of its residents, as well as the future plans for this listed building. There will also be some conversation on the curious tale of Dr. Clements and his four wives.

Masonic charity service.

Movie Night

Venue - Parish Room

The church will be decorated for this special Harvest Thanksgiving service.

Preacher - Rt Rev. George Davison, Bishop of Connor.

A harvest lunch will be served in the Parish Hall immediately after this service. Details below.

Harvest Lunch for Dementia NI

The Ladies’ Group is hosting a harvest lunch in aid of the local charity, Dementia NI.

There is no set charge for this lunch but donations will be accepted on the day

We hope that everyone attending this special service will be able to join us in the Parish Hall and, if so, to help with numbers for catering, please put your name on the list at the back of the Church.

Thank you for supporting this worthy charity.

Note - the Holy Communion Service for October will be celebrated on 12th October.

This morning’s Service of Morning Prayer will include a Holy Baptism.

Ballyduff Silver Band will be providing the music and entertainment in a fundraising concert to be held in the All Saints’ Parish Centre. All Saints’ church suffered major damage following a fire on Christmas Day last year. The 16th century building had fire damage and major smoke damage and the repairs and remedial works will cost approximately £2,000,000.

Tickets are not required but donations will be accepted at the door.

Venue - All Saints’ Parish Centre, 18 Railway Street, Antrim, BT41 4AE

Time - 7:30pm

First Ladies’ Group meeting of the season.

The speaker will be Ronan O’Donnell who is area manager for Save the Children. Ronan recently accepted a cheque for £500 from the Ladies’ Group on behalf of the charity and is coming to speak to the group about Save the Children’s work in the world’s troubled places.

Everyone is very welcome, and it would be good to welcome some new members.

Venue - Parish Room

The last walk of the rambling season and it will be a flat route to finish off.

Meet at the the car park at the junction of Corporation Street and Dunbar Link in Belfast at 6:50pm. Directions from the M2 - leave the M2 at Duncrue Street and drive along Corporation Street, under the M3 and railway flyovers and the car park is on the right just before the traffic lights in Exchange Street. Parking is free after 6:00pm. From there the walk will go to the City Hall and in particular the Titanic Memorial on the eastern end of the building. Then it will head for the River Lagan and across the pedestrian footbridge at the ‘Big Fish’. Past the SSE Arena, ‘SS Nomadic’ and the Titanic Building to the ‘Great Light’, then HMS Caroline and then find a spot for coffee in the Ann Street area or Cathedral Quarter before returning to the cars via Tomb Street. A little bit of Belfast’s maritime history will be discussed on the way.

Terrain - footpaths and paved areas

Difficulty Rating - 3

Distance - 8 km

Study this map to get an idea of what’s on view (courtesy of the Titanic Quarter website).

Full day excursion.

Following previous year’s very successful trips to Rathlin this will be another chance to explore more of the island. The bird sanctuary at the West Light should still be busy with birds although the breeding season is largely finished.

Various walking routes are available on the island and there is also an option to hire bicycles.

Visit the Rathlin Ferry website to book your own tickets. Leaving Ballycastle on the 10:00 sailing and returning from Rathlin at 17:00. The ferry is free for those holding a valid travel pass.

This evening’s walk will start at the car beside Dixon Hall at Drains Bay, near Larne. The walk will follow the main road along to Carnfunnock Country park and then explore some of the trails within the park.

Meet at the car park in Drains Bay for a 7 pm start.

Difficulty rating - 4

Distance - 6 km

Meet at the Redburn Country Park car park in Holywood at 6:50pm. This is located just off the Old Holywood Road and is close to Holywood Care Home. A steep ascent right from the start to the top of the park.

Difficulty rating - 8

Distance - 6 km

Meeting point is Houston’s Mill, Broughshane.

Drive over the Collin to Broughshane. Turn right at the ‘T’ junction on Main Street and the car park is at Houston’s Mill just beside St Patrick’s church. Starting to walk at approximately 7:15 pm. The walk follows the River Braid and back by main street. This walk is suitable for all abilities.

Follow this link for a map of the walk - Buttermilk Bridge

Difficulty rating - 2

Distance - 5 km

It’s almost exactly two years since the walking group last walked up Carnmoney hill so it is overdue another visit. The start of the walk is at the play area on Knockenagh Avenue near Cloughfern. To get there drive down the Doagh Road towards Whiteabbey Hospital. Just after the Cloughfern Arms on the right and the Fernagh Road on the left drive another 100 metres and turn right into Knockenagh Avenue. Follow this up the hill for about 1/2 km and the play park can be seen on the right, behind a fence. There is parking here and on the side of the road above the park. The walk starts here and the route winds its way up the hill. Steep for short sections but worth the effort for the views.

Length - 6 or 7 km dependent on the route taken

Difficulty rating - 7

This is another new walking route beginning at the Galgorm Castle Golf Club car park on the Galgorm Road, Ballymena. Follow the signs for the golf club and park in its car park near the clubhouse. The route will follow public pathways along the River Braid.

Terrain - public pathways and footpaths

Distance - 5 km

Difficulty rating - 4

Drive to the Ards Shopping Centre just off the roundabout on the approach to Newtownards and meet beside KFC at 6:50pm. The walk begins at this car park.

Follow this link for more details on the area - Scrabo Hill

Difficulty rating - 7

Distance - 7 km

Meet at the Cavehill Country Park near Belfast Castle at 6:50pm. The route follows the green waymarking arrows and will take in McArt’s fort at the top of Cavehill before moving around towards Divis and back to the car park. A challenging route. Follow this link for a map - Cavehill

Difficulty rating - 7

Distance - 7.2 km

This walk will follow the Beltoy watercourse which runs north close to the Beltoy Road, just outside Carrickfergus.

Directions - from Ballyclare go through Straid and head for Carrickfergus, eventually coming to the Woodburn crossroads. Turn left on to the Middle Road becoming the Marshallstown Road. Go the end of the Marshallstown Road to the ‘T’ junction with the Beltoy Road. Turn left and after approximately 1 km there is a laneway (second laneway on the left with a steel gate) into a reservoir with a small car park a short distance in. Parking may be limited so car-share as much as possible.

For those coming via Mossley follow the Doagh Road from the Linden Lea roundabout on the A8 to Greenisland. This road then eventually becomes the Marshallstown Road and runs right through to the Beltoy Road.

Terrain - rough pathways and unmade tracks

Distance - 4 km

Difficulty rating - 4

This visit will start at Saul church near Downpatrick, meeting there at 10:30am. After looking around the church the next stop will be Down cathedral where there will be a guided tour of the cathedral at midday, and then there will be an opportunity to visit the gift shop. Lunch is booked for 1:15pm in Denvir’s Hotel a short walk from the cathedral in English Street.

Following lunch everyone can explore the town and visit the St Patrick’s Centre or Down Museum. Dependent on the weather the route home may be via the Strangeford to Portaferry ferry and up the Arts penisula returning home for around 5:00pm.

If you would like to attend please contact David Holmes using the Contact page on this website.