At the opening meeting of the new year, members of Omagh and District Ladies’ Probus were addressed by local Church of Ireland Rector, Ian Linton. In his challenging message for 2019, he reflected on the experiences of John Mark as described in the book of Acts in which John Mark appeared to have given up in his work of mission, but he soon found that he was inspired to take up the challenges facing him and continue his work with Paul and Barnabas. Rev Linton reminded members that while we may feel dispirited or held back by our past experiences, that there is always hope. We do not have to be defined by our past but, instead, we can step out in faith which will lead us to the one in whom our hopes and fears are met. The Scriptures do not have a word for retirement and all were encouraged to look forward to 2019 and to be “refired” to work for good purposes in all that we do. Thanks were expressed to Rev Linton by Pauline O’Hagan.
Earlier in the meeting, President Zoe Reid had shared a poem entitled “The day that is in it” which she had written for the new year. It reminded everyone of resolutions made and then not fulfilled and reflected how most feel at the beginning of a new year.
The club members meet again on first Thursday in February in Omagh Library when Frank Sweeney will talk about Omagh Past and Present and visitors are welcome.