Helen’s Bay Parish donate 2500 booklets to hospital chaplaincy team
The parishioners of St John’s Helen’s Bay have donated 2500 Daily Strength booklets to the Ulster Hospital chaplaincy team.
The gift was the result of an Advent fundraising campaign after the Church of Ireland Chaplain, Revd James Cunningham, spoke at the church in December 2025.
On 12 June, representatives from the parish visited the Ulster Hospital to present the copies of Daily Strength, a resource which has been very helpful in the past. It is produced by Lifewords and has Bible verses for 31 days along with Psalms and the Lord’s Prayer.
Revd James Cunningham said, “This is such an encouragement to me and the whole team. Due to the generosity of the folk of Helen’s Bay Parish, we will also be able to distribute booklets to other hospitals within the Trust area.”
Revd Don Gamble, lead chaplain, thanked the rector, Revd Peter Hilton, and the team from Helen’s Bay for their generosity and support, adding: “The booklets will be a great source of help for patients, their families, and also staff. We are delighted to have such good relationships with churches in the Trust area.”
Revd Peter Hilton commented, “When the need for these booklets was made known, it really captured the imagination of the church, and people gave generously. For our congregation, it is a real joy and inspiration to partner in this small way with the chaplaincy team and support the invaluable work of hospital chaplains in the local area.”
Pictured above, back row: Revd James Cunningham (Chaplain), Revd Peter Hilton, Louise Tully, Gemma Hilton. Front row: Vivienne Manley (Chaplain), Revd Don Gamble (Lead Chaplain), Lydia Hilton.