Kat-ia Mae Beattie Thanksgiving

Kat-ia Mae Beattie Thanksgiving

This afternoon in Kilcooley Community Centre a special service of thanksgiving was held celebrating God's pure love in the gift of little Kat-ia Mae Beattie to her parents Carlene and Gareth.

The service was made even more significant as it was conducted in the Joe Traynor Hall, named after Carlene's grandfather who died in 2002.

Mark Tatty Gordon was invited to conduct the service and began by paying tribute to Carlene's grandfather, whom he considered a friend.

Tatty spoke from 1 John 4v7-8 and John 3v16: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

He said, "There are many forms and expressions of love in this world today, some we agree with others we don't; and there are many kinds of hate, but true love is always pure." Tatty spoke about the pure love of God, demonstrated in the giving of his sinless Son to die for sinners.

God extends his pure love toward all who are here today because the very fact you are here and alive is proof of God's love. Little Kat-ia Mae is another expression and demonstration of God's love in his good gift of her to her parents.

"Every child born into this world is proof God hasn't given up on us."

The name Kat-ia means 'pure' and this child symbolises God's pure love for us. If people want to experience the pure love of God in a real and tangible way they can do so by coming to God through Jesus and Jesus alone.

Tatty then prayed a blessing of thanksgiving for Kat-ia and prayed that her parents Gareth and Carlene would know the pure love of God and would raise their daughter to know God's love.

He then prayed for the guardians (godparents): Neil, Nicola, Stuart & Shannon, asking God to enable them to keep their promise to help ensure Kat-ia is loved and cared for in every way.

Tatty then presented Gareth and Carlene with a New Testament for Kat-ia Mae.