Presbyterian Herald February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

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WITH RESPECT TO WOMEN

Importance of respect between the sexes

THE GREAT UNKNOWN Living in uncertain times

A TIME TO PRAY

Moderator calls for a week of prayer

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CONTENTS | FEBRUARY 2019

FEATURES 16 Embracing evangelism

Evangelism associate at Lowe Memorial describes his exciting role

18 The great unknown Living in uncertain times

20 Kingdom building with Kenyans The Kibathis’ story of ministering in London

31 A time to pray

Moderator calls Presbyterians to a week of prayer

32 Encountering God

Upcoming event to inspire a fresh sense of worship

34 With respect to women…

Importance of respect between the sexes

The great unknown p18

36 And the two shall become one Why marriage is good for all of society

38 Thanking Herald agents Agent Days 2018

REGULARS 4 7 10 11 13 14 15 22 23 40 42 46 47

Letters News In this month Life lessons As I see it My story Arthur Clarke Talking points Mission Connect Reviews Life in PCI Crossword Betsy Cameron

Embracing evangelism p16

CONTRIBUTORS

Cover photo: Aneesa Dawoojee February 2019 No. 817 £1.50 (€1.80) Published by: The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, Belfast BT1 6DW. T: +44 (0)28 9032 2284 E: herald@presbyterianireland.org W: www.presbyterianireland.org

And the two shall become one p36

Judith Gillespie CBE served for 32 years in the RUCGC/PSNI, leaving as Deputy Chief Constable in 2014. She remains involved in policing as a member of the Garda Policing Authority.

David Cupples is minister of Enniskillen Presbyterian Church. He is married to Rosie and is father to Ellen and Peter.

Lisa Skinner is Senior Communications Assistant for the Herald. She lives in Belfast with her husband Stephen and their three daughters and worships at Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian.

Ruth Sanderson lives in Co Down with her husband Harry. She is a freelance radio/television presenter and producer.

Editor: Sarah Harding Subscriptions and Advertising: Elaine Huddleston; Lisa Skinner; Suzanne Hamilton Design and Layout: Edward Connolly Printing: Nicholson and Bass Ltd.

The views expressed in the features, news reports, letters and book reviews of this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor.

Editorial comment and signed articles do not necessarily contain the official views of the Church, which can be laid down only by the General Assembly. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply endorsement of the goods or services. The Editor reserves the right to decline any advertisement or letter without assigning any reason. Letters may be edited for publication. No correspondence can be entered into regarding non-publication of advertisements or letters.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is a Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104483); Registered Charity in Republic of Ireland (20015695).

Herald February 2019

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EDITORIAL

LETTERS Call a church a church

A time to pray

As the new year stretches out ahead of us, we can fill it with many things in our minds, such as hope, anticipation or longing. One thing, however, that we can never fill it with is certainty.

Each new year is the same in this respect, but for many reasons, it seems as though uncertainty has been heightened in 2019. Ruth Sanderson’s article, ‘The great unknown’, addresses the current climate of political instability and asks, “How will we respond to the history which is unfolding around us?”

In his column, Norman Hamilton highlights our tendency for apathy. He asks: “Why is Northern Ireland such a deeply divided and polarised society, even though every week tens of thousands of people meet to worship and pray in the name of Jesus?”

It is in these challenging times that the church has an opportunity to shine light into the darkness. In order to do this though, we will have to be willing to take our heads out of the sand and raise them heavenward; fall on our knees and petition God to guide us.

Our Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, is calling our Church to a week of prayer at the beginning of this month.

Having felt “a deep prompting” about it, he is encouraging us, as an all-Ireland denomination, to unite in prayer for our nation, our wider church family, our individual congregations, and lastly ourselves. Resources are available to aid congregations in implementing this.

When Jesus healed two blind men in Matthew chapter 9, he first asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” When they replied in the affirmative, he responded, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” If we really believe God can act we must respond in faithful, intentional and committed prayer.

One particular example comes to mind, but not from my lifetime. It was at a time more uncertain and darker than today. In 1940 when the British army was cornered by Hitler’s troops on the beaches of Dunkirk, King George VI called for a National Day of Prayer. People responded and what followed was a miracle – Hitler, in a baffling decision, halted his army and 800 British vessels responded to a call to cross the channel and save the nation’s soldiers.

Collective prayer is powerful.

Dr McMullen concludes, “Perhaps this call to prayer is for us not to settle for the status quo, but for God to make available to us the same kind of power that energised the early church. Therein lies the challenge, as well as the hope.”

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Herald February 2019

Dear Editor Am I alone in being uneasy about the increasing number of congregations which appear to be unwilling to call themselves churches?

It seems that the tendency has now spread to the Herald as in the November edition reference was made to installation services in Cregagh Presbyterian and Orangefield Presbyterian.

Presbyterian what? I ask myself. Why not Cregagh Presbyterian Church and Orangefield Presbyterian Church? The word ‘Presbyterian’ without the word ‘Church’ looks like an adjective in need of a noun.

I found this shorthand years ago among young people. I thought they would grow out of it, but now, sadly, it seems to have spread.

John Dunlop Belfast

Bible, Church and same-sex attraction Dear Editor In his letter in the December/ January issue of the Herald, George McNally seems to think that I am casting doubts over the clarity of the doctrinal statements of PCI on marriage.

I am not. What I said in my November article was that if we say both that same-sex relationships are wrong and

that same-sex attracted people are welcomed and loved in the Church, the meaning of what we say does not reside in the words alone.

As my whole article was on same-sex attraction and not on marriage, it should have been clear that I was not questioning the clarity of our doctrinal statements on marriage. I was asking how people will understand what a Church which holds this position means when it says: “People who are same-sex attracted are welcomed and loved”. What we mean when we say: “You are welcome; you are loved” is shown by how we act and not by scrutinising the propositional content of our words. That is a perfectly standard use of the word ‘meaning’.

Mr McNally also asks about the connection between Pauline theology and genetic research. It is surely an important question. However, my (thoroughly amateur) understanding of what is happening in the areas of epigenetics and neuroscience, not to mention the philosophy of science, causes me to doubt whether we are in a position to draw confident conclusions on same-sex attraction on a purely scientific basis.

Stephen N. Williams Queen’s University

Four ministers up for Moderator Presbyteries will have four names to pick from when they meet to select the next Moderator of the Presbyterian Church this month.

T

he Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s 2019/2020 Moderator will be chosen this month when each of the 19 presbyteries convene for their February meetings – and they will have four ministers to consider.

Rev David Bruce, Council for Mission in Ireland Secretary, Rev William Henry of Maze Presbyterian Church, Rev Albin Rankin of Stormont Presbyterian and Rev Mairisíne Stanfield, minister of First Bangor, have agreed to let their names go forward. The election will take place on 5 February.

“The first Tuesday in February is always a significant day for Presbyterians across Ireland, as ministers and elders from our 535 congregations come together in their respective presbyteries, in different parts of the country, to prayerfully consider and select their nominee to be our next Moderator,” explained Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI).

Known as the Moderator-Designate, they will succeed

Rev David Bruce BSSc, BD Born in 1957, David was ordained in 1984 as UCCF Secretary and installed as assistant minister in Wellington Street, Ballymena in 1985. He became minister of Clontarf, Ormand Quay and Scots churches in 1987, General Director of SU NI in 1992 and Board of Mission in Ireland Secretary in 2007, continuing as the Council for Mission in Ireland Secretary in 2015. He was convener of the Social Service Committee 1987-93 and co-convener of Board of Social Witness 1990-93.

Rev William Henry BSc, BD William Henry was installed as minister of Maze Presbyterian Church in 1997 and with Ballinderry Presbyterian (stated supply) in 2001. Born in 1968, he was ordained as assistant minister of Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church in 1994.

William was convener of the Home and Irish Mission/ Strategy for the Mission Committee 2006-2012 and Union Commission 2012-2015, convening its successor body, the Linkage Commission, from 2015 to 2018.

current Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, when they are formally proposed and elected by June’s General Assembly.

As the denomination’s senior office bearer, the Moderator will have a busy year undertaking over 300-plus engagements.

Having ‘moderated’ or chaired the General Assembly, these will include travelling across Ireland encouraging local churches in their work and witness during four week-long presbytery tours, to preaching most Sundays in different congregations. They will also undertake an overseas tour and represent PCI at various public and state events.

“The role of Moderator is a particularly challenging one, often made more so by the circumstances that may arise during any particular year. Whoever is elected is deserving of our prayers as they lead us through the latter half of this year and into 2020. Playing an important role in the life and ministry of our Church across Ireland and further afield, I look forward to working with our new Moderator in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ,” Mr Gribben said.

Rev Albin Rankin BSc, BD Albin Rankin has been the minister of Stormont Presbyterian Church in east Belfast since 2008. Born in 1963, he was ordained as assistant minister in High Kirk Presbyterian Church, Ballymena in 1989. Two years later Albin was installed as minister of Edenderry and Seskinore Presbyterian churches. From 1998-2008 he was minister of First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church. Since 2014 he has been clerk of PCI’s Presbytery of East Belfast.

Rev Mairisíne Stanfield BD Mairisíne Stansfield has been minister of First Presbyterian Church Bangor since 2013.

Born in 1965, she was ordained in 1990 as assistant minister of Regent Street Presbyterian Church, Newtownards. Mairisíne was installed as minister of First Presbyterian Church Ballynahinch in 1993, before being called to First Bangor.

Herald February 2019

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Scandalous forgiveness Rev Steve Stockman highlights the upcoming 4 Corners Festival in Belfast, entitled ‘Scandalous forgiveness’.

“F

orgiveness. What does or son or daughter. It could easily be seen that look like?” as a scandal if a paramilitary murderer Those were the words was forgiven. Some might suggest that of Fr Brian Lennon at that isn’t justice. Yet, it might also be a panel event during 2018’s 4 Corners scandalous if those of us who talk so Festival. A question had come from Alan much about God’s forgiveness are not McBride, sitting in the audience. Alan acting in forgiving ways – if forgiveness is wanted to know if it was necessary to forgive. Very aware that Alan had lost I believe that forgiveness his wife in the Shankill bomb, I was very is a resource, maybe the cautious about demanding forgiveness.

It was then that Brian asked what most powerful resource forgiveness looks like. in delivering for us a The words triggered something inside my head. Forgiveness was a word I had better future. used for almost 40 years. It is at the very centre of the Christian faith and yet we were asking what it looked like. Surely that question should have a quick and confident answer. In the context of Northern Ireland, forgiveness was complex, but I reckoned vital if we were ever going to be able to deal with our past.

I think it was Alan’s question that probably fired the direction of the 2019 Festival. Professor John Brewer has for some years Rev Steve Stockman challenged us in the church to keep words like ‘forgiveness’ in the public conversation. That is what we will not at the forefront of all that we do. be doing in the 2019 Festival.

I was struck recently by a scene in a We took a lot of time over adding the television documentary. A woman, whose word ‘scandalous’. I have been using the mother had been murdered many years idea of ‘scandalous grace’ for some time. before, was being told how miserable her Jesus was constantly doing scandalous mother’s murderer was in prison. She acts. Whether it was the forgiveness he was so pleased to hear that. He deserved showed to a woman caught in the act that. I have sympathy with her thoughts, of adultery or having dinner with a tax but on the wall in front of her was a collector; sharing a drink at a well with big cross with another small cross by its a Samaritan woman or telling a Roman side. The cross is a symbol of forgiveness. centurion that he had never seen such Have we concentrated ourselves on faith in all of Israel. In Jesus’ culture these God’s forgiveness to us but somehow were all scandalous acts and forgiveness is blocked out and ignored that Jesus asks somewhere in the mix. us to follow him in being In Northern Ireland, many will see it forgiving to others the as scandalous if someone forgives the way he is forgiving to us? person who killed their husband or wife I do believe that

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Herald February 2019

forgiveness is a key contributor to peace building. I believe that it can contribute to personal peace as well as societal peace.

To forgive someone who has caused you deep pain is not for the good of the one you forgive so much as for you who forgives. The bitterness that we hold can damage us even more. Forgiving can let go some of the hurt and indeed control that the perpetrator holds over us.

In Northern Ireland we need to be able to find forgiveness for what our communities have done to one another for hundreds of years. I believe that forgiveness is a resource, maybe the most powerful resource in delivering for us a better future. The Bible has the hope of shalom at the heart of God’s dream for the world. I believe forgiveness between human and human, community and community as well as God and humanity are intrinsic to that intention of God’s.

So, our hope for 2019’s 4 Corners Festival is to look at forgiveness from a whole range of angles. We want to use poetry, song, drama, personal story, practical teaching as well as theological wrestling, to open up and highlight the pearl of forgiveness. It will be messy and difficult. We will struggle with it, find complications in its outworking. At times it will get scandalous, but maybe as we surmise it over the 10 days of the festival, and beyond, we will journey to the very heart of God and towards our own salvation and the transformation of our country.

The 4 Corners Festival will take place from 30 January to 10 February 2019. For more information and a full programme of events please go to www.4cornersfestival.com

IN THE ROUND | NEWS Union College responds to QUB review Union Theological College has called the findings of the review

by Queen’s University Belfast into its Institute of Theology as “very speculative and totally unsubstantiated”.

The review cited concerns around the breadth and diversity of the teaching and curriculum being delivered. As a result, the University suspended entry to all undergraduate programmes at Union College for the 2019-2020 academic year, which will have a major impact on student numbers.

Expressing regret and disappointment at the decision, a Union spokesperson said, “Along with other denominational theological colleges that have a relationship with a Russell Group university, Union has a long, positive and mutually beneficial relationship with Queen’s. The recommendations of this latest review in effect belittles the oversight of external examiners from prestigious UK universities and the effectiveness of the University’s own quality assurance processes. By suggesting that students of theology at Queen’s have not been exposed to a breadth of theological perspective

IN BRIEF Ministry wives’ coffee morning

runs counter to, and contradicts, the reports of external examiners for theology at Queen’s over many years.

“Not by choice, over the last number of years, Union College has become the sole provider of undergraduate degree programmes at the University.

The other colleges that once made up the Institute of Theology at Queen’s…were for various reasons unable to continue to offer Queen’s undergraduate programmes.

“It is important to be clear on a number of areas especially the BA in Theology. Following the Strategic Review of Theology at Queen’s in 2016, members of Union College’s Faculty were proactive in contributing to the development

Moderator praises the work of Storehouse

of a new undergraduate degree programme, the BA in Theology, which widened the curriculum and met the review’s recommendation for increased cultural and intellectual diversity.

As to why Northern Ireland’s three other theological colleges found themselves unable to work with Queen’s University is, of course, an open question.”

The spokesperson pointed out that students take 30% of their modules in related humanities, such as philosophy and anthropology, guaranteeing that they are exposed to a variety of subjects and approaches.

“Recognising that Queen’s itself initiated this significant change, it is therefore regrettable that the University initiated a further review of this programme in September 2018 in the very first week of its delivery and has not allowed it to run for sufficient time so that it may be appropriately monitored and evaluated...

“Union College will consider its formal response to the review and will continue to support, academically and pastorally, our students who have embarked on their studies,” the spokesperson concluded.

For the full sytatement and other PCI news see www.presbyterianireland.org/news

Social media campaign success On a recent visit to Storehouse North Down in Bangor, Presbyterian Moderator Dr Charles McMullen praised the work of the charity as a “deeply caring and compassionate ministry” and “a tremendous demonstration of churches, community and businesses coming together to show the love of God.” Margaret Bailie, chairperson of Storehouse North Down, and a member of Bangor West Presbyterian Church, said that over 3300 people benefit from its work each year. “Our vision is that we will see the day coming when no one in North Down has to go hungry. “

PCI’s social media campaign ‘Christmas means more’ proved extremely popular, with 43,000 views over the festive period.

The campaign saw 12 Presbyterians from a range of working backgrounds share their faith in vlogs to explain why the season means more to them than long working hours in the jobs that they do.

The Presbyterian Ministers’ Wives’ Association is hosting a coffee morning in Assembly Buildings on Saturday 30 March at 10am.

The speaker will be Barbara McMullen, teacher, former PCI missionary to China and wife of the current Moderator. All ministry wives are invited to enjoy an opportunity to chat with friends and be encouraged from God’s Word.

The cost is £5 and bookings can be made by returning the reply slip sent out in December or by contacting Esther Parker at peparker@live.co.uk For information regarding future events please contact Sonia Kane at soniakane1@yahoo.co.uk

New Era at May Street May Street congregation formally ceased to be a church at the end of December 2018 and will be amalgamated with Fisherwick Church in June.

However, Central Belfast, a church plant of Carnmoney Presbyterian, will be breathing new life into the premises.

More than 200 worshippers attended the ‘New Era’ service, which was conducted by Rev Ivan Steen (moderator of South Belfast Presbytery), with the preacher being Rev Jack Lamb from Townsend Street.

During the service Arthur Acheson (clerk of session of May Street) ceremonially passed on a special baton to Dave Dickinson, leader of Central Belfast.

The New Era service was recorded and copies of a special DVD are now available at a cost of £10. Please email maystreetpresbyterian@gmail. com to order one.

Herald February 2019

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NEWS | IN THE ROUND It Takes Two Care for the Family is holding an event in Lisburn next month, which will allow couples to take a little time out together to invest in their relationship.

It Takes Two is aimed at strengthening and rejuvenating marriages, no matter what shape they are in or how long couples have been together. The speakers, Katharine Hill and Philip Jinadu, will explore four essential components for a strong and fulfilling marriage – communication, connection, conflict and commitment.

The event takes place at Lagan Valley Vineyard on Thursday 7 March.

Bookings can be made at www.careforthefamily.org.uk Care for the Family also has produced a four-part DVD-based resource for churches called The Marriage Sessions. It explores how a couple can build a fantastic relationship.

Each stand-alone session provides the content for a two-hour couples’ event, and the pack includes everything needed for an event (a leader’s guide and four separate DVDs). This resource can also be used for group discussion or by individual couples watching it at home on their own.

The Marriage Sessions can either be ordered or downloaded from the Care for the Family website (www.careforthefamily.org.uk).

Concern for Cameroon Violent clashes between Cameroon’s English-speaking Anglophone community and French-speaking Francophone community are increasingly a cause for concern.

Speaking about the situation in the west African country, Rev Uel Marrs (Secretary to PCI’s Council for Global Mission) said, “Through reports coming via family contacts of Cameroonians who attend Presbyterian churches in the Republic of Ireland, we understand that thousands of people have been displaced as the situation in parts of the country deteriorates, particularly in the Northwest Region and Southwest Region.

“The increasingly violent situation has its origins in the division of the region during various colonial administrations and post-independence settlements. The situation is amounting to a ‘silent civil war’, as some have described it.”

Rev Alan Boal, minister of Abbey Presbyterian Church in Dublin, who has a number of people attending his church with family members in the country, said, “One member of my congregation recently described the escalating crisis taking place in his region like this, he said that it was ‘a second Rwanda’.

“We have about a dozen Cameroonians in Abbey, mostly English speaking, but some French speaking as well and I have met with a number of them to discuss the situation.

“From what I hear there are government curfews, reports of the gassing and burning of groups of villagers, the destruction of villages and summary executions. Two families report that their villages have been emptied and destroyed. In one place men and boys between the ages of 15 and 50 have left towns and villages in fear of their lives, while women and children prefer to camp out underneath trees rather than risk attack at night.

“These political situations are, of course, more complex, and our own history shows us that here in Ireland. Prayer for all of our Cameroonian brothers and sisters and the country is of course vital, but there must also be action. It can’t be right for the international community to be so silent.”

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Herald February 2019

PCI

News Exceptional contributions recognitions At a special ceremony held in Belfast, PCI honoured the exceptional contributions made by staff and volunteers in its congregations, homes and support units through its Recognition Awards.

Members of staff in the denomination’s 16 homes and support units along with volunteers from its 500-plus congregations were asked to nominate individuals, or a team of people, who are making an outstanding contribution in the area of social witness.

Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, presented the awards and praised the silent witness of the Church and the staff and volunteers.

“Everyone who has been nominated and everyone who has received one of these awards has an incredible servant heart and has made an outstanding contribution to the life of the Church in quiet and unobtrusive ways. The Lord sees all things, so he is very much aware of all they are doing for his sake and the advancement of his kingdom,” said Dr McMullen.

The winners included: • Congregational team of the year: Yarn and Yarn, Ballygawley and Ballyreagh Presbyterian • Council for Social Witness team of the year: Thompson House, the denomination’s approved hostel for offenders in Belfast • Unsung hero (congregation): Little Acorns team, West Church, Bangor • Unsung hero (Council for Social Witness): Brian Wilson, Harold McCauley House, residential nursing home, Omagh • Volunteer award: Beth McLeod, Bannside Presbyterian Church, Banbridge • Leadership award: Norma Pickering, home manager, Adelaide House residential care home, Belfast.

Above (l-r) Sharon Jones, the Moderator, Ruth Mitchell and Courtney Jones.

Below: Some of the Recognition Award winners.

Find out more on www.presbyterianireland.org

Events Personnel news Diane Cusick returned to Zambia at the beginning of January following home assignment, and has returned to her work in early childhood development with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia.

Chris and Rachel Humphries, who were accepted last year by the Council for Global Mission for service in Portugal, are due to be commissioned for mission service overseas on Sunday 24 February in Tartaraghan Presbyterian Church, their home congregation. They hope to depart for Porto at the end of February to work with the church plant team in Senhora da Hora, Porto. They previously served there with PCI in the summer of 2016. Chris and Rachel will be accompanied by their two young children Ezra and Abigail.

Csaba and Ilona Veres are on home assignment in early 2019 and are undertaking deputation, Csaba from mid-January to early February, and Ilona from mid-February to early March.

Derek French is also due to be in Ireland in February for around two weeks to undertake deputation engagements.

Overseas visit Rev Uel Marrs made an exploratory partnership visit to St Petersburg Christian University in January.

Resources Tides Tides is a simple yet powerful resource to help develop regular rhythms of Bible reading. Each weekday morning, Tides provides you with a Bible reading and a short reflection. For further details see the PCI website.

DIARY DATES February

Transform Transform is PCI’s young adults conference taking place on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 April. This year it’s been held in the new Assembly Buildings conference facilities, and the programme will run on the Friday night and all day Saturday.

This is a brilliant opportunity to gather with young adults from all across the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. We are glad to be able to reduce the price this year due to our new location. The nonresidential weekend option will be £45 and the hotel-based overnight option will be £75, which includes

Youth Assembly

Assembly Buildings, Belfast – Saturday 9

Emerge session one bed and breakfast. There will also be a Saturday day rate available nearer the time.

The speaker for the weekend is Andy Carroll and information about the theme, worship and seminar speakers will be announced soon. For further details see the PCI website.

Kids’ Big Day Out PCI’s annual event for primary-aged children and their leaders/parents takes place at Wellington Presbyterian Church, Ballymena on Saturday 6 April, between 1.45-4pm.

This year the special guests are the W5 outreach team, who will look at how science helps us to understand more about who God is. Come along and explore with us the 5 Ws – who, what, where, when and why.

The event costs £4 each and all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Tickets are currently on sale and further details are available on the PCI website.

Mission Ireland evenings A number of Mission Ireland meetings are planned for March.

The events, which will take place in nine different presbyteries, start on Sunday 3 March in Iveagh Presbytery when Rev Damien Burke (minister in Drogheda) and Brian Simons (Nightlight ministry) will speak at Scarva Street. Billy Patterson (retired Irish mission worker) will address the Newry Presbytery evening at Sandys Street. In Omagh Presbytery, Rev Andy Carroll (minister in Donabate) is the speaker at the Clogherney event.

The Ballymena Presbytery evening at Ballykeel is led by Rev Lachlan Webster (minister in Craigavon) and Derek Livingstone (Brookside Church and Ambassadors Football). Dr John Woodside (retired home mission minister) will address the Down Presbytery event, which takes

place at Downpatrick.

The Dromore Presbytery event at St Columba’s Presbyterian will hear from Tom Dowling (Irish mission worker in Kilkenny Presbyterian) and Rev David Bruce (Secretary of the Council for Mission in Ireland). Armoy Presbyterian Church will host the Route Presbytery evening, when Dr Sam Mawhinney (minister in Adelaide Road, Dublin) will speak. The next event in the programme is in the Tyrone Presbytery church of Molesworth Street, when Rev Richard Houston (minister in Lucan) will speak.

The final evening is in Coleraine and Limavady Presbytery and will be led by Rev Stephen Richmond (minister in Donegal and Stranorlar) and Eileen Black (deaconess in Great Victoria Street and Friendship House, Belfast).

For a full list of dates, events and times of the Mission Ireland evenings please see diary dates.

Lowe Memorial, Belfast – Friday 22 Union Road, Magherafelt – Saturday 23

March Mission Ireland evenings

Scarva Street Presbyterian – Sunday 3 at 6.30pm Sandys Street Presbyterian – Tuesday 5 at 8pm Clogherney Presbyterian – Sunday 10 at 7.30pm Ballykeel Presbyterian – Wednesday 13 at 7.30pm Downpatrick Presbyterian – Sunday 17 at 7pm St Columba’s Presbyterian – Sunday 17 at 7pm Armoy Presbyterian – Sunday 17 at 7.30pm Molesworth Street Presbyterian – Wednesday 20 at 8pm First Limavady Presbyterian – Sunday 24 at 7pm

Sharing faith

Assembly Buildings, Belfast – Tuesday 12 Richhill Presbyterian – Wednesday 13 Kilfennan Presbyterian – Thursday 14

Starting strong

Assembly Buildings, Belfast – Thursday 14

Encounter – Leading others in the weekly journey of worship Orangefield Presbyterian – Saturday 23

Emerge session two

Lowe Memorial, Belfast – Saturday 30 Union Road, Magherafelt – Saturday 30

April Kids’ Big Day Out

Wellington Presbyterian, Ballymena – Saturday 6 Transform Herald February Assembly Buildings, Belfast2019 – Friday 12 to Saturday 13 Family Holiday

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IN THIS MONTH...

February 1993

Dipping into the archives to take a look back at what was making Presbyterian headlines and news in history.

The future of broadcasting Bert Tosh

The first time I watched television was in Belfast almost 40 years ago on a Sunday afternoon when, after a minor crisis of conscience, the members of the good Presbyterian family we were visiting decided that they could safely switch on the set to allow me to witness this new wonder.

The flickering black and white pictures of an orchestra that emerged from the tiny screen seem almost from the Stone Age in comparison to what is on offer now. For the changes in television since then have been truly enormous – with the coming of ITV, colour sets, BBC2, Channel 4, ever increasing hours of transmission, video recorders, satellite dishes – not to mention the fact that fewer people nowadays seem to have qualms about viewing on Sunday…

Over the next 10-15 years the British broadcasting industry will change faster and more radically than ever before. By the year 2000 the majority of households will have access to at least 20 television channels and 15 radio stations…

I want, above all, to see broadcasting that continues to offer a wide range of choice…The danger is that those programme providers who are dependent on advertising revenue may be under pressure to offer at popular viewing times only those programmes which can guarantee a huge audience in order to justify the advertising rates. Thus less ‘popular’ programmes may well be shunted off to such times as make viewing very inconvenient…

There have been concerns expressed that religious broadcasting may be being marginalised…But religious programmes cannot and should not be dismissed as being of minority interest – over 60% of the population watch a religious programme on television at least once a month… there must continue to be a place for religious traditions of the United Kingdom and exploring the major moral and ethical issues of our time.

Ramelton presentation

Paul Gray, of the Presbyterian Orphan Society, is seen here with Rev Charles Clements, minister of Ramelton and Kilmacrennan, making a presentation of an inscribed Bible to Jessie Davidson who had collected for the Presbyterian Orphan Society for 66 years in Ramelton and has recently retired as Orphan Society secretary in the congregation.

Church opens help centre

The Presbyterian Church has opened its first residential home for the treatment of alcoholism.

Carlisle House, in Henry Place, on the northern fringes of Belfast city centre, can cater for up to 17 men at any one time. Built at a cost of £378,000, the house is leased from Oaklee Housing Association…

Also from February ’93 10

Herald February 2019

Eric Clapton wins a Grammy for Tears in Heaven

Siege of the Branch Davidians compound in Waco begins

Faith, church and the environment Dr John Harrison

The environmental issues which have been prominent in the world press represent something more than good human interest stories.

They reveal our vulnerability to events in the natural world and also a deep-seated fear of the forces at work within it. The painful reality of our 20th century world is that humankind may have set in train an irreversible pathway of environmental changes…

We can be pretty certain that the 21st century environment will be much degraded and will, at the same time, be asked to support a very much larger world population than it does today.

The consequences for human society remain unknown but it seems likely that a destabilising change is upon us and, given the current tendencies towards nationalism, we could see a world in which armed conflict is the means by which a nation provides its people with adequate food and water…

A River Runs Through It is released in UK cinemas

PERSONAL VIEW

Life lessons Paul Gray

Executive secretary of the Presbyterian Children’s Society I am retiring shortly, but I am still passionate about the work of the Presbyterian Children’s Society. This is because it does not seek to persuade or pursue self-praise. Rather it simply endeavours confidentially, compassionately and almost unobtrusively to help children and families in need. In a world where those on the margins become almost invisible, the Society is compassion made visible to those who suffer, some of whom are on the edge of subsistence.

Perhaps we talk a little too much about achievements these days, less about service or even just contentment. I’m not so sure I view life in terms of achievements. For me it is more a journey, of understanding the questions life poses for us and evaluating the success we have in answering them. Perhaps the best I can do regarding achievements is to suggest one to which I hope we might all aspire, namely – that we accept God’s ‘gift’ to our humanity and accept our humanity as God’s gift.

I have managed the Society for almost 31 years. Many things have impacted the work over that time. The main changes I have witnessed are a significant denominational decline in numbers and influence and an increasingly fragmented and challenging charity environment.

There has also been a growing public distrust of institutions and consequent growth in regulation. It probably goes without saying that technology has changed everything almost beyond recognition.

Poverty and financial need and the intrinsic humanity and compassion of the response have remained, but even here their nature has subtly changed over time.

I love books and I have two favourites. The first is The Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot. With their mellifluous tumble and tangle of language and Christian imagery, at once both exhilarating and entrancing, these poems have always held a special place for me. My second is Noel Browne’s autobiography, Against the Tide. Browne was an outsider – principled, passionate, obstinate, pioneering, unafraid of civil or religious power, he proposed the ill-fated mother and child scheme in the Republic of Ireland in 1951. The book contains some statements, the veracity of which are seriously disputed. Nevertheless, his passion for social justice has been his contribution to my journey.

Some descriptions of the casual brutality of Browne’s rural background and tragedy of his family circumstances have never left me.

It is generally, though not exclusively, women who appear in the records of the Society’s applicants. Unfortunately, it is they who are left in many instances to cope in difficult and sometimes harrowing circumstances. I remember reading some years ago that women make up half of the world’s population, do two thirds of the world’s productive work, own 10% of the world’s wealth and 1% of the world’s land. They always seem to me to suffer disproportionate disadvantage. I have wondered, in a utopian moment, if women and maybe children had greater power and control in our world, might it be a more humanising and compassionate place?

The most difficult thing in being a Christian is knowing that human beings suffer when God is a God of love. Over the years, thousands of applications have passed over my desk.

Many have contained great sorrow, sometimes instances of great wickedness. Almost all allude to trauma, tragedy, debility or human frailty. However, suffering is the key theme, women and children often the victims, at times the cause or causes of their suffering unclear. I know our God as a God of love, acknowledge his sovereignty in all things and accept suffering as a mystery. Nevertheless, I have never understood its existence.

My favourite piece of music is Bach’s St Matthew Passion. A sublime combination of precision and beauty, it constitutes for me peerless perfection.

What I love about church is that despite its imperfections, of which I am one, when it exhibits generosity of spirit, feeds our senses and imagination and fosters love and compassion, it really can show us the true nature of God. Those I most admire are my wife and children. Books and people taught me many valuable things. My wife and children taught me things that are invaluable.

Herald February 2019

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NEWS | PCI IN FOCUS | PCI Events

Share In March we welcome Andy Frost, director of Share Jesus International, for a week of events. Andy is an evangelist and at the heart of all that he does, he wants to help people become followers of Jesus. Alongside this, he is a parent of young children and recently co-wrote Raising Faith: Helping our children find a faith that lasts. It is into these strands of expertise that we present two upcoming events.

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Sharing faith

Starting strong

Christians will certainly agree with the importance of sharing our faith with others and yet we find that most Presbyterians lack confidence in talking about their faith, and are left feeling guilty.

How might church leaders equip and inspire their members for local mission? How can churches develop a culture of mission that creates a sense of expectation that we all have a role to play? ‘Sharing faith’ is an event for ministers and elders that teaches how to equip the church for local mission that’s realistic.

Andy Frost writes: “Creating that kind of a culture takes time and involves thinking through how the church welcomes and disciples; how faith sharing can be modelled from the leadership down; Event details and how, on Sundays, the Sharing faith congregation can regularly share their stories of talking Tuesday 12 March about Jesus.”

Assembly Buildings, At this event, taking place Belfast in three regional locations, 7.45-9.45pm we will be launching a new Cost: £5 resource from PCI. ‘Share’ will Wednesday 13 March help church leaders equip Richhill Presbyterian their members for mission in Church, Armagh their everyday lives through 10.30am-1pm building relationships, Cost: £5 creating community and inviting an encounter with Thursday 14 March the good news of Jesus Kilfennan Presbyterian Christ.

Church, Derry 10.30am-1pm Cost: £5

Being a parent is an amazing experience but can also be really hard work. Being organised, making sure everyone is on time, doing homework, making dinner and getting everyone to bed can be tiring enough on top of work and other commitments. Sometimes sharing our faith with our children moves down the priority list at home.

Research has shown though that when parents make faith an active part of home life, children are much more likely to have Building faith in our children their own faith and stay part of a church community. Andy writes: “As parents, we want our children to grow physically, to be healthy and active.

We want them to develop in all kinds of ways, helping them learn how to interact with the world and encouraging them to do their best at school…And then there is their spiritual life to consider. We want our kids to find a faith in a God who loves them.”

‘Starting strong’ is an event for parents to help them build faith in their children. It is an evening to listen and share ideas. There is no one-size-fits-all guaranteed method, but sharing together and learning from each other is a good place to start. So, whether you are a brand new parent Event details or have primary-aged kids Starting strong and are worried it’s too late, or are simply looking for new Thursday 14 March ideas and encouragement, this Assembly Buildings, event is for you.

Belfast 7.45-9.30pm Neil Harrison (PCI’s Mission FREE (but it would be Development Officer) and helpful for delegates to register) Ruth Bromley (PCI’s Children’s Development Officer).

Herald February 2019

To register for any of these events, or for more information, please go to www.presbyterianireland.org/events

AS I SEE IT...

Why do Christians not go to church?

Gareth Stewart

T

here exists within the Western world today a worrying believers that the church is not doing its job, therefore, other tendency amongst genuinely converted people. This agencies are needed. While this sounds pious and reasoned, the tendency is a complete lack of commitment to the response is not to opt for other things but to wholeheartedly discipline of being an active, participating member of embrace the calling to local church ministry. a local congregation. For the first Christians such a lifestyle Mis-focus: Christians ought to be encouraging of and would be inconceivable. There was a devotion to congregational encouraged by para-church organisations which seek to spread membership through baptism, along with a hunger for doctrinal the gospel. Being committed to such enterprises, however, truth, fellowship, sacramental belonging and prayer (Acts before the local church is idolatry, for God will not share the 2:41-42). Today we see many Christians who have, at best, glory of his church with another (Isaiah 42:8). Membership of only a passing acquaintance with local church life. This poses and support for para-church organisations, whether mission the question of how such a lifestyle can be spiritually justified? agencies, evangelistic bands or cultural/religious institutions What is the root cause of such thinking must all come after commitment to the and what are the implications of churchlocal church and never before.

Perhaps things are a little For the first Christians to be part of less-ness?

Busyness: There can be no doubt that a local congregation could be a very too easy for Christians people are busier than ever before. The dangerous thing. The risk of persecution rhythm of working for six days and resting today and church and opposition was endemic within the on the first day of the week is a thing of membership is seen as a first few centuries of the church’s life. Yet, the past for a great many people. Yet I there was a devotion to congregational club rather than an know of no one who could not commit life. Perhaps things are a little too easy for one hour per week to be present at divine Christians today and church membership identity. worship. In fact, I remain utterly convinced is seen as a club rather than an identity. that such a discipline will have a positive When we embrace the Christian club we influence on the busyness of modern living. come when we can, we give what costs us nothing and we have Family: Many families have only one day per week to spend a chaplain to tend to our needs. together. Further, there are a great number of social and sports Should membership of a local congregation be seen as activities which are now held on Sundays. Yet there can be little incidental to a living and thriving faith in Christ, the impact doubt that impressing the importance of divine worship and will be noticed in believers’ lives. The fact is that we need the being involved in a local church is very important for Christian local church to inspire, encourage and empower one another families. It is simply a question of priorities. to live for Christ prior to his soon return (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Provision: With the busyness and pressures placed upon To ignore the congregational imperative, therefore, is to ignore families, often Sundays are the only time when shopping can be our own personal spiritual development and to fail to maintain done. Setting aside whether it is right to shop on a Sunday, the the cutting edge of our faith and witness. This is nothing to do shops do not open until the afternoon, leaving congregational with either the minister, kirk session, musical style or building. attendance more than possible.

It is all to do with how Christians view one another and a Mis-spirituality: There exists a radical misunderstanding commitment to body ministry as Christ’s priests (1 Corinthians of the nature of the gospel. What has been preached as 14:26 and 1 Peter 2:9-10). Rather, commitment to the local evangelicalism is a personal ‘get out of hell’ offer. Yet, the gospel church is a demonstration of a profession of “the true religion” initiates believers into the covenant community of faith, the (Westminster Confession of Faith 25:2). church. This church is invisible, and “consists of the whole Should all believers throw their entire weight and focus into number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered ministry within the local church, not only would their faith into one, under Christ the Head thereof ” (Westminster grow but the church’s missional edge would sharpen. The result Confession of Faith 25:1). The gospel absolutely does deliver would be known throughout the world and the impact felt from hell, but it also initiated believers into the people of God, within our own areas. the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16), the church (Ephesians 4:4-6). There is also the strange notion held by a great many Rev Gareth Stewart is minister of Maghera Presbyterian Church.

Herald February 2019

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MY STORY...

Rebecca Finlay tells her story of how unexpected circumstances led her to Union College.

A maverick mum

“R

ebecca, does it feel like a lifetime since Reuben was a baby?” Someone recently asked me this, as four-year-old Reuben bounced around with his friends in the next room and we cooed over the latest infant addition to the church family. “Yeah…” I replied vacantly, “I can barely remember it”. The conversation moved on, much to my relief, beautiful to me than words can pen. and I didn’t reveal that I’ve purposely blocked a lot of that Somehow, in his crazy plan, Reuben and I ended up at period out of my memory. It really does feel like a lifetime, Queen’s where I studied Theology at Union Theological because it was a different life. A life before Jesus.

College. In my prejudice I was convinced that I’d be studying When I look back on myself as a teenage mum, a single one with a bunch of stuffy, male Presbyterians who loved their at that, what should have been one of the sweetest and most books more than they loved God. But my experience at Union beautiful experiences of this life, is instead marked by shame, slowly changed my heart, my perceptions, and my spiritual life. hurt, loneliness, regret, and hopelessness. I preached the ‘strong I discovered an extremely unexpected passion for theology, independent woman’ sermons to myself because the more I knew about God, the daily, but deep down I was so lost. As soon better I could love and worship him. I as Reuben was old enough to be left with It’s been three years since was given endless opportunities to grow my amazing mum, I lived for nights out so God called me to himself and explore the gifts God has given me to I could drink to escape, and I did whatever serve him. and he has transformed I could to feel ‘wanted’.

Most of all, God provided Reuben and I Despite going to church as I grew up, I with a wonderfully unconventional family my life in…ways that had developed a cold, warped view of what there and taught us that it really does take only God can.

Christianity was and who God was. But a village to raise a child. I will forever have when I got pregnant I had two Christian the memory of Reuben and I cuddling friends who showed me the gospel in action. They didn’t reject at 3am on his bedroom floor on the run-up to my dissertation me for the things I’d done or continued to do. deadline and as he loudly sobbed with a stomach ache, I silently Anna and Kayla basically became adoptive mothers to sobbed too. I just couldn’t do it anymore. But suddenly a friend Reuben and we shared in every part of life together. Their who couldn’t sleep phoned and prayed with me. In the darker homes were a refuge. Some days they would take Reuben to times when I’ve struggled to see Jesus, our village has often been church so I could sleep or study, and other days they would pick the one thing that reassured me that Jesus was still holding me. glass out of my foot when I was hungover. They talked about So, while I may have blocked out some memories from my God around me as if he was there with us and they included me pre-Jesus life, I hope I will always remember the moments in conversation. No matter how hard I pushed, how far I ran, of pure and utter grace over the last three years. For me, that they showed me the love of Jesus. But this wasn’t the Jesus I grace looks like knowing I have Jesus, and so I am never alone. thought I knew who was religious, judgmental, and condemned It means looking at the cross, where he gave up everything for everyone, but the Jesus who wants to know the lowest of the me and knowing that if he did that, then he will give me what low, the outcasts, the broken and makes them new, holy and I need for today. It means knowing that Jesus will always be blameless. enough – in parenting, in ministry, in hard times; in all times.

It’s been three years since God called me to himself and he has transformed my life in the most ridiculously incredible Rebecca Finlay is women’s worker at West Kirk Presbyterian ways that only God can. Every hope and fear, every dream, Church, recent graduate of Queen’s University Belfast (with a every panic, every longing, every misplaced ambition, every fall first-class honours degree in Theology), and dedicated blogger at and every desire for more has been met in Jesus who is more maverick-mum.blogspot.com

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REFLECTIONS

Tell me a story Arthur Clarke

An introduction to studies of some parables in Luke.

“T

ell me a story!” This request, often on the lips of concept but their understanding of it was a problem Jesus set children, has been and is the cry of humanity out to rectify. from Homer to John Grisham. Philip Sidney, In Daniel 7:14, God’s kingdom is presented as invincible. The the Elizabethan poet, wrote: “Tell a story and Roman domination of their land provoked the contemporaries such a tale holdeth children from play and old men from the of Jesus to look for a nationalistic Messiah who would rescue chimney-corner.” Tennyson affirmed: “Truth embodied in a them and bring in the reign of freedom on their terms. So, tale/ shall enter in at lowly doors.” in declaring the arrival of God’s kingdom, Jesus asserted his About one third of our Lord’s teaching was conveyed by revolutionary message. ‘parable’. In a non-bookish age, when Jesus’ teaching occasions The kingdom of God was the kingly reign of God in the were the seaside, hilltop and village square, hearts of all who trust his name and accept parable was an effective medium. his grace. In the teaching of Jesus, God’s Jesus threw the kingdom was spiritual, international, Parable: the medium responsibility back to the communal and already here with its A.M. Hunter, the Scottish theologian, questioner or hearer and complete fulfilment yet to be realised at defined parable thus: “A comparison drawn the end of the age. Jesus said, “People will so they must tease out from nature or daily life and designed come from east and west and north and to illuminate some spiritual truth on the south and will take their places at the feast their response. The assumption that what is valid in one sphere in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29). parables do not impose a is valid in the other.” Many of us recall Parable: the challenge the definition we heard in Sunday school final truth upon the and it still serves us well: “A parable is an The words of Jesus lodged in the mind listener. earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” and heart, not as nuggets of gold, but Parable, as a teaching medium, was as seeds continually bringing to harvest employed by prophets in the Old Testament (2 Samuel 12:1-6). life-changing ideas. Jesus threw the responsibility back to the George Buttrick, of New York pulpit fame, wrote: “Jesus did not questioner or hearer and so they must tease out their response. invent this form of story, but under his transforming power, he The parables do not impose a final truth upon the listener. If turned its water into wine. The sonata existed before Beethoven one came to Jesus with a question, usually a tricky one, in the but he infused it with new meaning. Shakespeare got his stories hope of catching him out, his approach was to tell a parable from old histories. Genius is not fiat creation of the new but a and leave the questioner facing a moral and spiritual fork in the truth revealing re-articulation of the old.” road.

The parables abound with evangelistic messages. No one Parable: the message remains the same after encountering Jesus. In spiritual matters, Jesus declared: “The time has come, the kingdom of heaven is standing still is impossible. Whoever has, to him shall be given. near” (Mark 1:15). Over 100 times the phrase ‘the kingdom of Whoever does not have, from him shall be taken away, even the God’ occurs in the gospels. In his first sermon, Jesus proclaimed semblance of knowledge, that superficial acquaintance of things this truth and in his last sermon he still announced this message spiritual, which he once had (Matthew 13:12). “Blessed are the (Acts 1:6). To communicate the demands, dimensions and eyes that see what you see” (Luke 10:23). Thus, Jesus reminded destiny of that kingdom Jesus used the medium of parable. A his hearers of the awesome responsibility of hearing and then typical introduction to teaching by parable runs: “The kingdom turning away! of God is like…”

Henry Drummond, a Scot whose ministry ran alongside When Jesus commissioned the 72 (Luke 10:11), he urged the ministry of D.L. Moody, wrote: “The entrance fee into the them to proclaim: “The kingdom of God is near you.” Here is kingdom of God is nothing: the annual subscription is all we the watchword of the evangel! To hear the gospel and believe it, possess.” is to enter the kingdom. The Jews listening to Jesus knew of this

Herald February 2019

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CONGREGATIONAL STORY

Embracing evangelism

Ross Munro, evangelism associate at Lowe Memorial Presbyterian Church, describes his exciting role within the south Belfast congregation.

I

was that guy! You know, the parent who drops their child off at Sunday school and then heads home for the hour. With just enough time to stick the frying pan on for a nice cooked Sunday morning breakfast before going back to collect the little one from church.

That was me. Why? The combination of being made to go to church when I was younger and the loss of my father had left me angry with God. “If God is real and is meant to love me why would he allow this to happen to me?” This was the question that would regularly echo through my mind into my early 30s.

I didn’t doubt that God was real but because of the hurt I kept him at a safe distance, or so I thought.

Dropping my daughter off at Sunday school soon became a problem though because she was enjoying it! Other children attended the first part of the service with their parents before leaving for Sunday school and I didn’t want my daughter to be left out. Her enthusiasm and my guilt at not participating with her finally meant we began to go to church as a family.

That church was Carnmoney

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Presbyterian and from walking in as strangers we became like family. When we eventually left, I had become someone equipped and supported to step into God’s work full time. Their example of demonstrating Christianity in action, for which I am eternally grateful, has given me a vision for how I want to continue to evangelise to those around me and has

…part of my role is to feed into this ministry… where every member can see themselves as a witness.

shaped my outlook for my job at Lowe.

Lowe has a motto: “A church in the community and a community church”, which it seeks to fulfil through various ministries, aiming to bring the church to people wherever their starting point may be.

One of the ways we do this is through the purpose-built café area called ‘the hub’ which was developed to bless the parents who leave their children off to youth activities during the week. Parents can stay and avail of free coffee, WiFi and company, which gives us an opportunity to engage with people who otherwise wouldn’t attend a service. Along with a dedicated team of volunteers, part of my role is to feed into this ministry and to be part of the culture here where every member can see themselves as a witness. I love this part of my job as it reminds me of the place I started from; the challenge is to engage with those parents who come to the door but who aren’t ready to come through it.

There are of course those who aren’t coming to the church at all in any capacity and evangelism by definition is to spread the gospel by public

proclamation and personal witness. I have found that the twists and turns of life and negative experiences of church have left many with little interest in religion or its organisations. They feel they can fill the Christ-shaped hole within them with material items or in the sense of community found in sporting organisations or nights out in the pub.

Therefore, I aim to continue to build bridges between people and church and to show them the love of God and the relevance of him for their lives.

In line with our vision to reach the whole community for Christ, Lowe has used the Alpha course to introduce people to a better knowledge of the Christian faith. Those who come to Alpha do so through various pathways and it is often a follow-on from some of our other outreach programmes, such as our Christians Against Poverty (CAP) resources run from the church. I work hard to ensure more people are reached through personal and social media invitation. We put a great emphasis on prayer, hospitality and the equipping of our team, enabling them to answer those difficult questions around sin and suffering.

Another ministry I am involved in is the CAP resource Fresh Start. This has been operating through Lowe with great success and as South Belfast Presbytery had already agreed to fund this, I serve in this ministry with a presbytery-wide perspective. Our CAP boundary takes in most of south Belfast and stretches into west Belfast, so we see all sides of our community using this resource. Fresh Start is an eight-week course for people struggling with a life controlling habit or dependency.

This course has been such a blessing, not only personally, but also for the

church as a whole, even though many of the situations have been challenging, heartbreaking and shocking. Many clients are caught up in difficult circumstances, tangled in lies, deep into drugs or gripped in a struggle with alcohol. The triple alliance of evil, the world and the flesh suffocate the life out of people and families.

Then God just steps in; he just steps into the darkness, into the mess and calms the storm. Many course participants have become regulars within

If our evangelism is full of grace and truth, as Jesus modelled it… people will see our churches for what they really should be. our church. Once they were captive in the kingdom of darkness and now they walk in God’s glorious light. As you can imagine, a lot of pastoral care is needed with these clients, but it’s wonderful to see the transformation in their lives. Many of our clients’ walks with God resemble a roller coaster ride, yet one recently shared, “I felt I was a nobody but now know I have a daddy and I’m loved.”

For many, especially those with addictions, walking into a church can feel as though there is a sense of being judged, perhaps the mere thought of it makes them uneasy.

To point those people to Jesus is our ultimate goal, but to achieve this goal we must reveal to them the outworking of our faith, the outworking of God’s love.

We must earn the right to tell them the gospel.

Building rapport with people and sharing with them is also something we do in the areas surrounding our church, when we take God’s love to the streets.

This door-to-door approach may be what some of you would associate with oldschool evangelism, but we have been well received in our local area. We ask people two questions which allow us to listen first, followed by an invitation of prayer and an explanation of the gospel message.

I want the people living near our church to feel the benefit of its presence and for it to be a blessing to their lives and a beacon of light in their street.

As well as reaching beyond the church, I also work within our own congregation to help them be more evangelistic in their thinking. My appointment has allowed Lowe to bridge other gaps that had been identified, such as a men’s group, which is a chance for members to meet in a less formal gathering. This is the perfect opportunity to invite friends along who, for whatever reason, aren’t comfortable with the traditional concept they have of church on a Sunday morning. This meeting continues to fulfil our church’s value of every member ministering through faith and it embodies the concept of us all being salt and light within the church and into the community.

To answer my own question at the beginning of this piece, “If God is real and is meant to love me, why would he allow this to happen to me?”

For me, I found my answer in the local church; I witnessed it in people’s damaged lives being lived out as faithful followers of Jesus. People need to see Christianity in action, being lived out faithfully through the local church. If our evangelism is full of grace and truth, as Jesus modelled it ( John 1:14), people will see our churches for what they really should be: a shelter for the damaged in our society, a refuge for the wounded and a launch pad for the healed.

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The

Great Unknown At the start of a new year, Ruth Sanderson ponders the uncertain times we live in.

I

have always loved New Year’s Day. The start of any year begs questions of the months which lie before us, usually filled with infinite possibilities – yet another chance to master a new language, a pottery course, or just tidy out the shed.

There is something delicious about almost a year full of great unknowns. It is a chance for opportunity and reinvention; to wipe the slate clean and start all over again.

However, this year, leaping in to 2019, the great unknown didn’t seem too great.

It’s going to be a year of unprecedented change, one way or another.

Next month Northern Ireland, along with the rest of the UK, is due to

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leave the EU and test whether all the doomsday scenarios will come to pass.

Scenarios such as roads becoming lorry parks, a border going up on our island, rubbish uncollected, the dead remaining unburied, shortages of almost everything and the worst economic crash, do not fill me with cheery optimism.

These are, of course, worst-case

Have we been born for such a time as this? How will we respond to the history which is unfolding around us?

scenarios. Now the reality of the situation will filter down and we will begin to see how much disruption there may be to everyday life. The process isn’t over; we still have several years (possibly longer) of transitional wrangling to wade through.

And of course, there are those who think this could be a wonderful opportunity for new trade and investment.

As for the political stalemate in Northern Ireland and the deep hibernation of Stormont, it remains to be seen if it can be re-awoken. Even if it does get back up and running in 2019, it’s hard to see how it can function as it did before it was suspended back at the start of 2017, given the wider geopolitical landscape which now engulfs it.

European and global events are moving into uncharted territory. Or are they?

It is worth remembering that we are in the ebb and flow of the changing dynamics of global politik. This is nothing which hasn’t happened before. I recently read a wonderful book called Vanished Kingdoms by the historian Norman Davies. It laid out the rise and fall of various nation states which survived for varying lengths of time before being wiped out, eroded away or swallowed up by another state. Some survived for millennia, others for only hours.

Another recent read, Danubia by Simon Winder, tracked the progress and decline of the Habsburg Empire, once the most powerful in Europe, if not the world.

In our own lifetimes, we have seen the British Empire fade away, communism fall, and the American superpower give way to Russia and China. New power dynamics form, new alliances are forged.

Old friends become enemies and so it goes.

Anyone who has an interest in history is used to reading the narrative overview.

We are now living through it. As I watched the news recently, it struck me that we are currently in the middle of a chapter of a history textbook, which will be studied sometime in the near future, much like students today are studying the Good Friday Agreement for their A levels.

For many of you reading this who remember Britain’s succession into Europe, over 40 years ago, our exit may not seem so dramatic. For those who remember President Nixon, Donald Trump might seem like a flash in the pan. Likewise, in this part of the world, where we wear our history like a head cold, I’m sure we are all too attuned to the changing demographics and political balance on the island of Ireland. What is certain though, is that we are all here together at an important moment in both the history of Europe, and of Ireland.

…throughout all the uncertainty which swirls at the moment, we can be sure in our God. In the Bible, we see how God’s people have been prompted to action, as the tectonic plates of history shifted. The Old Testament navigates us through tribes and empires, through the fall of nations and the rise of kings. We see how God’s hand has been on the tiller of his people, by whispering instructions, prompting their actions and guiding them through deserts and seas. The New Testament is set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, occupation, rebellion and the impact that Jesus Christ had on a political system which stretched to most of the known world.

It is understandable then, that many scholars look at the Bible as an important historical document. Its history is compiled very often out of chronological order, and often historical narratives are being used by the biblical authors to interpret a point they want to get across.

Through it all, it tells us about God’s relationship to humanity, in a constantly changing world. At the same time, as Christians, it is important to remember that we believe in a God who exists both inside and outside of time. He remains eternal, yet weaves himself in to the daily plot of history and its impact on our lives.

With that in mind, we must conclude that God has placed us in the here and now for reasons ordained by him.

Therefore, we must ask what those reasons are. Why are we right here, right now?

The book of Esther, I feel, is often overlooked. Scholars believe the book was written roughly around 400BC by an unknown author. Esther was a Jewess living in ancient Persia about 100 years after the Babylonian captivity. She found

herself, because of her great beauty, ascended to the throne to become the new trophy wife of King Xerxes. Her cousin Mordecai became a minor official in the government.

However, the king’s highest official, Haman, hated the Jews and he especially hated Mordecai, who had refused to bow down to him. So, Haman devised a scheme to have every Jew in Persia killed. The king bought into the plot and agreed to annihilate the Jewish people on a specific day. Meanwhile, Mordecai learned of the plan and shared it with Esther, challenging her with these famous words: “...if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Risking her own life, Esther revealed the plot to the king, as well as her own Jewish heritage. God used Esther to deliver his people.

I have often thought of young Esther, the conflict of emotions within her and the bravery with which she acted.

Mordecai’s words not only ring true to her, but to all of us who are part of God’s story. Have we been born for such a time as this? How will we respond to the history which is unfolding around us?

One thing we can be sure of, is that throughout all the uncertainty which swirls at the moment, we can be sure in our God. He is the rock on which we anchor ourselves. He is the great provider of courage and wisdom. Now, more than ever, it’s time to pray for those things – to ask God to give us insight into the events which are happening around us, and to follow our conscience and his call. It’s time for us to look into the unknown of this world, with the unshakable knowledge that the eternal God of history is with us.

Herald February 2019

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Kingdom building with Kenyans Lisa Skinner meets Edwin and Anne Kibathi, PCI-supported missionaries in London. She discovers how the United Appeal is making a big difference to their ministry amongst the East African community there.

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any within PCI will know the names Edwin and Anne Kibathi. We as a denomination have been supporting them in their outreach work in east London since 2006, but our links with this family go further back. Edwin was once a pupil of PCI ministers – Revs Drew Gibson and Brian Gibson – in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Pastoral Institute in Kikuyu, Kenya. Indeed Anne attributes their heart for mission to the Irish, observing their work with other missionaries in Kenya and being impacted by the way in which they cared for people.

In 1999 Edwin’s interest in the needs of the East African diaspora in the UK was sparked, when he stopped over in London on his way back from the United States. He had been invited by a friend who showed him around and took him to where they were holding their services.

It became apparent that while there were many East Africans in London who had a Presbyterian background, they had no Presbyterian church in which to worship.

His friend planted the idea that Edwin should start up a Presbyterian church there.

Edwin returned to Kenya but the following year he found himself back in London, this time on his way back from

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Herald February 2019

Belfast, where he had attended a youth conference in Coleraine. By now he was a brigade director at the PCEA head office.

On this occasion, he met with another group of people and they made the same request as before. Edwin returned yet again at the end of 2000, for a short course he was doing in the UK. The East African community reiterated their plea to him. There was no denying that God was giving Edwin a vision. “I saw the need for a shepherd who could relate to the difficulties Kenyans face when they come here.”

The Kibathis were commissioned by the PCEA General Assembly in April 2006; they were granted visas and were able to move to London as missionaries.

The Presbyterian Church of Ireland (PCI), having caught the vision, agreed to partner with PCEA to support Edwin and Anne in establishing a church.

Known as PCEA UK Outreach, the church exists to provide a soft landing for

I saw the need for a shepherd who could relate to the difficulties Kenyans face when they come here.

those arriving from East Africa. At the same time, it serves as a bridge between cultures, journeying towards integration into the wider community. It currently has three fellowships meeting across the UK – the church in Newham, London, one in Reading and another in Glasgow.

From humble beginnings, with a congregation of just eight adults and four children in 2006, the London church now has over 100 members and their children meeting regularly for worship together.

The majority of the members are Kenyan, but there are also some from Zambia, Nigeria and the Congo.

The Outreach is part of an organisation called ‘Transform Newham’ – they join together to pray, to operate as ‘street pastors’ and to contribute to local food banks etc. It is important to them that they are not working in isolation from the other churches around them. Edwin preaches at other churches and uses pastors from other places to preach to their own congregation. The relationships are mutually beneficial. With many churches meeting in the same building this helps to foster good relationships.

While the main language used in PCEA services is English, so that all feel welcome to join them, there is a midweek meeting when the service is conducted using a native Kenyan language – Kikuyu

Photography by Aneesa Dawoojee

UNITED APPEAL

– the language of the largest ethnic group in Kenya.

Both Edwin and Anne often travel long distances to visit and pray with people. They receive calls from relatives back in Kenya asking them to visit family members who are struggling in England.

Anne explains, “When we are at home we tell people, if your children are studying in Britain let us know, we will travel to see them and support them in whatever ways we can.”

As a church they have a Sunday school, a strong women’s guild, an active men’s fellowship and a growing youth ministry. While the congregation have had a number of venue changes over the years, the hope is that at some point they will be able to establish themselves in a permanent place of residence, to facilitate more meetings and an ever-increasing membership. They have been saving for a number of years in the hope that this dream might be realised someday soon.

Outside of the Sunday service, PCEA UK Outreach operates via a ‘district system’. The congregation is divided into five districts, which the elders oversee, and every Sunday the districts take it in turns to lead the service. What was evident from spending a day with this body of believers is that relationships with each other are a priority, but they can also see past the confines of their church. Their vision is to have an inclusive mission – reaching out to people from other nationalities, to be achieved by planting churches in other cities.

The congregation has also been involved in an event called ‘Kenyans in the Park’, started five years ago, to bring Kenyans together to celebrate their heritage. They invite charities in the UK that do work in Kenya and companies from Kenya who would like to connect with Kenyans in the UK. Edwin explains, “Most people here still connect with Kenya and send money back home. We find so many Kenyans at this event which presents us with an opportunity so we take a space, indeed we are the official church for this annual event. We hope PCI will be able to join us at the event soon and showcase the work that they are doing back in Kenya.”

We feel encouraged by the prayers of PCI and the way your members welcome us.

The church has also supported congregations back home where communities have been affected by drought and, as a body of church plants in the UK, they undertake to pay the salary of a teacher back in Kenya. Edwin adds, “We have sent a container of clothes and given money to pay for the building of a house for a homeless family in Kenya who we continue to connect with.”

PCI has been funding Edwin’s salary and the rent for the manse through the United Appeal for Mission since 2006. Edwin says, “That funding is very important and we very much appreciate it.

I don’t have to worry about the congregation sustaining me and I am able to concentrate on the tasks at hand. It is encouraging to know we are being supported and by people who we don’t know. We’re always touched by letters and cards. The prayers and messages mean so much to us

and it is the reason why we are where we are. We really thank God for that.”

Anne adds, “Receiving funding from PCI gives me a confidence. I do not fear that my children won’t have a place to sleep. We don’t need to rely solely on this congregation. We are confident that we can work without fear. We feel encouraged by the prayers of PCI and the way your members welcome us.”

The Kibathis’ vision for the future is for the congregation to support a minister and provide a manse. Edwin would also love to see more PCEA plants in other cities where there is a need. With that in mind they are currently training up younger members who can start up new work.

Please pray for Edwin, Anne and their family as they seek new labourers to take on the work; that they will see spiritual growth in their flock and that those from among them will hear God’s call. Please pray also for the East Africans trying to transition to life in the UK, especially university students who often become depressed as a result of struggling with the change in culture, assignments in another language and loneliness.

If you would like to find out more about the PCEA UK Outreach go to its website: www.pceaukoutreach.org or find it on Facebook @pceaoutreach2017

To watch a short film of Edwin and Anne Kibathi and their work in London, please visit www.presbyterianireland.org/unitedappeal

Herald February 2019

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TALKING POINTS

Thinking deeply and biblically Norman Hamilton poses timely questions that he argues we don’t think enough about.

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ay I start this piece with a provocative statement? have a very different religious background?

Fewer and fewer Christian people think deeply Why is Northern Ireland such a deeply divided and polarised about the outworking of our faith in the modern society, even though every week tens of thousands of people world. meet to worship and pray in the name of Jesus?

This is not a new thought. It was certainly on the radar of Is there such a thing as community or national sin – and if so, many Christian leaders a generation ago. For example, it was how does it express itself, and how can it be faced? addressed by Rev John Stott in London and by Rev Alan Is it biblical to expect ever-rising standards of living?

Flavelle in our own Presbyterian Church. Increasingly I sense Given that God has made each of us and all of us in his own that the problem has intensified in recent times, largely as the image, how can that equal standing before him be worked out outworking of a number of pressures. properly in our society?

Firstly, the pressure to live life at an ever-faster pace. Make On the church front, what does effective fellowship actually sure that there is just enough time to ‘grab’ a sandwich for look like? And how do we stand alongside other believers in lunch, or ‘squeeze in’ time for your prayers our own town or village for the honour of amongst a multitude of other demands. …if God’s people do not Christ amongst our neighbours?

Secondly, the pressure to have an opinion I am well aware of the view that such think deeply and on everything right now. Phone in to join questions are really on the margins of the the debate on today’s hot topic or text your biblically, then the main thrust of Scripture which focuses view to the media chat show. It is your on God’s work of bringing salvation to vacuum will be filled by sinners through the life, death, resurrection opinion that counts, not your wisdom.

Thirdly, the pressure to make sure that and ascension of Jesus Christ. I am fully those who do think your views are short and snappy. Reduce in agreement with that focus. Yet I am deeply but think very your thoughts to a sentence or two on also fully committed to the teaching Facebook – and don’t try to do either of the whole of Scripture, and that the differently. nuance or explore complexity. questions I have just posed are addressed Fourthly, the pressure to make sure that you are politically in that same Scripture. I see no basis for saying that God’s correct. Do not offend current norms by taking a different salvation plan was limited to the welfare of the soul in eternity. stance in public, even if you think those norms are profoundly If I understand the Bible correctly, life and witness and the misguided or wrong. If you do, you risk being described as a wellbeing of Christ’s church on earth matters to him also.

‘Neanderthal’.

I am convinced that we need a new generation of Bible Finally (for the moment!), the pressure to believe whatever teachers to follow in the footsteps of Stott and Flavelle, and you want, as long as it works for you personally. Since faith is a new generation of thinking followers of Christ if we are to apparently a ‘private’ matter, there is no real incentive to think make headway in our society which worships only the gods of very much about what you believe. It just needs to be of help to individualism, consumerism and tribal loyalties. you.

I would very much welcome your thoughts as to how we are With all these (and other) pressures at work, it is stating the going to handle questions such as those posed earlier obvious that if God’s people do not think deeply and biblically, (and others!) in the current climate of civic and church life then the vacuum will be filled by those who do think deeply but generally. Feel free to get in touch with me at think very differently. As a result, their views may well prevail norman.hamilton@btinternet.com to have a chat by email and because there is so little challenge to them. Let me pose some maybe even do a coffee together in the not too distant future. current questions about which there is either little general Christian concern or thought…

What guidance do the Scriptures give on the issues raised by Brexit? For example, is it biblically proper to have a strong sense of national identity alongside a strong sense of our Christian Rev Dr Norman Hamilton citizenship being in heaven?

How do we follow through on the call of Jesus to make Norman Hamilton is the convener of the disciples of all nations alongside the need to welcome people Council for Public Affairs and minister from overseas who come to live and work here in Ireland, yet emeritus of Ballysillan Presbyterian Church.

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FEBRUARY 2019

Mission Connect

Christmas at the International Meeting Point

Building up the body of Christ Naomi Keefe

Mission news from workers around Ireland and the world.

Multi-cultural community in Cork Rev Richie Cronin Making routes into the community Timothy Vaughan Christmas at the International Meeting Point Sharon Heron Passing on the baton after 26 years Linda Wray

Every aspect of our Church’s mission depends to some extent on United Appeal. Hundreds of projects and programmes at home and overseas are helping to advance God’s kingdom, showing God’s love in action to hundreds of thousands of people.

A new adventure in Portugal Chris and Rachel Humphries

Including February prayer diary

Building up the body of Christ

Naomi Keefe

Global mission worker, Brazil

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aul in 1 Corinthians 12:27 addresses the local church/the with the good news of Jesus, particularly to the poor communities local believers and describes them as follows, “Now you are of which there are many in Brazil. the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

I offer training and specific teaching material designed for The work I am involved with in Brazil is very much based on the working alongside poor communities. I am not the one doing the theology behind this verse. God has both called and equipped the outreach, setting up the programme or running the project as I am local believers with the specific task of bringing glory and honour not a part of the local church. I am not a member of the local body to his name in both the building up of the local believers and in but rather have been sent out to help the local body work better, reaching out to the lost with the good news of Jesus. Hence it is particularly in relation to reaching out to the poor communities the local believers together with the good news of Jesus that are the body and it is God in a biblical, culturally and I offer training and specific teaching material contextually appropriate form. who has appointed each one with differing gifts. designed for working alongside poor communities. Hence what I am involved If, for a moment, you in is often summed up as imagine your physical body being: church-based, Biblepicking up a book, think of all the parts that are involved in this based, community development and outreach. The local body process. There is not a single part of your body that is not involved parts are involved in various outreaches, including reading room in this simple process to some degree or other. Even your tongue activities, ‘coffee with God’ Bible studies, good news club activities, and ears are involved as they have to move with the body, because football evangelism, film days, family visits, street evangelism it moves as a unit. presentations, nursing home visits/evangelism, etc.

Sometimes our muscles in different places need some exercises to be able to function better – this is one reason Please pray: why physiotherapists are very important as they give you the • Give praise to God for the hunger and enthusiasm to learn that appropriate exercises to carry out to make your hands, legs, etc is evident in the congregations where I am involved in churchwork together better. based community development and evangelism.

Thinking of the local Brazilian congregations with whom I am • Pray for patience, guidance and direction from God in all the involved, in many ways my role is like that of a physiotherapist. I training sessions with the various congregations. come alongside the local body and suggest strategies/exercises • Pray that the actions and life of these congregations would truly for their body parts to carry out to bring glory and honour to God; be based on God’s Word. building up the body and encouraging it to reach out to the lost Mission Connect | Herald February 2019

Multi-cultural community in Cork Rev Richie Cronin

Minister of Aghada and Trinity Cork Presbyterian churches

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reetings from Aghada and Trinity Cork! We are two small study English for a period of nine months or a year. congregations in County Cork. Though Presbyterians have Cultural change has its effects here too, the modern economy a long history in the county, we are thin on the ground means work contracts shift regularly and a lot of people still feel here at the moment. the need to go to bigger cities than Cork for employment security.

Cork is the largest county in Same too as with Aghada, old Ireland at about just over half barriers about Protestantism I’ve always maintained it’s an exciting time the size of Northern Ireland mean little to most these days, and yet there is only one but new ones like apathy, to be a Christian. Perhaps trouble may come other congregation in the fear of exclusivism or a raw our way, but it will be much easier to be whole county. The average materialism have cropped up. attendance in Aghada is about I’ve always maintained it’s an distinctive as a Christian with each passing 12 and about 35 in Trinity. exciting time to be a Christian.

Aghada is a country church Perhaps trouble may come our year as Christendom fades. and most of the congregation way, but it will be much easier is related to each other. As with to be distinctive as a Christian the rest of Ireland, times have changed a lot, few of our children with each passing year as Christendom fades. attend worship with us, but there are many new opportunities as old ideas about Protestants and Catholics disappear. There is also the simple reality that many people in the area have no church loyalty at all and the thought of attending a Protestant church Please pray: hasn’t got the same stigma it once had for non-Protestants.

• That we grow closer as a community and find ways to reach out Trinity is a city centre church and we are, like most similarly and around. situated congregations, a multi-cultural bunch. We have 15 • For our holiness. different nationalities regularly worshipping with us. We usually • That the Word would do a good work in us. have a few visitors every Sunday, and a lot of people who come to Mission Connect | Herald February 2019

Making routes into the community

Timothy Vaughan

Community outreach worker, Garnerville Presbyterian Church, Belfast

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reetings from Garnerville. I write this report at the start of lovely snacks for the kids. I am hoping the youth club will grow my second year in position and already I’ve been thrilled and develop and we are actively seeking young people in the local at the work I’m involved with and the journeys that I get area and to increase this provision for the young people around us. to undertake with people in this community. Below is a short We held a fantastic ‘Sports try it week’ in August with funding outline of the variety of work undertaken so far in our church in from the Belfast City Council acquired through Knocknagoney the community.

Area Forum of which I am part of. This was a great community Our involvement in Knocknagoney Primary School continues programme that gave young people the opportunity to try new well. As a hub in the community that our church is a part of, I feel sports that they may not have the chance to do otherwise. that it is very important to increase our work in this place and I am We also continued to offer our football club for the community greatly appreciative for the opportunity to have a church presence weekly in the summer. It was fantastically attended and it was in the school. I continue to a special time of friendship, provide personal development building and it Trying to make…routes into the…community relationship and mutual understanding increased the opportunities classes in the school and in for people to serve the is not easy, but I am blessed by the progress January we restarted our aftercommunity through coaching, made so far. school Scripture Union group. refreshment making and I am also really excited to have chatting to parents. begun involvement with the school choir and drama club. All of I am loving my time here in Garnerville so far and could fit so these programmes are opportunities to build relationships with much more in but space doesn’t allow. Trying to make impacts those in a close proximity to our church. and routes into the surrounding community is not easy, but I am Relationships between myself and the local community centre blessed by the progress made so far. Please surround myself and continue to grow. Moya, the community development worker all volunteers with the above groups in prayer. there, and myself continue to meet and discuss ways of serving the community and apply for grants. Last month I began working alongside her on a number of programmes.

Please pray: Recently I have also begun visiting families and older people in • For the Alpha course starting in April/May in the community, the community. I see this as a vital part of serving our community. that it may be God-centred and Spirit-filled.

Investing in people with your time will produce fruit and it is a • For the relationships already built in this area, that God may great privilege to be able to get to know families and those who deepen and strengthen the roots of them. are lonely and be a listening ear for them.

• For continued vision and the implementation of it, boldness, Youth club is now held on the first and third Friday of each faithfulness and obedience. month. We have football, uni-hoc, Wii, arts and crafts and some Mission Connect | Herald February 2019

Christmas at the International Meeting Point

Sharon Heron

Deaconess, International Meeting Point and Windsor Presbyterian Church

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he International Meeting Point (IMP) continues to open its could not have pulled it off if it were not for the overwhelming doors to asylum seekers, refugees, international students, generosity of churches and the team of wonderful volunteers. local women and men; it truly is a place where everyone Surely this is what Christmas is all about – people from various is welcome. The reasons why people come in are as varied as parts of the world coming together and remembering the coming the nationalities they represent – some need help to get their of Christ. children into school, some are Through all that we do struggling to support their in the centre, our aim is to On Christmas day we served up a four-course witness about Jesus and it families, and some just need a warm place to sit and friends Christmas dinner for 130 people and it was an has been a joy to see a few to chat to. Every day over 80 come to faith and deepen amazing day. people get a hot, tasty lunch, in their knowledge of and what a joy it is to hear the Scripture through one-to-one buzz of conversations around the tables. What a privilege to turn conversations and the daily Bible studies. Recently, during the the conversations to Christ and his love for us. women’s Bible study that I lead, we were looking into John 10.

In the run-up to Christmas, IMP was particularly busy. It is a hard Round the table the number of nationalities was the same as the time of year as fuel costs increase, warm clothes are needed and number of women – truly amazing. As we started to discuss about the pressure of the celebrations is felt by everyone, even those Christ being our Good Shepherd some of the women shared a who are not Christians. The team and our resources often feel like little of their stories, their journey to Ireland but more importantly an over-stretched elastic band. However, in the midst of planning their journey to faith. In all of the heartache of life, truly Jesus for the IMP Christmas dinner we were challenged by a comment knows us, and what a joy it is to know him. from a teenager who escaped the war in Yemen. A number of months ago Houthi rebels arrived at their door to conscript the teenage boys into the militia. The boys and their father fled and Please pray: there followed a long and difficult journey to Belfast. However, not • For a number of families that I visit who have yet to get refugee all of the family escaped and they worry for their mother’s safety: status. This uncertainty is very stressful. they still don’t know if she’s alive. As one of the boys looked at us • For strength, wisdom and grace as we seek to help people in planning the dinner he said in his broken English that what was great need. important was not the menu, they were coming for the company.

• For the many opportunities to witness and pray with people On Christmas day we served up a four-course Christmas dinner who come into the centre. for 130 people and it was an amazing day. Yes, by the end of the • For the daily Bible studies, especially for those who attend but day we were shattered, but it was more than worth it. It showed who have yet to come to faith in Jesus. the centre for what it truly is – one big international family. We Mission Connect | Herald February 2019

Passing on the baton after 26 years Linda Wray

PCI Residential Services Manager

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n 16 October 1992 I commenced working for PCI as The redevelopment of Thompson House had its challenges the Assistant Permanent Secretary of the Presbyterian with the community even though we had been there for nearly Residential Trust. At that time, their offices were based in 30 years. We worked very closely with the Department of Justice, Denegarth House, Mallusk, a former residential care home, and my probation, police, Victim Support, public prosecution unit etc. it responsibility was for staff training. was imperative that we continued with the work at Thompson I had come from working in the statutory sector as a practice House – if we had pulled out it would have opened the gates for teacher for social work students and working in the learning the closure of all probation-approved hostels. disability sector. One of the The taking over of homes first tasks I had to undertake from other organisations I have always had a passion for… was to shortlist for nurses in was also testimony to our the soon to be opened Harold reputation in the care sector. promoting the contribution of those with McCauley nursing home – it is We were approached by Currie great to now see the nursing Community in relation to Aaron a learning disability. home with a tremendous House, Disabled Christian reputation in the community.

Fellowship regarding Lawnfield New developments commenced with the redevelopment of in Newcastle and recently Peacehaven Trust in Co Wicklow.

Tritonville Close, Dublin and this brought many challenges as The future for me will be different – I will have new challenges as the local conservation groups objected to us demolishing a I take on a role in Croft Community. I have always had a passion for former church and selling the land for apartments. I recall difficult equality and promoting the contribution of those with a learning meetings with the Garda regarding security of the site and disability. It will be an exciting role to embark upon. residents.

My thanks are due to those in the Council for Social Witness We also developed Willow Brook in Coleraine – this scheme was (conveners, Council Secretaries and staff) for the freedom given seen by those in the learning disability sector as very innovative to me to be creative and innovative. I also give thanks that God and it is great to see how tenants have developed whilst living brought me to PCI. there. This was the first project PCI had undertaken for people with a disability. We also had the replacement of Corkey House, Please pray: Sunnyside House and Thompson House.

• For Linda, as she takes up a new role for Croft Community in The proposed closure of the original Corkey House brought Bangor. politicians from all sides of the community into Church House.

• For the appointment of Linda’s successor.

Sadly, there are still some members of our Presbyterian • For the ongoing work of the Council for Social Witness with its community who have not forgiven me for closing the old home homes for residential care, nursing care, respite and day care, even though the residents’ facilities were very poor. The same and supported housing. happened recently with the closure of Ard Cluan and York House.

Mission Connect | Herald February 2019

A new adventure in Portugal

Chris and Rachel Humphries Global mission workers, Portugal

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rom the beginning of our marriage over seven years ago, we the ‘who’. Every life lived for Jesus is an adventure and a privilege. both felt God nudging us toward long-term mission. During The second is the reputation of the missionary. Being a this time we undertook theological training and were heavily missionary seems to carry with it a sense of elitism, with the involved in short-term mission to the north of Portugal. Having missionary being some kind of super-Christian. But as Corinthians spent some time working alongside James and Heather Cochrane, reminds us, those carrying the gospel are like ‘jars of clay’. As a PCI global workers in a church plant in Porto in 2016, we returned good friend put it recently, the cracks that inevitably appear on the home and began to apply to become candidates for mission fragile jars only serve to show more of the light contained inside. overseas. However, a cancer You see, we’re not called to diagnosis at this time forced be perfect, ornate vases that Every life lived for Jesus is an adventure us to spend a further year at are more beautiful than the home, to receive investigations flowers they hold. We’re called and a privilege. and treatment. Whilst this was to be little clay pots, full of a difficult time, it was also a cracks and imperfections, that blessed season where God refined our faith and renewed our joy in God’s hands, make the light of Jesus carried inside them shine and trust in him. Thankfully we received the all-clear medically, brightly. In our weaknesses, God’s strength is seen. and now having left our places of employment (civil service and And so as we head to Portugal, we do so knowing our nursing) we are due to be commissioned on 24 February to work weaknesses and prepared for both the excitement and the alongside the Cochranes in Porto. As we prepare to move, there mundane. Because in our weaknesses, God is strong. And even the are two things that God is challenging us with. most mundane of tasks, when done for him, is the most exciting The first is the mission field itself. Reading missionary stories as way to live. a child, it is easy to imagine missionaries living in a little hut in the jungle, or working with little resources in a remote hospital. But now, we find ourselves setting off to a large European city that’s Please pray: just a short flight away. To the outside world, it might not have the • Pray that God would continue to increase our love for him, his same thrill as some of the missionary stories that we know and Word, his people and his world. love. But the excitement isn’t in the perils of living in the jungle.

• Pray for all the practicalities involved in packing up a house.

It’s in living a life for Jesus, however that might look. It might be in • Pray that we will transition well as a family and be able to learn reaching lost tribes in the Amazon, it might be praying silently for the language quickly. the co-worker that you share an office with. It’s not the ‘what’, but Mission Connect | Herald February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

Please pray for...

1 KENYA – Gary and Mary Reid and their ongoing mission within Maasailand, that many more people will come to know the Lord and desire to grow in their knowledge and love of him.

2 DEACONESS – Eleanor Drysdale serving in Wellington, Ballymena. Pray for the new women’s ministry programme and that many women will come along and be part of it.

3 HOME MISSION – Rev Rodney Beacom and the home mission congregations of Lisbellaw, Lisnaskea, Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler as they continue to reach out to their local communities.

4 CHAPLAINS – Rev Cheryl Meban as she provides pastoral support to students at the Jordanstown and Belfast campuses of Ulster University and seeks opportunities to share the gospel.

5 INDONESIA – The Cheryl Meban life and witness of the Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera; for its leaders as they work for the unity of the church, the training of new ministers, and for Christians to be able to build good relations with their Muslim neighbours.

6 HOME MISSION – Give thanks and pray for Donabate’s church family as they seek to grow in faith in Jesus Christ together. Pray too for the congregation’s minister, Rev Andy Carroll.

11 PAKISTAN – Staff and students at Gujranwala Theological Seminary and United Bible Training Centre. Pray especially for the resourcing and development of these institutions, so important for the training of church leaders.

19 HOME MISSION – Aughentaine congregation which is vacant at present.

Pray for the discipling of people who have recently come to faith in Christ and pray that many others in the surrounding community will be reached for Christ.

12 HOME MISSION – Rev Vicki Lynch (Methodist Church in Ireland) and the home mission congregation of Limerick. Pray with them for the people living in the city of Limerick.

20 HOME MISSION – The home mission congregation of Kilkenny which is vacant at present. Remember the congregation’s outreach activities and pray that many more people will come to know Christ.

13 CHAPLAINS – Rev Norman Harrison, serving in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Pray for his conversations with patients and staff, and for opportunities to share the gospel.

21 SPECIALIST SERVICE AGENCIES – Continued support for the work of the Bible Society in Northern Ireland, the National Bible Society of Ireland, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Feba and SAT-7.

14 RESPITE CARE – Respite care is provided in Aaron House, Dundonald and Lawnfield House in Newcastle, Co Down. Give thanks for this vital work which allows families a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities, knowing that their loved ones are being well looked after in a Christian environment.

15 MIDDLE EAST – Pray for global mission workers as they contribute, through their respective roles, to JETS’ mission of equipping spiritual leaders for the planting and strengthening of churches in the Arab world.

16 URBAN MISSION – Rev Lachlan Webster and the urban mission congregation of Craigavon. Pray for all the children and young people who come along to its organisations and groups.

7 ROMANIA – Give thanks for the ongoing work of the Diakonia mission supporting needy children and their families in Cluj and Salaj counties, and for Csaba and Ilona Veres, global mission workers, as they continue to serve there.

17 TRINITY HOUSE – Trinity House is PCI’s new residential care home at Garvagh, Co Londonderry. It welcomes residents from all denominations and seeks to provide care in a specifically Christian ethos and environment.

Give thanks for the new residential care provision and for the lovely surroundings of the sensory garden.

8 HOME MISSION – Rev Molly Deatherage and the home mission congregations of Ballina, Ballymote and Killala. Pray for effective outreach to the needy of Ballina through ‘Ballina Churches Together’ and the mobile drop-in centre – ‘The Big Blue Bus’.

9 ADDICTIONS – Addictions take control over what a person does; it is taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful. Pray for all who are trapped by their addiction to alcohol or drugs, that they may be able to break free from their addiction and know the sustaining love of Jesus.

10 CHAPLAINS – PCI’s chaplains serving with the armed forces, especially those posted overseas on deployment with soldiers, as they provide pastoral care, and seek opportunities to share the gospel.

18 HOME MISSION – Rev Daniel ReyesMartin as he settles into ministry in Corboy and Mullingar having been installed in the congregations at the beginning of December 2018.

22 CHAPLAINS – Rev Ivan Neish in his chaplaincy work at Whiteabbey Hospital, and that many patients and staff will benefit from his pastoral support.

23 SPAIN – Pray for Grupos Biblicos Unídos (GBU), a Spanish Christian student organisation. Pray that members of the GBU groups in the universities will have courage to share their faith with their fellow students.

24 HOME MISSION – The home mission congregation of Corvalley and Rev Colin Anderson. Pray for the life and witness of this rural congregation. Pray too for the Alpha course running once a month.

25 DEACONESS – Sharon Heron as she works in the International Meeting Point on the Lisburn Road in Belfast, and in Windsor congregation in south Belfast. Pray that many who come to the Meeting Point for practical support, will also find faith in Christ.

26 ZAMBIA – God’s wisdom and guidance for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia. Pray for those in Zambia who struggle at times due to poverty and for the church as they seek to help them.

27 CHAPLAINS – Rev Ken Doherty in his chaplaincy work at the Mater Hospital in north Belfast. Pray that Ken and the other chaplains might be able to speak ‘a word in season’ to those experiencing illness.

Stephen and Angelina Cowan

www.presbyterianireland.org/prayer

28 KENYA – Stephen and Angelina Cowan serving in Tuum, engaged in training and skills development; sharing the gospel; nurturing believers and developing Christian leaders.

MODERATOR’S REFLECTION

A time to pray

Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, launches an initiative to call our denomination to prayer.

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ver since I was elected Moderator-Designate at the in God’s presence and to wait upon him. beginning of February last year, I have felt a deep Our congregations need to grow together in faith and prompting to call the entire Church to prayer. I have fellowship, reflecting something of the fervour and passion of never been the world’s best sleeper and there have been Jesus Christ in our relationships. There is the importance of times during the night over these past few months in particular repentance and seeking forgiveness when we have fallen short when I’ve lain awake only to experience a quickening sense that of God’s standards and committed sin. And in our churches we this is something I should do. need to learn to model sacrificial love and absolute truth found For this reason, I have decided to step out in faith and invite in him, if we are to reach out to our surrounding communities. all our members to join together in a special time of prayer As the Presbyterian Church in Ireland we have much to be from 3-10 February. I am hoping that congregations will thankful for over the years. There is also the need to ask God include a time of intercession for our denomination during to renew the faith of his people and to pour his Spirit out on Sunday services and also at traditional this generation. Particularly in today’s age, midweek meetings, home groups, and we can become so busy and preoccupied, prayer meetings etc. Sunday schools, youth I…invite all our members even in our church life, that we forget and adult organisations could also make the importance of investing in our to join together in a time for a special emphasis on prayer. relationships with God and one another.

Others might want to respond by having special time of prayer It is also true that the routine of longer periods during the week or setting everyday life and activity can rule out any from 3-10 February. up special places or rooms for members to sense of expectancy or something different. come together. It would be wonderful if congregations in local As we pause to remember the birthdays of family members and areas would consider coming together at some suitable time. It friends and say it with flowers or other presents, so there is the may be possible to meet in different homes or to sign up with need to return to the Lord and be reminded of who he is and one or two others in your congregation. I hope that churches what he has done for us. will be as creative, flexible and imaginative as possible as they Sometimes as a denomination we make much of freedom of seize the initiative at a local level. individual conscience. I believe, however, there is more power to Having said that, resources have been produced centrally be found in our togetherness as we are reminded that we are all and will depend on the weekly Let’s Pray bulletin as well as part of a bigger picture. This year I am being given a bird’s-eye PowerPoint slides and vlogs. Each day we will attempt to cover view of the Church and long for that much greater sense of us various themes, including worship and praise, our personal walk belonging and serving together. with Jesus Christ, congregational life and witness and outreach Throughout my ministry, 2 Chronicles 7:14 has been very to our wider community. challenging for me personally. I am not sure if I have even At least one day will be devoted to the political situation begun to grasp its significance: “If my people, who are called in Northern Ireland, where the institutions of government by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my have remained paralysed for two years. There is, of course, the face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from ongoing confusion resulting from Brexit and its implications, heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” It is particularly for those living in border areas. In all our prayers we worth noting that this text begins with God’s people humbling need to be reminded that we are part of an all-island Church. themselves and turning to worship him.

I want to encourage our people to use my moderatorial If we are true to being followers of Jesus Christ, then surely theme as a starting point: ‘Building relationships – Christ’s love there must be a sense of holy dissatisfaction, a longing for compels us’. As I have developed my theme, I have stressed the something more. Perhaps this call to prayer is for us not to importance of growing in our personal walk with Jesus Christ settle for the status quo, but for God to and have been mindful that the Christian life rises and falls make available to us the same kind of at the point of the devotional. During the power that energised the early church. week, I would encourage you individually, Therein lies the challenge, as well as the therefore, to take some extra time to be still hope.

Christ’s love compels us

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RESOURCE | EVENT

Encountering God

David Thompson highlights a PCI resource and upcoming event that will help congregations facilitate worship in fresh ways to encounter more of the living God.

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ome and meet with the living God in worship. It is the greatest invitation any of us will ever get.

It arrives every Sunday. We take it up, and yet the wonder of encountering God in worship can pass us by through distraction, just going through the motions or boredom.”

These are the opening words of the ‘Encounter’ Bible study resource launched in September last year. As congregations have got down to using it, early feedback suggests it has been helpful in bringing us back to the basics of a new appreciation of God and what it means to worship him Sunday by Sunday.

While God is the primary focus of worship, it also plays a crucial role in shaping us in his ways for us. Picturing worship as both a conversation and journey with God, the resource challenges and encourages us to approach worship with all that we are – heart, soul, mind and strength. As we do so, we are led afresh through the gospel story of confession of sin, knowing God’s pardon, having the light of his Word shine upon our lives, responding to his truth and being blessed and sent into the world to share his love.

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Planning worship Do we plan worship? Too often in the busyness of church life we take what happens on Sunday for granted. We present to God a random selection of praise, prayer and preaching that range across a whole variety of disconnected themes, rather than developing and exploring a single theme through the different elements of the service. Then we marvel that the Holy Spirit has made something of our careless disregard for focus in how everything came together.

But is that really good enough? Is it just a cop-out for our lack of thoughtfulness and preparation for worship?

We need to design what we do, maximising each of the elements of worship that God has given us through which to engage with him. We need to get off to a good start as we gather. Open the service with something that grounds

Do we plan worship? Too often in the busyness of church life we take what happens on Sunday for granted.

and guides our thoughts on God. Our prayers need to help us get real with God about life, not take on a tone and language which is out of this world. Our songs offer the opportunity to get in tune with God, see what he is really like and lift up our hearts to him. In the sermon, we get to hear God speak from his Word.

This is no mere passing on of facts and information from the Bible, it is God speaking to transform us as his people.

The final section of the service should offer some way to respond, both slowing us down to consider what God has said to us and getting us ready to go again into our world to live for him.

Facilitating worship Those who lead worship, in planning, praise, prayer or preaching, have an important role to play each week. While they aren’t the performers, with the congregation as the audience, they do set the tone of what happens by the way they facilitate the conversation and journey with God. Facilitate seems like the right word. In word and music, silence and song, pace and pause, those at the front lead others in the ways of worship, without getting in the way of it. The look, feel, style of worship may look different

from church to church, but to play a part in facilitating it is an awesome privilege and responsibility. Done well to the glory of God, those who facilitate worship are like good guides for the journey, keeping our minds on track and gently guiding us through the turns and stages of the service.

Shaping worship So, how can we do this well? Help is at hand. On Saturday 23 March 2019, an Encounter training day will be held in Orangefield Presbyterian Church, Belfast, from 10.30am-3pm. Sam and Sarah Hargreaves of Engage Worship will be our guides, leading us to think through how to plan, shape and facilitate worship.

The day will offer a mix of teaching and ideas – and a bit of joining in – for all who take lead roles in planning, praise, prayer and preaching. Why not round up those who are involved in shaping worship in your congregation, come together and be enthused, envisioned and equipped for the task of serving in enabling worship?

Resourcing worship Another way to deepen our appreciation and expand our thinking about the flow of the worship service, and the part that praise plays in particular, is through a resource called, ‘Songs for Sundays’, produced by Resound Worship. Sam Hargreaves contributes to the songwriting group that has produced this CD in which thematic songs follow the typical journey of the service with pieces for gathering, prayer, confession, communion and more.

The songs are written for use in the average church service, that is, in congregations without a large number of highly-skilled musicians or singers.

The songs are singable and accessible for the kinds of instruments found in most churches. Introductory videos teach the parts for piano, drums etc and the sheet music offers simple melody lines for instruments like flute, violin and clarinet.

Perhaps…we have lost clarity and confidence about what happens when God’s people come together…to worship him.

The resource is available at the Resound Worship website at: www.resoundworship. org/projects/songs_for_sundays Additional resources complementing the songs, such as prayers and PowerPoints, can also be found at www.engageworship.org/articles/songs-forsundays-project

Retrieving worship Perhaps in all the activities of church life that we have added and accumulated over the years, we have lost clarity and confidence about what happens when God’s people come together, week by week, to worship him. Maybe it is time

for us to retrieve an appreciation for how worship lies at the heart of everything about our church life – how it transforms our attitudes and actions as the people of God; how it teaches and trains us to live well; how it tethers us to God and his truth for our lives in a world of clamour and competing claims for our hearts. In the words of Psalm 95: “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

David Thompson is Secretary of PCI’s Council for Congregational Life and Witness.

Encounter: Facilitating others in the weekly journey of worship Saturday 23 March 2019 | 10.30am-3pm Orangefield Presbyterian Church, Belfast Led by Sam and Sara Hargreaves (Engage Worship) The cost of the event is £15 (includes a light lunch at 12.30pm). To register, please go to www.presbyterianireland.org/events An event for everyone involved in planning, shaping or facilitating worship.

Come along and join in to be enthused, envisioned and equipped for serving in leading worship.

How can we shape what we do together in worship so that our congregation can step into the story of God’s amazing love as we meet with him each week? How can our services connect us to God in living, breathing, heart-provoking ways that equip us to be a people set on following Jesus?

Encounter To order copies of the Encounter resource, priced at £2 each, please go to the Bible study section of the website at: www.presbyterianireland.org/resources

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On average, every 17 minutes an incident of domestic abuse is reported to the PSNI. So, in the time taken to read this article, or at least this magazine, it is likely that an incident will have been reported to the police.

With respect to women...

Judith Gillespie discusses the importance of mutual respect between the sexes.

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here is always a risk when an article starts with the words ‘respect’ and ‘women’ that some will assume that it is an article for women. Nothing could be further from the truth. This article is very much about Christian leadership, by men and by women, and about creating a culture which will allow our daughters and our sons to flourish and achieve their true potential. So male readers, please don’t switch off. This article is as much, if not more, for you too.

Respect can have a number of meanings, ranging from admiration and esteem to – at its most neutral – courtesy and consideration. I learnt many years ago in the RUC training centre that “courtesy is an essential quality and one which will smooth many a path”. Former police colleagues of a certain era will recognise these words immediately as the first definition they learnt in training. Some would argue that courtesy and respect, however, are increasingly missing factors in public discourse locally, nationally and internationally.

In particular, regarding respect for women and girls, the #MeToo

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campaign seems to have burst a dam of allegations of sexual harassment and assault and empowered women to speak out about their experiences, ranging from inappropriate behaviour to rape.

Furthermore, in Northern Ireland, reported crimes of domestic violence and sexual abuse, mainly but not exclusively against women, are higher than ever. On average, every 17 minutes an incident of domestic abuse is reported to the PSNI.

This is not about a ‘battle of the sexes’, political correctness gone mad, or a lack of a sense of humour.

So, in the time taken to read this article, or at least this magazine, it is likely that an incident will have been reported to the police.

Indeed, recent research shockingly described the catcalling and street abuse of schoolgirls in uniform, by otherwise seemingly respectable men. This is not to say that schoolboys never get verbally

abused by women. But more than a third of adolescent girls in the UK have been sexually harassed in public while wearing their school uniforms, a report by the charity Plan International found. Worse still, one in eight girls said they first experienced unwanted sexual attention or contact in a public place when they were 12 years old or younger, according to the same survey. So what is it about our culture that makes some men think it’s okay to verbally abuse adolescent schoolgirls? And should girls just accept this as ‘part of growing up’?

Whilst the benefits of social media are manifold, such platforms have provided new opportunities for abuse generally, and of women and girls in particular. Anyone can be a victim of abuse online, but it is apparent that certain behaviour can focus on women, especially women in the public eye. Anonymous keyboard warriors (both male and female) use pseudonyms to defame, abuse, threaten and intimidate high profile women and men, but the particular type of vitriol often directed towards women is concerning. No one in a position of authority can object to criticism or to public disagreement with

1 in 12 women aged 18-74 experience physical and/or sexual violence each year in the Republic of Ireland decisions, policies or viewpoints. That comes with the turf and robust debate is part of the job description. But when the commentary centres on physical appearance, or when it contains abuse about family life or personal integrity, threats, or obscene and sexually explicit references, then it has to be called out.

Social media platforms also have a responsibility to deal firmly and swiftly with online abuse. Taking the offending comment down a week later and/or blocking the account for 24 hours is not good enough. In the ephemeral ‘here and now’ world of social media the action must be at the time, and it must be visible at the time. In a quote often attributed to Mark Twain, it is said that “a lie can travel halfway round the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes”.

Threatening, sexually explicit and defamatory abuse on social media can have a consequence, both in the criminal and civil courts. The old forensic adage of ‘every contact leaves a trace’ applies equally to social media, with online posts leaving a lasting fingerprint long after they’ve been deleted. The impact which it has on the victim, in particular on young women and girls, can be devastating.

Research published in November 2018 by NHS England found around one in five 11-19 year olds had been bullied online, with rates higher in girls (25.8%) than boys (16.7%). This is to say nothing of the impact on a young person who posts such material without thinking of the longterm consequences. It is sound advice that you should never post anything on social media that you wouldn’t be prepared to show your grandmother. In that regard, I’m reminded of Proverbs 21:23. In the Message translation it says: “Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.”

Jesus set the highest standards in

this regard, in a context where the cultural attitudes towards women were deplorable. All of the gospels record his dignified and respectful approach to women, including those with a colourful past. Therefore, Christians in particular have a responsibility to highlight that disrespectful and abusive behaviour, whether online or in person; it is entirely unacceptable at any level. We have a responsibility to protect the vulnerable and to isolate the abuser.

It is fair to say that most men and women entirely ‘get’ the need for mutual respect between the sexes, and understand that a positive gender balance in public, professional and church life is a healthy thing. Indeed, many of the most powerful present day advocates of respect for women have been men. However, if the

Jesus set the highest standards in this regard, in a context where the cultural attitudes towards women were deplorable. range of views expressed on social media is anything to go by, there is clearly a broad continuum of opinions, from the value of gender diversity and equality to the downright abusive, hate-filled and misogynistic. In between there are varying degrees of disrespect (remember that Daily Mail front page ‘Legs-it’?), including stereotyping women and girls, and making casually demeaning remarks. Some years ago, I recall after a church service personally and quietly challenging a male minister for declaring from the pulpit (in supposed humour) that “women are like a garden – every so often they need a good digging”. To hear this expressed by someone of influence, let alone from the pulpit, was horrifying, and even more so when by the law of averages, victims or perpetrators of domestic abuse could have been in the congregation.

Talking about this issue is really important, and the example we set to our children and young people is critical. This is not about a ‘battle of the sexes’, political

1 in 8 girls

said they first experienced unwanted sexual attention or contact in a public place when they were 12 years old or younger correctness gone mad, or a lack of a sense of humour. It is about changing a deeply ingrained culture to ensure everyone feels safe and valued. It is possible to disagree entirely respectfully, but throwaway remarks which denigrate and stereotype are very damaging. Furthermore, laughing along, or pretending not to hear such remarks is a form of consent, of complicity in perpetuating a culture in which gender-based violence persists.

It’s absolutely not a phenomenon which is confined to young people, but schools and youth groups are a good place to start to discuss what respectful and disrespectful behaviour actually means, and how it actually feels to be on the receiving end. In fact, the earlier these issues are discussed, the better. Healthy relationship education should start in primary school.

Finally, boys, men, girls and women need to understand that street harassment and demeaning disrespect to women and girls is not part of ‘normal’ life.

It is not harmless fun. It is alarming, disempowering and unacceptable. We should try to challenge it in our everyday encounters, our workplaces and in our church organisations. We should challenge stereotypes which devalue individuals, and consign girls and boys to traditional roles and careers. And in our own conversations, everyone benefits – women, men, girls and boys – when we try to be respectful, courteous and sensitive to the feelings and aspirations of others. It is clear that as a society there is some way to go, but we each have a contribution to make – and as a Church we have a special, visible leadership role to play.

Matthew 7:12 says: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets.”

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic or sexual violence (male or female) and would like to speak to someone, the following options are available: • The 24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline (Northern Ireland) 0808 802 1414 • National Helpline (ROI) 1800 341 900 • Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Taking Care Office +44 (0)28 9041 7290 Email: takingcare@presbyterianireland.org

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Ahead of marriage week this month, David Cupples outlines why our Church believes marriage is fundamentally good for all society.

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or 34 years I have been declaring the following words as part of the Presbyterian marriage service.

“It was ordained for the welfare of human society which can only be strong and happy when the marriage bond is held in honour.” I read them unapologetically, enthusiastically and with full conviction.

Marriage is still known to be the preferred and hoped for ideal for most schoolchildren but what is it? By marriage I mean – and our Church means – a covenantal relationship instituted by God the Creator and therefore universal, natural, gendered, lifelong, exclusive and sexual. The concept of marriage as nothing more than a legal arrangement between two or indeed more than two people who love each other is novel, revisionist, secular, without historical precedent and ultimately, a rejection of objective reality.

Marriage is about much more than the two people getting married. Marriage traditions may be social constructs but marriage itself is a divine ordinance.

In the current maelstrom of social change, epitomised by the ‘sexual revolution’, and by which we are

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bewildered and disorientated, there is one basic issue – did the God of the Bible, a God of goodness, wisdom and purpose, make this world and make us as human beings? If he did, then human life and its relations have a form and purpose. We are not our own creators; our being is not formless or fluid; though made in the image of a creative God, we do not have absolute freedom to determine what it means to be human. There is an essence which precedes our existence. Thus the fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Our identity is first that we are creatures; our freedom and flourishing will be found not in being whatever we want to be, but in becoming what we were designed to be.

If God’s way is the way of true human flourishing, and marriage is God’s plan and pattern, then honouring it will benefit

Marriage traditions may be social constructs but marriage itself is a divine ordinance.

us personally and socially. In simple terms, society will benefit when it is based on reality, not fantasy.

Honouring marriage means accepting God’s estimate of its worth. This is liberating. We are freed from overvaluing or undervaluing marriage and instead given a truthful perspective on it as a gift from God. We do not idolise it. The Hollywood myth is that the perfect soulmate is out there who will provide you with a completely fulfilling level of all-round satisfaction that will last for evermore.

This idolatry has the damaging side effect of devaluing the single life – Jesus’ life.

We do not demonise it. Much modern secular thinking demonises marriage as an outmoded, patriarchal institution, oppressive, restrictive, destructive of real human freedom – the usual error of pitting authority and law against freedom. Traditional marriage can be seen as simply one among many equally valid arrangements – perhaps even the worst of all options. Christians too can be cynical about marriage – a veiled but toxic undercurrent behind the humour of marriage jokes.

Honouring marriage means accepting it as a gift from God, designed to bring many joys and blessings, a calling for many but not for all. It is not necessary for a full human life, unless you think Jesus lacked completeness. Even though Eve was made for Adam, because it was not good for the man to be alone, marriage is simply one form of friendship, and a pointer to a union between Jesus and his church in the new creation which will be greater than any joy or union in this life; and in which all believers, married and single, will find fullness of life.

Honouring marriage also sees it as the context for the enjoyment of sexual relations. Marriage sets controls for sex. Sex is such a powerful energy in society, but just as rain without proper catchment facilities produces destructive floods, so unfettered sexual desire and practice produce a situation of sexual and relational chaos. Gabriele Kuby in her book The Global Sexual Revolution summarises the result of J.D. Unwin’s 1930s study of sex and culture as follows: “The greater the sexual restrictions, the higher the cultural level.” Sexual restraint produces cultural benefits. Sexual indulgence produces cultural degeneracy and decline.

We are not on the wrong side of history.

In a Royal Society review article, ‘The puzzle of monogamous marriage’ (written from a non-religious, evolutionary and sociological perspective), the authors explain why societies that have actively promoted monogamous marriage have thrived. Specifically they show that monogamous marriage shrinks the size of the pool of low-status, risk-oriented, unmarried men. These effects result in lower rates of crime, personal abuse, intra-household conflict, greater parental investment (especially male), economic productivity and female equality. A group called the American College of Paediatricians reached similar conclusions.

In 2016 they listed 30 social benefits of marriage for society as backed up by social scientific research. We will take their five headings:

Family Promise-keeping is the soul of character and integrity. When Paul says we should tell the truth to one another because we are all members of one body, he may be referring not just to the church but to

…a calling for many but not for all. It is not necessary for a full human life, unless you think Jesus lacked completeness. society. We can’t function without trust.

A promise-based relationship between parents provides security and training for all and fosters high quality relationships within the family. It encourages trust, sacrifice, loyalty and love for our neighbour.

Physicial health and longevity From Reader’s Digest to newspaper articles to scholarly publications, you can read about the personal health benefits of marriage. For example, purity before marriage and fidelity within marriage would eliminate the sexually transmitted diseases which are now at epidemic levels.

Studies appear to show that marriage extends life expectancy, is associated with lower rates of injury, illness and disability, reduced rates of alcohol and substance abuse and generally improved family health.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing An obvious benefit is security. God raises his children on the basis of providing us with the absolute security of his unfailing love, and the knowledge we are accepted in Christ. Given that pattern, and given that his love reflects the love of both a father and a mother, can anyone seriously doubt that children are going to have a real chance of growing up emotionally healthy in a secure, loving environment?

Tragically marriages are breaking down at epidemic rates, but the problem is not with the design but with the fact that the prevalent cultural values of selfdiscovery, expressive individualism and the unconstrained freedom to choose, undermine the marriage project. If you put petrol in a diesel car, don’t blame the car when it doesn’t work.

Counter-intuitively, it is the case that couples who marry after cohabiting generally have much higher divorce rates. The couple who are committed to staying together and working through

difficulties and challenges will ride the rough patches, build a deeper bond, and demonstrate to their children what depth of character and faithful love really mean.

Economy Guy Brandon in a Cambridge paper entitled ‘Free Sex; who pays?’ tries to list and quantify the financial cost of modern sexual freedom and the resultant family breakdown. He begins by saying our culture’s sexual freedom comes with massive costs attached relative to GDP, accounting for a significant proportion of public spending. This represents a moral hazard which threatens both our economy and our society. People are not accountable for the consequences of their lifestyle choices. He concludes: “£100 billion annually is probably a reasonable starting point: about twice as much as alcohol abuse, smoking and obesity combined.”

Crime and domestic violence The corollary of security of course is stability. Stable families and stable lives are not only essential for stable societies, but immensely productive. The financial and general productivity benefits to society of healthy individuals is impossible to overestimate or calculate.

The Christian ethic of purity before marriage and faithfulness within marriage was as ridiculous to the early Roman Empire as it is to our hyper-sexualised Western culture today, saturated with pornography and obsessed with personal freedom and immediate emotional fulfilment to the disregard of many other considerations. Yet it is in such a world that we as Jesus’ disciples help one another explore and live out the biblical vision of marriage; this will have the potential to finally redeem and restore health to society. Not all things are equal. There is darkness and light, salt and corruption.

The biblical vision for marriage is positive and life-affirming. It is rooted, not only in the origin of the universe in creation, but in the destiny of the universe when Christ will marry his bride, the church and enjoy the new creation together. Let us not be conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of our minds and prove the good, perfect and acceptable will of God. That is our high and holy calling.

This is the better way.

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Photography courtesy of Jamie Trimble and Lisa Skinner

Thanking Herald agents

Before Christmas the Presbyterian Herald team were out and about in Monaghan, Ballymoney and Belfast encouraging and thanking Herald agents for their hard work and effort on the ground.

Margaret Boyd (Ballyrashane) and Sarah Harding

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he Agent Days also provided the opportunity for the team to recognise some of the Herald’s longest serving agents, who look after the distribution of the magazine in their congregations.

In Monaghan Sandra Hagan, who has been coordinating the distribution of over 500 magazines in the Presbytery of Monaghan over the last seven years, was presented with a special gift. June Menaul, from Cavanaleck Presbyterian Church in County Fermanagh, was also presented with a gift for her faithful service as an agent, which has spanned 46 years.

Meanwhile, in Ballymoney Margaret Boyd from Ballyrashane Presbyterian in County Londonderry began her Herald distribution career when she was just 11 years of age – in 1953. Margaret was

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We really value the work of each of our agents and recognise that it is a time-consuming and committed role… recognised for her amazing 65 years’ service.

Finally, in Belfast, Fred Kyle of Rasharkin Presbyterian, County Antrim received a gift for his 49 years of service.

“The faithful service given by Herald agents – or ‘Herald Angels’ as we like to call them – is quite remarkable and to be praised. We really value the work of each of our agents and recognise that it is a time-consuming and committed role that takes energy and planning,” said Herald editor Sarah Harding.

“A total of 250 agents attended the Agent Days. Being an agent is often an unseen service – it can be done very discreetly and can go unnoticed, so these bi-annual Agent Days allow the team and myself to say a huge ‘thank you’ to these unsung heroes who also promote the Herald within their individual congregations.

“In an era of fake news and facing an uncertain economic and political future, the Church has the opportunity to speak light into the darkness and share the good news of what we are doing in our communities, in the public square and further afield in Jesus’ name.

The Herald team strive to have topical and engaging articles so that in each edition our readers can be inspired, challenged and encouraged,” Sarah said.

Fred Kyle (Rasharkin)

June Menaul (Cavanaleck)

Herald crossword contributors, Harry and Valerie Douglas

Sandra Hagan (Monaghan)

Digital version

Promotional video

The Herald is now available as an interactive digital version (an e-version) that can be read on a tablet or phone. Single copies can be obtained through Issuu for £1.20, or a yearly subscription is £12.

Sarah Harding said, “Our digital version is a more cost-effective way for people to subscribe to the magazine. It is cheaper because we don’t have the added costs of printing.

Another advantage of this format is that it makes it more accessible to those people who struggle with their eyesight. If the print size is difficult to read, they can use the zoom function on a tablet device to make it easier to see.”

The digital version is available at: www.issuu.com/presbyterianireland

A promotional video has been produced to help agents and ministers highlight the Herald to their congregations. The short, animated video outlines the variety of content contained within the magazine. To download or view the video go to www.presbyterianireland.org/ herald Herald February 2019

39

REVIEWS

Blessings Stephanie Devlin £12.93

Unless otherwise stated all resources are available from your local Faith Mission Bookshop or online www.fmbookshops.com

Have No Fear John C. Lennox «««««

Homegrown talent Stephanie Devlin’s debut album Blessings is produced by the New Irish Arts creative chief executive, Jonathan Rea. Stephanie, a classically trained singer/songwriter originally from Belfast, has brought together some well-known tracks that have influenced her faith. Her pure, soaring vocals are gently accompanied by Jonathan Rea on piano and by a selection of strings; this makes for a clear and lilting sound that reflects Stephanie’s Northern Irish roots.

The selection of songs includes pieces such as And Can It Be, When I Survey and Holy, Holy, Holy, but there are also some modern pieces such as the Getty/Townend song He Will Hold Me Fast and Laura Story’s ballad, Blessings. However, Stephanie puts her own mark on even the classic hymns, giving each piece an almost timeless quality. The variety of pieces will appeal to a wide range of listeners, both from a musical perspective and as a tool for personal worship.

Stephanie’s vocal is so pure and clear that it is a joy to listen to her; a calming and reflective performance from a young artist that Northern Ireland can be proud to claim as its own.

LI

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10OFTHOSE.COM £2.99

«««««

We live in a society that is heavily dominated by secularism. As such, sharing our faith can often be unwelcome and we can bow to the pressure to be silent. Having inhabited the world of academia for such a long time, John Lennox has himself encountered much criticism for his Christian beliefs, so he now offers up advice on how to boldly share the hope that is in you with those who are sceptical.

He encourages the reader not to be afraid and reminds us that apologetics should not be viewed as “a highly intellectual activity only to be engaged in by the cleverest of Christians”. Lennox suggests that we ask questions of those seeking answers from us and that we shouldn’t be worried about admitting our inability to answer questions right away; he advises we take time to go and investigate the question. Lennox emphasises the need to speak with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15) and to back up what we say about our beliefs by referring to Scripture and by living credible lives.

I found the last two chapters on ‘The difference between religion and Christianity’ and ‘Explaining salvation’ particularly helpful, not least the diagram used to illustrate religion. This is a short and concise book which should help to reassure you that God has already given you all that you need to witness for him and while it may be costly to do so, we should nonetheless ‘have no fear’.

LS

Travel: In Tandem with God’s Heart Peter Grier INTER-VARSITY PRESS

£9.99

«««««

Author Peter Grier identifies himself as a man stricken with wanderlust, puzzling over what God thinks of our travel. His book, however, reaches beyond being simply a guide to travelling in a godly way.

Grier’s exploration of ‘travel’ starts with creation and a command from God to humanity to fill, subdue and enjoy the earth. He looks too at snapshots from Israel, the life and ministry of Jesus, and the work of the apostles and early church.

The author invites us to consider how God’s story is one of his people travelling – east of Eden, to the promised land, into exile, around first-century Palestine and to “Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

‘Travel’ reminds 21st century readers that Jesus is Lord over every part of existence, including our times of holiday and vacation. The author encourages us to contemplate how we might travel in a way that brings honour and glory to God, and includes appendices that provide a few scenarios and some travel tips to help us think this through.

This book seems to be primarily written for the world-traveller. Those with few stamps on their passports may find it hard to relate to some of the ideas that Grier covers. Yet, there is something in this book for everyone and whether the next journey is to the other side of the world or a simple, local staycation, readers will enjoy the invitation to think through this theology of identity, mission, tourism and travel.

JAD

REVIEWERS

JAD – James Diffin works for the Church of Ireland and Methodist chaplaincy at Queen’s and worships in Wellington Presbyterian Church, Ballymena.

LS – Lisa Skinner is an administrative officer for the Herald SL – Stephen Lynas is a former editor of the Presbyterian Herald JD – John Dunlop is a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland LI – Louise Irwin is part of the worship team at Kirkpatrick Memorial

Wake Up Jamesie Lad Paul Gilmore STRG

£5

«««««

We are indebted to poets and artists who can see into the depths of things which many of us with impaired imagination would otherwise miss.

Perhaps, with the busyness of life, we especially need people who take the opportunity to think with their hearts as well as their heads. Imagination and its companion, compassion, breathe life into theology, preaching and history.

The poem, Wake Up Jamesie Lad, imagines what has gone on in the sleepless heart of a young soldier who is due to be shot early in the morning. He will be wakened and shot “all in time for breakfast”.

While this publication was occasioned by the centenary of the 1918 Armistice and was distributed free to everyone who attended the associated televised service in St Anne’s Cathedral, it has material of far wider interest than the events of the First World War. References to the ‘black dog’ of depression will not only evoke memories of Churchill but may help us to appreciate depression as a constant threat. Poems which succinctly explore the long-term after-effects of war will resonate with what many people still endure from the Troubles.

Paul Gilmore is a graduate in Theology, Education and Law, so there is thoughtful hope-filled theology spliced through the material which includes some new hymns.

This book of 37 remarkable poems can be purchased from The Book Well, 27 Belmont Road, Belfast, BT4 2AA (07581 143596), and also from the gift shops in Belfast Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin. The proceeds are going to Combat Stress.

JD

A Leap of Faith David Latimer BLACKSTAFF PRESS

£12.99

«««««

Standing on the steps of his unusable, ruined and now paintspattered church building, Rev David Latimer was somewhat nervous as he awaited the arrival of the Deputy First Minister to survey the damage to the historic and once imposing First Derry Presbyterian Church.

Fed up and out of desperation Latimer had used an early morning radio interview to challenge Martin McGuinness to bring an end to the sectarian vandalism blighting the church. And within a few hours, the former IRA commander and leader of north-west republicanism was bounding up the church steps, hand outstretched, to meet the longest serving Presbyterian minister in the city and also a chaplain in the Territorial Army.

Over a cup of tea, which McGuinness would later joke was the most expensive he ever had costing £1.6m, Latimer explained about the attacks, how the church was unusable and facing a dry rot repair bill that the long suffering, loyal congregation probably could never afford. McGuinness listened intently, passed over his contact details and said he would keep in touch.

Latimer recalls his first reaction. “It quickly became clear that I was in the company of a person who wanted his Presbyterian neighbours to have a peaceful environment to meet and

worship,” he writes. An immediate end to the paint attacks made it easier for the congregation to accept the press pictures of their minister with his guest.

Most will be familiar with and have their opinions on the subsequent storyline that this memoir recalls. A friendship develops between Latimer and McGuinness, a Tourist Board grant helps pay for the restoration of First Derry and two men from the polar opposites of our community commit to work together supporting one another to build a lasting peace.

What will not be familiar are the glimpses that this 150-page record gives into the lives of the people of First Derry and the wider Protestant community who every day still cope with the open wounds of previous tragedy. For McGuinness and Latimer, their resolute commitment to a future better than the past enabled both of them to deal with the challenges that their friendship provoked. But for the lady whose father was shot dead as her family walked to church, or the gentleman whose brother was gunned down in an IRA attack, it is very different. A real strength of this memoir is recording their responses and that of others directly affected by the Troubles to the Latimer/McGuinness friendship, responses from which we can all learn.

At the launch of the book Latimer was asked if he confronted McGuinness about his past and sought an apology.

This was too personal for a direct answer, but the memoir recalls these words spoken by Martin McGuinness from the pulpit of First Derry. “I’m aware this church lost RUC and UDR members during the conflict. Today, in your church, which I love visiting, I offer you my heartfelt sympathy.” Later a gentleman made a point of telling his minister, “What he [McGuinness] said and the way he said it made his visit to First Derry worthwhile for me. I heard words I’ve been waiting to hear for years.”

The author’s royalties are being donated to the North West Cancer Centre.

SL

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LIFE IN PCI Gospel praise concert in Broughshane First Broughshane Presbyterian was the venue for a gospel praise concert which was hosted by Broughshane and District Pipe Band.

Under the direction of their new pipe major David Reid, the band played a great selection of well-known sacred music including Abide with Me, Jesus Loves Me and Amazing Grace.

They rounded off an excellent performance with the wellknown tune, Highland Cathedral.

The concert also featured performances by John Porter, the Grace in Harmony trio (accompanied by Jane Dickey), Kellie Hanna and David Reid (accompanied by Edith Reid). The compere was the minister of the Co Antrim church, Rev Ronnie Agnew.

A freewill offering collected on the evening raised over £1,100 in support of the church hall renovations.

Top: Broughshane and District Pipe Band pictured playing at a gospel praise concert in First Broughshane Presbyterian Church hall.

Middle left: Courtney Walsh, Rebecca Harkness, Beth Hanna and Emily Harkness (Broughshane and District Pipe Band).

Centre: Pipe major David Reid.

Middle right: Kellie Hanna and her mother Valerie Cubitt, daughter Beth and sons Samuel and Thomas pictured at a gospel praise concert in First Broughshane. Samuel is the world under 14 solo champion.

Bottom: Performers who took part in a gospel praise concert in First Broughshane. Included is Rev Ronnie Agnew (second from left).

Teddies bear Bible message at Drumlough Drumlough Presbyterian in Hillsborough recently came up with an unusual way of bringing Bible stories to life – a teddy bear festival.

Through the creative use of teddy bears, stories such as Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, Joseph and Jonah were brought to life in a journey through Scripture. This was no mean feat for the organisers and a total of 240 teddies, which had either been donated or found in charity shops, were used in the displays.

The festival certainly caught people’s imagination with members of the community and further afield flocking to the event. The prize for the furthest travelled went to a holidaying Canadian couple, who called in after seeing the event advertised outside the church.

Others were so taken with the displays that they saw it first with one group and then returned, bringing a different group of people with them.

The festival also brought the church together as the entire congregation was involved in some way or other, from serving refreshments to washing teddy bears. The Sunday school children had great fun making the backgrounds for the scenes, including spending an afternoon making a three-feet high paper mache whale.

The festival coincided with the 200th anniversary of Drumlough, and although the teddy bear festival was primarily an outreach event, such was people’s generosity that over £7,500 was raised, which will go towards the building of a new church hall.

The congregation have also found a good use for the teddy bears – they have been donated to English-based charity, Teddy Trust, which sends teddy bears to children in war-torn areas of Syria.

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To share good news stories from your congregation please send your photographs and details to herald@presbyterianireland.org

Long service recognised in Kilrea Rev Stuart Morrow recently presented gifts to two members of the Hutchinson family in recognition of their long service to Second Kilrea. Campbell Hutchinson has served as clerk of session in the Co Londonderry church for 20 years and Peter Hutchinson was treasurer for 16 years. Included in the photo are members of the Hutchinson family.

Pictured are: Sharon Kelly, Rose Hutchinson, Campbell Hutchinson, Mr Morrow, Karen Hutchinson and Peter Hutchinson.

Charity cheque in Iveagh Lorna Johnston hands over a cheque for £14,551.86 to Rev Norman Patterson for Project Romania. Second and Third Rathfriland Presbyterian, along with other churches in Iveagh Presbytery, raised this fantastic amount. The monies will be used in Romania to help towards the construction of badly-needed housing that will include a community centre/place of worship.

Retirements in Ballymena Retirement in Limavady Second Limavady congregation made a presentation to Marion Shiels to mark her retirement from the eldership after 29 years of faithful service in the Co Londonderry church. Pictured are Rev Geoffrey Jones, Marion Shiels, Elizabeth McLaughlin and Mervyn Hood.

Presentations by the kirk session of First Ballymena were made to three long-serving leaders in charge who are retiring from their roles in the Sunday school, youth club and Bible class. Pictured are: Tom Heaney (Sunday school superintendent), Steven Wilson (youth club), Rev William Sinclair (minister of the Co Antrim church) and Rodney Wright (Bible class).

100th birthday marked in Helen’s Bay Roy Henderson, who is president of the North Down and Craigavad branch of the Royal British Legion, recently celebrated his 100th birthday. This special milestone was marked following the Remembrance service in Helen’s Bay. Among those pictured are: Rev Colin Megaw (minister of the Co Down church), John McCorkell, Margaret Megaw, Mr Henderson, Sara McCorkell and Charlie Bennett.

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LIFE IN PCI

New elders in First Dunboe Ian Conn, Ronald Millen and Norman Thompson were ordained as elders in First Dunboe recently. Pictured in the back row are: James Conn, Hugh Conn, Noel Dobbin, Simon McCaughey, Frank Jeffers, Andrew Barr, Ken Moles, John Jeffers and Jim Pollock. Front row: Mr Thompson, Mr Millen, Mr Conn, Rev Jim McCaughan, Peter Kirk, Julie Conn, Hazel Ferguson and Ann Henderson.

Thanks in Ebrington The congregation of Ebrington has thanked Alwyn Wilson for his faithful service as clerk of session. He held the post in the Londonderry church from January 2013 to January 2018. Pictured are Mr and Mrs Wilson with Rev Paul Linkens (minister).

New minister for Harmony Hill Rev Fiona Forbes has been installed as minister of Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church. Mrs Forbes is pictured with members of the presbytery commission: Douglas Anderson (First Lisburn Presbyterian Church), Rev John Brackenridge (vacancy convener), Rev David Bruce (acting moderator), Rev John Davey (clerk of presbytery) and Derek Alexander (clerk of session, Harmony Hill Presbyterian).

BEM in Edenderry Amy Smyton, from Edenderry, is pictured receiving her BEM for services to local government and the Omagh community from the Lord Lieutenant for Co Tyrone, Robert Scott OBE. Mrs Smyton has taught Sunday school in Edenderry Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and has been superintendent since 1981. She is also the church secretary. The church recently hosted a celebration lunch in honour of her. She was also a police reservist for 42 years. Included in the photograph is her husband Alan.

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New elders in Ballyholme Simon Liggett and Michael White have been ordained and installed as elders in Ballyholme Presbyterian. Pictured in the back row are: Rev Paul Dalzell, Leslie Finlay, Wallace McKee, Rev Jeff McWatters and Rev Peter Lyle (minister of the Co Down church). Front row: Rev John Flaherty (clerk of Ards Presbytery), Mr White, Mr Liggett and Rev Bill Cameron (moderator).

Tag good news stories from your congregation on Twitter with #lifeinpci and @pciassembly

Anniversary marked in Abbey

Special guest at St James’s PW

Members of Abbey Presbyterian in Dublin recently marked 20 years with Rev Alan Boal as their minister. The congregation celebrated with lunch together and presentations after the morning service. Pictured are: Neil Fitzel (clerk of session), Ruth Boal, Mr Boal and Lucy Bell (elder).

Diane Cusick (PCI global mission worker) was the special guest at the annual PW service in St James’s Presbyterian, Ballymoney. She is pictured with Tracey Nicholl (deaconess), Joan Cubitt (PW leader) and Rev Hugh Cubitt (minister of the Co Antrim church).

Plaque unveiled in Donegore A plaque in memory of Rev E.T. Conn was unveiled in Second Donegore during a special morning service in the Co Antrim church. Many of the hymns, prayers and the address given by Rev Alastair Gordon during the service were linked to Mr Conn’s ministry. He was minister in Second Donegore for over 26 years from 1965-1991. It was a fitting tribute to him to see so many present, 27 years since his retirement. Rev Weir, who was a close friend of Rev Conn during all of his ministry, paid a short tribute to him and unveiled the plaque on behalf of the Conn family. Pictured are members of the Conn family, Andrew, Joan and Liz, along with Rev Weir, Sam Gawn and Alastair Gordon.

Farewell presentation Representatives of Crossroads and Carlisle Road congregations made presentations to Dr T. Robert Buick and his wife Heather at a farewell retirement evening. Many tributes were paid to the sterling work done by Robert and Heather during their 16 years of ministry in the congregations. Dr Buick and Mrs Buick are pictured receiving a crystal clock and cheque from Ivor Ferguson (clerk of session) on behalf of Carlisle Road congregation.

Roll of honour in Katesbridge Katesbridge Presbyterian has installed and dedicated a roll of honour for those members of the congregation who served in the world wars. The names were researched by Coleen Kennedy and Elaine McCann. They are included in the photograph along with the members of the Co Down church’s congregational committee and minister. Pictured are: Gordon Elliott, Victor Clydesdale, Robert McMinn, Jeremy McCann, William Cochrane, Mrs Kennedy, Mrs McCann, Brian Hilland, Rev Nigel Kane, Robert McElroy and Elaine Elliott.

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LIFE IN PCI

Moderator meets his ‘mini-me’ Norma Conway and Evelyn Stewart present the Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, with a ‘little Moderator’, knitted by the 3Cs (craft, chat and coffee) group in West Church, Bangor. The group are well known for their creative knitting, having knitted the weddings of Prince William and Prince Harry, a display of 1,500 poppies for Remembrance Day and a nativity scene for the church’s Christmas display. The group send hats, teddies, baby clothes, blankets and twiddle muffs, to groups both at home and overseas.

Children take centre stage in Anahilt Children from Anahilt Presbyterian’s children’s ministry ‘The Ark’ who recently took part in the Co Down church’s nativity service. The children performed many items, including songs, poems, drama along with pieces by the guitar group.

CROSSWORD Puzzle no 248 1

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ACROSS 1 Super films (12) 7 Sweet on a stick (8) 8 Jesus was stabbed here (4) 9 This postman is a kids’ favourite (3) 11 Pins and these can be very sore (7) 14 Large sea bird (3) 15 Potatoes, meat and two of these (3) 16 Sounds lions make (5) 18 Not off (2) 19 Some will greatly multiply (4) 21 President Nixon’s first name (7) 24 Elizabeth Regina (2) 25 Underwater activity (11) 28 To be unwell (3) 29 American state (4) 30 Reputedly the fastest animal (7)

DOWN 1 A follower of Jesus (8) 2 Rectangle (6) 3 German emperor (6) 4 Our Lord’s final meal (6) 5 One of the compass points (4) 6 These holy men did not believe in resurrection (9) 10 Donkey by another name (3) 12 Opening to a room (4) 13 A massive election win (9) 17 The body of believers (6) 20 Doctor for short (2) 22 Set fire to (6) 23 Where the Magi came from (6) 26 Deep cut (4) 27 Oasis in Exodus 15 (4)

REFLECTIONS

Ionic and covalent bonding Betsy Cameron

W

ell, that got your attention, didn’t it? If you some of its electrons and the non-metal must receive these extra know me at all, you will find the idea that I electrons. They do this – and this is the part that gets to me – so would attempt to discuss matters scientific both that each can have a complete outer shell. The beauty of give bemusing and amusing. Science and I parted and take. You see what I mean? Call me unhinged, but I find ways many years ago and I, for one, have never looked back. that impulse to be complete, which is hard-wired into the very Actually, our breakup wasn’t completely my fault. I blame the building blocks of matter, deeply moving and spiritual. We, too, two semi-professional hooligans in my class who nearly blew search for completeness. We want to feel whole and stable. We the school up one fine September afternoon and got us banned long to be a part of something bigger than just ourselves. from doing anything interesting for the rest of the year. Instead, In covalent bonding, something a bit different but equally we sat quietly at our desks balancing equations, a process which, interesting happens. This time, our elements in question are if memory serves, involved something weird called ‘moles’. both non-metals and to be able to bond and make new stuff, But now in my day job I find myself back in secondary school they share electrons rather than transfer and receive them. science classes and am surprised to find myself drawn to a Again, the goal is to achieve completeness so they will be subject I thought had given up on me long ago. stable. Sharing – how lovely! Both elements share what they As it turns out, I am more of a scientist have so that each will have what they than I imagined I was. Well, at least in Are we willing to change need. It reminds me that no matter how the sense that I deeply admire the spirit different we are from others, there is and be changed so that always common ground to be recognised, of scientific enquiry: the curiosity that makes scientists wonder why, the careful God can ‘do a new thing’? explored and appreciated. observations they make to find answers We can learn a lot from electrons. (Did to their interesting questions and their I really just say that?) What I mean is scrupulous attention to detail. I am a question-poser, too, this: those incomplete outer shells of electrons, far from being though my questions are admittedly prone to veering off-piste. weak or flawed, actually make the wonderful diversity and “If you were an element in the periodic table, who would you complexity of life possible. This analogy helps me understand be?” is one such question my mind might wander to as I admire and appreciate other people better as I strive to build strong the pleasing arrangement of elements and contemplate their relationships. Can the same idea be useful to us as Christians? various properties. Am I malleable? Brittle? Highly reactive?

Is ‘give and take’ a helpful practice? Is it important to find the Stable? Do I have a shiny appearance? A low boiling point? Do common ground that we all share? Would we be stronger and I bond easily or with difficulty? more stable if we appreciated in a deep and genuine way that Of particular interest to me has been the topic of ionic and we all belong, that we all have a place, just like those neatly covalent bonding, phenomena which have revolutionised my arranged elements in the periodic table. Are we willing to thinking about other people and provided me with a satisfying change and be changed so that God can ‘do a new thing’? metaphor for understanding life. (This is perhaps not the point Typical me – more questions than answers. But in the of learning about chemical bonding, I’ll grant you.) In order meantime, I will muddle on with subjects I have not thought to get everything around us, you see, elements have to join about in years and hope that my curiosity will always lead me to together in different combinations. And here’s the thing: if they ponder new, intriguing questions. want to join together and become a new thing, they have to And, oh yes, before I forget. To the wonderful Miss Howe change. They can’t stay as they are. and all the curious questioners in her Single Award science class Ionic bonding, for anyone who needs a refresher, is what – this one’s for you! happens when a metal and a non-metal join up to form something entirely different – for example, when sodium joins chlorine to form salt. Wow! Even that bit alone is mindblowing. But it gets so much more interesting. In order to become this new thing, the metal must transfer, or give up,

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CHURCH RECORD VACANT CONGREGATIONS, MODERATORS AND CLERKS OF KIRK SESSIONS (Information supplied by Clerks of Presbyteries, Conveners of Assembly Commissions and Councils).

1 LEAVE TO CALL GRANTED

SETTLED STATED SUPPLY APPOINTED

ABBOT’S CROSS: REV. E.J. HYNDMAN: Mr. Gary O’Rourke, 14 Abbeyhill Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0YE.

BALLINDERRY: REV. W.J. HENRY, Minister of Maze

AUGHNACLOY & BALLYMAGRANE: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. N.L. SMYTH: (Aughnacloy) Dr. Cecil Givan, 230 Main Street, Lisnaskea, BT92 0JG. (Ballymagrane) Mr. Murray Robinson, 184 Caledon Road, Aughnacloy, BT69 6JD. BAILIEBOROUGH, FIRST; BAILIEBOROUGH, TRINITY, CORRANEARY & ERVEY: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. D.T.R. EDWARDS: (Bailieborough, First) Mr. Fred Gilmore, Lisgar, Bailieborough.

(Bailieborough, Trinity) Mr. Bert Coote, Kells Road, Bailieborough. (Corraneary) Mr. Eddie Martin, Ardmone, Canningstown, Cootehill. (Ervey) Miss Jean Archibald, Largy, Drumcondrath, Co. Meath.

BALLYGILBERT: REV. J.M. BROWNE: Mr. Alastair Vance, 1a Seahill Road, Holywood, BT18 0DA. BALTEAGH & BOVEVAGH: REV. J.G. JONES: (Balteagh) Mr. William Robinson, 46 Drumaduff Road, Maine South, Limavady, BT49 OPT. (Bovevagh) Mr. Boyd Douglas, 279 Drumrane Road, Dungiven, Co Londonderry, BT47 4NL. BANGOR, HAMILTON ROAD (ASSOCIATE): (Reviewable Tenure - 5 years) REV. T.W.D. JOHNSTON: Mr. Tom Clarke, 85 Churchill Park, Bangor, BT20 5RW. BLACKROCK & BRAY: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. R.H. HOUSTON: (Blackrock) Mrs. Merle White, “Carnalea”, 71 Foxrock Manor, Dublin 8, D18 H2XA. (Bray) Mr. Karsten Lux, 73 Castlegate Apt., Castle Street, Dublin 2, D02 RC83.

BOARDMILLS, TRINITY: REV. S.A. WOODBURN: Mr. Adrian Patterson, 41 Cabra Road, Legacurry, Hillsborough, BT26 6NB. CAVANALECK & AUGHENTAINE: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. W.D. CUPPLES: (Cavanaleck) Dr. Charles McKibbin, Cooneen Old Rectory, 9 Tattenabuddagh Lane, Fivemiletown, BT75 0NW. (Aughentaine) Mr. John McCrory, Screeby Road, Fivemiletown, BT75 0TP. COOKSTOWN, FIRST: REV. D.S. BROWNLOW: Mr. Gordon Black, 21 The Dales, Cookstown, BT80 8TF. CULNADY & SWATRAGH: REV. D.W. LEACH: (Culnady) Mr. Robert Kyle, 75 Culnady Road, Upperlands, BT46 7TN. (Swatragh) Mr. Ivan Bolton, 55 Barnside Road, Swatragh, BT46 5QS. DROMORE, FIRST: REV. R.A. LIDDLE: Mr. Cecil Gamble, 12 Diamond Road, Dromore, BT25 1PQ. DUNDALK: (Home Mission - Reviewable Tenure - 5 years) REV. T.D. HAGAN: Mr. David Redmond, Corderry House, Knockbridge, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

RICHVIEW: (Part-Time (60%); Reviewable Tenure – 5 Years) REV. N.S. HARRISON: Mr. Victor Garland, 25 Abingdon Drive, Belfast, BT12 5PX. SAINTFIELD ROAD: REV. A.E. TOLLAND: Mr. Alistair McCracken, 19 Beaufort Crescent, Belfast, BT8 7UA.

2 LEAVE TO CALL DEFERRED BALLYBLACK: REV. S.A. LITTLE: Mr. Alex Warden, 92 Bowtown Road, Newtownards, BT23 8SL. BELVILLE: REV D.S. HENRY: Mr. Jack Parks, 95 Dromore Road, Hillsborough, BT26 6HU. GORTNESSY: REV. P.E. LINKENS: Mr. Ross Hyndman, 32 Temple Road, Strathfoyle, Londonderry, BT47 6UB.

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BOVEEDY: REV. DR. T.J. McCORMICK, Minister of 1st Kilrea CAHIR: REV. WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, Minister of Fermoy KATESBRIDGE: REV. N.J. KANE, Minister of Magherally KILREA SECOND: REV. S.A. MORROW, Minister of Moneydig TYRONE’S DITCHES: REV. J.K.A. McINTYRE, Minister of Bessbrook

3 DECLARED VACANT ARKLOW: REV. GARY McDOWELL: Mrs. Emily Kearon, Malindi, Sea Road, Arklow.

AGHADOWEY & CROSSGAR: REV. DR. MARK GOUDY: (Aghadowey) Mr. William Knox, 46A Mullaghinch Road, Aghadowey, Coleraine, BT51 4AT. (Crossgar) Mr. William Reid, 87 Broomhill Park, Coleraine, BT51 3AN. ARMOY & RAMOAN: REV. NOEL McCLEAN: (Armoy) Mrs. Ann Campbell, 77B Bregagh Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, BT53 8TP. (Ramoan) Mr. Robert Getty, 23 Carrowcroey Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, BT53 8UH. BALLYCAIRN: REV. ROBERT LOVE: Mr. J.B. Milligan, 19 Glenariff Drive, Dunmurry, BT17 9AZ. BALLYGAWLEY & BALLYREAGH: REV. D.W. REID: (Ballygawley) Mr. Paul Coote, 2 Alexander Drive, Aughnacloy,BT69 6DP. (Ballyreagh) Mr. Trevor McDaniel, 120 Mullaghmore Road, Dungannon, BT70 1RD. BALLYHOBRIDGE, CLONES, NEWBLISS & STONEBRIDGE: REV. C.G. ANDERSON: (Ballyhobridge) Mr. David Jordan, Drumboghamagh, Newtownbutler, BT92 8LL. (Clones) Mr. Tom Elliott, Bellmount, Newtownbutler, BT92 6LT. (Newbliss) Mr. Thomas McConkey, Killyfuddy, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan.

(Stonebridge) Mr. Gerald Mackarel, Roughfort, Clones, Co. Monaghan.

BALLYMONEY, FIRST: REV. K.D.W. CROWE: Mr. Neil Robinson, 15 Kirk Road, Ballymoney, BT53 6PP. BELFAST, ST. ANDREW’S: REV. M.R. BURNSIDE: Mrs. Edith McCallum, 115 Comber Road, Dundonald, BT16 2BT. BELVOIR: REV. B.J. McCROSKERY: Mr. Brian Dunwoody, 19 Drumart Drive, Belfast, BT8 7ET. BURT: REV. JAMES LAMONT: Mr. James Buchanan, Heathfield, Burt, Lifford, Co. Donegal.

CAIRNALBANA & GLENARM: REV. W.F. DICKEY: (Cairnalbana) Mr. B. Alexander, 84 Drumcrow Road, Glenarm, BT44 0DL. (Glenarm) Mr. D. Preston, 42 Rossburn Manor, Connor, BT42 3RB. CAIRNCASTLE: REV. R.I. CARTON: Mr. Cowper Lynas, 2 Croft Heights, Ballygally, Larne, BT40 2QS. CARLISLE ROAD & CROSSROADS: REV. K.H. HIBBERT: (Carlisle Road) Mr. Ivor Ferguson, 24 Riverside Park, Altnagelvin, Londonderry, BT47 3RU. (Crossroads) Mr. Richard Russell, 31 Creevagh Road, Londonderry, BT48 9XB. CARNDONAGH, GREENBANK, MALIN & MOVILLE: REV. DR. DAVID LATIMER: (Carndonagh) Mr. David McKeague, Claggan, Culdaff, Co. Donegal. (Greenbank) Mr. Campbell Armstrong, Whitecastle, Quigley’s Point, Co. Donegal. (Malin) Mrs. Barbara Smyth, Dunross, Culdaff, Co. Donegal. (Moville) Mr. Joseph McNeely, Rock House, Lecamey, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal.

Editor’s Note: Information for this page is supplied by the General Secretary’s Department.

Vacancies for Conveners of Commissions, councils and committees of the General Assembly are online at www.presbyterianireland.org/convenerships CASTLEWELLAN & LEITRIM: REV. N.J. KANE: (Castlewellan) Mr. Desmond Wilson, 44 Ballylough Road, Castlewellan, BT31 9NN. (Leitrim) Mr. Drew Harte, 100 Carrigagh Road, Dromara, BT25 2HR. COAGH, BALLYGONEY & SALTERSLAND: REV. T.W.A. GREER: (Coagh) Mrs. Amy Allingham, 17 Coagh Road, Cookstown, BT80 8RL. (Ballygoney) Ms. Essie Hessin, 10A Ballyloughan Road, Moneymore, Magherafelt, BT45 7YB. (Saltersland) Mr. Matt Hyndman, 4 Brennan Court, Magherafelt, BT45 6AT. CRUMLIN ROAD: VERY REV. DR. T.N. HAMILTON: Mr. James Coleman, 2 Abbeydale Parade, Belfast, BT14 7HJ. DERVOCK REV. R.M. MOODY: Mr. John Surgenor, 82 Toberdoney Road, Dervock, Ballymoney, BT53 8DH. DRUMBANAGHER, FIRST AND JERRETTSPASS & KINGSMILLS: REV. B.D. COLVIN: (Drumbanager, First and Jerrettspass) Mr. George Moffett, 16 Glen Road, Jerrettspass, Newry, BT34 1SP. (Kingsmills) Mr. Raymond McCormick, 119 Kingsmills Road, Bessbrook, Newry, BT35 7BP. GLENDERMOTT: REV. K.A. JONES: Mr. George Walker, 3 Beverley Gardens, Londonderry, BT47 5PJ. INCH: REV. JAMES LAMONT: Mr. James Buchanan, Heathfield, Speenoge, Burt, Co. Donegal, F93 W3K6.

KILBRIDE: REV. D.T. McNEILL: Mr. Alistair Lamont, Church Office, Kilbride Presbyterian Church, 12 Moyra Road, Doagh, Ballyclare, BT39 0SD. KILKENNY: REV. WILLIAM MONTGOMERY: Mr. John Ellis, Annamult, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny.

LISSARA: REV. W.H. HIGGINS: Mr. Matthew Cuffey, 227 Derryboy Road, Crossgar, Downpatrick BT30 9DL. MARKETHILL, FIRST & SECOND: REV. N.J.E. REID: Mr. Ken Toal, 9 Magherydogherty Road, Markethill, BT60 1TX. MAY STREET: REV. GRAEME FOWLES: Mr. Arthur Acheson, 56 Quarry Road, Belfast, BT4 2NQ. MOSSIDE & TOBERDONEY: REV. A.J. BUICK: (Mosside) Mrs. Mabel Morrison, 284 Moyarget Road, Mosside, Ballymoney, BT53 8EH. (Toberdoney) Mr. Hugh Hill, 5 Castle Park, Deffrick, Ballymoney, BT53 8EW. RAMELTON & KILMACRENNAN: REV. C.M. WILSON: (Ramelton) Mr. David Armour, Loughnagin, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. (Kilmacrennan) Mr. Nathaniel Rogers, Gortnavern, Coolboy, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

RYANS & BROOKVALE: REV. F.J. GIBSON: (Ryans) Miss Nora Hamilton, c/o Bronte Fold, Rathfriland, BT34 6LU. (Brookvale) Mr. Norman McCrum, 49 Ballynamagna Road, Rathfriland, Newry, BT34 5PA. WARRENPOINT & ROSTREVOR: REV. S.A. FINLAY: (Warrenpoint) Mr. Denis Brady, 28 Seaview, Warrenpoint, Newry, BT34 3NJ. (Rostrevor) Mr. Terry O’Flynn, 15 Aurora Na Mara, Rostrevor, Newry, BT34 3UP.

TEMPORARY STATED SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT

Clerks of presbytery please note: Only material received by the General Secretary’s Department by the first Friday of the month can be included in the Church Record.

VINECASH: REV. DR. MICHAEL McCLENAHAN: Mr. Thomas Graham, 38 Richmount, Portadown, BT62 4JQ.

THE ELDERSHIP Ordained & Installed: AHOGHILL, FIRST: Gareth Mills, Steven McDowell, Gavin McFarland, Dessie McKay, David Shaw, Ian Small BALLYHOLME: Simon Liggett, Michael White BANGOR, ST. ANDREW’S: Daphne Campbell, Andrew Frazer, Keith Hooks, Les Dick, Mildred Wylie CARLISLE ROAD: Trevor Galbraith, Shirley Hunter, Derek Moore, Stewart Ramsey, Victor Wray CORRICK: Norman Black, James Matthew Burton Installed: AHOGHILL, FIRST: James Turtle BANGOR, ST. ANDREW’S: Stephen Carroll Died: ANAHILT: Rex McClelland BALLYGILBERT: Gordon McKnight, Alistair Crockard BANNSIDE: Alexander Dale CASTLEREAGH: Charlie Magee CREGAGH: Christopher Mee GRANSHAW: John Wilson KILLINCHY: Gracie Morrison LISNABREEN: Ronnie Harper MAGHERA: Henry Martin McQUISTON MEMORIAL: Wilson Graham, Joshua Hamill NEWBLISS: Seymour Crawford RAVENHILL: William Harkness

THE MINISTRY Ordained & Installed: Edwin Thomas Frazer, as Minister of Clogher & Glenhoy, on 30 November 2018 Stuart Neil Hawthorne, as Minister of Waringstown, on 4 January 2019 Alan Scott McQuade, as Minister of First Monaghan & Smithborough, on 16 November 2018 Installed: Robert Ian Abraham, as Minister of First Keady & Armaghbrague, on 14 December 2018 William David Samuel McCullagh, as Minister of Annalong, on 16 November 2018 Inducted: Alan Thomas Frederick Johnston, as Associate in First Holywood, on 6 January 2019 Daniel Reyes Martin, as Minister of Corboy & Mullingar, on 1 December 2018 Resigned: Robert Ian Abraham, as Minister of Lissara, on 13 December 2018 Alan Thomas Frederick Johnston, as Missionary, on 5 January 2019 Daniel Reyes Martin, as Minister of Kilkenny, on 30 November 2018 William David Samuel McCullagh, as Missionary, on 15 November 2018 Died: Rev Robert Harkness, Minister Emeritus of Sinclair Seamen’s, on 2 January 2019 Rev David Cyril Scott, Minister Emeritus of Cremore & Tyrone’s Ditches, on 27 December 2018

DONEGORE, SECOND: REV. JONATHAN BOYD: Mr. Samuel Gawn, 120 Parkgate Road, Kells, Ballymena, BT42 3PQ. KELLS: (Home Mission) REV. DAVID NESBITT: Ms. Ruth McCartney, Shancarnan, Moynalty, Kells, Co Meath.

A82 PF60.

TOBERMORE & DRAPERSTOWN: REV. DR. J.A. CURRY: (Draperstown) Mr. Gordon Dickson Jnr, 7 Strawmore Road, Draperstown, BT45 7JE.

Herald February 2019

49

CLASSIFIEDS Accommodation Northern Ireland VISITING FERMANAGH LAKELANDS? Why not stop off with Cavanaleck PW for morning coffee or high tea? For further information contact Hazel Hopper – 028 89541321 or Margery Smith – 028 89521212.

PORTSTEWART: Five-bedroom semidetached chalet bungalow overlooking sea coastal road. OFCH. Non smokers. WiFi available. Tel: 028 25582525.

ANNALONG: Two-bedroom bungalow sleeps four with extra travel cot on request, level access to the rear of the property extending to large enclosed garden overlooking the sea. OFCH, towels and bed linen provided. Local sites to visit include Silent Valley, Spelga Dam, Cranfield Beach, Carlingford Ferry, the Mourne Mountains and many more, local amenities – within 5 mins’ walk to shops, restaurant and Annalong Harbour. Pet and smoke free home located in Annalong. Contact 028 92689750 / 07747 716978.

PORTSTEWART: Luxury 4-bedroom cottage and 5 bedroom townhouse available June-Sept. Call: 07513 826551, Email: pabloguy50@gmail.com. Facebook: @campbellandcorentalproperties PORTSTEWART: Open Golf Week July, 2019 and NW200 Week May 2019 – 3 bed bungalow available on Swilly Road, family friendly, secure garden and parking. Tel: 07887 945530.

PORTSTEWART: Five-bedroom house for rental high and low season. Enclosed garden, private parking. Tel 07598 719348 after 6pm.

CROSSWORD Solution to no 248

ACROSS 1 Blockbusters 7 Lollipop 8 Side 9 Pat 11 Needles 14 Auk 15 Veg 16 Roars 18 On 19 Seed 21 Richard 24 ER 25 Snorkelling 28 Ail 29 Utah 30 Cheetah

50

DOWN 1 Believer 2 Oblong 3 Kaiser 4 Supper 5 East 6 Sadducees 10 Ass 12 Door 13 Landslide 17 Church 20 Dr 22 Ignite 23 Orient 26 Gash 27 Elim

Herald February 2019

Please note: Adverts must be received in writing (email or post) by the first of the month preceding publication to guarantee inclusion. Adverts received after that date will be published if space permits. Advertising rates can be found on the website – www.presbyterianireland.org/herald – or telephone the Herald office on +44 (0)28 9032 2284 for more information.

PORTSTEWART: Kate’s Place at 10 Aghermore Avenue is an attractive 3-bed bungalow. Family friendly with enclosed rear garden and off-street parking in a quiet cul-de-sac. Available all year round (no smoking, no pets, minimum 2 night stay). Telephone Kate for bookings: 07511 801651.

PORTRUSH HOLIDAY LET: Modern 3-bedroom house, 1 en-suite, WiFi, easy walk to town/West Strand, can send photos Tel. 07769 744816.

To Let Spain HOLIDAY RENTAL: Beautiful 3-terraced, 2-bedroom villa in Torrox Costa, southern Spain. Sleeps 4-6. Fantastic sea views, pool open March-November. Very reasonable rates. Good availability from November 2018 to summer 2019. All proceeds to help local missionaries and youth work. For brochure email juliechitty@hotmail.co.uk or phone 0034 651653838.

HOME IN MADEIRA FOR HOLIDAY RENTAL: Family home with glorious Atlantic Ocean view over secluded garden, 2 double en-suite bedrooms, 5 minute walk to shops and restaurants and bus to nearby Funchal city. View at www. dreamvillasmadeira.com, book via website or phone owners on 028 92689518 or 07818 894546.

Catering MOIRA PRESBYTERIAN WILL cater for groups coming to visit Hillsborough Castle, the forest park, Dobbies, Sprucefield, Lisburn etc. Morning coffee; lunch; afternoon tea; high tea. Contact: Mrs Dorothy Cantley 028 92692454.

LYLEHILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (near Templepatrick) – Our catering team will be delighted to cater for morning coffee, lunch or high tea. Tel Kathleen: 028 94432701 or 07842 193774.

VISITING THE CAUSEWAY COAST AREA? The ladies of Bushmills PW would be pleased to cater for groups. Telephone Doreen Armstrong 028 20741022 or Margaret Picken 028 20731539.

F I R S T BA L LYM O N E Y PW would welcome parties for morning coffee or high tea during the summer. Please contact Mrs M. Murdock – 028 27663622 or Mrs A. Booth – 028 27662757.

ORGANISING AN OUTING? The ladies of Carrowdore and Ballyfrenis would be delighted to cater for your group.

Morning coffee, lunch, high tea or supper.

Convenient to Mountstewart, Ards Peninsula and Ards or Bangor shopping centres. For details contact Lillah Stevenson 028 91861233 or Hester Muckle 028 42788917 / Mobile 07713 029096.

T H E L A D I E S O F AG H A D O W E Y Presbyterian Church would again be willing to cater for groups (minimum 25) visiting the Causeway coast. Choices available: morning coffee, brunch, lunch, speciality afternoon teas, turkey and ham salad buffet.

For full details please contact Mrs Yvonne Black 028 70868014 after 6pm. Proceeds for the church building project.

THE LADIES OF FIRST RANDALSTOWN PW are willing to cater for groups during May and June. Morning coffee or afternoon tea. Convenient to A26 for the North Coast or Antrim Castle Gardens. Contact Nadine 07883 834810 or June 028 94472046.

Wanted CLEAN COPY OF THE ‘TWO-VERSION’ BIBLE, Oxford 1899, INTERLEAVED edition, being the AV text with the RV changes in the margins. Mobile 07796 614838.

Services VIDEO RECORDING – Professional service for church, corporate, charity, interviews, website videos, short stories, appeals, events and weddings. Tel Phil 07531 779502 www.reelimpressions.com

Ross Morrow A.L.C.M., L.T.C.L.

Piano Tuning Services available throughout Ireland

Tel: +44 (0)28 9268 9468 Mobile: 07788 746992

Church AV Specialists

PA systems • Loop systems Projectors & screens • Installation & repairs alan@audiopromotions.co.uk www.audiopromotions.co.uk

07855 450887 IRISH TEMPERANCE LEAGUE

Grants Scheme 2019 The League is a Christian organisation whose core objective is to promote abstinence from alcohol and other dangerous drugs as a healthy lifestyle choice.

The League offers financial assistance by way of grants to voluntary, community and self-help groups that share this objective.

Details of the Scheme are available online and application forms can be completed online at the League’s website www.irishtemperanceleague.com and forms are also available in hard copy on request by email at info@irishtemperanceleague.com Closing date for receipt of applications is 16 March 2019

wishes to appoint a

Finance and Development Assistant The person appointed will ensure the administrative and financial functions of the Society are managed efficiently and effectively, that accurate records are maintained, the needs of clients are met and the Society’s work and profile is promoted, developed and enhanced.

Salary Scale £24,745 to £29,399 Further details of this permanent post, including job description, person specification and application form are available on the Society’s website: www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org Closing date for applications – 12 noon on Friday 15 February 2019 The Presbyterian Children’s Society is an equal opportunities employer.

Leaking flat roof?

Second Comber Presbyterian Church

Upgrade to a new

Festival of Praise Banners

Warm Rubber Roof

Killinchy Street, Comber BT23 5AP

“We will lift up our banners in the name of our God.” Psalm 20:5 A display of banners depicting the seasonal life of the church, interpreted in textiles using patchwork and embroidery techniques.

There will be an opening service on Friday 17 May 2019 at 7.30pm followed by light refreshments.

All welcome.

Save money on heating bills and add comfort to your home Supply & Fit Service Also D I Y Kits

Haire Bros Ltd 028 7034 2696

www.hairebros.co.uk

Opening Times Saturdays from 18 May to 8 June, from 11am until 4.30pm.

Sundays from 19 May to 9 June, from 2pm until 4.30pm.

For weekday group bookings during the period Monday 20 May to Friday 7 June phone Eleanor: (028) 9187 8382.

Light refreshments will be available during the festival.

Donations welcome for church building fund, and mission outreach.

Integrators of:

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Every Church is unique and we provide the right solution for you.

We visit with you and discuss your exact requirements and then provide a clear and itemised solution. Please feel free to contact us for a chat.

Duneane Presbyterian Church

Salvation Army - Portadown

St Andrews Presbyterian Church

Dervock Presbyterian Church

Abbots Cross Presbyterian Church

Magherlin Parish Church

57 Drum Road Cookstown BT80 8QS Tel: 028 8676 4059 www.reasound.com Contact : Roger McMullan

High Kirk Presbyterian Church