JUNE 2023
Faith in the
fair city
A PLACE OF SANCTUARY CONTROVERSIAL, YET INFLUENTIAL Welcome and hospitality in Tullamore The story of Gilbert Tennent
THE PAIN OF INFERTILITY One couple’s story
Church and Faith Insurance The TL Dallas team in Belfast has over 100 years collective experience in designing and arranging bespoke insurance products for the Faith sector. Leveraging their experience, our Belfast team designed a facility for the Faith sector, which is now in its sixth year, and with the backing of Aviva, now covers over 200 churches. We also have access to Home Insurance policies for Ministers, including unique features, geared at protecting Ministers assets and responsibilities.
Get together, have fun and help beat poverty. The Big Quiz Night is back! Invite friends, family and church together for an all-age evening of fun – all in the name of an amazing cause.
Flexibility is at the heart of the facility, which we’ve seen many Clients benefit from, with significant premium savings and the comfort of extensive cover.
Saturday 7 October at a church near you. Visit tearfund.org/niquiz to find out more.
Get in touch today to learn more or for a no obligation quote.
Visit www.tldallas.com Call 02890 380 980 Email gary.proctor@tldallas.com TL Dallas (NI) Ltd is an appointed representative of TL Dallas & Co Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Dallas House, Low Moor, Bradford, BD12 0HF. Registered in England No. 645405.
+44 (0)28 9073 0060 /TearfundNI
ni@tearfund.org
Registered office: Tearfund, 100 Church Road, Teddington, TW11 8QE. Registered in England: 994339. A company limited by guarantee. Registered Charity No. 265464 (England & Wales) Registered Charity No. SC037624 (Scotland) 00848-(0523)
Big Quiz Night 2023 NI press ads_86x126mm_AW.indd 1
27/04/2023 12:02
JOIN US THIS SUMMER 8 -1
4 J ULY 2 0 2 3
Jonathan Thomas
Andrew Ollerton
Gilbert Lennox
CONTENTS | JUNE 2023
FEATURES 14 A place of sanctuary
Welcome and hospitality in Tullamore
16 Controversial, yet influential The story of Gilbert Tennent
18 Confident in Christ
Interview with Moderator-Designate Dr Sam Mawhinney
32 The pain of infertility
The story of one Presbyterian couple
35 The Father’s heart
Heather Thompson discusses her new book
38 Providing holistic care
Supporting health care workers and families in their caring roles A place of sanctuary p14
REGULARS 4 6 8 9 11 12 13 23 31 40 42 47
Letters News In this month My story As I see it Life lessons David Clarke Mission Connect Norman Hamilton Reviews Life in PCI Ruth Sanderson
The pain of infertility p32
Providing holistic care p38
CONTRIBUTORS Kevin Hargaden is an elder in Lucan Presbyterian Church. He is a theologian whose work focuses on Christian ethics. His most recent book is called Parish as Oasis.
Deborah Sloan is a member of Orangefield. She has four teenage daughters and has recently left a career in academia to pursue her lifelong dream of being a writer.
Rev Dr Martyn Cowan is Lecturer in Historical Theology at Union Theological College and has been on the faculty there since 2016.
Ruth Sanderson lives in Scotland with her husband and two daughters. She is a freelance radio/television presenter and producer.
Cover photo: Jamie Trimble June 2023 No. 849 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
Editor: Sarah Harding
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 Subscriptions and Advertising: articles do not necessarily contain the official views of the Church, which can only be laid down only by the General Assembly. Acceptance of advertisements Edward Connolly; Hazel Gilliland does not imply endorsement of the goods or services. Advertising will not be Design and Layout: included if the product or service is deemed to be in conflict with the Church’s Edward Connolly official views, or if it is inappropriate for a church magazine. It is not Herald policy Printing: to include any editorial content along with adverts. The editor reserves the right W & G Baird Ltd to decline any advertisement or letter without assigning any reason. Letters may be edited for publication. No correspondence can be entered into regarding nonpublication of advertisements or letters.
FSC LOGO
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is a registered charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104483); registered charity in Republic of Ireland (20015695).
Herald June 2023
3