MARCH 2024
CARING IN GOD’S WORLD
Amelie Gray wins the Moderator’s art competition
GO MAKE DISCIPLES…
FAILURES OR EXAMPLES?
Equipping young people for ministry Challenging our attitudes to poverty
You share We ship To hungry Christians around the world
Why does Barnabas pay to ship out food rather than buying produce in the receiving countries? Barnabas Aid runs many food aid projects where financial support is sent to project partners so that they can buy food locally and distribute it. But food.gives works by transporting food aid from Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the United States and other “sending” countries to needy Christians in lands of poverty and food scarcity. Why the difference? In some countries food shortages – often the result of crop failures caused by droughts or other natural disasters – are so severe that even if Barnabas sent money, there is no food to buy. In others, food can simply be so expensive and inflation so rampant that food.gives is by far the most effective way of helping our Christian family.
What you can send CHICKPEAS
RICE
SALT
LENTILS
SUGAR
OTHER PULSES
Furthermore, international sanctions can prevent the sending of money to some parts of the world – but it is still possible to send food. Transporting food through food.gives makes sound financial sense, and often results in huge savings. For example, a 40-foot container of dehydrated soup mix carries one million servings. This works out at just half a penny per serving! A combination of direct aid through food.gives and funding sent through other Barnabas Aid feeding programmes ensures that we can continue to provide food for hungry Christians in many lands of poverty and persecution.
To get involved scan the QR code or visit www.food.gives/get-involved
123c Front Road Drumbo Lisburn BT27 5JY Please send post to our UK office address. Telephone 02891 455246 Email ireland@barnabasaid.org UK Office Unit 23, Ash Industrial Estate, Kembrey Park, Swindon Telephone 01793 744557 Email info@barnabasaid.org Registered charity number 1092935 Company registered in England number 04029536
CONTENTS | MARCH 2024
FEATURES
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Weak made strong
PCI’s Mission in Ireland evenings
12 A vision trip for ministers Opportunity with Wycliffe in 2025
14 Tackling a spirit of Babel
How the Bible relates to and speaks to life today
16 When the saints go marching in…together
Greystones Presbyterian celebrates St Patrick’s Day
18 Our Easter hope
Moderator’s Easter reflection
20 Age of opportunity
Ministry and evangelism among older people
31 Egypt: The forgotten church
When the saints go marching in…together p16
PCI’s recent conference with Dr Anne Zaki
34 Kenya revisited
Celebrating 40 years of Theological Education by Extension (TEE)
36 Understanding forgiveness Dealing with hurt and pain caused by others
38 Presbyterians in Pennsylvania
Tracing Ulster roots from Donegal Presbyterian in the States
Editorial News In this month My story Jonny Frazer Life lessons Mission Connect Reviews Life in PCI Ruth Sanderson
Cover illustration: Barry Falls March 2024 No. 856 £2.20/€2.60 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
Kenya revisited p34
CONTRIBUTORS
REGULARS
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Egypt: The forgotten church p31
Ken McFarland is an elder in Mountjoy Presbyterian Church, Co Tyrone. Having retired from the police force, he now volunteers with Faith Mission Bookshops.
Suzanne Hamilton is Senior Administrative Assistant for the Herald. She attends St Andrew’s Presbyterian in Bangor, is married to Steven and mum to twin boys.
Alex Drew leads Faith in Later Life, a ministry which exists to inspire and equip Christians to reach, serve and empower older people in every community, through the local church.
Billy Kennedy is a senior News Letter journalist and a member of Tandragee Presbyterian Church.
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.
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The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is a registered charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104483); registered charity in Republic of Ireland (20015695).
Herald March 2024
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