Presbyterian Herald November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

Making better AFTER THE FLOOD Resilience in Faughanvale

memories

A JOURNEY OF REMEMBRANCE 100 years since the end of WW1

HOSPITALITY AND HOPE Moderator’s trip to Jordan

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20/04/2016 21:49

CONTENTS | NOVEMBER 2018

FEATURES 16 A journey of remembrance 100 years since the end of WW1

18 After the flood

Resilience in Faughanvale

20 Mobilising congregational prayer New resources and ideas

31 Hospitality and hope Moderator’s trip to Jordan

34 Squaring up to the past PCI’s response to the Troubles

36 Bible, church and same-sex attraction Reflection from Stephen Williams

A journey of remembrance p16

REGULARS 4 5 8 9 13 14 23 38 40 41 44 45

Letters News In this month…

As I see it Life lessons My story Mission Connect Reviews Arthur Clarke Life in PCI Crossword Betsy Cameron

Hospitality and hope p31

CONTRIBUTORS Professor Stephen Williams is emeritus professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological College and honorary professor of Theology at Queen’s University.

Suzanne Hamilton is senior communications assistant for the Herald.

She attends Ballyholme Presbyterian in Bangor, is married to Steven and has

Rev Mark Donald is minister of First Garvagh Presbyterian Church and chaplain to Second Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (Reserves).

Rev Tony Davidson is minister of First Armagh Presbyterian and a member of PCI’s Dealing with the Past task group.

twin boys.

Cover photo: Jamie Trimble November 2018 No. 816 £1.00 (€1.20) 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

Bible, church and same-sex attraction p36

Editor: Sarah Harding Subscriptions and Advertising: Lisa Skinner; Suzanne Hamilton; Philip Alcorn 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).

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EDITORIAL

LETTERS South Sudan

Memories

Memories are strange things. They are so uniquely personal to us, regardless of whether they are viewed through a lens with rose-tinted hues, treasured and savoured; or they paint a bleak and colourless picture, desperate to be forgotten but still clinging on to our consciousness. Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Memories are a key, not to the past, but to the future.” No matter what form memories take, they are important for teaching and shaping us.

2018 marks two significant anniversaries that, for many, will represent painful memories: 100 years since the end of the First World War and 50 years since the beginning of the Troubles. In this edition, Rev Mark Donald and Major Ian Kyle give their reflections on a recent trip to the First World War battlefields, where a Presbyterian delegation paid tribute to the Presbyterian soldiers and chaplains who died there.

Mr Donald acknowledges, “Something very basic in our humanity is lost if we fail to remember.”

In looking back at the atrocities of the Troubles, PCI, at the 2016 General Assembly, asked the question of how we, as a denomination, should respond. Rev Tony Davidson explains how part of that question is being answered through the publication of a PCI-commissioned book. Due to be published in 2019, it will reflect the voices and experiences of 100 Presbyterians on the past. He says, “…our Church has courageously decided to transparently allow others to critically assess our witness.”

This month we also highlight two, more recent, stories involving painful memories. In Faughanvale Presbyterian Church, Co Londonderry, Suzanne Hamilton meets members who were flooded out of their homes a year ago.

Local churches rallied around those affected and have continued their support, most recently by holding a family fun day.

Further afield, Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, reports on his trip to Jordan where he and wife Barbara heard harrowing stories from refugees. He explains how one mother was “so traumatised after a bruising physical and psychological encounter with ISIS that she still cannot talk about her horrendous experiences.”

It is possible for memories, even awful ones, to be transformed when viewed through a lens of faith. As Rev Lindsay Blair, minister of Faughanvale Presbyterian, says, “… through all the suffering and pain that people have been through, hope is to be found in the Lord and his good news to us in Jesus Christ.”

During this remembrance season, as we look back to the past, let us try and view it all through the lens of Jesus; trusting in his faithfulness and resting in his love.

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Herald November 2018

Dear Editor I write in response to a letter in the last edition asking what PCI is doing to save lives in South Sudan, where a devastating civil war has resulted in prolonged food crisis and around 4.5 million people becoming either internally displaced or refugees, many dependent on aid.

PCI has partnered with the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS) since the 1980s, with support focusing on training. During this and next year we have pledged grants for ministers, evangelists, and grassroots leaders to be trained in theology, peace-building and agriculture.

In response to food crises in recent years, PCI’s Moderator’s South Sudan Appeal in 2014 raised £340,000 for the work of Tearfund, Christian Aid and the development wing of PCOSS – the Presbyterian Relief and Development Agency (PRDA).

PRDA used funds to provide emergency relief in areas including Malakal, Fangak and Kodok.

PCI also raised £613,000 for the Moderator’s East Africa Appeal in 2017 and over £200,000 of this was sent to PRDA to help people in war-affected areas. Funding is distributed to relieve the suffering of anyone in need, although Presbyterians comprise about 50% of those benefiting.

We give thanks to God that a peace agreement was signed in August and encourage prayer for peace to hold, for those in need to get assistance to rebuild homes and livelihoods and for the church to flourish.

South Sudan has featured regularly in PCI’s weekly prayer bulletins, with updates profiled at ‘Africa in focus’ events. Staff are in regular contact with Sudanese church leadership, and have welcomed Rev Peter Gai Lual (Moderator PCOSS) to our General Assembly

in 2014 and 2018, when he expressed deep appreciation for the generous practical and prayerful support of Irish Presbyterians. Long may that support continue!

Rev Uel Marrs Secretary, PCI Council for Global Mission

Support for Arklow

Dear Editor Your article by Philip Whelton about Arklow holiday Bible club was, for me, very reflective.

For the last 15 years, I have been a leader, amongst about 70 others.

We who go as leaders are always mindful of how God puts this on our hearts. We are many people of varied backgrounds and locations, returning year on year with one purpose: to share the light and love of our creator God and his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to so many receptive, noisy, playful children who come from multidenominational and secular homes. So lovely too, to see young helpers and leaders, who came to the club as children, now growing older and trusted with responsibilities.

Leaders often ponder what it is about Arklow’s holiday Bible club. Is it the fun? The fellowship? The enrichment?

It certainly helps satisfy my lifelong heart for children’s ministry as a long-standing Sunday school teacher.

All of these, yes, but most importantly, to see the Lord glorified and lifted high, his word biblically adhered to, with the Holy Spirit underpinning it all. For us, daily leaders’ prayer time is equally important.

So Philip, as the Lord continues to lead you to teenagers and children who need someone honest, stable and trustworthy in their lives, I pray that he will strengthen you with the riches of his grace, as you invest in these young lives.

Name and address supplied

IN THE ROUND | NEWS Moderator launches Indonesia appeal Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, has launched a special appeal for Indonesia, where tens of thousands of people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance following the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami.

In anticipation of a generous response from congregations, the Church has released £60,000/€67,800 to be distributed to its relief and development partners, Christian Aid and Tearfund. Both organisations are already working through their partners on the ground to get food, shelter and medical help to those in need. A third will also go to PCI’s partner organisation, the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (CCI), which is also working on the ground.

Dr McMullen said, “Over recent days we have witnessed many distressing scenes from the Sulawesi area of Indonesia, where around 1.5 million people have been affected by this powerful earthquake and tsunami. With more than 1,400 people confirmed to have lost their lives in the disaster, rescuers are predicting that the death toll will rise significantly in the coming days.”

Dr McMullen continued, “Given the scale of this disaster, I am calling on Presbyterian members and congregations to respond in a generous and timely way, just as they have on many previous occasions, so we can play our part in saving lives and restoring hope to the many who face this catastrophic situation.”

Dr McMullen concluded by saying, “I also encourage members of our congregations to pray earnestly for those who are experiencing such unimaginable hardship, loss and suffering at this time. As they attempt not only to rebuild their homes, communities and livelihoods, but deal with the trauma of what has happened, please pray and give generously.”

To donate to the appeal please go to www.presbyterianireland.org/appeals

PCI publishes legacy submission The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has published its response to the Secretary of State’s legacy public consultation ‘Addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past’.

In its 2,800-word submission, the Church calls out both the deficiencies it sees in the current arrangements and also the limitations of the institutions set out in the consultation paper.

At the same time, it proposes revisions of the proposals in the consultation to enable them to be a means of improving the current arrangements, as the Church believes the status quo is not acceptable and a new approach is needed.

It also warns that a rejection of the proposals will likely set Rev Tony Davidson the issue back for many years – if not forever – adding even more past is deficient and that the distress to victims and survivors.

Secretary of State’s proposals are The Church states clearly not currently acceptable and need that there was never any moral considerable change. Given that, justification for the illegal taking we believe that the proposed up of arms by paramilitary broad framework does represent organisations. It goes on to say an opportunity to find an agreed that history cannot be rewritten in an attempt to portray as legitimate and acceptable process which could command cross-community what was morally wrong and support. totally unjustified.

“We hope and pray that being Rev Tony Davidson, minister able to address the past effectively of First Armagh Presbyterian will enable us all, as we say in our Church and a member of the submission, ‘to reimagine and group that worked on PCI’s create a better future based on submission, said, “We have already a more reconciled community at said publically that the status peace with each other’.” quo in relation to dealing with the legacy of Northern Ireland’s

Doctors seek protection A group of GPs in the Republic have met with TDs and Senators to seek freedom of conscience protections under new abortion law.

The doctors say abortion provision is being imposed on general practice without prior consultation, and freedom of conscience is not protected under the proposed legislation.

Dr Kirsten Fuller told the meeting that “doctors in this country have always been trained to care for pregnant women and their unborn babies. The referendum is now over and it is critical that the law respects the views of doctors who choose to continue to treat both patients with care and compassion. Forcing a doctor to make a referral for an abortion against their conscience is simply wrong.”

The doctors stressed that, based on online surveys of registered GPs, the overwhelming majority of GPs will not get involved in prescribing abortion and that respecting the conscience rights of GPs is of paramount importance.

The abortion bill has been described as unjust and inhumane by the Pro Life Campaign. Commenting ahead of a recent debate in the Dail, Eilís Mulroy, of the Pro Life Campaign, said, “The government has painted a very benign and sanitised picture of what’s contained in its abortion bill.

The reality however is chillingly different.

“The bill being introduced to the Oireachtas today is by far and away the most unjust and inhumane bill ever to come before the Dail.”

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NEWS | IN THE ROUND Moderator on tour The Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, has completed his first official tour of one of the Church’s 19 presbyteries – Templepatrick.

Speaking ahead of the tour, Dr McMullen said, “Barbara and I are very much looking forward to this week as it will enable us to experience the life and witness of our churches and brothers and sisters in Christ at first hand. It will also be an opportunity to encourage colleagues and their families, which I am very keen to do.”

Made up of 20 congregations, which includes over 10,700 members, Templepatrick Presbytery takes in the towns of Antrim, Crumlin, Randalstown and Templepatrick itself and lies to the north and eastern shores of Lough Neagh.

It was a busy week for the Moderator. As well as speaking at services in Muckamore Presbyterian, OC Randalstown, Greystone Road Presbyterian and First Randalstown, Dr McMullen visited some of the key industries and public services in the area. These included Antrim Area Hospital, Belfast International Airport, Randox Science Park, Greenmount College and the Police Service in Antrim.

Education was also on the agenda with visits to Riverside Special School in Antrim and the integrated primary school and college in Crumlin. Dr McMullen also paid a courtesy visit to the mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

Church leaders support ScamwiseNI campaign

PSNI Temporary Chief Superintendent Simon Walls with the Church leaders: Rev Brian Anderson (Irish Council of Churches President); Archbishop Eamon Martin (Catholic Church); Archbishop Richard Clarke (Church of Ireland); Dr Charles McMullen (Presbyterian Moderator); and Rev Billy Davison (Methodist President).

Having met with the PSNI earlier this year to hear about the impact of scams on people across the whole community, the leaders of the main Churches in Ireland have endorsed the ScamwiseNI Partnership’s campaign and key message: ‘If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam’.

Scams target people of all ages, backgrounds and income levels and the PSNI’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU) has seen the devastating effects that this type of crime can have on people and their families. The Scamwise Partnership advises that one of the best ways to fight scammers is to take steps to prevent being caught out in the first place, using a simple four-step scam test: you’re being scammed if something seems too good to be true; you’re contacted out of the blue; you’re asked for personal details; and money is requested.

Moderator leads VC commemoration service Dr Charles McMullen visited Greystone Road Presbyterian Church during his tour of the Templepatrick Presbytery, to hear about the work of the Antrim Christians Against Poverty (CAP) debt centre which is based in the church. The centre is also supported by First Antrim and Ballyclare Presbyterian churches.

Pictured with the Moderator are Robert Jones, Irene Kilpatrick (debt centre manager) and Angus Cuthbert (debt coach).

PCI welcomes Supreme Court ruling on Ashers A spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said, “In reversing the Appeal Court’s 2016 decision against Ashers Baking Company, the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court has made clear that business owners can in conscience refuse to promote messages that run contrary to their personal beliefs. For businesspeople and private citizens alike, people of faith and no faith at all who want to live in a genuinely pluralist society, today’s landmark decision should be welcomed.

“We believe that the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court is an important milestone in helping to strike a proper and much-needed balance in law between the legitimate expression of conscience in all aspects of society and protection from unjust discrimination.”

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Herald November 2018

Whilst official centenary commemorations of the ending for the First World War will take place this month, a special service was held at the end of September to honour the 40-plus Irishmen who received the Victoria Cross for acts of valour between 1914 and 1918. PCI Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, led the service and gave the sermon.

Organised by the Northern Ireland First World War Centenary Committee, the service was attended by the families of the VC holders, veterans’ groups, members of the armed services, forces chaplains, government and political representatives, including An Tánaiste Simon Coveney TD. Speaking about the service, which took place in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, Dr McMullen said, “The scale of and horror of what took place in those four years is well documented and can only deepen our respect for those who went from these shores voluntarily, including my two great uncles who didn’t return, and those who won the highest award for their courage, the Victoria Cross.”

Upwards of 24,000 Irish Presbyterians fought during the First World War. Forty-one ministers served as chaplains – some were decorated for their bravery, while a number paid the ultimate sacrifice. One Presbyterian private, William McFadzean, was killed on the eve of the Battle of the Somme when he threw himself on a box of grenades to save the lives of his colleagues. He received the Victoria Cross for his selfless act.

An act of remembrance also took place, which involved a two-minute silence and the laying of wreaths.

IN THE ROUND | NEWS Moderator honours fallen police officers PCI Moderator Dr Charles McMullen honoured the courage and sacrifice of police officers around the United Kingdom at the annual National Police Memorial Day, which was held at the Belfast Waterfront Hall.

UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley joined serving and retired police officers of all ranks and family members of those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Civic representatives were also present, including Ireland’s top police officers, PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton and Commissioner of An Garda Síochána Drew Harris.

Candles were lit during the service by relatives of police officers from Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales who were killed in the line of duty over the years. The names of officers killed in the last 12 months were also read out.

IN BRIEF Volunteers sought PCI is looking for new volunteers to serve on the General Assembly’s councils and committees. Contact your minister or clerk of presbytery if you would like to offer to serve in this way. Registration of your interest can be online or on paper.

Historical Society

New colours presented PCI Moderator Dr Charles McMullen attended a ceremony in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter where new colours were presented to the Royal Irish Regiment. Pictured are: Rev Ivan Linton (chaplain, First Battalion), Dr David Coulter (Army Chaplain General), Dr McMullen and Rev Mark Donald (chaplain, Second Battalion).

Armistice centenary to be marked in the Republic The Royal British Legion in the Republic of Ireland is marking the centenary of the Armistice with three public commemorative events in Dublin.

A wreath laying ceremony will take place at the Irish National War Memorial on the morning of 11 November, followed by a service of remembrance at St Patrick’s. The final event is a ceremony of lights at Grangegorman Military Cemetery.

Church and political leaders meet Assembly Buildings was the venue for a meeting between the leaders of Ireland’s main Churches and representatives of the five main political parties recently.

The Belfast meeting was an opportunity for the Church leaders to discuss their concerns over the absence of devolved government in Northern Ireland, and to explore ways in which they as Church

leaders might be of assistance to political representatives in facing the challenges that lie ahead.

The Church leaders said, “In times of increasing global uncertainty, local leadership is vital to protect employment and essential public services, to give our communities – and especially our young people – a sense of confidence about the future.”

There was a wide-ranging

conversation around the need to restore public confidence in the political process and institutions.

Major themes arising from the meeting included the importance of relationships and trust. Leaders reflected on the need to create the space to allow for more constructive public discourse and for new relationships of trust to develop.

The disappearance of George Mathews is the subject of November’s Presbyterian Historical Society talk.

The speaker, John Larkin, Attorney General for Northern Ireland, will examine legal cases involving Presbyterian churches and charities in the mid 19th century of which George Mathews was the prime mover.

A close associate of Dr Henry Cooke and a skilled writer, Mathews was also an ambitious fraudster who used the legal system to advance his interests.

The talk takes place in Fisherwick Presbyterian Church in Belfast on Thursday 22 November, starting at 8pm.

Tortured for Christ

Release International is offering a free DVD pack to churches to show the film Tortured for Christ.

Tortured for Christ is the story of Richard Wurmbrand, an atheist Jew who encountered Jesus and became a Christian pastor in Romania. His life was so radically transformed that he endured years of torture, rather than renounce his faith.

Wurmbrand began a ministry to move believers around the world to support persecuted Christians that grew into Release International.

To get your free pack, simply email Release on info@releaseinternational.org or call them on 01689 823491 and let them know how many guests you intend to invite.

Herald November 2018

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IN THIS MONTH...

November 2004

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

Heavens above

Hurricane Ivan was just one of several major hurricanes to sweep across the Caribbean and southern USA this summer. Each one devastated whatever lay in its path, and the media dutifully followed their ‘progress’ in turn. Of course, the media are fickle friends, and soon lose interest once the winds die down and the floodwaters recede. But the devastation remains.

The business of sweeping the remains of your house, school and church into the local dump is heartbreaking, but usually goes unrecorded...

The recovery programme is, of course, slow. Initially, just about everyone has to attend to his or her home…Next, the roads have to be reopened…

The United Church not only owns and operates many pre-school nurseries and primary schools, but also large secondary and grammar schools…Many of these schools have become victims of the hurricanes’ assaults too; particularly sad is the loss of computer suites, where PCs and printers were so lovingly accumulated over the years. Repairs on this scale are, of course, beyond local congregations and even the central administration of the Church, and there is little help from the government, which is already overwhelmed with massive demands on its very limited funds.

Finally, having worked on your own home, helped open the roads, wept at the state of your children’s school and suffered a bout of sickness, you are able to go to church. Standing inside your church building you can look up and see the heavens above.

No matter how hard you tried to make your church roof secure, there was always some little weakness identified by the wind… The wind and floods that followed were so severe that some churches have been totally demolished…

Surprisingly, after such devastation there is no bitterness or defeatism among church members. Instead there is a spirit of thankfulness, that there is still a God in the heavens above…

Some things never change Editorial comment by Rev Arthur Clarke

…Ninety years since the start of that history-changing confrontation, wars and rumours of wars are still with us along with the undefeatable goodwill of quiet people. And what can ordinary people do about great issues in these days of remembrance?

We must appreciate that our liberties have been dearly bought.

Among us there are the grief-stricken from communal terrorism and internecine violence and their stories deserve to be heard again and again.

Personal integrity, honest toil, simple joys and wholesome relationships and neighbour-loving evangelical piety are society’s abiding values.

The new Irish Presbyterian Hymnbook was launched in the Republic at a service held in Adelaide Road Church.

New building for Sunnyside House

Moderator Dr Ken Newell officially laid the foundation stone of the new building for Sunnyside House, a home for older people in Bangor on 15 October.

Speaking at the event, Dr Newell called on the community to unite in condemning all attacks on elderly people and join in taking practical steps to make their lives and homes more secure…

Also from November ’04 8

Herald November 2018

Vertigo by U2 is number one

PLO leader Yasser Arafat dies

George W. Bush is re-elected as US president

AS I SEE IT...

Why we should get involved in community farming Jonny Hanson

A

ll over the world, Christians and churches are several years of prayer, planning and consultation, we define rediscovering their mandate to care for creation. creation care as “environmental and agricultural stewardship Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the subject Laudato si has that incorporates flourishing and fairness, welfare and reverberated around the planet, from shanty towns wellbeing”. In seeking to implement this holistic vision, our to corridors of power. In a similar vein, the World Evangelical mission is to practice and promote care farming, communityAlliance is establishing a sustainability centre in Bonn, supported agriculture (CSA), and conservation education and Germany. engagement.

All over Ireland, too, Christians and churches are For the first six months of 2018, we were able to use a rediscovering their mandate to care for creation. The Church temporary site in the Co Antrim port town of Larne. In that of Ireland recently voted overwhelmingly to divest its pension short space of time we achieved a great deal of exciting things. fund from fossil fuel investments and so help tackle the causes Over 100 volunteers attended one of our monthly community of climate change. Likewise, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland volunteer days. Almost 100 primary school-age children has just accepted a report from its Stewardship of Creation attended one of our curriculum-based nature education classes.

Panel, adopting creation care as an official position of the There were 24 families who purchased a subscription to our pig denomination. club and received a quarter pig’s worth This concern for the world around us is God uses creation to care of free-range pork in return. And at our no mere passing fad or fancy. Rather, it is a Bioblitz Festival of Science and Nature return to the original stewardship mandate for us as much as he uses in June, we welcomed more than 400 of Genesis 1 and 2, where humankind was us to care for creation. members of the public to participate in a given the privilege and responsibility of 24-hour programme of walks, talks and looking after the rest of God’s creation, on activities, with traditional music and a God’s terms. The rest of the biblical narrative also reminds us free-range hog roast thrown in for good measure. that creation care matters to God, and therefore matters to the Now, we’re raising £300,000 to purchase a small farm outside outlook and mission of God’s people. In Leviticus 25 we see a Larne, where we can bring our ambitious plans for Jubilee Farm society where the wellbeing of families and the wellbeing of the to fruition, with organic pigs, poultry, goats and vegetables, plus land were inextricably linked, and where the economic system an internship programme, and even ‘glamping’ in due course. existed to serve this end, rather than exploit it. In Colossians 1, Already, we’ve raised £165,000 from existing supporters to we’re reminded of the pre-eminent role of Christ’s resurrection purchase the farmhouse. Now, we need to raise £135,000 to in restoring relationships, including with the non-human buy the 13.5 acres of land, as well as polytunnels and other creation, “making peace by the blood of his cross” (v23). equipment by Christmas. As a Community Benefit Society – a The latest scientific evidence complements these age-old form of cooperative social enterprise – we’re raising this money revealed truths, detailing how God uses creation to care for us via a community share offer, making this the first communityas much as he uses us to care for creation. Physical ecosystem owned farm in Northern Ireland. Launched in Belfast on 20 services, like pollination, water filtration and the climate, sustain October, the minimum investment in the project starts from us; without them, human life and activity could not survive on only £50, making it the perfect Christmas present. this planet. Cultural ecosystem services, like tasty food, beautiful All over the world and all over Ireland, Christians and scenery and beloved pets, delight and inspire us; without them, churches are rediscovering their mandate to care for creation. human life would not thrive on this planet, and our innate need Please consider joining us in putting this mandate into practice for pleasure, beauty and companionship would not be fully at Jubilee Farm. To find out more about Jubilee’s community realised. share offer please go to www.jubilee.coop/shareoffer In light of all of this, we at Jubilee exist to work with Christians and churches in Ireland and beyond to care for Dr Jonny Hanson is managing director and secretary of Jubliee creation together, to the glory of God. We also work with local Community Benefit Society. communities to achieve this goal, including with people of differing backgrounds and beliefs. Established in 2017 after

Herald November 2018

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NEWS | PCI

News River House wins again For the second year in a row, River House – PCI’s residential home for older people in Newcastle, County Down – has won first place for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust region at the Northern Ireland Amenity Council’s Best Kept Health and Social Care Facility Awards.

The annual Amenity Council awards recognise the staff and residents of healthcare facilities who showcase their dedication and pride in their workplace or residential care homes by improving their surroundings.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Linda Wray, PCI’s Residential and Supported Services Manager, said, “The Council for Social Witness, our residents and staff in River House are delighted with this award, especially as it comes as we look forward to celebrating our 30th anniversary later this year.

River House is one of five residential care homes for older people run by the Church. The purpose-built home opened in 1988 and offers care and support in a Christian environment for 29 residents and enjoys a quiet coastal setting between the sea and the Mourne Mountains.

The River House gardens are enjoyed by residents, their families and staff all year round with an additional feature introduced this year – chickens. The two birds, named Ruby and Penny, arrived in July and live in the garden.

“The chickens have been a great addition to the River House community as they have an intrinsic therapeutic value. The residents, supported by the staff, look after them which encourages increased

Stitches in time

PCI’s River House Residential Care Home was voted the best kept health and social care facility in the South Eastern Health and Social Care region in this year’s Northern Ireland Amenity Council awards. Pictured at the presentation are: Rev Nigel Reid (convener of the Older People Services Committee), Hazel Dawson (River House activities coordinator), Mike Powell (handyperson), Jackie Campbell (resident), Stephanie Moore-Archer (acting home manager), Molly Montgomery (resident) and Linda Wray (CSW Residential and Supported Services Manager).

mobility and activity,” Mrs Wray said.

Two other PCI residential care homes, Trinity House in Garvagh and Corkey House in Belfast, were both highly commended at the awards.

2018 Recognition Awards

Care home and support managers, along with PCI staff, launching the 2018 Recognition Awards at Assembly Buildings in Belfast.

Rev Dr Bill Shaw, Director of 174 Trust, and PCI Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, pictured with Patricia McAuley as she unveiled a stunning piece of art ‘Stitches in Time’, which commemorates the life of Duncairn Presbyterian Church (1862-1994). The ceremony coincided with Good Relations Week and the International Day of Peace.

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Herald November 2018

Do you know someone, or a team of people, who are making an absolutely outstanding contribution in the area of social witness?

Well, if you do, now is the time to celebrate their contribution to the life of PCI and the community in the 2018 Recognition Awards.

To honour the contributions made by staff and volunteers in our churches, PCI’s homes and support units, the Council for Social Witness (CSW) has launched its third Recognition Awards and is asking for nominations for outstanding individuals, or teams, as they reach out to others in a practical way.

Encouraging people to nominate, Lindsay Conway, CSW Secretary said, “Our Church has hundreds of ‘unsung heroes’ – people who up and down the country give tirelessly of themselves to make life a bit more tolerable and a little happier for hundreds, if not thousands of people.”

The 12 categories for staff and volunteers, nomination guidelines, and a nomination form can be downloaded at www.presbyterianireland.org/recognitionawards Nominations must be submitted by 30 November. The awards will be presented by the Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, at a special reception and buffet lunch in Assembly Buildings, Belfast on 14 December. So get nominating!

Find out more on www.presbyterianireland.org

Events

DIARY DATES November

My Place

Emerge Leadership Development Course Emerge is a one-off, short-term training programme offered to emerging leaders within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Spread over four dates, the aim is to gather together a group of leaders and invest in them through high quality training and shared experiences.

This is an opportunity for emerging leaders in their 20s or 30s and in a current leadership role within their congregation, for example, as a relatively new elder, congregational committee member or a youth leader.

Participants will be part of a learning community in which they will join others on a journey involving: practical teaching on leadership; group discussion; personal reflection; Bible teaching; practical examples; and mentoring opportunities.

The next course will commence in February 2019 and run to June 2019. The first three sessions will be in two locations, Magherafelt and Belfast, followed by an overnight residential which brings both groups together. The deadline for registration is 18 January 2019.

See www.presbyterianireland.org/ emerge for more details.

The organ in contemporary praise An event aimed at creatively harnessing organ music into more contemporary praise will be held in the New Year. Taking place in Killead Presbyterian Church on Saturday 26 January from 10.30am-12.30pm, the event will offer some hands-on examples and practical ideas for extending your congregation’s repertoire of praise. Further details soon.

Ballydown Presbyterian will host My Place on Thursday 22 November, from 7.30-9pm.

My Place is an event exploring ways of including children with special additional needs in worship and children’s ministry.

The evening features a mixture of Bible teaching, insights from parents and practical suggestions from those working in the field of special education.

This event is for ministers, leaders and all members of congregations.

For more information visit www.presbyterianireland.org/myplace

Road trip

Hill Street Presbyterian, Lurgan – Tuesday 13

Taking Care refresher training

First Carrickfergus – Wednesday 21

My Place

Ballydown Presbyterian, Banbridge – Thursday 22

Taking Care foundation training

Third Portglenone Presbyterian – Monday 26

Road Trip The next Road Trip event takes place in Hill Street, Lurgan on 13 November, from 7-10pm.

This is a training event for Sunday school teachers, youth and children’s ministry leaders, elders, ministers and parents.

Those at the event can attend two of the following seminars: Sunday morning children’s ministry; Growing young leaders; Building blocks for lasting faith; Schools’ ministry; Developing mentoring in your congregations; and Familyfriendly youth ministry.

For further information visit www.presbyterianireland.org/ roadtrip

Family Holiday Next year’s PCI Family Holiday takes place at Castlewellan Castle in Co Down between 23-26 April.

The holiday offers a great opportunity for families of all shapes and sizes to enjoy a mix of relaxation, fun activities and time together with God. Booking is now open, and the advice is to book early to avoid disappointment.

Further information at: www.presbyterianireland.org/ familyholiday

Hard pressed, not crushed – A window on Christian identity in the Middle East Assembly Buildings, Belfast – Thursday 29 Second Limavady – Thursday 29 Lowe Memorial – Friday 30

January 2019 The organ in contemporary praise event Killead Presbyterian – Friday 26

Hard pressed, not crushed Three events this month will give an insight into Christian identity in the Middle East.

Entitled ‘Hard pressed, not crushed’, the events at Assembly Buildings, Second Limavady and Lowe Memorial will feature Rev Prof Yohanna Katanacho and PCI Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen.

Professor Katanacho is a Palestinian/Israeli evangelical leader who is academic dean of Nazareth Evangelical College and professor of Biblical Studies at Bethlehem Bible College. He has written a number of books, including The Land of Christ: A Palestinian cry and Praying through the Psalms.

Dr McMullen will reflect on his moderatorial theme ‘Building relationships’, especially through the experiences he and his wife Barbara shared during their visit to Jordan this year. He will share insights he gained through the stories of Christians seeking to affirm their identity and faith in challenging contexts.

Assembly Buildings in Belfast will host a conference on Thursday 29 November, from 9.30am-1pm, while evening events will take place at Second Limavady on Thursday 29 November and Lowe Memorial in Finaghy on Friday 30 November. Both the evening events will run from 7.30-9pm.

While the conference, which includes lunch, is free of charge, pre-booking is essential. No pre-booking is required for the evening events.

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NEWS | PCI IN FOCUS | Christmas resource

A Very Noisy Christmas

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et me ask you a question. When it comes to Christmas this year, how are you going to present a very familiar story in a fresh way?

Children know the story of Christmas so well and they hear it multiple times in December. They may have taken part in a nativity play (or at least watched one); attended a school carol service;

they may have heard the story in class at school, or at home. If you have the task of planning a Christmas all-age service, there is pressure to find a different way to present the story so that you keep everyone’s attention!

It is also so important that families rediscover the true meaning of

Christmas in the midst of the lights and presents and commercial aspects of the season.

The Good Book Company has just published a new children’s book that may help. Called A Very Noisy Christmas, it is aimed at children aged between two and six and tells the story of the birth of Jesus, from the experience of the shepherds and the wise men. The book is written for an adult to read with a child and it suggests ways of doing that, in terms of voices and impact.

It is a fun way for families at home to remember the wonder of the real meaning of Christmas in an interactive way.

It may be that this book could also help with an all-age service that you are planning. With some creativity, this book could be used to tell part of the story of Christmas in an imaginative way to engage the whole congregation – from the toddlers in crèche to the older people. The story is told with invitations to make noises, to shout, to whisper, to become part of the story. To aid this, the Good Book Company has also produced PowerPoint slides with pictures from the book that would be helpful in a church-service setting.

“ You will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and people will call him the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of King David, his ancestor. He will rule over the people of Jacob forever.

His kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:31-32

So, as we enter the season of planning, to tell this familiar part of the greatest story ever told, let’s think about how we can do that in a fresh way that not only inspires our whole congregation, but also helps families share the story together at home.

Ruth Bromley, PCI’s Children’s Development Officer

Resource details To order copies, priced at £2.99 each, go to: www.thegoodbook.co.uk/a-verynoisy-christmas To download PowerPoint slides that could be used in an all-age service go to: www.thegoodbook.co.uk/ download-the-full-size-images-avery-noisy-chris

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PERSONAL VIEW

Life lessons Yohanna Katanacho Academic dean of Nazareth Evangelical College

I used to live as though God did not exist and I spread atheism in my undergraduate studies at Bethlehem University. Early one morning in 1986, I awoke to the sound of the church bells of Jerusalem. It was 3am; I opened my eyes and felt a strange sensation like air penetrating my body. And then, I could not move. My hands, feet, and neck seemed paralysed and I was not even able to shout. After struggling to free myself for almost two hours, I cried out to God saying, “O Lord, if this is you, free me and I promise I will search for you.” After this short prayer, I found I could move again. My whole worldview had collapsed in just one night. I was puzzled and needed answers, so I started searching for God.

I started reading the New Testament, especially the Sermon on the Mount. I was in shock. The Bible asks me to love my enemies. At first, I tried but failed in my attempts to feel love.

Israeli soldiers would stop Palestinians daily, at random, and ask for their identification cards, sometimes detaining them for hours. These experiences fuelled my fear and anger. As I confessed my inability to love to God, I realised something significant. The radical love of Christ is not an emotion, but a decision. I decided to show love, however reluctantly, by sharing the gospel message with the soldiers on the street. Sin distorts your mind and you can easily revert to the ways of human nature and respond with hate when treated badly. But really, our ‘love muscles’ grow stronger as we obey God, and after some time we become more patient. Our hearts grow bigger, and we learn how to involve prayer in our love.

Nazareth Evangelical College trains leaders, men and women, to follow Christ faithfully and to be equipped and qualified for serving the church in the Holy Land, enabling her to have a powerful influence on society according to God’s purposes. I serve as the academic dean of Nazareth Evangelical College and invest my life in forming peacemakers who love Jesus and advocate justice in a country that is full of hatred and wars. Furthermore, Nazareth Evangelical College encourages dialogue with other faith communities and changes our community through literature.

The book of Psalms is a holy ground in which we meet God in a unique way. It is unlike any other book. It is my prayer teacher, counsellor, comforter, and my private room in which

I can shout in joy, in frustration, in anger, in tears, and is the place where I can laugh with God. It is the mirror of my soul and the map of my feelings.

It takes me beyond orthodoxy and orthopraxy to orthopathos. I learn how to joyfully suffer for the sake of God’s kingdom. I love Psalms and I thank God for the most quoted book in the New Testament.

I feel close to God when I study his Word and pray it. The presence of God in his Word and through it captivates my feelings and all of my attention. I hear the whispers of God; I feel his heartbeats and the warmth of his hands.

I thank God for the privilege of being born in Jerusalem and living in Nazareth. I praise him for the ability to speak Arabic and Hebrew. This background helps me to understand the pain of both Palestinian and Israeli Jews. It pushes me to be a peacemaker and a messenger of love as well as justice in a country that is full of segregation and hatred.

I usually ask God for a birthday present. The best presents have been the saving of people whom I am praying for.

The hardest lesson I have had to learn is: I am nothing without God but I am a superhero with God.

At the PCI conference in November I shall address the complex issue of identity from a Palestinian/ Israeli Christian point of view. I will share many of my experiences and struggles with the context in which I live.

Rev Prof Yohanna Katanacho is academic dean of Nazareth Evangelical College and consultant and professor of Biblical Studies at Bethlehem Bible College. He is author of the books, Praying Through the Psalms and The Land of Christ: A Palestinian Cry. Prof Katanacho will be guest speaker at a series of PCI events in November. Entitled ‘Hard pressed, not crushed – A window on Christian identity in the Middle East’, the events will include a conference in Assembly Buildings, Belfast on Thursday 29 November and two evening sessions – one on Thursday 29 November in Second Limavady Presbyterian and the other on Friday 30 November in Lowe Memorial Presbyterian. For full details on all of these events please go to p11.

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MY STORY... OF REMEMBRANCE Major Ian Kyle reflects on a recent PCI-organised trip to Belgian battlefield sites, to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War.

Remembering, 100 years on...

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enate and I had been to the Somme area on many was a unique honour to be part of this burial service. occasions, but had never visited the Menin Gate at During our visit, we also visited the grave of Captain Chavasse, Ypres. When I read the advert for a tour organised a medical doctor who was awarded two Victoria Crosses and a

by Rev Mark Donald and Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick, Military Cross for rescuing many soldiers while under fire. He this seemed the perfect opportunity to visit Ypres and also the was the son of Rev Francis Chavasse, who later became Bishop of Somme in the centenary year of the end of the ‘The Great War’.

Liverpool.

I had served in Iraq but the sheer magnitude of what took place On leaving Ypres we made our way to the town of Albert in Flanders was difficult to comprehend. Around Ypres alone, on the Somme. Renate and I had been here before, but on this there are at least 350 Commonwealth cemeteries containing occasion Teddy, the curator of the Ulster Tower (Northern several hundred thousand graves. There are 54,395 names of the Ireland’s national war memorial), arranged a guided walk missing on the Menin memorial and 34,984 names on the Tyne through the trenches in Thiepval Wood. We also visited Tyne Cot memorial. This does not include the names of New Zealand Cot Cemetery, which is the largest Commonwealth War Graves and Newfoundland soldiers who are honoured on separate Commission cemetery in the world containing 12,000 graves. memorials. It makes you very aware as During the battle of Passchendaele in 1917, I had served in Iraq but you walk around that there are still many 500,000 soldiers died. missing, possibly directly under your feet.

To most people nowadays, it is very the sheer magnitude of difficult The missing alone around Ypres is greater to comprehend the scale of what than the size of our current army. Ypres was what took place in took place. To visit these battlefields never captured by the German army. cemeteries makes you realise the Flanders was difficult to and Ypres is a lovely Belgian town, almost tremendous sacrifice these soldiers gave totally rebuilt following the war. The famous comprehend. for everyone. I hope we can live up to what Cloth Market is central surrounded by they gave for us. churches and restaurants etc. Every evening the roads are closed When WW1 broke out, opposing forces and beliefs in Ireland and the Last Post ceremony takes place with buglers from Ypres united to fight a common enemy. The 36th Ulster Division is well fire brigade playing the Last Post. This is a moving tradition that known in Northern Ireland and they served and died alongside has continued to this day – 100 years after the end of the war. A 10th and 16th Irish Divisions, often being buried side by side; wreath was laid on behalf of the Presbyterian Church. many soldiers of differing religions helping each other. Having We were greatly impressed by the respect shown by the Belgian served in the army, I am acutely aware that seriously wounded people. When visiting cemeteries, the locals would, on every soldiers are only too pleased to receive prayers from a padre of occasion, stop their vehicles to allow us to cross the road. When whatever religion. visiting one particular cemetery, a local lady living adjacent to it This was a truly moving tour and very sincere thanks must go who had been hanging out her washing, stopped and went inside to Rev Mark Donald, Rev Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick and Rev until we left.

Prof Patton Taylor. Although on many When we were at Ypres we were asked if we would like to occasions this was a solemn experience, participate in a burial service. The remains of Captain Walker, a we also met new Presbyterian friends, had New Zealander serving with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, good food and extremely good weather. and the remains of six unknown soldiers, who had been killed 100 years ago probably during the second battle of Ypres, were Major Ian Kyle was posted to Iraq with the being buried with full military honours. The honour party was Royal Welch Fusiliers in 2004, where he flown out from the UK. Rather ironically the ceremony took served as Officer Commanding Governance. place at New Irish Farm Cemetery. To stand and watch as He was later awarded the QCVS (Queen’s Captain Walker’s great nephew received the Union Flag that had Commendation for Valuable Service) for his covered his coffin brought a tear or two. Capt Walker had been work there. identified by a leather casing with his initials and his cap badge. It

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MY STORY... OF REMEMBRANCE As we commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War, Bill Canning, from Hill Street Presbyterian Church, Antrim, tells the story of Henry Gallaugher, a Presbyterian soldier from Donegal, who fought and died at the Somme.

A Donegal hero

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enry Gallaugher was born on 9 March 1886 at “I had a long talk Balleighan near Manorcunningham in Co Donegal. with the Colonel His parents were John and Jane Gallaugher, members today and I must of Ray Presbyterian Church. Henry’s mother died say he does listen to when he was 16 and his father married Jesse McInnes from reason and he has Ahoghill four years later. Henry always referred to Jesse as decided to let me go ‘mother’ in his letters home from the First World War. along with the coy This was a strict but caring Presbyterian family. There were when going over the seven children and he was the second son. Two younger siblings, top and I do trust it Robert and Rachel died in infancy. The eldest was William, is for the best. You see, all the officers I have are very young and then Minnie, then Henry, followed by Jane and John. inexperienced and it would hardly be playing the game to leave He was educated at the Model School, Londonderry and them, not saying that I can do much more than they could, but Moffats Private Academy, Letterkenny.

I have a little more experience and know the men a little better, Henry became the Commander of the besides they have stood by me pretty well.”

Manorcunningham Company of the On 7 June 1917, the company staged Henry Gallaugher’s Ulster Volunteer Force and, answering a general attack on Messines Ridge.

Carson’s call to enlist for king and country, Christian values were Almost immediately in the action Capt the Ulster Volunteers there formed the Henry Gallaugher was hit in the left 36th Ulster Division and went to the war obvious to his men right arm. He continued to lead his men on, in France. Henry Gallaugher’s Christian characteristically saying, “One of my wings from the start. values were obvious to his men right from is gone.” His arm was shattered. the start. He was a Lieutenant at the Refusing to go back, he discarded the Battle of the Somme in the 11th Inniskillings, Donegal and rifle which he could no longer carry. With great determination, Fermanagh Volunteers. his revolver in his right hand, he went forward. “That’s all right In a letter to his mother, he stated, “We had a very nice little boys I’ll do well with a revolver,” he said. Just when the position service yesterday evening and had communion…Now dear was consolidated and secured he was killed by another shell. mother I must say ‘goodbye’ and may our heavenly Father Captain Rev Dr E.J. McKee, minister of Ray Presbyterian watch over all the dear ones at home and keep us all in the way Church, who was serving as chaplain with the Ulster Division, wherein we go and be with us and bless us.” wrote a letter to the congregation following Henry’s death. In it On 20 August notification was received by the 11th that Lt he said, “I write with mingled feelings of deep sorrow and great Gallaugher had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order pride, and I know that First Ray will hear with deep regret and for conspicuous gallantry on 1 July and afterwards. The citation sorrow of his death, but be truly proud of the heroic manner in in the London Gazette of 22 September 1916 says: “When other which he fell on a victorious battlefield. For me he was the link officers became casualties he took command and led on his men between my work at home and abroad…He carried that bright, with great dash. Seeing the enemy firing on our wounded, he cheery smile that was part of his nature into the hour of battle, got into a shell hole with a private, and shot six enemy snipers and the last words he said to me were, ‘We don’t worry Doctor, with a rifle. Finally, he volunteered and with 20 men rescued 28 do we?’ The happy smile on his face had a vital connection with wounded men under very heavy fire.” the light of God’s love in his heart, and with the simple trust His comments in all his correspondence and in this particular in the God that doeth all things well…The cross of his Master letter reveal a God-fearing man prepared to lead from the had been laid on his life and borne with heroic courage and front. This was not from any sense of foolish bravado but from Christian cheerfulness, and would to God that we all carried a deep concern for those officers and men for whom he was ours in the same noble spirit.” responsible. In another letter he wrote:

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A journey of remembrance

As this year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, Rev Mark Donald reflects on a special trip earlier this spring that honoured Presbyterian soldiers and chaplains who died during it.

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efore dawn one Monday morning last April, 39 Presbyterians gathered at Dublin Airport to begin a pilgrimage together. Most of us were unknown to each other, but what united us was our denomination as Presbyterians, and our desire to pay homage to relatives and fellow Presbyterians and Irishmen who paid the ultimate sacrifice throughout the First World War. Rev Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick was our guide for the trip and he had organised a very full itinerary, which would take in some 30 Commonwealth war grave cemeteries, along with significant memorials, such as the Menin Gate, the Ulster Tower and Thiepval memorial. We had no difficulty sleeping at night!

Throughout the trip, we were blessed with warm sunshine which enabled us to hold our morning devotions out of doors on several occasions, with cemeteries and the Lochnagar Crater acting as backdrops to our worship.

Some of the highlights of the battlefield tour included taking part in the Menin Gate ceremony, with Rev Prof Patton Taylor, Rev Dr Isaac Thompson and myself acting as wreath bearers. We also had the privilege of attending the burial service of one identified and six unknown soldiers at the New Irish Farm Cemetery. Their remains had recently been unearthed due to ploughing. The

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St George’s Memorial Church service participants: (Left to right) Rev Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick, Rev Gillian Trinder (rector of St George’s), Rev Dr Isaac Thompson, Rev Prof Patton Taylor, Ethan Allen, Rev Dr Harry Allen, Rev Marlene Taylor, Peter Hawkins, Rev Mark Donald and Dame Patricia Hawkins-Windsor.

service was very moving and something which happens infrequently.

We were given a warm Ulster welcome

by Teddy and Phoebe Callaghan, custodians of the Ulster Tower.

After a lovely lunch, Teddy gave us an informative and poignant tour of Thiepval Wood and we were all deeply conscious of our walking on ground wrought by the blood of our ancestors.

We were indebted to our dear friend Dame Patricia Hawkins-Windsor and her husband Peter who live near Ypres.

They very often went the extra mile for us, and their local knowledge enabled us

Something very basic in our humanity is lost if we fail to remember.

to attend the burial service of the soldiers.

They also extended an invitation to join them for Sunday worship in St George’s Memorial Church in Ypres, where I was privileged to give the sermon. Other members of our group shared in the service through readings and prayers, including Rev Dr Harry Allen and Rev Marlene Taylor. The service was followed by lunch and this occasion was a fitting epilogue to our journey of remembrance.

Those on the battlefield tour travelling on a personal remembrance pilgrimage, some for the first time, were able to visit the resting places of their relatives and were deeply moved. The main reason for the trip was to visit the graves of the three Presbyterian ministers and one missionary who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our denomination.

Rev William Wilson, who was minister of New Row, Coleraine, died as the result of a vehicle accident while serving with the YMCA in Le Havre. This was the location of a large military hospital where the injured were treated before being repatriated home by ship. Mr Wilson was visiting his brother-in-law, Rev Fred O’Neill, who was chaplain to the Chinese Labour Corps in Paris, and the accident occurred during his return journey.

Mr Wilson was buried in Ste Marie Cemetery in Le Havre, which was over 200 miles from our base in Ypres. This made the journey unviable for the whole

Rev Alexander Stuart’s grave: (Left to right) Rev Prof Patton Taylor and Rev Mark Donald.

group, so Prof Taylor as driver, and myself as navigator, made the journey by hire car to conduct the memorial service.

As the group made their way from Ypres to stay in Albert in the Somme region, we visited Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, the final resting place of Dr Neil Gavin, a medical missionary serving our Church in Annad, India. Dr Gavin was killed after falling off his horse which bolted, probably due to a nearby explosion. At his grave, we read an obituary of his life and observed an act of remembrance.

During our time in the Somme region we visited the graves of the remaining two clergymen. Rev James Rentoul was minister of Rostrevor congregation when he responded to the call to join the war effort as a stretcher-bearer with the Royal Army Medical Corps. Mr Rentoul was killed by shellfire in a dugout, along with two colleagues, and was laid to rest in La Baraque British Cemetery, Bellenglise, located in the corner of a field in quiet countryside, which 100 years ago were killing fields.

The final minister to be remembered was Rev Alexander Stuart who was commissioned into the army chaplains’ department. Mr Stuart met his fate after being hit by a shell while attending to his duties in the trenches, after only two weeks at the front. He was minister of Bessbrook congregation and had been set apart for evangelistic work by the General Assembly when he responded to the call to share the hope and comfort of the gospel to the troops. Once again, at his grave, we paid tribute to Mr Stuart’s life and service to his Saviour and we observed an act of remembrance.

Rev William A. Wilson

One hundred years from their deaths, it was good to be there, to remember and not forget – who they were, how they served our Church…

All of the graves we visited were located in cemeteries which were impeccably maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and they were festooned with the colours of roses and herbaceous plants, making them intentionally to look like English country gardens. As we walked among the rows of headstones and paid our respects, we often wondered when the last time was that someone visited their graves. One hundred years from their deaths, it was good to be there, to remember and not forget – who they were, how they served our Church, who and what they left behind and the impact they had made for eternity among those whom they served and shared the gospel with.

Harry Patch, who died aged 111, was the last surviving British soldier to have fought in the trenches. It wasn’t Remembrance Day that was Patch’s focus of remembering – it was 22 September, when in 1917 he lost his pals. Every day

of his life since then was a Remembrance Day and that sentiment, I am certain, is felt by everyone who has served and lost comrades and by those who have lost loved ones.

William Gladstone once said: “Show me the manner in which a nation or community cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender sympathies of its people; their respect for the law of the land and their loyalty to high ideals.”

Something very basic in our humanity is lost if we fail to remember.

Remembrance and the centenary of the Armistice provides an opportunity to commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the pursuit of peace, to reflect upon the human cost of conflict and to have prayerful hope for a more peaceful world. As we would honour their memory, might we learn the lessons from our past, ensuring that their deaths would not be in vain.

The rows of headstones in cemeteries are like an unspoken sermon. They are epitaphs that speak of love, sorrow, pride, grief, despair and challenge. One headstone read: “My dear young friend as you pass by, remember you were born to die; As you are now, so once was I, As I am now, so you shall be, prepare to die and follow me.”

This grave delivered a message, a message that we all need to remember. Every headstone is an epitaph of remembrance. Lest we forget.

Rev Mark Donald is minister of First Garvagh Presbyterian Church and chaplain to Second Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (Reserves).

Rev Alexander Stuart

Rev James L. Rentoul

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CONGREGATIONAL STORY

Just after the flood: George and Gladys McElhatton with Dr Noble McNeely and Lindsay Blair.

Gladys McElhatton in her home one year on.

After the flood

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hree churches in the northwest are bringing hope to a community devastated by flooding.

On 22 August 2017 over 60% of the rainfall expected for the entire month fell in just nine hours, causing damage to roads and bridges, and flooding businesses and homes.

The small village of Eglinton was one of the areas affected, with stories of people trapped in their homes and others having to be rescued from their cars as rivers broke their banks, adding to the deluge. As well as businesses, around 140 homes were flooded, including those of 38 families connected to Faughanvale Presbyterian Church.

In the face of such devastation, the three main churches in the area – Faughanvale Presbyterian, St Canice’s Church of Ireland and Star of the Sea/Faughanvale RC – have been working together to support the local community.

Rev Lindsay Blair, minister of Faughanvale Presbyterian, explains, “The three main churches in the village came together to try to help people as best we could.” He says they visited those affected to give support and “to see if there was any practical assistance that we could give to them”.

Lindsay adds, “In each of the churches we had an appeal and there was money

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raised in order to give people some immediate help and assistance.” The help given was not just in the short-term though. Working as ‘Churches Together in Eglinton’, they organised a series of events to fundraise and to raise spirits.

A village tent service in a marquee beside St Canice’s Church hall in the month following the flooding was an opportunity to pray for those affected by the flooding and hear stories of hope and encouragement.

Dr Noble McNeely, in his capacity as PCI Moderator, visited with his wife, Florence, to give their support to those worst affected. They also met councillors and representatives of local groups, services and agencies who gave assistance in the aftermath of the flooding at a meeting in Eglinton Community Hall.

The three churches again joined forces in November 2017 to provide a free meal and gifts for those worst affected by the flooding, while a cookery demonstration and auction in April raised over £3000 for the village flood fund.

“There were a number of opportunities when we brought people together, just

…over 60% of the rainfall expected for the entire month fell in just nine hours.

Suzanne Hamilton reports on a story of resilience and hope at Faughanvale Presbyterian Church, following the devastating floods of summer 2017.

because we felt that was important. Some people felt very lonely and cut off and there’s been a lot of fear and concern in people’s minds. The fear about this happening again also is a big thing for people. We’ve been trying to support people as best we can,” explains Lindsay.

In the latest event, the resilience of the local community was celebrated at a community fun day held on the first anniversary of the flooding. Face painting, refreshments, bouncy castles and music were provided in the grounds of the rectory for all the community, with Lindsay explaining that they wanted to provide something positive so people wouldn’t be sitting in their homes thinking of what had happened the year before. The fun day was also attended by Noble and his wife, who earlier that day caught up with how work has progressed at the homes and businesses of those they visited last November.

Among those they visited were Gladys and George McElhatton. While they are now back in their house and are in the process of trying to make it feel like a home again, the events of 22 August 2017 are still traumatic for the couple.

Out when the flooding started, Gladys could only look on as a torrent of water raced down her street. “I was worried about the dog, which I’d locked in the kennel because of the storm…I thought

There were plenty of smiles at the fun day. Photos by Jamie Trimble.

my dog was going to be drowned. I didn’t know how deep the water was. I could see from where I was standing that the water was right up above my porch.”

The water rose to 41/2 feet in the house and 6 feet in the garage, causing extensive damage to the ground floor. Losing photographs and personal items proved the most painful for Gladys.

“I lost my daughter’s wedding album, which nearly finished me. I cried for nearly a week,” she explains.

Gladys and George had to move out of the village while work was being carried out on their home. “I hated every minute of it. I had to part from my dog – which was very hard – for six months because where we were going wouldn’t allow pets. ” They eventually were able to move back into their home at the beginning of March.

Since she has been home, Gladys has found it hard adjusting. The flooding has brought big changes as her youngest son, Gareth, decided not to move back into the family home. Then there are the small things as well, such as going to cupboards looking for things, forgetting they are no longer there.

Monica and Norman Moore live in a different part of Eglinton, but they too ended up moving out due to damage caused by the flooding. They stayed at a relative’s house in Maydown, three miles away, while work on the ground floor Norman and Monica Moore with Rev Lindsay Blair (left) and Dr Noble McNeely (right)

We were helpless…We just had to watch it coming in and destroying everything. took place. All their floors had to be removed, and whilst they moved in at the beginning of February, there is still some work to be completed.

“Even now it’s not a home. It’s a house at the minute, but we will get there – it takes time,” says Monica. Like Gladys, she says she finds herself looking for something, only to discover it’s no longer there – it was destroyed in the flood.

Audrey Kinnear says the loss of photographs and personal possessions was the most devastating thing for her brother-in-law, David, when his home was flooded. “It broke his heart when it happened. Everything was destroyed…I was able to give him photographs…if I hadn’t have had them then he would’ve had nothing.”

Other members of Faughanvale Presbyterian, Stephanie Nelis and her parents, Albert and Ann McLaughlin, were also affected. Stephanie was able to live in the upstairs of her house while work was being carried out downstairs, but Albert and Ann’s one-storey house was “completely wrecked”.

“We just had to leave that night…

It was just awful. We were helpless, we couldn’t do anything about it. We just had to watch it coming in and destroying everything,” says Ann. She lived in a caravan for a couple of weeks, but then was able to rent a friend’s house. She moved back into her home in January, but the last bit of work has just been completed. Ann says it was particularly difficult being out of her home at Christmas, but that her church family has been great during their ordeal.

Like many others who have endured a traumatic year, rebuilding their lives after the flooding, Stephanie, Albert and Ann took the opportunity to mark 22 August 2018 in a different way – by attending the fun day.

The fortitude of the residents of Eglinton was evident amongst the happy faces at the fun day. This was apt as, according to Lindsay, the event was not only the opportunity to bring the entire community together to yet again show support for those affected, it was also a celebration of their resilience.

“We have been seeking to put across the message that through all the suffering and pain that people have been through, hope is to be found in the Lord and his good news to us in Jesus Christ. The psalmist says ‘Put your hope in God’ (Psalm 42:5).

That’s what we want people to know and we have sought to share this together,” says Lindsay.

Audrey Kinnear with her granddaughter Coleen Attwood.

Albert and Ann McLaughlin with their daughter Stephanie Nelis.

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PRAYER

Mobilising congregational prayer David Thompson and Tom Finnegan acknowledge that stimulating enthusiasm for congregational prayer can be a difficult task for those in leadership. To help with this, they outline the positive prayer experiences of two Presbyterian churches and highlight two new PCI prayer resources.

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o pray is to take up a beautifully simple, gracious invitation from God, our heavenly Father, to talk to and rely upon him. As such, it should find a natural and central place in our congregational life.

The newly birthed church we read about in the book of Acts is fresh and vibrant. No staleness or apathy has had time to creep in, no straying off mission has occurred. The church is wholeheartedly committed to four things: teaching, fellowship, communion and prayer (Acts 2:42).

In contrast, what can we say of our own congregation? Why is it that a vibrant church prayer life is so difficult to develop and sustain? Sometimes it is laziness, coldness of heart and lack of commitment on our part as church members, but might it be more than that?

Might it be that some members lack the confidence to pray and have never had a gentle introduction in how to do so?

Has a familiarity and lack of creativity in our prayer times in the Sunday service robbed us of the power of the church family together at prayer? For many of us, that’s the one area in which we long for the fresh enthusiasm those first believers had just after the church was born.

That’s not to say that many members of our congregations are not praying on their own. But it can be a struggle to encourage people to pray together.

Here are two stories of how congregations are trying to develop, refresh and sustain the place of prayer at the heart of their life together, along with two practical ways to help your congregation do so too.

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Herald November 2018

Newmills Presbyterian Church: Mobilising prayer The journey to a renewed devotion to prayer is more often a marathon than a sprint. Unlike a marathon though, it doesn’t necessarily follow a set course.

Pamela Best, wife of Rev Gordon Best, minister of Newmills (Portadown) congregation, describes their first steps.

Has a familiarity…in the Sunday service robbed us of the power of the church family together at prayer?

“It’s been an exciting journey. Back in 2011, a sizable group of us attended Rev Derek McKelvey’s prayer ministry course.

Soon after this course, our prayer action team was formed.”

The team has developed a number of schemes guided by their vision which is “to equip and inspire all our people (all ages and stages of spiritual maturity) to

Pamela Best (second right)

pray and seek the Lord more and more, both in quiet places and together.” Their aim has been to draw prayer into the heart of congregational life rather than keeping it on the edge, and the preserve of just a few. Some of these schemes include: Praying as individuals: • Mobilising members to commit to praying for short-term initiatives and congregational events, such as the holiday Bible club, through daily text prayer-point updates.

• Assigning members to an ‘adopted’ student, to pray for them as they start university in the autumn and then complete their summer exams.

• A scheme in which individuals, couples or families promise to pray for the ministry team each day of the week for one week of the year, with a daily prayer guide provided, so that the ministry team is covered in prayer 24/7.

• Alerting people (via an announcement sheet) to helpful online prayer apps such as the LICC Prayer Journeys.

• Occasional slots at worship services for organisational leaders to highlight how the congregation can support their ministry in prayer.

• Different people sharing, during worship times, what works for them in their own prayer lives.

People praying together: • Small prayer groups which meet regularly and informally.

• A short, informal, midweek prayer time for intercessory

prayer, held throughout the year.

• Prayer times before Sunday services, seeking God’s blessing upon the services and activities of the day.

Musicians and everyone taking part in the service are strongly encouraged to attend.

• A prayer room at the youth club on Friday evenings, used extensively.

Special prayer events: • A creative prayer morning for Sunday school children and their parents, held annually.

• An Easter prayer room, used by congregational organisations and by individuals and families over the Easter period, including a 24/7 prayer weekend.

• Occasional Sunday evening prayer events conducted by Crown Jesus Ministries.

• An annual prayer service to train and inspire the whole congregation in prayer.

The prayer action team realises the importance of starting each initiative strongly, letting God lead throughout, and ending it well. There have been frustrations along the way. For example, the initiative to offer prayer ministry after Sunday services continues, but only with limited uptake.

Pamela, along with her prayer action team, recognises that Satan doesn’t want the church or individuals to be praying, so prayer initiatives are often an uphill struggle. However, they persevere, taking small manageable steps, believing in the Lord’s faithfulness, and trusting that he will nurture a church that is increasingly saturated in prayer.

Sloan Street Presbyterian Church: All ages gathered for prayer Often prayer meetings at church are attended only by a dedicated few.

Families stay away because of the problem of what to do with the kids during the prayer meeting. Sloan Street Presbyterian Church came up with a solution in the form of a family prayer service. Rather than simply addressing childcare as a problem to be solved, children were included as an integral part of the service.

The timing of the event was important too. Rev Andrew Faulkner, minister of

Sloan Street, acknowledges that, “People are really busy and it is hard to arrange a time and place where large numbers of the congregation are able to come together to pray.” Because of this it made sense to have the service on the second Sunday evening in September. It was a great way to start the church year at a time when the evening service Robin Aicken and Rev Andrew Faulkner would have happened anyway.

Unlike a normal evening service though, this prayer service was from 5pm Satan doesn’t want the to 8pm – yes, you read that right – three church or individuals to hours! It goes against the grain of one of the most highly rated appreciations of be praying, so prayer a minister; “He had us out in an hour”. initiatives are often an So, what made the difference? Food was the obvious starting point. It’s always a uphill struggle. winner, especially if you have cocktail sausages as well as sandwiches. A short activities, but for God to be at work in us time of worship for everyone together in our regular life patterns.” followed and then the praying began.

There was nothing radically new about The children went to the hall next the whole event but the combination door where there were supervised worked. Robin Aicken, assistant ‘prayer stations’. A map of the world, minister in Sloan Street, was tasked with a cross painted from handprints and organising the event. He said, “I believe it other creative interactive ways to pray was a success because we had prayed and kept the kids engaged. Meanwhile, the asked for God’s direction in organising it. adults prayed for the local community Also, we ensured that the service was well in Lisburn and the church family. There structured and included lots of different was also a coffee break, making it all feel prayer activities that suited all ages.” more like a series of short 20-minute For some congregations, having episodes than an epic event. The relaxed both young and old using the prayer and flexible nature of the event allowed stations might be a helpful approach. families with younger children to exit This is especially useful if some people early for bedtime. are not so confident about praying out The evening closed with four interviews loud. Andrew observes that, “Some find with members of the congregation prayer times together quite intimidating, covering different walks of life: education, not knowing if they’ll be able to pray healthcare, business and retirement. Each intelligently with others listening.” At member was asked what it is like to work prayer stations, prayers can be given and live as a Christian in these contexts silently or written on Post-it notes and and how they could best be prayed for put up for others to read. before an elder prayed for them. Andrew Prayer is ongoing in other ways in explained why it was important to Sloan Street but as a follow-up to this include this part of the service: “God is September event, it is hoped there will calling each of us to live for him in the be another family prayer service early specific places we have been placed – next year. Andrew explains that the work, school, neighbourhood – so it is driving force behind this desire to pray vital to be able to pray not just for church is because, “We believe that nothing is possible in the life of the church without the Father working to reveal the Son Some find prayer times by his Spirit and that requires us to together quite demonstrate our dependence on God in all things by prayer.” intimidating…

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Helpful prayer resources

Let’s Pray An accessible way to stimulate prayer for what God is doing through the work of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

One thing that limits our prayer life is smallness of vision and the limited scope of our prayers. Prayer is fuelled by having eyes to see more of what God is doing through his church. Growing the scale of our prayer requests gives us greater ownership of God’s work, expectation, anticipation and influence in its progress.

Let’s Pray is a new initiative producing up-to-date requests for prayer for the wider work of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. There is so much going on in the worlds of mission in Ireland, global mission, social witness, the Church’s influence in the public square, training for ministry, equipping congregations for their life and witness, and the ever-varied itinerary of the Moderator’s diary. All of this needs prayer and represents work that too often has proved distant and inaccessible to most congregations and church members. Not any more…

Let’s Pray gathers material for prayer in one place and in the form of an easily photocopiable, handily-sized, handout for distribution and use by individual members, in gatherings for prayer or from which a weekly prayer point

can be lifted for insertion in an order of service or weekly announcements sheet. Additionally, an accompanying PowerPoint slide can be easily added to the running order for worship as a visual cue and summary of content to introduce and inform intercessory prayer.

Has your congregation taken advantage of this simple way of stimulating prayer yet? You can find out more and sign up to receive Let’s Pray at www.presbyterianireland.org/letspray

ASK prayer postcards Renewing focus and firing congregational imagination for prayer.

On one occasion, Jesus’ first disciples famously asked him to teach them to pray. What followed was Jesus’ model of how to keep prayer focused and simple through his unfolding of what we refer to as the Lord’s Prayer.

In fact, the Bible is full of models for prayer, ranging from the poetry of the psalms to the prayers of the apostles in the letters of the New Testament. In every case prayer has focus.

Sometimes our congregational prayer life has gone to sleep for lack of focus. We gather for prayer with no notion of what God would have us ask for, seek from him and knock that he might open the door of his blessing to give to us.

The ASK prayer resource offers 12 themes for prayer

for our congregations’ life and witness. Each one gives focus for prayer on a monthly basis, or for use at particular seasons of the church year. Drawn directly from Scripture, each card simply unfolds things we need to be praying for our congregation as a community dedicated to growing together in God and making him known. Creative illustration fires the imagination of prayer, a muchneglected aspect of keeping congregational prayer life fresh and flowing from the heart as well as the mind.

ASK prayer cards are available for purchase from the PCI website. You can find out more and download accompanying PowerPoint slides for use in worship, at www.presbyterianireland.org/ askprayercards They don’t cost a lot to buy, but what price might you put on their value if they contribute to bringing prayer to life for your congregation’s life and witness?

Rev David Thompson is PCI’s Council Secretary for Congregational Life and Witness. Tom Finnegan is PCI’s Training Development Officer.

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Herald November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

Mission Connect

Cultivating community in Ballyloughan

A flying chaplain Rev Dr Philip Wilson

Mission news from workers around Ireland and the world.

Seeing the Spirit move Sonya Anderson Hanging out with pensioners Rev Rodney Cameron Cultivating community in Ballyloughan Gareth Parker Welcoming new church members James and Heather Cochrane

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.

The blessing of theological training Volker and JinHyeog Glissmann

Including November prayer diary

A flying chaplain

Rev Dr Philip Wilson RAF chaplain

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eing a minister and wearing a military uniform can be a a lifetime of evening meetings in congregational ministry could strange combination. Few other chaplaincies are like it. ever muster. We have made many new friends – and said goodbye The hospital chaplain neither wears surgeon’s gown, nor to them again, as we keep on moving on. I have baptised babies, patient’s pyjamas; a prison chaplain neither guards buildings, nor married couples and officiated at funerals. I have had pastoral lives in a cell. Yet military chaplains go where the soldiers, sailors conversations with hundreds of service people and their families, or airmen go, live where they live, and receive almost exactly the covering everything from marital breakdown and post-traumatic same training (except how to stress disorder, to allegations fire a weapon, for we do not of injustice and even once ... military chaplains go where the soldiers, bear arms). Then there is the the question, “Padre, what are inescapable fact that those to principles and how much do sailors or airmen go... whom we minister often use they cost?” It is a calling which lethal force. What does one is physically, mentally and say to an anxious pilot who is unsure in a candid moment whether spiritually demanding. It can at times be lonely, yet God gives us it is dozens or hundreds of people he has killed during his long the strength. career?

My present posting allows the opportunity to impact on the When it comes to warfare and weapons, the gospels are lives of officer cadets – the future leaders of the air force. They complex. Jesus, who advocates loving our enemies in the are mostly a young, highly intelligent, physically fit, supremely Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:43), explains the radical motivated group. I am part of a team (Anglican, Methodist nature of discipleship by also proclaiming that he has come “not and Baptist) who get alongside them on exercises and in the to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). In the garden of classroom, where we teach beliefs, values and ethics. It is a Gethsemane, we learn that Jesus’ own disciples bore at least two wonderful privilege and we greatly value your prayers. swords (Luke 22:38); and it is surely significant that the climax of all three synoptic gospels has a military officer (of all people!)

Please pray: proclaim the divinity of Christ (Mark 15:39, Matthew 27:54, and • Pray for all who serve in the UK/Irish armed forces, for integrity Luke 23:47). and safety.

This combination, PCI minister/RAF chaplain, has been my • Pray for this centenary of the ending of the First World War, for vocation for almost five years. After an assistantship in Malone peacemakers and peace between nations. and over seven years as minister of Bushmills, my wife Hannah • Pray for PCI forces chaplains, their spouses, children and wider and our daughter Beth (now seven) embarked on a step of faith family circles. into the unknown. We have moved house three times and I • Pray too for Philip, Hannah and Beth Wilson. have spent considerably longer periods away from home than Mission Connect | Herald November 2018

Seeing the Spirit move

Sonya Anderson

Deaconess in Shore Street, Donaghadee

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ver the past year, I was delighted to see a 70-year-old lead an 80-year-old to faith; no greater joy than to see someone set free from a lifetime of burdens and to find true forgiveness from God. I was able to see a married couple whose faith had become stagnant find their desire for Jesus revived …there is much more and hope restored – that brought great joy to my heart. when we draw near I have heard people share their stories for the first time in their lives, knowing that in sharing their faith, they were drawing others to Jesus. My heart has been moved to see lifelong Christians encounter Jesus in a fresh way, knowing that he has spoken tenderly to their hearts. This in itself assured me that there is much more available for all of us when we draw near to Jesus. What a joy!

Over the past 10 years, I have been involved in some sort of Alpha-type group and these are only some of the stories that spring to mind. The privilege of sharing in people’s journeys is incredible. To allow people space to explore their faith and to build trust and openness in a safe place is invaluable. Groups connect in such a precious way during these courses and friendships are formed that have a depth beyond many other relationships in life.

For some people, Alpha is the beginning of a spiritual journey and for others it affirms faith that is already growing. For all, there is a lifetime journey with Jesus ahead and we seek to support and encourage during this. We know that connecting people with other Christians is vital and we hope that there will be a natural move into a life group or discipleship course.

Running a course like Alpha would be impossible without a team and we have been so thankful for a committed team of leaders who love people and want to share their faith. The teams of leaders come together and there is an expectancy among them that God will do something in the lives of those who available for all of us come. It challenges and builds faith when people serve on a to Jesus. What a joy! course like this.

I would love more people to invite their friends to Alpha because it a place where the big life questions can be asked and no judgments are made. It is a place where people can come and explore the Christian faith with no pressure on them. It is a place where a life can be transformed by the good news of Jesus.

This autumn we are running two Alpha courses, one in the morning and one in the evening. We would love you to pray for these.

Please pray: • That people will come and that they will meet with Jesus.

• That the teams would have wisdom as they listen and share with one another.

• That the Holy Spirit would be actively moving amongst us.

• Give thanks for all that God has done in the past and continue to pray for more.

Mission Connect | Herald November 2018

Hanging out with pensioners

Rev Rodney Cameron,

St Columba’s Presbyterian Church, Lisburn

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his title might get me in trouble, but it’s only fair to say that about treating woodworm damage in the church hall or replacing pensioners predominate the Sunday services attendances in the projector in the church. That’s just necessary housekeeping, St Columba’s. We have few young families and would dearly but it all costs time and money, together with commitment of the like to see more taking their place among us. church committee and volunteer help.

But that isn’t to criticise those who have been faithful members During the summer, we welcomed a team of American students over many years. And some are to facilitate a holiday Bible livelier than you might expect! club. Over 60 children from Elizabeth Mackin arranged ... to abseil down the local area, many with no Just before the summer break, one member of St Columba’s church connections, enjoyed the front of the Europa Hotel. threw himself out of the back a week-long series of sport, of a plane, as part of a tandem song, Scripture and laughter. parachute jump. He sought sponsorship for a cancer charity. This Church life and programmes have picked up after the summer. was in gratitude for how they cared for his wife, until she passed We have started using the Presbyterian ‘Essentials’ video and away last year. workbook for midweek and related sermon series.

More recently, another church member, Elizabeth Mackin, arranged with her grandson James, who works for Belfast Activity Centre, to abseil down the front of the Europa Hotel. Elizabeth Please pray: enjoys hill walking and attends her local gym twice a week, but • Thank God for the love and cohesion at the heart of our church. this was an activity of a different order. She used the opportunity • St Columba’s kirk session will host a Saturday morning for all to seek sponsorship from friends to help with children’s work in church members, to reflect on our mission to the local area of St Columba’s. With her zest for life and playful banter, she also Lisburn (Old Warren) on 2 November. Pray that our church will goaded the minister to go up and over the top of the Europa. We have a widely-shared vision and strategy. were first up on the Sunday morning to ‘test the ropes’. “Are we like • Give thanks for the support given to Sunday worship from crash test dummies?” I asked. “No, you’ll be fine”, I was told. musicians from outside of the congregation. Pray that we would Both of us survived and we received a heroic welcome at the have a permanent praise leader to enhance our worship. church service later that morning. Elizabeth’s wide circle of friends • We have been granted permission by presbytery to appoint gathered over £1,000 in sponsorship for the benefit of the church. three new elders. Pray that God’s leading would be clear.

What’s been happening at St Columba’s? No one wants to read Mission Connect | Herald November 2018

Cultivating community in Ballyloughan

Gareth Parker

Community outreach worker, Ballyloughan

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n this work of sharing the gospel with others, we are continually blessing to meet the people who live near the church, as well an reminded of God’s great love for us, in that while we were still opportunity to introduce ourselves and the message of the gospel sinners, Christ died for us. It should be the knowledge and in a simple way. This is something we hope to do again near experience of God’s grace that should be our motivation and Christmas. drive to share the message of One initiative that has started God’s love with others. Here in in recent years is the monthly We as a church have also seen the importance of Dunclug community lunch.

Ballyloughan we have certainly seen great evidence of this in again, it has been a great getting out and about to meet the neighbours. Once recent months. opportunity to partner with We had a very encouraging other churches and meet in summer community season this year. During the months of May the local community centre and offer a good meal and friendship and June, we put a hold on our midweek programme and instead to local people. We have had guest speakers on issues such as we gave the congregation an opportunity to go and serve our health and wellbeing, community and inclusion, as well as life and neighbours in a variety of different ways; whether that be serving faith. We have seen steady numbers attending, but we would love the children and young people in the area, doing some practical to see this work grow and flourish and we are very excited to see jobs for people, or simply by visiting the folk in our locality. After what God could do through this initiative. a two-year break from doing so, we also partnered with two It is hard to believe the countdown to Christmas is on. The festive churches in the area to run a community fun day on 10 June in season is obviously a time for celebration, but it is also a time of the local school. This included fairground games, a puppet show, great opportunity. a men’s five-a-side competition and a free barbecue. There was much joy and even a bit of sunburn on the faces of those who attended.

Please pray: We as a church have also seen the importance of getting out and • Pray for us as a church, as we seek to share the love and the about to meet the neighbours. So, at different points in the year, hope of Jesus this coming Christmas season, through handing we have made a group effort to go and introduce ourselves to the out Christmas cards, gifts and hampers and running special community. Armed with leaflets detailing our programmes and events. organisations, and also a little gift, we cover an area of around 700 • Pray for our plans to run an Alpha course in the New Year, that homes in the space of a couple of hours with a message of love God would already be working in the hearts of those who will and welcome. Gifts have included a bag of mini eggs at Easter and attend it. a ‘September survival kit’ to start the new term. It has been a real Mission Connect | Herald November 2018

Welcoming new church members James and Heather Cochrane Global mission workers, Portugal

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eptember was a sad month for the Comunidade Pedras Vivas and brings a fresh dynamic. However, while we welcome these (CPV) family as there were two funerals. Margarida was a enthusiastic young Christians, it creates an imbalance, with the woman who had been attending CPV with her sister (Maria Portuguese being in the minority. And this in turn is a challenge José) for almost two years. Rui and Anabela have been with us for as we seek to reach out to the local community without being longer. The second funeral was Anabela’s father. In our religious designated a Brazilian church. context, these were interesting opportunities to show love, During the first two weeks of October, we were back in Ireland concern and the hope of the gospel. Please pray for the families for deputation. Our colleagues, Pedro and Amada, joined us for as they continue to grieve a few days as we shared with and for those who listened congregations and church We give thanks that around 16 people come to groups about the work we are attentively at the funerals.

The member preparation doing here. We also enjoyed study the Bible to understand what it means classes started on 13 catching up with some of our September and continued family, friends and supporters to be a member of a local church. throughout October. They during our short visit. meet on Thursday evenings from 8pm to 10pm, as this accommodates most people. We give thanks that around 16 people come to study the Bible to understand what it means to be a member of a local church. For some this will lead to membership, Please pray: for others, at this stage, it may be just about finding out more • Give thanks for those who are considering becoming members without taking the step of becoming a member. God willing, of CPV. we will have a special service on 4 November to receive the first • Give thanks for the Brazilian Christians who God is bringing to members of CPV. It is an exciting stage and we are thankful to God Porto and pray for their adaption into CPV. for this possibility.

• Pray for Anabela and Maria José and their families who are For the past three years, the start of the academic year in grieving.

Portugal has brought many Brazilian students to Porto, and some • Pray for the service on 4 November. of these to CPV. This boosts the numbers on a Sunday morning Mission Connect | Herald November 2018

The blessing of theological training

Volker and JinHyeog Glissmann Global mission workers, Malawi

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few months ago, a man came to our office and said, “I am believe when I first heard that there is an organisation in Malawi driving past your office every day and I always wonder that will train pastors like me; an organisation that trains using what does TEEM do?” My colleague explained that we are Chichewa (the main vernacular in Malawi); an organisation that a Christian theological training college which trains pastors, elders gives us material to read and then meets us to discuss it. I found and interested church members. He replied, “That is great, but I the reading challenging, but it all became clear once we met as was actually looking for a way to train rural pastors who mostly pastors in our group to discuss what we read and how we can didn’t finish their primary apply it in our church. It is school education. They are good to come together to There were so many things that I did not subsistence farmers and also learn and to pray and help pastor a church; they live in each other understand God know…I am just so thankful that TEEM remote areas and only speak better. We learned so much could come and train us. the vernacular. We are a small together. church (130 mostly struggling “There were so many things, rural congregations), we don’t have the funds to send our pastors that I did not know; so many things that I did not understand; so to a residential college. I wish I knew how to train our pastors!” many things about how to run the church that I was not aware My colleague responded, “What you are describing is the about; so much about the Bible and about God, Jesus and the Holy founding vision of TEEM and we do exactly what you are looking Spirit. I am just so thankful that TEEM could come and train us. My for. Our training is designed to help rural pastors, we train in the faith has grown so much. Thank you.” vernacular, in partnership with churches. We bring our training Even though the course is designed for them, it is still a to where it is needed.” To which our visitor responded, “Wow! challenge. Nearly half of the first group of pastors have not yet Hallelujah! Now I know why God prompted me to stop my car finished the course. We are flexible as they need their time. today and find out what TEEM is doing!”

Subsequently, we started a training programme with the church and have, at the moment, about 60 of their pastors enrolled in a pastors’ training course. At the end of June, 34 of the pastors Please pray: graduated, having successfully completed the Certificate in • Pray for the ministry of the pastors, that they can guide the Theology course. church.

One of the pastors shared the following with us during • Pray for those who have not yet finished the course, that they graduation: “I grew up in a village, I never attended secondary will persevere and complete it. school, but still God called me to pastor the church. I could not Mission Connect | Herald November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

Please pray for...

1 HOME MISSION – Cahir and Fermoy congregations and for the minister, Rev William Montgomery. Pray for the Christianity Explored course Fermoy congregation is holding and for ongoing repair work on the Cahir building.

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

3 COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Christine Wilson as she settles into her role as community outreach and family support worker in Lisnabreen, Bangor.

4 HOME MISSION – Rev David Clarke and Christine Wilson Sligo congregation.

Pray for the continued development of intergenerational discipling relationships within the congregation.

5 SPAIN – Pray for Grupos Biblicos Unídos (GBU) – a Spanish Christian student organisation as they seek to reach nonChristian students with the gospel and develop Christian leaders who in future will contribute to the growth and development of evangelical churches in Spain.

6 DEACONESS – Heather McCracken, serving at the Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast City Hospital as the assistant to the chaplain. Pray that many will benefit from her visits and pastoral support.

7 HOME MISSION – Rev Knox Jones and the elders and members of Fahan Presbyterian Church. Pray that the congregation will be salt and light in their local community and farther afield.

8 ZAMBIA – God’s wisdom and guidance for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia. Pray that it may be strong in its faith and witness.

9 CORKEY HOUSE, BELFAST – for this residential care home in north Belfast providing accommodation for 35 older people. Pray for Rosemary Gilbey, home manager, as she leads her staff team and ensures residential needs are met.

10 HOME MISSION – Rev David Conkey and the congregations of Enniscorthy and Wexford. Pray for God to impress on some people the challenge and blessing of becoming members.

11 CHAPLAINS – Pray for guidance for PCI’s chaplains serving with the armed forces, as they provide pastoral care, and seek opportunities to share the gospel.

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

21 HOME MISSION – Rev Jean Mackarel and the congregations of Drumkeeran, Killeshandra, Cavan and Bellasis in Monaghan Presbytery, as they continue to witness to their faith in Christ.

13 COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Elaine Getty as she settles into her role as community outreach worker in Strand in east Belfast.

22 MALAWI – Lyn Dowds in her medical work at the David Gordon Memorial Hospital, and for Johnny’s work with the ‘Living Trees for Livingstonia’ project. Pray too for their children at boarding school in Zambia.

14 HOME MISSION – The home mission congregation of Rathmullan (linked with Kerrykeel and Milford) and for Rev Susan Moore as they continue to reach out to their local community.

15 RESPITE CARE – Give thanks for the vital work provided in Aaron House, Dundonald and Lawnfield House, Newcastle 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.

16 PAKISTAN – The work and witness of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. Pray for wisdom for the leadership and ministers of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. Pray too for Gujranwala Theological Seminary training people for ordained and lay ministries.

17 COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Eddie Spence, evangelist in Ballygomartin Presbyterian Church, Belfast and others in the congregation as they live out the Christian life and witness to each other and the community.

19 ENGLAND – Christopher and Nivedita Benjamin as they reach out to the Gujarati community in London. Remember them as they prepare ‘Manna’, a weekly Christian meditation, and pray for those who receive it.

23 WILLOW BROOK – for this supported housing scheme for people with a learning disability; and Topley Court for people with a physical disability. Pray for manager Liz Wilson as she ensures tenants are encouraged to live as independently as possible with appropriate support from staff.

24 HOME MISSION – The life and witness of Dundalk Presbyterian. Pray for Rev John Woodside (stated supply) and the elders and members of the congregation as they pray and plan for the future.

25 DEACONESS – Rachel Cubitt serving in Whiteabbey. Pray for SML (Sunday Morning Live), that God will help the children to grow in their faith this year.

26 NEPAL – The United Mission to Nepal (UMN); seeking to serve the people of Nepal, particularly those living in poverty.

27 HOME MISSION – Rev Roger McElnea and Gortin congregation. Pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the members of the congregation, that they may continue to grow in God’s grace and likeness, encouraging others to follow Christ.

28 HAROLD McCAULEY HOUSE – for this nursing home in Omagh providing care for 32 older people. Pray for the staff team, particularly with shortages in nursing posts.

Christopher and Nivedita Benjamin

18 URBAN MISSION – Rev William Harkness and the congregation of Great Victoria Street. Pray for William’s involvement in community outreach projects in the area, including South Belfast Friendship House.

29 CHAPLAINS – Rev Jim Lamont in his chaplaincy work in Letterkenny General Hospital as he seeks to provide pastoral support to patients and their families.

30 PORTUGAL – James and Heather Cochrane and their colleagues Pedro and Amada as they lead the church plant in Senhora da Hora and seek opportunities to build relationships with local people.

20 CHAPLAINS – Pray for Rev Michael Anderson, part-time chaplain at Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast. Pray that Sunday services at the hospital will continue to be a great blessing to the patients who come.

www.presbyterianireland.org/prayer

Hospitality & hope

Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, reflects on his recent overseas trip to Jordan.

I

had vainly hoped that 10 days in Jordan would provide some relief to the expanding moderatorial waistline, but it would have been totally wrong to have denied myself such outstanding hospitality. The day after arriving, we were royally entertained to lunch by the Director of Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary ( JETS). There was a huge platter of delights with everything from chicken, lamb and beef kebabs to hummus, falafel and delicious yoghurt.

As we ate, it was fascinating to hear Dr Imad Shehadeh sharing the lifetime vision he has pursued with faith, hope and perseverance for the establishment and development of theological training in the Middle East. Against the odds, JETS was officially registered by the Jordanian government in 1995 and has continued to provide resources for literally hundreds of students throughout the Arabic speaking world. It is unashamedly conservative evangelical in its ethos and outlook.

Towards the end of the week, Barbara and I had the pleasure of visiting the seminary and being part of the welcome for students as they enrolled to begin the

Hospitality came to us in different, deeply challenging and humbling ways. new academic year. There was palpable excitement as we wondered how many students would receive visas and it was a privilege to meet new arrivals from South Sudan, Egypt and Iraq. There was no mistaking the presence of God

as choruses were sung with great gusto, and Dr Imad was my translator as I was given the incredible privilege of leading morning devotions. Afterwards, it was so moving, again over food, to hear in greater detail some of the individual stories of commitment and sacrifice.

Hospitality came to us in different, deeply challenging and humbling ways.

That’s when you’re sitting in the poor homes of Christian refugees and they offer you all that they have. We spent a gruelling and life-changing day visiting three Christian families who had fled for their lives from Iraq. Firstly, a mother and her three children; a mother so traumatised after a bruising physical and psychological encounter with ISIS that she still cannot talk about her horrendous experiences. She sat quite impassively in front of us, now just about beginning to re-engage in conversation. By contrast, it was a delight to watch her youngest child so full of life and vitality in his unspoiled innocence.

I read Isaiah 61 and prayed as we prepared to leave – the Lord bestowing on his loved ones a crown of beauty instead of ashes and the oil of gladness Herald November 2018

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instead of mourning. My prayers seemed so weak and superficial, but I was relieved to remember that the Word of God is always relevant, active and powerful.

Later we found ourselves in a spartan ‘apartment’, with faulty electrics and a leaking roof – difficult in the heat of the summer, as well as the cold depths of winter. Here a teacher of English literature with a beautiful spirit laughed as she shared her love of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. It would have been preferable if she had been able to lose herself in a fictional novel rather than now having to tell us the true horror story of her hasty escape from her homeland. Like so many other extended families huddled together in a confined space, she was waiting to find out which country would offer them asylum and new beginnings. I read from Ephesians 3 about being rooted and established in Christ’s love.

At our third house, we met a family whose loved ones were scattered across Europe while they were left stranded because of passport fraudsters. There was no mistaking their faith as I read Psalm 139, a picture of God’s complete care even in the darkest places. Again I am not sure if I registered the enormity of what I was hearing. Such brokenness, but also forgiveness; laughter through the tears; hope in the midst of despair; generous hospitality, although they had nothing to give. It was so emotional to come alongside these people having nothing, yet possessing everything in Christ.

These three families are being looked after by the Bible Society of Jordan, which is helping with accommodation, providing food to eat and offering trauma counselling, where necessary. We are deeply grateful for the time we were given by the Society and the insights

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…a mother so traumatised after a bruising physical and psychological encounter with ISIS that she still cannot talk about her horrendous experiences. gained. Such an inspiring example of holistic care and the courage to reach out to others in spite of overwhelming odds. A word of credit also, however, to the Jordanian government for the

untrumpeted manner in which it has opened its borders to millions of refugees.

We also experienced unprecedented hospitality in a small local congregation as it reaches out to others. On the church premises we greeted a doctor now working in an improvised surgery and a dentist, who had miraculously escaped an ISIS bullet to his head, about to give some treatment in a neighbouring room.

Then the local pastor took us to visit a young widow from a nominal Christian background in Iraq, who had fled with her daughter about six months ago.

A small flat has been provided by the church, with some furniture and a bed.

She had discovered new friends in Christ

and her faith has totally come alive. It was deeply moving as Barbara sat beside her to pray.

Her daughter is attending the local refugee school. The classrooms, the improvised computer suite, the laughter of the children on the flat roof of the building, totally oblivious even to the most basic health and safety regulations!

Our guide told us that they could no longer rent these premises and were soon having to move elsewhere. He took us to the new site, a place of even bigger dreams. I was so moved by his unstoppable vision, insatiable passion and complete dependence on God. Incidentally, I was delighted to learn that our Boys’ Brigade in Northern Ireland has adopted this outstanding school for its winter project with the aim to provide a decent outdoor, all-purpose playground for the children.

As we reach our hand out to others, sometimes there can be interesting consequences. You can imagine my embarrassment then when I attempted an Arab greeting to a conservative looking lady. Instead of saying a simple and straightforward ‘hello’, I was plunged in at the deep end as I told her, in no uncertain terms, that I loved her. I am glad that she saw the funny side and dissolved in surprised laughter. I was relieved that my wife was once more immediately on hand to rescue me.

There is, however, a much more serious side to this story. The lady is a Christian from a Muslim background and was still wearing a head covering as we tried to talk together. I have subsequently learnt that she has been baptised and had removed her scarf. I often remember the evening Canon Andrew White, the famous vicar of Baghdad, came to Bangor West, and told us that as new believers were immersed in the waters of baptism,

quite often it was as if they were literally signing their death warrants. There are indeed far-reaching consequences for new believers, should their families find out.

My personal faux pas with this lady is an amusing illustration of some of the difficulties involved in cross-cultural interaction. A veritable minefield if I were to be in Jordan over a longer period and enough to give my wife a nervous breakdown! Suffice to say, I have discovered a deep personal admiration for those who have obeyed God’s call to share their lives in cross-cultural service and those supporting them. Please sign up for every opportunity to pray for them.

We were staying with Colin and Marjorie, who have the most amazing gift of hospitality. They looked after us exceedingly well and made us feel completely at home. Since returning to Bangor, we have been constantly in contact with them and have become close friends. They have such large pastoral hearts and endless capacity for others. I simply have no idea of how many people they have taken under their wings to bless and encourage. The joy of the Lord is undoubtedly their strength and they are sharing his grace and truth extravagantly with so many others in various contexts.

It takes the confidence of a former army driver to negotiate the fast-flowing, chaotic traffic of a large city. Rather Colin than me! I often tried to work out if it would be better driving with eyes closed or open. We are so grateful to them for all the sightseeing they enabled us to do in the land of the Ammonites, Edomites and Moabites. We sometimes forget that Jordan is an extension of the Holy Land with as much geographical and historical significance.

It was so emotional to come alongside these people having nothing, yet possessing everything in Christ.

They took us, among many other places including Petra, to visit the site where John was baptised. The premium site for us was Mount Nebo, where Moses was given a glimpse of the Promised Land. A place where the Scriptures come powerfully to life: “Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of

Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the Lord showed him the whole land – from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar” (Deuteronomy 34:1-3).

Moses was 120 years old, still full of strength and fortunately his eyesight had not gone. The view for us was hazy, but as I stood and looked out, verses about standing on the promises of God came to mind, and

stepping out in him: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

The site is beautifully maintained by Franciscans and there is such a sense of peace. I was greatly taken by the stained glass windows depicting various scenes from the life of Moses. Most impressive, however, was the metal sculpture in the shape of a serpentine cross that stands on the terrace, created by the Italian artist Gian Paolo Fantoni. It recalls the bronze serpent on a pole which God told Moses to erect to protect his people from the poisonous snakes that God himself had sent as punishment. It was enough to look at the bronze symbol erected by the prophet in order to be healed and saved.

The previous lines I have quoted directly from the explanatory plaque. And then comes this detail: “The inspiring image merges the healing bronze serpent of Moses with the crucified Jesus who saves the entire world.”

Beneath the cross is this evangelistic verse in Arabic and in English for a world of tourists to see: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” ( John 3:14). An invitation to the most incredible hospitality imaginable. A banquet of heavenly delight!

Christ’s love compels us 33

Squaring up

to the past

In a year that marks 50 years since the start of the Troubles, Rev Tony Davidson outlines a PCI project in process that, once completed, will reflect the experiences and voices of many Presbyterians from those dark days.

I

grew up in Dungannon, County Tyrone. The Market Square sat on a plateau at the top of the town. Within its four corners could be found a cenotaph, Orange hall, local banks, post office, police station and various shops.

At the bottom end of the Square, Irish Street, Church Street and Scotch Street streamed off in different directions, giving a clue to the town’s historical, religious and political divisions.

On 24 August 1968, 2,500 people marched from Coalisland to Dungannon wanting civil rights. They sought an end to discrimination in housing and jobs. Another 1,500 counterprotested in Market Square.

Recently, I asked Very Rev Dr Andrew Rodgers, minister emeritus in Dungannon, about his memories of that day.

He told me how the Church of Ireland rector, the Methodist minister, the Roman Catholic priest and himself had gathered together in the Square, trying to ensure that the protests did not degenerate into violence. So, on what is sometimes referred to as ‘the first day of the Troubles’, we have evidence of how Churches had engaged with what was going on in the streets.

In 1975 I was in my final year at the Royal School Dungannon. By now, the Square had been pockmarked by frequent bombs and Dungannon was precariously perched on one edge of the Mid Ulster ‘murder triangle’. On 22 September, as

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some of us prepared to go to the Queen’s University open day, we heard a bomb explode. Later in the day, news emerged of how the Caledon bus had been leaving off its passengers at the top of the Square when a bomb in Scotch Street exploded about 100 yards away.

A car jack was catapulted into the morning sky. It dropped tragically on

top of Maurice Hobson. Around that period, Maurice had been attending the Christian Endeavour in our church in Scotch Street. I remember visiting Maurice when he lay critical in hospital.

His glasses had shattered his face,

…our Church has courageously decided to transparently allow others to critically assess our witness.

requiring 80 stitches; his jaw was broken and his nose smashed. His brain was damaged, causing him to suffer epilepsy and his eyesight was twisted. When he emerged from a coma he underwent extensive plastic surgery.

Maurice had always been a skilled artist. After the bomb, he used his art to demonstrate what it is like to be a victim, from the inside out. Since his eyesight was skewed, he intentionally skewed his art. He created more than 80 paintings and photographic-based images, many of which are self-portraits, with his face horribly contorted. Tragically, on 29 September 1987, Maurice suffered a fatal epileptic fit. Thirty years on from his death, Maurice’s graphic artwork has been displayed in Ranfurly House in the Market Square in Dungannon, just yards from the explosion.

His brother David, who now worships in Cootehill Presbyterian Church, has stated the reasons for the exhibition.

“It’s to give his life’s work recognition and to make people rethink the avenue of violence. We hope it might prevent anybody else going down the route that had led to the condition he found himself in.”

There are thousands of people across Northern Ireland, like David Hobson and Andrew Rodgers, who have stories to tell. For the project ‘How does the Presbyterian Church respond to the Troubles?’, 122 of them were interviewed.

At the 2016 General Assembly, I was appointed to convene a panel under the Council of Public Affairs which included

Photography by Simon Mills for Atypical Gallery. Used with permission.

Valerie Stewart, Cathryne Bell, Sam Pollock and Bill Addley, along with Norman Hamilton and Gavin Norris.

We worked together with an academic reference group and another reference group of former Moderators, Frank Sellar, Stafford Carson, Trevor Morrow, and Rob Craig.

In the spring of 2017 Norman Hamilton, the convener of the Council, and myself wrote to every active minister in the General Assembly asking them to nominate people who had been affected by the Troubles. We were working in conjunction with Dr Gladys Ganiel and Dr Jamie Yohanis from the George Mitchell Institute for Global Peace Security and Justice in Queen’s University, with funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Republic of Ireland.

From June 2017 to April 2018, 122 people were interviewed. Of those, 50 were women and 77 came from the border area. Ministers who were pastorally responsible for congregations which had suffered through the Troubles from 1968 to 2000 have shared stories about how they pastored, preached, conducted multiple funerals under the public gaze, while themselves being first responders.

Victims of the Troubles, including those who were injured, disabled or disturbed, have told their stories which still throb with sadness. We have also listened to those who served in the security forces or were prison officers, many of whom felt their lives were continually under threat, as well as first responders, including ambulance drivers, fire fighters, those in the medical professions, and undertakers.

It is important for Presbyterian stories to continue to be told and archived so that they can be heard by future generations.

When anarchy reigned on the streets, quiet peacemakers kept order in schools, government, community and commercial life. Often the most interesting stories came from people who were unaware of the significance of their story. Some Presbyterians who were former paramilitaries and served prison sentences have also been interviewed.

The research has been further enhanced by some who, for various reasons, have left the Presbyterian Church, along with critical friends.

Presently, Dr Gladys Ganiel is working on the manuscript of a book, the working title of which is Considering Grace. We expect that it will be published in 2019.

The book will provide a basis for those studying for the ministry, as well as a resource book for those who want to delve deeper into our history. We trust it will help stimulate reflection on the past among Presbyterians and Christians in other Churches, and wider society, encouraging us all to be self-critical about our response to the Troubles.

The panel is grateful to all those who have shared honestly how their faith sustained them and how supportive their congregation and the wider Church had been through those years.

While we are all waiting for civil society to come up with some answers

on how to deal with the past, our Church has courageously decided to transparently allow others to critically assess our witness. So that the history of the Troubles would not be rewritten, it is important for Presbyterian stories to continue to be told and archived so that they can be heard by future generations.

We are looking at ways to encourage a culture of further storytelling.

Involvement in this project has stirred up memories for all of us on the panel.

My own faith came alive against the backdrop of the conflict of the 1970s as I, with others in the Christian Endeavour, was involved in reaching out from the Presbyterian church in Scotch Street, Dungannon to rival gangs in Irish Street and Perry Street. Through my ministry in Co Armagh I have listened to stories from victims on all sides of the conflict and have pastored people deeply affected by the Troubles. However, Maurice’s art has reminded me how the experience of violence can skew our vision. I have reflected on how my personal experiences of the past may have skewed how I see myself and other people, how I pray and how I read my Bible.

In Psalm 85 we hear of how justice, mercy, truth, and peace embrace. These four virtues act as the corners of a square.

An emphasis on one virtue without recognition of the others can skew the square, making it lopsided. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus Christ is the person who holds together these four virtues in perfect harmony. As we move forward into the future, now 20 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, we trust this project will be used by God to help society to square up to our past and emerge into a better future.

Herald November 2018

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Bible, church & same-sex attraction Stephen Williams offers some thoughts for PCI on the issue of same-sex attraction.

“I

cry myself to sleep most nights and hope that I don’t wake up in the morning.

When I do wake up, I have a physical feeling of unbearable weight resting on me and a dark cloud surrounding me. My days are marked by intense loneliness and despair. Sundays in church make it no easier. In fact, it can make things worse, because I am now lonely in the crowd. Individual ministers and Christian friends are sometimes deeply and genuinely caring; I am sincerely grateful for and thank them. But the church overall is a different matter – whether I think of PCI as a whole or my particular congregation. On a good day, I’m very sad; on a bad one, I’m suicidal.”

Not all same-sex attracted people will echo this and many who are not same-sex attracted will echo it for other reasons.

However, the words seem to represent the experience of many same-sex attracted people in PCI. One standard response will be: “We will do all that we can to get alongside you in your pain while upholding the position of the Church on sexual activity.” It is a response consistent with our position in PCI; it may be theologically correct and pastorally sincere. It is also inadequate in relation to both the Bible and the Church.

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Biblical passages on same-sex activity are standardly brought to bear on the contemporary debate and are judged applicable to it. Right enough, when they are properly understood. But they are about activity and not about attraction.

This does not make the Bible narrow and of limited relevance. On the contrary, what it means is that Scripture opens up a space for theological and actionoriented pastoral reflection within boundaries. We are often strong and eloquent on the boundaries, but it is our responsibility to occupy ourselves equally with the space. Theological reflection cannot fruitfully occur if we do not hear the voice of the same-sex attracted whose experience is sometimes that the Lord hears their voice, but usually that the church does not. I suspect that when the subject of heterosexual attraction comes up, people opposed to same-sex relationships do not automatically think of genital activity; but where same-sex attraction is in question, that is what they automatically think about. I may be

The public theology of a church must characteristically be a pastoral theology.

wrong. At all events, we are often guilty of not understanding the nature or the different forms of same-sex attraction.

One thing we must surely do is to revise some familiar ways of thinking about the relation of doctrine to the life of the church. Anyone who first reads Paul’s searing indictment of idolatry in Romans 1 will be surprised at Luke’s record of that distinctive speech in Acts when Paul is confronting pagan thought (17:16-31). We should have expected from Paul something much more robust.

So what can we assume from Romans 1 about how he would have handled in the public forum the same-sex activity he talked about in Romans 1? I ask it as a genuine question and, in asking it, we have not even got to the hypothetical question of how Paul would have handled same-sex attraction. Why do we ever read Romans or any other Pauline epistle without immersing ourselves in Acts? One of the most influential reformed preachers in the Englishspeaking world in the 20th century was Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He insisted strongly (and rightly) that we fail to understand the epistles unless we read them against the background of the actual life of the church and that Acts gives us the context in which to read Paul. To read Paul’s epistles in that context bolsters our sense

that they are documents with a pastoral aim rooted in the lived life of a church.

This challenges us to think about the connection between doctrinal statements and the life of the church. It warns us against the separation of doctrinal from pastoral declarations. (As someone who, in the past, has participated in the task of drawing up doctrinal statements in PCI, I shall say: “Physician, heal thyself ” before anyone else says it.) Paul never communicates to the churches a doctrinal position shorn of its pastoral application. Indeed, while we cannot trace with certainty the development of Paul’s theological thinking, the Corinthian correspondence gives a clear impression that it developed precisely in the context of pastoral wrestling. We are not little Pauls, who can follow his theological example while neglecting his apostolic authority. But we surely fail to follow his example by a studious separation of doctrinal from pastoral pronouncements. If 1 Corinthians had declared only doctrine with a promise that 2 Corinthians would follow a year or two later with pastoral application, what would life in the Corinthian congregation have been like in the meantime? The public theology of a church must characteristically be a pastoral theology.

We often think of ‘meaning’ as something which resides in words. If I say: “The stated position of PCI is that sexually active samesex relationships are not consistent with Christian profession, but that people who are same-sex attracted are to be welcomed and loved in the Church”, I may think that the meaning is clear.

However, at one important level, it is not. In everyday life, we do not convey meaning simply by the content of our words; we convey it by tone, gesture, attitude; we convey it by exemplifying in the fabric of our lives what we mean or do not mean. It is our practices that convey our meaning – not just the outward practices, but the spirit, atmosphere and the implications of our practices.

In the New Testament, it is the lived life of the church which is supposed to convey to those outside it (and inside it, for that matter) what is meant by such

things as the freedom of the gospel, the love and holiness of God, the grace and teaching of Jesus Christ. Detached from a context in the life of the congregation, public church statements about samesex relationships or about any other subject do not convey our meaning as it should be conveyed. They are not seen to flow out of the life of a Spirit-filled church in the way that apostolic words do in the New Testament. A Spirit-filled church is anything but perfect and public statements have their important place.

But what people hear is not determined by what the church says. People interpret the words that they hear according to their experience. How a church responds

…what people hear is not determined by what the church says. People interpret the words that they hear according to their experience. to same-sex attracted people in the church (or outside it, for that matter) tells us more about what the church believes on that question than do the actual statements of the church – whether we are thinking of church in terms of local congregation or the larger institution.

It is doubtless all too easy to say all this and, I hope, not controversial. It just boils down to a plea for us to do to others as we would have them do to us, which would be to see us not as walking embodiments of a set of beliefs or practices but as the people we individually are, who want to be heard, understood and loved with our past and our present, our needs and our hopes, our fears and our longings. “We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do and more in regard to what they suffer” (Bonhoeffer). If these words apply at all, they apply to the same-sex attracted in PCI. Professor Stephen Williams is emeritus professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological College and honorary professor of Theology at Queen’s University.

Convener’s update...

One of the resolutions of the 2018 General Assembly was “that appropriate training be offered to kirk sessions on the theology and practice of the Church’s understanding of ‘a credible profession of faith’ and the pastoral guidelines on homosexuality.” In response, the General Council appointed an implementation task group to produce such a resource, with a clear pastoral tone.

The reference to ‘pastoral guidelines’ and ‘a clear pastoral tone’ is important. It reflects the Church’s belief that doctrine and pastoral care belong together and work best when each is informed by the other. The Doctrine Committee also referred to this in its report (GA Reports, p84, para2).

The task group has two subgroups at work. One is looking at the 2006 pastoral guidelines on homosexuality with the intention of presenting an updated version in a form that will better facilitate the equipping of the target audience (kirk sessions and others involved in congregational pastoral care). The other is looking at what constitutes ‘a credible profession’, with particular reference to the difficult cases kirk sessions may need to address, but not overlooking more general aspects of credible profession.

It is planned to hold a ‘Listening Day’ in January 2019 for representatives of presbyteries to give feedback on different aspects of the task group’s work. The format will include three 20-minute plenary presentations, each followed by 40-minute round-table facilitated discussions. It will be an opportunity for those whom presbyteries send to have an input to the work of the task group and for the task group to hear and consider their views.

Please pray for the task group as it wrestles with some thorny issues. It is important that the resource’s content and tone are not only pastoral and biblical, but genuinely helpful and practical.

Very Rev Dr Alastair Dunlop Task group convener Herald November 2018

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REVIEWS

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

Sing the Bible with Slugs and Bugs (Volume 3) Randall Goodgame THEGOODBOOK.CO.UK

£9.99

«««««

This is the third instalment in a series of audio CDs. Randall Goodgame continues to deliver quality songs that quote verses and passages of the Bible directly.

Goodgame brings the Bible to life and makes the memorising of Scripture fun for children and adults alike. There are 16 songs in all, focusing on Jesus’ life, his words and his ministry.

My children have been listening to the first Slugs and Bugs CD in the car for quite some time so they were delighted to start learning some new songs. Some standout favourites for us are Get Up! (feat Propaganda), I am the Way (feat Mike Weaver) and I am the Vine based on John 15:4-5.

As a parent, I am indebted to Goodgame for helping me teach Scripture to my children. This CD and the two that have gone before are great tools for teaching memory verses and the songs are easy to learn if you are looking for new children’s songs to introduce to your congregation.

As always there are some wellknown cameos from the likes of Sally Lloyd-Jones which add much to the stories being told through song.

I enjoyed this CD as much as my children did (I can be found listening to it even when they’re not in the car). This would make for a great Christmas gift next month or even as a novel Sunday school prize later on in the year. I cannot recommend this CD enough – an excellent resource!

LS

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Herald November 2018

The Gospel Comes with a House Key Rosaria Butterfield CROSSWAY BOOKS

£15.99

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At a time in the UK when loneliness has been identified by the government as a big enough problem to require its own minister, comes this searingly honest and raw testimony of a family practicing what Butterfield describes as “radically, ordinary hospitality” to a community like our communities – full of lonely people longing for welcome.

Butterfield challenges the reader to see hospitality as a “spiritual movement”, to see every stranger as a neighbour, each person met as an image-bearer of God. Refreshingly she emphasises “God’s family” over “church family” – a phrase which she argues leads to disengagement with those God puts all around us in our neighbourhoods.

In her North Carolinian context, Butterfield’s life of extraordinary discipline with its home schooling and gospel presentation at each social gathering may intimidate slightly and seem removed from our more reserved ways, but there are interesting principles to glean from it. Butterfield, her husband and children are the ones in their neighbourhood who care for the lonely, the strange and the criminal. They are ambitious in their invitations – using the app ‘Next Door’, up to 300 neighbours could be included in a ‘cook out’; they have guests each night enjoying what she has coined “table fellowship”, a place of acceptance where the welcome of Jesus is palpable.

An inspirational read for those who seek to engage beyond the church walls and live authentic, broken lives with people in need of Jesus.

RD

We Will Remember Them Gavin Dickson with D.J. Carswell 10OFTHOSE.COM 99p

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We Will Remember Them is a small booklet in both size and pagination, and while its title and cover imagery immediately suggest a connection with the Great War and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in that conflict, this is only dealt with briefly in the first few pages.

The main subject of the book is the life story of Gavin Dickson, a former Scots Guardsman, who served with the British Army between 2000-2013.

Gavin relates how, after a troubled childhood, he enlisted in the army at the age of 16 and goes on to outline his early career and his battles with alcohol.

He tells of his tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, how he came to faith and how he was sustained in that faith with the help of the army chaplains at his various postings.

Gavin’s spiritual journey eventually led him to become a reader with the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association (SASRA).

As a testimony, this little booklet is an interesting enough read but there may not be sufficient depth to satisfy those with a desire to explore the relationship of faith and war.

EC

REVIEWERS

LS – Lisa Skinner is an administrative officer for the Herald.

A Gospel of Hope Walter Brueggemann HODDER & STOUGHTON

£12.99

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At a time when the stability of the UK and Ireland is in question and the uncertainty of Brexit looms large, this is a very relevant read. Although written with an American audience in mind, it reflects the Western mindset at present; highlighting our desperation to cling to happiness and security when our comfort is threatened.

Brueggemann’s use of language is never wasted. Each paragraph is full of insight and poignancy and could easily be meditated on further to ensure full digestion. Equally though, it is an accessible read and so, whilst thoughtprovoking, it never becomes off-putting.

We are reminded of the clear gospel message of hope and challenged to think afresh about how that impacts our lives.

Through 12 chapters Brueggemann looks at topics like ‘abundance and generosity’, ‘anxiety and freedom’, ‘evangelical identity’ and ‘justice’. In all there seems to be a common theme: we don’t fully trust in God and so we are left in a perpetually anxious state of dissatisfaction and fear.

He comments, “The time is coming for the church when we shall have to decide if we do indeed believe God is God, if we will put our lives where our mouths are.

And the issue is a simple one. Either God is Lord and so we are safe and free to serve him, or he is not Lord and so we must live in fear and defensiveness.”

This is a challenging read that will shake you out of your comfort zone and give you a fresh perspective on living in the transformative power of the gospel message.

SH

EC – Edward Connolly is a researcher and family historian.

RD – Rosie Donaldson is a wife, mother of three and elder in Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church.

SH – Sarah Harding is editor of the Herald.

The Workers Cup PASSION RIVER FILMS (2017)

«««««

Around 40.3 million people are in global slavery today and it’s estimated that 24.9 million of them are victims of forced labour. In The Workers Cup, modern-slavery is captured by a film crew who gain access to some of the migrant workers in Qatar, currently building the FIFA World Cup stadiums and facilities for 2022. They take us into the workers’ camps, located outside of Doha’s salubrious city centre, to a desert region where the men live in small rooms, and are subject to restrictions on their freedom of movement.

In the midst of what some workers describe as ‘hell’, these men are offered a glimmer of heaven in the form of a corporate-sponsored Workers’ Cup. For these men, this is their sole source of entertainment, a football cup for 22 of the construction companies, the only 22 out of over 1000 firms that meet the standards for workers required to participate in the tournament. We follow the Gulf Construction Company (GCC) team, the only firm willing to allow the film crew access, and meet endearing characters from India, Kenya, Nepal and Ghana.

There are a number of poignant moments in the movie, the first being when the GCC team lose their first match, the chairman of the company

Editor’s note...

This screening was hosted

by No More Traffik. To find out more about accessing the documentary and supplementary resources go to nomoretraffik.com

turns to his players and in an attempt to encourage them says, “Don’t worry, it’s just a game.” As the camera pans round to show the devastation on the faces of the team members, it is clear that it is so much more than just a game for them – it is their escapism, joy in the midst of sorrow, something they can believe in, it is a chance to live their dreams.

The state-of-the-art stadiums the workers get to play in, albeit for a fleeting time, are juxtaposed by the conditions the men return to in their camp at the end of the day.

We journey with the team to what is an inevitable anti-climax for them and as we see the tournament draw to its conclusion, a quote from Pele can be seen on the stadium wall: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” Ironically, this is not a success that these men will ever be able to avail of. While they work hard and they persevere, their reality is that they are far from home, missing their families, striving to keep relationships alive and never earning enough to stop working.

This film was thoughtfully constructed and well balanced, with the workers being allowed to tell their stories for themselves, using text on screen to highlight facts only at intervals. It is an educational and humbling watch, bringing to the fore the modern-slavery that we, although often unknowingly, benefit from. As such, the film-makers succeed in throwing down the gauntlet to their audience, challenging us to wake up to the realities of slavery around us and to do something about it.

LS

Herald November 2018

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REFLECTIONS

A winter’s tale Arthur Clarke Study in 2 Timothy 4:21

O

n 7 December 1564, a severe frost set in and the A warning: “Pray that your flight will not take place in freeze took its grip of the River Thames. Great winter” (Mark 13:18). Jesus was teaching his disciples about the blocks of ice choked the river by 21 December.

Second Advent. That day will come when careless humanity Londoners began to venture out onto the ice and least expects it. When that crisis comes, escaping is the only there conducted their business. The chronicler of the time, one option and anyone having postponed such preparation will be Raphael Hollinshed, described how people played games and overcome in the disaster. Leave the treasures in the falling house employees of the court, being daily at Westminster, engaged in and flee! The priority in this scene of time is the saving of the archery. It is believed Queen Elizabeth also ventured onto the soul not the amassing of goods, which perish in the apocalypse. ice and danced, to the great delight of the populace. By January The angel exhorted Lot and his wife to flee the stricken city.

1565 the thaw had set in.

Lot, grieved by the wickedness he had witnessed, hurried away, Winter is part of the created order with but his wife, her heart still in the cities of its unique contribution to our life, health the plain, looked back and perished. Her So, if we plan to repair and working patterns. Sometimes we feel flight was in the ‘winter’. One wise man that Byron got it right when he lamented, relationships, seek the advised: “Ensure that when you come to “The English winter – ending in July and die, all you have is to die.”

Saviour, do good work commencing again in August.” The Bible An invitation: “Do your best to get has something to say about the lessons here before winter” (2 Timothy 4:21). for the kingdom’s sake… winter can teach and we shall look at three Paul was in prison in Rome and Timothy, get it done before texts and the truths these assert. pastoring in Ephesus, was separated from A statement: “You made both summer his spiritual father and mentor by land ‘winter’! and winter” (Psalm 74:17). It is easy to and sea. Voyaging in wintertime was believe in a benign Creator when summer hazardous as chapter 27 of Acts confirms. suns are glowing and the opportunity to walk in woods and If Timothy was to see his friend, it must be before winter. There glades is a daily delight. But when the biting wind of December was a limited time in which to fit in all his noble plans. Here is smites the cheek and foggy November evenings brings on an a solemn truth; unless Timothy acted with haste, all his good early night, shallow maxims are seen to be hollow and won’t fit intentions would be unrealised. There is so much that must be the observable realities. The philosophy of dualism suggests two done immediately. So, if we plan to repair relationships, seek the forces govern our lives, the good is from God and the evil is Saviour, do good work for the kingdom’s sake and discharge our from Satan and these two forces of equal strength strive for the duty to family and friends – get it done before ‘winter’! mastery.

A modern scholar writes: “The time, the people and the Biblical teaching asserts that at the core of the universe is individual converge only once.” Horace, the wise old Roman, God, holy, gracious, righteous and sovereign over all he has contended: “Seize the day! Put no trust in the morrow!” made. He made summer and winter and the chilly season has According to J.G. Whittier, “Of all the sad words of tongue or a ministry in our lives. “Consider the raven,” taught Jesus. The pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been’…” raven was deemed an unclean bird and Israel detested it. In “How long are you going to sit on the fence? Make up your mythology, the raven was associated with paganism. When minds!” (1 Kings 18, The Message).

Elijah was living in isolation in Kerith Ravine, he saw a raven approaching. As a good Israelite he dreaded that moment, yet that detested bird brought him provisions. Here is a lesson; when black providences and tests abound, and forbidding circumstances must be faced, look upon them as ravens bringing lessons, albeit all unwelcome. Winter has its place in the divine economy.

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Herald November 2018

LIFE IN PCI

New youth worker in Second Comber Graeme Thompson congratulates Robert Dalzell, the new youth and family worker in Second Comber, following his service of commissioning in the Co Down church.

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

Birthday celebration in Ballyholme Dora Mair celebrated her 100th birthday recently. She is pictured with former Moderator Dr Michael Barry and Rev Peter Lyle, minister of Ballyholme Presbyterian in Bangor.

Birthday milestone at Faughanvale Retirement in Ballywillan Sam Robinson was recently presented with a gift to mark his retirement after 40 years as an elder in Ballywillan Presbyterian Church. Also in the picture are Christine Dunlop (clerk of session) and Dr Stephen Williamson (minister of the Co Antrim church).

Mattie Parkhill celebrated her 100th birthday recently at a special event held at Faughanvale Presbyterian, where she has been a member all her life. Family, friends and members of the Co Londonderry congregation joined PCI Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, and Mrs Parkhill for the celebration. Mrs Parkhill is pictured with the Moderator and her minister, Rev Lindsay Blair.

New elders in Clough Leslie Drew and Geoffrey Brown have been ordained and installed as elders in Clough Presbyterian. They are pictured with members of Down Presbytery commission, elders of the Co Down church and the minister, Rev Adrian Adger.

Herald November 2018

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LIFE IN PCI

Elders ordained in Castledawson A commission of Tyrone Presbytery has ordained Peter Lennox, Kenneth Taylor, Mervyn Fulton and Samuel McFadden (front row) as ruling elders in Castledawson.

100th birthday in Newcastle Jean Newell celebrated her 100th birthday recently. The Co Down woman is pictured with Rev Andrew Boreland (left) and her elder, Dr John Kyle.

Due to the increased use of small digital and phone cameras we are having to reject some of the photos due to their quality or size. Digital images should have a minimum resolution of 2000x1500 pixels (approx 7x5 inches) at 300dpi and be the original, unedited image.

Further information can be found in our submission guidelines at www.presbyterianireland.org/herald

Presentation in First Ballymena First Ballymena has marked the long service of three members of kirk session who were ordained 42 years ago. James Gregg, Kenneth Dickey and Hugh James Cameron are pictured with clerk of session Tom Heaney (left) and Rev William Sinclair (right).

Long service recognised Dr Noble McNeely, during his year as Moderator, presented Hazel Sproule with a gift in recognition of her 31 years’ service as secretary of First Castlederg Presbyterian Orphan and Children’s Society.

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Herald November 2018

Retirement in First Garvagh Andy Magowan has retired as clerk of session in First Garvagh, having served in the position for 14 years. He was presented with a painting of the Co Londonderry church. Pictured are: Elaine Donald, Rev Mark Donald, Mr Magowan and Betty Magowan.

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

Installation at Cregagh Rev Edward McKenzie was installed as minister of Cregagh Presbyterian in Belfast recently. Pictured in the back row are: members of the vacancy commission, Rev Albin Rankin (clerk of presbytery), Andy McCann, Rev Danny Rankin (moderator of presbytery), Colin McRoberts and Rev Robert Beggs. Front row: Rev Stephen Moore (vacancy convener), Mr McKenzie and Dennison Mahood (clerk of session).

New minister installed in Orangefield Rev Gareth MacLean was installed as minister of Orangefield Presbyterian recently. Pictured are: Rev Albin Rankin (clerk of presbytery), Rev Mervyn Burnside (acting moderator), Ruth McConnell (clerk of session in the Belfast church), Mr MacLean, Rev Danny Rankin (convener), Rev Gary Ball (associate minister), Jim Wylie and Alan Bousefield.

Long service marked in Upper Clonaneese Alexander Condy and Douglas Condy (seated) were each presented with a framed photograph of the church to mark 50 years of service as elders in Upper Clonaneese. Also pictured are the minister of the Co Tyrone congregation, Rev Jackie Spence, and elders Andrew Condy, Dr Evan Sharkey, Alan Lockhart, Ralph Jones, Nigel McMullan, Noel Condy and Ivan Duff.

Presentation in Second Keady The Cromie family has presented pew Bibles to Second Keady Presbyterian in memory of their late parents, Robert and Elizabeth Cromie. Pictured are their daughters, Ruth, Irene and Marie, son-in-law Leslie and grandchildren.

New minister in First Coleraine Rev James Hyndman has been installed as minister of First Coleraine. Pictured are those in the presbytery commission and those involved in the installation service at the Co Londonderry church. Front row: Dr T.J. McCormick (clerk), Rev R.S. McMullan (convener), J. Cassells (clerk of session in First Coleraine), Mr Hyndman, Rev T.A.S. Graham (moderator) and M. McCollum (First Coleraine’s representative elder). Back row: A. Douglas (Ballyrashane), Rev P. Kerr (Ballyrashane), Rev R. Gregg (Burnside), Prof D. Birrell (Burnside), Dr R. Burns (New Row), Mr D. Hood (Banagher), Mr R. McKinney (Boveedy) and Rev S. Stewart (Castlerock).

Herald November 2018

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LIFE IN PCI

Milestone in Randalstown

New elders in Cairncastle

PCI Moderator Dr Charles McMullen and his wife Barbara visited the Neillsbrook home of First Randalstown Presbyterian Church members Joseph and Nellie Graham during his tour of Templepatrick Presbytery.

Joseph celebrated his 100th birthday at the end of August and Nellie will reach that milestone in May 2019. The couple, who have been married for 76 years, are accompanied in the photograph by their son Brian, daughter Margaret and granddaughter Samantha. Also included are Rev Trevor McNeill, minister of First Randalstown Presbyterian Church, and Tommy McFadden, clerk of session in the Co Antrim church.

Five new elders have been ordained and installed in Cairncastle Presbyterian. Pictured in the front row are the new elders: Margaret Tweed, Helen Stewart, Glyn Forbes, Valerie Moore, and Jenny Bindley.

Pictured in the back row are: representative elders Willie Hunter, June Coyle and Warren Heggan; and Rev Fiona Forbes (moderator of Carrickfergus Presbytery), Dr Colin McClure (clerk of presbytery), Rev Ian Carton (convener of presbytery commission) and Rev Peter Bovill.

CROSSWORD Puzzle no 246 1

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Herald November 2018

ACROSS 1 This was conquered at Calvary (5) 4 Tax collecting disciple (7) 8 Horned horse? (7) 9 Abraham’s son (5) 10 The state of being isolated (10) 12 Next to (2) 13 Small label (3) 15 To speak evil of (6) 18 A road built to avoid a town (6) 20 It’s small, red and sour (9) 23 Sweet potato (3) 24 Family (3) 25 A ridge of gravel deposited by ice (5) 26 Jesus born to be the ……. of the world (7) 27 There’s a song about a yellow one (9) 28 Automobile Association (2)

DOWN 1 Chocolate bars or modes of public transport (13) 2 Relating to Asia (5) 3 American gangster (7) 4 Extracting ore from the earth (6) 5 Isaiah 55 gives an invitation to all who are....... (7) 6 A not so funny practical joke (4) 7 Eccentric (slang) (5) 11 Juice of a tree or plant (3) 14 Place of Jewish exile (7) 16 Young Dutch war heroine (5) 17 This London landmark goes around (3) 18 A good deal (7) 19 Woman – well – where? (7) 21 Sir, backwards (3) 22 Former name of SE Asian country of Myanmar (5)

REFLECTIONS

Memories

Betsy Cameron

2

018 has been a big year for anniversaries. You will Listening to Mr Jones explain the mysteries of chemistry and not need reminding that it is 100 years since women exhorting as he lobbed questions to us in his gravelly growl, (well, some) got the vote or that we observe the 100th “Talk to me, people, talk to me!” Winning a jukebox from a anniversary of the end of World War One this month. local radio station’s ‘School Spirit Contest’ which took pride of Other big milestones, however, may have escaped your notice. place in the school canteen. (Songs by the Eagles and the smell Did you know that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the of school dinners are forever linked.) Going all the way to the founding of Ikea, the 50th anniversary of the Big Mac and the state football finals one year. Listening to the girls’ choir sing 25th anniversary of the film Jurassic Park? Equally lost in the You’ll Never Walk Alone at our school-leaving one warm evening shuffle, I am quite certain, is my own ‘very big anniversary’. Yes, in early June. What a song to go out in the world to!

I am about to return home for the momentous occasion of my – But, in many ways, my classmates are strangers to me, and hmmm, now let me be careful here. Well, let’s just say I’m going we will meet each other as we are now, so different to how we to my ‘bleep’-tieth school reunion and leave it at that! had been. I imagine we will be all be doing a bit of stocktaking Of course, I am filled with a certain and reflecting on life’s lessons. There will amount of trepidation and have many difficult conversations. Two ‘girls’ (I use We can’t hold time in our be anxious questions. Will I be the only one the term loosely) who grew up just around with pigment-free hair? Will I recognise the corner from me have lost husbands this hands, but we can love everyone and be able to come up with year, and there will be other stories of grief the present day as a gift and loss to face. But amongst the tears, I names right away? Will I have good, meaningful conversations? Will I look from God and look to the hope we will laugh, too, and find reasons to at endless photos of grandchildren while be cheerful. explaining that I still have a teenager living future with confidence…

Memories shape us, to be sure, and play at home? And what of my classmates? a role in making us who we are. But – and Have the years been kind to them? What have been their joys? this is the other side of the coin – we also shape memories.

What burdens have they struggled with? Will we be nicer to Edges get fuzzy and lose their sharp edge. Some things recede each other now than we were back then? over time while other things take on a fresh importance. We I have a clue to some of these questions in the form of a are always looking back through the lens of experience, and this booklet that I dug up a couple of days ago. It was produced on changes powerfully how we remember things. the occasion of our – oh, you nearly had me there! – well, our You will have had your own personal anniversaries this year, last big reunion, which I was not able to attend. I had a series your own remembrances – painful or precious – and each will of good excuses, though: a brand-new baby, a big house move have a place in your heart, which you will tend like a garden. and my husband’s ordination into ministry. Phew! Even now, However sweet or hard your memories may be, I hope they will the memory of all that upheaval – joyful though it was – brings enrich rather than entangle you, that you will be linked to your tears to my eyes. past but not bound by it. We can’t hold time in our hands, but My bestie, Irene, kindly mailed me the booklet way back we can love the present day as a gift from God and look to the then, complete with helpful annotations on sticky notes beside future with confidence and hope in God, whose loving hand each person’s entry. They are funny, sad, sweet, troubling: has holds us all. six kids; has not changed one bit; enjoyed talking to his wife; And, oh, I think the prize for ‘Travelled the farthest to the looked great and very happy; mental health problems following reunion’ is in the bag! divorce; working on her PhD – wow; still smokes and drinks too much; cute new baby; told us all about her drug addictions and rehab; made home-made bread for everyone to take home.

All of these people are dear to me. We are forever linked by the shared memories that defined us as a community.

Memorising long passages from Shakespeare for Mrs Edwards.

Herald November 2018

45

McCracken Memorial Presbyterian Church seeks to appoint a

Church Organist Information along with Application Forms can be downloaded from the church website

www.mccrackenchurch.com

Six-Day Creation World Wide Flood Prepare to believe!

and returned to:

Mrs Rosemary Simpson, The Anvil, 26 Glen Road, Drumbo, Lisburn. BT27 5JR. Email: rosemaryecs@btinternet.com Closing date for applications is Monday 14 January 2019.

This ad is being seen by over 30,000 people.

It could be yours!

To advertise in the Presbyterian Herald contact Lisa on +44 (0)28 9032 2284 herald@presbyterianireland.org www.presbyterianireland.org/herald

46

Herald November 2018

including the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter, USA.

An eight-day tour.

Monday 16 to Tuesday 24 September 2019.

Details and booking form Rev Jack Lamb, 42 Glebe Manor, Newtownabbey, BT36 6HF. Telephone: 07720 293941 Email: jacklambAD33@icloud.com

Finaghy Lowe Memorial Presbyterian Church, Belfast

Appointment of Conveners Appointment of Conveners of the Congregational Life Committee, Congregational Witness Committee and Programme, Finance and Coordination Committee All these committees are under the Council for Congregational Life and Witness and, in new structures for this council agreed by the General Assembly, will replace the existing eight committees at the next General Assembly in June 2019. Those appointed will take up their positions then.

Details of all three positions, including an outline of role, process of application etc., are available on the PCI website – www.presbyterianireland.org/convenerships Closing date for applications for all three positions is 30 November 2018.

In the interim anyone wishing to express an interest in either position should contact the Deputy Clerk: Rev Jim Stothers, Assembly Buildings, Belfast BT1 6DW Tel: +44(0)28 9041 7204 Email: deputyclerk@presbyterianireland.org

Bloomfield Presbyterian Church

Youth Worker Bloomfield Presbyterian Church is seeking to fill this important role. A Youth Worker (full-time) who will support and resource the current youth leaders and organisations – both uniformed and non-uniformed – through pastoral care, training and in conjunction with them identify and equip new leaders.

Youth Associate Applications are invited for this full-time post, based on a two-year fixed term contract to join an established ministry team at Lowe Memorial Presbyterian Church.

The post holder will be responsible for the strategic development of youth ministry within Lowe, working alongside youth leaders in youth and children’s organisations and clubs.

The post holder will explore opportunities for evangelism in children and young people’s work, and through them to the wider community.

Salary scale (depending on experience) £23,500-24,600 per annum Hours of work – 37 per week including irregular hours, regular attendance at Sunday services and some other weekend working.

Closing Date: Friday 16 November 2018 at 1pm Application forms and job description and specification from: The Secretary, Finaghy Lowe Memorial Presbyterian Church, 191/193 Upper Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT10 0LL Tel: (028) 9062 6561 Email: lowe.memorial@tiscali.co.uk

SHEEP ISLAND VIEW

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION Main Street , Ballintoy, County Antrim

The post is for 37.5 hours per week; it will involve both evening and weekend work.

• Open All Year • Total bed space 120 • • Rooms of various sizes (family rooms – dorm rooms) • • Meals available on request • • Conference Centre with seating available for 100 • • Ideal for Church groups • • Outdoor Activities available •

Salary: £22,849-£26,816 (tbc) remuneration in line with PCI guidelines

For further information please contact Seamus, Josey or Aileen

For an application pack please contact: Rev F Sellar Church Office Bloomfield Presbyterian Church 447 Beersbridge Road Belfast BT5 5DW Email: bloomfield@presbyterianireland.org

Tel: (028) 2076 9391 Fax: (028) 2076 9994 Email: sheepisland@hotmail.com Website: www.sheepisland.com

Application deadline: 23 November 2018 As part of the appointment process, applicants may be required to participate in more than one interview.

This post is subject to two genuine occupational requirements: you must be sympathetic to the Christian ethos of the Presbyterian Church and must also complete a satisfactory Enhanced Access NI disclosure.

Herald November 2018

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

BALLYMENA, FIRST (ASSOCIATE): (Reviewable Tenure - 5 years) REV. WILLIAM SINCLAIR: Mr. Tom Heaney, 109 Loughmegarry Road, Ballymena, BT43 6ST. BALLYMENA, WEST CHURCH (ASSOCIATE): (Part-Time (70%); Reviewable Tenure – 5 Years) REV. D.J. KANE: Mr. Harry Lamont, 17 Brookleigh Heights, Ballymena, BT43 5LG. 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. COOKSTOWN, FIRST: REV. D.S. BROWNLOW: Mr. Gordon Black, 21 The Dales, Cookstown, BT80 8TF. CORBOY & MULLINGAR: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. DR. K.D. McCRORY: (Mullingar) Mr. Wilson Porter, Joristown, Raharney, Killucan, Co. Westmeath.

HOLYWOOD, FIRST (ASSOCIATE): (Reviewable Tenure - 3 years) VERY REV. DR. J.N.I. McNEELY: Mr. Joe Campbell, 2a The Esplanade, Holywood, BT18 9JG.

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. AUGHNACLOY & BALLYMAGRANE: REV. N.L. SMYTH: (Aughnacloy) Dr. Cecil Givan, 230 Main Street, Lisnaskea, BT92 0JG. (Ballymagrane) Mr. Murray Robinson, 184 Caledon Road, Aughnacloy, BT69 6JD. 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. BALLYGILBERT: REV. J.M. BROWNE: Mr. Alastair Vance, 1a Seahill Road, Holywood, BT18 0DA.

IRVINESTOWN, PETTIGO & TEMPO: (Home Mission) REV. R.S.G BEACOM: (Irvinestown) Mr. John Dickey, Ardmore House, 47 Pound Street, Irvinestown, BT94 1HF. (Pettigo) Mr. Noel Baxter, Flowerdale, 80 Sydare Road, Ballinamallard, BT94 2DU. (Tempo) Mrs. Carole Trimble, 5 Tullyreagh Road, Edenmore, Tempo, BT94 3GJ.

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.

RICHVIEW: (Part-Time (60%); Reviewable Tenure – 5 Years) REV. N.S. HARRISON: Mr. Victor Garland, 25 Abingdon Drive, Belfast, BT12 5PX.

BALLYMONEY, FIRST: REV. K.D.W. CROWE: Mr. Neil Robinson, 15 Kirk Road, Ballymoney, BT53 6PP.

WARINGSTOWN: VERY REV. PRINCIPAL J.S. CARSON: Mr. David Crawford, 148 Avenue Road, Lurgan, BT66 7BJ.

BELFAST, ST. ANDREW’S: REV. M.R. BURNSIDE: Mrs. Edith McCallum, 115 Comber Road, Dundonald, BT16 2BT.

2 LEAVE TO CALL DEFERRED

BELVOIR: REV. B.J. McCROSKERY: Mr. Brian Dunwoody, 19 Drumart Drive, Belfast, BT8 7ET.

BALLYBLACK: REV. R.J. STEVENSON: Mr. Alex Warden, 92 Bowtown Road, Newtownards, BT23 8SL.

BLACKROCK & BRAY: 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.

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.

SETTLED STATED SUPPLY APPOINTED BALLINDERRY: REV. W.J. HENRY, Minister of Maze BOVEEDY: REV. DR. T.J. McCORMICK, Minister of 1st Kilrea CAHIR: REV. WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, Minister of Fermoy

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KATESBRIDGE: REV. N.J. KANE, Minister of Magherally

Herald November 2018

BOARDMILLS, TRINITY: REV. S.A. WOODBURN: Mr. Adrian Patterson, 41 Cabra Road, Legacurry, Hillsborough, BT26 6NB. BURT: REV. JAMES LAMONT: Mr. James Buchanan, Heathfield, Burt, Lifford, Co. Donegal.

CAIRNALBANA & GLENARM: REV. W.F. DICKEY: (Cairnalbana) Mr. Thomas Montgomery, 133 Doury Road, Ballymena, BT43 6SR. (Glenarm) Rev. W.F. Dickey, 6, Ambleside, Cullybackey, BT42 1RQ. CARLISLE ROAD & CROSSROADS: REV. M.F. RUSSELL: (Carlisle Road) Mr. Ivor Ferguson, 24 Riverside Park, Altnagelvin, Londonderry, BT47 3RU. (Crossroads) Mr. Richard Russell, 31 Creevagh Road, Londonderry, BT48 9XB.

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 CAVANALECK & AUGHENTAINE: 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. 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.

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.

MAY STREET: REV. GRAEME FOWLES: Mr. Arthur Acheson, 56 Quarry Road, Belfast, BT4 2NQ. TOBERMORE & DRAPERSTOWN: REV. DR. J.A. CURRY: (Draperstown) Mr. Gordon Dickson Jnr, 7 Strawmore Road, Draperstown, BT45 7JE. VINECASH: REV. DR. MICHAEL McCLENAHAN: Mr. Thomas Graham, 38 Richmount, Portadown, BT62 4JQ.

CRUMLIN ROAD: VERY REV. DR. T.N. HAMILTON: Mr. James Coleman, 2 Abbeydale Parade, Belfast, BT14 7HJ. 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. DERVOCK REV. R.M. MOODY: Mr. John Surgenor, 82 Toberdoney Road, Dervock, Ballymoney, BT53 8DH. DROMORE, FIRST: REV. R.A. LIDDLE: Mr. Cecil Gamble, 12 Diamond Road, Dromore, BT25 1PQ. 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. MARKETHILL, FIRST & SECOND: REV. N.J.E. REID: Mr. Ken Toal, 9 Magherydogherty Road, Markethill, BT60 1TX. 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.

THE ELDERSHIP Ordained & Installed: BALLYGOMARTIN: Georgina Chestnutt, David Weir BALLYRONEY: Robert William Stanley CAIRNCASTLE: Jennifer Brindley, Glyn Forbes, Valerie Moore, Helen Stewart, Margaret Tweed CARRYDUFF: David Adams, Heather Campbell, Stephanie Crawford, Daniel Lowe, Matthew Lowe CHURCHTOWN: Keith Dundas, George Graham, Junior Whyte REDROCK: Arnold Black Died: BALLYCLARE: Ruth Davison BALLYRONEY: Samuel Murphy CARNMONEY: Robert (Bobby) Herron COMBER, SECOND: Robert Francis (Frank) Watt DOWNPATRICK: Arthur David McComb DUNGANNON: Brian McCammon DUNLUCE: George Fullerton FAUGHANVALE: Samuel James (Sammy) Mackey IMMANUEL: Sydney McLearnon KELLS (Co. Antrim): William James McClure LARNE, FIRST: Robert Hamilton Clark OLDPARK: Andrew (Andy) Turbitt PORTGLENONE, FIRST: John Herbert Leitch REDROCK: Stephen Farley ROSEMARY: Isabel Love SCARVA: Derek Simms

THE MINISTRY

RAMELTON & KILMACRENNAN: REV. C.M. WILSON: (Ramelton) Mr. David Armour, Loughnagin, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. (Kilmacrennan) Mr. Nathaniel Rogers, Gortnavern, Coolboy, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

Installed: Alan Keith Duddy, as Minister of Woodvale, on 22 June 2018 Stephen John Lowry, as Minister of Whitehouse, on 14 September 2018 Scott William Moore, as Minister of First Dromara, on 14 September 2018

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.

Resigned: Alan Keith Duddy, as Minister of First Dromore, on 21 June 2018 Stephen John Lowry, as Moderator’s Assistant in First Holywood, on 13 September 2018 Scott William Moore, as Minister of Dervock, on 13 September 2018 John Martin Gracey, as Minister of Coagh, Ballygoney & Saltersland, on 30 September 2018

SAINTFIELD ROAD: REV. A.E. TOLLAND: Mr. Alistair McCracken, 19 Beaufort Crescent, Belfast, BT8 7UA. 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.

Retired: Brian Robert Hughes, as City Hospital Chaplain, on 5 October 2018 Robert David Maxwell, as Minister of St Andrew’s Belfast, on 30 September 2018

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

A82 PF60.

Herald November 2018

49

CLASSIFIEDS

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.

Accommodation

To Let

Northern Ireland

Spain

FERMANAGH: Fermanagh Lakeland.

‘Muckross Lodge’ Bed & Breakfast, Muckross Quay, Kesh. Situated overlooking Lough Erne. All rooms en-suite, TV, tea/coffee making facilities. Open all year. B&B £25pps £5 single supplement. Tel: Caroline Anderson 07739 910676.

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.

PORTSTEWART: Open Golf Week, July 2019 and NW200 Week, May 2019 – 3-bed bungalow on Swilly Road, family-friendly, secure garden and parking. Tel: 07887 945530.

BALLYCASTLE: A luxurious, modern fourbedroom townhouse (three bathrooms) with fully enclosed rear garden and decks in a small gated quiet development with everything you need along with private parking. Very spacious and well-equipped, the property comfortably sleeps 6+.

Ideally located, walking distance both to shops and beach. Available all year round, minimum two nights stay. No smoking and no pets allowed. Contact Anona, 07484 167834.

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.

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

Piano Tuning Services available throughout Ireland

Tel: +44 (0)28 9268 9468

We are holding a number of Herald Agent Days again this year, to celebrate, inform and further equip our agents in their role.

All agents should have received an invitation by now to attend one of our events at the following locations, along with a guest.

Wednesday 21 November 2018 12noon-2pm – The Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan Coffee will be served from 11.30am Wednesday 28 November 2018 12noon-2pm – St James’s Presbyterian, Ballymoney Coffee will be served from 11.30am Wednesday 5 December 2018 11.30am-1.30pm – Assembly Buildings, Belfast Coffee will be served from 11am We would ask all agents to please RSVP, identifying your location of choice, any dietary requirements and the names of those attending by either emailing herald@presbyterianireland.org or by telephoning +44 (0)28 9032 2284 no later than Thursday 1 November.

Please also indicate how many years you have served as a Herald agent.

We look forward to seeing you at one of the events!

Walking with Giants A four-night Christian tour in the steps of Bunyan, Cowper, Cromwell and Newton.

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Herald November 2018

Monday 11 to Friday 15 March 2019.

John Bunyan 1628-1688

Details and booking form: Rev Jack Lamb, 42 Glebe Manor, Newtownabbey, BT36 6HF. Telephone: 07720 293941 Email: jacklambAD33@icloud.com

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Give a PCI calendar this Christmas Featuring scenes from the life and work of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as well as key dates in the Church year, the PCI 2019 calendar will soon be available.

With the option of being displayed as either a desk or wall calendar, it has two months to view, accompanied by specially selected Scripture verses.

Perfect as a gift for friends and family this Christmas, each calendar costs only £4.00/€4.00 (including postage).

To order please visit www.presbyterianireland.org/pcicalendar or call +44 (0)28 9041 7297.

To guarantee delivery to you before Christmas, place your order by Wednesday 12 December 2018.

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NEW BOOKS BY LOCAL AUTHOR

Colin Tinsley NO ORDINARY JOURNEY you read of the power of one life, the importance of one decision and the value of one soul. Colin Tinsley is a man who experienced the love of Christ for him. This in turn allowed him to discover the love of Christ for children all around the world.

When children hear of the exploits that famous Christians from years gone by accomplished for God they are fascinated! However, all too often, we instinctively assume that such men and women had privileged upbringings or were extremely gifted. As a consequence, the challenge to follow in their footsteps wanes.

In this book, as the reader makes their way through the 50 short biographies, they will quickly realise that the majority of these famous Christians faced many unfavourable circumstances in life. They were just normal people who had a passion in their hearts for winning souls and were willing to surrender their personal ambitions for the cause of Christ. The line-up includes sportsstars, sailors and shoemakers; doctors, farmers and mill-girls!

Colin tells his story

eady to cry as you share stasy before plunging e thing is, however, of God is traceable on

how God has y to reach year – all

e rs. y

Colin is available to tell his story, full of fun, romance and how God has used him and his artist wife Joanna to reach thousands of children with the gospel.

50 FAMOUS CHRISTIANS Colin Tinsley

pping book, Colin tells how he met his wife he gave up a career in the retail industry with ull-time Christian work, traveling thousands reland and overseas each year, sharing the banner of “Hope for Youth Ministries.”

50 FAMOUS CHRISTIANS

Joanna & Colin Tinsley

NO ORDINARY JOURNEY

In the pages of the book

Crucially, God hasn’t changed: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He still seeks Christians who love Him and want to shake the world on His behalf. This book will inspire children to put God first in their lives and will assure them that God can use them to build His kingdom. Colin testifies: “As a child, I dreamed of serving God but never thought I was qualified.

However, after serving Him full-time for over 20 years, I can humbly proclaim that God delights in picking up and using the simple things of this world!”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Colin Tinsley has authored and published 35 books for children. He established ‘Hope for Youth Ministries’ which is based in Northern Ireland.

” www.hopeforyouthministries.org

Colin Tinsley

has or

£9.99

The ministry has taken teams on over 75 international mission trips, with 50 of these to Poland where his wife, Joanna comes from. Colin has conducted almost 1,000 Bible Clubs and Missions, which have taken him into over 500 public schools. Colin’s greatest passion in life is teaching the Bible to children and encouraging them to commit their lives to God at a young age.

Colin Tinsley

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Colin Tinsley has authored and published 35 books for children. He established ‘Hope for Youth Ministries’ which is based in Northern Ireland.

BIBLE ALIVE SERIES

Price £4.99 Colin Tinsley

Colin Tinsley 09/05/2018 19:42

Bible Games

He can be contacted on 028 9753 3716 or 07880 542885 or email

colin@hopeforyouthministries.org

Joanna & Colin Tinsley

Children love to play games and have fun! In this book, Colin introduces children to Bible stories that contain elements of fun and excitement. Children will read about a short man who climbed a tree to see Jesus, a prophet who played Hide-and-Seek with an evil king and was the fastest runner in history! In his own unique style, Colin tells these stories in a fun and engaging way that challenges children on important truths in the Bible. Each lesson is beautifully illustrated and has questions to prompt discussion and application. At the end of each story, there is a prayer that will encourage children to talk to God about what they have learned and how it can change their life.

ating beings and nearly Bible refers to them. Many children are only familiar with f their involvement in the Christmas story. In this book, Colin r occasions where angels interrupted people’s daily lives to messages from God. Each lesson is beautifully illustrated and prompt discussion and application. At the end of each story, that will encourage children to talk to God about what they how it can change their life.

or

About the author

authored and published 35 books for children. He established inistries’ which is based in Northern Ireland.

Colin Tinsley has authored and published 35 books for children. He established ‘Hope for Youth Ministries’ which is based in Northern Ireland.

The ministry has taken teams on over 75 international mission trips, with 50 of these to Poland where his wife, Joanna comes from. Colin has conducted almost 1,000 Bible Clubs and Missions, which have taken him into over 500 public schools. Colin’s greatest passion in life is teaching the Bible to children and encouraging BIBLE ALIVE them to commit their lives to God at a young age.

SERIES Price £4.99 Colin Tinsley colin tinsley book games COVER.indd 1

colin tinsley A5 leaf no prices.indd 1

09/05/2018 19:43

Colin Tinsley

Colin Tinsley

Price £4.99

BIBLE ALIVE SERIES

09/05/2018 19:42

Bible Angels

Bible Games

Joanna & Colin Tinsley

Colin Tinsley

Colin Tinsley

The ministry has taken teams on over 75 international mission trips, with 50 of these to Poland where his wife, Joanna comes from. Colin has conducted almost 1,000 Bible Clubs and Missions, which have taken him into over 500 public schools. Colin’s greatest passion in life is teaching the Bible to children and encouraging them to commit their lives to God at a young age.

colin tinsley book family COVER.indd 1

aken teams on over 75 international mission trips, with 50 of here his wife, Joanna comes from. Colin has conducted almost and Missions, which have taken him into over 500 olin’s greatest passion in life is teaching en and encouraging them to commit their young age.

Colin Tinsley

Each lesson is beautifully illustrated and has questions to prompt discussion and application. At the end of each story, there is a prayer that will encourage children to talk to God about what they have learned and how it can change their life.

thor

authored and published 35 books for children. He established inistries’ which is based in Northern Ireland.

Price £4.99

Joanna & Colin Tinsley

Families are a vital part of society, but sadly many of them have complicated problems that affect every member. It is therefore of utmost importance that children understand the blessings of the family unit, yet still be assured that God will care for them even if their own family situation is far from ideal. Using beautiful illustrations, Colin shows children the benefits of loving family relationships, but also how many Bible characters overcame the challenges of their dysfunctional homes to fulfil God’s calling for their lives.

Joanna & Colin Tinsley

n tells the story of twelve animals that are mentioned in the ll be absorbed as they read about a talking donkey, a group hildren and ravens delivering food. All these stories are in the raws important lessons from them that children can apply to ay. Each lesson is beautifully illustrated and has questions to and application. At the end of each story, there is a prayer e children to talk to God about what they have learned and e their life.

aken teams on over 75 international mission trips, with 50 of here his wife, Joanna comes from. Colin has conducted almost and Missions, which have taken him into over 500 lin’s greatest passion in life is teaching the Bible to uraging them to commit their lives to God

17/04/2018 10:39

06/10/2017 16:13

BIBLE FAMILIES

Bible Animals

BIBLE FAMILIES

Colin Tinsley

Price £6.99

colin tinsley 50 miss book COVER.indd 1

He can also show a short DVD of his work which is very inspiring.

BIBLE ALIVE SERIES

Colin Tinsley 09/05/2018 19:42

24/09/2018 18:45

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