Presbyterian Herald October

OCTOBER 2025

‘Jay-Mashi’ from Nepal COUNTRYSIDE CONNECTIONS

WEST SIDE STORY

Rural mission in Connor Presbyterian

Reaching out in west Belfast

MINORITY? NO PROBLEM!

Exploring mission as a minority

Raising Generations of Christ-like Men

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Find your local BBNI company

The BBNI team would love to talk to church leadership teams who would like to explore the potential of BBNI as part of church ministry.

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05/08/2025 14:19:57

CONTENTS | OCTOBER 2025

FEATURES

12 Present in prayer

Being present in First Omagh

14 Countryside connections Rural mission in Connor Presbyterian

16 West side story

Reaching out in west Belfast

18 Raising children who are confident in Christ

New PCI event for parents and leaders

20 Minority? No problem!

Exploring mission as a minority

30 Journeying towards Jesus New evangelism tool at the IMP

32 A Christian community in Nepal Learning from one of PCI’s partners

34 Rethinking mission

Countryside connections p14

The concept of integral mission

36 Caring for the most vulnerable

New PCI-run service in Wicklow

38 Going all out for Christian Aid Week How congregations have been raising money

REGULARS

5 6 7 8 9 13 23 24 40 42

West side story p16

Culture Watch News My story In this month The Apostles’ Creed Ruth Sanderson Norman Hamilton Mission articles Reviews Life in PCI

Cover photo: Rev Stephen McCracken October 2025 No. 872 £2.20/€2.60 Published by: The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, Belfast BT1 6DW. T: +44 (0)28 9032 2284 E: herald@presbyterianireland.org W: www.presbyterianireland.org

Minority? No problem! p20

CONTRIBUTORS Philip Thompson has been the minister in Connor Presbyterian Church for eight years. He’s married to Belanne and they have four grown-up children.

Ruth Bromley is PCI’s children’s development officer. She is married to Brendan, mum to Bess and is a member of First Holywood Presbyterian.

Suzanne Hamilton is a senior administrative assistant for the Herald.

She attends St Andrew’s Presbyterian in Bangor, is married to Steven and mum to twins.

Neil Harrison is PCI’s mission development officer and a member of Waringstown Presbyterian.

He is married to Suzanne and they have two children.

Editor: Sarah Harding

The views expressed in the features, news reports, letters and book reviews of this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor. Editorial comment and signed Subscriptions and Advertising: articles do not necessarily contain the official views of the Church, which can only be laid down only by the General Assembly. Acceptance of advertisements Edward Connolly; Hazel Gilliland does not imply endorsement of the goods or services. Advertising will not be Design and Layout: included if the product or service is deemed to be in conflict with the Church’s Edward Connolly official views, or if it is inappropriate for a church magazine. It is not Herald policy Printing: to include any editorial content along with adverts. The editor reserves the right W & G Baird Ltd to decline any advertisement or letter without assigning any reason. Letters may be edited for publication. No correspondence can be entered into regarding nonpublication of advertisements or letters.

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

Herald October 2025

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EDITORIAL

Jesus is Lord

In Revelation 7:9, we read: “…there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

What a great and glorious sight it will be when God’s people, in all their diversity, stand before the throne of God. Until that time, loving those who are different to us requires intentionality and effort.

This month we hear about mission in areas where Presbyterians are in the minority. Rev David Moore, working in west Belfast, says the key to working in this context is: “Get to know the people among whom you are working, learn about their language and culture.”

This concept is also proving fruitful at PCI’s International Meeting Point (IMP), where a new course, Al Massira, has been piloted. It was recognised that while Alpha and Christianity Explored courses are helpful evangelism tools, they are not as effective for those arriving at the IMP from countries culturally different to our own. Pip Florit reports that the success of Al Massira “has highlighted the…significance of people receiving biblical truth in their own language.”

Of course, cultural differences can be present even if language barriers are not. Working and ministering in a rural setting can be very different to an urban one. As many congregations celebrate Harvest this month, Rev Philip Thompson shares how Connor Presbyterian has embraced reaching out to its rural community with the good news of Jesus in culturally relevant ways.

Difference enables learning and PCI recognises the importance of this in partnering with Christians around the world. Rev Stephen McCracken writes about his recent visit to Nepal and says he was particularly struck by the greeting the Nepalese believers gave one another: ‘Jay-Mashi’, meaning ‘Praise Jesus’. Stephen comments: “What a joy, as Christians gathered to declare that whatever they were facing in life and in culture, we are victory people in Jesus.”

This is a wonderful affirmation to remind each other of. As we continue with our series on the Apostles’ Creed, Rev Jonny McKane highlights the centrality of Jesus: “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord”. No matter our differences, we should all strive to be united in the power of this bold statement. As Jonny says: “Belief in Jesus isn’t vague admiration – it is personal allegiance and wholehearted trust.”

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Herald October 2025

Topical Tweets @PCIModerator Today I visited the Donegal Intercultural Platform & heard the challenges facing those seeking asylum in #Ireland & those working to support them. I highly commend their work. Let us remember God’s call to welcome the stranger & show his love to the vulnerable & the oppressed. @ChristianAidIrl “The number of casualties is very high.

Many bodies are still trapped under the rubble of collapsed homes. Children are terrified and their fear grows with every aftershock” - Christian Aid’s local partner, OCHR, speaking of the recent major earthquake that struck Afghanistan. @peterlynas I continue to be fascinated by some of the reactions to the murder of Charlie Kirk – the wonderful @KSPrior on the need to listen and Graham Linehan (aka Father Ted) showing interest in faith. @Tearfund As ongoing heavy rains in Pakistan threaten major cities across both Punjab and Sindh, more than 5.8 million people have already been affected. 922 people have died and more than 1,000 have been injured. Tearfund’s local partners are responding. Join us in prayer for Pakistan. @careorguk There has been a significant increase in the number of people experiencing problems with gambling, a new report has revealed. @christianorguk Baroness Maclean states her opposition to the assisted suicide Bill based on her faith in Jesus, and his teachings. She warns of the temptation this Bill will put on people in the hard moments of facing a terminal diagnosis in the family.

PCI calendar Plans are under way for production of the PCI calendar for 2026. Featuring scenes from across the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the calendar will be a useful addition to the home or office. With two months on view, specially selected Scripture verses are also displayed alongside. To pre-order email: communications@presbyterianireland.org

Colin Neill reflects on what’s been in the news recently….

C

an graffiti be described as culture? I think it can, and not just in its high-end and most artistic expressions, such as the famous works of UK activist and painter Banksy.

In its lowest forms, we may think of it as little more than a form of vandalism, but graffiti often shows some measure of thoughtfulness and design, expressing sentiments that range from enraged commentary on politics to a simple longing to be noticed or remembered.

A number of weeks ago, for reasons that are too longdrawn-out to explain here, I found myself in Belfast’s Alexandra Park. My walk there stirred up all sorts of feelings, given that my maternal grandparents lived close to the park and I visited it often in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

As I walked, my eye was drawn to an enormous piece of graffiti. Perfectly filling a long wall, were fat white words, with each letter having a black border and a red background behind the sentence. The artist proclaimed ‘I have a love & it never fades’. At the end of the sentence were the letters RIP, a small heart, a signature, and a date from 2023.

I’ve googled the graffiti and can’t find anything online about its background, but I’m guessing it relates to grief and heartbreak in the context of young love.

Something about those words captivated me on that day, and my mind keeps returning to them. My initial thoughts were to question the statement. There’s a furious intensity to young love: many layered depths of both physical and emotional passion. Dreaming dreams, imagining futures, and wanting to be with only that person. I get that (I’ve been there myself ), but I also thought – can any of us honestly say that our love remains constant and doesn’t fade in some way?

I’ve since moved beyond that scepticism. I think love changes and evolves, but that doesn’t mean it fades. When my wife and I were dating, we could talk long into the night, me telling her all there was to know about me, her sharing who she was in the same way. Now, going on for 30 years since we first met, we can be content to sit for long periods of silence in each other’s company. That doesn’t represent a dimming of love’s strength: it’s simply the arc of decades-long love.

But that is not to say that human love is perfect, that it doesn’t sometimes have its own agenda and ulterior motives. How many of us

can truly say that every time we’ve told someone that we love them, we’ve absolutely meant it?

God’s love is, of course, a different matter. In the original Hebrew of the Old Testament, a word used often for love is hesed, which in my favourite Old Testament translation – John Goldingay’s Old Testament for Everyone – is frequently expressed as ‘commitment’. This is rugged love, enduring love, throw everything at it and it will keep on going love. John Goldingay notes that hesed can also be translated as steadfast love, constant love, or loving kindness, and is a level of commitment where one party – God – goes beyond what might have been expected by the other party – his people Israel.

In the New Testament, agape is a Greek word used to describe the self-giving love of God, revealed in Jesus Christ. This is extravagant love that consists, not simply of sentiment or emotion, but is backed up by the laying down of a life: “greater love hath no man…” As Paul wrote to the Ephesians, the love of Christ is wide and long and high and deep and so vast that it surpasses knowledge.

God, I believe, has a love and it does not fade. Indeed, it can’t fade, because as we read in 1 John 4: “God is love”, and as we also know from Scripture, God is eternal, without beginning or end. He has always been and will always be, and so love that is the essence of his character will not gradually disappear or become weather-beaten over time.

None of us, I’m sure, would want to deface the pristine walls of our meeting houses with graffiti, but if there was one thing we wanted to express to our local communities in the places God has set us, could we say anything better than a bold proclamation that ‘God has a love and it does not fade’?

Colin Neill is a member of Craigavon Presbyterian and a PCI accredited preacher.

Herald October 2025

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NEWS | IN THE ROUND PCI partner celebrates anniversary

Podcast launched

The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), Livingstonia Synod celebrated its 150th anniversary recently.

The weekend of celebrations took place in Mzuzu football stadium in the north of the country, and was attended by over 4,000 people, including Malawian dignitaries and representatives from CCAP partners, including PCI. CCAP Livingstonia Synod was founded by Scottish Presbyterians in 1875 and its partnership with PCI goes back to the 1950s. The Synod runs schools, hospitals, a university and many community development initiatives alongside its 214 congregations. More than 90 PCI members have been involved in Malawi since 1958.

PCI’s Moderator, Dr Trevor Gribben preached at the opening of celebrations in Mzuzu Stadium. The theme for the celebrations came from Exodus 14:15: ‘Tell the people to move forward’. It highlighted the desire to move forward from the recent difficult years, acknowledging that whatever happens, God remains the same.

A new Both Lives podcast exploring what it means to truly value the lives of both women and unborn children in pregnancy has been launched by the Evangelical Alliance.

Hosted by Both Lives UK lead Dawn McAvoy, each episode will feature guests from an array of backgrounds, including from the worlds of medicine, law, frontline services and theology.

“At the heart of the Both Lives podcast is a belief in the God-given dignity of every human life. We want to tell a more loving, hopeful story – one where the lives of both women and their unborn children are valued during and after pregnancy,” she says.

The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Dr Gribben (centre) and Rev David McCullagh, with senior officers of the Presbytery of Lilongwe, Synod of Livingstonia, and members of the Women’s Guild – The Umanyano – who welcomed the two Irish Presbyterians with song.

Assisted dying report

Moderator’s tour Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Trevor Gribben, has completed his first presbytery tour.

Last month, he toured Derry and Donegal Presbytery, fulfilling almost 30 engagements. As well as visiting churches, he met PCI chaplains in the education and health sectors, spent time in schools and farms, and undertook a number of civic engagements.

Speaking ahead of the tour, he said it was “an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to those who pastor, lead and serve in our Presbyterian congregations in this part of the world”.

Top right: The Moderator is joined by farmers from local Presbyterian congregations in and around the Finn Valley in east Donegal.

Bottom right: The united praise service that took place in Glendermott Presbyterian Church, which closed the Moderator’s presbytery tour.

Bottom left: The Moderator with teachers and pupils at Donoughmore National School.

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Herald October 2025

The Nuffield Trust has released a report titled ‘Assisted Dying in Practice’.

The report looks at international experiences of implementing a change in the law on assisted suicide and discusses the challenges the UK healthcare system might face if the law is changed here.

Commenting, Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, said, “This report is a warning which shows that forcing the NHS to facilitate assisted suicide is very far from straightforward or easy. The various challenges highlighted show that it will put an already strained NHS under intolerable additional pressure. Capacity challenges are likely to be unworkable because of conscientious objection issues, as well as other issues.”

MY STORY...

Rev Dr Jim Campbell, honorary secretary of the Churches’ Council for Health and Healing in Ireland and minister emeritus of Cooke Centenary in Belfast, shares how the ministry of prayer for healing may have changed over the years, but its importance remains.

The power of prayer

Y

ou never know what circumstance in life is going to years I was invited to join the PCI committee on healing have a major influence on the course it takes. For and shortly after this the Churches’ Council on Healing. me, it was the terminal illness of my father that had This was made up of representatives of the main Protestant a pivotal effect on the direction of my ministry. denominations in Ireland and held its inaugural meeting in My father was terminally ill with prostate cancer and in November 1965. It sought not only to encourage prayer for those pre-hospice days was discharged from hospital to be healing, but also discussion in the wider church about issues cared for at home. At that time, I was assistant minister in relating to health and healing and to promote understanding Great Victoria Street Church and my wife Ruth and I were and dialogue between medical doctors and ministers of about to go to Malawi as PCI missionaries. Naturally we religion. delayed our departure and Ruth, who In 1989 the Council changed its name was a nurse, helped my mother and sister God does not always to the Churches Council for Health care for my father. He spent most of answer prayer in the way and Healing in Ireland (CCHH). I have his time in bed and the medication he been honorary secretary of the CCHH we ask for, but he received kept any pain at bay. for most of the time from 1989 to the Suddenly one day he began to have present. During this long period, I learnt answers! quite severe pain; the dosage of the that the most important thing, in terms medicine was increased but the pain and discomfort of seeking help and healing for those who are ill, is not a continued. We prayed for relief but relief did not come. person’s denomination, but the love they have in their heart It so happened that the Synod of Belfast was holding what for Jesus and for those who are sick or suffering. was called a divine healing service that night at a nearby There have been changes in how our denomination church. My sister and I went along. There were about 80 has sought to exercise a ministry of prayer for healing. A people present. She went forward to ask for prayer for my generation ago, the emphasis was on presbytery healing father’s healing. services. Today, the dominant desire is for each congregation When we went home, we found that the pain had to have a prayer ministry on its own premises. Also, diminished and in fact until he died peacefully some weeks nowadays it is no longer the minister doing all the praying. later, the pain did not return. Did God answer our prayers? I Congregations are recruiting and training ordinary members believe he did. of the congregation to lead the ministry and pray confidently I learnt several life lessons that night – God answers prayer and confidentially with those seeking help for themselves or and there is power in praying with others, but also that God others. To help facilitate this growing emphasis, the CCHH, does not always answer prayer in the way we ask for, but he in its forthcoming 60th anniversary seminar, will bring answers! together experienced leaders from across the denominations I became cautiously interested in what our denomination to offer guidance on developing a healing ministry and called at the time, ‘divine healing’. In those days, monthly sustaining it in your local church. David Jardine will give services were held in most presbyteries. Those involved were the keynote address, ‘The Healing Ministry, Preparation, mature and balanced individuals. There was total respect for Practice and Problems’. those in the medical professions. Just as Jesus used many You are welcome to come along to the free seminar at methods to heal when here on earth, so God uses doctors, Cornerstone (Cairnshill Methodist) Church, Saintfield dietitians, physiotherapists, psychotherapists, counsellors, Road, Belfast, BT8 6WU, on 9 October at 9.45am. friends and many others to bring healing today. After a few Herald October 2025

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IN THIS MONTH...

October 2005

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

The cringe effect

Shifts in the nature and character of television comedy are wide and varied.

From the warmth and cosiness provided by Morecambe and Wise and Dad’s Army, to the surrealism of Monty Python’s Flying Circus… to the anarchic satire embodied in the likes of the Young Ones, Not the Nine O’Clock News or Spitting Image. Humour changes and develops with the times it finds itself in, and that is to be expected.

And often you know what you’re going to get. Switch on Are You Being Served and you automatically brace yourself for the inevitable double entendre. Watch Only Fools and Horses or The Fast Show and you won’t have to wait too long to hear “Rodney, you plonker”, “Suits you sir”, or some other comfortable catchphrase…

Recently there has been a change in emphasis with regards to the type of comedy on our screens. If you watch The Office, Extras, The Catherine Tate Show, I’m Alan Patridge etc., you hear the sound, not so much of belly laughter, but nervous laughter. The comedy of cringe or embarrassment is fast becoming the most popular type today… Sometimes the reason we laugh is not because the situation is particularly funny – we laugh out of a sense of relief, as we’re delighted that it’s not us who have been put in that position.

There is also a feel-good factor to it, in that, no matter how insensitive we can be as individuals…we feel comforted that we’ll never be as bad or crass as the character depicted on screen.

Lessons to be learned here, I fear. As a church we need to be conscious of the cringe effect: the things we say or do that cause other people’s toes to curl unnecessarily. In Paul’s letter to the Romans he said, “I am not embarrassed by the gospel” and who could argue with that. Why should he be. But he never said he wasn’t embarrassed by the church.

Sale of Church House off for now

At a special meeting of the Church’s General Board, a decision was taken not to proceed with the sale of Church House until at least next year’s General Assembly.

No further comment was available following the 90-minute meeting…

Moderator visits trouble spots

…the Moderator brought pastoral support to residents and staff of Corkey House. Nearby rioting necessitated those in the home to be moved to the rear of the building for safety. No one was hurt and there was little damage to the home.

The Larne/Lucan connection

During the summer, nine young people from Lucan congregation, County Dublin, with their youth worker, helped the young people of First Larne with their holiday Bible club. The Larne/Lucan fellow workers are photographed with their youth worker, Glenda, and some of the friends they made at First Larne.

Also from Oct ’05 8

Actor and comedian Ronnie Barker dies

Herald October 2025

Republic’s Roy Keane retires from international football

Westlife’s You Raise Me Up tops music charts

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

Total allegiance Jonny McKane

” I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.”

B

ack in the early 2000s, The Guardian reported a The creed also affirms Jesus as the Son of God, the second Christmas survey showing that a number of young person of the Trinity. He wasn’t just a good man or a great people in the UK believed Jesus was a striker for deliverer. He was God who took on flesh and blood and Manchester City. It’s easy to smile at that, but “moved into the neighbourhood” ( John 1:14, The Message). the good news is more recent research suggests a growing The theologian Michael Horton puts it like this: “The curiosity about Christianity, especially among younger presence of Jesus among us is the very presence of Yahweh generations. While fewer now identify as Christian, many himself, our Creator and Redeemer, who undertakes still express belief about Jesus. Surveys show that over 60% personally to rescue us. Jesus Christ was and is ‘the image of accept he was a real historical figure, nearly half believe in the invisible God’ (Colossians 1:15)”. some form of resurrection, and even Richard Dawkins has That truth has huge implications. Pastor Glenn Packiam called him “a great moral teacher”. warns: “While we may begin our awareness of Jesus by So, there is debate, curiosity, and sometimes confusion recognising his nearness, we must not stay there. We are about who Jesus is. In truth, not much has changed. From not praying to ‘dashboard Jesus’. We are worshipping the the earliest days of the church, questions uncreated Creator and Sustainer of all about Jesus were front and centre: who Belief in Jesus isn’t vague things – the eternal Son.” was he, what did he come to do, and Finally, the creed gets a little political what does it mean to follow him? Many admiration – it is and proclaims Jesus as ‘Lord’. Roman creeds and confessions were drafted to citizens were expected to say “Caesar is personal allegiance... clarify these questions. Together, they Lord”, but early Christians confessed encouraged Christians to affirm: “I believe in Jesus Christ, Jesus instead. To say this is to declare that Jesus is King, that his only Son, our Lord.” our lives are lived under his authority, and that our allegiance That short line was radical then, and it remains radical belongs to him above all others. now. It declared that Jesus is God’s Son, the centre of history, Singer-songwriter Tom Waits once imagined a ‘chocolate and the rightful Lord of our lives. Belief in Jesus isn’t vague Jesus’ – a God remade in our own image, sweet enough to admiration – it is personal allegiance and wholehearted trust. enjoy but not too demanding. That might suit modern taste, To believe in Jesus is to affirm his historicity. Believing in but as the creed reminds us, we don’t get to invent our own him requires more than accepting that he lived, but never Jesus. He has been revealed in Scripture as the eternal Son, less. We trust in Jesus of Nazareth, revealed in the gospels, the saving King, sovereign over all. who walked this earth, amazed crowds with his miracles, and To confess the creed is to give him our allegiance, to fall astounded listeners with his teaching. We believe he died before him in worship, and to dethrone the other things that and rose again, just as his first followers proclaimed. Because so often occupy the throne of our hearts – often good things he came as a real man, he is able to empathise with our we have allowed to become god things. weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, yet without So when we say, “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, sin (Hebrews 4:15). our Lord”, we are not simply reciting an old line. We are But Jesus is more than a historical figure. As Tom Wright making a bold confession of faith in the one who is truly reminds us, ‘Christ’ wasn’t his surname but a title. It spoke of God and truly man, the crucified and risen Saviour, and the his identity as God’s anointed Messiah, the one in whom all rightful Lord of all. the promises of Scripture find fulfilment. He is the rescuer who has come to bring justice and righteousness.

Rev Jonny McKane is minister of New Row Presbyterian So when we say, “I believe in Jesus Christ,” we confess Church, Coleraine. faith in the one Isaiah spoke about: “He was despised and rejected, a man of suffering, familiar with pain… He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:3&5).

Herald October 2025

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NEWS | PCI

Events

News

Installation of new minister at Strand Rev Alan Marsh was recently installed into the Urban Mission and inducted into the congregation of Strand Presbyterian, Belfast.

Grant scheme The closing date for the Presbyterian Children’s Society’s small-grant scheme, ‘Alongside’ is 30 November.

The scheme aims to show the love of Christ to children, young people and families in a caring and practical way, as well as support wellbeing and educational development.

A grant of £250 is available to support the delivery of a project/workshop with Thrive Academy, Eden Consultancy NI, Transforming Lives for Good or Aspire NI. Congregations may also apply with alternative initiatives.

For further details, visit www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org/alongside-grants

New university chaplain appointed Rev Gerry Clinton has been appointed to a parttime chaplaincy role in Trinity College Dublin. He commenced this role in September 2025 and will seek to be a pastoral support to both students and staff within the university as a chaplain.

Blaze Blaze the Bee encourages children, leaders and families to pray for global mission.

Each month, a prayer calendar focuses on a part of the world where PCI has partners. In October, we are praying for Greece.

Urban Mission Network

Church planting conference

The Urban Mission Network is for ministers and employed outreach workers in congregations or mission projects that are located in urban areas or estates that experience social deprivation.

The next gathering is on 8 October 2025 with a focus on growing Bible engagement amongst non-readers.

For further information about the Urban Mission Network email: mission@presbyterianireland.org

‘From Seed to Harvest’ is a conference to help strengthen the roots of church planting ministry in PCI, taking place on Saturday 7 February 2026 in Drogheda Presbyterian.

Organised by the Council for Mission in Ireland, Rev Neil MacMillan, director of City to City Europe, will be the keynote speaker, as we seek to equip those who are in leadership roles within church plants across PCI. Further information and registration can be found at: www.presbyterianireland.org/Events

Leading change Next month, an event at Assembly Buildings will consider how change can come to your church.

Come along on Tuesday 11 November to gain a firmer grasp on what you can do to lead for a change through practical, hands-on learning. Participants will also have the opportunity to work through what a journey of change might look like in their congregation.

The event starts at 10.30am and will end at 1pm with a light lunch, but participants are offered the opportunity to stay on for an informal afternoon session of conversation, question and answer, and shared reflection on collective experiences of leading change in the church.

The cost is £7.50 (including lunch).

To book, scan the QR code.

Firm foundations Do you crave some space and time to think about your children’s and youth ministry away from the ongoing focus on delivering the programme?

Would you like to learn from and connect with other leaders and volunteers to share ideas and ask burning questions about the ministry you are involved in? The ‘Foundations’ events can help.

Taking place at Ballydown Presbyterian Church on Monday 13 October and Drumreagh Presbyterian on Thursday 23 October, Foundations will explore helping children find their voice in prayer, going beyond children’s ministry to connecting with the whole family, connecting young people with the Bible for a life of faith and embracing young people within your whole church community.

Come and join with other volunteer leaders and helpers in children’s, youth and family ministry for an encouraging evening of equipping, sharing and resourcing for ministry.

Scan the QR code to book.

Ballydown

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Herald October 2025

Drumreagh

Find out more on www.presbyterianireland.org

Resources Starting conversations

Digital resources

PCI’s new resource, ‘Seasons’, offers four personal video stories in which individuals unfold their experience of Christian faith in a variety of circumstances of life that relate to the seasons of the year – autumn, winter, spring, summer.

The resource has a rural look and feel that will be helpful for congregations in the countryside, as well as others who simply enjoy the beauty of the natural world around us. Why not think about using the autumn material as part of your church’s Harvest season this year?

The video clips are available for free download by scanning the QR code. Accompanying postcard-sized cards, which include Bible prompts and discussion questions, are available for just 10 pence each (minimum order of 10). To order, contact PCI’s Congregational Life and Witness office: email: clw@presbyterianireland.org or telephone: +44 (0)28 9041 7246.

PCI’s website features resources to help reach younger generations and connect with those outside the church.

The ‘Outreach and Evangelism Hub’ provides encouragement, inspiration and ideas on how to connect, build relationships and gain confidence in sharing God’s story.

The children’s, youth and family ministry hubs are filled with curriculum ideas, organisations to draw upon, support and training for leaders and links to resources.

Access the hubs by scanning the QR codes.

Present in your congregation among members and leaders

Worship hub

With PCI’s ‘Present’ initiative entering its second year, a number of resources are now available to help ground it in congregations.

To help individual members grasp the idea of the Present theme, a postcard-sized prompt suggesting simple ways to be present has been released in both downloadable and print formats. Postcards for use by your congregation can be ordered at clw@presbyterianireland.org free of charge with only the cost of postage and packaging applied.

To help the congregation as a whole become familiar with the Present idea, a simple set of questions is available, designed to be used in a series of interviews with individual members about what it looks like for them to try to be present to God, one another and as a witness in everyday life. These interviews could be conducted verbally, in print in the church magazine or produced for release on social media.

To get leaders and core members talking about existing ways the congregation is making itself present, along with fresh ways of expressing the neverchanging aspects of being church, a framework for discussion containing PowerPoint slides, facilitator’s notes, video material and pages to enable participants to capture feedback as it emerges has been produced.

Go to the Present webpage at www.presbyterianireland.org/present to find out more. Ideas for small-group resources on the theme produced by PCI and the Good Book Company are also highlighted.

DIARY DATES October Foundations

Ballydown – Monday 13 Drumreagh – Thursday 23

November Leading for a change

Assembly Buildings, Belfast – Tuesday 11

Starting Strong

High Street, Holywood – Thursday 20

Children, Youth and Family Hubs

Outreach and Evangelism Hub

Check out the PCI digital worship hub as you tune up for the next season of worship.

With Remembrance Sunday, Advent and Christmas fast approaching, it can be challenging to find songs and other material that bring a freshness to these occasions, while also being easy to pick up, play and sing without lots of practising beforehand.

The ‘Seasons’ section at www.presbyterianireland.org/worshiphub can help by providing an autumn and winter bundle of suggestions for upcoming worship services.

Mission in Ireland posters New posters that highlight a variety of mission workers who are supported and funded (or part-funded) by the Council for Mission in Ireland are now available on the PCI website.

Scan the QR code to access the page.

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Present in prayer As PCI continues to consider what it looks like to be present to God and others through the ‘Present’ initiative, Jane Nelson shares how First Omagh has used PCI’s ‘Finding your voice in prayer’ resource to be more present.

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n First Omagh Presbyterian Church, we used the ‘Finding your voice in prayer’ resource for our autumn Bible study series. Around 30 people met to discuss the material and they found it an engaging, helpful and practical resource to ‘do just what it says on the tin’ – find their voice in prayer.

There were people who prayed aloud for the first time ever and each participant felt that they had a much broader understanding, a deeper dependency and a more confident approach to prayer both personally, in small groups and in corporate settings.

…each participant felt that they had a much broader understanding, a deeper dependency and a more confident approach to prayer…

I also used the resource for a sermon series during the study and it was great to see the children developing their prayer life. They wrote and led the congregation in their own ‘Wow’ prayers one Sunday morning. The following Thursday, the adults said that if the children could do that, then we should be able to do so too. That night, everyone in the group prayed out loud. The kids also enjoyed making prayer chains to pray for our broken world.

To bring the autumn series to an end, we held an interactive prayer room, based on the resource, enabling people of all ages to find their voice in prayer. It was a guided walk through each of the sections and people could take as much time as they needed as they reflected, responded and prayed in each area.

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meetings since we completed the resource, including a number who have never prayed out loud before.

The resource has proven to be a user-friendly, spiritually rich and deeply practical resource on prayer and I would highly recommend it to other congregations.

Rev Jane Nelson is minister of First Omagh Presbyterian Church.

REFLECTIONS

The beginning of wisdom Ruth Sanderson

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watched with a rictus smile, willing back the tears which school song, houses, new games in PE. were pooling around my eyes, as I watched my tiny This journey of discovery is the entertainment for us at daughter slowly walk into the classroom. Her big bright the end of every day. She is full of biz about who said what, pink rucksack taking up most of her torso, her hair who won’t play with who, who did something kind, who brushed to within an inch of its life, new hairband in place. said something funny, what they had for lunch, things the Her little legs stuck out below with new crisp white socks teachers said, who has a cool water bottle and last but not pulled up and shiny black shoes polished to a gleam. One least, what they actually learnt that day. final look behind her, a nervous wave, and away she went, Likewise, mirrored in the university town where I live, swept up in a sea of other tiny children in red checked skirts it’s Freshers’ Week. The scenes have been very familiar. I’ve and burgundy jumpers. Some weeping, some skipping, some seen new arrivals lugging massive bags about, mums and clinging on to parents, some holding hands with friends. dads buying them groceries, bedding and shoes. Weeping The bell rang, the doors opened and within moments all parents dabbing their eyes. A whole sea of 18-year-olds the noise – crying, laughing and rustles who have looked like startled rabbits in The beginning of of new clothes and lunchboxes – had the headlights; taking in hundreds of vanished and the doors firmly closed. faces and names, meeting people wisdom…is dependent new This moment had been months in the from all over the world, and from all on fearing God… preparation. Uniforms which had been circumstances. There are books to buy, bought at the start of the summer had to lectures to get used to, timetables to be swapped due to last minute growth spurts. School visits work out, societies to join, buildings to find and friends to had been attended, lots of talking had been done about what make. I have been surrounded of late by new beginners. to expect. Shiny outdoor shoes, gym shoes, indoor shoes, Both my daughter and the university freshers are just at sports kit. Summer uniform, winter uniform. Milk money, the first foothills of their journey of learning. They have dinner choices, breakfast clubs booked, after school care no idea how transformational the experiences of primary sorted. New parents and their children had been connected school and university will be. They don’t know it yet, but with and a whole new blizzard of admin had whirled about. they will make friends that they will probably keep for the It was only when I saw my little girl disappear into school rest of their lives. They’ll write things, paint things, learn that I allowed a little tear to fall. Who knew that I would things and read things which will change how they view the have been more emotional than my daughter? After the world and shape the people they will become for the next months of preparation, the moment was finally here. I 80 years. Both sets of new students will, of course, sit exams looked around as I blew my nose, and realised that all the and acquire new knowledge, but these are the settings where other parents outside the P1 entrance were also wet-eyed; they will develop as people, start to assess priorities and form a few hugs ensued and some of us walked out of the school thoughts about the world. gates together, having safely delivered our precious chicks As I reflected on this, I was thinking about what it means into the education system. to learn and what it means to have wisdom. When I started It felt like we had trained for the marathon and reached university, I had the words of Proverbs 9:10 written on a the finish. However, it is just the starting line! piece of paper and pinned above my desk: “The fear of the Fortunately, so far, it’s been a success. It has been a wonder Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the seeing my daughter begin to stretch her wings at primary Holy One is understanding.” school. Each day she is bursting with chat, her face filled The beginning of wisdom isn’t predicated on what with wonder: “Today it was custard for pudding AND we learn, or even who we meet or how we act in social pear… did you know tortoises have two skeletons?… guess situations. It is dependent on fearing God – everything what? We have a ‘tidy up’ song and I got a sticker!” follows from him. It was a challenge to me then as it is There has also been the acclimatization to new rules (no now, whether starting primary school, secondary school or running in the corridors, line up before class and always, university – as Christians, that will be a central theme which always sit on the carpet when the teacher tells you to). A informs these new journeys of understanding.

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CONGREGATIONAL STORY

Countryside

connections

This month, as congregations celebrate the Harvest season, Philip Thompson shares how Connor Presbyterian has embraced missional opportunities to reach out to its local farming community with the gospel message.

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ith its central role in the story of the 1859 Revival, you could say that gospel outreach is in the DNA of Connor congregation. Our aim is to see unbelieving people become lifelong followers of Christ.

In recent years, in partnership with our good neighbours in Kells congregation, we have sought to make gospel connections with our local community. A number of times each year we have called at every home in Kells and Connor with gospel booklets and invitations to a series of special events, most recently using the Green (a former bonfire site now transformed into a park area) as a hub for Sunday evening praise services and outreach.

When reviewing our outreach efforts, we identified a gap in our provision.

What about the hinterland surrounding the villages? Rural families who were

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beyond the reach of our hand-delivered publicity. Our elders prayed and decided to have a special mission weekend that would cater for the many farming families in our district. ‘Countryside Connections’ was born. We had no idea how much of a blessing this initiative would be to individuals, families, our congregation and community.

A dedicated team of volunteers set to work on organising the events.

Countryside Connections comprised of a family day on the Saturday and ‘Good News for the Countryside’ on the Sunday evening – a time of worship, gospel sharing and opportunity for closer connections between people.

Our guest throughout the weekend was Rev Kenny Hanna (PCI rural chaplain) who shared a brief gospel message on the Saturday, then preached on the following evening. Kenny brought so much to the weekend with his enthusiasm, expertise, valuable connections with rural groups, and passion for the gospel.

Several hundred people attended

…a range of factors have made this a particularly challenging time for our farming families.

the events over the weekend. On both days we were delighted to welcome representatives from rural support groups who offer vital help to farming families. On the Saturday, a steady stream of people visited the Farm Families Health Checks bus, and on the Sunday evening there was an exhibition highlighting the support available to rural families with the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Health and Safety Executive NI, Farm Families Health Checks, Rural Support, and the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster all represented. We were astounded by the turnout on the Saturday afternoon.

Outside, as well as the Farm Families Health Checks bus, there was a petting farm, plus a range of machinery on display from vintage tractors to seriously sophisticated kit provided by McKays Contracting and the legendary Grassmen. Inside, the local Young

Farmers’ club provided entertainment and games for kids. There was facepainting, displays by rural support groups, lots of food, and even an opportunity to try milking a cow!

We also hosted the Cancer Fund for Children choir on the Saturday, and over the weekend £3,000 was raised for the Cancer Fund for Children and Angel Wishes. These two charities have a special place in our heart given the support they provided to two of our families in recent years.

The culmination of the weekend was our ‘Good News for the Countryside’ evening on the Sunday. During the service we heard from David Brown, the then president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, about how his faith impacted his farming. Then Kenny Hanna gave a winsome and powerful presentation of the gospel. Afterwards people enjoyed desserts and browsed the stands of the rural support groups.

Many who attended had no tangible church connection and thanked us for

Congregations have an incredible opportunity to connect people in our rural community with… the good news of Jesus Christ. taking an interest in farming families.

So, what was the outcome of Countryside Connections? I’d love to say that there was more tangible fruit with people having come to faith in Christ as a result of the weekend, but that doesn’t appear to have been the case. However, gospel connections were made. The good news of Jesus was faithfully proclaimed. People who had never crossed the threshold of our building came in (and some have come back since), and we gained openings for the sake of the gospel. As a direct result of our weekend, I was able to attend a Dyno Day (google it!) on a local farm and had great opportunities to talk with people from all kinds of backgrounds.

Perhaps the greatest encouragement to come out of Countryside Connections was how it galvanised our own people in prayer and action.

This weekend

Rev Kenny Hanna

of events was part of a process and, as the Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3, it is God who gives the growth. As we come into another Harvest season, we can say of our God: your mercies are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

We also recognise that a range of factors have made this a particularly challenging time for our farming families. Congregations have an incredible opportunity to connect people in our rural community with one another and, much more importantly, to connect them to God through the sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ. As Kenny shared with us on that special weekend: “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11).

Rev Philip Thompson is minister of Connor Presbyterian Church.

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West side story Suzanne Hamilton learns how 50 years of prayers by a faithful few are bearing fruit in west Belfast.

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hen Albert Street Presbyterian closed its doors for the final time in 1971, some of the congregation began praying that God would again do something in the Falls Road area of Belfast.

For 50 years they faithfully prayed, never giving up hope, even when lockdown disrupted plans to mark the closure’s anniversary. Their prayers were answered when at the 2022 General Assembly, a resolution was passed welcoming the establishment of the West Belfast Special Ministry Project.

“In the providence of God…a new work began from apparently out of nowhere, but it was out of God laying this on people’s hearts for 50 years,” explains Rev David Moore, who has been leading the work to reestablish a presence in an area which previously was home to five Presbyterian churches.

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David stresses that three years down the line, the project is still “small and fragile”, yet there are encouraging signs.

A monthly worship service takes place in the old Broadway Presbyterian Church building, now known as Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, and a weekly Bible study now has 10 regular attendees meeting in the boardroom at the nearby Áras na bhFál.

Called Án Tionólann, which is Irish for ‘an assembly/gathering place’,

David and his team in the West Belfast Special Ministry Project have worked hard at establishing relationships in the community, with the aim of bringing the gospel message and changing perceptions of who Presbyterians are.

This has included an exhibition about the history of Albert Street Presbyterian Church. With records showing there was a church in the area long before houses were built, David explains the exhibition showed that “we were here and we’re now here again”.

There have been talks by a Church of Scotland minister whose first language is Scots Gaelic and an evening about noted trade unionist and Presbyterian William McMullen – an associate of James Connolly of 1916 fame. They have also run community connect events, covering everything from the Irish language to music and walking tours.

It is all about changing

What unites us and what drives us…is Christ and his glory. perceptions, and the latest initiative, which formed part of the West Belfast Festival in August, was ‘Between the Sticks’, which saw shinty teams from Stirling and Lanarkshire travel to Northern Ireland for matches with an Antrim GAA hurling and camogie team.

“Shinty is a game that is played primarily in the Highlands and that is also the area where church-attendance and Presbyterianism are strongest compared to the rest of Scotland,” explains David.

“The teams may not have all been practising believers, but most of them come from that tradition,” he adds, pointing out that all these events act as “narrative disruptors” as they disrupt what people have come to expect, and to show that there is a difference between the gospel and the predominant culture with which it is often identified in Northern Ireland.

“What unites us and what drives us…is Christ and his glory, as opposed to the promotion or retention of any one cultural expression. If Christ is Lord, then everything else, every other culture, every other outlook is secondary to that. That’s how we approach what we do,” says David.

‘Between the Sticks’ also provided an opportunity to invite those attending to a worship service. An insert in the match programme gave details of who

Án Tionólann are, what they do and where they do it, along with details of the Sunday service.

“We had a great attendance at that.

Normally we get an average of 40, but we had just short of 60, which we normally only get at Christmas. It was a great day,” says David, who is particularly pleased to see new faces at the services.

As well as attending the shinty matches, PCI Moderator Dr Trevor Gribben preached at the service, and David says people responded well to his message.

Indeed, this has also been the reaction David and his team have received from the west Belfast community, with premises being provided free of charge and through engaging with their work.

Pointing out that during the Troubles, no one wanted to go into the area, he adds, “So they feel enriched when those from outside engage with them at any level, in any positive way.”

From a Presbyterian perspective, David says the area is an important mission field. Northern Ireland Assembly figures for 2023 put the population of West Belfast at almost 94,000. “Of that, 90% plus would not be from a Presbyterian background.

Is there anywhere else in the country where there are 90,000 plus people without a Presbyterian witness that we would think it’s not worthwhile being there? The answer to that is no,” says David.

As the West Belfast Special Project enters its fourth year, David sees the team reaching out through the Fleadh

…that’s a call and a challenge to us to share the good news…

– the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture – which could bring 500,000 people to the area next August.

His prayers for the coming months also include opening an office on the Falls Road, giving the team an important physical presence and base: “They can find us online, they find us when we do these big events, but where are we the rest of time?”

He would also like to grow the numbers worshipping at the monthly service, and having a core gathering who see it as their church, with the ultimate aim of moving to a weekly worship service.

“Hopefully in a year’s time...it’ll be in a position where the majority of people will be focused on us as their church as opposed to just coming in and visiting,” says David, although he quickly adds that visitors are always welcome.

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EVENT

Raising children

Ruth’s daughter Bess at this year’s Kids’ Big Day Out

who are confident in Christ Ruth Bromley highlights a new event for parents, church leaders and volunteers. ‘Starting Strong’ is designed to help raise children with a confident faith in today’s challenging world.

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am the parent of a nine-year-old girl. I love being a parent; it’s the best role I have been given. I have had the opportunity to know my daughter literally from the second she was born. She is a joy and a delight to be around and I love watching her become the person God has created her to be.

However, there are times when I also find being the parent of nine-year-old girl terrifying, draining and stressful.

You see, it would be easy if I could just keep her at home all the time and help her to stay safe from the many things

We have the best, most uplifting story to give to our children.

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in the world that could harm her. But if I did that, she would also miss the many opportunities that this life offers her. It’s only in letting her experience life in Jesus that she gets to live life to the full.

So instead of wrapping my daughter up in cotton wool, I need to help her to be confident, not in herself or in me, but in the God who made her, the Saviour who died for her and the Holy Spirit who lives within her and guides her every decision.

I also need to remember that God also equips me to be the parent she needs as I follow him daily. He also equips me as a children’s ministry leader to help the children in my congregation know what it means to live life to the full as we invest time in their discipleship.

One of the places that I have gained insight and resources from is Faith in Kids, a faith-based organisation which aims to encourage confident parents and thriving churches to work together to raise children who trust in Jesus eternally. Faith in Kids has an amazing team, headed up by Ed Drew who is an author, speaker and trainer.

I am delighted that Ed is coming this autumn to speak at a PCI event called ‘Starting Strong’.

The idea of the Starting Strong event is to help parents, church leaders and volunteers to think about ways that

Creating your own identity is elusive and it is exhausting.

Ed Drew sets out the importance of presenting a counter-cultural message to our children. they can work together to help build faith in our children. This fits so well with the ethos and aim of Faith in Kids, so having Ed as the speaker will be really beneficial.

Raising children with a confident faith in today’s world is a challenge.

There are so many contrary messages, competing priorities vying for attention and difficult questions that arise for both them, their parents and congregations.

The necessity for giving our children the strongest possible start based on the surest foundation of Scripture in both home and church, has never been greater.

Are you a minister, elder or children’s ministry leader or volunteer? Are you a parent of a primary-school-aged child or grandchild? Do you long for the opportunity to think about how to instil confidence in children – not in who they are but in the God who has created them and offers them life in all its fullness?

Then Starting Strong is the event for you this autumn. Come and hear Ed share stories, insights and advice about how we work together as confident parents and thriving churches to raise children who love and follow Jesus every day of their lives – at home, in school and with their friends.

Ruth Bromley is PCI’s children’s development officer.

Starting Strong event details: Thursday 20 November 2025 High Street Holywood Presbyterian Church 7.45–9.15pm Cost: Free

Building faith in our children

There is a powerful song in the film The Greatest Showman called This is Me. It is sung by the cast of Barnum’s Circus, each of whom is in some way a ‘freak’.

Their lives have been defined by rejection because of what they look like, whether it be their extreme height (or lack of it), their impressive beard (on a woman), their birthmarks or their tattoos.

But they refuse to be the labels others give them. While they might be bruised by how they have been treated, they know that they are more than a physical quirk or an outlier from the norm.

There’s something wonderful here that we want our own kids to emulate: to refuse to be defined by how others view them or treat them. And yet, there’s something dangerous here, too.

keswickministries.org

Life to the full

You be you Our children are being asked to start from a blank sheet of paper. Who are you? Who do you want to be? What is your gender? What is your sexuality?

Where is your value? How will you be famous? What difference will you make? Create your own path. Follow your heart. Stand up and declare, without apology, “This is me”.

That is not freedom. That is a burden. What if the ‘me’ I am today is not the ‘me’ I was yesterday? What if I don’t much like the ‘me’ I am today?

Creating your own identity is elusive and it is exhausting. It leads away from confidence and towards crisis.

That spirit of the age sounds so appealing. It may even seem loving. But it is not true. Our children’s hearts are at risk. We might feel overwhelmed, confused, and tempted to just give in. Or we might feel fearful and hear ourselves responding negatively to the world’s message by pointing out at every opportunity where it is wrong.

But we have a better story to tell: one of redemption, hope, and purpose.

We have the best, most uplifting story to give to our children.

A confident sheep The better story is that they have been created in their maker’s image. Their loving heavenly Father tells them who they were made to be, who they are and who they will be. Once they understand, they can live free. They can make better decisions. They can be more confident. And, crucially, they can feel better.

As Christians, we are not defined by our appearance. We are not a collection of logos and brands. We are not our hairstyle, weight or disability.

We are not the names we are called.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:10–11).

‘Life to the full’. Which parent does not want that for their children? Jesus Christ claimed that it was found in him, as the good shepherd.

‘Others’ come to steal, kill and destroy life – the shepherd came to give life, by laying down his life. This is not a trendy self-help philosophy or the latest breakthrough parenting book. This is flesh and bone. This is love and sacrifice. This best life is available to ‘the sheep‘.

A longer version of this blog first appeared in the May 2023 issue of the Christian newspaper Evangelicals Now (www.e-n.org.uk).

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Minority?

No problem!

Cultural music festival in west Belfast

Neil Harrison outlines how our Church is missionally reaching out in areas where Presbyterians are in the minority.

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ensus statistics. Changing demographics. Population shifts. Graphs showing denominational decline.

These realities shape our island and our Church. They affect our life and witness, often stirring anxiety, especially if not viewed through a biblical lens.

Our context has shifted. In many parts of Northern Ireland, where Presbyterians once held a majority or equal presence, we are now a minority.

This is even more challenging in a divided society that requires relational and cultural sensitivity to build trust.

Population changes have contributed to

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Mission begins with going, not waiting for others to come.

the loss of younger generations in some congregations, leaving a sense of being on the margins. While there is a desire to share the gospel, many are unsure how to connect with a culture that feels different from their own.

A recent Council for Mission in Ireland report, received by the General Assembly in June, addresses this changed context. It offers principles for mission where Presbyterians are a minority in culturally Holiday Bible club in Mayobridge Catholic areas. Primarily, the report aims to speak inwardly to the Church as a tool of self-reflection, to foster a humble posture that seeks to develop genuine connection with our communities and enable a clear and gracious expression of the gospel in ways that will be heard.

Scripture shows that being a minority is normal for God’s people. Across the world, Christians live among populations dominated by other religions or ideologies, often opposed to the gospel – yet the church grows. Many PCI congregations in the Republic of Ireland have faithfully lived as a minority for generations, maintaining vibrancy in life and witness.

Mission begins with going, not waiting for others to come. It means crossing boundaries. The Christian message transcends culture and is not tied to political affiliation, allowing us to relate across language, race, tribe and national identity without altering the message. This theme runs through the Bible – from God’s call to Abram in Genesis 12 to Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. We are called to cross boundaries to reach others with the gospel.

Here are three PCI stories of mission as a minority, offering lessons from crossing boundaries to witness in culturally different communities.

Downpatrick Presbyterian’s float in the St Patrick’s Day parade

West Belfast (Rev David Moore) In any work of mission, it is imperative to get to know and serve your community. The key to developing this, initially, is listening more than speaking. Who are the people we are meeting? How do they see the world?

Unless I understand their outlook, their worldview, how will I ever be able to share the good news with them in terms they can understand?

Part of this is to get to know the local language and culture. Who would go to a country in Africa or the Far East but ignore their language and customs?

So, we have been attempting to learn Irish. Many of our fellow Presbyterians live, learn and worship in the daughter language of Scots Gaelic – why should we be shy of doing so in Irish?

Just as whenever you go abroad, people are delighted that you attempt David Moore (far right) and members of his Bible study group

In any work of mission, it is imperative to get to know and serve your community. to speak their local language, so too here. In doing so, you show respect for them as people and the culture they possess, which we have found has helped to open doors for us.

None of this is news to any missionary in any other context. ‘Get to know the people among whom you are working, learn about their language and culture’ – simple stuff really, anyone can do it. We just need to get our heads and hearts around it. Above all, don’t forget how vital it is to love those we seek to reach.

What a powerful witness for Christ it is when people show others love in his name, especially in a context where that is challenging, either to them or to us. If this feels uncomfortable, remember that God loved us, while we were yet sinners, and then, secure in his love for us, by the power of his love living in us, let us love others in the same way.

Our experience is that all mission, as a minority or

not, begins, continues and never ceases to depend upon prayer. The greatest tool for mission God has given us is prayer. Use it, and you will find that however long it takes – and it might take a long time – God will use you in his work of building his church for his glory, and nothing is more exciting!

Downpatrick (Rev Owen Patterson) Our desire is that our community will come to know Jesus. Keeping this in focus is important in evangelism.

Remember, Jesus is the one who sends us, and he is the one we want to introduce people to. As a minority within our community in Downpatrick, we want people to know that we are here, and we also want them to know that our message is Jesus.

Our evangelism is on many levels.

Soft evangelism involves keeping an up-to-date Facebook page which doesn’t just advertise church activities but also community things. We have a signage on the street which communicates something of our message as a church.

A decade ago, we set up a food bank which has fed tens of thousands of people in our area. On a purely human level, people can see that we love our community, as this is a very practical demonstration of that, and if this work Herald October 2025

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Bible study in Mayobridge

Toddler group in Downpatrick

…all mission, as a minority or not, begins, continues and never ceases to depend upon prayer. is good, hopefully they will know that our Saviour is too.

We have more overt evangelism like our toddler group that God has richly blessed. It is oversubscribed and 95% of those attending are not part of our church. We also run youth clubs for various ages where we seek to share the gospel. Our church services go out online, as we know most people will first watch there if they are curious.

We also put a float in the St Patrick’s Day parade in the town and produce appropriate gospel literature to distribute.

We are supported by others each year in distributing thousands of biblical bilingual calendars in English and Irish, including for our local Gaelscoil (Irish speaking school). At each of our organisations we make it a priority to give quality, age appropriate, gospel books to those who come. There are other avenues like school assemblies and hospital visitations that open doors. Members of our church being involved in clubs and societies in our area means that they too, are signposting people to Jesus.

Above all this, God’s people are praying for our community and our work too, as it is only God who can open eyes to see.

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Mayobridge (Rev Seamus Burke) Mayobridge is a small village in Co Down, approximately five miles from Rathfriland and just over four miles from Newry. According to the latest census figures, it has a population of around 1200 people. It has a few shops, a bar, a strong GAA club, a church and a primary school.

Since 2015, our congregation has been reaching out into the community, endeavouring to share the gospel message. It began with a request from a couple from the Faith Mission to help run a summer Bible club. A team of volunteers from the church went each night for a week, helping with Bible stories, memory verses, quizzes and games. It was a great success and from then on became an annual event, with our church soon taking over the responsibility for it. The school had allowed me a slot at an assembly each year to promote (what the locals nicknamed), the ‘Holy Club’. The club, held in the GAA halls, continued for several years until the premises were no longer available to us.

Over the years, we have gotten to know a few believers in the community and so, after discussion and prayer, we decided to hold a Bible study in the village. We originally met on Tuesday mornings, twice a month, in a room kindly granted by the local bar. Numbers were small, between four to nine of us,

but mostly made up of locals. We met for a year in that venue before switching to a newly opened coffee shop one evening each month. I’m encouraged to be working with Rev Brian Colvin in the project, who has recently joined us for times of Bible study and prayer, helping Ryans Presbyterian to share in the ministry.

The work in Mayobridge is small and at times seems fragile, but I’m convinced that God has opened a door of witness into that community (Revelation 3:8). I see it as our responsibility to go through that door, depending on him to grow what is tiny into something that will still be there when we are not. Please pray for Mayobridge, and particularly for the re-establishment of the children’s work.

A time for reflection The learning from these examples and others in PCI has been considered and summarised in a report detailing a number of agreed principles and associated practices, that have been found helpful when engaging in mission as a minority. The report from the Council for Mission in Ireland, was approved by the General Assembly in June 2025 and is being developed into a reflective tool that will be available on the PCI website in early 2026.

Neil Harrison is PCI’s mission development officer.

TALKING POINTS

Moral standards matter Norman Hamilton considers the importance of moral standards for the good of wider society, especially in relation to issues like porn.

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ou may – or may not – have heard of Bonnie ‘live’ the gospel. The scale of persecution of Christians across Blue. She is an English porn actress who hit the the world is evidence of the connection. Even here, those headlines recently due to her claim to have had pressures are growing, and are as old as the Bible itself. The sex with 1,057 men in a single day, trying to set last verse of Judges (21:25) tells us: “In those days Israel had a world record. Her porn career has made her extremely no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” Moral and ethical wealthy. She claims to have made over £1,000,000 in a single anarchy everywhere. month via the adult website Only Fans. Blue said in an Yet having moral standards really does matter – for they interview: “You can do this job because you enjoy it, because set the boundaries of what is and what is not acceptable in it’s a million-dollar business” and that her family supported our society and in our nation. Few of us however, would her actions. want to suggest that therefore we should have a ‘theocratic’ At the end of July, Channel 4 aired an hour-long government – one that claims divine authority for its actions. documentary telling the story of Bonnie Blue. I watched 20 Our system is that we have a ‘democratic’ government, minutes of it. That was quite enough. whose authority comes from ‘the people’.

Yet, four days earlier (25 July), new Inevitably, of course, when people The scale of porn is just age checks required by the UK Online effectively reject God’s direction for one aspect of the bigger their own personal lives, they never Safety Act came into operation to try to ensure that children can’t access porn moral vacuum… seek it for wider society or for their or other harmful content. The new government. laws did not primarily emerge from an overriding set of That is the situation in the UK and Ireland – and indeed moral values in Parliament, but from a concern to limit the in every Western democracy. The current consensus amongst potential for harm to children and young people. (It must be committed Christians is that we must advocate even more acknowledged of course, that even this desire to minimise strongly for biblical moral standards to be promoted in harm is itself an important moral stance.)

Parliament and wider society. Moral advocacy is needed However, within a few days, the BBC reported that in the almost everywhere – not just on matters of sexuality and UK, half of the top 10 free apps in Apple’s app download assisted dying. charts appeared to be for Virtual Private Network (VPN) Just a couple of examples: what guidance do the Scriptures services. These VPNs disguise your location online – give to deal with the pollution of Lough Neagh – a precious allowing you to use the internet as though you are in another God-given resource? Or what does the Bible say about how country, and mean that, in practice, people are likely using children should be educated – and how parents should care them to bypass requirements of the Online Safety Act. There for them? These questions have huge moral implications as are no such checks in Ireland, where all that is currently well as political and social ones. Biblically based advocacy is needed to access porn is to confirm one’s age by ticking a what our Council for Public Affairs seeks to do, year in year box. out, as do many other Christian national organisations with In a word, most people would probably agree that similar aims and objectives. pornography is harmful – sometimes extremely so. But there The scale of porn is just one aspect of the bigger moral is still huge demand for it, and advanced technology to get it. vacuum caused by our society, our parliaments and people Adult pornography is not illegal in most countries, generally abandoning Bible teaching on almost every aspect including the United States and the UK, mainly because of public and private life. A healthy society needs God’s of the importance of protecting freedom of speech and standards in every aspect of life. And that expression. is a core reason why being a follower of Yet underlying the debates about the harm from porn and Christ means to be very public about it… the need to protect core freedoms in a democracy, there is alongside being deeply personal too. a deeper question. How can Christian people like you and Norman Hamilton me try to ensure that biblical and Christian standards of morality are upheld in wider society?

Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton is a former There is no easy answer to this question, for politics Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in directly affects our ability to ‘preach the gospel’, and indeed Ireland.

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CHAPLAINCY

At the heart of things Rev Nigel Craig

Chaplain, Queen’s University Belfast, Stranmillis University College and Union Theological College

We are trusting the Lord that it will be a year of heart speaking to heart.

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t the heart of campus, you’ll find the Presbyterian Chaplaincy Centre, on Elmwood Avenue; at the heart of the Chaplaincy Centre, you’ll find Sojourn Coffee; and at the heart of this bustling café, you’ll find students laughing over lattes, conversing over cinnamon buns, studying with laptops open and ear buds in place, not to mention members of QUB staff socialising or engaging in business.

You’ll also find the chaplaincy team – Lyndsey Ballantine (lay assistant chaplain), Vicky Purse (administrator), Sarah McIlroy (intern) and Nigel Craig (chaplain) – planning programmes, or having heart-to-heart conversations with students and staff.

This autumn we will launch, God willing, ‘Catechesis on Campus: Getting to the heart of the Reformed faith at the heart of campus’. This is a new weekly programme which walks through the Shorter Catechism in 16 sessions.

We want to help young Presbyterians at university, as they encounter others from different belief systems and worldviews, answer the question: ‘What lies at the heart of what we believe?’ We would also love to assist other students, local and international, in their search for truth.

At the heart of our ministry is our residence at Derryvolgie Hall. This year we were inundated with applications from students wanting to live at Derryvolgie. It is a blessing that so many young people want to share in our Christian community, learning God’s Word, and desiring to grow in faith, hope and love, by the help of the Holy Spirit.

As a team, we are excited about the year ahead, with both

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our returning students and our new intake of first year students moving into Derryvolgie – 87 students, plus our intern. In particular, we are looking forward to the re-introduction of Derryvolgie Hall’s famous ‘in-house’ weekend at the end of October – a time when our students can spend growing together in Christ, through our teaching sessions and praying together.

It’ll also be great simply having the ‘banter’ as a whole community.

We are thankful to God for blessing us with an incredible intern in Sarah McIlroy, a recent graduate of the new BA (Hons) degree in Theology at Union Theological College.

Sarah will be working alongside our team as a bridge to the students. While living in Derryvolgie, Sarah will be involved in pastoral care, facilitating our ministries and community events, while also assisting Lyndsey in leading our girls’ group Bible study, while Nigel leads the guys’ group. We are trusting the Lord that it will be a year of heart speaking to heart.

Please pray: • For all encounters with students and staff, that the Lord would open hearts, as he did Lydia’s, to “attend unto the things” of God (Acts 16:14), and to confess with David “with my whole heart I seek you” (Psalm 119:10).

• For the new intake of students in Derryvolgie Hall, as well as those returning for another year, that they would grow in faith, hope and love.

• For intern Sarah, that this year would be one of growth and discipleship in Jesus Christ.

• For Nigel, Lyndsey and Vicky, that they would be assured that God will supply every need of theirs, according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

MISSION IN IRELAND

Turning the world the right way up Rick Hill

Secretary of the Council for Mission in Ireland

Across Ireland, God is using his people in quiet yet revolutionary ways…

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arlier this year, the Council for Mission in Ireland partnered with 12 presbyteries to host ‘Mission in Ireland’ evenings. Taking the theme ‘New Things’, these gatherings celebrated recent growth, new church development, and fresh missional work across Ireland. The stories highlighted that this is a season of new beginnings, something I notice in much of the Council’s current work.

In various ways as a Council, we have been reflecting on the church in Thessalonica as found in Acts 17. Here, Paul proclaimed the revolutionary message of God’s promised blessing, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through suffering came salvation; through vulnerability, victory; through human injustice, forgiveness; through death itself, came life. That message created a community who, though unimpressive in the world’s eyes, carried Spirit-empowered impact far beyond their size. While their opponents accused them of ‘turning the world upside down’, in truth they were turning it the right way up, declaring that there is a King greater than Caesar – Jesus Christ.

From west Belfast to Wexford, Carrigart to Cork, Galway to Greystones, this same message is being shared today – through preaching, around tables, in conversations, by congregations, chaplains, pioneers and projects. The steps may seem small and the pace slow, yet they carry eternal significance. God is using his people across this island for kingdom impact.

This conviction fuels the Council’s work week by week, in a season of many new things. In the past year alone, five ministers have been installed into new Home and Urban Mission charges, three deaconesses have been commissioned or inducted, and three mission pioneers have been deployed.

Church planting in Balbriggan reached a milestone with the

ordination of Rev Josh McCance. In west Belfast, a monthly rhythm of worship has begun and in Wexford, services have recommenced under Rev David Curran’s leadership of the Church Development Project. The Bewglas Centre in Carrigart hosted its first overnight prayer retreat, while first steps are being taken in a new mission project in the Village area of south Belfast. Each of these developments represent seeds of gospel hope – and we commend them to your prayers.

Our chaplains also continue to serve faithfully and fruitfully in prisons, healthcare, the forces, universities and the rural community. We have been humbled by accounts of service in demanding settings and gave thanks for 30 years of student witness through Derryvolgie Halls, celebrating its remarkable legacy.

Some describe our cultural moment as “the surprising re-birth of God”; others as “the quiet revival”. Whatever the label, it is a hopeful time for the church to declare and display the glory of Christ. Across Ireland, God is using his people in quiet yet revolutionary ways – to speak truth, proclaim Christ, and turn the world not upside down, but the right way up.

Please pray: • For the many opportunities of declaring the gospel hope across our island.

• May God continue to equip and raise up those to reach out in their local communities to proclaim Christ who is the only one who brings hope and peace.

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CHURCH PLANTING

Bringing hope Rev Peter Burke

Associate minister, West Kirk Presbyterian

While such communities may seem hopeless to many, the good news of Jesus brings hope both now and forever.

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amously, Rihanna sang about finding love in a hopeless place. The New Lodge in inner north Belfast formed part of the background of the music video.

Often the New Lodge, and similar communities, can be viewed as this: hopeless. While such communities may seem hopeless to many, the good news of Jesus brings hope both now and forever.

When West Kirk Presbyterian (Shankill Road) amalgamated with Crumlin Road Presbyterian, the West Kirk Session, led by God, felt compelled to use this merger as an opportunity to do further mission. At the same time, the International Meeting Point (IMP), which had been sharing the gospel in south Belfast for over 10 years, had begun a work at Carlisle Circus in north Belfast. As people became interested in Jesus through the work of the IMP, the question began to be asked, where will these people go to church?

West Kirk’s desire to do further mission and the connections being made by the IMP led to the idea of West Kirk planting a new church at Carlisle Circus. In the autumn of 2021, under the leadership of West Kirk, a core group of 20 people (12 adults and eight kids) from West Kirk and other churches, began to meet together to think and pray about church at Carlisle Circus.

Under God’s guidance, Grace & Hope Community Church opened for worship on 6 February 2022. It was an amazing answer to prayer to see people join us on that Sunday to worship God. God has continued to bless us as we’ve met each week to worship him over the last three-plus years. We’ve had the privilege of seeing people put their faith in Jesus, know his forgiveness and understand the hope which he brings.

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Meeting at the HopeLink Centre (kindly granted by the North Belfast Urban Mission Trust), our vision at Grace & Hope remains the same – to be a church in and for the community. Our desire is to see people from all sorts of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, living in the New Lodge and surrounding areas, come to know the amazing grace and hope of Jesus. We continue to value our relationship with the IMP and are thankful for how this has created opportunities to introduce people to Jesus. We continue to look for ways to build relationships with people in the community in order to share the hope of Jesus.

We are thankful to the Council for Mission in Ireland who are generously supporting G&H until January 2028 through resources from the Shankill Road Mission Fund.

Without this support, the work of G&H would not be able to continue. We value your prayers for us as we continue to make the hope of Jesus known.

Please pray: • Grace & Hope is a diverse group of people. Pray they would continue to know unity in Christ.

• Many in Grace & Hope are new to faith. Pray for some who have known Jesus a little longer to come and walk with them.

• That more people from the community will come to know the hope of sin forgiven and life with Jesus.

CHAPLAINCY

Waiting Joanne Dunlop

Deaconess, Craigavon Hospital

How much more does God have for us… when we take time to wait on him and be refreshed by him?

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own a quiet country road, not far from our home, there is a stone bridge over a small river. I love to take the opportunity to walk there; a particular time to talk with and listen to the Lord.

One of the first mornings I walked there, I stopped and looked over one side of the bridge. The river bed was rocky, so quite a noise came from the water rushing over the rocks as it then wove its way through the fields. Feeling the need to get going and get on with what the day held, I wasn’t going to take the few seconds to cross over to the other side of the bridge. But with a gentle nudge I did and I had the delight of seeing a heron down at the water’s edge which then took flight because of my arrival. I would have missed this wonderful sight had I not taken the time but rushed on instead.

I now call this side of the bridge the Psalm 23 side; the water stiller and much calmer than the other side. A reminder to me of the vital need of simply ‘being’ with the Lord before moving on and ‘doing’ for him, which the water gushing over the rocks on the other side reminds me of, bringing refreshment as it travels on. How much more does God have for us and those around us when we take time to wait on him and be refreshed by him?

The world increasingly leads us to think that productivity from busyness and doing is best, that we should always be on the go. But God woos us to draw aside to rest in his presence – something he delights in, we are blessed by, and then he works in us to bring that blessing to others. Fruitfulness rather than busyness.

In the days of Covid when we daily did tests before entering the hospital, one ward requested that we did a second (of the same tests) before entering the ward. This could involve a 30-minute wait. I confess, inwardly I got frustrated at the ‘wait’, but my heart was challenged over the weeks to see the waiting as a further opportunity to rest in the Lord and seek him for the people I would visit there.

In the waiting one day, the Lord gave me a picture for a lady I was praying for – welly boots jumping in puddles.

The lady had already been in hospital five weeks and I had visited with her before. She expressed on that visit how she was struggling to read the Bible and pray. I shared with her the picture I had been given – did it mean anything to her? She immediately got out her phone and showed me a photo of her and her grandson jumping in muddy puddles.

One of her most precious memories!

God, I believe, was reassuring her of his presence and his delight in her in such a personal way. Please pray with me that all that I ‘do’ for the Lord in the hospital will only ever flow from my first ‘being’ with him. Which moments in your day can you give him the delight of waiting with him?

Please pray: • In the constant busyness of the hospital, pray for opportunities to share God’s words of life and hope to over-stretched staff, and to patients in difficult places of waiting.

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GLOBAL MISSION

Teaching responsibility Stephen and Angelina Cowan Global mission workers, Kenya

Developing a biblical worldview is critical…

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ife is easier for a pastoralist people when it rains, and not so good when the sun is shining!

Environment issues are a great cause of concern worldwide. God has instructed us in his Word to care for the earth and links this to faith. For the 40 years I have been in Kenya, we have sought to make Jesus known, and help followers of Jesus take responsibility for their own lives rather than become dependent on the church as a giver.

The nomadic lifestyle has meant that people are on the move as food resources deplete in one area, and move on without doing anything to the land. This was a reasonable idea when there was somewhere with fodder to move to, but now with increased population and the quest for more food to be grown nationally, this method is not working.

As we evangelise and disciple, it is evident that people still believe that someone else, even in the worldwide church, will provide their daily needs. God’s Word clearly teaches us that we were created to care for the earth and everything in it. This biblical worldview then clashes with the local worldview of moving on and not doing anything positive for the earth, even pruning a tree, or cutting a

parasitic shrub from killing it.

‘Shamba’ is a Kiswahili word for farm or garden. ‘The shamba of the bull’ (an enclosed area) has helped people see that the land is alive, and can heal and produce if cared for. This clearly teaches people that the character of God, the Father of Jesus Christ, is different. Young people, through gospel teaching, are experiencing the need to be more responsible in their lifestyle and see work as a task that glorifies God, Jehovah.

The idea of community is good but it does not exonerate us from personal responsibility to raise children or grow fodder for the animals. The ‘aid game’ has really increased dependency, and left the younger generation in a crisis.

Visitors here see potential that local people do not imagine. The government is pushing for land rehabilitation and fodder banks, rather than food aid, to help people keep animals nourished rather than the usual story of the drought killing the cattle. Resistance is high, uptake is slow as people struggle with change, and the challenge of being limited to a specific land area brings uncertainty.

In our terms, people own no land and most of life’s needs comes free. As formal education is more needed in a changing world, financial matters become more essential, and money can be generated from natural resources of grass, seeds or minerals.

Developing a biblical worldview is critical to embracing the gospel and providing a framework for the future.

Please pray: • Give thanks for sustained rain that has made change more possible.

• For minds to be open to change through the gospel.

• For God’s Word to impact lives for the next generation so the church would grow independently.

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GLOBAL MISSION

Overcoming fake news Naomi Keefe

Global mission worker, Brazil

The keenness to find out what God said on these issues was encouraging.

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ver 30 years ago, I had been asked at an interview for a teacher of Biology position whether as a Christian I would have a problem teaching sexual education in my lessons. It is amazing that still today the world is putting out fake news or false news about this topic, as we discovered in recent Bible study sessions with some of the teenagers and young folk from the favela community. We used Josh McDowell’s book, The Bare Facts, about sex, love and relationships as a springboard to our discussions.

Our sessions started with playing a board game entitled ‘Could it be Fake?’ In which we had a series of statements that we had to decide whether they were true or fake to gain points on the board. This was then followed by an in-depth Bible study in which the young folks investigated and discovered answers to various issues such as: What is truth? How do we know whether information is fake/false or true? How can a young man really keep his way pure?

What does it mean to be in Christ? Is love and sex the same thing? What about sex before marriage? Is there such a thing as safe sex?

The young folks discovered that even though teachers, health services, artificial intelligence (AI) and even parents, often tell them ‘fake news’, the Bible always tells the truth about every issue that we come across in life.

The keenness to find out what God said on these issues was encouraging. One of the teenage boys even requested the board game as his birthday present a week later, as he had enjoyed the study so much. His sister, who also attended the Bible study using the book, said, “It’s the first time I have seen him interested and reading a book.”

Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to speak to these young folks and that they will truly, as the psalmist states, “live according to your word” (Psalm 119:9).

During the devotional sessions, we were able to discuss how God is full of grace and forgiveness to all who come to him in faith and repentance, even if we have already experimented with sex. We also looked at how in Christ we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us to overcome temptations.

In a world where they are encouraged to experiment in all sorts of things by teachers, health services, social media, friends and even, as some of them shared, by their parents, they found looking at what God, who actually made and formed them, says about these issues really useful.

Please pray: • Continue to pray for these young folks, particularly in the choices that they make.

• For the ‘Reading in the Park’ activities in which sticker albums all about the good news of Jesus have proved really useful as an evangelistic strategy with both the children and their parents.

• For the various training sessions on strategies of evangelism and teaching methods with the volunteers in both Beberibe and Peixinhos, and that they will put into practice what they have learnt.

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Journeying towards

Jesus

Pip Florit tells the exciting story of how a new course at PCI’s International Meeting Point in Belfast has been introducing people from the Middle East to the gospel.

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group of people journeying together rarely has a common origin and while the destination might be the same, the steps taken to get there are seldom identical.

Most of us are familiar with the Alpha course and Christianity Explored – courses designed to introduce people to the gospel, and give them a chance to ask and discuss the questions they have about it. The Alpha course was started in the 1970s in Holy Trinity Brompton in London, where Nicky Gumbel shaped it into a course for people who wanted to explore the Christian faith. According to the Alpha website, over two million people participated in an Alpha course in 2024.

Christianity Explored began in the 1990s, also in London, at All Souls Church, to introduce people to the core message of Christianity. Promotional videos for both courses show people playing rugby, opening presents under Christmas trees, riding in hot air balloons, driving cars through dramatic mountains, interviews with scientists and charity CEOs and Bear Grylls.

They are interesting, engaging and enticing… if your life includes rugby, Christmas trees or Bear Grylls.

But what if your cultural background is not Western? What if you grew up in the Middle East? What if you don’t wear a suit or drive a fancy car or play an organised sport?

The Al Massira course has been growing since the late 90s, arising out of a vision that began in Cairo, Egypt.

The vision was to create an expression of faith in Jesus from the heart of the Middle East, the land where Jesus spent his life on earth.

Al Massira means ‘the journey’ and the course is an invitation to begin a journey of exploring the stories of the prophets and to meet the Messiah. It developed from a passion to communicate the gospel in an oriental cultural context. The course has a similar format to Alpha or Christianity Explored, with each session consisting of a film, followed by an opportunity for discussion. It leads participants through an introduction to the Christian faith, an overview of the Old Testament prophets in relation to Christ, an exploration of the Trinity and a survey of the person and work of Christ.

Al Massira…developed from a passion to communicate the gospel in a Middle Eastern cultural context.

Filming took place over a year and a half and in 13 countries, including locations close to biblical sites. The participants are all from within the region and tell their stories in their own words. The course is available in 45 languages, from English to Urdu to Swahili to Kurdish.

The International Meeting Point in south Belfast, along with South Kirk Presbyterian Church, has been hosting Bible studies for some time, which are regularly attended by 80–100 people.

Both Alpha and Christianity Explored have been used and while both courses had a positive impact on participants, project leader, Rev Colin Dickson, was concerned that some of the material wasn’t culturally relevant to IMP users and therefore was limiting their engagement.

The majority of people coming into IMP are from the Middle East and North Africa, Central Africa, Iran and the horn of Africa – places far removed from the UK and its Western worldview. Through a simple conversation, Colin was put in touch with Stuart Burnham, who facilitates training for and running of the Al Massira course. When Stuart explained how the course engages those from the non-Western world, Colin was excited about the potential for impact amongst IMP users and he completed the training course for leaders.

As a result, the course has been used at the Wednesday morning Bible study.

Previously, most of the attendees were Iranians, but because of the strong presence of Middle Eastern influence in the films, including producers, narrator and participants, the course attracted participants from many other nations. The facilitators realised that all of the participants had specific questions that were best answered from a Middle Eastern perspective.

The course has also been used in North Belfast IMP, where it has looked very different. Five or six ladies have attended the course, as well as using the Al Massira app, which has allowed them to watch the videos in their own time. With many transient service users, this has also allowed continuity as the participants could continue to access the material after moving on from Belfast.

The response in IMP has been overwhelmingly positive. Numbers increased in the Bible study in south Belfast with over 100 people attending each week. During each session, after watching the video content, there were written questions available in Arabic, Farsi, English and Tigrinya (the most widely spoken language in Eritrea). The discussions were lively and interactive and many people who came from different backgrounds were able to ask questions and explore the truth of Scripture in a safe and welcoming environment.

The course has highlighted the importance of working within people’s cultural contexts and the significance of people receiving biblical truth in their own language. There can be a tendency to think that people from

The course has highlighted the… significance of people receiving biblical truth in their own language. other religious backgrounds may be uninterested in or offended by a course saturated in Scripture, but that is often far from the truth. The response in IMP has shown that the truths of Scripture engage people, encourage discussion and enlighten those who don’t come from a Christian background. People are attracted to content that speaks to them, reflecting something of their own cultural background and is set in countries they recognise and can relate to.

One participant from the Gulf region said, “This is my culture and I am happy to see Arab people in Arab countries.” Others had their eyes opened to see Jesus in a way they hadn’t before, with a participant from Sudan remarking, “Jesus is one of our prophets, but I now see he is more than a prophet.” While another from East Africa said, “This is a course that shows people who Jesus us: he is God’s Son.” The course runs in several locations across Ireland. Anyone interested in participating or running the course should contact Stuart Burnham: stuart.burnham@almassira.org Pip Florit is PCI’s mission support officer.

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A Christian

community in Nepal Stephen McCracken reports on his recent visit to Nepal to hear about and experience the work of one of PCI’s partners – the United Mission to Nepal (UMN).

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he United Mission to Nepal (UMN) held its biennial General Assembly in May and it was a great occasion for me to visit this country for the first time – a wonderful country with wonderful Christian people. Helen Johnston, from the Global Mission office, journeyed with me.

UMN’s vision is “fullness of life for all, in a transformed Nepali society” and that was reflected in the theme of this General Assembly, ‘Embrace, Empower, Elevate’. It was a privilege to meet Ms Dhana Lama, the first Nepali to be the UMN executive director, and Dr David Rodgers, the present Board chairman who previously served as a doctor in Amppipal hospital with PCI. We heard reports about the challenges of the mission hospitals, and the project work of the various district offices. UMN’s mission is “to serve the people of Nepal, particularly those who live in poverty…inspired by the love and teachings of Jesus Christ.”

David said to me that “UMN holds in tension its vision to bring the gospel

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to the people of Nepal in both word and deed, whilst contending with the restrictions that are placed on it by the government, which continues to be wary of the church.”

There were other inspiring reports, for example, a coffee businessman shared about his business in terms of being a ‘Great Commission company’ (or business as mission) when the business and all that it does is a means of fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus.

The two-week trip had many special moments. Nepal has eight of the 14 highest mountains in the world and it was very special to look at the Annapurna range and know we were near the highest places on earth.

Walking across the third longest

In 1951 there was one secret Nepali Christian and now there are well over two million Christians…

footbridge in the world reminded me that looking straight ahead and not down was a good illustration of the strength received from ‘keeping your eyes on Jesus’ in life. As I walked across, I also subconsciously started singing: “I’m so dizzy my head is spinning!”

Being with the local Christian community in worship was very poignant. I had learned to greet everyone each day with the words ‘Namaste’ and putting my hands together. But when the Christian community gathered for worship, they greeted each other with the words ‘JayMashi’ which means ‘victory to Jesus’ or ‘praise Jesus’. What a joy as Christians gathered to declare that whatever they were facing in life and in culture, we are victory people in Jesus.

On our first Saturday (the day the Christians worship in Nepal as it’s the day off ), we were in the town of Rukumkot (district of Rukum East) which was two days’ journey from Kathmandu. In that Christian community the young preacher spoke on Daniel and his faithfulness. It

…when the Christian community gathered for worship, they greeted each other with the words ‘Jay-Mashi’…‘praise Jesus’.

occurred to me that Daniel’s enemies could not fault his character, so they had to attack his faith and that is what happens so often when Christians live as a faith minority.

On our second week, we were in Kathmandu and worshipped in Crossway Reformed Church. We saw the vision of its Reformed seminary and its outreach work, which PCI helps support via a grant for Dr Prem Subedi who works in an executive role with the church.

In Kathmandu we also met with the leadership of Minority Focus. In a culture that operates with what is known as ‘aafno manche’ – favouring

one’s own people – it is very hard for Christians to receive sponsorship and support for post-secondary studies and college or university. Minority Focus was established by Nepali Christians to help by awarding grants and practical encouragement to young Christians as they seek work in society. Two of its students joined us to share how PCI’s support enabled them to complete their studies and explain what it meant for them. It was a joy to hear about their love of Jesus in the challenges of being a Christian in Nepal.

During my two weeks in Nepal, Psalm 96 became a passage that I reflected on more deeply. The Psalm

The growth of Christianity in Nepal Nepal is one of the world’s poorest countries with a population of 30 million. Until 1951, its borders were closed to the rest of the world. In October 1949 some medical missionaries in northern India got permission for a bird watching trip, during which medical assistance was given to the people of Tansen. This and other coincidences encouraged King Tribhuvan to open Nepal’s borders in 1951 and he invited the world to assist in Nepal’s development.

This was the background to the formation of the United Mission to Nepal (UMN) and the opening of Tansen Hospital and medical clinics in Kathmandu.

In 1951 there was one secret Nepali Christian and now there are well over two million Christians living in Nepal, worshipping in over 7,800 churches.

teaches us to sing for joy to the Lord and to declare his glory among the nations (v1–3). I came home reminded that Christians are a singing people, this is a joy life, discipleship is a joy project. The Psalm also declares that all the idols and gods of this world are nothing (v5). What we treat as a god really has no power, no life, nothing.

Someone said, you can try and wrap your fingers around every joy held out by this world, but you’ll never know true rest in this world without Christ. I say Jay-Mashi to that!

Rev Stephen McCracken is convener of PCI’s Council for Global Mission.

Supporting Nepal through United Appeal Through the United Appeal, the Council for Global Mission supports the Christian community in Nepal in the following ways: • Contributes towards the salary of the Nepali executive director – Ms Dhana Lama; • Annual grants for Minority Focus; • Some financial support for Dr Prem Subedi in his work as chief executive officer of the Cross Reformed FOR mission Centre.

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Rethinking

mission

Chris Thompson considers the concept and importance of ‘integral mission’.

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ometimes our experiences can reshape our perspectives.

Leading the Tearfund team in Northern Ireland, and travelling to meet colleagues, church leaders and communities around the globe, I’ve heard and seen countless stories of God at work. These stories have refined and deepened my understanding of ‘mission’. It’s not only about spiritual transformation – it’s about restoration that reaches into every part of life: relationships, livelihoods, identity and faith.

During a recent outbreak of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), many people sought refuge in churches. One of our local partner churches responded by offering displaced families emergency food –

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simple bowls of porridge. They had oats and water, but soon ran out of firewood. The solution? They broke up the church pews for fuel.

It might seem dramatic. What about Sunday worship? The pastor’s response said it all: “We can worship standing up. These people need the wood more than we need the pews.”

This was a powerful, living example of what Christians call ‘integral mission’ – the belief that the good news of Jesus,

Integral mission doesn’t separate spiritual needs from physical or social ones.

and the work of his body, the church, is for the whole person and every part of life.

Actions like this raise deep and necessary questions. What is the mission of God? What role does the church play, and what does this mean for each of us as followers of Jesus?

What integral mission really means Integral mission doesn’t separate spiritual needs from physical or social ones. It insists they belong together – and that we follow Jesus with our whole lives, not just with words or beliefs. The Lausanne Movement (a global Christian movement focused on mobilising Christian leaders for world evangelisation) defines it as: “The

Imagine the impact if we each embraced mission in a way that brings whole-life transformation to our communities… from sin but to see the restoration of all that is broken by it. Where there’s hunger, the good news of Jesus brings provision. Where there’s loneliness, it builds community. Where there’s despair, it speaks hope. Where creation is groaning, it promises renewal. This is God’s mission: to make all things new (Revelation 21:5).

As theologian Christopher Wright says: “Mission is what God is doing in God’s world – and we are invited to participate.” And God’s mission is nothing less than the full redemption of creation.

Why integral mission really matters

understanding that Christian mission encompasses both evangelism and social responsibility, working towards bringing the whole of life under the lordship of Jesus Christ.”

At Tearfund, we believe that: “The mission Jesus gives us cannot be divided into preaching and social action. We are called to show the love of God through every aspect of our lives.”

The mission we join, the mission of God, is not only to see people saved

While institutional church attendance declines in parts of the Western world, the church in other parts of the world is thriving and reshaping Christian witness.

In countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, Tearfund’s partner churches are integrating faithful biblical teaching with practical action. Ministries provide healthcare, education, job training, and clean water alongside worship and discipleship.

Faith is the foundation for daily life, not separate from it.

According to Pew Research, the Christian population in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to reach 1.1 billion by 2050, making it one of the fastestgrowing centres of global Christianity.

This growth is accompanied by a theology emphasising community

transformation, not just personal salvation.

These churches are modelling something powerful to the global church: faith that looks like love in action.

Putting it into practice Many of us in Northern Ireland can recognise ways our congregations are putting this into practice. Whether it is food banks, warm spaces or English lessons for our new neighbours, we want our communities to experience real benefit from our presence; to feel that our church exists for their good.

But we don’t stop with social action.

We also open doors for people to explore faith through our cafés, Alpha courses, and everyday conversations.

Because our mission is to see people’s whole lives transformed.

The mission we’re called to live Integral mission offers us a challenge.

It asks us to hold together things which have often been kept apart. If the mission of God is the renewal and restoration of all things, then it is big enough to include both proclamation and demonstration, both social action and evangelism. It is a mission that needs each of us – each playing our part in the body of Christ. Imagine the impact if we each embraced mission in a way that brings whole-life transformation to our communities and reveals the fullness of God’s kingdom here on earth.

At Tearfund, we love partnering with Presbyterian churches in Northern Ireland as they walk alongside the global church, tackling poverty and seeing lives transformed and restored – economically, spiritually and physically.

Let’s continue, together, playing our part in the mission of God. Chris Thompson is NI director of Tearfund.

Tearfund is a Christian charity which partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. We work alongside local churches, equipping them to lead lasting change in their communities with local solutions.

For more information, go to: tearfund.org/about-us

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Caring for the most vulnerable in Wicklow

Michael Williams outlines a new service being provided by Peacehaven Trust, which is a community-based residential service for adults with an intellectual disability, operated by PCI and based in Co Wicklow.

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his year, Peacehaven Trust celebrated 45 years of faithful service to adults with an intellectual disability. We continue to fulfil the vision given by God to our founders, that “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest” (Isaiah 32:18).

Founded in Greystones, Co Wicklow in 1980, Peacehaven has sought primarily to minister to the care needs of the residents and has always pursued the support of the Christian community in Wicklow and Dublin in that mission. We are thankful now that through the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we can continue to share this work and be a witness to the faithfulness of God on a wider scale.

We always value prayer.

PCI’s Council for Social Witness (CSW) operates Peacehaven Trust – together they recognise that while supporting 17 adults through residential care is vital work, there is a

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recognition that the need within the community is much greater. Therefore, Peacehaven Trust is always seeking opportunities to develop service delivery, thus extending the impact of the organisation’s work to as many people as possible.

Growth is often methodically slow, yet such a pace can ensure that all parties concerned are careful when building a new service, making sure that it is robust and can actually meet the needs of the people from whom it is going to serve. For over two years, CSW, Peacehaven Trust, the Irish Health Services (HSE) and others have worked together to create a new service in Greystones – one which is specifically designed to meet the needs of one adult.

It is core to our mission to care for people that have additional needs and supports.

With God’s grace, Peacehaven Trust had the funds to purchase an apartment and the HSE committed to fund a dedicated staff team to support an individual in a specialist service.

Such a service is costly but necessary. I often reflect that it is a mark of a caring society that they will invest heavily in the needs of the most vulnerable people – a value that resonates in Scripture.

For example, Proverbs 31:8–9: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

It is core to our mission to care for people that have additional needs and supports. This new apartment service is certainly built to do this, but it is a bit different to our other existing house services, simply because it focuses on one person. We have named it Grásta House, as grásta is an Irish word for ‘grace’. It was the resident of the service who suggested this, which we found to

be apt, both from their experience and also as we recognise the need for God to provide and guide us in our work.

From our existing staff group, we were able to appoint a new manager to this service. She leads a team of five staff, who support the resident 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The staff team help the resident to live as independently as they can – both inside and outside of the home.

Outside in the community, staff assist the resident to make meaningful connections with people – to volunteer and help with activities such as mums and tots groups, being a marshal with the local ‘iron man’ competition, being a part of a local church, and are seeking to do more, such as volunteering in a care home for the elderly.

Inside the home, staff help the resident to do all the daily tasks that others take for granted as easy, e.g. cooking, shopping, laundry, cleaning and more.

We ensure we employ staff with the

We view the work we do…as God’s work. right training and skills – we believe it is of utmost importance that staff have the right value base, one characterised by kindness, respect and love. We strongly encourage people of faith to come into this kind of work; people who, out of love, are motivated to meet the needs of others above and beyond their own needs. We view the work we do – that of caring for some of the most vulnerable in our community – as God’s work. We believe he has placed a desire in our hearts to work with people who have an intellectual disability, and we strive each day to fulfil our mission.

It is good for Peacehaven Trust that Grásta House has been developed; and that it is in the same town as our other services (Lydia House, Blake House and Applewood Heights).

Now we have a total of 18 residents.

Staff and residents from each service are able to connect with each other and support each other. It also helps us share support services and staff training. However, our desire to serve more people who have needs that are not met within the current social care provision models in the Republic of Ireland remains; which means that we are open to the Lord’s direction to go where he calls, when he calls. I have no doubt that when that call comes, God will, as is his want, provide all that we need.

We thank you for your prayers. If you would wish to help us further, please consider volunteering. Often, we have a resident who wants to go to an event, or join a club – maybe you want to do the same thing, and would be willing to support a person with additional needs.

Please contact CSW for more details (csw@presbyterianireland.org).

Michael Williams is director of services for Peacehaven Trust.

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Going all out for

Christian Aid Week Lisa Fagan reports on how some PCI congregations have been raising money for Christian Aid and how the money will be used.

Clockwise from top: Lilian Edgar of Hazelbank Presbyterian (Credit: Christian Aid/ Kaye Steele) Ken McKinley, Jacqui McKinley, Michael Bailie and Sandy Lindsay, all members of First Larne Joanie Riddell, Colin Riddell and Joan Hamilton of Cooke Centenary (Credit: Christian Aid/Lisa Fagan) Nan Bradford and May McAdoo in Ballybay (Credit: Christian Aid/Dee Huddleston) Rev Edward McKenzie of Cregagh Presbyterian (Credit: Christian Aid/Becky Frankham) Margaret Robinson, Noel Breen, Jennifer Cairnduff and Hazel Francey from St John’s Newtownbreda (Credit: Christian Aid/ Lisa Fagan) Dibbie McCaughan of Ballycastle Presbyterian (Credit: Christian Aid/Lisa Fagan)

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ind-hearted Presbyterians have been brewing coffee, baking cakes, grilling bacon and even playing golf to raise funds to support May’s Christian Aid Week appeal. This year, the charity highlighted its work in Guatemala where the climate crisis is making life increasingly difficult for indigenous communities.

Four Presbyterian churches in the Ballybay area of County Monaghan held their annual coffee morning, plant sale and bake sale, raising an incredible €11,000 to support the work of Christian Aid. In County Antrim, Sandy Lindsay of First Larne Presbyterian Church organised two sponsored games of golf at Ballyclare Golf Club which raised almost £2,000. Sandy said, “It was great to get two rounds of golf in lovely weather, playing with friends and to raise twice what we raised last year. I’m very humbled by the amazing generosity of so many people.”

In south Belfast, St John’s Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church raised more than £7,500 with a coffee morning and sale of pre-loved art, a house-to-house collection, a bucket collection on the Ormeau Road, and a lunch after church. Jennifer Cairnduff is Christian Aid’s representative at St John’s. She said, “It was tiring, but well

Christian Aid Week is one of the biggest acts of Christian witness on these islands. worth the effort because our total is up more than £800 on last year.”

At nearby Cooke Centenary Presbyterian, church members raised almost £450 by offering tea and coffee to Belfast marathon spectators in exchange for a donation to support the aid agency’s work.

In east Belfast, Cregagh Presbyterian Church raised £1,500 with a ‘bacon baps’ brunch while one church member, Robyn McCullough raised a further £650 with a coffee morning in her home.

On the north coast, Dibbie McCaughan of Ballycastle Presbyterian Church chairs the Ballycastle Christian Aid committee, which coordinates the fundraising efforts of a number of churches in the area and this year raised almost £5,500. In nearby Coleraine, Lilian Edgar of Hazelbank Presbyterian Church organised a bucket collection in the town which yielded £1,750.

Christian Aid Week, which is held annually in mid-May, is believed to be the UK and Ireland’s longest running fundraising campaign, having started in 1957.

Christian Aid Ireland chief executive, Rosamond Bennett, thanked everyone for their fundraising efforts. She said, “We are hugely grateful to everyone for the gift of their time and for their generous donations. Christian Aid Week is one of the biggest acts of Christian witness on these islands.

It’s only with the support of church communities that we can bring hope to people living in poverty and crisis.”

For more information or to make a donation, please visit caweek.ie Lisa Fagan is communications officer for Christian Aid Ireland.

This year, the charity highlighted its work in Guatemala…

Hunger hotspot Guatemala is a hunger hotspot. Nearly half of all children experience stunting of their growth and in some areas, this rises to 90%. Stunting permanently affects physical and mental development.

In the Alta Verapaz region, malnutrition in the underfives is the highest in the country. Here, farming families are exceptionally vulnerable to hunger when their crops fail. In this region, 90% of people live in poverty, many without electricity, mains water or network coverage, on the frontline of a climate crisis they had no part in creating. Intense heatwaves and harsh droughts are causing vital food crops to die and rivers to dry up.

Amelia and her husband live with their two children in a home they built on land she inherited. There is a river that runs through the bottom of the plot where the children play to escape the relentless heatwaves.

The community catches fish, and families bathe and wash their clothes. But the water is drying up in the

heat. Where once it was In Guatemala, Amelia and her four-year-old stand next to a banana tree that’s dying waist-high, now it’s only daughter from drought (Credit: Christian Aid/Amy Sheppey) ankle-deep.

Every Wednesday, Amelia goes to the market to sell her produce. But the market is shrinking because farmers have little to sell. With fruit and vegetables hard to come by, people get by on rice and tortillas. For these indigenous communities, their livelihoods, traditions and very survival are on the line.

Since 2011, Christian Aid has been working in Guatemala with its partner, Congcoop, offering training and tools so that farmers can grow more resilient crops, conserve water and create organic fertiliser. Amelia attends the training and brings the learning back to others in her community.

Amelia is hopeful of better times ahead: “My first priority is to feed my family. I want my children to go to school to finish their education and live a better life.”

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REVIEWS

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

Scribes & Scripture John D. Meade and Peter J. Gurry

We Do Weird Emmaus Road

CROSSWAY

PODCAST

««««« «««« « This podcast series from Emmaus Road Church explores the distinctive aspects of our faith.

In the ‘Everything’s a Miracle’ episode, Peter Greig explores how there are supernatural elements all around us, and how angels as well as healings aren’t solely a product of biblical times, but are evidence of God, through the Holy Spirit, at work all around us in the contemporary world of today.

The podcast is a recording of a sermon and whilst it is intriguing, I am unsure if I agree with everything said, as the subject of the supernatural has a myriad of different interpretations amongst Christian theology. It was an interesting listen, though, which provided plenty of food for thought.

The sermon highlights how much of what the church used to do around helping the poor and ill, is now being done by the government through the Welfare State and the NHS. The core message, therefore, is that Christians need to observe and talk about supernatural phenomena in the world as it stands them apart. The use of real-world examples, such as the Bible smuggler in China being helped by a mysterious figure at 2am in the middle of a typhoon, added nuance and depth.

Overall, this podcast episode is a fascinating look at an element of Christianity which is hard to fully comprehend and whilst I did struggle to hear parts of the recording as there is some echo and reverb, it is definitely worth a listen.

AH

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£11.85

«««««

There are many misconceptions regarding how we got our Bible today and whether we can trust the words it contains.

In this book, John D. Meade and Peter J. Gurry provide a helpful introduction to the history of the Bible, seeking to answer questions such as: How did we get our Bible? Can we trust what it says? Why are there so many translations?

The book is divided into three sections.

The first section describes the process of how the Old and New Testaments were first written, copied and transmitted by scribes. The second section addresses how the books we consider holy Scripture ended up in our Bibles. The third section provides an overview of the history of Bible translation from the early Jews and Christians, through the Reformation, to the present day. This section also includes a discussion of why there are so many English translations available today. Finally, the book concludes with an examination of some of the theological issues that arise out of the nine chapters of the book.

Being firmly committed to the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture, Meade and Gurry have written Scribes & Scripture for the purpose of encouraging and strengthening Christians in their love for and trust in the Bible. I highly recommend this accessible book to anyone who is interested in or been asked questions about the origins of our Bible and its trustworthiness.

RB

The Road to Wisdom Francis S. Collins HODDER AND STOUGHTON

£10.99

«««««

‘The road to wisdom’ is a huge claim for any book to make! But it’s author Francis Collins has almost unequalled scientific and medical clout, particularly in the public square as director of the American National Institutes of Health under three US Presidents. So, when he proposes ‘the road to wisdom’ he deserves close scrutiny and attention.

This is not a dry, theoretical treatise. The reader feels almost part of a conversation as the author carefully, but gently lays out how truth, science, faith and trust working together form the foundations of the road to wisdom.

There has been loud criticism of some of the stances and decisions which Collins took around Covid-19 and climate change.

En passant, he explains how he arrived at those decisions, but the book is so much more than that. He comes across as a humble man, ready to own criticism and always learning. He has a wonderful story of coming to Christian faith and applying that faith in his professional life.

The wisdom which God gave Solomon included very great insight and a breadth of understanding. Unlike a secularist, Collins includes faith and asking God for wisdom as an essential part of the road to wisdom alongside insight and understanding. So often authors don’t answer the vital ‘how should we then live’ question. Not Collins; he proposes a ‘road to wisdom’ pledge which personally commits readers to steps to grow in wisdom and act wisely. It’s really helpful for navigating our chaotic world.

JE

REVIEWERS

RD – Ruth Dalzell belongs to Second Comber Presbyterian Church SH – Suzanne Hamilton is an administrative assistant for the Herald

Control Freak: Let your restless heart meet the reign of Christ Jonny Ivey

Loved by the Great I AM Chris McQuiston

AVAILABLE VIA STREAMING SERVICES

UNION PUBLISHING

£11.99

««««« ««« ««

I like to think of myself as simply an organised person, although others may disagree, arguing that I verge on being a control freak. This offering from Jonny Ivey has certainly given me food for thought.

A Christian believer and self-confessed control freak, Ivey gives an honest account of his own struggles with control – struggles that many will identify with.

He says desiring control is as old as Adam and is “the unfortunate diagnosis of every human heart”. Insecurity in a world of unknowns leaves us vulnerable and wanting to take control. He writes that this inability to tame our world brings “a whole raft of restlessness that gnaws and chews at our minds.”

Ivey argues that this tendency to have control shows we don’t fully trust God, that we can’t quite believe he is as good as he actually is. We trust God with our eternal destiny, yet we don’t trust him with the smaller things.

This quest for control is depriving us of the peace, rest and refuge that surrendering to the Ruler of the universe brings. While God is the sovereign King, he is also a good-hearted Father who adopts us as children.

While this book may not halt our desire to control our circumstances entirely, it is a helpful prompt to remind Christians that we have a glorious God, who is in complete control. As Ivey says, “…finishing this book…is not the end of the road in our battle for control, but the beginning.”

SH

ERB – Ruth Bromley is PCI’s children’s development officer JE – Jeremy Eves is a member of West Church, Bangor RB – Dr Robbie Booth is a lecturer in New Testament at Union Theological College AH – Andrew Hamilton is a member of St Andrew’s, Bangor

««««« «««« « This month’s review is for Chris McQuiston’s debut album, Loved by the Great I AM. After suffering a traumatic brain injury while playing sports in college, McQuiston has become an advocate for mental health awareness. His recovery took over a year and his testimony is one of perseverance through struggle which has changed his outlook on life. He writes songs to help people

The Story Maker Jerry McCorkle and Erin Straza 10PUBLISHING £5.99

«««««

Recommended for four to seven-yearolds, this book tells the greatest story of all time. It starts at the beginning with the account of who made everything – God – and then tells his story of love and redemption for his people in a beautiful way, to help children understand the gospel.

The book gives children an option to be part of the story. Reading this book gives

see themselves as God sees them and to see the world around them through his eyes.

This album aims to encourage those who are maybe struggling in the daily fight to recognise their God-given purpose and to share their faith with those around them. One of my favourite songs is Seasons which reminds us to be thankful for all of the different things we can see around us and the biblical truths we can read.

I also love the song I Got Joy and the lyrics, “Sometimes I don’t understand it, how your goodness follows me, every day, all my life, I’m surrounded by a love that never leaves.” Another of his songs, Think on It, is based on Philippians 4:8, reminding us what we should be thinking about as we go through the day.

This is a great album which is easy listening but full of great truths in the lyrics.

RD

leaders and parents a brilliant opportunity to help children understand and respond to the gospel and what God has done for them. It teaches children about God’s grand plan and his purpose for them in his forever story.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful and very child friendly. They fit well with the gentle nature of how the truth of the gospel is shared in this book.

While The Story Maker tells the truth of sin and its impact in the world, it emphasises the generous nature of God’s love and forgiveness as the antidote to sin and as the hope for our lives lived with Jesus as our Saviour.

The book also has a link to a video which tells the story of the gospel from creation to redemption and of having a place in God’s forever story. This book and video are useful additions to a family’s devotional resources as well as for children’s ministry purposes in a congregation.

Visit www.thestorymaker.com ERB

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LIFE IN PCI Churches join forces for holiday Bible club A four-day ‘Pathfinders’ holiday Bible club hosted by Dunfanaghy and Carrigart Presbyterian Churches, along with Holy Trinity Church, Dunfanaghy, has been hailed as a great success.

Aimed at children aged from five to 11, the event attracted support from families in the locality as well as holidaymakers and those from holiday homes and caravan sites.

The Bible club was organised by a team from Windsor Baptist Church in Belfast with support from members of the local churches.

The main venue was the Church of Ireland hall in Dunfanaghy where the children enjoyed games, crafts, Bible stories and fun activities, all based on the Pathfinder theme.

The programme ran from 30 July to 3 August and included two evening gatherings for 12–18 year olds which were held on Killahoey beach in Dunfanaghy.

The climax was a jamboree fun day held in the grounds of the Bewglas Centre at Carrigart Presbyterian Church on Saturday 2 August and attended by about 80 people.

Things wrapped up with the Belfast team attending morning services in Dunfanaghy and Carrigart Presbyterian Churches on Sunday 3 August, when the congregations heard all about what had been happening.

Steven Alexander led the praise while various other team members participated in musical and drama presentations.

The services were conducted by Presbyterian minister Rev Dario Leal who paid tribute to the team and said the club had been a success, adding, “It has been great to see the enthusiasm of the children and we pray that what they have been learning will take root in their lives.”

Presentation in Ebrington The congregation of Ebrington recently presented Kathleen McConnell (in her 91st year) with a gift in recognition of her work of over 38 years as one of the freewill offering team and gift aid secretary. The presentation was made by Rev Paul Linkens (minister of the Londonderry church).

Presentation in Leckpatrick A presentation has been made to Ethel Patterson who recently retired from her role of congregational secretary at Leckpatrick Presbyterian Church after 25 years. She is pictured with Sam Clyde (clerk of session), Julieann Rankin (incoming secretary) and Rev Robert Orr (minister of the County Tyrone church).

New communicants in Second Comber Second Presbyterian Church, Comber welcomed 14 new communicants recently. They are pictured with the minister of the County Down church, Rev Andrew Conway (extreme left), and Ruth Dalzell, youth ministry worker (extreme right).

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

Elder marks 50 years Patricia Crossley recently marked 50 years since her ordination to the eldership. She was ordained in April 1975 in First Lisburn Presbyterian Church, and for the last four decades has served in Bushvale Presbyterian Church. She is pictured with Rev Kenneth Crowe (minister of the County Antrim congregation).

Best attendance in Caledon

Retirements at Magheramason

Mountpottinger celebrates 60 years of service

Elma Mitchell (second left) and Rita Olphert (second right) were presented with gifts during a recent Communion service, to mark their retirement and in recognition of their long, faithful and dedicated service as elders in the County Tyrone church of Magheramason; Miss Mitchell having served for 42 years and Mrs Olphert for 13 years. Included in the picture is Rev Graeme Orr (minister) who made the presentations and Colin Kennedy (clerk of session).

Sisters Charlotte and Alexandria Allen won the League of Church Loyalty Shield at Caledon Presbyterian Church’s recent Children’s Day. This award is for best attendance at church throughout the year, and both girls did not miss a Sunday at the County Tyrone church all year. It is the sisters’ second year to win it jointly and is also Charlotte’s third year to win the shield.

At a recent Communion service, Mountpottinger Presbyterian Church celebrated the long service of Ronnie Baxter and Hill McRoberts – both have served as elders for 60 years. Rev Tagle Aguiar expressed thanks to both men and to their wives on behalf of the Belfast congregation.

Pictured are: Margaret Grayson (clerk of session), Mr Baxter, Mr Aguiar, Mr McRoberts and Neill McRoberts (deputy clerk of session).

Space Academy at Woodburn Pictured are the junior children who attended this year’s holiday Bible club in Woodburn Presbyterian Church in Carrickfergus. With ‘Space Academy’ as its theme, the week featured crafts, action songs and games.

Everyone enjoyed learning about the adventures of Daniel.

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LIFE IN PCI

Minister installed in First Castlederg and Killeter Rev Steve Gaston (pictured seated, second from left) has been ordained and installed as minister of First Castlederg and Killeter Presbyterian Churches. He is pictured with members of the kirk session. Front row: Lavinia Nelson, Bobby Rutledge (clerk) and David Young. Back row: Drew Nelson, James Young, James Emery BEM, Milton Porter BEM and Gareth Sproule. Photograph courtesy of the Tyrone Constitution.

100th birthday in Killead Sadie Minford, a member of Killead Presbyterian, celebrated her 100th birthday recently. She is pictured with Vanessa Lorimer (elder), Rev David Morrison (minister of the County Antrim church) and Dr David Bruce (former PCI Moderator).

Long service marked in Mersey Street Mersey Street Presbyterian Church recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of three elders: George Dunbar, Irene Scott and Ken Hamilton. All three are still serving in the east Belfast congregation. They are pictured with clerk of session Thomas Craig (left), minister emeritus Rev Bob Hornby (second left) and Dr Colin Burcombe (right).

Fifty years as organist at First Holywood First Holywood Presbyterian in County Down recently celebrated Charles Maginnes’ 50 years of service as organist. Pictured are Mr Maginnes and wife Beth, surrounded by Rev Stuart McCrea and music coordinator Christine McClenahan.

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New elders in Bannside Amanda Dowd, Michael Huey, Sharon Henry, Robert McCreery, Christine Nesbitt and Boston Kydd, who are all pictured in the front row, have been ordained as elders at Bannside Presbyterian Church, Banbridge.

Back row: Jim King (clerk of presbytery), Neale Ingram, Rev Mark McMaw (moderator of Iveagh Presbytery), Dr Mark Gray (Bannside minister) and Frank Arnold.

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CSW_Herald_Ad_OCT_QTR_2025v2.indd 1

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ACROSS 1 Sign of God’s promise (7) 5 O.T. tribe (5) 8 Follower of Jesus (9) 9 Build (5) 10 Excluded person (8) 12 Iconic English car (5,6) 15 Rely on (4) 17 Hard wood (5) 20 Bandit (6) 22 Transgress (3) 23 Hearing organ (3) 25 Colour of anger (3) 27 Paul’s missionary companion (8) 28 Vex (3) 29 Pungent vegetable (5) 30 Capital Berlin (7)

DOWN 1 Well known hymn (4,2,4) 2 Annoyance (10) 3 Stronghold (7) 4 Opposite of black (5) 5 Blemishes the skin (4) 6 Sweet, sticky substance (5) 7 Hold back (8) 11 Small mountain (4) 13 Decorate (5) 14 Approaches (5) 16 Feeling of wonder (3) 18 American ox (5) 19 Long for (5) 21 River of Rome (5) 24 Vessel associated with 1 across (3) 26 Stand up against (4) 27 Life summary (3)

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Herald October 2025

47

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

GORTNESSY: REV DR SETH WRIGHT: Mr Ross Hyndman, 32 Temple Road, Strathfoyle, Londonderry, BT47 6UB.

BALLINA SPECIAL MINISTRY MR RICK HILL: c/o Mission Department, Assembly Buildings, 2–10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW.

HILLTOWN and CLONDUFF: REV KENNETH NELSON: (Hilltown) Mr John Ervine, 51 Rostrevor Road, Hilltown, Newry, BT34 5TZ. (Clonduff ) Mr Cecil Brown, 39 Bannfield Road, Rathfriland, Newry, BT34 5HG.

Application forms are available on request from the Clerk’s Office or may be downloaded from the PCI website.

BANBRIDGE ROAD, DROMORE: REV R.A. LIDDLE: Mr Alan Robinson, 25 Beresford Green, Dromore, BT25 1HF. BLOOMFIELD: REV GRAEME KENNEDY: Mr Andrew Shott, 7 The Walled Garden, Belfast, BT4 2WG. DONEGAL TOWN and STRANORLAR: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV ROBERT ORR: (Donegal Town) Mr Oswald Perry, Drumenagh, Donegal Town, F94 N7P8. (Stranorlar) Mrs Audrey Chambers, Magheracorran, Convoy, Co Donegal.

DUNMURRY and KILMAKEE: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV S. STOCKMAN: (Dunmurry) Rev Gilbert Young, 39 Saintfield Road, Lisburn, BT27 5BH. (Kilmakee) Mr Alastair White, 94 Greenburn Way, Lambeg, Lisburn, BT27 4LU. FINTONA and DROMORE: REV JONATHAN COWAN: (Fintona) Mr Keith Boland, 119 Blackhill Road, Fintona, Omagh, BT78 2LN. (Dromore) Mr Lynden Keys, 25 New Park Road, Dromore, Omagh, BT78 3JU. LOUGHBRICKLAND and SCARVA: (Reviewable Tenure – 5 years) REV DR MARK GRAY: (Loughbrickland) Mr Fred Cairns, 20 Scarva Street, Loughbrickland, Co Down. (Scarva) Mr Robert Jordan, 3 Station Rd, Scarva, Co Armagh, BT63 6JY. OMAGH, TRINITY and GILLYGOOLEY: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV JANE NELSON: (Trinity) Mrs Claire McElhinney, 112 Clanabogan Road, Omagh, BT78 1SN. (Gillygooley) Mr Raymond Smyth, 82 Gillygooley Road, Omagh, BT78 5PX. RATHGAR – CHRIST CHURCH: REV LORRAINE KENNEDY-RITCHIE: Mr Paul Fry, 44 Monolea Wood, Firhouse, Dublin 24, D24 A2V3.

RALOO and MAGHERAMORNE: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV ANDREW WATSON: (Raloo) Mr Geoff McBride, 72 Raloo Road, Larne, BT40 3DU. (Magheramorne) Mr Morris Gardner, 89 Ballypollard Road, Magheramorne, Larne, BT40 3JG. RASHARKIN and DUNLOY: REV R.J. WATT: (Rasharkin) Mr Samuel Kirkpatrick, 71 Mullan Road, Ballymoney, BT53 7ED. (Dunloy) Mr Jonathan Gault, 9 Drumnagee Road, Dunseverick, Bushmills, BT57 8TE. CASTLEDERG, SECOND and DRUMQUIN: REV ROBERT McFAUL: (Second Castlederg) Mr Bert Huey, Tossa, 8 Listymore Road, Castlederg, BT81 7JG. (Drumquin) Dr Paul Booth, 54 Bradan Road, Drumquin, Omagh, BT78 4QQ. STRABANE and SION MILLS: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV P.B. HOUSTON: (Strabane) Mr William Watson, 44 Orchard Road, Strabane, BT82 9QS. (Sion Mills) Mr Colin Campbell, 26 Albert Place, Sion Mills, Strabane, BT82 9HN. AHOGHILL, TRINITY and GRANGE with CRAIGMORE: REV N.G. MULHOLLAND: (Trinity Ahoghill) Mr G. Knowles, 67 Tuppenny Road, Gracehill, Ballymena, BT42 2NW. (Grange with Craigmore) Mr Jamie Harris, 32 Portglenone Road, Randalstown, BT41 3BE.

2. LEAVE TO CALL DEFERRED BALLYRONEY and DRUMLEE: REV LIAM RUTHERFORD: (Ballyroney) Mr David Peters, 30 Seafin Road, Ballyroney, Banbridge, BT32 5ER. (Drumlee) Mr Graham Truesdale, 128 Lackan Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan, BT31 9RX.

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Herald October 2025

RICHVIEW: REV N.S. HARRISON: Mr Victor Garland, 25 Abingdon Drive, Belfast, BT12 5PX.

SETTLED STATED SUPPLY APPOINTED BALLINDERRY: VERY REV DR W.J. HENRY, Minister of Maze.

BOVEEDY: REV DR T.J. McCORMICK, Minister of 1st Kilrea.

CAHIR: (Home Mission) REV WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, Minister of Fermoy.

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

TYRONE’S DITCHES: REV J.K.A. McINTYRE, Minister of Bessbrook.

3. DECLARED VACANT ANAGHLONE and GARVAGHY: REV D. CONKEY: (Anaghlone) Mr John Logan, 4 Bluehill Road, Katesbridge, Banbridge, BT32 5LU. (Garvaghy) Mr James Smyth, 35 Tullyglush Road, Banbridge, BT32 3TN. BADONEY, CORRICK and GLENELLY: REV ROGER McELNEA: (Badoney & Corrick) Mr Edmund Allison, 31a Strahulter Road, Newtownstewart, BT78 4ED. (Glenelly) Mr Ivan McKelvey, 37 Main Street, Plumbridge, BT79 8AA. BAILIEBOROUGH FIRST, BAILIEBOROUGH TRINITY, CORRANEARY and ERVEY: REV JONATHAN PORTER: (Bailieborough, First) Mr Fred Gilmore, Lisgar, Bailieborough, Co Cavan, A82 YW66. (Bailieborough, Trinity) Mr Leslie McKeague, Urcher, Bailieborough, Co Cavan, A82 EY72. (Corraneary) Dr Alan Hunter, 9 Rockfield Rise, Cootehill, Co Cavan, H16 PX00. (Ervey) Miss Jean Archibald, Largy, Drumconrath, Navan, Co Meath, C15 PH99.

BALLEE: REV T.P. McCULLOUGH: Mr John Quigley, 81 Queen’s Avenue, Magherafelt, BT45 6DB. BALLYCAIRN: REV MORRIS GAULT: Mrs Lucy Mulholland, 32 Blenheim Park, Carryduff, BT8 8NN. BALLYCASTLE: (Home Mission) REV G.W.M. GLASGOW: Pat Shirley, 22 Dunamallaght Rd, Ballycastle BT54 6PB. BALLYGOWAN: REV ALAN JOHNSTON: Mr David McKee, 83 Tullyhubbert Road, Ballygowan, BT23 6LY. BALLYKEEL: REV R.A. MORRISON: Mr T. Simpson, 163 Crebilly Road, Ballymena, BT42 4DP. BALLYNAHATTY and CREEVAN: REV JONATHAN COWAN: (Ballynahatty & Creevan) Mr John Nevin, 116A Clanabogan Road, Omagh, BT78 1SN. BALLYNAHINCH, FIRST: REV ANDREW CONWAY: Mr Brian McKee, 25 Mourne View, Ballynahinch, BT24 8EL. BANAGHER: REV DR MARK GOUDY: Mr Ivan J. Montgomery, 66 Teenaght Road, Claudy, BT47 4DD.

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

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

BELLAGHY and KNOCKLOUGHRIM: REV TREVOR BOYD: (Bellaghy) Mr Harry Ferson, 12 Railway Terrace, Castledawson, Magherafelt, BT45 8AY. (Knockloughrim) Rev Dr Gareth Stewart, 14 Mullagh Road, Maghera, BT46 5EB.

GLASCAR and DONAGHMORE: REV R.M. MOODY: (Glascar) Mr Alan Little, 38 Loughbrickland Road, Rathfriland, Newry, BT34 5HF. (Donaghmore) Mr David Shilliday, 21 Cargabane Road, Donaghmore, Newry, BT34 1SB.

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

HELEN’S BAY: REV ANNE TOLLAND: Mr David McAuley, 23 Beverley Hills, Bangor, BT20 4NA.

BENBURB: REV BOB ALLELY: Miss Janice Allen, 5 Langs Crescent, Armagh, BT60 1DB.

HYDEPARK and LYLEHILL: REV ALAN MOORE: (Hydepark) Mrs Lynas Alexander, 22 Broadacres, Templepatrick, BT39 0AY.

BOARDMILLS, TRINITY: REV GRANT CONNOR: Mr Adrian Patterson, 41 Cabra Road, Legacurry, BT26 6NB. CARLISLE RD and CROSSROADS: REV JOHN HANNA: (Carlisle Road) Mr Trevor Galbraith, 45 Hazelbank Road, Drumahoe, BT37 3NX. (Crossroads) Mr Richard Russell, 31 Creevagh Road, Londonderry, BT48 9XB. CASTLEDAWSON and CURRAN: REV STEWART GLENDINNING: (Castledawson) Mr Grainger Stewart, 46 Killyneease Road, Castledawson, BT45 8DS. (Curran) Mr Robin Boyce, 48 Lurganagoose Road, Knockloughrim, BT45 8QY. CAVANALECK and AUGHENTAINE: REV RODNEY BEACOM: (Cavanaleck) Dr Charles McKibbin, 9 Tattenabuddagh Lane, Fivemiletown, BT75 0NW. (Aughentaine) Mr John McCrory, Screeby Road, Fivemiletown, BT75 0TP. CRUMLIN: REV STEPHEN McNIE: Mr James Livingstone, “Edin”, 56 Largy Road, Crumlin, BT29 4RW. CUMBER and UPPER CUMBER: REV DR ROBERT BUICK: (Cumber) Mr Cecil Pollock, 248 Tamnaherin Road, Londonderry, BT47 3LY. (Upper Cumber) Mr Jack McFarland, 12 Cregg Road, Claudy, Londonderry, BT47 4HX. DONEGORE, SECOND: REV E. McDOWELL: Mr Samuel Gawn, 120 Parkgate Road, Kells.

DROMARA, FIRST: REV M. DAVIDSON: Mr I. McCullagh, 10 Mullaghdrin Road, Dromara, BT25 2AF. DROMARA, SECOND: REV DR A. SLEITH: Mr Richard Kernaghan, 89 Rathfriland Road, Dromara, BT25 2EB. DRUMBANAGHER, FIRST & JERRETTSPASS and KINGSMILLS: REV B.D. COLVIN: (First Drumbanagher & Jerrettspass) Mr George Moffett, 16 Glen Road, Drummiller, Newry, BT34 1EP. (Kingsmills) Mr Raymond McCormick, 119 Kingsmills Road, Bessbrook, Newry, BT35 7BP. DRUMGOOLAND and KILKINAMURRY: REV ANDY DOWNEY: (Drumgooland) Dr Alastair Chestnutt, 22 Fruitvalley Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan, Co Down, BT31 9RE. (Kilkinamurry) Mr Mervyn Copes, 43 Carnpark Road, Dromara, Dromore, Co Down, BT25 2HD. DUNDROD: REV R.C. KERR: Mrs Alison McClure, 20 Thorndale Road, Dundrod, BT29 4UD. DUNGANNON: REV JAMES O’NEILL: Mr David Miller, 1 Bushvale, Dungannon, BT71 6QA. ESKYLANE: REV W.J.C. BROGAN: Mr S. McKee, 14 Eskylane Road, Antrim, BT41 2LL. FAHAN: (Home Mission) REV PHILIP POOTS: Mr James Lamberton, 1 Deanfield, Limavady Road, Londonderry, BT47 6HY. FAUGHANVALE: REV P. LINKENS: Mr Donald Montgomery, 25 Carnmoney Road, Eglinton, BT47 3JJ. GARRYDUFF: REV NOEL McCLEAN: Mr Stanley Lee, 12 Cambourne Park, Ballymoney, BT53 7PG.

KEADY, SECOND and DRUMHILLERY: REV W.J.I. THOMPSON: (Second Keady) Mr David Coulter, 14 Woodford Heights, Armagh, BT60 2DY. (Drumhillery) Mr Ivan Orr, 79 Cormeen Road, Killylea, BT60 4NA. KELLS: (Home Mission) REV ALAN McQUADE: Miss Ruth McCartney, Shancarnan, Moynalty, Kells, Co Meath, A82 PF60.

KILREA, SECOND: REV BRIAN SMYTH: Mr John McIlrath, 9 Moyagoney Road, Kilrea, BT51 5SX. LURGAN, FIRST: REV L.W. WEBSTER: Mr Norman McCleery, 12 McCormack Gardens, Lurgan, BT66 8LE. NEWMILLS (Co Down): REV SEAMUS BURKE: Dr Stephen Sharpe, 61D Moss Bank Road, Portadown, BT63 5SL. NEWTOWNARDS, SECOND: REV C.W. JACKSON: Mr Ivan Patterson, 11 Heron Crescent, Newtownards, BT23 8WH. NEWTOWNSTEWART and GORTIN: REV JONATHAN BOYD: (Newtownstewart) Mr David Dunbar, 32 Main Street, Newtownstewart, BT78 4AA. (Gortin) Mr Adrian Adams, 32 Lisnaharney Road, Lislap, Omagh, BT79 7UE. PORTAVOGIE: REV G.J. SIMPSON: RANDALSTOWN, O.C.: REV CHRIS WILSON: Mr Alun Coulter, 48 Portglenone Road, Randalstown, BT41 3DB. RAPHOE and BALLINDRAIT: REV R. EDGAR: Mrs Sylvia Cole, The Common, Raphoe, Donegal.

RATHCOOLE: (Urban Mission) REV A. CARSON: Mr Norman Creaney, 7 Coolshannagh Park, Newtownabbey, BT37 9LA. RAY and NEWTOWNCUNNINGHAM: REV GRAHAM ORR: Mr Derek Roulston, Moyle Hill, Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal.

ROSTREVOR and WARRENPOINT: REV R.J.A. McCLURE: (Warrenpoint) Mrs Heather Gray, 25 Donaghaguy Road, Warrenpoint, BT34 3RZ. (Rostrevor) Mrs Doreen Henderson, 14 Greenpark Road, Rostrevor, BT34 3EY. SLIGO: (Home Mission) REV DANIEL REYES-MARTIN: Mr Albert Higgins, Carraroe, Sligo.

THE MALL, ARMAGH: REV IAN ABRAHAM: Mr Colin Berry, 26 Killuney Park Road, Armagh, BT61 9HG. TOWNHILL: REV J.D. McGAUGHEY: Mr R. Dickey, 23 Grange Cottages, Toomebridge, BT41 3GR. TULLYCARNET: REV R.S.J. McILHATTON: URNEY: REV ROBERT McFAUL: Mr Norman McMullan, 80 Orchard Road, Strabane, BT82 9QT. continued on page 50

Herald October 2025

49

CHURCH RECORD continued from page 49 WATERSIDE: REV COLIN JONES: Mr William McIlwaine, 19 Glenaden Hill, Altnagelvin Park, Londonderry, BT47 2LJ. WEST CHURCH, BANGOR: REV ALVIN LITLE: Dr Maureen Bennett, 27 Barn Hill, Donaghadee, BT21 0QA. WOODBURN and LOUGHMORNE: REV JOHN STANBRIDGE: (Woodburn) Mr Robert Logan, 555B Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 5BT. (Loughmorne) Mr Lionel Brehaut, 21 Cairn Road, Carrickfergus, BT38 9AP.

TEMPORARY STATED SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT ARMAGH ROAD, PORTADOWN: REV P. McCLELLAND: Dr David Lowry, 5 Ridgeway Park South, Portadown, BT62 3DG. BELLVILLE: REV J.T. GRAHAM: Mr Mervyn King, 29 Ardmore Road, Derryadd, Lurgan, BT66 6QP. SPA and MAGHERAHAMLET: REV DAVID BINGHAM: (Spa) Mr Stephen McBride, 28 Ballynahinch Road, Castlewellan, BT31 9PA. (Magherahamlet) Mr David Whan, 74 Castlewellan Road, Dromara, BT25 2JN. WHITEHEAD: REV P. BOVILL: Mr Warren Heggan, 44 Middle Road, Islandmagee, Larne, BT40 3SL.

CLASSIFIEDS

THE MINISTRY Ordained and Installed: Rev Stephen Kerr, ordained and installed as Minister of Kells, 4 September 2025 Resigned: Rev Gordon Best, resigned as Minister of Newmills (Co Down), 31 August 2025 Rev Nick Cooper, resigned as Minister of Ballygowan, 5 September 2025 Installed: Rev Nick Cooper, as Minister of Bushmills, 6 September 2025 Inducted: Rev Gordon Best, as Dean of Ministerial Studies and Development, 5 September 2025 Rev Dr Stephen Moore, as Lecturer in Old Testament, 5 September 2025

THE ELDERSHIP Retired: SAINTFIELD ROAD: David Thomson, John Hamilton Died: DRUMGOOLAND: Joseph (Joe) Whiteside FIRST DROMORE: John Wilkinson FIRST RATHFRILAND: Robert (Bobby) Gracey HARMONY HILL: Maurice Hobson KILKEEL: Ivan Bloomer KILMAKEE: William (Billy) Russell KNOCKLOUGHRIM: Wilbur Bownes LOUGHBRICKLAND: Francis (Frank) Boggs SCARVA STREET, BANBRIDGE: Thomas (Trevor) Reid SOUTH KIRK: Arthur Rodgers

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.

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Herald October 2025

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

CROSSWORD Solution to No 302

ACROSS DOWN 1 Rainbow 1 Rock of Ages 5 Asher 2 Irritation 8 Christian 3 Bastion 9 Erect 4 White 10 Outsider 5 Acne 12 Aston Martin 6 Honey 15 Lean 7 Restrain 17 Ebony 11 Hill 20 Outlaw 13 Adorn 22 Sin 14 Nears 23 Ear 16 Awe 25 Red 18 Bison 27 Barnabas 19 Yearn 28 Irk 21 Tiber 29 Onion 24 Ark 30 Germany 26 Defy 27 Bio

We are a rural church family, just outside Ballymena, seeking to appoint a

MUSIC COORDINATOR (part-time) We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to help lead and develop our corporate praise.

For further details, job description and application form please contact: Rev Alistair McCracken 304 Cushendall Road, Ballymena, BT43 6PS Telephone: (028) 2565 7531 email: amccracken123@gmail.com The closing date for applications is Friday 17 October 2025 Registered Charity in Northern Ireland – NIC105373

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