OCTOBER 2018
Creating a home from home
AN ALTERNATIVE HARVEST What are we sowing and reaping?
LIFE AFTER LOSS Ministering to the bereaved
A YEAR OF JUBILEE 50 years of Tearfund
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06/09/2018 15:15
CONTENTS | OCTOBER 2018
FEATURES 14 A home from home
PCI’s newest residential home, Trinity House
16 Kingdom entrepreneurs
A congregational story from Dublin to Angola
18 An alternative harvest
What are we sowing and reaping?
20 Life after loss
Ministering to the bereaved
31 Moderator reflections
Dr McMullen’s thoughts on his recent trip to Dublin
32 A year of Jubilee 50 years of Tearfund
34 Singing the psalms
An alternative harvest p18
Interview with Keith Getty
REGULARS 4 6 8 9 13 22 23 36 38 42 43 44
Letters News In this month… My story Life lessons Talking Points Mission Connect Reviews Life in PCI Arthur Clarke Betsy Cameron Crossword
Kingdom entrepreneurs p16
CONTRIBUTORS Alice McNaugher is Tearfund NI’s communications officer. After 10 years in Glasgow and London, she currently lives in Banbridge and is a member of Bannside Presbyterian Church. Tom Finnegan is the Training Development Officer for PCI. In this role Tom develops and delivers training and resources for congregational life and
Ruth Sanderson lives in Co Down with her husband Harry. She is a freelance radio/television presenter and producer.
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.
witness.
Cover photo: David Cavan October 2018 No. 815 £1.00 (€1.20) Published by: The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, Belfast BT1 6DW. T: +44 (0)28 9032 2284 E: herald@presbyterianireland.org W: www.presbyterianireland.org
Life after loss p20
Editor: Sarah Harding Subscriptions and Advertising: Lisa Skinner; Suzanne Hamilton; Philip Alcorn Design and Layout: Edward Connolly Printing: Nicholson and Bass Ltd.
The views expressed in the features, news reports, letters and book reviews of this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. Editorial comment and signed articles do not necessarily contain the official views of the Church, which can be laid down only by the General Assembly. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply endorsement of the goods or services. The Editor reserves the right to decline any advertisement or letter without assigning any reason. Letters may be edited for publication. No correspondence can be entered into regarding non-publication of advertisements or letters.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is a Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104483); Registered Charity in Republic of Ireland (20015695).
Herald October 2018
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NEWS | PCI
Events Road Trip Road Trip continues this autumn with training in two further venues for those working with children, young people and young adults. The venues are Edengrove, Ballynahinch on Wednesday 17 October and Hill Street, Lurgan on Tuesday 13 November. The seminars included on the night are: Sunday morning children’s ministry; Growing young leaders; Building blocks for lasting faith; Schools’ ministry; Developing mentoring in your congregation; and Family-friendly youth ministry.
New ‘My Place’ events
Emerge leadership development course
My Place is an event exploring ways of including children with special additional needs in worship and children’s ministry. Each evening features a mixture of Bible teaching, insights from parents and practical suggestions from those working in the field of special education. It is for ministers, leaders and all members of congregations, and the two upcoming dates are on Thursday 11 October in Drumreagh and Thursday 22 November in Ballydown. Both take place between 7.30pm-9pm.
Emerge is a one-off, short-term training programme offered to emerging leaders within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Spread over four dates, the aim is to gather together a group of leaders and invest in them through high quality training and shared experiences. This is an opportunity for emerging leaders in their 20s or 30s and in a current leadership role within their congregation, for example, as a relatively new elder, congregational committee member or a youth leader. Participants will be part of a learning community in which they will join others on a journey involving: practical teaching on leadership; group discussion; personal reflection; Bible teaching; practical examples; and mentoring opportunities. The next course will commence in February 2019 and run to June 2019. The first three sessions will be in two locations, Magherafelt and Belfast, followed by an overnight residential which brings both groups together. The deadline for registration is 18 January 2019. See www.presbyterianireland.org/emerge for more details.
Little Day Out ‘To find the lost sheep’ is the title of Little Day Out, which takes place at Druminnis Presbyterian in Armagh on Tuesday 16 October, from 10am to 12noon. This event is for 0-4 year olds and tickets are available from www.presbyterianireland.org or the CLW office. Tickets cost £3 per child and £1 for adults (price includes a lunchbox for the children and refreshments for the adults).
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Africa in Focus A special evening focusing on mission in Africa is being held on Friday 26 October. The PCI event will be held in Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church, Belfast, commencing at 7.30pm. Speakers will include Diane Cusick (Zambia), Mphatso Nguluwe (Malawi), and Gerald and Louise Mwangi (Kenya). Everyone is welcome to attend the event, which will include prayer and light refreshments.
Handling the Word Union Theological College in Belfast will host a Handling the Word course this autumn. The course will take place between 8pm-10pm on six evenings from Thursday 4 October (omitting 1 November). The cost is £30 or the euro equivalent.
Looking at the Middle East ‘Hard pressed, not crushed – A window on Christian identity in the Middle East’ is the title for a series of events being held in November. Rev Prof Yohanna Katanacho and PCI Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, will speak at the events, which includes a conference in Assembly Buildings, Belfast on Thursday 29 November from 9.30am-1.30pm. Further events will take place during two evenings, from 7.30pm-9pm – Second Limavady on Thursday 29 November and Lowe Memorial Presbyterian in Finaghy, Belfast on Friday 30 November. Everyone interested is welcome to attend, with the conference aimed especially at those in leadership roles, well placed to envision congregations. For more information and to book places at the conference, contact the Mission Department on +44 (0)28 9041 7266 or global@presbyterianireland.org. Booking is required for the conference and the closing date is Friday 16 November. Information is also available at www.presbyterianireland.org/events
Family holiday Booking for the annual PCI holiday is now open. It offers a great opportunity for families of all shapes and sizes to enjoy a mix of relaxation, fun activities and time together with God. Next year’s holiday takes place at Castlewellan Castle in Co Down between 23-26 April. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Further information can be found at www.presbyterianireland.org/ familyholiday
Find out more on www.presbyterianireland.org
News
Resources
Personnel news Diane Cusick returned to Ireland at the beginning of September on home assignment and is undertaking a busy programme of deputation until early December. Csaba and Ilona Veres completed their three-month sabbatical in mid-September and returned to their work in Romania. James and Heather Cochrane returned to Ireland in late September to undertake an intensive two-week period of speaking engagements until midOctober. Their colleagues from the church plant in Senhora da Hora, Pedro and Amada, will be joining them on deputation for a portion of this time. David and Pamela McCullagh completed their assignment with Scripture Union in Malawi at the end of September and the family have returned to Ireland. David has accepted a call to ministry in Annalong Presbyterian Church and is due to be installed there in November. Naomi Keefe is due to return to Brazil following home assignment in October. During September, Naomi spoke at a number of church services and meetings about the work she is involved with in Brazil.
Malawian visitor Mphatso Nguluwe, director of the CCAP Livingstonia Synod Health Department, which includes oversight of the Synod’s hospitals in Malawi, is in Ireland for the month of October. Mphatso was previously the director of Livingstonia Synod Aids Programme and is well-known to many in our Church. She is looking forward to a number of speaking engagements during her visit.
Tides
Through a regular email arriving at the start of each weekday morning, Tides is a daily rhythm of Bible reading and prayer. It provides a section of God’s Word to read, a short reflection sharing what this could look like in our lives, and a simple way to respond. To sign up go to www.presbyterianireland.org/tides
DIARY DATES October Handling the Word
Union Theological College, Belfast – starts Thursday 4
15 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World – 28 October to 11 November A new annual Hindu world prayer guide is calling individuals and churches to take 15 days to learn about and pray for our world’s Hindus (over one billion people). There are articles, stories and prayer topics for each day from late October 2018 – a time that encompasses the significant Hindu Festival of Light (Diwali). The informative prayer guide can be used individually, in a small group or in a church service. Copies of the booklet can be purchased directly from www.15daysprayer.org.uk for £2.50 per copy. Alternatively, PCI’s Mission Department has a limited number of copies for congregational use available at a reduced cost of £1 per copy. These can be purchased from the Mission Department in Assembly Buildings, on a first come, first served basis. To place your order, contact the Mission Department by calling +44 (0)28 9041 7266 or by emailing global@presbyterianireland.org
Give a PCI calendar this Christmas Featuring scenes from the life and work of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as well as key dates in the Church year, the PCI 2019 calendar will soon be available. With the option of being displayed as either a desk or wall calendar, it has two months to view, accompanied by specially selected Scripture verses.
Proximity
Lucan Centre, Dublin – Friday 5
My Place
Drumreagh Presbyterian, Ballymoney – Thursday 11
Little Day Out – Lost Sheep Druminnis Presbyterian, Armagh – Tuesday 16
Road Trip
Edengrove Presbyterian, Ballynahinch – Wednesday 17
MAD weekend
Ulster University, Coleraine – Friday 26 to Sunday 28
Africa in Focus
Saintfield Road, Belfast – Friday 26
November Road trip
Hill Street Presbyterian, Lurgan – Tuesday 13
My Place
Ballydown Presbyterian, Banbridge – Thursday 22
Hard pressed, not crushed – A window on Christian identity in the Middle East Assembly Buildings, Belfast – Thursday 29 Second Limavady – Thursday 29 Lowe Memorial – Friday 30
Perfect as a gift for friends and family this Christmas, each calendar costs only £4.00/€4.00 (including postage). To order please visit www.presbyterianireland.org/pcicalendar or call +44 (0)28 9041 7297 To guarantee delivery to you before Christmas, place your order by Wednesday 12 December 2018.
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A home from home
Harry and Margaret Arbuthnot
Sarah Harding visits Trinity House in Garvagh, the latest addition to PCI’s portfolio of residential homes and finds out how United Appeal is supporting its work.
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CI’s new 50-bed residential home has been open for a year now and is almost at full capacity. Located in Garvagh, Trinity House is an amalgamation of two previous PCI homes (Ard Cluan in Londonderry and York House in Portrush), and has also welcomed new residents. Home manager Jayne Bellingham explains, “The folk from York House and Ard Cluan moved over in October 2017 – we gave them a couple of months to settle in and adjust because it was a big change for them, and then in January we started taking in new admissions. We’ve almost all of the 50 beds gone, which is great news.” One of the home’s residents, Harry Arbuthnot, describes it as “a very comfortable place to be in. It’s just a home from home.” Harry moved to Trinity House in April 2018 and is one of its 14 dementia care residents. A dedicated dementia wing called ‘Cherry Lane’ provides extra security and additional staff. Jayne says, “It is set apart from the rest of the building and is locked at each end. We’re very flexible, so if we have a resident who wants to come into the main part of the building, we always open the door, as long as they are accompanied. That gives safety for the residents who like to walk but may become confused about where they are.”
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Harry and his wife Margaret have been so impressed by the care and attention that Harry has received since he arrived. Margaret says, “We decided on Trinity House for Harry because it’s so close to home and also because it’s Presbyterian. We were delighted that Jayne was able to offer Harry a space here. Everything has been great – whatever Harry needs, it’s there for him.” The couple, who have been married for 43 years and have two children, began to notice changes in Harry’s behaviour four years ago. At first, he was treated for depression, but things got worse and in particular his short-term memory became a problem. Following a diagnosis of dementia and some time in Holywell Hospital, it became necessary to secure extra care for Harry. The couple were initially offered a place in a Rasharkin care home, but Margaret says, “It had no Christian basis to it and so we just thought, ‘No, we have to get him to Garvagh!’”
To be supported both prayerfully and financially is just excellent.
Harry enjoys the many activities offered by Trinity House. It has extensive and secure gardens, which allows for plenty of gardening tasks and outdoor walks. Sessions for craft and singing are also arranged on a regular basis, as well as a variety of outings. With the help of an upcoming Presbyterian Women (PW) project, plans are underway for a vintagethemed garden, complete with caravan and old-style telephone box. “The caravan will be done up like a vintage tea room with bunting and gingham,” says Jayne. “It will be a private space for residents to take their relatives to – somewhere they can feel like they are treating them. A lot of our residents can’t travel very far so this gives them a great opportunity.” Trinity House has good links with the local Presbyterian churches and is located directly beside First Garvagh. Residents can worship there each Sunday and the church provides a minibus to take them there and back. Some of First Garvagh’s members are currently in training to become volunteers, who will act as befrienders to residents. Jayne explains, “If a resident arrives in church but is feeling uncomfortable and needs to leave, it means they will have a buddy with them who could bring them out and make sure they are ok – getting them a cup of tea or bringing them back
Photos by David Cavan
UNITED APPEAL FOR MISSION
to the home. We’re limited as to how many staff we can send to church, so if a staff member had to leave with a resident it would upset the whole group.” There are also plans to link children of both First Garvagh and Main Street Garvagh to the home, inviting them to come once a month on a Saturday afternoon and play games or music, displaying their talents for residents. Jayne says, “The residents just love to see kids coming in. The hope is there would be a lot of learning for our residents, but also for the children too. We’re planning to talk to them about what dementia is and we’ll talk to them about death and dying and what we believe about both of these.” The home has a strong Christian ethos, with daily devotions and a weekly prayer meeting, which is conducted in the small chapel area located within the building.
You know God’s presence is here – as soon as you come through the door. Jayne describes just how important this ethos is to many residents. “For residents who have had a personal faith their whole life – to be able to continue to nurture that faith and have fellowship is just fantastic. This is a different type of church here. A lot of folk are very upset about leaving their churches, so it’s about us becoming that family and becoming that church for them.” PCI’s United Appeal provides a valued input from the wider Church family. Jayne says, “To be supported both prayerfully and financially is just excellent. A lot of our residents can feel lonely, so to be able to reassure them that they’re not forgotten and the wider Church is remembering
them in prayer is fantastic. “It’s also special to have the finances to do days out, one-to-one sessions and have a really creative programme of events for our residents – that’s what it’s for and who it’s for.” Harry is full of praise for the staff and the home and particularly enjoys that his faith is nurtured there. “The Christian ethos sticks out a mile. Everyone you meet has time for you – it doesn’t matter what member of staff it is. Everyone has time to listen to your problems and everyone has time to deal with your problems. You know God’s presence is here – as soon as you come through the door. It’s just a lovely place to be.” To donate to the United Appeal for Mission please go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/donate
To watch a short film of Trinity House with Jayne Bellingham and Harry and Margaret Arbuthnot please visit: www.presbyterianireland.org/unitedappeal
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