OCTOBER 2023
All things bright & beautiful
ALL IS SAFELY GATHERED IN… A harvest reflection
FAITHFUL WITNESS IN CO SLIGO Interview with Edith Thorpe
WHAT NEXT FOR UKRAINE?
Uel Marrs reflects on his recent trip
Edgehill Christian Writers’ Group with lnklinks ACW group are hosting a
CHRISTIAN WRITING AND BOOK FAIR
Lisburn 5 mins from Sprucefield Adventure centre with Clip ‘n Climb, soft play & sensory rooms
Moira Baptist Church, BT67 0NS Saturday 4 November 2023 10.30am – 3.00pm Main Speakers: Catherine Campbell – Author (am) Stephen Dundas – Faith Mission bookshops (pm) If you’re keen on reading and/or writing, drop in for an hour to browse and chat, or bring a packed lunch and stay for the full day Any queries please contact: Heather 07834 543888 • Lynda 07967 973056 • Jack 07720 293941
Disc ou for la nts rg grou e ps
Perfect for church, Sunday School & youth group outings activities for all ages Inclu si acce ve & ssibl e for a ll
Book at highriseni.org High Rise is a social enterprise - all profits invested in our charity, supporting parents
CONTENTS | OCTOBER 2023
FEATURES 12 Equipping young adults to follow Jesus A North Belfast Presbytery story
16 All is safely gathered in… A harvest reflection
18 Renewing the call to eldership
New training for elders this autumn
20 Faithful witness in Co Sligo Interview with Edith Thorpe
32 What next for Ukraine?
Uel Marrs reflects on his recent trip
34 Presbyterian donations reach £1.5 million Moderator’s Appeal for Ukraine
36 God’s mercy in the midst of brutality
Faithful witness in Co Sligo p20
One minister’s experience of the war in Ukraine
38 Caring for ministers
Pastoral care for ministers and their families
REGULARS 4 6 7 8 10 11 14 15 31 40 42
News In this month My story PCI news David Clarke Life lessons As I see it Norman Hamilton Ruth Sanderson Reviews Life in PCI
What next for Ukraine? p32
Caring for ministers p38
CONTRIBUTORS Claire Sellar is married to Frank and they have three adult children and two grandchildren. She is a part-time Presbyterian chaplain in the Ulster Hospital.
Alister Torrens grew up in Moneydig Presbyterian and is ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America. He and wife Sarah are missionaries to Ukraine with ITEM.
Robert Irwin is as elder in First Portadown Presbyterian and former editor of FarmWeek newspaper.
Jason Sime is the community mission worker at Alexandra Presbyterian Church, in Belfast, serving in the community he grew up in.
Cover photo: Rebecca McConnell October 2023 No. 852 Published by: The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, Belfast BT1 6DW. T: +44 (0)28 9032 2284 E: herald@presbyterianireland.org W: www.presbyterianireland.org
Editor: Sarah Harding
The views expressed in the features, news reports, letters and book reviews of this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor. Editorial comment and signed Subscriptions and Advertising: articles do not necessarily contain the official views of the Church, which can only be laid down only by the General Assembly. Acceptance of advertisements Edward Connolly; Hazel Gilliland does not imply endorsement of the goods or services. Advertising will not be Design and Layout: included if the product or service is deemed to be in conflict with the Church’s Edward Connolly official views, or if it is inappropriate for a church magazine. It is not Herald policy Printing: to include any editorial content along with adverts. The editor reserves the right W & G Baird Ltd to decline any advertisement or letter without assigning any reason. Letters may be edited for publication. No correspondence can be entered into regarding nonpublication of advertisements or letters.
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Herald October 2023
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