SEPTEMBER 2023
Assembly
in focus
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Coverage of the 2023 business
AN OASIS IN THE DESERT
The church in Syria and Lebanon
FLOURISHING TOGETHER Exploring race and PCI
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CONTENTS | SEPTEMBER 2023
FEATURES 7
Tribute to Very Rev Dr Harry Allen Obituary
12 The joy of being chosen Garnerville embraces a World Vision project
15 General Assembly
Coverage of the 2023 business
40 Help with… ‘the talk’
New resource from Evangelical Alliance
42 An oasis in the desert
The church in Syria and Lebanon
44 Being a discipleshaping church today Upcoming PCI event
46 Flourishing together
An oasis in the desert p42
Exploring race and PCI
50 Building strong foundations Regional events focused on youth and children’s ministry
52 Mums’ night out
Care for the Family event to support mums
REGULARS 4 6 8 9 14 31 39 54 56 57 61
Flourishing together p46
Letters News In this month My story Life lessons Mission Connect Norman Hamilton Reviews David Clarke Life in PCI Ruth Sanderson
Mums’ night out p52
CONTRIBUTORS David Smyth is head of Northern Ireland at the Evangelical Alliance. He is husband to Judith, a dad of three and an elder at Legacurry Presbyterian.
Gill Lyth is Care for the Family’s Scotland representative and lives in Dunfermline with her husband and two children.
Rev Helen Freeburn is Inter-Cultural Relations Agent, Global Development committee and minister of Galway Presbyterian Church.
Rev Uel Marrs is PCI’s Secretary of the Council for Global Mission and a member of Knock Presbyterian Church, Belfast.
Cover photo: Jamie Trimble September 2023 No. 851 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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The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is a registered charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104483); registered charity in Republic of Ireland (20015695).
Herald September 2023
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