Presbyterian Herald Summer 2021

SUMMER 2021

Unmuted

hope

As a Christian Aid supporter, your love is (already) alive across the world.

It’s in the clean, fresh water in Grace’s village in Kenya.

It’s in the relief supplies that reach Tasmin’s refugee camp in Bangladesh.

And it’s in Johaira’s smile in Nicaragua, because she knows she can provide for her precious baby – not just today, but for years to come.

By leaving a gift in your Will to Christian Aid, your love will live on, and will help build a fairer, more peaceful world for the next generation.

For support to leave a gift in your will or a conversation in strict confidence, please contact Sarah by email on sleeman@christian-aid.org or telephone 028 9064 8133 (Belfast) or 01 496 7040 (Dublin).

NI charity no. NIC101631 Company no. NI059154 ROI charity no. 20014162 Company no. 426928

CONTENTS | SUMMER 2021

FEATURES

10 General Assembly 2021 Plans for this year’s Assembly

12 A podcast for passing on faith

Edengrove Presbyterian’s new podcast for children

14 Moderator interview

David Bruce on being Moderator for another year

18 Every drop makes a ripple

Update on the Moderator’s Appeal

20 COP26 or cop out?

Engaging effectively with climate change

22 The gift of presence

Providing pastoral help following a suicide

24 Has culture been cancelled?

How ‘free’ is free speech?

26 Mind matters

Building emotional resilience in children

39 Reconnecting the church family

Has culture been cancelled? p24

Advice for congregations going forward

42 Sharing threads of hope and dignity Project to tackle period poverty

44 Transformational reconciliation Dealing with conflict in church

46 Faith in the storm

How Cyclone Seroja devastated parts of Indonesia

48 The comic with a serious focus Sharing the experiences of recovering addicts

REGULARS

4 6 9 11 30 31 50 51 54 56 57 59

COP26 or cop out? p20

CONTRIBUTORS

Letters News My story Life lessons Norman Hamilton Mission Connect As I see it Reviews Life in PCI Crossword Andrew Conway Betsy Cameron

Cover: Jamie Trimble Summer 2021 No. 833 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 Subscriptions and Advertising: Elaine Huddleston; Lisa Skinner; Suzanne Hamilton Design and Layout: Edward Connolly Printing: W & G Baird Ltd

Mind matters p26

Will Leitch has been a journalist and broadcaster for more than 30 years.

He is married with two grown-up children and serves as an elder at Knock Presbyterian Church in Belfast.

Elsye McCroskery is a former minister of the Protestant Evangelical Church in Timor, now living in Belfast and married to Barry, minister of McCracken Memorial.

They have two daughters.

Suzanne Hamilton is Senior Communications Assistant for the Herald.

She attends Ballyholme Presbyterian in Bangor, is married to Steven and mum to twin boys.

Lisa Skinner is Senior Communications Assistant for the Herald. She lives in Belfast with her husband Stephen, their three daughters and one son, and worships at Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian.

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.

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

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EDITORIAL

LETTERS Disappointed by Trump critics

Emerging

As we progress into summer, with longer nights and better weather, there is a definite sense of hope in the air.

Hope that we could finally be emerging from the Covid nightmare and that normal life is slowly becoming a reality.

Yet what do we find when we emerge? Life will have changed dramatically for many people: some will have lost loved ones; others will have lost a career. Others still will have lost much of the support and encouragement of social interaction. It is unlikely that any of us will emerge unscathed.

It has been suggested that those who have had their lives most affected by the pandemic are children and young people, with major disruptions to their educational and social development. In regard to young people, Graeme Thompson highlights that retaining connection with this age group is a significant challenge for churches.

He stresses the importance of re-engaging with them personally and individually and suggests that this must be prioritised over and above programmes.

Katharine Hill, UK Director of Care for the Family, has written an excellent book, featured in this issue, which is aimed at helping parents to build emotional resilience in their children in a post pandemic world. Recognising that there is already a myriad of challenges for parents that accompanies normal childhood development, she surmises that “the fallout from the pandemic on young people’s wellbeing could be significant and long term.”

The fallout for church life generally could also be significant and long term. In one respect it has highlighted differences of opinion within our congregations and has therefore created the potential for division and conflict. Rev Paul Jamieson, writing on behalf of PCI’s Conciliation Service, recognises that disagreements are inevitable but it is how we deal with them that counts. “Through our sinfulness we will create conflict, but through Christ’s righteousness we can transform it, preventing its destructive power…”

Being a committed church member takes time, energy and enthusiasm, some of which may be in short supply following the past year. However, as Tony Merida asserts in his new book Love Your Church (see reviews), we all need to work harder at fully embracing our membership – loving our church and our fellow believers, just as we love Christ.

Moderator, Dr David Bruce, who has returned for a second year in office, is hopeful that our denomination will re-emerge resilient. He believes that PCI is being reconfigured from within, by those who sincerely wish to follow Christ and says, “…we see the disruption in front of us, we make sense of it, and then walk by faith.”

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Dear Editor In response to the Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton’s (former Moderator of PCI) criticism of evangelical Christians in the United States for their continued support of Donald Trump, which has left him feeling “betrayed, compromised and even shamed” (Spring Herald), I wish to offer an alternative perspective.

I am both sad and disappointed to read the criticism, in the Spring edition of the Herald, aimed at our fellow Christians in the United States who support Donald Trump and who decided to vote for him in the 2020 presidential election instead of Joe Biden. They voted for a candidate who supports their right to live their lives, as committed conservative Christians, on the basis of biblical principles and God’s precepts. A candidate who allows them to hold on to their Christian values and to exercise their faith-based moral conscience.

They voted for a candidate who, regarding abortion, is pro-life, who regarding marriage, supports their Bible-based God ordained position that marriage should be between a man and a women and with regards to gender, supports their position that God made us

male and female. Joe Biden, on the other hand, does not support any of these positions, quite the opposite in fact; he is following the anti-God, anti-Bible, liberal secular agenda on all of them and has been heavily criticised by his own church for doing so.

To suggest that these committed Christians in the US should abandon their deep faith-based convictions for the sake of political expediency, and adopt a world view which embraces a secular cultural stance on these fundamental moral issues which seeks to minimise their importance, is as revealing as it is shocking.

Such pronouncements, no matter how plausible, should gain no traction among true Christians lest our very salvation be jeopardised.

John Elliott Co Donegal

Bible reading Dear Editor When I was a boy and into my early 20s, which was a considerable time ago, it was the norm in Presbyterian churches that there be two Bible readings taken from the Old and New Testaments, respectively.

I remember sitting in the pew of Newmills Presbyterian Church, Co Armagh and whatever else was my distraction, when the minister announced the Scripture

Letters to the Editor Write to: Presbyterian Herald, Assembly Buildings, Belfast, BT1 6DW Email: herald@presbyterianireland.org

reading I stopped and listened intently. The reason for attentive listening was that the Scripture was read by the minister with authority and clarity, with every comma, and full stop observed. The reading was a feast and truly came across as the inspired Word of God. At some stage over past decades the decision seems to have been taken to reduce Bible readings in the church service to one portion, and often a short reading on which the sermon is preached. This practice seems to be uniform throughout Presbyterian churches.

It is a known fact, that in general, people today, despite being better educated, read less than previous generations.

I doubt if the reading of the Bible is an exception to this statement. As a Reformed Church, one of the five Solas is Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). Numerous biblical verses underline the Bible’s authority, but I will simply quote 2 Timothy 3:16–17.

In any other walk of life if there was a deficit of a ‘life living/giving’ resource, efforts would be made to bridge the deficit by providing additional resources. It seems strange and contrary to good practice that at a time when there is a decrease in reading generally that some time ago PCI, and it appears all its ministers, decreased Bible readings in the church service.

I suggest it is time to question current practice.

Robert Dowey Portadown

Daily reflections in song Dear Editor I’d like to let readers know about a new series of Bible reflections, put to song, that I have composed and are

Please note: Letters are limited to 300 words and may be edited for clarity and length. They will only be published in the Herald if the author’s name and address have been supplied to the Editor. On request these will be withheld from print. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. The views expressed in the letters are not necessarily those of the Editor or PCI.

available to all.

Luke 11:1–13 was the inspiration for me to write a number of songs, which I recorded in my home over the past year. The songs were then further developed into a set of written daily reflections, thus providing the opportunity to listen as well as read into the Scripture.

The series, ‘Only When I Pray’, is not deep or heavy; rather it is current, encouraging and relevant. I pray that through it the Holy Spirit will nudge readers forward in their faith walk.

The series can be found at kilmakee.com Alastair White Lisburn

Lack of technology can isolate Dear Editor During the Covid-19 crisis many people were able to watch the church services online and take part in Zoom meetings. People who normally would not attend a church service availed themselves of this facility.

While it is good that this has happened, it is important that the Church recognises that there are people who have no internet access. It is essential that such people are not neglected.

CDs and DVDs of church services need to be available as an alternative to online services. During the pandemic, I felt saddened that some elderly church members had little or no contact from their churches. However, the responsibility of contacting such church members should not just be that of the church minister, but the responsibility of their fellow church members.

If a church lacks the facility

for producing CDs or DVDs of church services they should be willing to ask for help from their neighbouring churches.

The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the isolation felt by many people of all ages so it is important that churches work together to remedy this.

Rosemary Clarke Co Armagh

Ethical funds Dear Editor There is a compelling case for our Church to move its investments out of fossil fuels and into ethical funds where our money is being used positively towards sustainable development goals such as: clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; and sustainable cities and communities.

In addition to the contribution fossil fuels make to the growing worldwide climate emergency (see Rev Allen Sleith’s Herald article in March 2019), they cause air pollution, bringing in its wake asthma, heart disease, and strokes for the most vulnerable. According to the coroner in a recent case in London of a nine-year-old girl who died of air pollution, children, older people and anyone living with respiratory disease are all at risk from toxic air.

John Wesley’s sermon ‘The Use of Money’ urged investors to avoid industries like tanning and chemical production, which can harm the health of workers. Bringing this up to date, in 2018 the Church of Ireland divested from fossil fuels. Last November, 47 faith institutions from 21 countries followed suit. Our partners in Tearfund are advocating for this too. Even institutional investors are increasingly moving toward sustainable investments in the clean

energy economy.

I am glad that this has been discussed in PCI in 2020. I believe now is the time for the Church to publicly commit to invest in clean, ethical funds.

When our Church takes such a stand it will also encourage us as members to consider the ethical use of our own finances.

We need to do this out of love for our neighbours far and near, our children and our grandchildren. We need to do this to maintain a credible witness. We must ensure that our investments are being used in ways that please and glorify our Creator and Master.

Michael Jemphrey Belfast

Supporting those hardest hit by Covid Dear Editor I am sure many readers will share my concern that the second wave of Covid has hit hard in India, Pakistan and Nepal, where we have many links in mission.

Our oldest mission partner, the Gujarat diocese of Church of North India has lost (at time of writing) 12 pastors and one mission worker, leaving widows and young children, and many other influential lay leaders.

May I simply suggest that those of us who have received vaccines might make a thank offering approximate to the cost of two shots (roughly £20/€20) and contribute to the Moderator’s Christmas Appeal, which I understand still remains open for contributions?

John Faris Carnalea

continued on page 6

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NEWS | IN THE ROUND

LETTERS continued from page 5

Racism in Ireland Dear Editor I would appeal to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland to adopt a policy on pastoral care for ethnically mixed couples, where one party is white Irish or British and the other a migrant of a different skin colour or their son or daughter.

As one with personal knowledge of all this, I would plead with the Church to see that such couples often face additional pressures to those where both are white or both black.

On the other hand, many such couples get on well in their neighbourhoods, and the key issue is how the white family responds to the partner. I would urge you to have an insight into what it’s like to be a stranger who feels unwelcome in a town, blamed for everything that goes wrong in your spouse’s life, even when it’s down to economic circumstances or other factors, the acute damage to mental

health, etc.

As far as clergy are concerned, this means listening to and getting to know the new arrival, and understand why they may find the environment difficult. In extreme cases, it means having to move away from Ireland, but that should be a last resort, and I would hope clergy could help to see if there are other options.

It is one thing to produce websites about how welcoming one’s congregations are, but it is worthless if the minister does not see the reality of racism in small Irish towns and give active support to victims.

Some clergy have a good insight, others seem abysmally lacking in empathy, which makes one wonder why they entered the ministry in the first place.

Surely Presbyterians, as a minority in the Republic, should understand what it is like to be misrepresented?

Declan McSweeney Address supplied

Topical Tweets @tidesdaily “In a world of cancel culture, self-centred decision-making and tearing apart on social media, encouraging one another is a positive act of counter-cultural defiance.” @karenjardine #tidesdaily @PCIModerator Praying today that changes coming in political leaderships within unionism will enable fresh conversations to help shape the future. We may differ but we are not enemies. @RosamondBennett Donations of excess vaccines is an important act of solidarity, but it is also just a stop gap, not a solution to the wider issue of global vaccine shortfall. We need a temporary waiver now so more doses can be produced & more needless deaths prevented.

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Book launch Former PCI Moderator, Dr Frank Sellar, has written a new devotional book about John the Baptist.

Published by Christian Focus Publications, The One Who Came Before – 31 days with John the Baptist contains 31 devotional readings, each with a question to ponder and a prayer to pray.

It takes Bible passages about John the Baptist verse by verse, making observations concerning what he says, what the text meant when first written and how it applies today.

The Evangelical Bookshop has a special offer of 25% off. Visit www.evangelicalbookshop.co.uk/products/theone-who-came-before

Prepared to welcome?

During 2021, the UK government estimates the arrival of up to 130,000 people from Hong Kong. Some will settle in Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland may be an alternative for some.

Hong Kong Ready Churches is an initiative offering support and training to churches so that God’s local family can be praying and ready to help with the resettling process.

Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church in Bangor has a long involvement in welcoming people from Hong Kong and many other nations. A statement from the church says, “The involvement of people in our congregation from overseas has been an enriching and faith-building experience as we respond to God’s call to reach out to the nations on our doorstep. There are several Cantonese speakers in the congregation, and we have registered to be a Hong Kong Ready Church. We would encourage other churches to also respond to this opportunity – your congregational life and witness will be strengthened if you do.”

To find out more, or if your church can intentionally engage in praying, preparing and welcoming please visit www.ukhk.org/church

Historical booklet The name of Private William McFadzean has become well known throughout Northern Ireland and far beyond because of his instinctive action at the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916 which saved the lives of his comrades at the cost of his own. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V for his bravery.

In the latest publication from the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland, entitled The Last Seven Seconds, his great nephew, Nigel, reflects on William’s life and courage, and on what it has meant for his family and others in the century since.

The booklet is available from the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland (online at present) for £3 plus postage.

IN THE ROUND | NEWS Church leaders meet Taoiseach A range of issues was discussed when the Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with members of the Church Leaders Group (Ireland).

PCI Moderator, Dr David Bruce, and Dr Ivan Patterson (president of the Irish Council of Churches) were among those present at the meeting, where violence in Northern Ireland, the pandemic and the implementation of the Protocol following the UK’s exit from the EU were on the agenda.

The Taoiseach praised the Church Leaders for their ongoing contribution to peace building, and recognised the work that churches undertake on an ongoing and daily basis at community levels in Northern Micheál Martin TD Ireland.

There was a constructive discussion on Northern Ireland, including a shared and grave concern at recent incidents of violence on the streets.

The Taoiseach discussed with the Church Leaders Group the government’s Shared Island initiative and they recognised the importance of dialogue, engagement and respect for all communities and traditions on these islands in fostering reconciliation through the framework of the Good Friday Agreement.

The meeting also focused on a number of issues relating to social cohesion, in particular the need to ensure that no one is left behind as we build towards recovery following the pandemic.

Bangor Worldwide launches theme ‘The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad’ is the theme for the 85th Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention, taking place between 20–29 August.

The majority of the events will be held at Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church in the Co Down town, but there are also events in the neighbouring Baptist church as well as in Belfast, Dublin, Drumreagh, Lurgan and Magherafelt.

Chairman Tom Clarke said, “Our focus on the first main evening meeting will be ‘The persecuted church’ and this will be held, God willing, at Assembly Buildings in Belfast on Saturday 21 August. Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, former Bishop of Raiwind in Pakistan and Bishop of Rochester from 1994 until 2009, will join other speakers to give us an insight into the realities of persecution across the world.”

To comply with Covid-19 measures, Jonathan Lamb, who will lead the registration for most events including the Bible studies. morning Bible studies and evening meetings will be required in advance by signing up on the Bangor Worldwide website.

For more information on all the events taking place during the convention, visit the website www.worldwidemission.org or follow on social media (@BangorWorldwide on Instagram and Twitter, Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention on Facebook).

PCI: ‘Reconciliation is key to any future legacy proposals’ The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has reiterated its belief that that any meaningful approach to dealing with the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past must place reconciliation at its heart.

In a statement, PCI Moderator Dr David Bruce said, “It is our hope and prayer that being able to address the past effectively will enable us all to reimagine and create a better future, one that is based on a reconciled community at peace with itself. This, however, will require deep engagement with the people of Northern Ireland, especially those who have suffered the most, the victims and survivors.

“Many victims and survivors come from our Presbyterian family. It is impossible to quantify the suffering that violence visited on them and so many other innocent people…”

Calling for a process that has reconciliation at its heart and which promotes healing between and within communities, Dr Bruce said, “Only then can we truly learn to live with one another in the present, lay the foundations of a better future, and begin to deal effectively with many of the unresolved issues that have been left in the wake of our past.”

Secretary of State’s abortion powers called ‘destructive’ The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has called Westminster’s confirmation of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s abortion powers ‘deeply regrettable’ and ‘a sad day not only for devolution’, which has been seriously undermined, ‘but also for the protection of unborn children…’

Speaking after a debate on the Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021 in the House of Lords, Moderator Dr David Bruce said the approval of ‘radical and sweeping powers’ devalue Northern Ireland’s purposely unique system of negotiated government and would give the Secretary of State the freedom to interfere directly, and at will, with every single department of devolved government.

“The Secretary of State, and those supportive of devolution, cannot claim to be upholding Northern Ireland’s fragile devolved settlement, while at the same time facilitating this ill-considered and irresponsible intervention which cherry-picks issues and undermines that very system. It should not be forgotten that nearly 80% of those who responded to the public consultation on the abortion regulations in 2019 were against the proposals.

“This is a sad day not only for devolution, but also for the protection of unborn children…We call on the Secretary of State not use these new powers and reflect on how destructive they could be.”

IN BRIEF Ballymurphy inquest PCI Moderator Dr David Bruce issued a statement following a coroner’s finding that those killed in Ballymurphy, in Belfast in August 1971, “were entirely innocent of wrongdoing on the day in question.”

Dr Bruce said, “It reminds us once more of the tragic and shattering past that Northern Ireland has witnessed, and the legacy of those times half a century on.”

PCI welcomes call for better end of life provision PCI has welcomed the unanimous support given to the cross-party motion in the Northern Ireland Assembly around end of life issues, which emphasised ‘a good end of life experience for people in Northern Ireland’ and greater investment in palliative care services.

PCI Moderator Dr David Bruce said, “While it can be all too easy to focus on what divides us politically, it is heartening to see MLAs come together to call for better end of life outcomes to be included in the Executive’s forthcoming Programme for Government (PfG).”

Moderator leads RUC annual service PCI Moderator Dr David Bruce hosted the annual Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Day thanksgiving service.

For the second year running, the service to mark the sacrifices and honour the achievements of the RUC was held virtually, with the Moderator hosting it from the Weir Chapel in PCI’s Assembly Buildings in Belfast.

“While we cannot be together physically and pay tribute to loved ones, for me it is a great privilege to be able to take part in the service,” said Dr Bruce.

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NEWS | PCI Equipping your congregation for the ongoing journey out of lockdown As congregations continue the tentative journey out of lockdown to more regular patterns of church life, the ‘Refined’ section of the PCI website contains a range of useful resources. These include:

Prism: Perspectives from the pandemic experience This Bible study is part biblical reflection, part framework for discussion, part practical response and part encouragement to take fresh faith in God. The content based on ‘Perspectives from a Pandemic’ is suitable for use as a home Bible study, midweek meeting or for more personal discipling. It could provide a framework for sermons or content for teaching in other settings.

Go to www.presbyterianireland.org/Prism

Opening up to God: Leading out of lockdown

Opening up

to God

L E A D I N G O U T O F LO C K D O W N

This is a resource for kirk sessions or organisational leaders as they lead their congregations out of lockdown. It looks at lessons learned and helps them reassess what can be done differently or stopped.

To download the ‘Opening up to God’ resource go to www.presbyterianireland.org/openinguptoGod

A new way of keeping in touch with programmes, events and resources To improve communication about all that is available for all aspects of your congregation’s life and witness, the new e-quip e-zine will be launched in time for the new church year starting in September.

Signing up will ensure that you receive updates by email about PCI programmes, events and resources in the areas of discipleship, leadership, pastoral care, outreach, involvement in global mission and worship, as well as details of events for children’s, youth and family ministry. Links to blogs, podcasts and other digital ministry will also be signposted.

Sign up today at www.presbyterianireland.org/e-quip and encourage as many as possible in your congregation to do so.

PCI Youth App The PCI Youth App can be customised for your own individual congregation, allowing youth organisations to safely and effectively keep in touch with young people, leaders and parents.

To find out more or to sign up for the PCI Youth App go to www.presbyterianireland.org/youthapp.aspx

Encounters with Jesus A video-based resource for children’s and family ministry, ‘Encounters with Jesus’ can be used in both digital children’s and in-person ministry. To find out more and access this resource go to www.presbyterianireland.org/ encounterswithJesus

Refined digital hub To find out more about our latest digital offering and resources, including links to the latest webinars and podcasts, as well as stories and tips to fire the imagination for restarting congregational activities for all ages go to our Refined digital hub: www.presbyterianireland.org/refined

Digital dispatches In today’s increasingly smaller world, as followers of Jesus we have the opportunity to be global disciples as never before, playing a part in what God is doing both near and far.

To help with your involvement, each PCI global mission worker has produced short and long film clips that can be used in church services, prayer meetings or events, to raise awareness and prayer for what God is doing across the world, as we seek to go deep and wide in global mission involvement.

The three-minute profiles give a window into the wide variety of work PCI workers are involved

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in across the world. The clips introduce the global mission worker and their ministry, along with a number of current prayer requests.

The 10–15 minute stories enable PCI congregations to go deeper in building a relationship with a global mission worker. The clips include an overview of their context and some stories from their ministry, along with a section of Bible teaching and prayer requests.

Global mission workers featured in Digital Dispatches include: Chris and Rachel Humphries in Portugal, Steve and Rosie Kennedy in Romania, Peter and Jayne Fleming in Nepal and Diane Cusick in Zambia.

To download or view any of the clips go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/digitaldispatches

MY STORY...

Lisa Fagan tells of Jean Thompson, who as well as fundraising and campaigning to end poverty for almost 30 years, has pledged a gift in her Will to Christian Aid.

Putting faith into action

C

o Down woman Jean Thompson has been a Christian Recalling one action in particular, she says, “In 2000, Christian Aid supporter since 1994, giving on a monthly basis Aid had commissioned a six-foot artwork called Body of to the charity by direct debit as well as making ad hoc Chains which was touring around the UK and Ireland. It was donations in response to emergency appeals. a human form made entirely from chains, representing the Her dedication to the charity has increased in recent years. bondage caused by developing countries’ debt burden. We Since retiring from her role as a clerical officer in a residential brought the artwork to Bloomfield Shopping Centre and got home, Jean has had more time to devote to her unpaid work shoppers to sign the petition asking the government to cancel as the Christian Aid organiser at First Bangor Presbyterian this unpayable debt.”

Church, where she belongs. Every May during Christian Aid The Body of Chains artwork formed part of the Jubilee 2000 Week, she carries out a house-to-house collection in the town campaign which successfully lobbied for billions of dollars of and after church on Sundays she holds coffee mornings and debt cancellation. But debt cancellation wasn’t the only change Traidcraft stalls to raise funds for the charity’s work. She is that Jean helped to bring about. She was part of the movement supported by many friends in her church but makes special that brought fair trade products into the mainstream. mention of Maisie Burton.

“This was back when the supermarkets Not even cancer can stop Jean’s weren’t stocking fair trade produce. We “I’m passionate about fundraising activities. In 2011 she was collected till receipts from members of diagnosed with stage four cancer in her leg Christian Aid because our church and used a highlighter pen to and faced the possibility of losing oneattention to all the items that could they help everyone who draw third of her leg muscle, meaning she might be fair trade – like bananas, chocolate, tea, needs it – it doesn’t never walk again. Thankfully this wasn’t coffee and sugar. We met the supermarket necessary and Jean made a good recovery. showed them the receipts and matter what religion they managers, In fact, within a few months she was back asked them to stock fair trade versions.” on the fundraising trail. are…”

Jean has also decided to leave a gift in Explaining why she does it, Jean says, her Will to Christian Aid, a process she “I’m passionate about Christian Aid because they help everyone describes as straightforward. Explaining what motivates her who needs it – it doesn’t matter what religion they are. In support of the charity, Jean says, “My Christian faith but also Bangladesh, they help people whose crops have been destroyed because I want to help people in need.” by floods. In Kenya where there’s been a drought and women Jean has lived in Bangor since marrying Andy in 1968 but she walk for hours each day to collect water, Christian Aid has been grew up in Ballymena with her brother Ernest McKeown who building new water sources.” still lives in the town. She describes her childhood as ‘normal Besides her financial support and her fundraising, Jean is and happy’. With perfect family symmetry, Jean served as Girls’ also an activist, amplifying Christian Aid’s campaign messages Brigade captain at Wellington Street Presbyterian Church while on debt, climate change, taxation and fair trade. In 2007, she Ernest was captain of the Boys’ Brigade. took part in a Christian Aid march in London, calling on the Jean became GB captain at First Bangor soon after her move UK government to introduce a Climate Change Act to cut the there. She and Andy have two sons – Peter lives in Michigan UK’s carbon emissions – legislation that was introduced the in the United States and Victor lives in London. Commenting following year. on her sons’ thoughts on her gift, Jean laughs, “They don’t know Closer to home, she joins in local campaigns, building yet. They’ll find out when they read this,” adding, “But they public support for debt cancellation, fair trade and tax justice. don’t need to worry – they will be looked after.”

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY

General Assembly set for October

Mark Smith sets out how the General Assembly changed last year and the plans for 2021.

T

he 2021 General Assembly will open on Monday 4 responsibility given to the 25-member Standing Commission October with the formal confirmation of Dr David was not lost on them, and they were intensely aware of the need Bruce as Moderator for an historic second term. to act wisely and responsibly. Normal routine business was dealt Members will be debating and deciding on a range of with and mostly only non-controversial necessary decisions were matters that are important to the life, witness and mission of taken,” Mr Gribben explained.

PCI. Announcing the news, Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the “The intention at the time was that resolutions, which were General Assembly, said that he very much hoped that it would establishing new policy, or business of a more controversial meet in person in the Assembly Hall, adding that if that was not nature, would be remitted to an in-person additional meeting possible, alternative arrangements have been agreed. of the full General Assembly, to be held in the autumn of “There can be absolutely no doubt 2020. However, given the ongoing Covid that the life and rhythm of our Church …the life and rhythm of restrictions, even this proved not to be has witnessed extraordinary change and possible, and the Standing Commission in our Church…have required unprecedented adjustment fact held two additional short meetings to as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. witnessed extraordinary take some significant decisions that were This has been most acutely felt at local necessary and time sensitive.” change and required level right across this island, where the Mr Gribben continued, “So that all ongoing worship, life and witness of our ministers and kirk sessions were kept as unprecedented congregations have been significantly fully informed as possible, the Moderator adjustment… disrupted,” Mr Gribben said. and I wrote to them detailing the work of “This disruption has also been significant the Standing Commission immediately in relation to the running and organisation of PCI’s central after each of its meetings. The full reports and minute books support and administrative work. I want to pay tribute to have now been published and distributed to all ministers and ministers, elders and leaders on the ground, as well as central kirk sessions. support staff who have kept things going, honouring and “The work has now begun preparing this year’s Blue Book, glorifying our Lord Jesus as they did so. One of the casualties which will contain both the business remitted from the of these times, however, was our 2020 General Assembly, which 2020 Standing Commission for discussion at a full meeting was not able to meet.” of the General Assembly, along with The decision that it would not meet reports from each of PCI’s councils and in person was agreed that April at a commissions.”

Special Meeting of the General Assembly, Looking ahead to the autumn, the Clerk based on the 2019 Assembly roll. Held said that a final decision on the form that virtually, members also agreed that the 2021 General Assembly takes would all necessary business of the General ultimately be a decision of the General Assembly be conducted through a ‘2020 Council. Consideration is being given Standing Commission of the General to a number of options, from a coming Assembly’. “While some things had to together for an in-person meeting of be done differently by necessity, decisions ministers and elders that would have the were taken collectively, prayerfully and look and feel of a normal Assembly, to democratically in the best traditions of Presbyterianism,” Mr establishing a new and larger Standing Commission of 105 Gribben explained. members. This would have significant presbytery representation, The Standing Commission met via video conference from 1–3 would meet in the Assembly Hall, and be live streamed. A June, but on the Opening Night, in an empty Assembly Hall, final decision regarding the form of the 2021 Assembly will only four people took part physically. Via live stream, the Church be communicated to kirk sessions and presbyteries, most likely was able to witness outgoing Moderator, Dr William Henry, towards the end of the summer. give his address and reflect on his year in office; followed by the Mr Gribben concluded, “Please pray for God’s guidance for election, installation and address, of his successor, Dr Bruce. the General Council in the decisions it has to make, and for all “Over the following two days, the Commission dealt with those preparing for our General Assembly, in whatever form it reports from the General Assembly’s councils and over 70 eventually takes.” related resolutions to enable the Church’s work to continue. The

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PERSONAL VIEW

Life lessons Donna Jennings

Church and Mission Coordinator for Evangelical Alliance (EA) NI and a member of Orangefield Presbyterian.

I grew up in east Belfast, where I live now with my husband Nathaniel and our two children, Micah and Tabitha. After four years at Stranmillis College, I was ready to explore the world – so ended up in Bangladesh, where I met Nathaniel. We returned to Northern Ireland in 2010.

We were involved in church planting in Bangladesh for several years. Our experience there was ‘wonderfully awe-ful’.

Communicating the gospel and forming little communities around the person of Jesus Christ across many cultural barriers – Islamic faith, poverty, honour-shame culture, restrictive roles for women – with an international team is, not surprisingly, messy! But a beautiful mess, where I learnt the deepest lessons of life and faith.

I experienced that God through his Spirit works around us, and through us, in ways we cannot imagine. When reading the Bible alongside women in slums; with 13-year-old girls in child marriage; trafficking; corruption and violence – my tightly bound up Northern Irish understanding of the gospel was painfully unstitched and expanded. Now as I look at the Western church patterns amidst our cultural currents, my current conviction is that the UK Western church has so many lessons to learn from our church family around the globe.

In EA I’m tasked with equipping the church to be biblically faithful and culturally relevant. Lockdowns caused the deepest questions of ecclesiology to bubble up to the surface – when we cannot ‘go to’ church, how do we ‘do’ church? While we missed the ‘gathering’, lockdowns unleashed the people of God to ‘be’ the church outside the building and weekly programme, in a way that we had perhaps forgotten. Digital tools are here to stay, and they bring massive opportunities – but we need to master these, not let them master us. I’m working on some resources for the church to ‘Reflect and Reset’ on how to do church as we journey together out of Covid.

I’ve been reflecting lately on what the Celtic Christians referred to as ‘thin spaces’ – moments when the veil between the co-existing temporal and eternal dimensions of life is stretched so thin, that we can smell, taste and glimpse the King and his kingdom. For me, these spaces occur when I slow down and pause for long enough to be present to God in the moment.

The Apostles’ Creed is so much more than a dry set of doctrines. When I say the creed as an act of corporate worship,

my whole person joins with church ancient and global, to pledge a whole life allegiance to Jesus as Lord; I am called out of myself and my little world and rooted back into the eternal person and purposes of God. With the creed – I say, I believe, I love, I champion the holy, universally united church. Because by our unity, the world will know who has sent us.

Today’s society is largely shaped by a (post)-postmodern world view, set on a fierce justice campaign to deconstruct every societal structure around what it means to be human. While I agree there are unjust structures in society that need to be called out and transformed, society is driving a destructive crusade, shutting down any meaningful dialogue and telling stories of individual rights that clash with each other.

I get frustrated with the church here when we fail to engage with and choose to retreat from culture. We must understand what, how, why people think, feel, behave in order to communicate the story of God and form the community of God meaningfully.

Our son Micah is now 13. At age two he had a sudden regression of development and has a diagnosis of severe learning disability, autism and challenging behaviours. Being Micah’s mum is perhaps the experience of my life that keeps building my character. Not only because of the challenges, which are real, but mostly because I learn so much from him. He causes me to reflect most deeply on my values, priorities, and what brings me joy. He forces me to slow down, take time and stand silently.

Micah bears God’s image to me, not despite his disabilities, but because of them. In Micah’s presence, I am most fully aware of my own humanity, personhood and the loving gaze of my Father.

The last book I read was Florence Nightingale by Mark Bostridge. I have always been fascinated by this enigmatic woman who pushed through the social conventions of her era (in both sex and social class), and led a global movement that transformed healthcare in the most challenging of situations. Bostridge presents Florence’s deep grapplings with faith that were dominated by her sense of vocation: “The kingdom of heaven is within, but we must also create one without, because we are intended to act upon our circumstances.”

I wonder as we have celebrated and clapped and prayed for the ‘essential services’ for over a year, do we evangelicals need to revise our theology and praxis of vocation for our people?

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CONGREGATIONAL STORY

A podcast for passing on faith Dave McConkey explains how Edengrove Presbyterian’s new podcast is helping parents disciple their children.

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few years ago I listened to pastor and author, Jason Helopoulos, speak at a conference we hosted on the subject of passing our faith on to the next generation. He posed this question: If an outsider were to spend a week living with us, other than on Sundays, would they see anything that would identify our homes as ‘Christian’?

Now of course our faith should impact every single aspect of our life, but what he was showing us was that the visible, tangible expressions of our faith should not be limited to one service on a Sunday morning. If we claim Christ for ourselves and our families, then it is in our homes where our children should be introduced to and nurtured in the Scriptures; where they should be consistently experiencing family prayer and praise.

Therefore the place where our children are discipled most is not within the walls of our churches, it is within our homes, and therein lies both the wonderful opportunity and the fearful responsibility of parenting.

The thing is, I earn my living telling children and young people about Jesus.

If anyone should have the resources and experience to make this task less

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daunting, then all of that should be at my fingertips. I, of course, want to talk to my girls about Jesus, and there is nothing more important to me than seeing them grow in their walk with the Lord. But after being busy all day at work, and when the girls’ behaviour might be trying, there are many days I really don’t feel like I have the energy to plot out a Bible lesson and struggle to get them to focus and engage with it. In fact, I’ll be honest, there are days when it is the last thing I want to do.

I know how important it is though; I know their Christian education should be systematic and thorough. I have felt guilty that I’m not doing a very good job, guilty that at times the thought of family worship feels like another chore to be completed – certainly not something I delight in – and what is that showing my girls? None of this is good!

…the place where our children are discipled most is not within the walls of our churches, it is within our homes…

So, in thinking all of this through, I was left with the following questions: How can the church help? What can the church do to support parents as they seek to raise their children in the faith? How do we make all of this even just a little bit easier?

‘Edengrove Presents God’s Big Story’ is part of our attempt to answer those questions. It’s a daily (five days a week) podcast that in one year (260 episodes) walks through the entire story of the Bible – Genesis to Revelation. It’s hosted by me and a curious cow called Marvin; every episode is around 10 minutes long, contains a Scripture reading recorded by a member of our congregation, and finishes with a devotional thought or something to think or pray about. With a few other characters joining in, and with jokes, quizzes and a huge number of cow-based puns along the way, we hope it’s a journey that children and families will enjoy, and one that will help them see how all those Bible stories that they know so well (and perhaps a few they don’t) are part of one great big story that is all about Jesus.

How does that help? It means that if you use a podcast app, family devotions can be as simple as taking out your

phone and pressing play. Absolutely zero preparation or planning is required – you don’t need to be a Bible teacher – you just listen along with your kids, be there to talk with them about any questions they might have, and then use the prompts to pray with them.

I know some of our families listen each morning over breakfast, others listen as they drive to school, a few listen just before bedtime, and in our house we listen each evening after dinner. All 260 episodes are there, and while some families have now finished and have gone back to the beginning to start again while they wait for Season Two (which is coming later this year), others have moved at a slower pace tackling just two

…walking through the Bible with our children is of such significance it is absolutely worth the effort. or three episodes a week. Every family is unique, so the format is flexible and families can determine what best fits in with their lives.

Ten minutes a day is not nothing. Life

is busy. Homework, swimming lessons, music lessons, sports training, dance classes… we’ve all had those days when we’re just thankful we’ve made it to bedtime, right? (Or is that just me?)

Adding one more thing to the list might seem like one too many, and it certainly requires an effort to carve out that little bit of space consistently in our busy daily schedules; but I believe walking through the Bible with our children is of such significance it is absolutely worth the effort.

For our congregation, it’s been a lovely point of connection during the lockdowns. The church family has read the Bible to our children every day for an entire year. But we’ve also found connections with families from across the world. Each month we do a live online quiz via Zoom, based on the podcast’s content, and we’ve been joined by friends from right across the USA and Canada – we now have friends in eight different states (and counting) and we’ve even reached Hawaii.

So if you’d like to find out more or give it a try, you can search for ‘Edengrove Presents God’s Big Story’ on iTunes, Spotify or any other podcast player, or you can check out our Facebook page (search for EdengroveGBS) or our website www.woodendonkey.org for more

information. Marvin and I would be delighted to have you join us!

Dave McConkey is the coordinator of youth ministry at Edengrove Presbyterian Church, Ballynahinch.

Podcast feedback:

Facebook comments on ‘Edengrove Presents God’s Big Story’ “Our kids range from 13 years old down to a four-year-old, so I needed something that could reach that age range to start our day. God’s Big Story has done just that. It’s fun and entertaining and grabs my younger’s attention but digs into the Bible enough to keep my older kids interested too. It has led into great conversations and helped encourage them to pray. It’s been a great way to start our day; learning more about God’s character and how we can connect with him.”

Anna, Nebraska “We have a seven-year-old and four-year-old. I can’t stress enough how much the whole family LOVES this podcast. We found it less than a month ago and have already listened to 107 episodes. I especially appreciate going through stories you don’t find in your usual children’s story Bibles. They’re short enough that we can usually get through two or three at breakfast. It’s also a great thing to listen to in the car.”

Chris, Texas

Some other podcasts to ponder...

Refined As part of the ongoing Refined initiative, PCI has a series of podcasts available. Refined is the new digital programme for supporting and developing congregational life and witness – more information and resources can be found at www.presbyterianireland.org/refined

Greenways Greenways is a podcast sharing stories and equipping real world Jesus followers to see the kingdom of God break into the vocational space where they lead, live and love. Hosted

by Rev Gareth MacLean and Jonny Campbell.

PCIcast PCIcast is a self described ‘very unofficial’ conversation about life and faith in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland hosted by PCI ministers Craig Lynn and Ben Preston.

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Listening out for

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Photography by Jamie Trimble

his master’s voice

Will Leitch talks to Dr David Bruce as he prepares for another year in the Moderatorial seat.

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o you pray for our Moderator?

If Dr David Bruce and his wife Zoë have met you on their official travels, virtual or in person, you can be sure that they pray for you. First thing in the morning, after breakfast, and after reading a psalm together. It is a commitment they have made, and they admit their list of names quickly became more of a booklet.

For the first time since 1894 the Church has announced that the current Moderator has been nominated to serve for a second term of office.

David Bruce has been noticed by others during his first year as Moderator. Journalists and commentators, politicians and businessmen have remarked how he listens and understands, how he is willing to engage with people and find a point where they can connect.

Interviewers will take him on, and have done so. He is happy with that because he knows that it’s rarely personal, it is just their job. They have noticed that he is gracious, but no pushover, and that he will not be stepping down in June.

In the course of my conversations with our Moderator in the past 12 months, I have come to understand that this happens because of a deliberate and considered approach to the job.

A year ago, armed with notebook and digital recorder, I sat down with David in an office in Church House to interview him about his coming year as Moderator. That I am interviewing him again, a year later, and this time by Zoom, says a great deal about how our lives have changed, not least by the pandemic.

“Moderators will always tell you that they don’t want the job, but they’re willing to do it,” he smiles into his webcam, before he goes on.

“I used to think that was a bit of a cliché, but having lived a year of it, I can say that it’s very much the case.”

David thinks of the issue very simply.

These are not easy times. His role is

Secretary to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s Council for Mission in Ireland.

In his view, to ask a parish minister to set aside his or her duties in such a year would be a very big ask.

“So maybe the Church had a wee bit of wisdom in seeing if I would be willing to do it,” he says.

A year ago, I wrote that in conversation,

with our society, our country, and our island. It takes discipline, wisdom, humility, and hard graft. It’s no job for anyone depending simply on their own strength.

When we speak, it’s a matter of days after a week of rioting and violence on our streets. The news, and the mood in Northern Ireland has been bleak. I ask David about it, and he accepts that violence changes the conversation when he meets people.

He explains that in the previous few days he has met many people, including the Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis MP; the Chief Constable, Simon Byrne; the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; the Shadow Secretary of State, Louise Haigh; and the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC).

He describes how it becomes almost impossible to have nourishing conversations across the divide and create the space where we can differ well. “We can differ badly when there’s violence,” he reflects ruefully.

Yet the perspective of a Christian leader can change a narrative, if they can just, with God’s help, find a way to engage, in a tense situation.

“Hearing the Chief Constable give his take on the Bobby Storey funeral is quite a different narrative David and wife Zoë than a loyalist community leader on the Shankill Road the night after the Lanark Way violence,” David Bruce quietly makes you listen says David. “I had both of those and think. He still does. But with a year experiences”. to look back on, no observer can fail He knows that any leader must to notice how much David thinks, and resist the temptation of borrowing one has thought about his job, and how the narrative and hijacking it for their own.

Presbyterian Church in Ireland interacts But he also knows how Presbyterians are likely to think about his job.

“They expect their Moderator to have David Bruce has been an opinion,” he says. noticed by others He knows he is not called to be a political commentator, or a politician, or a during his first year as journalist. “I’m none of those things – I’m Moderator…how he is a theologian and a pastor, that’s the USP (unique selling point) and, if I can bring willing to engage with that to the table, I will.” people…

I ask him how a minister learns to Herald Summer 2021

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David and Zoë with daughters Ellen and Anna, and granddaughter Marlow.

The couple also have two sons, James and Harry.

conduct meetings at this level, and he explains that he is helped by wise friends, by the experience of former Moderators, and by God’s guidance.

“I always will try and offer to pray with these folk at the end of the meeting,” he says unexpectedly.

At the speed of the internet and through a very ordinary webcam, he sees my eyebrows shoot up – and he smiles back at me from my computer screen.

“Knowing that that is coming moderates greatly what I say,” he explains.

“Has anyone ever said no to the offer of prayer?” I ask.

No. Sometimes it isn’t appropriate to offer, but whenever he has, no one has ever said no.

“I often will find myself saying, ‘You know, the Christian gospel allows us to think optimistically about the future.’”

Before Covid-19 changed everything, I had asked David at length about how society views the church, and how important it can be to explain why our views are not always the prevailing ones.

I always will try and offer to pray…at the end of the meeting…Knowing that that is coming moderates greatly what I say.

He has become known as a Moderator who speaks out boldly and graciously, not least when a subject like so-called gay conversion therapy is in the news, and being debated in the Stormont Assembly.

He explains that the best approach is to think tactically and about the issue itself. The tactics in this case were to be aware, to know that such a debate was coming, and take time to think and pray about it. In this case, an article by David appeared in the Newsletter on the morning of the debate.

“Now if people want to refer to it, or review it, or look out, or quote it they can then do that,” he says.

On the matter of the issue itself, a

David with the other Church leaders

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Moderator can easily be very exposed, particularly where the General Assembly has never debated the matter and there is no accepted position.

“You use your sanctified common sense, you talk with colleagues and you seek to discern what looks and feels like Presbyterianism in relation to this,” David explains.

“You kind of get a sense of what sounds like us as you go on and that’s a really valuable thing you acquire, I don’t think you can learn it, you imbibe it.”

I am struck by the effort our Moderator is required to put in to understand the issues facing our Church. How he researches, reads and listens, rings up the experts and asks for a briefing on everything from street violence, to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Although David is active as ‘PCI Moderator’ on social media sites, such as Twitter, he makes a point of never debating or arguing in those contexts. He prefers to live with the fact that you are sometimes misrepresented, and can make

David thinks that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is being reconfigured from within…

things worse by correcting or rebuking others in public.

“You don’t lose any sleep over it, you let it go,” he says.

“You can only let a thing go and be misrepresented if you’re at peace in your heart, so I know what I’ve done before God and before my wife and before the General Assembly and before whomever else.”

We pause for a moment in our conversation as the evening sunlight slants into our different rooms in different cities. I am struck by the very obvious fact that we are in different rooms, miles apart.

I ask him about his view that Christians have been ‘unpastored by Covid-19’.

He explains that we have been prevented from doing the things that pastors do most intuitively, which is to be with people. David thinks we have been building up a reserve of pastoral needs, which have been unmet.

“I’m certainly getting that narrative from ministers on the ground who are saying they know that,” he adds. But he also tells me that has to be qualified a little because people have been very innovative in the way that they’ve gone about this.

He tells me the story of a young minister who arrived in his first charge just as lockdown began a year ago. He got out an ordinance survey map and he drew three circles covering a mile radius from the manse, a two-mile radius, and the rest of the district. The first circle he walked, the second he cycled, the third he

drove. He phoned ahead, telling people when he’d be at their gate or door, if they wanted to come out and talk.

“Within three months he’d been at least at the front gate of every home within his parish,” smiles David. “That’s a set of pastoral relationships and a demonstration of commitment which will bear fruit in his ministry for years to come.”

That is just one story among many, of people who have been selfless in their approach to being safe but innovative, being pastoral but careful. Churches are planning and innovating in the time God

…it is time to reimagine how we are perceived from the outside, looking in, rather than from the inside, looking out.

has given us to be scattered, but gathered.

David thinks that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is being reconfigured from within, by those who sincerely wish to follow Christ. He believes it is time to reimagine how we are perceived from the outside, looking in, rather than from the inside, looking out.

He explains that 540 congregations, and 540 kirk sessions in Ireland are seeing that God takes the long view.

“So should we. That nothing is wasted, but what currently seems awful, may in retrospect turn out to be providentially wise.

“We see what we see, we see the disruption in front of us, we make sense of it, and then walk by faith.”

Will Leitch has been a journalist and broadcaster for more than 30 years and he serves as an elder at Knock Presbyterian Church in Belfast.

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Every drop makes a ripple Uel Marrs provides an update on how money raised by the Moderator’s Christmas Appeal has been well used and assures readers that their contributions are not just a drop in the ocean.

MODERATOR’S CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2020

alking through the Intensive Care Unit, the doctor’s ears were assaulted by a chorus of alarms as oxygen readings on bedside monitors plummeted, nurses scurried around on the verge of panic as Covid-19 patients gasped for breath. Not for the first time, the hospital’s central oxygen supply had failed. Staff continued about their work in quiet desperation until at long last the next delivery of oxygen cylinders were hooked up, providing a few more hours of supply.

Such was the scene in one Nepali hospital back in May, yet one being replicated in other parts of the country and in neighbouring India and Pakistan where levels of infection have gone beyond the capacity of hospitals and there is an ongoing scramble for ambulances, beds and vital supplies of oxygen so foundational to life-saving treatment.

While here on the island of Ireland we are slowly emerging from a second wave of Covid-19, many countries in the global south where the virus was initially slow to take hold, continue to face devastating loss of life as variants of coronavirus manifest and as the number of new cases surges. Their economies and infrastructure were already fragile and healthcare systems ill-equipped, but now they are on the verge of collapse. In

for their hospitals in Tansen and Okhalduhunga in order to keep functioning through the first wave of Covid-19. Back then the hospitals had lost about 90% of their income because very few of the population were willing to attend as outpatients for fear of catching coronavirus. The funds we sent were vital in helping these hospitals retain their staffing levels during this period.

Two thirds of the funds raised have been released to PCI’s two development partners, Christian Aid and Tearfund, working with partners on the ground across a range of countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Burundi and Myanmar.

The Democratic Republic of Congo not only has a fragile economy, but a fragile peace and Covid-19 has exacerbated many existing problems, threatening to push many families further into poverty. For Christian Aid’s partners on the ground, the Church of Christ in Congo (EECMERU) and Support and Empowerment Service for Women (SARCAF), the focus was on Covid prevention. Two hundred and forty community-based health workers were trained, as well as 30 faith and community leaders so they could hold coronavirus awareness raising sessions in their own communities. In total, they reached over 60,000 people with information about keeping safe from the virus.

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addition, the availability of vaccines is so very limited, with the result that there is an ongoing, devastating loss of life amongst the poorest and most vulnerable.

As followers of Jesus Christ, ever considering what it means to be his disciples, we wonder if we can make any difference at all to overcome this worldwide pandemic. While tempted to despair that our efforts are but a drop in the ocean, we cannot escape Jesus’ command to his disciples to love their neighbours and so to try to do something. One such opportunity came towards the end of 2020 when the Moderator launched a Christmas Appeal to help build resilience amongst the most vulnerable, marginalised and poorest communities of the global south in the face of Covid-19. Fast-forward to May 2021, and we are delighted that almost £350,000 has been raised and distributed to partners working with those in greatest need.

Amongst the beneficiaries is PCI’s partner, the United Mission of Nepal (UMN), who have received support

…many countries in the global south…continue to face devastating loss of life as variants of coronavirus manifest…

Bulonza Mugaruka is a community health worker at the Kashesha Health Centre in South Kivu. She received coronavirus awareness training from ECC-MERU to help prevent its spread in her community. She explained: “We are afraid of coronavirus because it is dangerous and easily contagious and the medical care at our hospital is poor.

If this disease gets to us, it would be a disaster…The community has become very poor because of lockdown. Prices at the market have increased and it’s harder to get basics such as soap, sugar and salt.”

Fakage Bujiriri, a pastor living in Nyamukubi village in Kalehe, South Kivu, received training from SARCAF. He pointed out: “It is important to make sure religious leaders are involved. I was interested to do the training so I could be able to improve my knowledge and pass it on to others through the church. I also make sure people keep a distance when they are in church. I wear this T-shirt which explains how to prevent catching coronavirus.”

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation and ranked the third most vulnerable country in the world to Covid-19, is facing this on top of conflict, food insecurity and flooding. Tearfund has used funds from the Moderator’s Appeal to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in vulnerable communities and to build economic and agricultural resilience in those areas impacted. Tearfund’s partner there, Africa Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries (ALARM), has been able to train community leaders and health professionals in Covid-19 prevention measures, distribute essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and deliver an awareness raising campaign via local radio.

…every drop contributes to a ripple…benefiting future generations of the world’s poorest people.

For those without radio, a team travelled door-to-door to communicate important Covid-19 prevention information. This was vital for Cecilia’s family: “I was worried and confused with my kids, not knowing what to do since I don’t have a radio and people were confusing me with different information in regards to Covid-19....Now I am enlightened about the disease.”

PCI’s Church partners in Malawi, Romania, Indonesia, Lebanon and Syria have been supported in a broad range of Covid-19 related initiatives.

The Compassion Protestant Society (CPS), the diaconal arm of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL), has received funding for their work with the most vulnerable communities, both Lebanese daily wage earners and amongst some 1.1 million Syrians in refugee camps around the country. They have been operating two Covid-19 projects, one focusing on food security and providing food boxes for 1,000 of the poorest families and the other on the provision of hygiene kits for 1,000 families in the refugee camps.

Mphatso Nguluwe, health coordinator for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Livingstonia Synod, expressed her relief that Malawi had passed the peak of the second wave but concern for what a third wave might bring, given that the Indian variant was now spreading in the country. She thanked PCI for funding that had not only been channelled into education

programmes but also towards buying PPE, medicines and drugs, and making ready additional hospital beds.

Writing recently to ministers, the Moderator, Dr David Bruce, acknowledged the unprecedented demands that the pandemic had placed on so many here on our island home yet he expressed deep appreciation for how our Presbyterian family have shown a prayerful and sacrificial generosity of spirit in raising such a significant sum of money for the Christmas Appeal; demonstrating a deep compassion and practical concern for those in need beyond our shores, which is in and of itself, a powerful social witness of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Undoubtedly, there is a great deal still to do, not least the foundational need for oxygen supplies and the provision of vaccines. You may feel as though your contribution was just a drop in the ocean, but be assured, every drop contributes to a ripple, ultimately leading to the building of resilience in families, communities, and in some cases benefiting future generations of the world’s poorest people.

As Covid-19 makes so many hunger for every breath, may God grant his disciples a contagious enthusiasm to continue caring generously and prayerfully for our global neighbours.

“Breathe on me, breath of God: fill me with life anew, that I may love as you have loved, and do as you would do.”

Rev Uel Marrs is Secretary to the Council for Global Mission.

There is still time to donate to the Moderator’s Appeal. Please go to www.presbyterianireland.org/ donate and select ‘Moderator’s Christmas Appeal 2020’ from the menu.

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COP26 or cop out?

Ahead of COP26, the United Nations climate change conference, Allen Sleith looks at how we can engage more effectively with this important issue.

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wrote an article on climate change (‘Turning over a new leaf ’) for the Herald back in March 2019. It seems almost like a bygone era because between then and now the coronavirus pandemic has caused global upheaval and changed our lives enormously. Yet amidst all this threat, flux and adaptation life goes on and stable constants still endure.

Words such as ‘unprecedented’ have tripped off our tongues and there is much talk about ‘getting back to normal’, yet I wonder about the wisdom of that latter sentiment.

In his poem The Bright Field, R.S. Thomas writes after seeing the sun break through on a seemingly bleak scene, “Life is not hurrying on to a receding future, nor hankering after an imagined past.

It is the turning aside like Moses to the miracle of the lit bush, to a brightness that seemed as transitory as your youth once, but is the eternity that awaits you.”

The Christian faith, life lived in response to God’s good news is akin

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to that moment of revelation in which our common place, day-to-day existence is illumined and inspired by the divine.

Moses, and many others, have experienced this as God evokes radical change. Such faith becomes contemplative practice, in which prayer and praxis work in synergy as we pursue our Christian calling. We are neither pessimists nor optimists, but follow the path of Christian discipleship, our hope centred on God in Christ. So, when crises come, as they have and will, the Spirit works within and among us to aid our discernment in setting priorities and

Optimistic denialism feels it has too much to lose to undergo radical change in the direction of divestment…

acting in ways that fit with God’s ever greater will and its radiant focus in Jesus.

Covid-19 has been one such crisis.

COP26 is meant to help avert another crisis, one which has been longer in the making, and is likely of even greater consequence. A quick internet search will explain more about these strange acronyms. COP26 is the 26th Conference of the Parties, the nearly 200 governments that belong to the UN and who will meet in Glasgow this November, postponed for a year by, yes, you’ve guessed, Covid-19. COP26 will follow on from the last major meeting in late 2015, at which the Paris Climate Accord was agreed, an imperfect but nonetheless landmark achievement in coordinated global attempts to address and curb the contributing causes and damaging effects of climate change.

Its critics say that the COP process is more about aspiration than action, and that not nearly enough is legally binding on governments who will largely protect their own people’s interests in the short-termism that predominates in conventional politics. Nonetheless, a more common and generous interpretation is that it is no small achievement getting these, sometimes fractious parties, to the same table to address a common issue, and that the reality and urgency of climate change is concentrating minds like never before.

Two temptations are present as the climate change crisis looms large. The first, and more dangerous of the two, is that of ‘denialism’. Whether by optimism or opportunism, or a combination of both, it is alleged that the vested interests of many in the fossil fuel or financial investment industries lead to much time, effort and resources being put into trying to undermine the overwhelming scientific consensus that many aspects of human activity, since the Industrial Revolution, have led to critical consequences for our climate and ecosystems. More passively, perhaps, this temptation has the tacit support of consumers who covet the creature comforts of their affluent lifestyles. Recognise anyone?

The second temptation is that of ‘alarmism’, promoted by those who need no convincing of the threat to our planet, and who care deeply about our collective future, but who sometimes interpret the scientific data in unfortunate ways: overemphasising or extrapolating those scary scenarios for which the weight of evidence doesn’t exist or is inconclusive.

The irony here is that these two opposing mindsets end up reinforcing the status quo but for different reasons and by contrasting means. Optimistic denialism feels it has too much to lose to undergo radical change in the direction of divestment, whereas pessimistic alarmism puts many off by its in-yourface tactics and dire prognostications.

And so, paralysis reigns when accurate interpretation, truthful communication and responsible calibrated action is set aside.

What role can or could the church play here? What about our denomination, your congregation, you as a follower of Christ? The answer is manifold and

involves consideration and debate at various levels and in different ways.

What’s clear is that the church is not the world and has its own reasons for what it says, how it responds, which priorities it should pursue, and why it does so. This may involve some degree of common cause with other agencies for a world impacted by climate change, and where such overlap occurs, we contribute to those joint enterprises as best we can.

But the church remains the church, a particular people who worship and serve the Triune God, and therefore there is a specificity and distinctiveness about our work in this area that belongs inherently to our witness as the body of Christ.

…pessimistic alarmism puts many off by its inyour-face tactics and dire prognostications.

What might that involve? My own conviction is that it leads to certain imperatives; but here I deliberately avoid the language of ‘should’, ‘must’, ‘need’ and ‘have to’ which pepper many articles on the Christian life. Simply said: that tactic generally doesn’t work; the tendency to scold, harangue or dig the finger into people’s chest rarely has much positive effect. So let me give some pointers, directions of travel, if you will, that we the church might well pursue here: Be informed. The internet can furnish you with a vast amount of information, knowledge and interpretation on climate change, COP26 and the cluster of issues that this article can only touch upon. I recommend reading Riders on the Storm: The climate crisis and the survival of being by Alastair McIntosh. This gives a clear, sane and manageable overview of the relevant scientific consensus of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s three main special reports that COP26 depends upon. One of these IPCC reports, ‘Special Report – Global Warming of 1.5 degrees C (SR1.5)’

states the imperative of keeping global temperature rises below 1.5 or at least 2.0 degrees in order to avert widespread disaster. Other writers such as Larry Rasmussen, Paul Santmire, Richard Bauckham, Michael Northcott, Tim Gorringe and Cynthia Moe-Lobeda have all served the church well in this burgeoning field and have much to teach us.

Be inspired. This is God’s good creation. Beloved by God, it is now a fallen world, beleaguered by human sin, and its many consequences, but still the arena in which Christ came to reconcile and which the Spirit is working to redeem. Others may be inspired to tackle climate change for their own reasons, many of which are laudable, but the church does so because it loves the God who created, sustains and saves it by grace, and so aligns itself with such love.

The Holy Spirit, who is both beyond us and yet more intimate to us than our own breath is the source of what inspires us as disciples of Christ to cherish the planet which God has blessed us with and which, even in its travails, yearns for the hope of glory of a new creation (Romans 8).

Be transformed. Whatever we may think ought to be done or done differently in response to climate change, and there is much; our world and our lives are ultimately in God’s hands. Transformation is both gift and task but more God’s gift than our task.

When Moses encountered God at the burning bush it was a moment of crisis but also an opportunity: a lifechanging revelation. So, also, for those who encountered Jesus and any who still meet the living Christ. As McIntosh writes, “Climate change can press us to deeper layers of reflection than we might ever have entertained before.” He continues, “A crisis is too good a chance to waste.”

Rev Allen Sleith is the minister of Hillsborough congregation and is the Stewardship of Creation agent as part of the Council for Global Mission.

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The gift of

presence

Suzanne Hamilton looks at how churches can support families affected by suicide.

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ecords show that during 2019 there were 630 deaths by suicide throughout Ireland, 209 in Northern Ireland and 421 in the Republic. While numbers on statistical reports give an idea of the prevalence of suicide, it goes no way to reflect the desperation and hopelessness felt by those 630 people. It certainly doesn’t reflect the enduring pain felt by their grieving families.

Often many families don’t know where to turn to after such a traumatic loss.

Many will look to the church and the minister to provide this much-needed support. It is often this help which sustains them, long after statutory services have left.

Knowing how to support a family in such a situation can be difficult, but Flourish! – a partnership between Lighthouse Ireland, clergy from across

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the Christian churches in where family members not Northern Ireland and the only grieve the loss of the Public Health Agency – loved one, but also face the strives to equip ministers for trauma of the suicide. “When such a time. One initiative it comes to a sudden illness, is a theological online a murder, an accident, an training session exploring act of terrorism, there’s an the relationship between explanation somewhere. It theological understandings doesn’t mean it’s acceptable, of suicide and mental health, but there’s an explanation.

Conor McCafferty historical developments and With suicide, the family don’t how this translates into pastoral action. see one.”

Psychotherapist Conor McCafferty, He explains that the direct aftermath who facilitates the session, explains that of a suicide involves dealing with officials, death by suicide is a complicated grief, police and making funeral arrangements.

In shock and with so much to do, it is common for the family to look to the Families will be feeling minister and the church. This may mean strong emotions of helping with the practical arrangements or accompanying them to the scene. anger, rejection and “What you’ll find is the family will replay abandonment. the final moments. It’s being with them

while they do that. There’s nothing you can say, it’s about presence at that stage,” explains Conor.

There will be numbness and shock.

Some will vocally try to understand what happened, others will go into denial.

“Others can’t get the pictures out of their head, especially if they found the body…

It’s important to realise all these things are going on in the aftermath.”

He warns that families may feel shame and isolation. He says it can become the family’s secret as they consider what to tell and to whom. They may worry about what neighbours will think because some stigma still exists to a point. “Probably one of the most debilitating parts of recovery and healing from a death of suicide is that sense of stigma.”

Questions will arise over whether to mention it in the funeral service, and while this is the family’s decision, they may be divided. “Some will want it talked about, others won’t, and sometimes it can cause a lot of conflict within a family as to how we deal with this.”

Even without conflict, the families will be feeling strong emotions of anger, rejection and abandonment. “How could they do this to us? That can be really intense and difficult to sort out,” says Conor. The ‘why’ question will also come up, but this is one there’s no answer to, he adds, saying, “There’s only one person who knows why and that person has died.

The ‘why’ question isn’t so much looking for an answer, it’s wanting comfort…

At some point each individual will settle on their own answer, they will settle on something which makes it ok for them, and it can be different for everybody.”

In some cases, families may have some feelings of relief that the deceased is no longer in pain, having been mentally ill for a while and previously attempted suicide. Others may have survivor guilt of ‘what if ?’. “They’ll condemn themselves for failing to predict the death or to intervene effectively or on time. We know from studies that survivors tend to overestimate their own contributing role – they want to blame themselves, they want to be guilty. They like to think it was ‘my fault’ because then it takes away the whole sense of rejection.” Hindsight isn’t a perfect science though, he says, pointing out that we don’t live our lives

wondering if someone is going to take their own lives.

Conor warns that families who lose someone to suicide become at risk themselves, of thinking about, planning or attempting suicide. “It’s the severe pain that drives a person to take their own life. The family is now in severe pain, therefore the vulnerability exists for them.” He says it’s not unusual for someone to wish they were dead after the loss of a loved one, but if that thought gets more intense or persists, it’s important they seek help from a mental health professional. This is where the minister, elder or pastoral care worker can give information and intervene by asking if they are ok and pointing out they seem low.

It’s about integrating the grief over time as opposed to just experiencing it.

Recognising and understanding the wide range of emotions that can be expected in such a stressful situation is only part of it though. It is also important to know how to react and pastor so as not to compound the hurt being felt.

“There’s nothing you can say that’s going to ease this. This is the importance then of listening and compassion,” Conor says, adding that it is about providing a place where family members can let go of their feelings, instead of letting those feelings build up.

He says it’s important to lower the family’s expectations, to just take one day at a time, to know there will be good and bad days, and that there is no going back to normal. There will be a new normal that the person has to create for themselves, which includes the memory of the one they’ve lost. The healing is trial and error – what works for one may not work for another. “The important thing is for families to be with people who understand and avoid those who don’t.”

He says grief is not the same for everyone and there are no rules to how long it will last. “The important thing is the direction of the grief, not the time that it takes. It’s about integrating

the grief over time as opposed to just experiencing it…It’s not about sitting and waiting for it to go away, you have to get actively involved in self-care.”

This self-care may include talking, expressing their feelings through writing, art or music, exercising or taking up a new hobby. Educating themselves about suicide, grief and trauma can also help.

“The self-care is about relaxation, being good to their bodies, taking that time to themselves. It’s really important that they learn to do that…you need to encourage them in these things.”

If the grief is not going in the right direction and the person has lost all purpose or is not even trying to create self-care, it is vital that professional help is sought. “You need to get the family to contact the person’s GP to say we need help here, because you’ll find if the person gets that bad, they’re not in a place to make a good decision for themselves.”

Other organisations which can help include CRUSE, the Samaritans and Bereaved by Suicide networks, which are available in most Northern Ireland health trusts.

Conor says ‘the gift of presence’ is how the minister and church community can help. “Be available, not intrusive, and remember anniversaries.” Anniversaries, especially the first, and birthdays can be particularly painful, so prepare the family in advance for the potential for strong emotions and make sure that they feel supported. He suggests making a note of the anniversary, and sending a text on the day to let the family know they are being thought of. “Demonstrate your ongoing support and appreciation of the loss.”

He says staying close is vital as failure to do so will make the family feel stigmatised and cut off. Recognising that it can be difficult to know what to say, he simply advises, “When words fail, prayers become our words.”

For further information and resources, go to www.wewillflourish.com

Herald Summer 2021

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Has culture

been cancelled?

David Smyth questions just how ‘free’ free speech really is.

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id you hear the one about the atheist who was excommunicated for blasphemy?

Twenty-five years ago, avowed atheist Richard Dawkins was presented with the ‘Humanist of the Year’ award by the American Humanist Association. In April 2021 he was stripped of this award because he posted this tweet: “In 2015, Rachel Dolezal, a white chapter president of NAACP, was vilified for identifying as black. Some men choose to identify as women, and some women choose to identify as men.

You will be vilified if you deny that they literally are what they identify as.

Discuss.”

Richard Dawkins proved himself to be right. He was ‘vilified’, but not for denying anybody anything, rather for daring to pose this question.

Humanists used to be widely known as ‘free-thinkers’. A commitment to genuine scepticism and non-religious rationality was long a source of pride. However, Mr Dawkins thought a wrong thought and

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asked a wrong question. To query how anybody identifies is to ascend a holy hill with unclean hands. A viral cry of heresy went up from the new puritans. The witch-trial was swift and punishment handed down by the high priests of the new orthodoxy.

A one-off story or is there something deeper going on in our world right now?

In July 2020 a group of 150 writers, including Malcom Gladwell, J.K. Rowling and John Banville published ‘A letter on justice and open debate’. The following quote from the letter is long but summarises their concerns neatly and much better than I can:

A prevailing mood that ‘wrong’ views should be shut down and…the people holding these views should be punished, shamed and shunned.

“The free exchange of information and ideas, the lifeblood of a liberal society, is daily becoming more constricted.

While we have come to expect this on the radical right, censoriousness is also spreading more widely in our culture: an intolerance of opposing views, a vogue for public shaming and ostracism, and the tendency to dissolve complex policy issues in a blinding moral certainty. We uphold the value of robust and even caustic counter-speech from all quarters.

But it is now all too common to hear calls for swift and severe retribution in response to perceived transgressions of speech and thought. More troubling still, institutional leaders, in a spirit of panicked damage control, are delivering hasty and disproportionate punishments instead of considered reforms. Editors are fired for running controversial pieces; books are withdrawn for alleged inauthenticity; journalists are barred from writing on certain topics; professors are investigated for quoting works of literature in class; a researcher is fired for circulating a peer-reviewed academic

study; and the heads of organisations are ousted for what are sometimes just clumsy mistakes. Whatever the arguments around each particular incident, the result has been to steadily narrow the boundaries of what can be said without the threat of reprisal. We are already paying the price in greater risk aversion among writers, artists, and journalists who fear for their livelihoods if they depart from the consensus, or even lack sufficient zeal in agreement.”

‘Cancel culture’ – that’s the term given to what is being described here.

A prevailing mood that ‘wrong’ views should be shut down and, more than that, the people holding these views should be punished, shamed and shunned.

I remember a debate in school began with a quote from Evelyn Beatrice Hall: “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”

This idea of defending freedom of speech (and freedom of religion) for the common good used to broadly unite those on the right and the left, as evidenced in the first amendment of the US constitution. Today I am increasingly concerned that any defence of these foundational freedoms is understood as a cover for those on the right of the political spectrum to continue to espouse their ‘bigoted’ views. The experiences of Richard Dawkins and J.K. Rowling, who are by no means right of centre, should concern us all and quickly demonstrate that concerns about cancel culture have real-life impacts across the political divide.

Even when the law is clear that there is freedom to express particular views, the fear of social stigma from ‘cancel culture’ and/or the perception of it is getting closer to home. In the past few years I have been contacted by quite a number of distressed people working in education, healthcare, business, the arts and other fields, all concerned that if they dared to voice their views (all of which were orthodox teachings of the church) or even raise questions, they would face disciplinary proceedings or worse.

So how can we live faithfully and fruitfully in a culture where many of the beliefs we hold as Christians will come into sharp and costly conflict with current sensibilities? May I suggest James

1:19 as a verse of Scripture to meditate upon as we consider this question and make a few suggestions: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Be quick to hear. The swing towards moral fundamentalism is a dramatic shift away from the post-modern relativism which arguably dominated Western culture for the previous few decades in various forms. This rapid change has not happened in a vacuum. What is the ‘good’

It is important that we posture ourselves humbly and carefully within this unfolding culture war. being pursued? What is the fear behind this strong desire to shut down speech and ideas deemed offensive? What is the harm feared? Who are the vulnerable to be protected? Who are those causing the harm? Why is a diversity of views around some issues seen as a threat? In short, it is important that we listen carefully and try to better understand both the good and the bad in these changes.

Slow to speak. Words hold such creative potential to transform people and nations for good. However, the tongue, as James goes on to elaborate, is also like a fire, restless and full of deadly poison. Some speech by some Christians is offensive and rude, destructive and undermines the very gospel we seek to proclaim. It is important to say that speech is rarely ‘free’ in many senses of the word. Honest speech often comes at great personal cost and people have often lost many things, including their lives, for testifying to what they believe to be true. Sometimes truth needs to be spoken despite the consequences and sometimes it is wiser to remain silent. I pray for wisdom, bravery and grace as we consider both the cost and power of our speech.

Slow to anger. It is important that we posture ourselves humbly and carefully within this unfolding culture war. The public square and social media is like

a tinder box in some places. It will be tempting to pick a side and try to fight the ‘other’ but we, and the battle, belong to the Lord. There will be a temptation to use the same tactics, to try to ‘cancel’ those we disagree with. Both inside and outside of the church, it will be increasingly important to create spaces to encourage genuine questions and patiently mediate differences of opinion.

It will also be important to discern when action is required to biblically address deliberate heresies in words, beliefs and practices which run counter to Scripture from either the ‘right’ or the ‘left’.

Finally, perhaps what troubles me most about ‘cancel culture’ is that there is seemingly no way back, no forgiveness, no atonement for secular sins. So what an opportunity we have at this time to share the gospel. An increasingly controversial and costly message to share, but one of hope and redemption where no one is cancelled. Where the “whosoever will” can turn to Jesus and find a new identity, a new life and redemption – whatever they have done or said.

David Smyth is Head of Evangelical Alliance NI.

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Mind matters Sarah Harding chats to Katharine Hill about her timely new book, A Mind of Their Own: Building your child’s emotional wellbeing in a post-pandemic world.

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nyone who has watched the US comedy sitcom The Goldbergs will be familiar with the loveable, but overbearing mother, Beverly Goldberg. Dubbed ‘the smother’ by her frustrated children, she sees her parenting role as one where she should interfere and fix everything, telling the kids, “You should know, no matter where you are or what you’re doing, I will always fight for you in an embarrassing and inappropriate way.”

I have great sympathy for Beverly. She is acting on her natural instincts as a mother, to care for, support and love her children. However, she has missed one very important point about parenting, that Katharine Hill’s new book, A Mind of Their Own, helpfully addresses: “Our goal isn’t to bring up children; it is to bring up adults who are confident, resilient and secure in their identity – adults who have a mind of their own.”

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The Covid crisis Katharine Hill began writing her book on the emotional wellbeing of children before anyone had heard of Covid-19. At that stage she says, “There was headline after headline of a mounting mental health crisis among young people.” As UK Director of Care for the Family, she had also noticed an increase in phone calls the charity was receiving from parents struggling to cope. “We could see it was an issue and I really wanted to put

something into parents’ hands that would help them have confidence and help equip their children.”

The advent of Covid made the book even more timely. With research showing an increase in Covid related worries about anxiety, sleep, loneliness, eating disorders and self-harm, Katharine says, “A growing body of evidence suggests that the fallout from the pandemic on young people’s wellbeing could be significant and long term.”

The pandemic has not been easy for children at any stage of development, and whether through the loss of socialisation, education, activities, or significant milestones, all have been affected.

However, some have coped with the impact better than others; so too their parents. Katharine’s book is well placed for those parents who feel they are barely clinging on when it comes to navigating their children through these Covid days,

but equally has sage advice and practical tips relevant for any time and at any stage.

You were never their age The book begins with an anecdote that challenges the old adage, “When I was your age…” Katharine highlights that a comparison about childhoods can never be drawn because, “our children are growing up in a fast-changing world, light years away from the one most of us grew up in.”

Aside from the pandemic, there are many issues that have contributed to the mental health issues of young people, but none more so than the digital age.

Katharine observes, “If you match the increase in anxiety and stress with emotional wellbeing in our children’s lives, it coincides with the introduction of the smartphone, which I think is no coincidence.

“The fact that they could be online 24/7, the pressure of the selfie culture, of having to match up with other people’s showreels, of being exposed to 24/7 news, and the image heavy platforms like Instagram…it’s complex.”

Katharine cites a campaign by The Children’s Society (before the pandemic) that displayed items to reflect modern childhood; the choice of items was concerning: “They included a stab vest, anxiety concealer make-up…and a selfhate notebook, so it kind of says it all.”

The outlook may look bleak and the challenges may be great, but thankfully A Mind of Their Own encourages confidence in parents that they can turn the tide, positively influencing their children’s mental health and increasing their

Unexpressed emotions do not die, they are simply buried and come out in other uglier ways. resilience. With 21 chapters there is a wealth of information to glean, but a few key chapters offer particularly poignant advice for the days we are living in.

It’s ok to be emotional Katharine says it’s important parents understand that the ups and downs of emotion are part and parcel of family life.

“I think we’ve sometimes been sold the lies that: 1. Our family homes are always going to be this peaceful haven and 2. If our children aren’t happy, somehow we’ve failed as parents. Neither of those are true.”

Emotions are part of how our brains are designed and so we cannot escape them. But how we manage them is very significant to our wellbeing.

“Unexpressed emotions do not die, they are simply buried and come out in other uglier ways.”

Therefore, it is vital children learn how to deal with and express emotions.

Katharine advises that we should never dismiss our children’s emotions, nor cast judgment or frustration on children because of how they are feeling. Rather we should see it as an opportunity to talk to them, help them to label their emotions and deal with them in a healthy way.

She explains, “Talking to our children about their feelings also helps avoid another issue that underlies so many

emotional health issues in our culture – a fear of emotions, especially anxiety.

When a natural healthy reaction becomes a fear trigger, we try to suppress what we feel and a vicious circle of anxiety develops.”

For those parents who may be despairing of the swinging emotions of their adolescents, she suggests that just understanding the science behind what is going on physically with their brains can help.

“The pre-frontal cortex isn’t yet formed, so they are literally thinking with their emotions, and they’re trying to work out their identity away from us as parents.

You may think they’ve gone to a distant planet, but they will come back. It’s just about hanging on in there… this is the roller coaster of the teenage years.”

It’s ok to fail Today’s culture seems skewed to shield children from failure. For example, many schools adopt a ‘everyone wins’ approach to sports day, to try and avoid the reality that if there is a winner, there will also be losers. Katharine highlights that this approach is doing our children more harm than good, because if children cannot learn to accept failure, they will never develop resilience. In the book she quotes legendary basketball player, Michael Jordan: “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

For parents, the problem is that we long to see our children succeed at Herald Summer 2021

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everything, so we are hard-wired to help them avoid any kind of failure.

“Our every instinct is to swathe them in bubble wrap, cushioning them from disappointment and the hard knocks of life,” says Katharine.

Two types of parenting style are highlighted as not being helpful: the helicopter parent and the snow plough parent. (Beverly Goldberg definitely fits the bill for both!). The helicopter parent will “hover over their children…ready to swoop in at a second’s notice to avert catastrophe and guarantee success.” The snow plough parent is slightly different: “they go ahead and sweep all the obstacles out of the way.”

Katharine acknowledges that she often fell into the trap of both when her four children were growing up. “I would always be driving across town with a forgotten football kit or the ingredients of a lemon meringue pie.” So, hard as it is, parents need to fight the urge to always swoop in. “Allowing them to experience the discomfort or tension when things don’t work out as they’d hoped is the seedbed for them growing resilience, and that’s the quality we want them to grow in their lives.”

Allowing them to experience the discomfort…when things don’t work out as they’d hoped is the seedbed for them growing resilience…

It’s ok to be ordinary

Hope

Another key piece of advice that flies in the face of today’s ‘you can have it all’ culture is the acceptance of being ordinary.

“I think our celebrity culture has given us this message that our children have to be extraordinary,” says Katharine. “So, on TV you’ve got Love Island, The Great British Bake Off, The Apprentice – all shows that give the message that they

Whilst it’s obvious that applying the techniques and advice in A Mind of Their Own to a young child is the ideal time to start, Katharine is reassuring for any parent who panics that it’s too late to act.

“Having written it, I now feel like I wish I’d done more of this when our children were small. But it’s absolutely never too late!”

Her goal is to encourage parents and

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can be extraordinary. Of course, we want them to be the absolute best they can be, but not everyone can be extraordinary.”

It is this desire to be extraordinary that is a major source of anxiety amongst young people. She recommends that whilst parents will, of course, praise achievement when children do well, it is much better to focus on praising “character, attitude and effort.”

She affirms that parents can make a dramatic difference in their children’s lives if they consider carefully the messages they are passing on, “We can help them have a realistic view of themselves, and this means encouraging them to celebrate their strengths and to know and manage their weaknesses.”

give them confidence, and part of this is in helping them be good mental health role models. Psychologist, Dr Kate Middleton, is quoted several times in the book and Katharine recently did a podcast with her. She shares, “I asked her, ‘What’s the most important thing that parents can do coming out of the pandemic?’…and she said – by a country mile – it is to look after their own emotional wellbeing. Of course, this is an anxious time for all of us, so we shouldn’t beat ourselves up, but do the things that replenish us (like having a bath or going for a walk), because our children are like little barometers – they pick up how we’re feeling.”

Katharine is also optimistic that the pandemic has the potential to bring about positive change. She refers to Dr Roger Bretherton who observed that the generation of children who grew up during the Second World War are seen as “one of the most resourceful, resilient and stoic, because they learned so much from facing challenges in their youth.”

In the same way, perhaps children of the pandemic will emerge stronger from it.

She says, “I honestly believe that our children – tough as it is, and it’s not going to happen overnight – will develop resilience and will be, I think, much more resourceful as a result of it. We would never have wanted it to happen, but the Bible talks about treasures in the darkness and I think there are some treasures there for us.”

There is also good news for children growing up in families of faith. “There is some lovely research from the University of Pennsylvania that says that…one of the most important things for our

children establishing their identity is to have, what they call, a ‘something bigger than me’ mindset.”

For Christian parents, it is therefore encouraging to know that passing on faith to our children and letting them know there is a God who loves them unconditionally is not only good for their spiritual health, but also for their mental health. Katharine urges Christian parents to pray for their children’s mental health, just as they would for their physical health.

“I love it when St Paul talks about the renewing of our minds because he’s actually talking about the plasticity of the brain – the fact that our brains can develop and change and get stronger, and certainly with our children there’s every

Our brains aren’t fixed and through practise we can build stronger and more positive neural pathways. chance of that.”

Most encouragingly, Katharine is full of hope for those children who do experience difficulties with their mental health, believing the effects can be reversed. Our brains aren’t fixed and through practise we can build stronger and more positive neural pathways.

Likening negative thoughts to a well-

A Mind of Their Own Katharine Hill MUDDY PEARL

£12.99

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After a year of a pandemic, never has Katherine Hill’s book been more needed by bewildered parents. With many children and young people struggling with their mental health for the first time, and others finding that their existing difficulties have been exacerbated, A Mind of Their Own speaks into these situations with wisdom, advice and humour.

Katharine draws on the experiences of a vast range of parents and children, so readers will be sure to recognise issues that reflect their own families. When children struggle, parents can feel overwhelmed, guilty and desperate. Katharine

worn path in our brain – easy to venture down – and positive thoughts to an overgrown one, she says, “It’s difficult at first, like breaking through brambles… you walk through and it’s really hard work to try and think positively, but there’s a little bit of a path there and then you do it again and again…you break down all that undergrowth and eventually it’s clear, and the other path starts to be overgrown.

“We can teach our children to think differently; it is hard and does take hard work – we will have to keep encouraging them – but it is 100% possible.”

carefully achieves a non-judgmental and encouraging tone throughout that will instil confidence and hope in parents going forward.

There are many pearls of wisdom, particularly in relation to the times we are living in. This book will help parents to take perspective on the best ways to communicate with and respond to their children, often in contrast to what their natural instincts may be. At the end of each chapter, there are action points which are very practical and achievable, as well as suggested activities and a ‘zip it’ section, highlighting what not to say.

It is relevant to all age groups, but would be best read as early as possible. It is much better to be mindful and prepared for what your children may encounter before they get there. In a sea of parenting books, A Mind of their Own stands apart as one that is especially relevant and helpful in these times and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

SARAH HARDING

Herald Summer 2021

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TALKING POINTS

Understanding loyalism Norman Hamilton takes a look at loyalism and outlines how we can and should do more to reach out to loyalist communities.

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readily accepted the editor’s invitation to write this piece secondary schools in the area. Look for ways to encourage the on loyalism, not least because it has scarcely been out of principal, the teachers, classroom assistants and other staff. Ask the news this year. And often that media coverage has been how you can help. Their role in shaping and developing the about parades (notified and unnotified), protests, drug lives of the children and young people in their care cannot be dealing, paramilitarism and the horrors of suicide in so many overstated, given the many pressures around them. communities.

3. But arguably, the most important step to take is to work Yet that is far from being the whole story, and so, in this brief steadily at understanding the ‘culture’ of loyalism and loyalist article I want to be clear – even forthright – and to issue several people much, much better than is normally the case. It is not challenges to you as a reader – and, if I may be allowed to say so, adequate to simply read media reports, or listen only to the I really am looking for some clear response to these challenges. loudest voices that emerge from loyalism. Loyalist communities Loyalism is part of the wider ‘unionist’ family, with a very are full of people who want the best for their children. They strong allegiance to the Crown, irrespective of what political want to be delivered from the fear and grip of the poverties party is in power in Westminster. It is largely (though not I mentioned earlier. They also have a lot to teach us – not entirely) based in working class areas, has least their rejection of the suffocating a strong community focus, and is a million …many loyalists feel individualism that is so rampant. They miles away from comfortable middle-class ignored and really do care about their neighbours, and suburbia or rural life. Given the way that they really do care for them. marginalised, and so our electoral system works, relatively few Their communities are troubled that councillors with a loyalist background are the promised benefits of the Belfast local congregational elected to local councils, and there is no Agreement have not materialised. In April ministers are often key direct representation amongst MLAs. this year, a councillor drew attention to the This means that many loyalists feel voiced by loyalist communities people in the community. sentiment ignored and marginalised, and so local as being overwhelmingly one of decline congregational ministers are often key and deepening social dislocation. “These people in the community. It is, I think, very important to areas have been [badly] neglected,” he said. “They feel they appreciate the role that many of our ministers and elders have haven’t seen the benefits of the Peace Process.” When politics been playing, not only in recent weeks and months, but over the fail, distress always follows. long term in bringing the grace of God to individuals, families Let me end on a clear biblical note. It is central to any proper and loyalist communities in the most difficult of situations. reading of the Bible, that God’s people are to care for those They are an exceptional group of Christian men and women in need or distress as far as that is possible. They are not to exercising an exceptionally God-honouring ministry. be ignored, marginalised or written off. Any doubt on this is The marginalisation expresses itself in a poverty of dispelled when we read the gospels and look at the people Jesus opportunity, a poverty of hope and a poverty of ongoing support himself ministered to. from wider society. These expressions of deep poverty provide The words of Psalm 82 are timeless and remain so very the breeding ground for criminality, paramilitarism and serious appropriate: “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the decline in mental health. Those of us who are followers of cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the Jesus Christ must not simply lament what is happening, but be needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” energised by the grace of God to play our part in breaking these Loyalist communities are certainly worthy of such deliverance. cycles of poverty and hopelessness. There are no quick fixes, and And the Lord uses people like you and me to help bring that we must not simply ‘pass the buck’ to government to deal with about. the many issues.

So I plead with you to pick up on at least one of the following suggestions.

1. Please make regular contact (say every month or six weeks) Rev Dr Norman Hamilton with one of our ministers working in a loyalist or indeed any deprived area – by email, text or phone call. Ask how to support Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton is a former them in your prayers, and follow that through carefully.

Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in 2. Make sure that you offer active support to the primary and Ireland.

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Herald Summer 2021

SUMMER 2021

Mission Connect

Challenging times in Nepal

Embracing change David Boyd

Mission news from workers around Ireland and the world.

God’s perfect timing Josh McCance What can the PCI do to help end domestic abuse?

Jacqui Montgomery-Devlin Opening doors in the west Rev Helen Freeburn Challenging times in Nepal Peter and Valerie Lockwood

Every aspect of our Church’s mission depends to some extent on United Appeal. Hundreds of projects and programmes at home and overseas are helping to advance God’s kingdom, showing God’s love in action to hundreds of thousands of people.

Theological Books Blantyre Volker and Jinheoyg Glissmann

Including summer prayer diary

Embracing change David Boyd

Irish mission worker in Dublin

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ou don’t need me to tell you that the past year has been the that distance is not a barrier to participation. My son, Ethan, and most challenging period in our lifetime. The pandemic has his wife, Stephanie, have been very involved with the café for a radically altered every aspect of life as we know it, and in long time. They went to Brazil last December to visit Stephanie’s particular the life of our churches. It has presented a threat to long- mother and have been there ever since, as there are no flights established and cherished patterns, but it also offers opportunities available to enable a return to Ireland. However, through Zoom, for significant, life-affirming they can still play a leading role change. in the café, just as if they were …far from railing against the restrictions placed right here in Dublin.

Many of us in the church have resisted the digital I am currently doing a weekly upon us, we should be seeing it as a God-given revolution, wanting to cling to Bible study with a woman who opportunity… the old ways of doing things, attended the café. She has only to find ourselves flung been back home in Germany into the deep end of YouTube, Zoom, Facebook et al, with the since last December but still joins me on Wednesday nights for closure of our church buildings. It has been a steep learning curve Bible study with another woman. I have been using the Word One but has opened up the possibility of reaching people who would to One material which is ideally suited for use on Zoom, and the never darken the door of the church. two women are enthusiastic about the difference these studies are In Adelaide Road congregation, the lockdown has meant the making to their lives. closure of our church building, and our services, prayer meetings, So, despite its negative aspects, living through lockdown has home groups, Session and committee meetings have all moved shown me that, far from railing against the restrictions placed online. Our international café has also been forced to go online, upon us, we should be seeing it as a God-given opportunity to use which is far from ideal, as a communal meal, and the fellowship the resources that he has made available to us, in new and creative around that, was the central hub of our student gatherings. ways.

However, for international students living through lockdown, staring at four walls, even our online café is a welcome diversion Please pray: and an opportunity to practise their English. They are as delighted • Pray for the café team and the students that we meet online to see us as we are to see them!

• Pray for the new ‘buddy’ system that we are setting up where In our café on Zoom, we can play games and chat with the we will try to match each student with a mentor from the café students in breakout rooms, building relationships that hopefully team. lead to deeper conversations and invitations for them to join us in • Pray for the Bible studies with the students.

Bible studies online. One advantage of this online arrangement is Mission Connect | Herald Summer 2021

God’s perfect timing

Josh McCance

Community outreach worker in Donabate and Balbriggan

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ork in Donabate and Balbriggan has looked very walks. The rhythm of Bible studies and church services on Zoom different in the past year! created a sense of structure to the week for many people and gave With the help of Donabate Presbyterian Church, in us all something to look forward to.

January 2020 we started meeting weekly for Sunday services in a From May we were allowed to gather again. We were so excited community centre right in the heart of Balbriggan. During these about being able to meet in person, because we know this is the early weeks, we grew closer best way for community to as a church family, people in grow. We hope to be able to For single parents and shift workers, Zoom the town were popping in run some social events over to see what church was like summer that will allow us services actually provided a way to worship with the (or at least the tea and coffee to get used to being together afterwards!) and there was a again and help us to continue the church family more easily. sense of momentum as we growing as a community. We continued to meet in each also hope to focus on outreach other’s homes for Bible studies and fun evenings together. to the town and use these events to invite friends and neighbours Then a global pandemic struck. If we’d known coronavirus was to experience what the church community is like. Please pray for coming, perhaps we would have postponed planting a church in us.

Balbriggan! But of course, it was God’s perfect timing.

We moved the Donabate and Balbriggan church services online using Zoom. This allowed us to continue our weekly rhythm of Please pray: meeting together and seeing each other’s faces as we worshipped • Pray God will sustain us as we make the transition back to inGod. The inclusion of a catch-up chat afterwards (affectionately person services. known as the ‘big hello’) allowed us to hear how everyone was • Give thanks for the community centre staff who are so kind to doing and feel connected. us.

Despite the limitations, we’ve seen God bless us in unexpected • Pray for us as we share the good news of Jesus with people in ways. For single parents and shift workers, Zoom services actually Balbriggan, that God would open hearts to the gospel. provided a way to worship with the church family more easily. As a • Pray also for guidance for our elders as they lead the churches church we started to contact each other more as our lives slowed through this challenging time. down. We relied on each other, phoned, texted and met for lots of Mission Connect | Herald Summer 2021

What can the PCI do to help end domestic abuse?

Jacqui Montgomery-Devlin

Head of Safeguarding in the Council for Social Witness

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n the island of Ireland, the number of people reporting – Provide a safe place for victims of domestic violence to domestic abuse has reached epidemic proportions. confidentially access information.

It is estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will – Acknowledge domestic violence is a problem that impacts on all experience domestic abuse during their lifetime. We should not of us as a society, including churches, and be prepared to play our forget the effect of this on children also living in domestic abusive part in supporting victims and state clearly to perpetrators that we environments. This startling reality forces us to question, as a will not tolerate abuse in our community.

Church, are we ready to play our part in supporting all victims by To date, 75 Presbyterian churches have taken part in training, having a zero tolerance for domestic abuse?

49 Presbyterian churches are registered as Safe Places and of Onus is working in these, 23 churches have gone partnership with PCI with a to achieve Safe Church …as a Church, are we ready to play our part in on view to all churches across accreditation.

Ireland becoming ‘Safe Places’, supporting all victims by having a zero tolerance For further information, visit where anyone affected by the Onus website: for domestic abuse. domestic abuse can access www.onustraining.co.uk or information on the range contact me directly at: of support services available to them. To become a Safe Place, jdevlin@pcisocialwitness.org churches need to attend a Safe Place webinar and complete a To watch a video clip about Safe Church, which provides more simple registration form. They are then supplied with a range of information, search for ‘Safe Church Video Clip’ on youtube.com Safe Place resources and ongoing support from Onus. Safe Place is the first step towards becoming a Safe Church.

The Safe Church Pathway then offers further tiers of training which build upon the understanding gained through Safe Place.

Whilst adopting the Safe Place Pledge is a powerful statement in itself, Safe Church explores the unique means of support a Please pray: church can offer. It also recognises how a Safe Church fits with the • For a reduction in the incidents of domestic abuse across wider response to domestic abuse within communities. Not only Ireland. can we work together better to safeguard individuals but also • For more churches to become a Safe Church. to challenge the narratives and misconceptions that can justify • For victims of abuse within our congregations to feel able to or obscure abuse. The onus is on us to work in collaboration to seek access to support. eradicate abuse.

• For children living in domestic abusive environments to get the The Safe Place Pledge: help they need.

– Never to commit, condone or stay silent about domestic • For perpetrators of domestic abuse to access the help they need. violence.

Mission Connect | Herald Summer 2021

Opening doors in the west

Rev Helen Freeburn

Minister, Galway Presbyterian Church

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uring this year of closed doors and challenges, our Lord Many church members have been helping loved ones in other has been with us, enabling us to serve and play our part. countries, and some are still shaken by messages received last year We have been able to connect through phone calls, prayer from distressed family members, who were hungry and unable chains, WhatsApp, Zoom meetings, weekend ‘prayer waves’, to work. We do pray for our teenagers and students, especially through pre-recorded and live services. those from abroad; it has been particularly lonely and challenging Lots of church members for them. We are thankful for have taken part in our online Christ’s presence, grace and services, with some folks God’s Spirit is always on the move, opening doors, mercy and continue to pray for reconnecting to church life. loved ones in countries where opening hearts, opening lives.

A weekend prayer wave (48 many are suffering. hours of continuous prayer We felt excited and nervous with slots filled by church when we reopened in May, but members) ran for most of last year. Our Zoom Bible studies and ready to see where God will lead. When discouraged, I remember coffee times were able to connect folks who normally couldn’t the words of a newcomer to the church last summer, who I first attend small groups, with our group often including a church met at the door of the church one day and who later came to member who lives on an offshore island 120km away; another services faithfully. She said she loved the church services in the member 60km away and others from even farther afield. We building, Christ had been drawing her near and she loved being even at times had folks join in online who were ill at home and there with other believers. God’s Spirit is always on the move, we could pray for them. Recently, we were able to have new opening doors, opening hearts, opening lives. membership classes on Zoom with 13 participants and also share online services with other Galway churches. We have been able to reconnect this year with friends of the church, for example Abusa (Rev) Peter, a magistrate and Presbyterian minister in Malawi who recently led us online in our prayers for others.

Please pray: It has been a very hard year, and folks have missed meeting • Pray that we will follow the Lord in outreach, love and service in person, praising, and sharing together. I have been humbled and in new ways this summer. by our many medical and healthcare workers, serving others so • As we have services in the building and limited numbers able faithfully. I have also been humbled by the quiet resilience of our to attend, pray that we may be able to install a camera and live members who are asylum seekers, living in often small rooms with stream services and reach out in various ways. their children this whole year; eating, doing school work, sleeping, • Pray for our new student and youth leaders and for our in one space – often one room – and still seeking to join us on teenagers and students, that they would grow in faith, and that Sunday for Zoom times, even though their Wi-Fi would often cut we would be able to start these ministries in new ways again. out.

Mission Connect | Herald Summer 2021

Challenging times in Nepal

Peter and Valerie Lockwood Global mission workers in Nepal

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he recent months have seen us on more journeys than we Throughout this whole pandemic, UMN continues to work had expected, but it seems that Covid-19 has had that effect and serve the poor and needy in Nepal. The lull in the first wave on all of the world! We left Nepal at the end of January due allowed us to reopen our cluster offices and restart community to visa issues. At that time, the Covid-19 situation in Nepal had work. Although there are strict restrictions in the second wave, the abated, and we felt that in returning, we were leaving the frying cluster offices still provide relief and support to local government pan and going into the fire, as Northern Ireland was suffering facilities, particularly health posts and border checkpoints. badly. We have been in The two UMN hospitals have Northern Ireland since then been at the forefront of our and are unsure when we will Covid-19 response providing Throughout this whole pandemic, return at this point. ongoing primary healthcare, UMN continues to work and serve the poor The saga of the renewal of particularly in maternity and UMN’s agreements continues. isolation facilities for sick and needy in Nepal.

Since January 2020, UMN has Covid-19 patients. In the no General Agreement, and last few months, we have since November 2020, it has been heavily involved in the had no Project Agreements. The initial problems with the Hospital maintenance cycle, repairing and upgrading both hospitals’ Agreement have been managed with the establishment of the oxygen plants. This is especially important in Okhaldhunga as it Medical Development Trust. However, the fine details still need is the only hospital in the district that can refill oxygen cylinders. to be finalised. The frequent lockdowns caused by Covid-19 has Although the hospitals are under extreme duress, they have the hampered the process. In addition, there is a deepening political well-earned reputation of never turning away any patients who crisis with Nepal’s parliament, dissolved for the second time in come to them. five months. A general election has been called for November.

Experience of election season suggests that an already slow Please pray: process of signing agreements becomes even slower.

• Pray for the acceptance and signing of agreements between The first wave of Covid-19 in Nepal was relatively mild to UMN and the government of Nepal to continue the cluster the point that by February, public health measures had been community work and the running of the two mission hospitals. relaxed. However, by the end of April Nepal has followed India in • Pray for the challenging situation in the mission hospitals in its devastating second wave. This saw schools shutting, severe Tansen and Okhaldhunga as they provide primary healthcare lockdown restrictions with people only allowed out of their homes and are at the frontline of Covid-19 response. to shop between 7am to 10am, and the closure of air travel, • Pray for us as a family as we work through the changes that including international flights. Fines have been introduced for any Covid-19 has necessitated. breaches of the restrictions.

Mission Connect | Herald Summer 2021

Theological Books Blantyre

Volker and Jinheoyg Glissmann Global mission workers in southern Africa

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n old joke is told about a minister who is in a coma for a A few weeks later, while sitting at my desk and rejoicing about an very long time. He is not responding to the pleas of his excellent theological book that provided great insights into ministry family. His wife begs and asks him to wake up for the sake in Malawi, I heard God’s challenge to me by asking me if I am going of the wedding of their only child. But no response. She tearfully to do something practical. So, I decided that I could help with pleads with him to wake up to re-mortgage the house that they providing one central place to advertise these new books. But once otherwise might lose. But no you advertise a book, people response. Finally, she whispers ask where they can buy the Malawi is blessed with a truly unique to him, I will give away all your books, and because the books theological books. The pastor are only really available in two publishing culture at the moment…These immediately awakes from the cities – Mzuzu and Zomba – books are often open windows into details of coma, sits up in bed and says, this is how the idea of mailing “Let’s not do that!” books by post came about.

Malawian life that are not easily accessible.

The joke is built on the I started a small ‘book shop’ anecdotal close and intimate which is located on Facebook relationship that ministers have with their theological books. A and is called ‘Theological Books Blantyre’. For those who prefer, a generous paraphrase of Proverb 27:17 would say, as iron sharpens spare shelf in my office which is now my book showroom for those iron, so one writer sharpens another. Christian and theological who love browsing books. It is a small thing that I can do besides books are essential in all forms of Christian ministry. the many other things that I do, but that is a practical help to get Last year, I attended the Malawi National Theology Conference good reflection into the right hands. So far, I have been able to sell which had a stall of theological books published in Malawi. I a few books and that is all that matters. realised that I was unaware of the quality of some theological books written and published here in Malawi. Malawi is blessed Please pray: with a truly unique publishing culture at the moment that • Pray that many church leaders and members throughout allows for great insights based on the publication of theological, Malawi will make good use of the theological books available historical, missiological and anthropological research. These books through Volker’s shop. are often open windows into details of Malawian life that are not • Pray for Volker’s ongoing work as a programme developer easily accessible. These Malawian publications are a significant for the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC) in source for understanding the challenges that theological training Johannesburg, South Africa. needs to address.

Mission Connect | Herald Summer 2021

SUMMER 2021

Please pray for... n GLOBAL PANDEMIC – Pray for those living in countries where healthcare and state support is limited. Pray especially for countries which have had high case numbers this year, including India, Brazil and Nepal and remember PCI’s partners in these countries. n EUROPE – Pray for PCI’s partners in Europe as restrictions ease and opportunities for in-person worship and outreach increase.

n ADDICTION – Pray for all those recovering from addiction, that they will continue to seek the appropriate support during their return to the community. Give thanks for the work of Carlisle House and Gray’s Court, for residents, tenants and dedicated staff.

n SOCIAL WITNESS – Pray for all those who provide care to a family member or friend, many who have felt abandoned and neglected at this time – many struggling with their own health issues and desperately in need of some respite.

n ROMANIA – Give thanks that Steve and Rosie Kennedy and family have settled in so well in Romania, since beginning their service as global mission workers in Cluj in December 2020.

Pray for them as they reach out to English speakers in the city.

n DEACONESSES – Pray for PCI deaconesses as they continue to serve, encourage people in their faith and reach out to others with the love of God.

n MIDDLE EAST – Pray for the National Steve and Rosie Kennedy Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon as they continue to provide humanitarian n GLOBAL MISSION WORKERS – assistance and education to many displaced Remember all global mission workers serving people and refugees from the Syrian conflict. during the pandemic, during which most have remained in their overseas locations. n REFUGEE CRISES – Around 80 million Pray for their health, protection and people across the world are internally adaptation to changing local restrictions and displaced or living as refugees. Pray that outbreaks. they will receive humanitarian assistance to rebuild their lives safely and for protection n BRAZIL – Pray for Naomi Keefe as she against diseases, including Covid-19. Pray too continues to serve in Brazil which has been for those reaching out to them in the name badly affected by the pandemic. Pray for her of Jesus and that many come to faith in him. safety and for God’s blessing on her work. n HOME AND UNITS – Pray for all the residents and tenants in our homes and units as they work through the new visiting guidelines. Give thanks for the 400+ staff who have worked tirelessly during the Covid-19 crisis – that they may find rest in the weeks to come. n AFRICA – Remember PCI’s partner Churches in Africa: the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in Malawi and Zambia. Pray for them as they seek to reach people, many of whom are living in poverty. Pray especially for all suffering from food insecurity. n INDONESIA – Pray for Timor, Sumba and nearby islands which were hit by tropical Cyclone Seroja at Easter. Pray for all affected and for our partners, the Evangelical Christian Church in Timor and the Christian Church in Sumba, as they help those who have suffered loss. n HOME AND URBAN MISSION – Pray for home mission and urban mission congregations as people are able to meet safely in person again. n MYANMAR – Pray for the people of Myanmar. There have been ongoing protests and unrest following the military coup. Pray for peace and for a fair and just government for all the people of the country. Pray too for the leaders and members of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar.

n PCI GLOBAL MISSION – Pray for the Council for Global Mission, its committees, panels and task groups. Pray for Rev Uel Marrs (Secretary) and Rev Dr Liz Hughes (convener) as they continue to lead PCI’s global mission work. n HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – Pray for all staff in health and social care as they continue to work in these challenging times and as they plan the transition to a more normal health service. n SPECIALIST SERVICE AGENCIES – Pray for the important work of FEBA, SAT-7, the Bible Society in Northern Ireland, the National Bible Society of Ireland and Wycliffe Bible Translators, in bringing the gospel to many across the world. n MISSION IN IRELAND – Pray for the ongoing witness of all congregations and individuals in our Church and that, through our words and actions, others will see the love of God in Christ and come to know him. n HEALTHCARE CHAPLAINS – Pray for rest and refreshment over the summer for all healthcare chaplaincy staff, who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic, providing pastoral support for patients, staff and relatives in very difficult circumstances.

n FORCES CHAPLAINS – Pray for PCI forces chaplains, for open hearts and minds as they use opportunities to share the gospel with members of the armed forces and their families. n IRISH MISSION WORKERS – Pray for God’s love to shine through David Boyd (in Dublin), Tom Dowling (in Kilkenny) and Philip Whelton (in Arklow) as they continue to serve, encouraging others to commit their lives to Christ. n UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGES CHAPLAINS – Pray for PCI chaplains as they prepare for the start of the new academic year in September. n COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKERS – Pray for the 15 community outreach workers working in PCI congregations. Pray for renewed vision and zeal as they restart inperson outreach mission programmes which were curtailed during lockdowns. n INTERNATIONAL MEETING POINT – Pray for Keith Preston, project leader, and Henry Coulter, assistant project leader, and for the work of IMP on Belfast’s Lisburn Road and now also in the Op Shop at Carlisle Circus, seeking to reach out with the good news of salvation to asylum seekers and others from overseas. n PRISONS CHAPLAINS – Pray for PCI’s prison chaplains: Rev Graham Stockdale (full-time); and Rev Colin Megaw (parttime). Remember them as they meet with prisoners and share the message of hope and transformation which is available to everyone through Christ. n MISSION IN IRELAND – Pray for the Council for Mission in Ireland, its committees, panels and task groups. Pray especially for Rev Jim Stothers (acting Secretary), Rev Robert Bell (chaplaincy secretary) and Rev Dr Frank Sellar (convener) for refreshment over the summer and renewed vision as the church year begins in September. n RURAL CHAPLAINCY – The rural community has been severely impacted by the pandemic. Pray for the launch of the rural chaplaincy pilot scheme.

www.presbyterianireland.org/prayer

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND WITNESS

Reconnecting the church family David Thompson and colleagues offer some advice to congregations as they get used to gathering together again, in circumstances that continue to be challenging.

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s church life gradually re-emerges from another Covid-19 lockdown, we are faced with the strange challenge of reconnecting with one another. It’s not something we have ever had to grapple with before as a whole church family. The normal rhythms of church life and activity usually provide

lots of opportunities for us to rub shoulders with one another and for all sorts of little catch-up conversations, where we learn what’s new and how things are going. Social distancing has put paid to that for over a year now and the need to remain spacially distanced for some time longer creates an ongoing challenge of just being together.

So, how can we reconnect? More specifically, what might it look like to do so with parts of our church family from whom we have found ourselves most cut off, by the impact of pandemic restrictions?

Rev David Thompson is PCI’s Secretary of Congregational Life and Witness.

Reconnecting with children and parents

the Bible stories being taught, to re-emphasise the teaching.

Another approach is to bring all age groups together. This Ruth Bromley (PCI Children’s Development Officer) may be something you actually need to do in the current context anyway, but having all children together allows for We are in that strange place with children’s ministry where greater community. This is something that is restricted in the children are back in school and mixing within their school because children are kept in their class bubbles. bubbles, but in church we still need to maintain social Keeping in communication with parents is also vital. distancing. They can be together in a room, but seated Parents need to know that we have thought through how the separately in family groups, with some possibly wearing current restrictions are being worked out in our children’s masks. There is a false feel about it, when what we really want ministry and that their children are safe. They also need to is reconnection and a sense of how know about what the kids are learning, things were before. Leading from the the birthdays and other events being …restarting and front can be difficult, also requiring the celebrated and shared, and the fun they wearing of masks, standing at a distance continuing our children’s are having.

They need the reassurance and with less interaction. Children’s that what is happening is growing ministry in our churches ministry is so much about connection, their children as followers of Jesus learning together and having fun. That is so crucial. and offering the kind of community has been much more difficult in both experience that they have missed online ministry and returning face to out on so much over the last year. The context of a loving face under ongoing restrictions. church family is crucial for children’s development physically, So how can we reconnect with children and their families? mentally and spiritually.

How can we create an atmosphere of being together in both Children are a vital and fundamental part of our church. learning about God and having fun just now?

They need both the interaction of other children, of all ages, One way might be by doing some of our ministry outside. as well as input from other adults within the congregation.

Helping children grow in their faith and learn to walk day by It has been established that children grow to emotional and day with Jesus does not just involve sitting quietly, listening to spiritual health when they are in positive relationships with Bible stories. Going outside in the better weather allows for many adults, rather than just a few. That is why restarting some activities that being inside or online cannot facilitate. and continuing children’s ministry in our churches is so It allows for movement and noise. All the same precautions crucial.

Putting in place all the safety restrictions necessary need to be used – hand sanitising and distance between is important, but we also need to make sure we are not so children and leaders – but outside there is greater space and overwhelmed with those that we forget to teach our children more options for moving around. Bible stories can be taught the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord and help them to with children sitting on mats or cushions, on the grass or in remember what it means to walk by faith every day. the car park. Games and activities can be used, connected to Herald Summer 2021

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UNI

Reconnecting with young people

A sense of honest expectations applies particularly to programme planning in the months ahead too. It starts with Graeme Thompson (PCI Youth Development Officer) identifying what is most important, such as reconnecting and deepening relationships, making time to listen and affirm Picture being a teenager on a hiking expedition, getting lost young people and helping them to focus on Jesus and make and detached from your group. Imagine the disorientation, sense of their real lives through his Word. That means that fear and overwhelming isolation of that remote, lonely place. our focus will be creating programmes and opportunities that The journey of these past months has been a bit like that meet those needs, not re-establishing familiar organisational for some young people, and we must not underestimate patterns for our own sense of security. Creating space and the impact of becoming disconnected working towards simple goals will be a from friends, church, activities and Aloneness, already an wise and fruitful approach over this next communities. Aloneness, already an year. issue for young people, has become issue for young people, How we rebuild relationships is much more significant. Most feel different too. The challenge of youth has become much more the loss of important activities and ministry in face masks and distanced is significant life markers that are key to significant. very significant, requiring intentional growing up, and perhaps loss of people eye contact, warm and affirming speech through broken relationships or bereavement. Many leaders and good questions about what matters to them and how they have had some success in keeping contact with their young are feeling.

It will be worthwhile doing what we can at every people, but even the best have felt inadequate. meeting to make young people feel safe and comfortable As we begin to reconnect with young people, we need sharing and just being there. We also need to have lots of fun, realistic expectations that it will be a challenging and especially in the initial weeks gathering together. Restrictions slow process. We must recognise what young people have may be limiting, but there is no substitute for just having a been through and how it has impacted their relationships, good laugh together and the PCI website will have updated priorities, behaviour and even personality. Simply put, they pointers of where to look for ideas if you are stuck. have changed.

Let us not forget that it is critical to reconnect Some will be anxious about returning young people, not just with each other and with to face-to-face meetings or feel like it is leaders, but with the whole congregation. Youth starting afresh. Others have matured and ministry has always been everyone’s job, but that grown in positive ways. The pandemic has never been truer than now. Each adult in experience has impacted everyone a congregation can make a difference by every differently, so we must engage with young greeting, eye contact and affirming comment people personally and individually, being which reminds our young people that they are prepared to work hard at encouraging some loved and valued as part of our church family. to return over weeks, or even months.

They may have been separate and isolated for a Systematic contact and communication time, but more than ever now we must remind is key, using any effective means, including them that this is home. the new Youth App from PCI which enables congregations to connect with young people, leaders and parents in a joined-up way.

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Reconnecting with an older generation

church immensely; the social interaction, the meaningful Rick Hill (PCI Discipleship and Leadership Development Officer) conversations and the opportunity to engage with one another in authentic ways about spiritual matters. In the season ahead, it will be important to find ways to regather again, perhaps In recent months I have spent most Sunday mornings beginning in smaller groups initially as we adhere to ongoing welcoming people at the door of our church building. I have necessary restrictions. been struck by the genuine joy there has been among people Stories of congregations seeking to do this with older of all ages to recommence what, for many, has been the most generations, include one congregation facilitating a series dominant and regular routine of their lives. One man in his of daytime meetings aimed at connecting retired people 60s told me this had been the longest together. They took the form of period of time he had been away from We can…help older conversations reflecting on lockdown; gathered worship in his whole life. I providing a chance for people to share realised the same was also true for me. generations…play the what they enjoyed, what they missed, While we have tried our best to stay in what was difficult, new skills acquired vital role of being contact, the more difficult challenge has and lessons that had been learnt. These been enabling our church family to keep spiritual mothers and gatherings provided safe spaces to share connected with each other. While many honestly and process openly the last fathers to those in in older age groups have continued year, as well as giving opportunities for receiving calls from an elder, or listened younger generations. devotional or biblical input too. to their minister each Sunday, it is We can also help older generations hard to underestimate the amount of regular and normal find their voice, enabling them to play the vital role of being interactions that have been lost between one another. So, how spiritual mothers and fathers to those in younger generations. can we go about reconnecting older generations together to The very last verse of the Old Testament talks about God help them renew friendships, forge new ones and recapture “turning the hearts of the parents to their children”. Church the family of God as a central rhythm in their lives? should both honour spiritual parents while also challenge One of the marks I admire about older generations is their ability to simply be together with little need for entertainment them to turn their hearts towards the next generation.

One of the things that my retired parents missed most or agenda. They understand the art of conversation and during lockdown was the opportunity to play with toy trains don’t need much prompting or leadership to enter into good on their hands and knees on the living room floor alongside dialogue. What they may need help with just now is the their two young grandsons. It was something they have been creation of spaces and environments where they can gather in desperate to recapture. In a similar way, we need to set about safety and confidence. the task of rebuilding our congregational connection, both The church might be the first sortie into a public place within the older generation and also as a whole church family for some in the older generation as confidence is gently together. built in resuming more normal life. Most will have missed The Refined hub on the PCI website provides a range of content to support congregations as they respond to the impact of Covid-19 and move towards renewing more normal rhythms of congregational life and witness.

Visit www.presbyterianireland.org/refined for more information.

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Sharing threads of

Kirsty King

hope and dignity

Sarah Harding chats to Kirsty King, founder of Shared Threads, a charity providing sustainable period products to women and girls around the world.

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irsty King honestly admits that starting up a charity to tackle period poverty is not something she had always dreamed of.

Rather, the idea came to her, quite dramatically one night, when God woke her up and gave her a vision.

“He showed me the whole picture: of women gathering together, of giving young women freedom to go to school… refugees in camps needing pads…I could picture it all.”

She woke up a little horrified the next day, “I thought, ‘I can’t do that. I can’t even talk to my husband about periods!’”

Over the next two years though, God opened doors and put people in Kirsty’s path that helped grow the idea of providing sustainable period products to girls who need them.

It was at a women’s conference that Kirsty was finally convinced that she needed to proceed with Shared Threads.

Over that weekend she met up with her friend Jill, who had been living in India – Jill was excited to hear about the idea and expressed a need for it amongst the young women she was working with.

Kirsty also felt convicted by a message from one of the speakers.

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“I felt like she was speaking to me. She said, ‘You’ll find your calling when your anger and your passion meet.’

“I felt a lot of anger around the issue of period poverty – I felt anger that girls couldn’t go to school, couldn’t get an education over something so simple… in our society it’s a taboo but even more so in countries like India – there’s a shame that surrounds it. I thought this is such an injustice.”

In terms of passion, Kirsty had been leading sewing workshops and classes for years. “It is my absolute passion to gather women together in workshops…I just love it.”

This dual aspect of anger and passion is reflected in the dual ethos of Shared Threads. For Kirsty, it is as much about the sense of community built among the groups making the pads, as it is about making a difference in the lives of the women and girls receiving them.

For about 25% of girls, when they start their periods…they don’t go back to school…

The truth about period poverty Shared Threads first started supplying pads for Jill to distribute in India. Since then, distribution has grown and the charity now also sends supplies to Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Ethiopia. More recently, there has been a need in the UK, particularly amongst refugees, asylum seekers and women who have been trafficked.

Kirsty has visited India and seen first-hand the difference that the pads make. Where girls couldn’t get to school and were using leaves, old rags and newspapers, Shared Threads instead provides them with a pack that contains two holders, six pads and two pairs of pants – enough for a girl to manage her blood flow for one day. The packs are beautifully put together in a drawstring bag; each one is unique because everything used to make it is second hand.

“I was so determined that that would be the case,” says Kirsty. “You think about the amount of cotton and cloth waste in our country. People usually throw out their old towels and bedding and that’s the kind of materials we’re using. Each

group sources their materials from their local community and donations usually come flooding in.”

There is also a handwritten note from the maker in each pack. Kirsty says, “Whether she can understand what it says or not, it shows her someone made this for her because she deserves to have this freedom in her life; she deserves an education.”

It’s not just about missing out on a week of school every month, although this in itself is a big issue. She explains, “For about 25% of girls, when they start their periods, so age 12 or 13, they don’t go back to school… then they’re open to all sorts of other issues, like early marriages and early pregnancy. So, to give them this really simple tool…it can change everything for them.”

As well as providing dignity and practical help to the girls, education is delivered through partner agencies.

“We distribute the packs alongside really good menstrual education,” says Kirsty. “The nurse gives a health talk about how to look after their bodies – she also explains how it’s not anything to be ashamed of…it’s natural and beautiful.”

The sustainable aspect is important too.

“If you give the girls disposables, they need to get that the next month and the next month, but you give them this pack, they can wash it over and over again and don’t need to worry about where their supply is coming from.”

Community in groups Shared Threads currently has 12 groups with over 200 volunteers. Each group has at least six members and Kirsty is keen to stress that not everyone in a group has to be a sewer. There are a variety of jobs to be done, such as cutting out the

I am overwhelmed sometimes by how much I feel this is God’s plan… cloth, pinning the fabric together, putting on poppers and threading drawstring through the bags. She affirms that each role is important, “Every single person involved in Shared Threads is doing something so vital…they’re part of this solution that is changing people’s lives.”

At first it seemed that the pandemic would halt the production of the pads, but the groups have been even more industrious; working together in gardens when allowed, or on their own, then leaving their work on the next person’s doorstep. Kirsty observes that it’s given many volunteers a focus in these difficult days. “A lot of people have been at home and they’ve loved having this thing to get on with, this purpose.”

Shared Threads has cultivated community and friendship with a common goal, but interestingly, it has also allowed for intergenerational connection. “It’s very easy for any age to get involved and socialise together – it’s

lovely to see 16-year-olds learning to sew,” she comments.

Get involved There are many ways to get involved and support Shared Threads. Kirsty is particularly keen for more groups to form.

“I’d love to see more groups dotted geographically in lots of local areas – building little communities. Then whenever someone hears about this issue, there’s a group somewhere that they can connect with.”

Kirsty provides all the advice needed to get going, along with templates and instructions, so it doesn’t have to be a daunting task to start a group.

Significantly, the leader doesn’t need to be a sewer, just a good organiser.

Alternatively, people can join an established group (listed on the website).

Other ways to support the charity include: becoming a patron (giving a monthly contribution); donating materials; purchasing some Shared Threads merchandise; and of course, by praying – for Kirsty, the groups and the whole issue of period poverty.

Shared Threads uniquely offers people the chance to help make a real difference to the lives of many girls and women. Kirsty’s obedience to God’s call is inspiring and as she looks back at taking those tentative first steps, she is reminded of God’s goodness throughout the journey.

“I am overwhelmed sometimes by how much I feel this is God’s plan. It was his plan to address the issue of period poverty, but also to build community here and to raise awareness. It’s been beautiful to watch.”

For more information or to get involved, go to: http://sharedthreads.co.uk Herald Summer 2021

43

Transformational reconciliation

Paul Jamieson addresses the reality of conflict in our churches and individual relationships and affirms that transformational reconciliation is achievable.

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hen someone opposes or mistreats you, an instinctive reaction is to dedicate your energy to defending yourself and defeating your opponent.

You can become self-absorbed, making emotional and impulsive decisions; often escalating tensions, fuelling disagreement, poisoning the soul and producing embittered conflict.

As Christians, we are instructed to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18) and to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9).

The biblical narrative is clear that while conflict is an inevitable part of human experience, it also instructs us to find the path of transformation, preventing the lifecycle of conflict becoming dangerously destructive (Matthew 18:15–35). We are instructed to deal with issues creatively, sensitively and lovingly; seeking healing, reconciliation, forgiveness and spiritual growth.

The Bible recognises that we will disagree; peace is not making everyone the same – unity is not uniformity. In fact, it celebrates our diversity; we have different gifts, skills and functions. Paul goes to great lengths in 1 Corinthians 12 to demonstrate this, but encourages

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us to live out our life experiences as restored, transformed, loving disciples.

This transformational approach to life focuses on glorifying God, imitating Jesus, serving each other and remaining committed to peaceful, restored relationships.

In reality, our selfish nature gets in the way of this instruction; we don’t always choose the path of peace. James comments in chapter four that our sinful behaviour brings us to a place of fights and quarrels. Our desires focus on power, control and coveting, leading to conflict. We find a number of quarrels in Scripture, especially between the disciples and members of the early church. We are also encouraged to find the path of peace – this will transform conflict, preventing its lifecycle from crippling relationships

…conflict between believers in the church can be painfully negative, emotionally devastating, and spiritually debilitating.

and destroying the witness and ministry of a church fellowship.

When peace is not sought, the experience of conflict between believers in the church can be painfully negative, emotionally devastating, and spiritually debilitating. The safe environment of encouragement and fellowship can descend into a battleground for power, oppressing worship and incapacitating leadership. Thankfully, there is an alternative to embittered battles. There is a creative way to relate to conflict, facilitated from a place of mutual respect, with positive outcomes of love, forgiveness, grace and reconciliation.

The Conciliation Service within PCI seeks to find resolutions when people are in a dispute; supporting people to work together to find a peaceful outcome.

There is merit in asking for help when parties become ‘stuck’ in conflict and find it difficult to move forward. We engage in difficult conversations, helping those involved to work through the issues. The journey to reconciliation and agreement is often emotionally painful and hard work, but it is worthwhile when the process prevents a destructive, debilitating, painful lifecycle of anger and

lingering confrontation. We understand the human cost and emotional pain that conflict brings. Therefore, we actively pursue opportunities to handle differences, facilitate difficult conversations, minimise suffering and pain, build relationships, establish mutual respect (rooted in love), and rediscover peaceful solutions.

The biblical narrative pulsates with the concept of peace; it connotes completeness, soundness and wholeness.

It has a three-dimensional outlook: firstly, peace with God (Romans 5:1–2), secondly, peace with others (Romans 12:18, Matthew 22:39), and finally, peace with yourself (Isaiah 26:3, Psalm 85:10).

Peace will always bring unity, reflected in the prayer of Jesus in John 17:20–23. It is fitting that his final prayer is an appeal for us to get along with each other – our peaceful unity will be a witness to the world.

In truth, we don’t always get along. I was made aware of a congregation in Belfast where there was an authentic desire to be gospel relevant and engage in meaningful worship and outreach.

However, there were two issues that threatened the unity and witness of the church. One issue had the potential to end up in the court of human rights; a second issue was an allegation of a very disturbing nature. Both issues required much wisdom, grace, guidance and conciliation.

After much consultation and many meetings with key stakeholders, policies and procedures were put in place to address and resolve the issues. There was some naivety within the leadership – they assumed that when the issues were addressed the conflict would be resolved.

They thought everyone would come on board; key stakeholders would have a renewed purpose. It became evident that while significant work had been achieved, there was still pain and hurt from some key members entangled in the situation.

They were feeling misunderstood, misrepresented, hurt, bewildered and angry. The leadership faced the daunting task of finding transformational conciliation that would bring healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation. They looked to the Conciliation Service for training and support, to be better equipped navigating their way through complex emotions.

Through our sinfulness we will create conflict, but through Christ’s righteousness we can transform it…

Through the writing of the apostle Paul, commissioned as the apostle to the Gentiles, I found inspiration. He encourages and works with others to resolve conflicts in the early church. The Gentile inclusion into the new covenant brought many debates and divisions; devout Jews who had customs, rituals and a certain way of conducting worship clashed with laid-back, worldly Gentiles.

Disagreements erupted and Paul writes numerous letters to resolve conflict from a transformational perspective. Paul focuses on the redemptive narrative, God’s big story of reconciliation and forgiveness. Broken, sinful humanity is welcomed into a new covenant of grace through Jesus’ selfless act of sacrifice. Paul stresses the necessity of agape love to flow freely in the community of believers; the unity we find in Christ should empower everyone to work together, celebrating the good news of Jesus with an attitude of love.

I was challenged by the context in which Jesus ministered, and his attitude of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion within the context of the toxicity of first century Judaism. A culture of conflict, Roman occupation, obtuse practices of taxation, a flawed system of worship, a warped legalistic interpretation of the Torah, not to mention the elitist worship leaders disconnected from worshippers. It’s a culture of oppression, fear, poverty, injustice and discrimination, not to mention the misplaced expectation for deliverance through conflict!

The people expected Jesus to be the political hero; their hope was for a Messianic deliverer to restore Israel to its former glory, reminiscent of the Davidic kingdom. Through military power, Jesus could strategically overthrow the Romans, restore Jerusalem, and reestablish justice and religious authority.

There was a readiness for insurrection; the oppressed people had had enough.

They obviously forgot the words of Jesus, the message of love and forgiveness; they

suffered from biblical amnesia. Jesus said, “I tell you: Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Jesus did establish a kingdom, not by military force, violence or conflict. King Jesus peacefully and lovingly took his throne, a cross; brutally beaten he hung in agony, lovingly redeeming mankind.

He submitted himself to his Father’s will – God’s plan of salvation. Forgiveness, mercy, love and reconciliation flow from Calvary. That’s the good news of the gospel; an invitation to be part of God’s kingdom, finding deliverance, forgiveness, acceptance and grace. This new-found relationship with Jesus gives us a new status, a new family, a new identity and a commitment to love God and our neighbour. Through faith in Jesus, we submit to his authority, the law of love.

We also submit to each other, committed to pursuing loving relationships.

Perhaps we too can suffer from biblical amnesia; forgetful to our calling as peacemakers, our identity as children of God, and our purpose to be peaceful witnesses to Christ. We are still broken people, filled with pride, selfishness and insecurities. Through our sinfulness we will create conflict, but through Christ’s righteousness we can transform it, preventing its destructive power, and rediscover the place of peaceful reconciliation and restored relationships.

Transformational conflict is definitely a possibility through conciliation. If you are experiencing conflict, please get in touch with us and allow us to help and support you. Mary Potter is the Conciliation Service convener and Rev Dr David Allen, Deputy Clerk, would be the first point of contact at Church House, Assembly Buildings.

Rev Paul Jamieson is minister of Hillhall Presbyterian Church and is actively involved with the Conciliation Service.

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45

Faith in the storm

Elsye McCroskery reports on the devastating impact of Cyclone Seroja, which recently hit Indonesia.

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n Easter Sunday morning, I woke up to some lovely news from back home in Kupang, West Timor. My niece had just given birth to a baby boy. Both mum and the Easter day baby were doing well.

I texted family and friends to wish them a happy Easter before going to church in Belfast for the morning service.

That same afternoon, a quick succession of pings on my phone alerted me to the fact that something was not right.

The messages were from my family and friends in Indonesia, including one from Rev Dr Mery Kolimon, the Moderator of my home Church, the Protestant Evangelical Church in Timor (GMIT).

It said, “Marking Easter in the midst of a very devastating storm (Cyclone Seroja) – hundreds of people killed.”

Immediately, I phoned my sister to check on my family. Thankfully they were all safe and well, but by Monday morning (UK time) I was unable to contact any of them as the power had been cut and the internet was down. I began to worry. The only thing I could do was to pray and follow the path of the storm on www.windy.com.

Storms and cyclones often occur in the Indian Ocean, west of Australia, but this was the first time one of such force

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had ever been recorded in this region of Indonesia. The cyclone travelled from the north east, across most of East Nusa Tenggara, my home province, and where two of PCI’s partner Churches are located: GMIT and the Christian Church of Sumba (GKS).

Why was the storm so severe? The Indonesian Forum for the Environment, known as Walhi, stated that, “While the province is prone to storms and high rainfall, environmental problems have exacerbated the damage done. These include practices such as land clearing, mining and the growth of illegal logging.”

East Nusa Tenggara Province consists of about 566 islands. The largest of the islands in the province are the western part of Timor, Flores and Sumba. The smaller islands include Alor, Pantar, Lembata, Semau, Sabu, Raijua, and Rote.

These islands were all affected by the cyclone, to varying degrees. Tragically, hundreds of lives were lost and tens of thousands of homes, offices, churches, and municipal buildings were badly damaged. Some buildings and bridges were completely swept away by violent

“The damage is huge, please pray for us.”

floods and landslides. Many rural roads were blocked by mud, rocks and fallen trees.

Over time, many stories of tragedy and loss have begun to emerge. One GMIT minister, along with her young daughter and niece, lost their lives after being crushed by falling masonry while sheltering inside a church. A lady from Flores Island lost 11 members of her family, as well as her house and all her possessions, only escaping because she and her two young children were visiting her parents on another island. On the island of Pantar, a family of four became separated by landslides; the wife and one child were found dead.

People on Rote Island, seeking shelter in evacuation centres, were all the more distressed to discover that the Covid-19 infection rate in their area was increasing rapidly. Many have not stopped crying for their loved ones; mothers refuse to be comforted after the loss of their children, and some children can’t trace their parents.

Yafed Ranboki, an assistant minister in Rehobot Maleipea Church in Southern Alor, shared: “On Easter Sunday, at about 8am, part of our village was hit by sudden flooding, the force of which was enough to break down the walls of many houses.

Cattle were drowned, crops covered by thick mud and people’s belongings swept away. I was due to lead the service at 9am in Rehobot Malaipela Church but the cyclone was still raging. All the chairs inside the church were blown over.

“I anxiously went to the minister’s room to pray, asking God to stop the cyclone so that we might worship, ‘Nevertheless not my will, but your will be done, Lord,’ I prayed. Then I went back into the church, helping the caretaker to set the chairs back upright. Within moments however, all the chairs were blown over again. I felt I had to continue worship because 11 other members had already gathered inside the church…Together we offered our worship to God on that Easter morning. During the service the rain was so heavy, coming down through the roof and wetting the pages of the Bible in front of me. I could feel the pulpit shaking underneath me, but I kept going until the end of the service.

“Later when we had lunch, suddenly there was an incredibly loud noise like an aeroplane had crashed. Shocked, we ran outside to see that many very large boulders were tumbling down the mountainside. The accompanying landslide had the appearance of a tsunami…We ran towards Tominuku, a neighbouring village. We were warmly welcomed there and hosted by a Catholic priest who welcomed us to take refuge in their church building. On that day seven people from the village where I serve were killed by falling rocks and a landslide, five badly injured, and many more still missing.”

When Yafed shared this, the entire congregation were still evacuated from their homes. Some were living with their extended family and some others were living in the church buildings.

The GMIT synod leaders, led directly by the Moderator, have been able to respond immediately, providing some disaster relief from GMIT central funds; also appointing an emergency response team who have organised the opening of

…approximately 89,426 have been evacuated from their homes across the islands.

many emergency response centres and coordinated with regional government to provide aid to victims across the islands.

Many church buildings were opened as shelters for people of all faiths who had to leave their damaged homes. The Moderator herself, along with some friends, travelled to some of the worst affected islands and congregations used boats, helicopters, and sometimes motorbikes, to provide pastoral support and to distribute aid for the victims. She shared with me, “The damage is huge, please pray for us.”

Being so far away, I have felt so helpless and heartbroken. In my prayers for them, I trust God’s love and provision. The Lord said in Isaiah 54:10: “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of

peace be removed.”

Such was the power of the cyclone, regional government data indicates that about 206 people have been confirmed dead, 50 are still missing, 179 injured, and approximately 89,426 have been evacuated from their homes across the islands. In GMIT presbyteries, 37 out of 52 have been affected by the cyclone; 303 church buildings and 90 manses sustained damage or were destroyed altogether, as well as 27 Christian schools. It is estimated that 18,975 homes of GMIT church members on different islands have been destroyed.

Thankfully, as a response to this heartbreaking situation many people and organisations from all backgrounds across Indonesia, together with partner Churches, including PCI, have been kindly supporting both GMIT and GKS at this time of disaster. Although we are all still in the midst of the Covid-19 storm here, PCI Moderator, Dr David Bruce, along with the staff team in the Mission Department worked hard with PCI’s press officer to prepare a press release and website article, focusing on the cyclone crisis in Indonesia (available on presbyterianireland.org). The Moderator also called members of PCI to pray and has kindly sent letters to GMIT and GKS. From the bottom of my heart, I’d like to express my thanks to all of you, for your prayerful support and practical help. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you as you continue to work in his service.

Elsye McCroskery is a former minister of the Protestant Evangelical Church in Timor, now living in Belfast, and a member of McCracken Memorial congregation, where her husband Barry is the minister.

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47

The comic with a serious focus

Lisa Skinner finds out more about Recovery Comics, a special project that is sharing the experiences of recovering addicts.

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hile some of us may have personal experience of coping with mental health issues, less of us will have experience of addiction and homelessness. Without having walked in their shoes, it is hard to grasp what life must be like for those recovering from a substance misuse problem. Now five brave individuals, residents of Gray’s Court, who have known something of the darkness resulting from substance misuse, have been bold enough to channel their experiences into the production of a comic book entitled Recovery Comics.

Gray’s Court, in Belfast, is one of the services run by PCI’s Council for Social Witness (in partnership with Habinteg Housing Association) and is under the directorship of David Cuthbert, who is also director of Carlisle House (PCI’s addiction rehabilitation unit). It was born out of a desire from staff at Carlisle

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The theme of the comic is that recovery is an ongoing process, it involves taking small steps every day.

House to have supported accommodation for people in early recovery, who were homeless or living in circumstances detrimental to their recovery.

It is specifically designed to offer an environment where the process of recovery and reconnection can take place. The focus is to enable people who have complex substance use problems to reconnect with their family and communities, as well as helping them engage with volunteering, training or employment. The centre itself has seven one-bedroom flats and residents can access a range of therapies and support.

As a ‘move-on’ supported living project, it is short-term accommodation with a maximum tenancy of two years.

So how did the residents of Gray’s Court come to produce a comic book?

This project was one of a number of special initiatives aimed at improving the physical and mental wellbeing of residents and tenants at three PCI-run services, thanks to an award of nearly £20,000 from the Housing Executive’s Supporting People Programme, under the Provider Innovation Fund. This programme provides housing support services to vulnerable people to enable them to move towards independent living in the community.

Gray’s Court, like Carlisle House, works in collaboration with its service users, and as such it was the residents who settled on the idea of using this funding to produce a comic book that illustrated their shared experiences.

Frances Craig, Gray’s Court project worker, shares: “Everyone has been really enthusiastic and has come together around this, especially creating the storyline for the comic. Our support worker, Zoe Gray, managed the project; she had previous experience of creating a comic book with a serious message from her university placement year. We had support via Zoom from creative writer Rachael Kelly who helped the group write a fantastic script, full of their own personal experiences, such as moving into Gray’s Court and living through lockdown.

“Then there was support from Jim Lavery of Paper Crane Comics, via Zoom again, who worked with the group to bring their original sketches to life.”

Frances explains that during lockdown much of the external support that residents received stopped overnight, which could have seriously impacted their mental health and recovery.

“The project couldn’t have come at a better time, as we were able to come together, albeit socially-distanced, in our communal lounge, to watch the Zoom classes via our big TV.” The comic book itself follows the journey of fictional character Steven ‘Steeky’ Smith. Following an overdose and six weeks spent in Carlisle House, Steeky moves on to Gray’s Court, where he continues to struggle with the temptation of drink and drugs, and deals with stress, anxiety, lack of confidence and the harmful effects of a manipulative

relationship. The theme of the comic is that recovery is an ongoing process, it involves taking small steps every day.

One of the residents, ‘Jason’ (not his real name), says that he enjoyed taking part.

“None of us knew what it entailed. We came up with a few ideas, not knowing how they would turn out, but seeing the comic come to life was brilliant. I think we all really enjoyed it, as from start to finish there is a bit of us all in it. It was also good to get the everyday stresses, fears and anxieties that fragile recovering addicts like us go through. It is all there.”

He adds, “There is also a lot in the comic that could happen to me, so being involved in this with the others, who have been through stuff I haven’t, talking about these things in this way, has definitely helped me in my recovery. It has made me more aware of what could happen, a kind of ‘lightbulb’ moment.”

Zoe Gray explains that while the

residents provided the words, it was even more powerful for them to see their story brought to life visually by way of the illustrations. Staff agree that this project became a lifesaver for residents during lockdown as it created purpose, connectedness as a group, and a sense of achievement. It also gave the residents a forum to talk honestly about shared struggles, especially at a time when there was a lot of fear and panic.

However, it is not only the residents of Gray’s Court who will benefit from the production of this comic. Copies have already been sent to other addiction services throughout the Province, for distribution to their service users – as a means of informing them about the services available at Gray’s Court, identifying triggers that can be avoided and giving reassurance that they are not alone in their struggles.

Having noticed that this was issue one, I asked the team if there were any plans to follow up with a second, or even a third issue. There is certainly a desire to tell more recovery stories of different kinds, and even to share about life post-Gray’s Court. However, that is all dependent on further funding. I certainly hope this is not the end of Recovery Comics but rather a case of ‘to be continued…’

If you would like to learn more about life in Gray’s Court and the struggles faced by those recovering from substance misuse, you can request a copy of the comic from Frances Craig by emailing: fcraig@pcibsw.org

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AS I SEE IT...

Turning around the climate crisis Andrew Soye

T

hankfully, it seems that we are slowly emerging from resurrection of the body” and a renewed earth has been replaced the worst of the pandemic. Soon we can get back to by the expectation of a ‘home in the sky’ for our disembodied normal... souls. Why attempt to halt or repair the damage that we are ...Except that the causes of the pandemic – the causing to the planet if our souls will, sooner or later, depart to an destruction of natural places that drives wildlife to live close to ethereal heaven? people, and the climate change that forces animals to move – Redemption. Like the people of Israel, who forgot that they are still very much with us. Our health and wellbeing depend had been rescued from exile in order to return to their God-given completely on the climate and on the other organisms we share task of being a “light to the nations” we, God’s redeemed, do not the planet with. Without urgent action the future looks very always answer our call to care for this planet in God’s service. bleak.

Although we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on For over 60 years scientists have been highlighting the dire earth as it is in heaven,” too often we do little to ensure that the consequences of the ecological damage caused by industrialisation righteous kingdom inaugurated by Jesus’ physical resurrection is and extraction of fossil resources – established practically and that God’s reign including species loss, pandemics, droughts Our health and wellbeing on earth is extended as we wait for our and flooding. They imagined (romantic Lord’s second coming. depend completely on idealists!) that by putting the scientific Renewed. Over the years that have passed facts into magazines such as Science and since his resurrection, Jesus’ return to earth the climate and on the Nature they could turn things around – to “judge the living and the dead” has been other organisms we not reckoning with the selfishness and recast as the faithful being taken up to meet short-sightedness of extractive industries, him in the sky before travelling onwards share the planet with. investment companies, politicians and... and upwards together to... well.... the sky. ahem... you and me.

The New Testament writers had anticipated a very different scene It is only recently that the stubborn logic of a Swedish involving our going out to escort the victorious risen King back schoolgirl, protests on the streets of our capital cities, and a to earth in order to confirm his rule, at last “bringing all things in pandemic, have crowbarred these truths into our consciousness. heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.” This Massive social and economic change is now required to respond physical world with its intricate ecosystem matters now, not solely to, and mitigate the effects of this damage. We, humankind, may for the pragmatic reason that it enables our survival, but because have only a single decade in which to turn around, in biblical it will be transformed in God’s future renewed creation. Creation terms, that is, to ‘repent’. is “groaning” as it waits with us for this physical transformation Why has the Christian church, in possession of God’s written (Romans 8:22). truth and indwelt by the Spirit of truth, remained largely silent There is still time to address the climate and ecological crisis on this subject? Why do we continue to “hinder the truth”? The and to help build a better future. Organisations such as Tearfund, short answer may be because of (and by) our “unrighteousness” close to those who are least able to cope with the pandemic, (Romans 1:18) – many of us continue to benefit from exploitative severe weather events and sea-level rises, are working hard industrial and social practices. However, I believe that our guilty to stimulate discussion and to encourage appropriate action silence is also a result of unbiblical and muddled theology. (Tom among our churches. I believe that it is only by wholeheartedly Wright in his book Surprised by Hope, outlines and systematically celebrating God’s creation and our Lord’s physical resurrection addresses this ‘muddle’ in a way that I am neither theologically that we can avoid arrogant ‘we can fix it ourselves’ and defeatist equipped to, nor have space to attempt in this short article.) ‘what does it matter anyway?’ attitudes. God has entrusted us Creation. While we regularly proclaim our belief in with the care of his earth. If we return to that task in humble God as “Maker of heaven and earth”, few of us in practice obedience, we can be sure that our “labour in the Lord is not in wholeheartedly celebrate the physical world as “very good”, nor vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). do we see ourselves in the role of God’s appointed “stewards” of his creation (Genesis 2:15). Like first century Gnostics we Andrew Soye is a geologist and a member of Waringstown have rejected the solid biblical teaching of Jesus’ incarnation, Presbyterian Church. physical death and bodily resurrection. The Christian hope of “the

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REVIEWS

Love Your Church: Eight great things about being a church member Tony Merida (with forward by Ray Ortland) THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY

£7.99

Given that the past year has hugely disrupted our attendance at church, this is a very timely book. Not being able to gather together every Sunday will have sparked a deep appreciation in some for what was lost, and a new-found enthusiasm for returning to services.

Others may be more ambivalent, feeling that the disconnection with their church family has widened over time and they will not be rushing back.

Regardless of how you are feeling, this book will give you plenty of food for thought in regard to your church membership and attendance and what these should mean to you. In an age when churches were already grappling with consumerism mentalities and peripheral preferences, the pandemic will have added another level of challenge in engaging members to embrace discipleship and involvement. Tony Merida lays out eight key things that he thinks should be the responsibility of church members, saying, “I want you to be thrilled about being part of a local community of believers.”

Recognising that often people feel far from thrilled about church (even

Special price The Good Book Company is offering Love Your Church at special discounted rates as below, if ordered through Robin Fairbairn, their ministry development officer in Ireland.

He can be contacted at robin.fairbairn@thegoodbook.co.uk or telephone 07841 469165.

Up to 50 copies – £5 per copy Over 50 copies – £4.80 per copy Over 100 copies – £4.40 per copy

««««« if they are committed members and regular attenders), Merida challenges our attitudes saying, “The idea of ‘I love Jesus but not the church’ is inconsistent and problematic. She’s his bride…”

He acknowledges that some people grapple with loving church because they have been hurt, either by another member or someone in leadership. Or others are commited and devoted to service, but are worn out and weary. He does not hide away from challenging those in leadership to be humble and gracious servants who lead well, dealing with such issues sensitively and graciously. However, Merida is clear that, for the most part, the onus is on us; we need to open our hearts, lay down our critical spirits, love those in our church family and appreciate gathering together.

A discussion guide at the end of the book will allow readers to delve deeper into each chapter. There are also free downloadable resources at http://thegoodbook.co.uk/lovechurch, including videos and worksheets which could be used in small groups with other church members.

Merida makes it clear that while walking the road of faith is a difficult one, without the fellowship and support of other believers, it can become overwhelming. Simply put: we need one another. If you are struggling with your church right now – maybe because of time away, difficulties in your life, or because you are frustrated with how restrictions have changed it, this book will help give you a fresh perspective and renewed vision for what being part of a congregation really means. As Merida says, “The Lord of the church loves you with an undying love. So love your church.”

Sarah Harding

Recommendations Through careful biblical instruction, good humour, and rich personal experience, Tony Merida encourages the reader to want to serve the church over which Jesus is Lord –responsibly, joyfully and wholeheartedly. This is a ‘must-read’ for every church member.

Dr Frank Sellar, minister of Bloomfield Presbyterian Church and former PCI Moderator.

By stripping church life back to its biblical basics, Love Your Church presents a straightforward guide to why church matters and what being a member brings to our lives. As we return to more normal rhythms of church life in the wake of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it offers a sharable vision of what we need to recapture and rebuild.

Rev David Thompson, Secretary of PCI’s Council for Congregational Life and Witness.

For me, the best thing about Tony’s book is the overall tone of it and the impact it will surely make. This book will help us all see our churches with new eyes of expectancy and love our churches with new gladness of heart. Instead of finding fault, we will marvel at the privilege of belonging to a church where Jesus is present.

The whole outlook Tony imparts to us throughout this book is a new sense of wonder that we get to be involved in the greatest reality on the face of the earth today: the community where Jesus himself lives. Walking into church Sunday by Sunday with this awareness living in our hearts, we can start breathing life into everyone around.

Ray Ortland, senior pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee and guest speaker at ‘Everyday Disciples’, PCI Special Assembly 2017.

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REVIEWS

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

Songs for the Wilderness (EP) White Stone Receivers 7CORE MUSIC £5.94

«««««

Songs for the Wilderness is the first project for musical group White Stone Receivers, led by Scott McKeown. Having been part of the rock band Crave for more than 15 years, McKeown felt that God had given him pieces that were more congregational in focus and so he began producing the six tracks that make up this EP. The songs take us through the journey of faith, from marvelling at creation, wondering at the mystery of the cross, to the hope of a restored land.

These are pieces written for community worship and the simple, catchy melodies lend themselves to congregational singing. There is a definite nod to his rock background in Crave, but they are softer and more generally accessible. I found myself singing along to these songs pretty quickly. How easily they could be adapted for congregational singing would very much depend on each individual setting, but melodically they are easy to sing and remember.

The joy of singing together is one of the most obvious things that we have missed over these last 15 months and it might require a bit more effort to reproduce the sound of these pieces – but it will be more than worth it.

LI

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A Church Called Tov Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS

£14.99

«««««

Tragically, there are so many revelations of abuses in renowned churches and ministries. New Testament theologian Scot McKnight and his daughter, former Willow Creek member, Laura Barringer offer a pathway forward, for any church, big or small.

Barringer charts the painful process of realising that all was not well in Willow Creek, a mega church which was renowned as the pioneer and exemplar of the ‘seeker friendly’ approach. But the book is not about how bad Bill Hybels and Willow Creek have been, although the abuses and cover-ups are not minimised.

“We need a better way. The sad truth is that churches of all shapes and sizes are susceptible to abuses of power, sexual and spiritual abuse…We need a map to get us from where we are today to where we ought to be as the body of Christ.

That map is in a mysterious and beautiful little Hebrew word in Scripture that we translate ‘good’, the word ‘tov’.”

From Genesis chapter one on, the authors unpack its richness and explain how it can help Christians and churches fulfil their true calling as imitators of Jesus.

All in leadership throughout PCI should reflect on how we may “create a culture that resists abuse and promotes healing, safety, and spiritual growth.” Mutual accountability and encouragement to flourish must be core values and Christlikeness our passion.

JF

From Shore to Shore Pamela Ferguson WIPF & STOCK PUBLISHERS

£18.00

«««««

This book is beautifully crafted, emotionally honest, and opens a door for all of us into the most personal and vulnerable moments of life. It allows us to watch how the author coped with challenges, and moulded them into an inner resilience and deep trust that inspires us to believe in God’s loving presence in all of life’s circumstances.

Pamela and her husband Jim worked as PCI missionaries in Indonesia. She grew up in Nigeria where her parents, Rev and Mrs Harry Clarke were Qua Iboe missionaries, and then moved to live in South Armagh where her father was a Presbyterian minister. She draws on all these experiences in her book and the range of themes is expansive: nature’s eloquence; God’s still small voice; the demands and enrichment of living in different cultures; the gift of children and the legacy of grandparents; the joy of belonging and the pain of separation; peace-making in a divided community; the silence that envelops visitors to Auschwitz; protecting the planet; the wisdom quotations from Vincent van Gogh; and the life-revealing art of Rembrandt.

The Christian spirituality pervading in From Shore to Shore resonates with the rich classical Celtic tradition of ‘the land of saints and scholars’, a spirituality that offers a way of encountering God which re-energises the human spirit through the gift of Jesus Christ. It reveals a writer of deeply moving poetry and prose, who is an absorber of beauty, a cherisher of loving relationships, and a poet and storyteller who can inspire. I’m not in the habit of reading a book twice, but for this I will definitely be making an exception.

KN

REVIEWERS

PG – Peter Gray is an organ student at Knock Presbyterian AB – Rev Alan Burke is minister of Lissara Presbyterian Church

Silence under a Stone Norma MacMaster BLACK SWAN IRELAND

£8.99

«««««

This is a fascinating novel about a Presbyterian family, their church and the wider Protestant community, set in a Southern border county in the years straddling partition in 1921.

Towards the end of her life, Harriet Campbell, by then in a Dublin nursing home, reflects on her life that has been marked by achievements, challenges and disappointments.

At the age of 16, with her mother’s encouragement, she married a farmer twice her age who became a significant figure in the local Orange Lodge and an elder in the congregation. This proved to be a less than happy and fulfilling marriage, to a man more aware of his role as the head of the house, than of his obligations to love and honour his wife.

The birth of their son, James, brought hope, happiness and expectation that he would become a Presbyterian minister but, while at college, he fell in love with a beautiful girl from the other side of the Protestant/Catholic fracture, which resulted in all kinds of stressful complications within the family and their relationships with the minister, the members of the congregation and the Orange Lodge.

The novel is sensitively and beautifully written, a story of love and faith and pain.

We can be thankful that in many places some of these matters have moved on in the last 100 years. The book would yield much profitable discussion in a reading group in a congregation.

JD

LI – Louise Irwin is part of the worship team at Kirkpatrick Memorial JF – John Faris is minister emeritus of Cork Presbyterian KN – Very Rev Dr Ken Newell is a former Presbyterian Moderator JD – Very Rev Dr John Dunlop is a former Presbyterian Moderator

Resounding Body Andy Thomas SACRISTY PRESS

£15.00

«««««

Andy Thomas’ book explores the transformational role of church music, and delivering that when the resources are less than ideal. This slim book of about 100 pages is an easy read, aimed at anyone and everyone in the congregations where most of us find ourselves, yet it also challenges, encouraging us to think in ways we may not be accustomed to.

His experience, particularly in forming a choir in a diverse London congregation, made up of several different nationalities,

Something Worth Living For Randall Greenwald CHRISTIAN FOCUS PUBLICATIONS

£8.99 (Available at Evangelical Bookshop for £6.75)

«««««

You love Jesus, but who is Jesus and why do you love him? Maybe you would struggle to answer such a question, or maybe you grew up learning the Shorter Catechism and without a second thought could rhyme off those truths that you learnt – of how Jesus is our Redeemer, Prophet, Priest and King.

In this book Randall Greenwald takes the Westminster Shorter Catechism and

and the theologically liberal and conservative, provides the introduction to each chapter. The frustrations and challenges he encountered are honestly explored, along with the lessons these taught him. For him, how lives are transformed is more important than producing music to the highest standard.

If this background suggests little of relevance for congregations where the choir has been disbanded in favour of a praise band, that would be to misjudge this book; it’s not about style or technique, it’s about music as a ministry.

The questions for discussion at the end of each chapter, in which congregation, clergy, Session and music team are invited to participate, are in keeping with the hymn, Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You, which concludes by reminding us to have the grace to let others serve us too.

This is not the only book that should be in the library of the church musician, but one that deserves a place there for its attention to the most important function of the role. Also, for anyone in the pew with an opinion on the music, he provides a useful yardstick against which to measure that.

PG explores the riches it contains. His hope is that readers might be moved to find out what it means to enjoy a living and vital relationship with the gracious and holy God of our salvation, knowing the beauty that is Reformed theology.

Each question of the catechism is grouped and handled with remarkable clarity, spending no more than a few pages on each, in a way that warms the heart and leaves the reader wanting more.

The pastoral way in which Greenwald writes, along with the use of thoughtful and grounded illustrations help connect the deep truths of what is being taught to our own experiences, so that in each section the redemptive purposes of God are made clear.

Overall, this is an accessible book that will help you to come to a greater understanding of those foundational biblical truths that it deals with.

Five stars does not do this book justice, I would highly commend it to you – readable throughout, challenging, encouraging, and a great resource.

AB

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LIFE IN PCI

Please be aware that some of these photographs may have been taken before the introduction of government restrictions.

Presbyterians demand vaccine justice Members of the Presbyterian community are at the forefront of calls by Christian Aid Ireland for ‘vaccine justice’ for the three out of four people in developing countries who are not due to receive their coronavirus vaccines this year.

The charity is calling on pharmaceutical companies to share their vaccine formulas with the world to help speed up equal access to vaccines by all and not just those living in richer countries.

John Doherty Comber grandfather John Doherty is a member of Scrabo Presbyterian Church in Newtownards and he marked the moment he received his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine to raise awareness of the issue. He was photographed holding his vaccination card and a bar of soap, signifying that soap and water remain among the few defences against infection for people in low-income countries until vaccines are made widely available.

John has been a Christian Aid supporter for many years and chairs the Newtownards CA Committee. Every year in the week before Christmas, the committee holds a three-day sit-out in Conway Square and in May during Christian Aid Week, they carry out a house-to-house collection. These and other fundraising events have enabled the Newtownards committee to raise more than £500,000 for the charity’s work since 1987.

A lifetime of dedication to music and praise in Ballyholme Johnston Gray BEM has officially retired as organist and choirmaster at Ballyholme Presbyterian Church after an incredible 69 years.

Having started piano lessons in May Street Church as a boy, Johnston moved on to the organ and was soon filling in for the regular organist who had fallen ill. Two years later – and still only aged 15 – he became the deputy organist at Townsend Street Presbyterian, thereafter progressing to play in May Street for Rosemary Men’s School at 3.30pm and on to Connsbrook Church for 7pm.

At the age of 20, Johnston applied to Ballyholme Presbyterian Church in Co Down for the position of organist and choirmaster. However, he was not chosen – they were sure he would not stay. The successful applicant, a blind man, decided to leave after two months and the vacancy was offered to Johnston.

So began this ‘life of dedication’ and the regular journeys, twice a day on Sunday and many times during the week, between Belfast and Bangor, to and from morning and evening services and choir practice. Up and down the Bangor Road in all weathers – on a bike.

His original intention was to stay for only one year, but such was the friendliness and kindness of the people of Ballyholme he could not leave.

He stayed for 69 years and so the opportunities to praise God continued.

In 2017, in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Johnston was awarded the British Empire Medal for charitable services by the Lord Lieutenant at Hillsborough Castle.

Retirement in 2020 at the wonderful age of 90, was the culmination of a lifetime of commitment and dedication not only to Ballyholme Presbyterian Church but also to the use of music and song for the worship and praise of Almighty God.

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Nora Gibson

Rachel McCormick

Nora Gibson, who belongs to Brigh Presbyterian Church, also received her jab recently and added her voice to the campaign. Nora has been involved with Cookstown Christian Aid Committee for many years. In a normal year, she would take her turn to help organise the Lent soup lunches held in the town which, together with other fundraising events, enable the Cookstown committee to raise around £8,000 per year.

Also joining the growing chorus of calls demanding vaccine justice is Rachel McCormick (69) from First Garvagh Presbyterian Church in County Londonderry. Rachel has been a Christian Aid supporter for many years.

She is the volunteer manager of The Changing Room, Christian Aid’s charity shop in the village, a venture she set up herself in 2016. And in 2018, she also completed a daring 10,000 ft skydive to raise funds for the charity.

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

Retirement in Cloughwater

100th birthday in Magherahamlet

Cloughwater kirk session and congregation made a presentation to Ivan Davison on his retirement after serving for over 32 years as clerk of session. Also pictured are Robert Simpson (new clerk) and Rev Alistair McCracken (minister of the Co Antrim congregation).

Thomas McMaster, a faithful member of Magherahamlet Presbyterian Church for many years, celebrated his 100th birthday recently. Due to the pandemic, celebrations were scaled down but minister Rev David Hyndman and members of the Co Down congregation called to deliver cards and presents. Mr McMaster was delighted to receive these and also cards and letters from the Queen, the President of Ireland, the Lord Lieutenant of Down and PCI Moderator Dr David Bruce.

New halls for Bloomfield PCI Moderator Dr David Bruce unveiled a plaque to mark the dedication of Bloomfield Presbyterian’s new church halls complex. He is pictured with former Moderator and current minister of the Belfast congregation, Dr Frank Sellar. Costing £2 million, the work included demolishing old prefabricated halls to make way for a new extension. The new complex includes a sports hall, large kitchen, washrooms and a minor hall, with the Session room, small hall and meeting rooms above.

New minister in Ryans Rev Brian Colvin has been installed as the minister of Ryans following the church’s linkage with Downshire Road congregation in Newry. Elders William Mitchell and Uel Wright are pictured with Mr Colvin.

Presentation at Trinity House Trinity House resident Christina McMullan received her NI 100 commemorative coin from Alderman Mark Fielding (mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council) and mayoress Phyliss Fielding recently. The bespoke gift features the council’s coat of arms on one side with ‘NI 100’ branding on the reverse. This coin will be presented to all residents in the borough who turn 100 this year, Northern Ireland’s centenary year also. Miss McMullan was accompanied by her niece Marina McKeown and nephew John McMullan.

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CROSSWORD Puzzle no 263 1

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compiled by Harry Douglas

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ACROSS 1 A follower of Jesus (8) 8 Blacken (7) 9 Latest arrival (8) 10 Manx capital (7) 12 Paul visited here (7) 16 Baby from Down Under (3) 17 Steering device (6) 20 Limb joint (4) 22 Peg (3) 23 Not wrong (5) 24 Item of bed linen (5) 25 Choose (3) 26 Consume (3) 27 Give way (5) 28 Gather (5) 29 Christians are to be this (4) 30 Good to splash in! (7)

DOWN 1 Peril (6) 2 Toothed tool (3) 3 Mixed up PM (5) (anagram) 4 Yorkshire football club (5,6) 5 Spanish river (4) 6 Problem (4) 7 An award (5) 11 Comprehend (10) 13 Ice cream cone (4) 14 Always the best policy (7) 15 Abram’s city (2) 18 Elizabeth II (6) 19 Lepers were these (8) 21 Twelve less Judas (6) 22 The doubter (6)

REFLECTIONS

The Lord’s family Andrew Conway

I

sn’t it great to have people who love us, and to be able to literal translation, but the use of ‘devoted’ helps convey the love them in return? I’m sure many of us know that, by the strength of Paul’s statement. glad experience of having such people, and I dare say a good It is thus clear that the one positive use of storge in the New number of us know it by the sad experience of lacking such Testament (albeit in an amalgamation with phileo) is designed people. Most of us can probably relate to both experiences – to teach that Christians should view one another as family and we’ve known the joy of loving relationships, and the agony of be committed to one another as family. broken relationships, bad relationships or This is very much in keeping with the loneliness. wider revelation in Scripture of the fact God is redeeming a One of the effects of the pandemic has that God is redeeming a family. He isn’t family…The life of the no doubt been to give many of us a fresh just redeeming individuals who will spend and deeper recognition of just how central eternity in indifference to each other, or church in the here and relationships are to life. The heartbreaking isolation from each other. He’s redeeming separation that has been involved in trying now ought to reflect that, a family of all those who look to Jesus to keep everyone safe from Covid has salvation, and they will love him and and it’s part of the calling for made this clear, as have the many creative one another for all eternity. The life of ways that congregations have found to of every Christian to see the church in the here and now ought to keep in touch with one another. reflect that, and it’s part of the calling of that it does.

In this column during 2021 we’re every Christian to see that it does. exploring the theme of love, with four We live in a very individualistic day and different Greek words typically translated ‘love’ as our starting age, and of course the gospel does address people individually. point. Today we come to the word storge. As we saw last time God’s love is revealed in a personal and individual way. He when considering phileo, there are inevitably some areas of doesn’t just care about humanity as a generic lump and care overlap between the four words and it’s wise not to try to push about us because we’re part of the lump. He loves us personally, for too rigid a distinction between them. and of course his personal love, revealed in Jesus, calls for a Certainly storge and phileo have much in common. personal response. A personal relationship with him is at the Nevertheless, a good starting point for understanding storge is very heart of what it means to be a Christian. to think of it as the natural love and affection that rightly exists Perhaps, though, in rightly focusing on the personal nature between family members. of Christianity we’ve neglected the fact that it is very much Uses of the word in the New Testament are rare and indirect. collective too. God is redeeming a family! In these trying times, That’s probably in part because of the overlap with phileo, and which have brought the value of relationships to light again, likewise because when instruction is being given to family let’s appreciate the great reality of storge love. Let’s trust in the members on how to treat one another the word agape is well Lord and commit ourselves to being part of his family. fitted to teach us how the love revealed at the cross should shape our attitudes to each other (Ephesians 5:25, for instance). Rev Andrew Conway is minister of Clonduff and Hilltown To the best of my knowledge (I’ve never been much of a Presbyterian churches. linguist and I’m very happy to be corrected, especially in a spirit of agape, phileo or storge love!) there are three instances of storge making an appearance of sorts in the New Testament. Two are when Paul uses its opposite (astorge) in Romans 1:31 and 2 Timothy 3:3. In English this is typically rendered ‘heartless’.

The remaining instance is in Romans 12:10, where Paul employs a compound word that is essentially phileo and storge combined. The NIV translates this as: “Be devoted to one another in love”; while the ESV goes for: “Love one another with brotherly affection”. Both of these translations have much to commend them. ‘Brotherly affection’ is probably a more Herald Summer 2021

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REFLECTIONS

No blood in the sugar Betsy Cameron

W

hen I went to Malawi to work years ago, I was, quite simply, a luminary of extraordinary brilliance, a figure experienced the sharp shock of many new of utter principle and compassion, who lived a servant’s life of experiences, a process as exciting as it was love and care for everyone, those near and those far away, those exhausting. Some things were easier than others. on the mean streets of Belfast and those toiling in tropical My upbringing in a hot, humid part of the world somewhat heat in barbaric conditions to produce sugar for the tables of prepared me to co-exist with an assortment of bugs, but the the wealthy. For Mary Ann, everyone bore the image of God, sheer volume and variety of creepy-crawlies in Malawi was everyone had dignity and value, everyone was a neighbour to on an epic scale. Weevils in the flour, scorpions in your shoes, love and serve. geckoes on the ceiling. But in time, constant vigilance in the She was educated at a school for both girls and boys, highly battle against the critters gradually gave way to resignation and unusual at the time, and she maintained a lifelong interest in a shrug of defeat. What else could you do? Once I became an the education and welfare of children, particularly girls. She old hand, it was amusing to observe how newcomers reacted campaigned against child labour, fed and clothed those in to the bugs. If you were newly arrived, you would throw out need, took an active interest in prison reform, provided soap, the sugar if bugs were in the bowl. (They candles and books for orphaned children were always in the bowl.) When you’d in the Belfast Poor House, and worked for What would our world been there for a while, you carefully decades in the struggle to abolish slavery. picked the bugs out before spooning sugar look like if we all lived as Even as an elderly woman, she could be in your coffee or tea. But if you were a seen down at the docks in Belfast handing Mary Ann McCracken seasoned pro, you stopped seeing the bugs out tracts denouncing the evils of slavery altogether. In went the sugar, bugs and all. did? to those who were emigrating to America.

Sugar, together with tea and coffee, are For her, every sphere of life was an among Malawi’s biggest exports and form the backbone of the opportunity to proclaim kingdom values, and she was engaged economy. All three are regarded as cupboard staples, everyday the whole of her long life in the struggle for social justice as a grocery items whose back story we rarely think about. All three matter of Christian conviction. are hugely labour intensive to grow and process. All three are Mary Ann McCracken was a woman ahead of her time, subject to the vagaries of the commodities market to establish certainly, but I have a funny feeling she would find our present their ‘value’. But sugar stands out from the rest. Though each time depressingly familiar. So many of the injustices she one has its own troubling past (and present), sugar has the most campaigned tirelessly to right have proved to be stubborn and harrowing history, steeped in the blood, sweat and bitter tears intractable. Child labour, slavery and human trafficking, poverty, of enslaved people who produced it. How ironic that this sweet despair, oppression and exploitation are still alive and well today. luxury, prized by those who lived lives of ease and plenty, should What would our world look like if we all lived as Mary Ann have been paid for by unimaginable human suffering. Looking McCracken did? What would happen if the words of the Lord’s at the sugar bowl on the table, it’s easy to forget that it is tainted prayer became our call to action: “Your will be done on earth with blood. as it is in heaven”? Are we willing to untangle ourselves from Mary Ann McCracken, a prominent Presbyterian from systems that cause suffering? Sometimes I think Christians Belfast born in 1770, had no such difficulty understanding are simply too accepting of the power of evil in our world, too the horrific human cost of producing sugar. For her the choice overwhelmed by its scale and complexity, too defeated by the was simple: do not participate. She gave up eating sugar, led enormity of the struggle. others to boycott sugar and worked tirelessly for most of her We in the church are good at participating in the works of 96 years to abolish the slave trade. You may know her as sister mercy as we try to meet immediate needs of neighbours, both to Henry Joy McCracken, executed for his role in the United near and far-away. We are less good at participating in the Irishmen Rebellion of 1798, but, of course, she is a person in works of justice, which seek a root-and-branch opposition to her own right, and I hope you know something about her own evil. In the shining life of Mary Ann McCracken, we see how remarkable life story. the two can be seamlessly joined together.

I could empty the superlative cupboard trying to find enough

words to sum up her astonishing life. Mary Ann McCracken Herald Summer 2021

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CHURCH RECORD VACANT CONGREGATIONS, MODERATORS AND CLERKS OF KIRK SESSIONS (Information supplied by Clerks of Presbyteries, Conveners of Assembly Commissions and Councils).

1 LEAVE TO CALL GRANTED

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

ANAHILT AND DRUMLOUGH: REV L.A. PATTERSON: (Anahilt) Mr Laurence Hook, 10 Spirehill Road, Hillsborough, BT26 6LU. (Drumlough) Mr David Gibson, 56 Drumaknockan Road, Hillsborough, BT26 6EU. BALLYCROCHAN: REV C.W. MEGAW: Mr Billy Hyndman, 24 Knightsbridge Court, Bangor, BT19 6SD. BALLYGOMARTIN: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV I.K. McDONALD: Mr Raymond Cummings, 43A Lyndhurst Gardens, Belfast, BT13 3PH. BALLYKELLY: REV J.L. BLAIR: Mrs Doreen Nicholl, Shackleton Lodge, 8 Dukes Lane, Ballykelly, BT49 9JT. BROOKVALE: REV F.J. GIBSON: Mr Norman McCrum, 49 Ballynamagna Road, Rathfriland, Newry, BT34 5PA. CARNMONEY: REV P.G. McCREA: Mr Paul Elliott, 52b Connor Road, Parkgate, BT39 OEA. CLAGGAN & ORRITOR: REV MARK DODDS: (Claggan) Mr Tom Bell, 100 Lough Fea Road, Cookstown, BT80 9SS. (Orritor) Mr Stewart Black, 98 Morgans Hill Road, Cookstown, BT80 8BW. CHURCHTOWN: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV J.T. BLUE: Mr C. Rowe, 1 Churchfield, Tamlaght O Crilly, Maghera, Co Londonderry, BT46 5XP. CLOGHERNEY and SIXMILECROSS: REV R.G. McELNEA: (Clogherney) Miss Ruth Kerr, 2 Georgian Villas, Omagh, BT79 0AT. (Sixmilecross) Mr Alan Gibson, 1 Dreenan Road, Beragh, Omagh, BT79 0SH. COAGH, BALLYGONEY and SALTERSLAND: REV G.J. JORDAN: (Coagh) Mrs Amy Allingham, 17 Coagh Road, Cookstown, BT80 8RL. (Ballygoney) Rev David Leach (temporary Clerk of Session) 36 Hospital Road, Magherafelt, BT45 5DG. (Saltersland) Andrew Johnston, 25 Mulderg Road, Magherafelt, BT45 6NN. COMBER, SECOND: REV A.T. JOHNSTON: Mr Gary Dalzell, 10 Carnesure Heights, Comber, BT23 5RN. CUNINGHAM MEMORIAL, CULLYBACKEY: REV A.A.P. BAXTER: Mr L. Wiseman, 1 Shellinghill Lane, Cullybackey, BT42 1FX. DRUMACHOSE and DERRAMORE: REV R.J. HYNDMAN: (Drumachose) Mr Sam McGregor, 15 Meadowvale Park, Limavady, BT49 0NU. (Derramore) Mr Sam Kelly, 220 Windyhill Road, Coleraine, BT51 4JL. DUNBOE, FIRST: REV DR T.P. FLEMING: Mr Peter Kirk, 5 Liffock Court, Castlerock, Coleraine, BT51 4DQ. FIRST DERRY (incl. CLAREMONT) and MONREAGH: REV DR T.R. BUICK: (First Derry) Mr Billy Kyle, 74 Dunboyne Park, Eglinton, Londonderry, BT47 3YJ. (Monreagh) Mr John Vance, Cross, Carrigans, Lifford, Co Donegal, F93 PXT0.

FISHERWICK: REV D.J. GRAY: Mrs Linda Little, 9 Rosepark South, Belfast, BT5 7RJ. GILFORD and TULLYLISH: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV T.A. CONWAY: (Gilford) Mr Paul Cochrane, Stramore Road, Gilford, Craigavon.

(Tullylish) Mr John McCullagh, 2 Old Bann Road, Gilford, Craigavon, BT63 6DZ. KILFENNAN: REV GRAEME ORR: Mr Will Doran, 2 Moulton Park, Eglinton, BT47 3XP. KILKENNY: REV S.D. CONKEY: Mr John Ellis, Annamult, Stoneyford, Co Kilkenny.

KIRKPATRICK MEMORIAL: REV R.J. BEGGS: Mr Gareth Irwin, 37 Clonlee Drive, Belfast, BT4 3DA.

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NEWTOWNARDS, FIRST: REV SAM CASTLES: Mr David Cargo, 7 Ascot Park, Newtownards, BT23 4AZ. NEW MOSSLEY: (7 year reviewable tenure) REV DR W.J.M. PARKER: Mr Howard Keery, 16 Earlford Heights, Mossley, Newtownabbey, BT36 5WZ. PORTSTEWART: REV R.J. COLLINS: Mr Peter O’Neill, 3 Henry O’Neill Heights, Portstewart, BT55 7UD. TOBERMORE & DRAPERSTOWN: (Part-time 50%, Reviewable Tenure – 5 years) REV DR J.A. CURRY: Mr Gordon Dickson Jnr, 7 Strawmore Road, Draperstown, BT45 7JE.

2 LEAVE TO CALL DEFERRED GORTNESSY: REV A.J.A. ROSBOROUGH: Mr Ross Hyndman, 32 Temple Road, Strathfoyle, Londonderry, BT47 6UB. RICHVIEW: REV N.S. HARRISON: Mr Victor Garland, 25 Abingdon Drive, Belfast, BT12 5PX.

SETTLED STATED SUPPLY APPOINTED BALLINDERRY: RT REV DR W.J. HENRY, Minister of Maze BOVEEDY: REV DR T.J. McCORMICK, Minister of First Kilrea CAHIR: REV WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, Minister of Fermoy KATESBRIDGE: REV N.J. KANE, Minister of Magherally KILREA, SECOND: REV S.A. MORROW, Minister of Moneydig TYRONE’S DITCHES: REV J.K.A. McINTYRE, Minister of Bessbrook

3 DECLARED VACANT BALLINA, KILLALA & BALLYMOTE: REV D.J. CLARKE: Mr Geoffrey Shannon, Robin Hill, Carraun, Corballa, Ballina, Co Mayo, F26 A070.

BALLYSILLAN: REV DR S.E. HUGHES: Mr Gervais Henderson, 94 Tudor Park Mallusk, Co Antrim, BT36 4WL. BELVOIR: REV B.J. McCROSKERY: Mr Brian Dunwoody, 19 Drumart Drive, Belfast, BT8 7ET. BURT: REV JAMES LAMONT: Mr James Buchanan, Heathfield, Speenoge, Burt, Co Donegal, F93 W3K6.

CARNLOUGH & CUSHENDALL and NEWTOWNCROMMELIN: REV R.J. WATT: (Carnlough & Cushendall) Mr Norman McMullan, 91 Ballymena Road, Carnlough, Ballymena, BT44 0LA. (Newtowncrommelin) Mr James Gillan, 67 Gracefield, Ballymena, BT42 2RP. CASTLEBLAYNEY FIRST, CORVALLEY & FRANKFORD: REV DR G.W. CLINTON: (Castleblayney, First) Mrs Daphne Holmes-Greer, Tighnabruaich, Killygola, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. (Frankford) Mr Thomas McBirney, Mulladuff, Newtownhamilton, Newry, BT35 0LG. (Corvally) Mr Fred Eakin, Sreenty, Corduff, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

CLOUGH AND SEAFORDE: REV O. PATTERSON: (Clough) Mr William McCall, 29 Main Street, Clough, Downpatrick, BT30 8RA. (Seaforde) Mr David Croskery, 29a Old Park Road, Downpatrick, BT30 8PS.

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 COOKE CENTENARY: REV IVAN STEEN: Elaine MacNeill, 55 Kirkliston Park, Belfast, BT5 6ED. CRUMLIN ROAD: VERY REV DR T.N. HAMILTON: Mr James Coleman, 2 Abbeydale Parade, Belfast, BT14 7HJ. DONAGHADEE, FIRST: VERY REV DR C.J.C. McMULLEN: Mr Sandy Dalzell, 19 Rocklyn Place, Donaghadee, BT21 0FS. DONAGHADEE, SHORE STREET: REV P.C. LYLE: Jim Pollock, 60 Hogstown Road, Donaghadee, BT21 0NH. DONEMANA: VERY REV DR R.L. CRAIG: Mr Derek Gamble, 20 Longlands Road, Donemana, Strabane, BT82 OPQ.

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

RALOO and MAGHERAMORNE: REV. D.R. CROMIE: (Raloo) Mr Geoff McBride, 72 Raloo Road, Larne, BT40 3DU. (Magheramorne) Mr Morris Gardner, 89 Ballypollard Road, Magheramorne, Larne, BT40 3JG. PORTAVOGIE: REV G.J. SIMPSON: Mr Trevor Kennedy, 1 Cairndore Road, Newtownards, BT23 8RD. TOBERKEIGH: REV JOHN STANBRIDGE: Mr Jim Kane, 67A Ballinlea Road, Ballinlea Upper, Ballycastle, BT54 6NN. VINECASH: REV P.W.A. McCLELLAND: Mr Thomas Graham, 38 Richmount, Portadown, BT62 4JQ.

TEMPORARY STATED SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT

DROMORE AND DRUMQUIN: REV E.T. FRAZER: (Dromore) Mr Lynden Keys, 25 New Park Road, Dromore, Co Tyrone, BT78 3JU. (Drumquin) Dr Paul Booth, 231 Tummery Road, Irvinestown, BT78 3UF.

ARMOY and RAMOAN: REV NOEL McCLEAN: (Armoy) Mrs Heather Morrison, 82 Carrowreagh Road, Armoy, BT53 8RS. (Ramoan) Mr Robert Getty, 23 Carrowcroey Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, BT53 8UH.

DUNFANAGHY & CARRIGART: REV DR B. BROWN: (Dunfanaghy) Mrs Ethel Montgomery, ‘Millrace’, Marble Hill Road, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal, F92 N2WO. (Carrigart) Mrs Joy Buchanan, Figart, Carrigart, Co Donegal, F92 N2WO.

BALLYCAIRN: REV WILLIAM HARKNESS: Mr Brian Milligan, 19 Glenariff Drive, Dunmurry, BT17 9AZ.

FAHAN and WATERSIDE: REV G.A. McCRACKEN: (Fahan) Mr James Lamberton, 1 Deanfield, Limavady Road, Londonderry, BT47 6HY. (Waterside) Mr William McIlwaine, 19 Glenaden Hill, Altnagelvin Park, Londonderry, BT47 2LJ. GLASTRY and KIRKCUBBIN: REV N.W. McAULEY: (Glastry): Mr Will Taylor, 43 Manse Road, Kircubbin, Newtownards BT22 1DR; (Kirkcubbin) GRANGE with CRAIGMORE: REV B.A. SMYTH: Mr J. Harris, 32 Portglenone Road, Randalstown BT41 3BE. GREYSTONE ROAD, ANTRIM: REV S. SIMPSON: Mr James Warwick, 3 Dunsilly Road, Antrim, BT41 2JH. INCH: REV JAMES LAMONT: Mr James Buchanan, Heathfield, Speenoge, Burt, Co Donegal, F93 W3K6.

KELLS: (Home Mission) REV ALAN McQUADE: Ms Ruth McCartney, Shancarnan, Moynalty, Kells, Co Meath.

A82 PF60.

KILCOOLEY: REV T.J. McCONAGHIE: Mrs Sylvia Ferguson, 4 Dermott Road, Comber, BT23 5LG. KILLYLEAGH: REV A.S. SMYTH: Mr G. Furey, 75 Comber Road, Toye, Killyleagh, BT30 9PA.

BELLVILLE: REV D.S. HENRY: Mr Mervyn King, 29 Ardmore Road, Derryadd, Lurgan, BT66 6QP. WARRENPOINT and ROSTREVOR: REV S.S. JOHNSTON: (Warrenpoint) Mr Denis Brady, 28 Seaview, Warrenpoint, Newry, BT34 3NJ. (Rostrevor) Mr Terry O’Flynn, 15 Aurora Na Mara, Shore Road, Rostrevor, BT34 3UP.

THE ELDERSHIP Died: BALLYGONEY: Bruce Johnston BALLYCARRY: Robert Alexander Cowan CASTLEBLAYNEY, FIRST: William Windrum CLOGHERNEY: David McClure DRUMLOUGH: Jim Shannon DUNGANNON: John Bleakley EDENDERRY: Robert Thomas Caldwell HILLHALL: Joseph Hall Lockhart MAGHERAFELT, FIRST: Dr Kenneth Watson (Emeritus) MAGUIRESBRIDGE: William John Coulter MARKETHILL, FIRST & SECOND: Walter Scott MOLESWORTH: Wilfred Loghrin, Robert Stewart MOUNTJOY: W. Alan Rennie NEWCASTLE: Robert James Annett TRINITY, BAILIEBOROUGH: Bert Coote SESKINORE: William McCrea

LECKPATRICK AND DONAGHEADY: REV S.J. RICHMOND: (Leckpatrick) Mr Sam Clyde, 36 Woodend Road, Strabane, Co Tyrone, BT82 8LF. (Donagheady) Mr Ernie Colhoun, 44 Lowertown Road, Ballymagorry, Co Tyrone, BT82 OLF.

Ordained and Installed: BLOOMFIELD: David Bell, Kenny Chambers, James Cousley, James Gordon, Sharon Groves, Mark Harbinson, Peter Huey, Colin Maguire, James McClure CLOGHER: Brian Fegan, Adrian Gervais GARDENMORE: Harry Allen, Eric Cameron, Peter Logan, Alan Ward

MONEYMORE, FIRST AND SECOND: REV G. STEWART: Mr Jim Davison, 20 Drumrot Road, Moneymore, BT45 7QH.

Installed: BLOOMFIELD: Michael Stoneman

NEWINGTON: REV DR I.D. NEISH: Mr John Lynass, 8 Bushfoot Park, Portballintrae, BT57 8YX. NEWTOWNARDS, SECOND: REV DR W.J.P. BAILIE: Mr Ivan Patterson, 11 Heron Crescent, Newtownards, BT23 2WH. NEWTOWNARDS – REGENT STREET: REV P.T. DALZELL: Mr Ian MacDonald, 11 Stanvilla Road, Newtownards, BT23 8HE. NEWTOWNSTEWART and GORTIN: REV R.B. THOMPSON: (Newtownstewart) Mr James Baxter, 22 Strabane Road, Newtownstewart, Omagh, BT78 4BD. (Gortin) Mr Adrian Adams, 32 Lisnaharney Road, Lislap, Omagh, BT79 7UE.

THE MINISTRY Resigned: John Montgomery as Minister of Moneymore, First and Second on 21 March 2021 Installed: Brian Colvin as Minister of Ryans (linked with Newry, Downshire Road) on 25 April 2021 Retired: J. Stafford Carson as Principal, Union Theological College on 31 December 2020 Molly Deatherage as Minister of Ballina, Killala & Ballymote on 30 April 2021 Died: Rev Alan Martin, Minister Emeritus of Abbey, Dublin, on 21 March 2021

Herald Summer 2021

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