Wider World Autumn 2023 by Presbyterian Church in Ireland

WIDER WORLD Autumn: September - November 2023

A Praying Church

Why corporate prayer matters

Being Transformed Devotional by Valerie Murphy

Group Focus Hillhall PW

Changing the story for women in the Middle East

Mission in Ireland 2023 Deaconesses

Sonya Anderson

Paula Burrows

Rachel Cubitt

Louise Davidson

Eleanor Drysdale

Deaconess

Shore Street, Donagahadee

Ballygrainey

Whiteabbey

West Church, Bangor

Wellington, Ballymena

Heather McCracken

Joanne Dunlop

Heidi England

Sharon Heron

Roberta Irvine

Deaconess

Craigavon Area Hospital and Antrim Area Hospital

Railway Street, Lisburn

International Meeting Point, Belfast

Elmwood, Lisburn

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and additional duties in chaplaincy in Musgrave Park Hospital

Tracey Nicholl

Hazel Reid

Sylvia Santos Bryce

Rosemary Spiers

Heather Healy

Cathy Smith

Deaconess

Trainee Deaconess

St James’s, Ballymoney

First Broughshane with additional duties in chaplaincy in the Causeway Hospital

West Church, Ballymena

Greenwell Street, Newtownards

Rebecca McConnell Editor

WELCOME TO OUR AUTUMN EDITION As we enter a new season, and the leaves of the trees begin their change into a kaleidoscope of colours, here is a question for you does your prayer life need a little transformation? We all know the importance of prayer. Amy Carmichael wrote: ‘Prayer is the core of the day. Take prayer out, and the day would collapse.’ To give us some clear focus on this, we have a special prayer feature this edition and we are grateful to Andrew Dickson for sharing his insights with some practical tips. Corporate prayer isn’t easy but when we relax into it and really share what’s on our hearts, it can lead to deeper communion with our brothers and sisters as we wait on the Lord to bring sense of some of the things that frustrate and confuse us here on earth. Private prayer is vital too and did you know, one way you can do this to support God’s Church is to pray over the Wider World? Each article contains stories and insights and you can be praying for them all from one edition to the next. As well as raising funds for our Special Overseas Project, prayer will help women in the Middle East who are coming to faith in Jesus, thanks to the sterling work of SAT-7, introduced to us by Julia Jolley. Read all about the project and the transformation of lives through the medium of television. One line that really stood out to me in Julia’s article was, “When we reach women, we reach other people too. Helping women means helping everyone.” What a powerful reminder of our role as women and our caring nature to look after others. Whether we are training to be a deaconess or minister or learning the ropes of being a Sunday School teacher or GB Officer, we each have the wonderful capacity to help others to see Jesus. And not just in what we say at the front of a hall or a church, but through our lives as we seek to share Jesus by our actions. The women of Hillhall Presbyterian are testament to this in their compassionate knits that are sent all over the world to help others in need through their Helping Hands. What a blessing they have been, and continue to be. With our hands, we can truly bless others and lift high the name of Jesus.

CONTENTS 04 Changing the story for women in the Middle East 08 Welcoming President Ann Wilson 10 A Praying Church 14 Transforming into the role of a Deaconess 18 A Reflection 20 Devotional: Being Transformed 22 Hillhall Group Focus: Flourishing Together 24 Transforming chaos into order 26 Book Preview: Knowing You, Jesus 30 Grateful Heart 34 Overseas prayer and news

Freelance Editor: Rebecca McConnell Contact: Presbyterian Women, Congregational Life & Witness Department, Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, 2-10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW. Email: pw@presbyterianireland.org Web: www.presbyterianireland.org/pw Tel: +44 (0)28 9041 7257 Like us on Facebook: Presbyterian Women Digital download: issuu.com/presbyterianireland Designed by: Break - madebybreak.com Wider World is the magazine of PW. Published quarterly: March, June, September and December. Annual subscription: £7/€8 or £1.75/€2 per issue. Each year, an order form will be sent to Wider World agents. This should be returned, together with payment, to the above address. If required, invoices will be issued upon receipt of the order form. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Presbyterian Church in Ireland’ marked Wider World on the reverse. The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject or edit contributions. Opinions expressed in Wider World are not necessarily those of PCI, Presbyterian Women or the Editor.

Whether we support others with physical gifts or financial aid, when we add prayer to what we do - God is able to transform lives and communities through his wonderful grace! May we each be encouraged this season, to do what we can to bring glory to God, and God alone. 03