Spring 2025
HELÔ SIÂN Meet our 2025 Conference Speaker
SHE INSPIRES Helen Roseveare REFLECTING ON OUR
READING CHALLENGE
ENTRUSTED TO PLANT Bible Study
PLUS QUICK QUESTIONS GROUP FOCUS GRATEFUL HEART GLOBAL MISSION
I N S P I R AT I O N S
Resource for women’s ministry
‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble Psalm 46:1
Inspirations 2025/26 Women’s Ministry Resource
This edition of Inspirations is full of ideas to help you plan for your women’s ministry group within your congregation Copies of Inspirations cost £8/€9 each + p&p For more information, email pw@presbyterianireland.org or call +44 (0)28 9041 7257
WELCOME
SPRING 2025
FROM THE EDITOR Rebecca McConnell
The Oxford Children’s Word of 2025, as voted by young people, is kindness. It is a word that can mean many things and is a positive word, one that we all need to have in our vocabulary as well as show in our lives, especially as Christian women. I recently read a historical novel about the people who worked on the first ever English dictionary. It was fascinating how people from all over the country would have posted ‘slips’ to a special team at the Oxford University Press with words on them to consider worthy to go into the dictionary. It took decades to finish all the volumes and some words didn’t make it as they were not referenced enough in literature or deemed a right fit for publication. As someone who works with words, edits them for this publication, the novel gave me a greater appreciation of the dictionary which I turn to for advice. Words and their meaning need to matter to Christians, especially when we have been given God’s Word to help us live our lives. Dr Joel Muddamalle, Director of Theological Research at Proverbs 31 Ministries, recently shared this: “When you do biblical word studies, just because a word can mean something, does not demand that that word does mean that thing in the context. For words to have meaning, there has to be a context that is surrounding that word. “In a society and culture that seems to be flattening word usage, the scriptures are flourishing with word usage. There is a great depth to the words God gave us and a real beauty in them which can in turn help us communicate the beauty of Christ and his victory over sin and death to a world that is desperate for it.” This reminds us of our need to be in the Scriptures, taking time to examine them for ourselves and asking for the Holy Spirit to help us understand better. We look deeper at a beautiful Hebrew word Hesed in our reflection page and, through words at this stage, meet the Annual Conference Speaker, Siân Wyn Rees from Wales.
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 7248 Like us on Facebook: Presbyterian Women Digital download: issuu.com/presbyterianireland Designed by: Break - madebybreak.com INSPIRE is the magazine of PW. Published quarterly: March, June, September and December. Annual subscription: £10/€12 or £2.50/€3 per issue. Each year, an order form will be sent to INSPIRE 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 INSPIRE on the reverse. The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject or edit contributions. Opinions expressed in INSPIRE are not necessarily those of PCI, Presbyterian Women or the Editor.
Someone who wrote many books to tell the amazing story of God’s grace in her life was Helen Roseveare. She was born a hundred years ago in 1925 and we explore her incredible faith and example in She Inspires. Our thanks to everyone who took part in the January Reading challenge. We have a treasure trove in God’s Word that we can explore. Let’s all keep exploring and learning!
CONTENTS 04 06 08 12 14 15 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 34
PW Forum: Servant Heart - serving like Jesus Helô Siân Reading challenge reflections New Systems - same faithful, unchanging God Finding our voice in prayer Meet Presbyterian Women’s new staff Quick Questions with Mabel Brush Reflections - Hesed Bible Study - Entrusted to plant Book Reviews She Inspires - Helen Roseveare Group Focus - Royal Connections in Clare Grateful Heart Overseas prayer and news – 03
PW FORUM
Servant Heart LEADING LIKE JESUS
Pauline Kennedy, PCI’s Women’s Ministry and PW Development Officer, gives some background to the PW Spring Event held in Assembly Buildings in February: Servant Heart - Leading like Jesus: Sometimes as disciples of Jesus we can lose our focus. A bit like having blurred vision, we can become disorientated and disillusioned. In our lives as servants of Christ, keeping the right things in focus is extremely challenging but when we do it is really exciting. Exciting in the sense that the primary call on our lives is to be followers of Jesus. Above our role in a PW Group, we are first called to be followers and apprentices who put into practice the teachings of Jesus. But it’s also challenging, because being a disciple of Jesus means that we are also called, commissioned and challenged to make disciples too. As I travel around different PW Groups and congregations, I often ask the question, “what are the challenges for women’s ministry within your congregation?” The main answers I hear back involve the lack of leaders, lack of vision and, sadly, the lack of enthusiasm to be disciples. The most used term for a leader in Scripture is servant. So, it is vital for every one of us involved in the life and witness of the church community to clearly understand what God has called each servant-leader to be and what he has been called to do. For the women who attended the spring event, thank you for investing the time to refresh your vison of what it means to have a servant heart and to think of ways we can be with Jesus. We are very grateful for how Andrew Dickson led us and for his encouraging words.
– 04 | INSPIRE Spring 2025
The Example Almost 2,000 years have passed since John provided us with this glimpse of Jesus’ love and servant heart, and the standard remains unchanged (John 13:14-15). Jesus has never been a “do as I say, not do as I do” kind of Saviour. His people are still called to love and serve one another until the end because that’s exactly how he lived (Mark 10:45).
Andrew Dickson, PCI’s Congregational Life Development Officer:
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or three years, they had a front row seat to the most remarkable life ever lived. Together, they marvelled at how he could calm howling winds and crashing waves with a whisper. They stood in awe as people with all kinds of ailments returned to their homes good as new. They listened intently to his incredible teaching about a perfect kingdom. And now, it all leads to this: John 13. Jesus is in the upper room with his disciples. He is in the final few hours before the cross and this is his opportunity to intentionally pass on to his 12 disciples the stuff of leadership that they are going to have to carry when he leaves. John tells us this is a highly significant moment – Jesus wants to show his disciples the full extent of his love. The towel and the bowl In a breathtakingly beautiful act of humility and service, Jesus takes off his outer clothing, and stoops low with a towel and a bowl to wash his disciples’ filthy feet. A disgusting task typically reserved for the lowest of the low in the house, Jesus’ actions in this holiest of moments make a definitive statement about his leadership, his lordship, and his love: love serves. The towel and the bowl has never been more relevant as a leadership model. Today, Jesus is looking for leadership that will love and serve a bruised church and a broken world. Love and serve Yet, in order to give Jesus’ love to those around us, like the disciples reclining at the table that night, we first need to receive Jesus’ love. You can’t give what you haven’t received. Leadership, true Jesus-leadership – stoop, towel, and bowl leadership – begins with humility. And humility starts with dependence. You need love to give love. Once. A thousand times. Every day. Continually. The love that you have to offer must be Jesus’ love or it’s not going to work. Your job as a leader is to be a dealer in his love, a vessel of his love. So, you need to be filled again and again, that you might flow. Find the places where you can stop, be still, and sit under a power shower of his affection. Abide in his Book and the words of grace that it speaks. Find music that plugs you into the love of God for you. Journey alongside those who imitate Christ in their everyday lives. And allow all your heart, soul, mind, and strength to be enthralled by, and in awe of your Redeemer who humbled himself, became a servant, and suffered death that we might know his great forgiveness.
So, what should this kind of life and leadership look like? Here are six different qualities to keep in mind if you want to grow as a servant leader: 1/ Integrity – A servant leader walks in righteousness and justice (Proverbs 21:3). We can’t lie, cheat, or manipulate our way into getting what we want. Instead, our lives and actions should reflect our faith. 2/ Humility – One of the most difficult things to admit to ourselves and others is that we don’t know it all. It’s too easy to become prideful. Instead, true servant leaders acknowledge their limitations and show a willingness to listen to and learn from those we lead (Jeremiah 9:23-24). 3/ Flexibility – Life and leadership can often throw us into unexpected situations or challenges. But God is present in every circumstance. Adapting to challenges and embracing change demonstrates the trust we have in God and his plan (Philippians 4:12-13). 4/ Resilience – Leadership can often feel difficult. Sometimes we make mistakes. Other times we feel hurt by those we serve. Servant leadership requires perseverance. By relying on Christ, and looking to him, we can endure hardship and remain steadfast in our calling (Hebrews 12:1-2). 5/ Stewardship – God has given so many different spiritual gifts to his people. A servant leader sees everyone else around them as valuable to God. They value others’ perspectives, invest in them, and call out their God-given potential (1 Peter 4:10). 6/ Empathy – It’s easy to get so hyper-focused on tasks and the work that we do that we miss those God places in front of us. Having compassion and growing in understanding of those we lead and serve alongside, allows us to reflect Christ’s love in deep and beautiful ways (Romans 12:15).
“Love and service defines Jesus’ leadership, not power, prestige, nor position.” Servant Heart Whether we’re in a city, town, village, or the countryside, in a big church or a smaller one, Jesus’ example in John 13 challenges us to redefine leadership. Rather than seeking power, prestige, or position, true Jesus-leadership is about serving others with humility, love, and self-sacrifice. By embracing servant leadership to the end, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, creating a lasting impact that transcends generations.
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Ahead of Presbyterian Women’s Conference on 10 May 2025, our keynote speaker Siân Wyn Rees writes an open letter to our readers.
– 06 | INSPIRE Spring 2025
Dear Presbyterian Women, I feel so honoured to have been invited to speak at the annual Presbyterian Women’s Conference in Belfast in May, and cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for us all. I am already praying that each of us encounters God in a deeper way on that day by his Spirit and through his Word. But first, allow me to introduce myself to you. My name is Siân Wyn Rees and I serve as Bible Society’s Head of Wales. I am passionate about encouraging others in their walk with the Lord. I am a musician by training, and was Head of a Performance and Expressive Arts Faculty at a secondary school in north Wales for many, many years. During that time, I was granted a sabbatical to study at the Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney, Australia. Fast forward to 2025, and I am currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Kingdom Theology with Westminster Theological Centre. I serve as a trustee of a number of Christian organisations, including the Sound of Wales worship collective, Ffald Y Brenin Christian retreat centre, Caleb Ministries, Llanw Conference and Capel Caersalem. In my spare time, you will likely find me sipping a skinny latte in one of Cardiff ’s excellent coffee shops catching up with friends or engrossed in a good book. I first encountered God at the age of 14 while reluctantly sitting at the back of a church building in my home town of Aberystwyth. God was so beautifully present in that service that I was completely captivated, and immediately gave my life to him. Three years later, at the tender age of 17, I remember my Dad giving me a lift home from youth group and we were chatting about revival – a common topic of discussion in Wales, as you can imagine! I remember asking him why God appeared to move in great power and transform thousands of lives, only for those revivals to peter out after a short time. Dad was quite direct in his reply! He explained that people needed their own personal relationship with God, not a relationship fuelled by hype or even the direction of a pastor or preacher; and that people needed to learn how to feed themselves spiritually from the Word of God. The solution was very obvious to a 17 year old Siân. We needed to make sure people got saved, and teach them how to read and engage with the Bible.
Thirty years on, my dream of a biblically literate Wales continues to fill my prayer life, consume my thought life, and shape every big decision on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have a translator with us that day, and neither I, or my friend, spoke a word of Tagalog or the local dialect, Bicol, so we relied on a very old and rather naff Christian tract to explain the gospel.
Which brings me to my role as Bible Society’s Head of Wales ... with what you have already heard about my bespoke calling in life, imagine working for an organisation, birthed here in Wales, who have been actively distributing, translating, and helping people to engage with the Bible all over the globe for the last 220 years. It’s a dream! At Bible Society, we passionately believe that lives are transformed for the better when people engage with the Bible. Consequently, much of my role involves travelling the length and breadth of Wales preaching and teaching from the Bible, encouraging leaders, demonstrating how to engage and grapple with God’s Word, writing resources, and ensuring that all of our audiences from the Bible-loving to the Bible-indifferent and everyone in between gets the opportunity to hear about Jesus.
Trying to share the gospel without the sufficient language skills to do so is embarrassing at the best of times, but as we left the witch doctor’s hut, I remember feeling embarrassed by our pathetic attempts to present Jesus, and felt that we may have let him down in some way. That said … we had prayed beforehand, golly we had prayed! That same night, the witch doctor suddenly became very ill, and recognising that she was about to die, reached for the tract and enlisted the help of her (Christian) daughter to repent of her sins and give her life to Jesus. That same daughter visited us the next morning to tell us that Jesus had taken her mother to glory very soon after the end of her prayer of commitment, and invited us to be guests of honour at her mother’s wake. Truly, in a wonderful display of kindness, God had been with us, moving in ways that only he can, using us despite our weaknesses. “I am already praying that each of
us encounters God in a deeper way on that day by his Spirit and through his Word.” I am delighted that the theme of this year’s conference is, “God... ever present,” taken from the words of Psalm 46, verse 1. One of my favourite names for the Lord is Emmanuel, meaning ‘God with us’, and I can personally testify to God having being present throughout all of the highs and lows of life. This first became a powerful reality in my life when I travelled to the Philippines at the age of 18 for a short period of missionary work with OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship). This was my first time abroad without the company and care of my parents, and I was posted 13 hours south of the capital Manila, to a town called Daraga near the city of Legaspi. I desperately needed God to be present with me at that time, and he did not let me down. One of my most vivid memories from that time was going from mud hut to mud hut sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. On one occasion, we inadvertently stumbled upon the hut of the local witch doctor. Fear gripped me almost immediately when I realised how unwise we had been in entering that hut.
My hope and prayer for us as we gather in Belfast in May is that we discover the truth and full implications of Psalm 46:1, that God most certainly is with us, and that he is our ever present help. Let’s come soaked in prayer and be expectant that God does something powerful and long lasting in our lives during our time together, something of such importance that, in the future, we look back upon May 10th, 2025 as being a significant day in our relationship with Jesus that changes not only us, but those around us. I invite you to join me in praying regularly, even now, for that day, that together we would enjoy the Lord, and become even more like our Saviour, Jesus. Please do pray for me as I prepare, that I would bring a word in season that both encourages and challenges us all. Bless you,
Siân
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JANUARY READING CHALLENGE
LUKE
“Jesus was teaching a new kingdom had come, an “upside- down kingdom”! One that brings a reversal of our value systems, one that rejects religious hypocrisy, one where his people would practice radical generosity, be a people who would lead by serving others, practising peace, love and forgiveness.” – 08 | INSPIRE Spring 2025
Thank you to everyone who participated in the January Reading challenge exploring Luke’s gospel. The idea behind our challenge isn’t just about reading through another book in the Bible, but to read in such a way that helps us make sense of the life with which God has entrusted us. We hope you found the weekly Facebook reminders helpful. We’ve summarised them here.
Pauline Kennedy, PCI Women’s Ministry and PW Development Officer, explained the cultural context in which Luke was writing:
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uke’s meticulous record shows us what God’s love really looks like. It includes the healing of a bedridden sick woman, the healing of a man’s skin disease and someone who is paralysed! We see how Jesus welcomes outsiders like Levi the tax collector and a prostitute and we see how Jesus brought real restoration to social outcasts and the reversal of people’s whole life circumstances. He had come to extend his invitation to outsiders (not just the religious elite) that they would experience the healing power of God’s Kingdom. Jesus was teaching a new kingdom had come, an “upside-down kingdom”! One that brings a reversal of our value systems, one that rejects religious hypocrisy, one where his people would practice radical generosity, be a people who would lead by serving others, practising peace, love and forgiveness. Luke’s record of the woman who anointed Jesus in Luke 7: 36-50 is one story that captures all of Jesus’ radical acceptance and love for the downtrodden and rejected. Judgementalism and legalism would have hung heavy in the air as a woman who had lived a sinful life entered the scene. In this culture, it would not have been unusual for uninvited guests to be present, given the ‘open nature’ of hospitality in Jewish homes where it was considered proper to help the poor. Simon would not so much have been surprised by her presence or that she gate-crashes the banquet but, instead, it was her reputation and uncleanness she brought with her. For this woman though, this would have been a huge step, to come into the house of a Pharisee with all the disdainful looks. However, the woman had come to see Jesus - not Simon. Having wet his feet she now lets down her hair (which in this culture was a shameful thing to do) and then she starts to kiss his feet and dries them with her hair. She is so changed, so thankful that she takes her expensive jar of perfume and anoints his feet. This woman would no longer be defined by her past. Now, she would be remembered for her act of thankfulness and love to Jesus. We don’t know who this woman was as we are not told her name but some say that she was one of the women Luke writes about later in his gospel who followed Jesus and served as part of his ministry. Whether she was or not we do know that, in this encounter with Jesus, her life had been turned upside down. She didn’t need to worry what people thought, she only needed to hear what Jesus thought and his words to her – “go live in peace…”, must have given her an immense sense of joy and freedom.
Continues... – 09
JANUARY READING CHALLENGE
Presbyterian Women’s President, Ellen Hillen shared her thoughts on chapters 9 to 12:
Presbyterian Women’s Overseas Vice President Linda Beattie also shared on chapters 14 to 20:
Our final reflection on chapters 21 to 24 came from Presbyterian Women’s Home Vice President Libby Russell:
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s I read through these chapters, I was challenged by the dedication and sacrifice made by the early followers of Jesus, how they trusted him fully and gave up their livelihoods in order to freely commit to the work that Jesus called them to do. The first century disciples faced many challenges as they walked with Jesus and as they proclaimed the Kingdom of God. It wasn’t always easy and the good news of salvation wasn’t always accepted. Jesus prepared them for situations like this when he told them, “If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Luke 9:5. Still today, in our 21st century context, it isn’t always easy to share God’s Word and lead people to him, yet God goes with us and helps us in whatever situation we find ourselves in. At times the disciples struggled to find their role within their group and some failed to see that pride and the need to be better than others were stumbling blocks and would hinder their work for the Lord. It’s encouraging to read how Jesus graciously taught them the lesson of humility, and the need to treat everyone equally and respect all those who speak in Jesus’ name. An important lesson for us as we each bring the gifts God has given us to use for his glory.
uke’s gospel contains 24 parables, and in this section we have nine. As we know, Jesus often drew large crowds of people, initially, most likely because of his miracles, but he didn’t miss the opportunity to talk about God’s love, and in particular his passion for the sinners, the lost and the outsiders. The woman with the lost coin really resonated with me. How often have you spent hours looking for something you have lost, searching high and low, in all the nooks and crannies? The coin the woman lost was very precious. This coin was believed to have been one of ten which would have been given to her on her wedding day by the bridegroom. The woman lit her lamp to search. She searched and searched until she found it, then calls her friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me, I have found my lost coin’. Three times Jesus spoke about something that was lost and then found, driving home the message that God will pursue us, he will search until he has found us and will greatly rejoice. How does that make you feel? The mighty, powerful all-consuming God will take time to pursue you! When he does find us, how willing are we to call our friends and neighbours and tell them about how we have been found, sharing and rejoicing that we are loved and have a God who is always watching out for us.
“Three times Jesus spoke about something that was lost and then found, driving home the message that God will pursue us, he will search until he has found us and will greatly rejoice.”
– 10 | INSPIRE Spring 2025
love to people watch and I have really enjoyed the detail which Luke gives in his observations. There’s a lot of counter-cultural events in these last few chapters which prove that, although things may seem out of control, God is in complete control. There is so much to learn from these chapters of Luke – too many things to record, but here are a few things that stood out to me: - Pilate and Herod, previously enemies, become friends as they share in their dealings with Jesus’ many trials. - Women following a teacher or Rabbi was not the norm. - Darkness at noon – the brightest part of the day - must have caused an uneasiness. - The curtain in the temple was torn from the top to the bottom and not bottom to top - this was not a human act. - Women being the first witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection caused a real stir - Luke 24:11 “But the story sounded nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.” (NLT) - In this cultural context women were not permitted to be witnesses in a courtroom, a woman’s word could not be trusted, yet God chose to reveal the amazing news of Jesus resurrection to them. - Just as the birth of Jesus was announced first to lowly shepherds, God chose another ‘insignificant group’ to hear the good news. - Throughout Jesus’ life and ministry, he used the foolish to confound the wise. It is good to remember when I feel of little worth, in God’s eyes I am loved and I remain precious in his sight because of Jesus!
Thank you to everyone who shared the Presbyterian Women’s Facebook posts! Here are some comments you left:
Whitehouse PW Even though I have read Luke many times I always find something new! The last reflection comes from PW Home Vice President Libby. Boy am I glad to be a fool for Jesus! Thank you Presbyterian Women this has been a lovely way to start the year and these little pieces of encouragement have been wonderful! Grateful for the blessing. Remember God’s Word is alive and that is why when we read we will always get something from him.
Islandmagee Presbyterian Church When thinking about 2025 and what voices we might listen to in the year ahead, we are blessed to have the Bible to read or listen to. As we look to the new year Presbyterian Women have kindly produced a gentle reading plan for January, following the book of Luke found in the New Testament. Maybe hearing the story of Christmas has got you thinking and you’d like to know a bit more. Or maybe you just need a little motivation to get back into the Bible and grow closer to God day by day, in the year ahead.
Legacurry Presbyterian Church We wish you a blessed and Spirit filled 2025. To help you achieve your goals, don’t forget our range of prayer services this year. Presbyterian Women have also created this reading challenge for January to get you started in the Word.
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at hav back, wh k o ing lo u out read As yo most ab d te o ia c lo e you k appr spel? As o G dent ’s e k Lu ore confi m l e fe u een o yo e have b ahead, d essage w m s as e r e th t th abou with o e r a h s d to er? r togeth entruste new yea a r te n e we
Bushvale Presbyterian Church Here is another idea to help with reading the Bible. Choose a particular book of the Bible and work your way through it. This post highlights the book of Luke but you can choose any book. One of the gospels is a good place to start. And you don't have to be a Presbyterian woman either!
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DEACONESS Scan the QR code on your phone to download the app
NEW SYSTEMS
SAME FAITHFUL, UNCHANGING GOD
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Your Health Your Record Your Journey
h d y
Deaconess Joanne Dunlop has been working as an assistant to the chaplains in Antrim and Craigavon Area Hospitals since November 2012. The majority of her time is given to providing pastoral support to patients and their families and also to the staff working within this pressurised environment.
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f you have visited any of the hospitals in our province in recent months, you may well have heard or spied the word ‘Encompass’ in your travels around the site. Officially, “Encompass is a Health and Social Care programme that will create a single digital care record for every citizen in Northern Ireland who receives health and social care. Encompass aims to provide patients and service users with the safest, highest quality of care that is possible”.
your faith background and thus helpfully guide Chaplaincy input should you be admitted to hospital.
This new computer programme was first introduced in the Southern Trust in November 2023, followed by the Belfast Trust and the Northern Trust in July and November 2024 respectively. To complete the province-wide roll-out, the Southern and Western Trusts are in the final stages of preparation to come on board in May 2025. This has been a huge undertaking for both management staff and all those working throughout the hospital and out in the community.
The Holy Spirit has drawn my attention particularly to verses from Psalm 63 in recent months: “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.”
From nurses writing up their notes on the wards, to doctors prescribing medication and porters receiving instruction on transporting patients to and from scans etc, all is now recorded online. As part of the Trust team, in the run up to the roll out, Chaplains also received the necessary IT training to use Encompass and we now access our referral lists and update our notes on patient visits via this new system.
When looked up in the dictionary, Encompass is defined as, “To enclose, to envelop, to form a circle about” and also “to bring about, to cause to happen.” These explanations of what it is to encompass, remind me of how I see God at work in the hospital and the promises he makes and keeps to each one of his children.
This beautiful picture that the Psalmist describes of being able to “sing in the shadow of [God’s] wings” is a powerful testimony of how even in the midst of the hardest, most confusing, most heartbreaking “When the nights are of times, we can have a peace and we can even lift long, perhaps due to up praise, faint though it may be, because of the physical discomfort, certainty that God is our help.
the noise of a busy hospital ward, or thoughts racing through our heads, the Lord promises to envelop us with his presence whether we feel it or not.”
Encompass went live in the early hours of the morning of the 7th of November 2024 for Antrim hospital along with the whole of the Northern Trust. Naturally, despite all advance planning and preparation, the complete change in computer software and ways of working for all hospital staff that came literally overnight, brought with it stresses and challenges in an already pressurised environment.
We give thanks for all those who carried an extra workload in those early days of transition and we ask for continued prayer as the system settles in. Please pray that staff will find it increasingly helpful in lightening their load in the days ahead as they continue to work tirelessly to attend to the needs of people in their care. For Chaplaincy, ‘Encompass’ brings with it the opportunity to further increase awareness amongst hospital staff of the support we provide and the work that we are there to do. We pray that our input into the system will help to highlight the importance of spiritual care for many of the individuals from all backgrounds who enter through the hospital doors, and thus encourage more and more staff to refer to Chaplaincy services when they see a need or indeed avail of the service themselves. Where the new system has led to an overall increase in the numbers on our Chaplaincy lists, please pray that we would daily be led by the Holy Spirit in our work as we seek to prioritise our time for those in greatest need. You can also help by downloading the My Care app for yourself and family which, along with many other features, allows you to update
When the nights are long, perhaps due to physical discomfort, the noise of a busy hospital ward, or thoughts racing through our heads, the Lord promises to envelop us with his presence whether we feel it or not. This is a testimony I have had the privilege to hear from many folk who have walked through various painful situations in life and describe how they have known the Lord walk with them and keep them.
This is the prayer that I pray with others who are struggling with questions, doubts and confusion - that they would know that he is the Lord of all compassion, who knows every thought that they have (Psalm 139), who understands better than anyone else exactly how they are feeling in each moment, and who “hems them in” on every side and will go before them making a way for them as he leads hand in hand. And in my work, I am thankful that God is the one who encompasses me – who encircles me and also brings about his purposes. I often think of Psalm 89:15-16 as I walk the corridors of the hospitals and enter the wards: “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.” As children of God, I am thankful that as we walk, we walk in the light of God’s presence - it is his work and he is the one who works through us and brings his light and truth to wherever he calls us to go by his power and by his grace.
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PCI RESOURCE Looking for some material you could draw upon on the theme of prayer? Why not have a look at Finding our voice in prayer? Finding our voice in prayer is a practical, step-by-step guide created to help people find and gain confidence in using their voice in prayer. Through six interactive sessions, as well as a set of simple, downloadable prayer practices, this group resource will help enable participants to find joy – and overcome fear – as they discover how the Bible invites us into the everyday experience of talking to God. To order the resource, please contact the Congregational Life and Witness office. Email clw@presbyterianireland.org Tel +44 (0)28 9041 7246.
– 14 | INSPIRE Spring 2025
NEW STAFF
MEET PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S NEW STAFF Presbyterian Women (Council of Congregational Life and Witness) had two new members join their team in January. We are delighted to welcome Senior Administrative Assistants (part time), Shannon Steed and Ruth McKeown.
Shannon is a member of Orangefield Presbyterian Church and is married to James and mum to three year old Ezekiel. In her spare time, she loves to bake and enjoys going for long walks and spending time with family.
Ruth is a member of Tartaraghan Presbyterian Church and is granny to Josh, Kate, Emilia, Alex and Millie. In her spare time she loves to read and travel.
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QUICK QUESTIONS
QUICK QUESTIONS WITH –
MABEL BRUSH
We travel to County Armagh to meet Mabel Brush, who, along with her husband Leslie, work as community outreach workers in Tartaraghan Presbyterian Church.
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Hi Mabel, thanks for speaking with us. Tell us about yourself and what your role involves? For many years my husband Leslie and I have been involved in evangelism with The Faith Mission, but ill health closed this door. In 2015, we moved to Portadown unaware that simultaneously the leadership of Tartaraghan Presbyterian Church had been asking God to provide someone who could help with visitation and outreach. We started helping part-time in 2017 and were appointed to our current role in 2019.
What is the most challenging part of your role? Personally, keeping fresh spiritually is my biggest challenge. I’ve been a Christian for nearly 50 years and find it easy to be busy doing things rather than taking the time to focus on my personal relationship with the Lord. As Jesus reminds us in John 15:1-8, without him we can do nothing, and so we must continually remain and abide in him. Likewise, in Philippians 4:13, Paul reminds us that it is only through Christ that we can be strengthened to do all things.
Tartaraghan is a rural area, approximately In my church role, my biggest challenge is to five miles outside Portadown. Over the effectively communicate the wonderful hope last 15 years, new housing developments offered only in Jesus. I am reminded that have brought great change to the area. This many people living close to church are living is reflected in the congregation as young “without God and without hope” (Ephesians families and others like us have moved into 2:12). While homes will be visited, we the area and begun to attend on Sunday need God to work in people’s hearts. To mornings. Since 2015, we have been meeting communicate this hope with those around in the church hall for Sunday services and us, we ran Hope Explored in a local café last plans are ongoing for a new church build. year, and we are running it again in our local Our role involves building relationships primary school in the Spring. with those in the congregation, particularly new families and “It’s thrilling to see women with those on the fringes, as well as a hunger for God’s Word and reaching into the community. This is done through pastoral fellowship. There’s no gimmicks, just visitation, meetings and events. straightforward Bible study.” We are thankful for the many volunteers involved in the various ministries. As well as involvement in some of the established ministries, we helped start some new initiatives. In 2018, Leslie visited all the homes within a two-mile radius of the church with a “What’s On” booklet outlining activities in the church and a gospel booklet. Leslie and another man started Men@10.30, a weekly outreach with crafts, bowls, games and a short Bible talk. It’s humbling to see the attentiveness to God’s Word, how opportunities have developed to run Hope Explored and a monthly Bible study and to hear of a man coming to faith. I lead a fortnightly women’s Bible study on Tuesday mornings. It’s thrilling to see women with a hunger for God’s Word and fellowship. There’s no gimmicks, just straightforward Bible study. It’s encouraging to see women willing to work through difficult passages. Currently we are studying the book of Micah! I also visit families connected with our church who’ve just had a baby, giving further opportunity to build relationships, particularly with those who rarely attend church.
Where do you find God at work? I’m often outside my comfort zone but seeing how God answers my cries for help is amazing whether it’s speaking, visiting, softening people’s hearts to the gospel or drawing people to events. On a visit when someone says “God sent you today” it reminds me that he goes before me.
What has been your biggest encouragement to date since you started? My biggest encouragement has been seeing lives changed by God’s power. Sometimes the change is slow, but it has been wonderful to hear people sharing what God has done for them, or about how they have been witnessing to friends, or doing things they never thought they could do, like sharing their testimony or praying in public. It has been encouraging to see growth numerically and spiritually in those attending the women’s Bible study.
How do you support women’s ministry in the church and in the wider community? I served as secretary while on the PW committee and continue to support the PW Group, lead the women’s Bible study and I am also involved in organising the catering giving opportunities to help in practical ways. I take part in activities at local leisure centres and attend a flower arranging class. When anyone asks me what I do for work, I find it often gives an opening to share what Jesus means to me.
How can we pray for you both in your ministries? Pray that God will help us to take time to know him better so that we can better make him known to others. May God give us wisdom, passion, boldness and gentleness as we communicate the gospel. Please also pray for the congregation of Tartaraghan. In 2024, we celebrated our 200th anniversary and installed Rev Andrew Martin as our new minister. We are prayerfully looking to the future as we plan a new church build. Pray that we will grow in our love for God and will have fresh vision to see the mission field on our doorstep.
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A REFLECTION
HESED Hesed is one of those biblical words, in this case a Hebrew word (pronounced “kheh-sed”), that translators have struggled to capture in English, yet it’s vital for understanding the way God relates to his people as it occurs some 250 times in the Old Testament. In different versions of the Bible, you may see it translated as “mercy,” “kindness,” “goodness”, “faithfulness,” “loyalty.” There’s no single English word that quite gets it, which is why some translators have used more than one word: “steadfast love,” “loyal love,” “loving-kindness.” As one scholar puts it, “the word describes something that happens within an existing relationship, whether between two human beings or between God and man. In human relationships, hesed implies loving our neighbour, not merely in terms of warm emotional feelings but in acts of love and service that we owe to the other person simply because he is part of the covenant community.” Christ went to the cross because of his hesed. His loyalty to his people, his kindness and mercy toward them, was so unshakable that he endured the very worst that we could devise for him, so that we could be clothed in his perfect hesed faithfulness, and be credited with it, as if we have lived out his perfect life of hesed ourselves. We can only love with hesed loving-kindness, when we know, at the core of our being, that this is how God loves us. As 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.”
Words by Barry Cooper
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BIBLE STUDY
ENTRUSTED– TO PLANT T
his is an adapted devotional from the Inspirations resource for 2024/2025. If your PW Group hasn’t used this material in your session, consider it for use in your own quiet time with God.
READ :4
Psalm
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B
y exploring the theme Entrusted we wanted women across our congregations to be encouraged to know who they are in Christ and that he has entrusted us with the greatest gift, the gospel. It is our hope that this devotion, read in the season of spring when much new life will burst out in fields and gardens, will remind you to speak out about what your faith means to you. We trust that God will use you to inspire faith in others. ‘We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.’ Can you remember when that seed of faith was planted in your heart? We may not have had a moment of great enlightenment or experienced ‘the road to Damascus’ conversion like Saul, but that does not diminish the depth of our love and faithfulness to God. For many of us, our faith has grown and developed over many years, nurtured by family, church and Christian friends and brought to fruition by God. Jesus tells us, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:15-17. After Jesus had humbled himself and washed the feet of the disciples, he instructed them, and us, to humbly serve him and continue his work displaying his ministry to all people. Many of us may be very familiar with the parables of sowing seeds such as in Matthew 13:31-32, ‘He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, (about 10 feet tall) so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."' As disciples of Christ, we have the opportunity to sow the seed of God’s Word into the hearts of our relatives, friends, neighbours and our congregations. We may never know how much good comes from the seeds we have sown: that one act of kindness, that time spent in prayer with someone, that conversation over a coffee when a friend was in need. Our job is only to plant the seeds (through living out our faith and speaking about it). God will take care of growing that seed and, in his time, the word we have planted will bring forth its fruit. The Apostle Peter wrote, ‘In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.’ Every day we have an opportunity to share God’s Word through how we speak to and how we act towards those with whom we come into contact, whether they are children, teenagers, young parents, our peers or older folk. If we display God’s love in our actions and in our words to all people, we are being salt and light to those around us, sowing the seed of God’s eternal love. Let us plant seeds today and, over the coming weeks and months, water and nurture what we have sown as we allow God to make the seeds grow and flourish and bring forth fruit.
PRAYER
Lord, prepare our hearts and minds so that we are emboldened to take every opportunity to share your Word. Use our humble efforts to multiply the seeds of truth spoken in your Name. Amen.
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BOOK REVIEWS
The Risen King By Charles H. Spurgeon Edited by J.A. Medders Charles H. Spurgeon (1834–1892) was an English Baptist pastor at New Park Street Chapel, London, for 38 years. As the 19th century’s most prolific preacher and writer, his ministry legacy continues today. These short and profound reflections on the life and teaching of Jesus have been carefully compiled and edited by Jeff Medders from a collection of Spurgeon’s sermons. Some of the language has been modernised to make them accessible to a wide range of readers. Each day features a theme verse, rich content from the teaching of Spurgeon, a prayer and reflection questions, helping readers meditate on the cross in the run-up to Easter. Whether you are new to Spurgeon or have enjoyed his writing for many years, you will find encouragement, inspiration and delight in the pages of this devotional.
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Both/And Ministry By Gary Millar
PUBLISHED BY
Gospel workers are called to be both/and people: both patient and urgent, both confident and humble, both dependent on God and committed to hard work, both theologically driven and practically wise, and more. Often, these requirements feel as though they’re in tension. But this book shows that rather than leaning one way or the other, or seeking to strike a balance, authentic gospel ministry is found in pursuing both/and. To settle for less puts ourselves and our churches in danger. Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Gary Millar has been involved in training hundreds of gospel workers at Queensland Theological College in Australia. Pointing to Christ as our supreme example, he helps readers to reflect on and refine their own ministry practice in a range of different areas while also enjoying God’s grace where they fall short. As you look at all things through the lens of the gospel, you’ll increasingly become the fully-formed follower of Jesus and servant of his church that you have been called to be. Ideal for church staff and lay leaders, students preparing for ministry, and ministry apprentices and interns, as well as for any Christian who is heavily involved in their local church.
Jane Tooher Director of the Priscilla and Aquila Centre, Moore Theological College “A realistic and gracious book that helps you better understand God’s character, his work, and who you are - and that helps you better reconcile the paradox that although living as a Christian is difficult at times, it is a life full of joy. Gary Millar has written an immensely practical book that will bless many as they are convicted and comforted by our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Mary Mohler Author, Growing in Gratitude “The Risen King” is an incredibly edifying devotional whether read during the Easter season or any other time. Jeff Medders has done a masterful job of extracting jewels of gospel saturated, thought provoking and poignantly clear doctrine from the enormous collection of Charles Spurgeon’s sermons. What a joy to be reminded in such sweet, rich and heartfelt admonitions from the well-named Prince of Preachers how our daily lives must be overflowing with sheer gratitude for the matchless work of Christ.”
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SHE INSPIRES
HELEN ROSEVEARE Helen Roseveare is a familiar name to many who have read her books and perhaps had the privilege of hearing her speak in person. She is often quoted given the difficult ordeals she was faced with and how she shone for Christ throughout, making her an inspirational person for us to know more about.
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hilst Helen was born in Hertfordshire in England in 1925, she would later call Northern Ireland her home and is buried near Belfast. Her life and faith were remarkable - she would spend two decades working and serving the people of the Congo, bringing medical assistance to many, training others in medical work yet she would face abuse and imprisonment during the country’s political instability.
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Helen became a Christian as a medical student at Newnham College, Cambridge in 1945. She was involved with the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union, attending prayer meetings, Bible study classes and evangelical events. After completing her studies, Helen applied to Worldwide Evangelisation Crusade (WEC) to be a medical missionary. She spent eight years training for the mission field, a reminder of the preparation time required before any of us enter a new ministry. She even took a degree in French in order to learn a new language. In 1953, Helen travelled out to the Congo via a ship, ox cart and a lake steamer - taking a total of five weeks to get to the Congo. There, she set up a hospital with local clinics and a training school for nurses. She served God in Congo during some of the darkest days of the country’s history and was imprisoned for five months. Yet her experience of God’s love in this trauma shaped her life and ministry for the years that followed when she travelled worldwide as a missionary advocate and writer. Helen was assigned to the north-east provinces. She built a combination hospital/ training center in Ibambi in the early 1950s, then relocated to Nebobongo, living in an old leprosy camp, where she built another hospital. Helen travelled back to England in 1958 and returned to the Congo in 1960. In 1964, she was taken prisoner by rebel forces and she remained a prisoner for five months, enduring beatings and rapes. She left the Congo and headed back to England after her release but returned to the Congo in 1966 to assist in the rebuilding of the nation. She helped establish a new medical school and hospital, as the other hospitals that she built had been destroyed, and served there until she left in 1973. After her return from Africa, Helen had a worldwide ministry speaking and writing. She was a plenary speaker at the Urbana Missions Convention three times and also spoke at the Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention.
Her touching story about Ruth, a 10-year-old African girl, who prayed earnestly for a hot water bottle to save a premature newborn baby after its mother had died, has been widely shared online. We too should always be listening to the still voice of God and be ready to respond. Even though, worldly speaking, it didn’t make much sense for someone in England to post a hot water bottle to the equator! God knew! Helen died in Northern Ireland on 7 December 2016 at the age of 91, but her legacy lives on. If you want to read more from Helen in her own words, why not read some of her books: Doctor among Congo Rebels (1965), Give me this Mountain (1966), Enough, He gave us a Valley (1976), Living Sacrifice, Living Faith, Living Holiness, Digging Ditches, Living Stones (1988), Living Fellowship (1992) and Count it All Joy (2017). Also, if you are looking to introduce Helen’s incredible faith to a younger generation, there is a book in the series, Do Great Things For God featuring Helen: The Doctor Who Kept Going No Matter What written by Laura Wickham and beautifully illustrated by Cecilia Messina.
QUOTES FROM HELEN “
“God’s grace always proved itself sufficient in the moment of need, but never before the necessary time, and rarely afterwards. As I anticipated suffering in my imagination and thought of what these cruel soldiers would do next, I quivered with fear. I broke out in a cold sweat of horror. As I heard them drive into our village, day or night, my mouth would go dry: my heart would miss a beat. Fear gripped me in an awful vice. But when the moment came for action, God gave me a quiet, cool exterior that he used to give others courage too. God filled me with a peace and an assurance about what to say or do that amazed me and often defeated the immediate tactics of the enemy.”
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“To be a living sacrifice will involve all my time. God wants me to live every minute for him in accordance with his will and purpose, sixty minutes of every hour, twenty-four hours of every day, being available to him. No time can be considered as my own, or as “off-duty” or “free.” I cannot barter with God about how much time I can give to serve him. Whatever I am doing, be it a routine salaried job, or housework at home, be it holiday time and free, or after-work Christian youth activities, all should be undertaken for him, to reveal his indwelling presence to those around me. The example of my life must be as telling as my preaching if he is to be honoured.”
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“We are called to reflect the Lord’s beauty through our lives as much as through our words, and God will use this in his own perfect time.”
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“Obedience tends to be a cold, legal word of calculated action: sacrifice throbs with life and passion. Certainly the one will inevitably involve the other. Sacrifice can only be worked out by obedience, but obedience will need sacrifice to give it fire and momentum.”
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GROUP FOCUS
“As we look ahead, our hope is that our Group will not just grow numerically but that there would be a real deepening of God in all our hearts...”
ROYAL CONNECTIONS
IN CLARE
Helen Mason is the PW Group Leader of Clare Presbyterian Church, serves as an Armagh LINK Planning Committee member and is newly elected to the central PW Panel. We’re delighted Helen writes to give us an insight into their Group in Clare Presbyterian Church.
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y name is Helen Mason, I am married to John and we have three teenage children; Milele, Caleb and Joshua. I was born and brought up in Dungannon, County Tyrone but lived in London for over 25 years. We moved back to Northern Ireland in the latter part of 2019 and we started attending Clare Presbyterian Church. In October 2021, I was elected as the Leader of the PW Group. I also serve as the Bible Class teacher as well as a musician for the services. Clare is a village just outside Tandragee in County Armagh. Clare PW meets in Clare Presbyterian Church Hall every month from September to March. The number of women attending varies from around 20 to 45, with upwards of 100 on a special evening such as a visitors’ night. We often use the name of Clare Ladies’ Fellowship as we like to include women from our local village and the surrounding community of those who have connections with Clare. The Committee members are myself, Reta Aston (Deputy Leader), Margaret Greer (Treasurer), Betty Adair, Ida Chambers, Allie McCrum and Jennifer Riley. We celebrated 75 years of Clare PW in April 2023. As part of our celebrations the ladies worked together with the Sunday School and
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Bible Class to produce Easter food hampers for the older women of Clare congregation. This was a huge success and the hampers were much appreciated by the recipients. Some of our women have been gathering together for a monthly prayer meeting since June 2023. We have witnessed God answer prayers and it is truly a special time to meet together. We started our new session in 2024 by having a coffee morning and cake sale at the beginning of September to raise funds for our newly renovated church hall. Many from our church and local community came to support this. The total raised was over £2,500. At our first meeting in September, we introduced the PW theme ‘Entrusted’, then in October we had a representative from Prison Fellowship Northern Ireland to share about their work. We shared our evening with Clare Girls’ Brigade Company to connect with the girls and the next generation.
Royal Connections is a new initiative which we started in September 2024. It essentially is the exchanging of letters from and to ladies of different age groups within and connected to our congregation and ladies’ fellowship. Its aim is to connect ladies with each other and to be able to share and encourage each other. As we are daughters of the King of kings, we gave the project the title of Royal Connections. A special local project which we are running for this year 2024-2025 is a very practical one. As we are entrusted to care about those who are vulnerable in our local community, we are knitting items for the neo-natal unit in Craigavon Area Hospital. We already have received blankets and cardigans, and we would be grateful for any further knitted donations. Please contact clareladiesfellowship@yahoo.com if you think you can help with any items.
The popular Walk & Talk sessions were formed a couple of years ago to create opportunities for people to literally walk whilst they talk, and talk whilst they walk! Specifically, however, they are to encourage folk to speak about spiritual things. Each Walk & Talk begins with a spiritual input by one of the walkers. This takes the form of reading a verse or passage from the Bible and sharing some thoughts or explanation, as a potential stimulus for discussions along the walk. These run from the spring to the autumn once a month, and more frequently in the summer time. Although these sessions are organised by the ladies’ fellowship, they are open for everyone. We tend to go to different parks and open spaces locally e.g. The Mall (Armagh), Clare Glen, Gosford Forest Park, the tow-path (Scarva). There are usually up to 30 people on each Walk & Talk and it is a good opportunity for deeper fellowship together. We support the PW Mission Fund through special events and retiring offerings. In 2024, Colin Gervais was the speaker and Milele Mason was the singer at our special evening. Clare PW is one of many PW Groups who are a part of the Armagh Presbytery LINK. We meet in different churches twice a year to focus on a topic. This year we are focusing on the important theme of Prayer.
To this end, some of our women visit those who are in residential care or nursing care, or those who are housebound. Last year, we took a service in Lisnisky Care Home one Sunday afternoon. We also distribute leaflets around the local area to share the gospel with our neighbours and to invite them to the church events. We were invited to sponsor a Christmas tree at a neighbouring Parish church’s Christmas Tree Festival in December 2024. We came up with the idea of decorating a Christmas tree in grateful recognition of the work that our deaconesses do throughout Ireland. We assigned an evening for the PW Group to make the decorations together for the tree. Rather than a Christmas gathering when everyone is so busy, we prefer to go out to a restaurant to celebrate the New Year together as a Group. We enjoy a time of fellowship as well as time to reflect back and look forward. There is a short talk to help us focus on spiritual things and steer our conversation. As we look ahead, our hope is that our Group will not just grow numerically but that there would be a real deepening of God in all our hearts, that we would grow to fear him more through the help of his Holy Spirit, and that there would be an infectious passion amongst us to reach out to those who do not know Jesus personally.
We have a heart to serve our local church and community with the gospel message but also to care for the housebound. – 27
THANKSGIVING
GRATEFUL HEART SPRING 25 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name. – Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
NEW DEACONESSES COMMISSIONED & INDUCTED
Presbyterian Women were delighted to be a part of the Commissioning and Induction services of two of our new deaconesses Heather Healy in Fisherwick Presbyterian Church in the South Belfast Presbytery, and Cathy Smith in First Holywood Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of East Belfast. It has been such a privilege to have walked this journey with you both over the last four years and to see God at work in your lives. Presbyterian Women want to congratulate you and wish you God’s richest blessings as you begin this new chapter.
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TELL YOUR STORIES
Have you a good-news story to tell us about your PW Group or women’s ministry project? Is there something you are grateful for that you would like to express to our readers? Please email up to 150 words and attach to the email any relevant photographs to pw@presbyterianireland.org
DUNLOY PW
PW President Ellen Hillen was the guest speaker at Dunloy PW’s 70th Anniversary service held in November 2024.
BANNSIDE PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN PW President Ellen Hillen was the special guest at the Bannside PW 80th Anniversary Dinner in the Belmont Hotel, Banbridge. Following a warm welcome from the Group Leader, Doreen Draffin, the ladies enjoyed a wonderful evening of fellowship as they celebrated founding members and those who contributed to the 80 years of Presbyterian Women’s ministry within the church. Pictured left to right in large group photo are Caroline Kirkwood (deputy Leader), Doreen Draffin (Leader), Ellen Hillen, PW President, Christine Nesbitt (committee member), Betsy Gray (committee member) and Leslie Matthews (wife of Bannside’s former minister).
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THANKSGIVING
GRANSHAW WOMEN TOGETHER In December, Granshaw Women Together held a wonderful craft evening expertly tutored by Lesley Heron and her mum Sandra Marshall. A fantastic evening was had by all with 55 ladies in attendance.
During 2024, Downpatrick PW Group took part in creating a candle holder as part of a UK wide 80 Candles for 80 Years project organised by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. They learned about the experiences of Jews Edith and Gert Jacobowitz, who escaped Nazi persecution and came to live on a farm in Northern Ireland. They used different creative ways to share their experiences and the candle holder was on display in Down Cathedral at the end of January and the month of February.
DOWNPATRICK PW
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SECOND SAINTFIELD Kate McAllister, a PW member in Second Saintfield Presbyterian Church in County Down, created this beautiful arrangement for the Harvest service last autumn in the church.
ELMWOOD WOMEN TOGETHER Elmwood Women Together Group in Lisburn had a very enjoyable Christmas evening. The Love2Sing group led worship with Christmas carols and readings. After supper, Becky Conroy spoke about the message of the angels ‘…Peace on Earth’ and helped us make these lovely Christmas ornaments.
DROMORE LINK
Dromore PW LINK recently held a very successful breakfast in Edenmore Golf Club. The guest speaker was Liz McKeown who gave a very interesting, challenging (and funny!) talk to the 120 women who attended on how each one of us is Entrusted by God in many ways, no matter what age or stage in life we are in. – 31
THANKSGIVING
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AT SLOAN STREET PW
To celebrate Christmas, the women of Sloan Street Presbyterian Church in Lisburn dined in the hall with a superb meal served by George Hanna and his team from the Mulberry Tree Restaurant. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a medley of carols and a solo ‘Joy has Dawned’ by Rachel Hunter, a fitting reminder of God’s salvation plan.
JOYMOUNT PW
Joymount PW in Carrickfergus joined with their GB to have a craft night. Women and girls of all ages enjoyed painting jars with Bible verses and making a large rainbow out of coloured buttons. Some women also shared their knitting and sewing skills with the GB girls and everyone enjoyed the fellowship together. – 32 | INSPIRE Spring 2025
ST JAMES’S PW, BALLYMONEY
St James’s PW, Ballymoney, commenced their 70th Anniversary Celebrations in September 2024 with a Vintage Afternoon Tea in the church hall followed by a fashion show with the theme, ‘Entrusted through seven decades’. To celebrate the occasion, past and present members, along with friends and neighbouring women’s groups, gathered in a packed hall to thank God for his faithfulness and steadfast love. Cutting the 70th Anniversary Celebration Cake were Barbara McIntyre (past Leader), Joan Cubitt (Leader) and Meta McConaghie (past Leader). PW Committee Fashion Show models - Pauline Ballantine (1950s), Pamela Stinson (1960s), Sharon Cooper (1970s), Diane Taylor (1980s), Valerie Kinnaird (1990s), Anne Walsh (2000s), Noleen McMullan (2010s) and Joan Cubitt (2020s). Three generations of the one family are also pictured: Pamela Stinson, Kitty McKee and Claire Stinson.
BANBRIDGE ROAD PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN In January we shared a goodbye to a faithful leader, a long lasting friend and a caring woman of God. Over the years, Marianne Trueman dedicated her time and faith into our PW as she has led the Group. A huge thank you to everyone who planned, took part in and attended the farewell. Our PW Group cannot thank Marianne enough for her blessings and all she has given over the years. We wish her all the best for Gary’s retirement. Thank you, Banbridge Road Presbyterian Women – 33
GLOBAL MISSION OVERSEAS NEWS Personnel News Csaba and Ilona Veres were on home assignment in Ireland during January and February, taking the opportunity to highlight their work in family ministry and church planting in Bodaszőlő, Hungary. Give thanks for the visit of Rev Gábor Rácz, one of the pastors of the Kalvin Square Congregation that oversees Csaba and Ilona’s work. Please pray for the Veres during these Spring months as they settle back into the ongoing outreach initiatives of the Reformed Church in Hungary. Derek French undertook deputation in Ireland during early February. Give thanks for the Basque Project Team which God has been bringing together, for those who joined in the past year and those planning to do so in the coming months. Volker and JinHyeog Glissmann continue to serve from their base in Blantyre, Malawi, with Volker developing training resources for grassroots theological education. Pray for him as he travels to Ireland to undertake deputation in the second half of March, and for JinHyeog who is remaining in Malawi, serving as a music teacher in Phoenix Primary School, Blantyre. Neil and Jenny Stewart are being commissioned for mission service in Spain at a service in Hamilton Road Congregation in Bangor in April. During the service Neil will also be ordained as a minister. All being well, Neil and Jenny, together with their three children, will move to Bilbao towards the end of April to commence service with the Basque Country Project Team in teaching, discipleship and church-planting.
Information included in Global Mission News is supplied by the PCI Mission Department. While it is correct at the time of writing, which is normally some weeks before publication, readers should be aware that some details may subsequently change. Up-to-date news and information are available online at: www.presbyterianireland.org/mission.
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Naomi Leremore is travelling to Ireland to undertake a period of deputation from 6 – 27 March. Pray for Naomi as she undertakes a programme of speaking engagements and for Thomas and their sons as they remain in Nairobi, Kenya. Overseas Visits The Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Richard Murray, along with Rev Uel Marrs, Global Mission Secretary, undertook a visit to Christ the Saviour Church, Kraków, Poland, from 6 – 9 December 2024. The Congregation belongs to a fledgling denomination known as the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Poland. PW delegation to the Hungarian Reformed Church (HRC) in Transcarpathia: Ellen Hillen, PW President, Linda Beattie, PW Overseas Vice-President and Rev Uel Marrs, Global Mission Secretary, along with representatives of the International Relations Office of the Hungarian Reformed Church, visited the Transcarpathia Reformed Church District (Western Ukraine) from 2 – 6 February 2025. Rev Stephen McCracken, Global Mission Council Convener, and Neil Harrison, PCI Mission Development Officer are visiting Bilbao, Northern Spain, from 9 – 12 March 2025 to spend time with the French family and to gain firsthand insight into their work with the Bilbao International Church (BIC), the student work of Grupos Biblios Unidos, and the Basque Project Team.
Mission Department, Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, 2-10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW Tel: +44 (0)28 9041 7263 Email: mission@presbyterianireland.org Website: www.presbyterianireland.org/mission
GLOBAL PRAYER DIARY STEPHEN AND ANGELINA COWAN
DEREK AND JANE FRENCH
Tuum, Kenya Mission: Church-based community development & outreach
Bilbao, Spain Mission: Student ministry
Give thanks for the teams who teach God’s Word faithfully at the various camps. Pray that the young people would be impacted by a heart change and that they would desire and enjoy the true freedom of living within their heavenly Father’s instructions.
New team members Jaime and Annika Clore and their 6 month old daughter arrived in the Basque Country in January. Pray for them as they settle into their new life and ministry in Bilbao, especially regarding the practicalities and emotions that moving to a different country evokes.
Give thanks that the Tuum Girls’ Secondary School Form 4 exam results were very encouraging with many high grades and most girls achieving results which showed hard work and improvement. The commitment of the teachers and headmistress was enhanced by the one-on-one tuition, especially in maths, by the FOCUS (Fellowship of Christian Unions Kenya) volunteers.
The student ministry is growing and has a constant flow of students coming and going. Pray for Sarah as she leads the international student’s ministry and for Aida from GBU as she leads the national student group in Bilbao.
Pray for the internal strength and encouragement from the Christian community for those who are living out their faith.
Give thanks for Derek’s visit back to Northern Ireland for deputation in February and for the encouragement it was to the churches with whom he engaged.
GLOBAL MISSION WORKERS Naomi Keefe Brazil Da Caixa Postal 73 Codigo da agencia 32300018 AC Central Recife Avenida Guararapes 250 CEP 50010970 Brazil
Edwin & Anne Kibathi Partner Church Mission Workers - England 167 Wickhay Basildon Essex SS15 5AQ
Stephen & Angelina Cowan Kenya
Naomi & Thomas Leremore Kenya PO Box 23450-00100 Nairobi (GPO) Kenya
Csaba & Ilona Veres Hungary Vörösmárty Mihály u. 18 Hajdúböszörmény 4220 Hungary
Volker & JinHyeog Glissmann Malawi PO Box 30048 Chichiri Blantyre 3 Malawi
Diane Cusick Zambia
Gary & Mary Reid c/o Mission Department
Derek & Jane French Spain Calle Lekueder 9, 4A 48940 Leioa Spain
The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) PO Box 320261 Woodlands Lusaka 10101 Zambia
PCEA Tuum PO Box 13 Baragoi via Maralal 20601 Kenya
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‘God... ever present’ ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’ Psalm 46:1
Presbyterian Women’s Annual Conference Saturday 10th May 2025 in Assembly Buildings, Belfast Guest Speaker | Siân Wyn Rees Morning Session | 10.30am – 12.15pm Afternoon Celebration | 2.00pm – 3.45pm Praise led by Emma Smyth, Erin McBride and band This event is open to all women and is an opportunity to join with women from across Ireland as we come together to worship and celebrate all that God is doing in our lives and through His church. We come expectant to encounter Him afresh and take His blessing back to our local churches and communities.
We are delighted that Siân Wyn Rees will be joining with us as guest speaker. Siân serves as Bible Society’s Head of Wales and is passionate about encouraging others in their walk with the Lord. Siân is a musician by training, and was Head of a Performance and Expressive Arts Faculty at a secondary school in north Wales for Guest Speaker Siân Wyn Rees
many years. Siân likes to keep busy and she is currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Kingdom Theology with Westminster Theological Centre. She serves as a trustee of a number of Christian organisations, including the Sound of Wales worship collective, Ffald Y Brenin Christian retreat centre, Caleb Ministries, Llanw Conference and Capel Caersalem. In her spare time(!) she can be found sipping a skinny latte in one of Cardiff’s excellent coffee shops, catching up with friends or engrossed in a good book.
For more information go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/pw or find us on presbyterianwomen
