Inspire Summer 2024

DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland invites applications for the Deaconess Training Programme, comprising of study & placements.

Deaconesses play a vital role across our church, from evangelism and prayer ministry to pastoral care work and family/youth ministry. Could you serve the wider church in this way?

Training will commence at Union Theological College, Belfast in September 2025

Applications for this training programme to be received by 4pm on Friday 6th September 2024.

For enquiries, please contact Helen JohnstonMission Support Officer

E: hjohnston@pcinet.org

T: +44 (0) 28 9041 7265

Rebecca McConnell

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

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INSPIRE 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 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.

Welcome to the second edition of Inspire. Thank you for all the comments and encouragement from the premier edition - please pass on your copy or why not gift someone with their own subscription.

I’m writing this after a visit to the Lavery on Location art exhibition at the Ulster Museum. Born in Belfast, Sir John Lavery was an internationally renowned Irish painter and never travelled for business or pleasure without his painting kit.

The exhibition contained over 70 paintings, from small quickly executed oil sketches to larger, more finished paintings - it was truly wonderful. Many of his pieces were observations of life and travel around Morocco, France and America and included some of his finest portraits.

When he died in 1941, Lavery kindly donated 34 of his artworks to the former Belfast Museum and Art Gallery (now the Ulster Museum). The special exhibition allows them to be shown alongside other pieces that are owned by other galleries including loans from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. When the exhibition closes on 9 June, some of the Belfast owned pieces will return to a secret location. They will be hidden from the public, no doubt under lock and key, tissue paper and special layers of protection.

Having a special talent for painting should not be hidden away, just like our faith should never be hidden away. We are saved by grace and we should seek to tell others of Jesus and his love.

To kick off our new PW theme of Entrusted, we feature three women who feel compelled to share their faith and the good news of Jesus over the summer months. It is refreshing to know that being entrusted with God’s grace is not limited to any age or stage of life. We also meet a Christian artist, Karen Shaw, who is using the gifts that God has entrusted to her, to make a living and bring joy to others. She recognises the source of her ability to paint as she depicts the beauty of God’s creation.

With a new theme comes new Special Projects to support. Prison Fellowship NI is the recipient of this year’s Home Project. Their vital work with prisoners and families of prisoners is naturally challenging and requires patience and perseverance.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed and shared their story.

We’re not keeping it to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next generation - God’s fame and fortune, the marvellous things he has done. Psalm 78:1-8 The Message

Entrusted to share this summer Honouring God with our gifts 2024 Conference Gallery Prison Fellowship Summer Reflection Stepping out in faith Group Focus - First Ballymoney Inspirations Resource - Entrusted Devotional - Back to basics with Micah

Quick Questions with Sally Moore

Grateful Heart Overseas prayer and news

ENTRUSTED TO SHARE THIS SUMMER

The new PW theme is Entrusted - the theme verse is from Luke 12:48 - “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked”. We kick off the new theme meeting three women who chose to serve God during the summer time, sharing the gospel with others in different spaces and places. We hope their stories will be an inspiration for you to serve wholeheartedly wherever you may find yourself this summer.

ALEXANDRA

Alexandra Bready is a Maths teacher and attends 2nd & 3rd Rathfriland Presbyterian Church in County Down. For the last ten years, she has spent two weeks of her summer volunteering at the Cranfield CSSM Mission off Carlingford Lough.

Ever since I came to faith as a teenager, I have always sought to share my faith with others. I am an officer in the Girls’ Brigade and as a teacher have quite a few weeks off in the summer! My friend Mary, who has a caravan in Cranfield, told me about Cranfield CSSM as her girls enjoyed going, and she said it was a really good opportunity. I thought, well, Cranfield is not that far from Rathfriland, I’ll give it a go. My first time as a team member was back in 2013. I was a section leader for a number of years and served as secretary which covers registration.

Last year, I became a team leader so it was a different level of responsibility. Being a team leader is more challenging as you have to try to set a good example and there are lots of things you have to think about that you didn’t have to before! I’m fortunate to have Adam and Alan as co-leaders who are locals, so they can get things done in the area. The three of us share out the responsibilities and work well together.

We have about 50 team members helping over the fortnight. These can be different people as not everyone is able to help out full time during the two weeks. We run three sessions a day, every day Monday to Friday! We cater for around 500 young people from P1 children right up to the age of 16 and also run some parent and toddler sessions. Scripture Union provides a different theme every year - this summer it is Hold on to Hope taken from Hebrews 10:25. We will take their teaching points and talks and develop those for the big tent programme.

Members of Mourne Presbyterian Church are so supportive. We use their Youth Centre as a base, they offer host families, and they kindly feed us every day of the mission! I have stayed with Mabel who has been very hospitable over the years.

We meet at 8.30am in the Youth Centre and with the three sessions not finishing until 8.30pm, it could be 10.30pm before we are left for the night! We finish each day with highlights and a time of prayer and praise.

Two weeks is a lot, and sometimes you get stressed during it, but at the end of the mission, when you look back and see everything that has gone on, you catch a bug for it. It is hard not to want to go back!

There’s a boy that has grown up coming to CSSM who has special needs and attends a special school. He had such limited verbal communication when he started coming to CSSM and now he is so keen to get to the front to do the songs. His mum has asked if he can help out this summer! He holds a special place in the hearts of those who have seen his progress. He loves CSSM!

The mission is provided free for young people to sign up - we rely on fundraising and each team member to raise a certain amount of money. Local churches also support us which is great as we have three marquees to pay for as well as craft resources.

As soon as people see the tents go up, they know CSSM is on! Seeing kids growing up over the years and some going on to be leaders, shows it has an impact and that people want to serve.

I’ve learnt to be more dependent on God. We can only do so much. It’s not in our own strength that we serve. It’s about what God

“I’ve learnt to be more dependent on God. We can only do so much. It’s not in our own strength that we serve. It’s about what God can do.”

can do. We don’t have to have the most amazing programme or the biggest team, it doesn’t matter about the weather - God is at work! Sometimes rain is the biggest blessing as kids don’t have anywhere else to go!

PRAYER

The team is different each year, with new people coming to help out, so we would appreciate prayer for team unity and that we would all get on well together. Pray that the new team members would settle in well and that we would be focused towards a single goal - which is to share the good news of Jesus with the boys and girls that come along.

We will have a training day before it starts so we hope that it goes well. We'd value prayer for the kids coming that they would come along and ultimately come to know Jesus for themselves. For those that do know him, we hope they will be encouraged and grow in their faith.

Cranfield CSSM takes place from 8th to 19th July 2024

AMY

Amy Turner is 22 and lives in Ballymena working as a Children’s Associate for Ministry in High Kirk Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Stranmillis University in 2023 as a primary school teacher and loves all things coffee and the North Coast. She shares about her summer team’s experience overseas.

God has given me a heart for both youth work and children’s work. I was employed as a youth worker in Greater Ballyclare Youth for Christ during my studies which was such a blessing. I still love to volunteer there in my free time.

During university, I knew that I wasn’t being called into the classroom to teach. I had a strong sense that God was directing me elsewhere but had no clue about what that looked like. In a situation which can only be described as God’s wisdom, he led me to my post as Children’s Associate for Ministry in High Kirk in Ballymena. It has been a chaotic but joy-filled ten months! I’m so thankful to be able to build relationships with the children in my home church, allowing the seeds of the gospel to be planted and watch them flourish.

During my years as a young person and as a youth leader, I have had many opportunities to serve in mission both in Northern Ireland and overseas. I’ve served in a local community outreach called Spark

“I am blessed to have countless stories of how I have seen God work during my experiences of overseas mission.”

for many years, church holiday Bible clubs, youth weeks in Ballymena and I have been involved in a Scripture Union camp for a few years. When I was 16, I went on a mission trip with Exodus to Romania and when I was 18, I had the opportunity to be part of another Exodus team to South Africa.

When I signed up, in particular for South Africa, I didn’t realise the extent of the impact that mission would have on my life and on my walk with the Lord. I was prepared for an exciting, busy two weeks with my friends (which is an absolute dream for a forever-busy extrovert like me!) but was completely unprepared for

the whirlwind of God leading me out of my comfort zone in so many ways. We were sent into the town to ask strangers on the street if we could pray for them, we dug a trench to lead to having fresh water and fed families from a make-shift soup kitchen on the street. All a pretty random bunch of activities but each one of them took saying yes, believing that God would use us and allowing him to do his work through us. During this time, God affirmed my passion for prayer and the power that God reveals when we call out to him.

Last summer I led a youth mission team from High Kirk to Romania with the Smiles Foundation. It was a privilege that God chose to use me to take a group of young people to Romania, all of whom were the same age as myself when I had my first overseas mission experience. In the same way that I had been challenged by my leaders to step outside my comfort zone, I had to become the leader who challenged and encouraged my team. During our two weeks we provided food parcels, practical work, and distribution care into communities and children’s programmes. The young people were pushed in so many ways – sharing Scripture during visits, leading from the front, praying bold prayers.

One of my most memorable moments of mission was from this team. We had been invited into a beaten down, rugged shack which an elderly man called his home. He had extreme illness, had lost both of his legs, had no family and hadn’t been outside his front door in years. I had the joy of watching four of my young people boldly lay hands on him and ask Jesus to come and change his life. For them, that was an incredibly nerve-wracking and daunting moment, but they chose boldness, courage and saying yes to the challenge God was offering them. I was such a proud leader watching them place no boundaries on what the power of God could do. The young people taught me so much more as their leader than I could ever have taught them.

I am blessed to have countless stories of how I have seen God work during my experiences of overseas mission. Similarly, I believe that God does just as much when we involve ourselves in local mission. Our everyday life is a mission field and we should allow God to use that.

I am passionate about the organisation Scripture Union and I lead Portrush Primary Camp for P5-P7, running this year from 11th - 17th August.

PRAYER

Please pray for myself and my team of volunteers as we seek to plan, lead and deliver an action-packed, fun week. Pray that these children would encounter Jesus and leave on the Saturday having been changed by his Spirit.

My hope is that in some way reading this short glimpse of what God has done through mission in my life will encourage you. None of this is about me or about you, God simply asks us to say yes. Say yes and watch the transforming power of God. How exciting that he calls you to partner with him in his mission!

Lorraine Moore took early retirement and lives in Donaghadee. She is involved in ministry in Shore Street Presbyterian Church and is a committee member with Bangor Worldwide, a summer Convention that takes place each August in Bangor and other locations.

I LORRAINE

became a Christian when I was 27 and my heart since then has always been for mission, believing one day God would call me overseas.

Most of my working life has been spent in the NHS having worked in the Ulster Hospital for several years before moving to South Tyrone Hospital in Dungannon and then St Luke’s Hospital in Armagh. Over the years I have been involved in several ministries in my home church of Shore Street Presbyterian Church in Donaghadee.

In 2001, having been on an overseas team to Croatia the previous year, I was invited to work with a little Baptist Church in Croatia and served there for three years. Returning home and back to Armagh, I still had the desire to serve God in mission. This found me moving to serve persecuted Christians through Open Doors UK and Ireland for 13 years.

On taking early retirement, I was contacted by the chair of Bangor Worldwide and found myself a year later a member of the committee. My specific responsibility is the Global Village and I'm also involved with others in planning and organising the Ladies’ Afternoon and the opening evening.

My heart has always been for mission and particularly overseas mission. Having been in Croatia and on several short-term teams to various countries, and also having travelled widely with Open Doors, I wanted to somehow continue to serve God in mission. I was well aware I was not 27 years old anymore and slowly moving towards retirement age, and wondered, what could I do? Having discussed the Worldwide committee role, I was inspired by the challenge and so took up the opportunity to be part of the team.

In total I’ve served as part of four summer conventions, including this year. I feel so humbled and privileged to hear what God is doing around the world from the missionaries and Bible teachers who come each year to Worldwide. Whilst it is a summer event, we meet and plan all year round! Each person on the committee has a role and my specific area is the Global Village which I absolutely love. The village is made up of mission agencies’ exhibition stands as well as a coffee lounge and global prayer space.

I find the Global Village to be a big responsibility and challenge. We have approximately 70 agencies represented, all keen to engage with supporters and people who have never heard of them. Our heart and their hearts are ultimately to see God call people to Pray, Go, Give.

There have been so many memorable moments with Worldwide, it is hard to choose one. I have been so inspired as I work alongside mission agencies, getting to know them individually. Each person is not just someone representing a mission, but someone who has a story of how God called them into their ministry.

Incredible stories of faith, perseverance and hearts for God and people. Many times I have been inspired, but also challenged and humbled by their stories.

Throughout the years, the challenge has been to create a Global Village which is not simply an exhibition but to take people on an expedition around the world to enable them to see, feel, hear, smell and touch what God is doing and how they can be involved in building his Kingdom.

Remaining flexible is vitally important. It is a very busy and challenging week. While we each have our individual roles on the committee, they overlap too as we very much work together as a team supporting each other.

Bangor Worldwide takes place from Friday 16th to Sunday 25th August in a range of venues across Northern Ireland and also in Dublin.

The ladies afternoon tea event is on Thursday 22nd August at Bangor Parish Church, Hamilton Road, starting at 2.30pm. The special speakers will be Dr Beryl D’Sousa-Vali from The Good Shepherd Healthcare Initiative, India and Jamie Pritchett from The Good News Coloring Book Ministry in Florida. Register your space at www.worldwidemission.org

“I feel so humbled and privileged to hear what God is doing around the world from the missionaries and Bible teachers who come each year to Worldwide.”

I’ve seen God at work in many ways and in conversations which have taken place during the week. Last summer, one person came along to the Global Village believing God was working in their life, calling them to step out for him. There they met a mission agency looking for someone to fulfil a role based here in Ireland but with responsibility for their ministry in two overseas countries. The result, they answered that call and just this year they gave up their secular employment and have begun a new and exciting journey which is a real step of faith for not only them but their family.

Give thanks and pray for every ministry represented. Please pray that I serve the mission agencies well. Pray for all the details which go into the planning and layout of the Global Village. Please pray that God will fill the Global Village by his Spirit, that this year more people of all ages will be called to serve him whether that be at home or overseas.

HONOURING GOD WITH OUR GIFTS

God has blessed each one of us with different gifts and talents. This new regular feature will help celebrate that as we chat with a range of women and ask about their career journey to date. We are not all called to work in Christian ministry, but each of us as Christians are called to use our gifts and talents and to share our faith with others. Here we meet Karen Shaw, an artist and interior designer from Ballinderry.

Iattended Laurelhill High School in Lisburn and, although I wouldn’t have labelled myself as particularly academic, Art was the subject that really resonated with me and the one I received encouragement from my teachers. I then pursued a foundation degree in Art before completing a Higher National Diploma (HND) programme focused on surface pattern design. While ceramics briefly crossed my mind, it turned out that clay and I didn’t mix! Instead, I found my passion in printed textiles, where my talents truly shone. I particularly enjoy creating floral designs on fabric through drawing. I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Textile and Fashion from the University of Ulster.

During my placement year at Clendinnings in Lurgan, I had a very rewarding experience working with a company specialising in printing furnishing fabrics. When I graduated, I got a full-time job there as a

colourist. I would work with the customer to get the design ready for bulk printing by adjusting the colours. The company also printed some fashion lines for Marks & Spencer and an American designer Liz Claiborne, which gave me the opportunity to go to New York. The Americans had a preference for collaborating with Irish

“I’m thankful to God for guiding me through those turbulent times of job transitions and industry shifts.”

Linen, although it posed challenges for bulk printing due to its intricate nature. They wanted everything to look the same which was quite difficult to achieve.

I woke up on my 30th birthday unemployed. I loved my job but with all the changes to the industry, Clendinnings went into receivership! It was a family run business and everyone looked out for each other - even with the mixed faiths that worked there. For a brief time I worked in Dunmurry Print, the printworks for Ulster Weavers, as a colourist, and then Bedeck as a designer in their design studio. Bedeck invested in designers and didn’t just produce their own brand - I looked after the Designers Guild which meant some trips to Italy and Turkey to their printworks! It was mostly computer aided design, which I hadn't studied at university, so it was a learning curve to get to grips with it and I felt a bit removed as an artist.

GOD GIFTS

We purchased artwork and separated it, readjusted and put into repeat etc. It was a dream job. We were a small design team of five or six, some of whom were Christians, which was nice to have that support and conversation around the lunch table.

I’m thankful to God for guiding me through those turbulent times of job transitions and industry shifts. After the birth of my first child, Joe, I decided to work part time, and reduced my work to three days. When my daughter Bethany arrived, my Daddy wasn’t well, so I didn’t want to

burden my parents with looking after two children (they had been looking after Joe), so I decided to be a stay-at-home mum.

Probably out of everything, being a full-time mum was the hardest calling! It’s full on, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Joe is now 21 and Bethany is 18.

Continues...

My older sister Pauline was a big inspiration to me. She went to art college and studied printed textile design at University of Ulster. Seeing the path she had at that time was really inspiring.

I’ve consistently pursued my art, maintaining a studio beside my house. I developed my own greeting card collection, which is retailed at The Willow in Moira, alongside selling prints and my original artworks. While I have great respect for artists dedicated to a single medium, I find myself drawn to mixed media. With a passion for interior design, I love bringing colours together and framing to bring spaces to life. My artistic expression spans watercolours, mixed media compositions, and collages, where I enjoy building layers of texture. I’ve even experimented with silk for hanging artworks.

I’ve been a longstanding member of Elmwood Presbyterian Church in Lisburn, actively involved in the Girls’ Brigade as a girl and now serving as an officer for thirty years. Additionally, I held the position of Captain for eight years.

Seven years ago, I decided to set up my own business, K.Shaw Designs. My friend had a stove company and offered to set up a studio to work on my art and sell stoves.

Determining pricing is the most challenging aspect of my work. I am aware that interior design falls within the luxury spectrum, as revamping a room or a home entails expenses for fabrics, furniture, and time. However, even a simple wall repaint can significantly alter the ambiance of a room and affect its occupants.

I’ve no favourite colours - one minute I like bright colours, then the next, more subtle subdued colours. Taupe allows you to pull out different colours to suit the client - it works well as a base colour. Some people can be overly adventurous at times! You want your house to flow and make sense as you walk through it.

Running your own business is full of ups and downs. You adapt because you have to! You have good months and not so good months.

As an artist, you have to be real - bills need to be paid. The pandemic lockdown was tough - but afterwards, people were keen to redecorate which led to an increase in my workload over time.

I moved to new premises in October last year, so I am now based in Portadown.

and he has blessed you with this talent” - he hasn’t given it to the next person. I have to honour what he has given me.

It is a wonderful feeling whenever you sell something that someone else appreciates - art is weaved throughout the Bible and God is a Creative God. When you are in that place drawing, you have a different perspective on things, you can see the beauty of the landscape that God has created.

Yet, I’ve had to reassure myself with the reminder, “God loves you, and he has blessed you with this talent”

I saw God’s timing in the availability of suitable premises. At the moment, framing for other artists is a significant portion of my workload. I’ve tipped the nets on the other side - there’s been new opportunities and I have a lot to be thankful for.

Everyone has doubts along the way - that’s when your faith steps in and you keep trusting that God has a plan. The promise in Jeremiah 29:11. As an artist - nothing is ever right, you never truly complete a piece, there is that battle within. You think, ‘It’s never good enough’ - I have to trust that God has given this to me so I can’t say, ‘well it’s not good enough’. We read in Exodus 35:35, “He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers – all of them skilled workers and designers.”

You have to value yourself - I would have struggled with that in the past. A part of me thinks, “Well, I can take a break from painting tomorrow.” Yet, I’ve had to reassure myself with the reminder, “God loves you,

The Mourne Mountains are a very inspirational place to me, and were the primary focus of my studies at Art College. The light changes the scenery of the landscape. We experience plenty of rainfall, but there is a beauty in that. In moody skies and how light changes the whole outlook and colours. It is the same grass, but when the light shines on it - it is totally different. That’s how God looks at us, if he is shining on us, we can look so different. That’s what keeps me going - we all have a purpose. My gift can bring joy to people and that is something very special.

Introducing the new Presbyterian Women Special Home Project for 2024/25 Prison Fellowship Northern Ireland - a Christian ministry that has been responding to the practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of prisoners, released prisoners, their families and those impacted by crime for over 43 years.

PRISON FELLOWSHIP NORTHERN IRELAND

The logo of Prison Fellowship Northern Ireland (PFNI) depicts Isaiah 42:3, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.” It speaks of hope and transformation, moving from the wilderness to the promise of a land where new life is found. Despite being bruised, the reed is not broken and there remains hope of change in a person’s life. Throughout Scripture, God reveals his heart for the broken, lonely, and marginalised. PFNI believes this is our mission. What a privilege, but what a responsibility!

The Challenge

Female staff within PFNI respond daily to the needs of individuals and their families who have encountered the criminal justice system.

Led by our volunteer coordinator, Grace, volunteers serve across all areas of the ministry. It is a blessing to see many women step forward to support those impacted by crime and imprisonment.

The female prison population in Northern Ireland is at an all-time high. Within Prison Fellowship we seek to care for and support women in custody, especially through one-to-one pastoral care visiting women in their prison cells to provide a listening ear.

Weekly, our staff member, Joanne, meets with new committals to introduce herself and PFNI and offer support. With the help of volunteers, we deliver a number of programmes including a weekly Bible study, a restorative justice programme, and even on occasion a knitting class! Providing ongoing prisoner support to those in custody, whether they will be in prison for weeks, months, or years is a practical way of showing women that they matter.

Being a constant in their lives through such a difficult period of time, as they navigate prison, allows us to demonstrate the love of Christ in a practical way. Ultimately our desire is for each woman to come to know Jesus for themselves and recognise that no matter who we are or what we have done, we can find full forgiveness and true freedom in Christ alone. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” from 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Lynne, our female aftercare worker, supports women following their release from prison. Often, the ‘inside’ becomes a safe place and when they leave the system, they find themselves faced with the challenges of real life. Battling addiction, shame, loneliness, poverty, fear of the unknown and uncertainty of where they will live is a daily reality.

Throughout time in prison trust is built up with our staff and volunteers and often we make a support plan for their release. Our greatest desire is that no woman will feel alone. This can mean journeying with them over many years. Often it can feel like one step forward, two back, yet these women are precious and this work is for the long haul. Together we celebrate success, and work through ‘mistakes’. Through it all, God is faithful, and there are many stories to tell.

We desire to bring hope to families who have experienced the trauma of a crime committed by someone they love. We believe this hope is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is our tremendous privilege to journey with our families to listen to them, love them, and, as best we can, show them Jesus.

There is an urgency in sharing Jesus in every opportunity. During our meetings, we learn from the Bible, worship and pray together. We enjoy sweet treats and good coffee and ensure the women leave with a little meaningful gift. Our group is small, but there are many others we hope will be brave enough to join us soon. It is a big step for those battling addiction and mental health. We will keep praying!

Family Work & Support in the Community Family workers Claire and Sandra, draw alongside women who have a loved one in or recently released from prison, those we often refer to as serving the silent sentence.

Instilling Hope is our monthly support group for women released from prison. Launched in March 2023, the name centres on Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in

“Ultimately our desire is for each woman to come to know Jesus for themselves and recognise that no matter who we are or what we have done we can find full forgiveness and true freedom in Christ alone.”

so that it has a strong influence on the way a person thinks or behaves. We saw an incredible need to provide a space for female ex-prisoners to meet regularly to help instil hope, confidence, and value on who they are. A space where they could be loved, supported, encouraged and cared for both physically and spiritually.

ABI’S STORY LYNNE SHARES

The journey with Abi (name changed) began when I worked as a staff member in Hydebank. She was a young teenager (19) who was extremely troubled, battling huge mental health and addiction problems.

I invited Abi to take part in Sycamore Tree, a restorative justice programme. She (miraculously) came along and was so excited to receive her certificate at the end, stating this was the first thing she had ever achieved in her life. Throughout the course, Abi described herself as a homeless drug addict with no family and who had lost her children to the system. That broke my heart but made me determined to keep fighting for precious souls like her. We made sure she knew that she was loved by PFNI staff and volunteers, but even more so by the One who gives hope and has a plan for her life.

I continued to visit Abi in Hydebank and we built up a good relationship. She often allowed me to pray with her and we read the Bible together. Abi got released and allowed me to support her, but sometimes she would go completely off the radar for months. This was a cycle that continued for years. We didn’t give up on her - Jesus wouldn’t - so I prayed and prayed.

Abi is now 26 years old. She was released from Hydebank six months ago. The last time she was inside, she was deemed too dangerous to visit as she was in a state of psychosis. I was eventually allowed to visit her and when she saw me, she just fell into my arms and sobbed. She was the most mentally ill precious soul I have ever supported. I visited her regularly until she was released to her flat and from there we

Opportunities

We as a staff team at PFNI are delighted to be chosen as Presbyterian Women’s special home project for 2024/25. This partnership offers us such an opportunity to develop our ministry. Together we have prayerfully considered how the money gifted to us will be used.

We run Instilling Hope in one location and would love to run it in more. With the support of Presbyterian Women, we will work towards establishing more groups where they are needed most. One woman said, “Instilling Hope means everything to me. It gets me out of the house and I have made great friends. We get a wee present every week and I get so excited about that. I enjoy reading the Bible verses and the girls even put them in frames for us. It’s nice having them up in the house to remind me every day. My morning Psalm is the first thing I see when I boil my kettle. My favourite song is ‘How Great Thou Art.’ The group is like my family. I love it.”

Another said, “I have found life very hard since leaving prison. I felt very lonely until I started to go to the group. It was hard to talk at first, and then I felt the trust in the group and I really look forward to going. They have all been so supportive, helping me get through the dark days. I can’t thank them enough. I think I’ve come out the other side stronger and better and now I have great friends in the group.”

Recently, our premises have been beautifully refurbished. We are so thankful for the Lord’s provision in this, and really look forward to utilising this new space fully. With your support, we will be able to plan for a female Drop In, a new initiative where women can come along to a safe space where they will feel loved, supported and cared for. We also have additional ideas for programmes that will benefit the women in our care. We look forward to updating you! We know this is all God’s work, not ours. It is our prayer that many other women will experience for themselves, the hope that only he can bring.

went for coffee and car drives. I prayed a lot with her and introduced her to a food pantry and compassion ministry in a local church that also provided her with clothes. I would love her to come to our ‘Instilling Hope’ support group, so I am praying to that end.

I’m thankful for Abi. Her life has influenced mine as much as I have influenced hers.

Thank you for choosing to partner with us in this season. Thank you for your encouragement and generosity. Thank you for your ongoing support and faithful prayer. We very much look forward to meeting many of you in your churches to share the work of PFNI at Presbyterian Women meetings across PCI.

Please visit the website www.pfni.org to learn more about Prison Fellowship Northern Ireland and how you can get involved through prayer groups and by volunteering.

SUMMER

SUMMER 24

Lord, you have entrusted us with your Word and we have a responsibility to share it with others. When we feel inadequate to do this, give us the knowledge, wisdom and courage we need. Holy Spirit, empower us to speak the Word of the Lord and share the good news with those who have not yet heard.

Amen.

Words from the Inspirations guidebook

STEPPING OUT IN FAITH

After 23 years of service in Romania, Csaba and Ilona Veres moved to Hajdúböszörmény, Hungary in January 2024 to take up a ministry of Church planting and Gypsy mission in Bodaszőlő at the invitation of the Transtibiscan District of the Hungarian Reformed Church. The mother church of this church plant is the Kalvin Square Reformed church in Hajdúböszörmény. In the first season of their work in Bodaszőlő, Csaba and Ilona are getting to know more about the mother church team, their co-workers, and the community they serve, working together to form a presence in the village and find creative ways to bring the gospel and serve the community.

First Steps

On our final Sunday in Romania, our home church, the Tokoz Reformed church in Cluj held an emotional farewell service, sending us off with a deep commitment to walk with us, to prayer, and with a kind monetary gift with surprise instructions to buy new shoes! The instructions were to buy sturdy yet comfortable shoes for the new paths our feet would be taking. Strong shoes for roads and lanes where we are called to take the message of the gospel of Jesus. We were encouraged with the words of Corrie Ten Boom who said, “When God sends us on stony roads he provides us with strong shoes”, and, as we left Cluj, Romania, we were assured of his equipping and guiding hand for the road ahead.

New Shoes

After our arrival to Hajdúböszörmény in mid-January, we dutifully bought our new shoes. We purchased light breathable pairs for the 26°C unusually warm spring temperatures, with memory foam soles to cushion tired, middle-aged feet and we began to tread the sandy paths of the village of Bodaszőlő.

Our new shoes have taken us quite a few kilometres in the initial weeks of our new ministry, with Monday and Tuesday now becoming our regular days for home visits or delivering leaflet invites for the Bible studies and services and for door-to-door work. We have been received with friendliness and welcome, and many seem interested and curious about the first ever church fellowship in this 222-year-old village.

We travelled the sandy lanes of Bodaszőlő to a family of 10 living in a one roomed house, to pray for a family member with depression and to join them singing worship songs together as they proclaim their trust in Jesus through these dark days. These shoes have taken us to visit the elderly and isolated with food packages and a message of encouragement from God’s Word. They have taken us to visit families where teenage daughters are preparing to give personal testimony through confirmation this Pentecost, and to a family visit where parents and four children wish to come for baptism. Needless to say, Fitbit has been pleased with our steps recently! But much more than this, we are constantly reminded that our feet are beautiful when our steps carry the good news, proclaim the salvation of God and announce that God reigns (Isaiah 52:7). When our steps take the message of the cross of Christ, our feet are beautiful no matter what brand we are wearing!

Many steps have been taken in these first few months, but one vital step in church planting is undoubtedly in building relationships with our colleagues at the mother church and co-workers in Bodaszőlő. With the call from Habakkuk (2:2) to “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it” part of our early days have also involved team planning and thorough preparation so all can share in the vision and begin foundational steps together with prayerful hearts and recognition of each other’s gifts and resources. With a focus on community engagement and creating welcoming spaces, our team prayerfully formed our mission plan for 2024 and then began ministry from a rented building in the centre of the village.

One of the first new initiatives this year was starting a women’s group, meeting each Saturday afternoon in March, where we prepared for Easter by studying a series on the three Marys in the Easter story. On the second occasion, after Bible study, the final

“We were encouraged with the words of Corrie Ten Boom who said, “When God sends us on stony roads he provides us with strong shoes.”

hour was spent making pasta for families in the village who struggle with food poverty. We give thanks especially for Marika who meets with Ilona to pray and plan the women’s group each week and, as we continue to evaluate and shape this outreach, we will begin a new study series on habits of a godly woman, creating both written home study material and also audio home preparation material for those who have literacy struggles.

Another new initiative was messy church on Palm Sunday held in the local village hall. We taught the Easter story in bite-sized lessons to children who have never been to a church or Sunday school before. It was a joy to see unity in the team of volunteers from the mother church and from Bodaszőlő, and to enjoy time with the children while their parents joined a challenging discussion group on the real meaning of Easter.

Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace

As we join in God’s mission to plant a disciple-making church in Bodaszőlő, our armour includes having our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. We need to be fully prepared to spread the gospel in this unique intercultural context of Hungarian and Roma. We are constantly looking for creative ways to engage with the community. One initiative in April was a Silver Surfers club, reaching out with practical help for seniors who struggle with using technology.

In Ephesians 6:15, Paul visualises the sandals of the Roman soldiers which allowed them to move quickly into battle and brought protection for their feet. So too, our team needs to be ready for spiritual battle and arm ourselves with the gospel of Jesus. Just as our new shoes provide us with traction, grip and protection in the sandy roads in Bodaszőlő, so the gospel anchors our faith, gives us a foundation and prevents us from slipping.

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR...

- Our team from the Hajdúböszörmény mother church and local co-workers, to have a readiness to declare the gospel of peace.

- The fortnightly held Bible studies and monthly Sunday services to reach many with the gospel.

- A body of believers who love, support and care for each other and who are committed to forming nurturing relationships.

- A body of believers who have a passion to reach out to the whole community and care for the marginalised.

- Training local christian leaders to lead basic ministries and reach out to the community for Jesus.

WELCOMING WOMEN@FIRST

FIRST BALLYMONEY PW

On the back of last year’s Being Transformed theme, a County Antrim Presbyterian Women’s Group decided it was the right time to rebrand. Their new Leader, Debbie Knight, shares why and how the transformation has gone.

Last Spring, the former leader and committee of the Presbyterian Women's Group First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church (who had faithfully served for 16 years) kindly handed over the baton to the next generation of women and we believe it was no coincidence given the theme at the time was Being transformed

One of the first changes we made was to rename our Group in the hope of changing people’s perception of our women’s ministry and to appeal to a wider age range. In order for our women to feel ownership of this, we held a Swim or Stroll event in June where they could choose from a dip in the sea or a stroll along the beach in Portrush. God blessed us with a beautiful warm sunny evening and women of all ages came along. During coffee and traybakes al fresco, we chose the new name for our women’s ministry - Women@first.

Vision

We took the instruction from Habakkuk 2:2 seriously - about writing the vision and making it plain. As well as much prayer prior to our first meeting, we also spent a significant time brainstorming the vision and goals for Women@first.

We did this in conjunction with PW's Development Officer who guided us through and helpfully advised us in our situation.

To help, we used a framework recently adopted by our kirk session, to look at how our ministry would reach -

- UP - serve God

- IN - serve the women in our church

- OUT - serve our local community and support global mission.

As well as evaluating previous programmes and deciding what we needed to keep and what we needed to change.

While we hoped to reach a wide age range of women in our church, we also recognised that ‘not one size fits all’ and therefore wanted to move to a more flexible approach where women can feel free to dip in and out of our events as their family and work commitments allow, where the programme is more relevant to their needs.

By the end of our first meeting we had agreed a vision and goals based on the aims outlined by Presbyterian Women

Launch night

At our launch night, women were met by welcomers at the door and offered a glass of Shloer and speciality fudge. There was a great buzz in the room in anticipation of something new! We kicked the night off with a fun icebreaker which encouraged everyone to get up and move around getting to know each other a little better.

As group leader, I opened with a devotion focused on Romans 12:2 and shared our vision for Women@first and concluded with a quote from Joyce Meyer: “When you transform your mind with God’s Word, you set off a chain reaction that also transforms your mouth, moods, attitudes, actions, and every other area of your life.”

Blessing bag ministry

The purpose of this ministry is to enable Women@first to connect with all the women in our church family and the wider community, especially during difficult times. At our November meeting, we made up 45 blessing bags using items kindly donated by our women. A card is attached to the bag which explains how on those most difficult days, the woman can open one of the gifts inside which contains a scripture verse to bring her comfort and hope.

These bags are given to women throughout the year who are going through difficult times such as bereavement or prolonged illness as well as more joyous events like young women leaving school to go to college or start work and young mums having their first baby. We trust women will

feel valued and loved through this ministry, especially those on the margins of our church.

We have also partnered with our local CAP group (Christians Against Poverty) and provided blessing bags for both men and women seeking their help. These have

Praise and Pudding

In March, we gathered together to sing favourite worship songs and hymns that our women had chosen. We were blessed as people shared why they’d chosen certain songs. A short devotion reminded us how, just like getting our bodies ‘beach ready’ at this time of year is a continual process, so is transforming our minds! This was a night to give God all the glory for the past six months.

“When you transform your mind with God’s Word, you set off a chain reaction that also transforms your mouth, moods, attitudes, actions, and every other area of your life.”

been warmly received. To date we have distributed 44 bags.

Christmas crafts

Christmas brought out the creative flare when we gathered together to make beautiful wreaths and angels from old books. Our women were greeted with warm mulled punch on arrival and finished their evening with a delicious festive supper.

Big

Breakfast

The aim of our Big Breakfast was to serve our whole church community. It was a fun family event where the youngest to the oldest enjoyed a hearty breakfast as well as great fellowship on a cold January morning. This was a good fundraiser for PW special projects and global mission.

Mission

In October, we had the joy of hosting and learning about the amazing work of Hope and Light, a charity seeking to support young women affected by human trafficking, and in February we had a guest speaker from Reach Mentoring.

To conclude our year’s programme, we held a ‘But first coffee’ event in April to serve our whole church and wider community. This was a great morning kindly supported by women from other local PW Groups as well as members of our whole church family and the wider community.

We hope to repeat our Swim or Stroll and hold a coffee and conversation event in a local coffee shop where we will invite women to help us evaluate the first year of Women@first. As we look forward, we are excited about the ideas God will plant in our minds as we desire to plan a programme to reflect God’s will and purpose for women in First Ballymoney.

Thank you for taking the time to read our Group Focus - may it inspire and encourage you.

INSPIRATIONS ENTRUSTED

2024/25 WOMEN’S MINISTRY RESOURCE

“Through this new issue of Inspirations we want 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.”

Focusing on the previous theme, Being Transformed, gave us the opportunity to reflect on our own personal journey with God and how he uses the turning points in our lives as an opportunity for transformation, and how, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can grow and mature and live out his good, pleasing and perfect will for us.

Our theme for this year is Entrusted and is based on God’s Word as recorded in Luke 12:48 ‘From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.’ Through God’s transforming power he enables us to serve him, and when we are open and willing to follow his will in our lives, he will entrust us with his Word so that we can go and tell all the people.

Through this new issue of Inspirations we want 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 this guide will enable you to minister to women in your Group and inspire you to reach out to all those women in your congregation and beyond. We trust you will be enthused by the ideas shared in this resource and that God will use you to inspire faith in others.

As always, we would encourage you to use the material provided here in whatever format is best suited to your Group. The material is written in formats that can be used for epilogues, Bible studies, retreats or larger group events. It is a flexible resource that can be used for ministry among women of all ages. This year we have added a new page which sets out an example of how each programme can be used.

The Inspirations Subgroup prays that, as you use this resource, God will enable you to speak in ways that are pleasing to him, to speak with gentleness, wisdom, kindness and compassion. To speak his truth and build each other up.

‘Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.’ 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

Scan the QR code to visit our resources page Ordering

NEW THEMED T-SHIRTSENTRUSTED

You can purchase the Inspirations resource online www.presbyterianireland.org/inspirations or through the Presbyterian Women office – pw@presbyterianireland.org or +44 (0)28 9041 7257

Single copy – £11/ €13 (P&P included)

Digital Download PDF – £2 / €2.50 £15/Euro equivalent

Get our latest themed t-shirt with the new “ENTRUSTED” logo –

Available in two coloursWhite and Aqua Blue

Available to order on our website www.presbyterianireland.org/pw

from Orangefield

Presbyterian Church leads us through a study in one of the most famous

BACK TO BASICS–WITH MICAH

READ Micah 6:8

Micah is one of the minor prophets found in the Old Testament who addresses themes of oppression, injustice and calling the people to repent. The book itself may not be one that you are familiar with, but you most likely know Micah 6:8 well. We want to slow down this summer and take a fresh look at the verse again, in great detail, so that we can be reminded of how God calls us to live with all that he has entrusted to us.

The first thing that the people, and we, are required to do, is to act justly. This comes from the Hebrew word ‘mishpat’ which can be translated as judgement or restorative justice. This means to not only act justly in our decisions and choices, but also to find the most vulnerable in our society and to help them. Advocating on behalf of others and, in fact, even taking action to prevent injustice happening. If we look at others through the lens of how God sees them, this will transform our hearts and our actions.

On the very first page of the Bible, we are told that we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). That’s me, you, your neighbour and the person on the other side of the world. All image bearers of God who are loved and special in God’s eyes. This should break our hearts that those made in the image of God are being mistreated.

All our actions have consequences and sometimes we may not even see the direct consequences. For example, what are the consequences of my clothing choices? Do these help the vulnerable or is the result injustice? We may not be able to make major changes for everyone experiencing injustice in the world, but what has God placed in your hands?

Pause for thought: Who in our society is vulnerable and experiencing injustice? How can we act justly towards them, especially when we look at how fortunate we are. What would it mean for us to be just in our everyday actions? The things I spend my money, time, attention on, does this contribute to the injustice or justice in the world?

sin and shame and have a right relationship with God. We still mess up and yet God pours out his forgiveness and unconditional love on us. Once we have experienced this, how can we not give this to others? Showing up in acts of loving kindness that won’t make sense to the rest of the world. But it is what we have been shown, so we in turn bless others.

This mercy and love is not based on what others have done or what they can do for us. Imagine if we looked beyond keeping score of all the good things others have or haven’t done for us and how we can equally pay them back. Have you ever had this scenario in your head - they got me a card for my birthday but no present, so I’ll do the same to them for their birthday! Maybe you can think of other examples in your life. But this ‘chesed’ love is beyond just doing the minimum of how others have treated us. Rather, it’s about outdoing one another in acts of love (Romans 12:10). We are called to be a people who push beyond what others have done, with no expectation for the same to be reciprocated to ourselves. It sounds pretty radical and full of loving kindness!

HE HAS TOLD YOU, O MAN, WHAT IS GOOD; AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU BUT TO DO JUSTICE, AND TO LOVE KINDNESS, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD?

The next requirement is to love mercy. Here we have a difficult Hebrew word to translate, ‘chesed’. It is normally translated to give the sense of all of the following combined- loving kindness, loyal and unconditional love.

Think about God’s unconditional loving kindness towards us. Have there been moments in your life where you have experienced this? How about when others have shown kindness and mercy when you didn’t deserve it? This word describes who our God is. In Exodus 34:6 it says, ““The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness”. God’s great love has been shown towards us, that we in no way deserve or can ever repay. He gave his Son for us so that we can be washed clean of

Pause for thought:

In prayer, thank God for his loving kindness towards you. Remind yourself of specific situations when God or others have shown this love to you. Now, ask God to open your eyes to who needs to be shown this love. Who can you reach out to this week, with no expectations that they can reciprocate your actions?

The final requirement is to walk humbly with God. This image of walking with God shows an intimate closeness. When we walk with others, we match our pace to theirs so that we can travel alongside them. We go in the same direction and get to see things as they see them. What a wonderful picture of our relationship with God! That we would have the opportunity through prayer and reading his Word, to walk with him. As we do, we can hear his gentle whisper into our lives, calling us back on to the right path of holiness. We humbly lay down our own wants and desires, and then it becomes clearer how we are to live as God wants us to live.

Pause for thought:

What do you need to humbly lay down so that you can continue to walk at God’s pace and in the right direction?

And finally, as we have reflected on all that God has done for us and all that he has given us, what is our response? God made it clear that he didn’t want empty sacrifices but lives that were marked by justice, loving mercy and a close walk with God.

Pause for thought:

With all that God has entrusted us with, our gifts, time, possessions and loved ones; can we follow this verse and respond in a sacrificial way that will be pleasing to God?

QUICK QUESTIONS WITH

…SALLY MOORE

As we continue our series to encourage people working in different roles within PCI churches, we head to County Antrim and the town of Randalstown to catch up with Sally Moore

Hi Sally, tell us a little about yourself and how you came to faith?

I am married to Alan and we have two daughters and two grandchildren. Growing up, Alan and I had no real church connection or any thought of God and his gospel of grace in Jesus Christ. However, after a very caring and persistent Christian invited us to a Christianity Explored course, God in his grace moved in our lives and we both came to a saving faith when we trusted in Christ.

Looking back, and thinking of all we’ve been through, I can thankfully and truly say, God has been at work in our lives. In 2007, we both left jobs we enjoyed and stepped out in faith to attend Belfast Bible College to complete a two-year course.

We have always felt God called us to serve him together. Alan is now the minister of Second Randalstown Presbyterian Church where I am currently the community outreach worker. When did you start working as a community outreach worker and what does your role involve?

I have worked in several churches before as a childrens and family worker. In August 2023, my role changed to Community Outreach Worker. It involves organising community events, doing outreach and connecting with local families.

One of my favourite events to run is our women’s nights where all ages come together for a time of fellowship and fun. The nights consist of make-up classes, music and crafts, followed by tasty treats. We always end the night with a time of reflection.

Every Monday, we have our Tots’ Time. This is a great way of building relationships with the mums and grans, by being there for them with a listening ear, a hug and reassurance that everything is going to be ok.

I also organise special events and information days for Tots’ Time such as our Dental Care morning which gave parents advice on how to look after their children’s teeth. Recently we had our Tots’ Tunes event where families came along to enjoy dancing and singing.

Another aspect of my role is working with local schools, taking assemblies and helping with SU. This allows me to make connections with the children who come to our church events throughout the year.

Recently, we started our community café Care for a Cuppa, which has been something I have enjoyed being a part of. This is a drop in café every Wednesday where all ages are welcome to come in for a time of fellowship.

Within church, I take our Family Services, help at Youth Club, organise our King’s Kids (Sunday School) and run our annual holiday Bible club which is another event we look forward to each year. It runs for a week in the summer starting with our morning Tots’ session and ending with an evening for the Primary School aged children. We round up the week by having a Community Family Evening filled with lots of fun and exciting activities such as petting zoos, bouncy castles and a BBQ to name just a few. This is a great way to connect with the parents and invite them to the holiday Bible club Sunday service.

“God has truly blessed the work at Second Randalstown and we give thanks for the opportunities through our Drop In Ministries.”

Our Tots’ Time group is our biggest connection within our local community. There have been many special moments where the ladies have reached out and shared personal issues, which has allowed me to get alongside them, pray for them, share Scripture and to let them know they are not alone and are loved. One of my favourite verses to share in these times is Romans 5:8 ‘You are loved more than you will ever know’

What is the most challenging part of your role?

Whilst I feel extremely privileged to get to do what I love and to help support young families, it can be challenging to find creative ideas of how to encourage those who don’t attend Church to come. It is my heart’s desire for them to know and believe what it says in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life”.

What has been your biggest encouragement to date since you started?

Without a doubt, the support from the mums and grans at any events I run - they are brilliant! It’s also amazing to see a great turn out to our Care for a Cuppa Café. It allows us to meet families and single mums who come along to get a cuppa and treat, have a chat with them while their kids play, and make new friends.

Where do you find God at work?  Our church mission statement is ‘to know Jesus and make him known’. God has truly blessed the work at Second Randalstown and we give thanks for the opportunities through our Drop In Ministries.

We have been hosting a Hope Explored course in our local coffee shop and it has been wonderful to see God at work - people are asking questions and genuinely seeking God.

How can we pray for you in your role? Give thanks to God for his continued faithfulness and to those who serve within the church and who are reaching out to our local community.

Please pray for opportunities to keep building relationships in the community and that we would be able to make Jesus known as we connect with those who have little contact with a church. It is my prayer that they come to a saving faith in Jesus.

Please also pray for the planning and the running of our summer outreach events in August. Your prayers would be much appreciated. Thank you.

GRATEFUL HEART SUMMER’24

What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God! – Psalm 92:1 (Msg)

RURAL HEALTH EVENT HOSTED BY ROSEYARDS PW

We had a most enjoyable and worthwhile evening at Roseyards Presbyterian Church in February. Pictured with me is Rosemary Dunlop (Organiser), Gillian Reid (Rural Support), Helen McAuley and Christina Faulkner (both Farm Families Health Checks), Erinn Ramsay (Kilraughts Young Farmers’ Club), Dr Eileen Jones (Roseyards PW) and Dr Rebecca Orr (NI Agri-Rural Health Forum).

A good proportion of attendees were young people, with representation from Finvoy, Kilraughts and Moycraig Young Farmers’ Clubs.

Thanks so much to my friends in the farm support organisations for your willingness to be involved. You greatly enriched the event. Lots of smiles in the photo - and the smiles continued, even as we addressed some serious topics. Christina and Rebecca chatted about physical health whilst Gillian spoke on mental health and I on our spiritual wellbeing.

Well done to Roseyards Presbyterian Women for organising the event, especially Rosemary Dunlop, who put in a huge amount of effort in preparation for the evening. While Dr Eileen Jones, PW Leader, very thoughtfully set the scene and led the evening.

Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious supper while Christina, Helen and Rebecca were busy taking blood pressures.

Rev Kenny Hanna

PCI Rural Chaplain

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

CLARE PW 75TH ANNIVERSARY

Clare Presbyterian Women was founded on 8th April 1948. It was formed with the aim of sharing the gospel globally, nationally and locally. It was very fitting to have the now late Maud Kells as our guest speaker for the 75th anniversary service in February 2023. We were also blessed to have Linda Lyndsay as our guest singer that evening. Over one hundred women were in attendance.

Our Group carried out a combined Easter project with the Sunday School and Bible Class of blessing older members of the congregation with an Easter hamper to also mark the 75th anniversary. All were gratefully received.

Annalong Women Together (PW) held a social in January in the church hall. It was really well attended by young and not-so-young. Embrace Socials came to lead us with music, games and fun. We had a buffet supper midway through the evening which was enjoyed by all.

TYRONE LINK

Tyrone PW LINK held their annual breakfast in November 2023 in The Royal Hotel in Cookstown. Over 160 women attended and enjoyed a full breakfast and heard from guest speaker Joanna Tinsley, from Hope For Youth ministries.

ARDS LINK

Ards Presbytery PW LINK held a meeting at St Andrew’s, Bangor in September 2023, the evening when Storm Agnes struck Northern Ireland. Despite the weather we were blessed with an encouraging attendance.

We were welcomed by Rev Mark Johnston, who opened in prayer and stayed to use his skills on the audio visual desk. Seona Carroll, PW Group Secretary, provided our Scripture reading. Our speaker was Beth Montgomery from AsiaLink who was both entertaining and inspiring as she told us about the work of the mission agency. Picking up on our theme for this year, her stories of everyday life in India illustrated how so many people need the transformation which Jesus brings.

The photograph is of St Andrew’s PW Group Committee, whose hospitality and organisation were outstanding.

Mary McAuley

Secretary, Ards Presbytery PW LINK

DRUMGOOLAND & KILKINAMURRY

The year 2023 marked the occasion of the 65th Anniversary of the formation of PW groups in Drumgooland and Kilkinamurry Presbyterian churches in County Down. The members celebrated with a tour of Hillsborough Castle in September and a joint meeting of craft and fellowship in December.

MOIRA PW

Members of Moira Presbyterian Women organised and led their annual service on Sunday 3rd March and the guest speaker was Inspire editor, Rebecca McConnell. Pictured are members of the PW choir that sang special items.

CREGAGH PW

Cregagh PW celebrated their 90th Anniversary with an Afternoon Tea in the Allen Hall on Saturday 18th November 2023. Founder, Eva Stewart, who was the wife of the first minister of Cregagh, presided over the inaugural meeting on 27th March 1933. Eva’s daughter, Jessie Barbour, took over as President after her husband became Cregagh’s second minister, followed by Elizabeth Sleith, wife of Cregagh’s third minister.

To celebrate the occasion, past presidents and leaders, past and present members, friends and families gathered in a packed hall to be entertained by pianist Audrey Gillan and to enjoy the Afternoon Tea. Guest of honour was Hilary Stephens, granddaughter of founder Eva Stewart, who assisted the present Leader, Robyn McCullough, in cutting the cake.

GLOBAL MISSION

OVERSEAS NEWS

Personnel News

James and Heather Cochrane have been seeking God’s guidance for the future, having concluded overseas service in Portugal and nearing the conclusion of their home assignment. Give thanks that Heather has been appointed Ireland Co-ordinator (maternity cover) for Latin Link while James has been exploring ministry opportunities here in Ireland. Give thanks that the Pedras Vivas Congregation in Porto have now identified a new minister and are in the process of finalising his appointment.

Gary and Mary Reid, having been on home assignment and deputation in early 2024, were due to return in May for a further two-year period of service in Kenya with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Acacia Grove Mission. Please pray for them as they settle back into life amongst the Masai communities in Olkinyei and seek to discern God’s way forward in their work.

Steve and Rosie Kennedy concluded their work in Cluj-Napoca in the Spring of this year, Steve having accepted a call to be minister of Enniskillen Presbyterian Church. He was due to be installed on 17 May 2024, with Rosie and the girls staying on in Romania to complete the school year. Give thanks for God’s guidance and provision, and remember the whole family over these summer months of change and transition to life, work and school back in Northern Ireland.

Csaba and Ilona Veres are settling in well to their work with the Transtibiscan District of the Reformed Church in Hungary, serving with the Hajdúböszömény – Calvin Square Congregation in their ministry amongst the Roma community in Bodaszölö. Pray for Csaba and Ilona as they engage in church planting, family ministry, and also help to organise evangelism, Bible teaching, community events and children’s ministry.

Derek and Jane French continue in their wide-ranging mission engagement in Bilbao, Spain. Give thanks for Derek’s visit to Ireland for deputation that took place back in April. Pray for Derek and Jane as they share in the leadership and ministry in Bilbao International Church, and contribute to the development of BIC’s plans for outreach amongst the region’s communities.

Overseas Visits

Rev Stephen McCracken, Council for Global Mission Convener, and Heather Clements, Global Mission Committee Convener, plan to visit Malawi during the last two weeks of August, representing PCI at the 100th Anniversary Celebrations of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) in Lilongwe and also to visit with leaders in each of the CCAP Malawi Synods. Please pray that Stephen and Heather would know good health and trouble-free travel throughout their visit to Malawi.

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.

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

STEVE AND ROSIE KENNEDY

Location:

Cluj-Napoca, Romania

NAOMI & THOMAS LEREMORE

Give thanks for continued opportunities for fruitful ministry in Cluj-Napoca, and for the Youth Alpha programme. Also give thanks for the journey towards Enniskillen Presbyterian Church, and for the warm welcome already received. June will be the second month living as a separated family: Steve in Enniskillen with Rosie and their daughters in Cluj-Napoca.

Please pray for us as a family, as we prepare for another transition, and contemplate a period in separate countries. For all the logistics of the move to Enniskillen, and in particular for the finding of suitable schooling for the girls for the next academic year.

Pray for Biserica Poarta Regelui as they take leadership of the Youth Alpha programme, and as they also undertake a shift in emphasis in their current Sunday evening gatherings. Pray for Carmel and Ioana and their Core Team as they grow together.

GLOBAL MISSION WORKERS

Location: Nairobi, Kenya Naomi Keefe

Kenya is experiencing the effect of extreme weather conditions with thunderstorms and heavy rain leading to flooding. Rivers and dams are full and bursting their banks. Main roads have turned into riverways in Nairobi and all sorts of buildings have been badly affected. Pray for all who have been adversely affected by the heavy rains and flooding in various parts of the country. Remember those who have lost everything in the floods and are staying temporarily in schools.

Thank God for the TEE department’s staff retreat and ask that each member works to improve on communications and that the gaps in the accounting system will be adequately addressed.

Praise God for the increased interest in studying TEE courses online and pray for this area of growth. Remember all the graduations taking place, especially the online graduation from the united church in Nairobi.

Naomi & Thomas Leremore

Kenya

c/o Mission Department

Assembly Buildings

Csaba & Ilona Veres

Hungary

Vörösmárty Mihály u. 18

Hajdúböszörmény 4220

Hungary

Gary & Mary Reid

Kenya PO Box 846-20500

Narok

Kenya

James & Heather Cochrane Portugal c/o Mission Department

Diane Cusick

Steve and Rosie Kennedy

Stephen & Angelina Cowan

Kenya PCEA Tuum PO Box 13

Baragoi via Maralal 20601

Kenya

Volker & JinHyeog Glissmann Malawi c/o

Edwin & Anne Kibathi

Derek &

TO SHARE Special Autumn Event for women

Saturday 7th September 2024

10:30am-1pm

In Assembly Buildings, Belfast.

This is an event for women to come together to explore ways in which we can realise afresh that, in Christ, we are all responsible for sharing the good news of the gospel with others. We will think biblically about how we can be better equipped in knowing the gospel and how we can effectively share this good news across generations, and in our communities. This event is for women of all ages and stages across our congregations.

Guest Speaker - Kate Patterson

Kate Patterson is Director of Gift of Blessing Trust, a speaker and author of books commended by R T Kendall and J John. Kate was in church leadership for 20 years and has been a school chaplain and lecturer at St. Mellitus College, London. She loves helping all ages to encounter and share the love of God. You can find out more about Kate at www.giftofblessingtrust.org.

Seminars

- Knowing the gospel.

- Sharing across the generations.

- Sharing in community. yourRegisterplace now!

Registration will be necessary for this event. Fee £10/12 Euro. Bookings via Eventbrite Registration will open on Monday 10 June 2024 www.presbyterianireland.org/events