Presbyterian Herald June 2018

JUNE 2018

A West side story

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Interview with Moderator-designate, Charles McMullen

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE The changing nature of university chaplaincy

DROPOUTS OR DISCIPLES?

Preparing young people for the mission field of university

Gamble Library Summer Membership The Gamble Library in Union Theological College is offering Summer Membership from 4th June to 14th September for ÂŁ15.

Established in 1873, the Gamble Library is the largest Theological Library in Northern Ireland.

With its stock of over 65,000 books, 20,000 pamphlets and taking over 50 journals and periodicals, it is an outstanding resource for theological study and research (up to 8 books can be borrowed at a time).

Information can be found on the College website: www.union.ac.uk by email: librarian@union.ac.uk phone: +44 (0)28 9020 5093

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN BELFAST Coming to Belfast to study?

Student en-suite accommodation is available in the heart of the university area, in Union Theological College, Botanic Avenue.

Summer accommodation is also available mid-June to early Sept.

For details please phone or email (details below).

Information can be found on the College website: www.union.ac.uk by email: accommodation@union.ac.uk phone: +44 (0)28 9020 5093

Your Legacy Of Hope And Care

- a gift in your Will to Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke

A gift in your Will to NICHS could not only help your loved ones, but leave a legacy of hope for generations to come.

In Northern Ireland almost half of all adult deaths are caused by chest, heart and stroke illnesses. NICHS are working to change this through funding research and caring for those who are affected by devastating health conditions every day.

A gift to us in your Will could be invested in critical local

research that will change the future for families at risk from our biggest killers.

The smallest investment can lead to the biggest breakthrough.

For a leaflet or further information on leaving a legacy to NICHS, please call us on: 028 9032 0184, or write to NICHS Gifts in Wills, 21 Dublin Road, Belfast, BT2 7HB

Please visit our website to see how our Medical Research Programme has already supported groundbreaking projects and is committed to many more over the coming years. www.nichs.org.uk

Charity Reg No. NIC103593 NICHS_legacy AD_Pres Herald.indd 1

20/04/2016 21:49

CONTENTS | JUNE 2018

FEATURES 16 In search of a new world Historical exhibition in First Dunboe

18 Building relationships

Charles McMullen and his theme for his moderatorial year

31 The invisible world

A look at the spiritual world of angels and demons

34 Dropouts or disciples?

Preparing young people for the mission field of university

36 University challenge

The changing nature of university chaplaincy

38 Guinness: books and being on record Interview with Os Guinness

The invisible world p.31

REGULARS 4 6 8 9 13 14 15 22 23 40 42 46 47

Letters News In this month…

My story Life lessons As I see it Arthur Clarke Talking points Mission Connect Reviews Life in PCI Crossword Betsy Cameron

Dropouts or disciples? p.34

University challenge p.36

CONTRIBUTORS Ruth Sanderson lives in Co. Down with her husband Harry. She is a freelance radio/television presenter and producer.

Rick Hill is PCI’s Discipleship Officer. He is a member of Carnmoney Presbyterian and lives in Doagh with wife Sarah and sons, Noah and Micah.

Lisa Skinner is an administrative officer for the Herald. She lives in Belfast with her husband Stephen and their three daughters. She worships at Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Noreen Erskine is a freelance journalist and former Religious Affairs correspondent for BBC Northern Ireland.

Cover photo: David Cavan June 2018 No. 812 £1.00 (€1.20) Published by: The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, Belfast BT1 6DW. T: +44 (0)28 9032 2284 E: herald@presbyterianireland.org W: www.presbyterianireland.org

Editor: Sarah Harding Subscriptions and Advertising: Philip Alcorn; Lisa Skinner; Suzanne Hamilton Design and Layout: Edward Connolly Printing: Nicholson and Bass Ltd.

The views expressed in the features, news reports, letters and book reviews of this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor.

Editorial comment and signed articles do not necessarily contain the official views of the Church, which can be laid down only by the General Assembly. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply endorsement of the goods or services. The Editor reserves the right to decline any advertisement or letter without assigning any reason. Letters may be edited for publication. No correspondence can be entered into regarding non-publication of advertisements or letters.

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

Herald June 2018

3

EDITORIAL

LETTERS Looking forward to the resurrection

Passing on the faith

This month the Presbyterian General Assembly will meet to conduct the business of our denomination. For 2018, the Assembly has made significant changes to the week, in an attempt to encourage engagement from younger people and those who work. Some business sessions will now take place in the evening, to accommodate a wider variety of people. Congregations have also been asked to send one extra delegate, under the age of 30, to take part.

This month, Os Guinness, the writer and social critic, is interviewed by Lisa Skinner. He comments how handing down faith to the next generation is becoming more difficult because the consensus of living in a ‘Christian country’ is being eroded. Therefore, this confirms how important it is for us as a Church to be intentional in drawing in young people.

This edition also considers the life and faith of students.

Noreen Erskine interviews Rev. David Gray, the new Presbyterian chaplain at Queen’s University, Belfast; and Rick Hill presents a thought-provoking challenge to congregations about preparing their students for their time of study. He argues that we need to see university as a mission field for our young adults and equip them effectively for what they will face. He offers some useful, practical tips that can make a real difference.

Each generation’s young people may always seem a world apart from older generations, but with the advent of the internet and technology, the gap appears to be widening. In our information-overloaded society, which gives no credence to absolutes, a young person’s quest for truth can be made more difficult. Recognising this, David Gray says, “It’s only when you have people who are visible, who speak with confidence and clarity, that I think young people start to see the authenticity of your message and of your faith.”

For our General Assembly, this presents a significant challenge. As a variety of issues are debated, it is important that discussion is conducted with openness, integrity and graciousness. Back in 1977, in our regular ‘In this month…’ feature, Derek Drysdale points out that “our very differences can be a source of enrichment and enlightenment.”

In words that we would perhaps do well to heed, he says the way that we disagree is of paramount importance.

On one hand, it “could lead to the ultimate irrelevance of an institution trapped within its own interior friction.” Or more positively it “could lead to a Church with a renewed vision…enlarged for mission.” Let’s hope and pray that this General Assembly it’s the latter.

4

Herald June 2018

Dear Editor I found Alan Russell’s article ‘Looking forward to the resurrection’ (April) stimulating and thought-provoking.

However, I find myself in disagreement with the assumption that all earthly distinctions, including that of sexuality and gender “will not be part of our resurrection future”.

Alan references Luke 20 as biblical evidence. Here Jesus was speaking to the Sadducees (who did not believe in the afterlife – v.27) and He states in His reply that there would be no marriage in heaven (v.35).

This is because marriage and procreation are of primary necessity in this mortal earthly life so human life can go on (Genesis 1:27-28a) but since there is no death in heaven (v.36a), marriage will be superseded. He does not say that our gender or sexuality will be superseded also.

In reference to being like angels (v.36b), Jesus actually relates how we will be like angels i.e. we can no longer die (v.36a), as we will be equally deathless. He does not state or imply that we will be genderless in heaven. Indeed, like angels whose existence is eternal and number is likewise fixed, so it will be with Christians in heaven. If sexual differences are natural, they are preserved in heaven for “grace does not destroy nature but perfects it”

(Thomas Aquinas). God may unmake what we make but He does not unmake what He makes and He made male and female (Genesis 1:27) and He makes no mistakes.

Regarding Galatians 3, Paul is speaking here of the unity in Christ that all Christians possess (v.26). This unity of men and women in Christ means that they are spiritual equals (v.28).

The issue isn’t the obliteration of gender or sexuality (you don’t lose your gender at conversion) but the spiritual unity and equality of God’s people.

D. Howard Gilpin Craigavon

Kitchen table faith Dear Editor I was delighted to read in the April edition of the Herald, the article ‘Kitchen table faith’, and thoroughly endorse its message.

During the 1970s and 1980s when our children were growing up, my minister husband and I always ensured that we sat round the table and ate together, beginning the meal with grace. As the children’s study commitments often kept them at school, we made sure the evening meal was eaten together and especially during holidays from school and university. It is an opportunity to discuss problems, worries, happy events, church and faith.

Today, in 2018, I am happy to say our children make sure they eat together with their children, especially on Sundays. Praise the

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

Lord, they are all involved with a church where they live. Eating together strengthens faith and family bonds.

Mrs. Nanette Nelson North Yorkshire

So great a salvation Dear Editor Could I say how much I enjoyed Arthur Clarke’s ‘So a great salvation’ (March). Obviously Arthur knows much about his subject and the author of it.

Some of his quotes i.e. “God the great Doer of redeeming things” quoted from H.R. Mackintosh was fire to my soul.

Another was “Saving is all His idea, it’s God’s gift from start to finish.” How we all need reminding of this “so a great salvation”.

May I conclude by using an illustration of ‘election’ as was given by a former minister in our church. He used the illustration of coming to a door – written over the door on this side is: ‘Whosoever will may come’; on going through the door and looking back we see written ‘Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world’.

Surely does that not sum it up?

Thanks again Arthur for bringing us to the cross and resurrection and leaving us looking forward to that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Brian Higginson Belfast

Hymn lyrics

Dear Editor As I sat down to read Lois Macpherson’s letter (May), I had just returned from preaching on Revelation 5 where we see John weep that there was no one to open the seven seals on the scroll in God’s right hand and all that Jesus had previously promised the church would

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

come to naught.

John wept for a church oppressed by wickedness in an unjust world, struggling to put sin to death in their own lives, and wondering if their faithful obedience was worth it. How good it is to know that we have a God who cares as much as John – more in fact! A God who is provoked to wrath against wickedness and is angry about injustice. A God who hates the sin in my life that ensnares me.

And a God whose intensity of anger against sin shows the intensity of His pleasure at obedience. What a wonderful act of love it was that God would take my place in bearing the wrath my own sin deserves.

What a Saviour, hallelujah!

If I did not know of this wrath, I would despair, thinking God is apathetic about evil, or I would become proud, thinking my own sin is of no consequence.

What a blessing the knowledge of His wrath is, and what a magnificent subject for praise!

Jonathan Boyd Minister, Hyde Park and Lylehill Dear Editor With dismay I read the letter ‘Hymn lyrics’ in the May issue.

How sad for a Christian to imply that God is not satisfied with His son’s obedience but that “God is heartbroken” by “a tortured man dying on a cross”.

I feel sure that the believers in North Korea would sing heartily the words, “The wrath of God was satisfied,” for that is the gospel.

The sin of Adam brought separation from God, bringing judgment and condemnation, for “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”; “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” and we are “by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind”.

Yet God, in love, sent the Lord Jesus Christ to redeem sinners

and He “became sin for us”, offering Himself so that “the chastisement that brought us peace” would be upon Him. John says, “Whoever does not obey the son shall not see life but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Reconciliation with God is only through substitution, so Christ “bore our sins in His body on the tree” and “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Paul says, “Christ Jesus whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood.”

We magnify God’s love by agreeing with His Word, “Not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Let’s rejoice in the great salvation which God accomplished for us and exalt and praise the one who; “Bearing shame and scoffing rude / In my place condemned He stood / Sealed my pardon with His blood / Hallelujah what a Saviour.”

Brian Clenaghan Larne

Assembly plea Dear Editor I recently attended morning worship in the Church of Scotland. I was warmly welcomed and so enjoyed the familiar service, including the singing of two ‘Irish Presbyterian’

hymns – I could have been at home. Later the minister told of his student days shared with four, now well respected, Irish Presbyterian ministers and indeed one former Moderator.

I also met two Presbyterian families from Northern Ireland who had made this their spiritual home and a former member of our Church who had been elected to this congregation’s kirk session.

So familiar; the ‘mother’ Church; and yet a place the ‘daughter’ refuses to allow her Moderator to represent us. A church in total agreement has one member. I go to church to worship God with my fellow Presbyterians. We share in what is common and discuss and learn from where we are at variance; sometimes we agree to differ, but we still talk to one another, worship together and show each other mutual respect.

I appeal to members of PCI’s 2018 Assembly – please agree to our Moderator attending the Church of Scotland General Assembly. He will be warmly welcomed, he will learn some things and have to agree to differ on others, but he and both our denominations can worship together and appreciate the many blessings we are to one another.

Stephen Lynas Larne

Topical Tweets @pciassembly New #pcinews: This year’s Royal Ulster Agricultural Society’s (RUAS) Balmoral Show opens today for its 150th anniversary. For the fourth year running the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has a presence at the Show. @tidesdaily “Experiencing rejection is evidence of God’s faithfulness to His word. Do not lose heart.” @michaelswylie #tidesdaily Herald June 2018

5

NEWS | IN THE ROUND Former Moderator appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant Dr. Frank Sellar has been appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle CBE. This is the first time a former PCI Moderator has been appointed to this honorary role and he will serve alongside other DLs, including the Vice Lord Lieutenant Sir Nigel Hamilton, Prof. Alastair Adair, Dr. Nigel Carr, Dame Judith Hill, Dawson Stelfox, Courtenay Thompson and Sir Donnell Deeny.

Republic goes to the polls for abortion referendum The result of the referendum on whether to repeal the Irish Republic’s strict abortion laws is still unknown at the time of going to press.

Voters went to the polls on 25th May to decide whether or not to repeal article 40.3.3 or the Eighth Amendment, which gives unborn foetuses and pregnant women an equal right to life.

PCI’s position in the debate was outlined in a letter, which was sent to ministers and congregations in the Republic ahead of the vote.

The letter from Moderator Dr. Noble McNeely, Clerk Trevor Gribben and former Moderator, Dr. Trevor Morrow said that in light of the Irish government’s clear intention to introduce unrestricted access to abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy if the Eighth Amendment is repealed, the Church has concluded that “meaningful protection for the unborn can only be secured if the Eighth Amendment is retained in the forthcoming referendum.”

The senior ministers explained that representatives of the Church had written to TDs and Senators in January, affirming the value of every human life, while emphasising the importance of care for women, children and families in times of crisis.

They said that they had also urged them “to work for a truly progressive Ireland where the weak and vulnerable, including children in the womb, are cherished and protected.”

In writing to every active Presbyterian minister in the Republic of Ireland, the Moderator and his colleagues said, “While recognising that there are mixed views within our Church about the adequacy of the current constitutional provision, particularly around those exceptional circumstances in which the termination of pregnancy may be necessary, we consider the proposals for unrestricted access to abortion to be regressive, incompatible with human dignity and morally unacceptable.”

The letter concluded by saying, “We therefore encourage Church members to consider these matters prayerfully…and to vote in accordance with their conscience.”

Meanwhile, there has been criticism of a working group’s recommendation to change Northern Ireland’s laws to allow abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.

Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) Chief Executive Nola Leach said, “When speaking of life-limiting conditions it is irresponsible and inappropriate for the term ‘fatal foetal abnormality’ to be used. This is not a medical term… There is no need for a change in law. As it stands, when applied correctly, the law should allow for women facing these tragic circumstances to be compassionately treated by the NHS in Northern Ireland.”

6

Herald June 2018

Judgement reserved in Ashers case The UK’s Supreme Court has reserved judgement in the case of Christian bakers who refused to bake a cake iced with a slogan supporting gay marriage.

Sitting in Belfast for the first time, the Supreme Court focused on the key issue of ‘compelled expression’.

Peter Lynas, a former barrister and NI director of Evangelical Alliance, commented, “This case has been portrayed as a battle between gay rights and religious freedom; it is actually about compelled speech and conscience.

It has implications for everyone and that is why it is so important.

“While there were a lot of technical arguments made before the Supreme Court, the judges seemed to grapple and engage with the core issue of the case: is it acceptable to force the bakery to make a cake, despite having

deep objections to the slogan on the cake?

“Discrimination against people is wrong. Ashers did not discriminate against the customer Mr. Lee because he is gay and nor should they be allowed to. But discrimination against ideas is right and necessary in a free society, because some ideas are good and some are bad. The distinction is subtle but critically important to this case. Discrimination laws protect people, not messages.

“We will now need to wait for a decision. For the sake of a free and fair society, I for one hope and pray the Supreme Court will rule in favour of Ashers.”

Thirty years marked Paul Gray has served the Presbyterian Children’s Society for 30 years, and the board of trustees recently presented him with a cake to mark the milestone.

Two hundred years of Sailors’ Society The world’s oldest maritime welfare charity, the Sailors’ Society, has marked its 200th anniversary.

Founded in 1818 to help seafarers returning home from the Napoleonic Wars, the charity supports the world’s 1.6m seafarers and their families through crises such as piracy, kidnapping and abandonment.

IN THE ROUND | NEWS Church reopens after double arson attack

New role for CUI Director

‘Extra-ordinary’ Hope conference

Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church, which was badly damaged in a double arson attack in the summer of 2016, officially reopened last month in a special service of thanksgiving attended by the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, local neighbouring churches, civic and community representatives.

The church in south Belfast, which has a congregation of around 700 people, has been at the heart of the local community since it began in 1960. Used by a variety of church-based and community-run organisations throughout the week, in July 2016 the church complex suffered two devastating arson attacks that resulted in the main church building and halls being out of action for a significant period of time.

Rev. Alistair Bill, minister of Saintfield Road Presbyterian, explained that during this time the church had to meet in a variety of other locations within the community. “We were inundated with messages of support from across the community and offers of practical help, so many in fact we couldn’t take them all up.

“It has been a testing time and a time of renewal in many ways.

Over the past 22 months we have been heartened on our journey by Genesis 50:20, where Joseph is saying to his brothers, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…’ What happened that July night was harmful, but it didn’t end in the destruction of our church and the scattering of God’s people. It was the start of a new journey...”

The fire and soot damage required the main church building to be stripped back to its core. This, however, gave the leadership team an opportunity to think more creatively about the church and how it could become more community focused. This entailed a radical change to the interior of the building, designing a space that was bright, modern, comfortable and flexible.

“Not only have we designed a new church building to the glory of God, but a place to be used more and by the community,” said Mr. Bill.

Having led CUI for the past five years, Presbyterian minister David Montgomery will start a new role in September as IFES Europe Associate Regional Secretary for Teaching and Pioneering.

IFES (the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) is the global CU movement in over 165 countries, 41 of them in Europe.

‘Monty’ said, “My five years working with CUI have been personally enriching… I count it a deep honour that IFES Europe have asked me to join their regional team. It means that the experience I have gained in Ireland may be of help to many other countries throughout this needy continent.”

Monty and his wife Gwen will continue living in Ireland, and remain part of their PCI congregation.

Moderator visits padres PCI Moderator, Dr. Noble McNeely, met PCI’s army chaplains during a recent four-day pastoral visit to England.

He also visited the headquarters of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department (RAChD) where he had the opportunity to meet the Chaplain-General, the most senior chaplain in the British Army, who acknowledged the immense contribution of PCI’s padres.

Praising the work of the chaplains that he met, Dr. McNeely said, “It was a privilege to meet our padres serving with 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment and other units this week. I have referred before to the ‘unique kind of ministry’ that forces chaplaincy is and once again I discovered very dedicated chaplains who are faithful to the values of pastoral ministry and committed to the soldiers’ physical and spiritual health.

“It is important that the Church realises the pressures that serving chaplains experience as they deal with numerous welfare needs of soldiers and their families, providing guidance and spiritual direction at critical times. They are very deserving of our prayers.”

PCI has a long pastoral association with the army at regular and reserve levels, and with the various youth organisations. As one of the recognised ‘sending

IN BRIEF

Moderator Dr. Noble McNeely with the Chaplain-General, Dr. David Coulter, a Church of Scotland chaplain who is originally from Northern Ireland.

Churches’, PCI has ‘sent’, or provided chaplains to the military in the UK for over 100 years.

There are currently a total of just over 200 men and women in the British Army serving as full and part-time chaplains. They neither carry weapons, nor bear arms.

Eight of these are PCI ministers.

A conference aiming to empower Christians in the workplace to share their testimony and deal with questions that challenge their faith is taking place in Belfast this month.

The Declare ‘Extra-ordinary’ Hope conference takes place from 21st to 23rd June and will feature speakers from Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, and worship led by the Gettys.

To register visit www.belfast2018.co.uk If you are organising a group contact Joanne on joanne@cbmc.co.uk to find out about a special group discount.

Anam Cara meeting Anam Cara Northern Ireland is an organisation that affords bereaved parents a safe and comfortable place where they have an opportunity to meet with other bereaved parents.

Anam Cara’s next meeting in Armagh will take place on 27th June in the Armagh City Hotel from 7.30pm to 9pm.

For more information see anamcara.ie or call the information line on (028) 9521 3120.

Jubilee launch

Celebrate the launch of Jubilee, a Christian creation care organisation, by taking part in a 24-hour BioBlitz festival of science and nature on 22nd and 23rd June.

The Larne event features a free programme of walks, talks, and activities for all ages, with good food, music and fun.

The event begins at 5pm on Friday, 22nd at Jubilee Farm, Bankheads Lane, Larne, BT40 1DU. An inter-denominational celebration service will take place at 3pm on Saturday, 23rd. More details are available at www.jubilee.coop/launch or contact mail@jubilee.coop or 07858 098479.

Herald June 2018

7

IN THIS MONTH...

June 1977

Dipping into the archives to take a look back at what was making Presbyterian headlines and news in history.

‘Conservative and radical?’

– a personal opinion

by Derek Drysdale

‘The Presbyterian Church is split down the middle!’ …The so called ‘split’ is the tension that exists between what we describe ‘evangelicals’ and ‘liberals’, or ‘conservatives’ and ‘radicals’, or whatever other tags we are accustomed to use…

It is the distinction between those claiming to be evangelical in the sense that they place their emphasis on the gospel and the individual, and those assuming a more ecumenical stance in that their stress is on the gospel and the world…

Our very differences can be a source of enrichment and enlightenment. It is all a question of our willingness to be free for one another…

Dialogue means talking ‘with’, rather than ‘at’, those with whom we have disagreements. It can be carried on only on the basis of an honest and unembarrassed acceptance of our differences…

The cardinal sin is when conservatives and radicals lapse into silence, or communicate only when we can speak from the security of the theological ‘ghettos’ of our exclusive and entrenched positions…

The future of our church will depend not a little on our response to this tension in our fellowship. This tension could lead to the ultimate irrelevance of an institution trapped within its own interior friction… On the other hand, this tension could lead to a church with a renewed vision and enlarged for mission.

The ‘Herald’ helps Greystones

An appeal to the Herald from the Greystones congregation to help them find a new organ has been successful. The Irish Times picked up the extract and a reader contacted the minister of Greystones, Rev. D. Mock, and one thing led to another until today there is a new ‘Koralia II’ installed.

The picture shows the Trostan singers of Dublin singing at the dedication service of the new organ.

Photograph credit: Brian Cross, Greystones congregation.

Also from June ’77 8

Herald June 2018

Spain’s first free elections in 41 years are held

Scot – a help

Ministers from the Church of Scotland have been, periodically, coming over to help some of our ministers, who work in difficult areas in these troubled times.

The picture shows some of those who recently returned to Scotland after a spell here.

Our thanks to the Church of Scotland Church and Ministry Department for their continuing ministry to us, as they share our problems as brothers in Christ.

Left to right, Revs. J. M. Martin, T. Balfour, Dr. A.J. Weir, P. Petty, C.B. Ross and G Mitchell.

Kenny Rogers tops the UK music charts with Lucille

The Silver Jubilee Editorial comment

This time of Jubilee celebrations for 25 years’ reign by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II calls us to give thanks for what is past and pray for what there is to come.

It also calls us to a new awareness of the contribution made to the nation’s life, both by the Queen personally and by the Crown as an institution.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland comprises members who are citizens of a Republic as well as of the United Kingdom. We have members who may differ personally over such constitutional issues. All should recognise, however, how the old forms of monarchy have changed, and changed for the better. …so many will be thanking God in the reign of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. She is pre-eminently one who has striven to do her duty…

Have we seen among the people the same sense of personal dedication and public service, of self-discipline and probity? There have been many, thank God, among both old and young, who have followed the royal example…

Yet also there have been far too many, apparently, more concerned to get rather than to give, who have been self-indulgently permissive or even contemptuous of any public moral or religious standards. If it had been like this with the Queen, we would have been celebrating the Jubilee in a very different spirit – if, indeed, we would be celebrating one at all…

Fixed to a modified Boeing 747, the space shuttle test model ‘Enterprise’ carries a crew for the first time

MY STORY...

David Small, former Christian Union (CU) president of Queen’s University, describes an important week in the life of the CU.

Campus mission

A

year in the life of a Christian Union (CU) is week in expectancy for God to turn sinners to Christ and to incredibly busy. Like most other organisations, mobilise every Christian on campus to invite their friends and the schedule follows the ebbs and flows of the to have gospel-oriented conversations. The CU linked up with calendar year, reflecting Freshers intake, Christmas local churches; we prayed with church leaders and shared our break and Easter holidays. A phenomenon that’s a common points of prayer with them. We are thankful to God for His denominator in many CU calendars is a week of events geared faithfulness to us, for giving us a gospel to proclaim, for blessing for concentrated mission on campus. Quite our events week and for saving souls We are thankful to God a few CUs shy away from using the term through it. ‘mission week’ because it can insinuate that We are especially thankful to the for His faithfulness to us, Presbyterian mission only takes place during this week; chaplaincy and Christian these CUs prefer to call it events week – for giving us a gospel to Unions Ireland (CUI) for letting us use the and perhaps rightly so.

Grace property on Elmwood Avenue proclaim, for blessing our Café Most events weeks take the form of a and also for helping us with follow-up. speaker hosting afternoon and evening Many other local ministers and Union events week and for events geared to the non-Christian. They College professors have been so helpful saving souls through it. to CU this whole year by offering advice address apologetic questions, such as the origin of the universe, the claims of and prayer in recent months and we are so Christianity and the authority of the Bible. The Bible has to be thankful for that. central in all aspects of mission. For this reason Queen’s CU In the weeks after the mission we organised ‘follow-up’ to held evening talks from John’s Gospel. encounter these people and support them in their search for Foundational doctrines of the Christian faith were expounded truth. Rev. David Gray has been facilitating this for us in Café from the text by Rev. Paul Levy from International Presbyterian Grace on Thursdays by going through the ‘Life Explored’ series Church. He shared key tenets of the Christian faith from the over lunch. It is a wonderful thing to see such unity in mind ‘I Am’ sayings of Jesus, such as man’s fallen position in relation and purpose among fellow believers to proclaim God’s truth in to God; the atonement Jesus made on the cross for believers; an age of confusion. and the future hope of eternal glory for those in Christ. These God answered our prayers and He still answers prayer. We must all be proclaimed together to give the hearer a clear shouldn’t be surprised when our Heavenly Father is faithful understanding of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 2:2 says: “For I to our calls. We rejoice that we have this access through Jesus decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Christ His Son and we long for others to know God’s love and Him crucified.” fellowship in their own lives, bringing peace to their hearts. “So We prepared for the mission by dedicating the week before neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only to 24/7 prayer. A member of CU was praying every hour of this God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7).

Herald June 2018

9

NEWS | PCI

News Sunnyside House proves it’s rooted in the community The relationship between a PCI residential home in Bangor and a local primary school’s Eco Garden Club has been blossoming recently.

Events Listening to the Global Church At this year’s PCI General Assembly, there will be a session entitled, ‘Listening to the Global Church – Streams in the Desert’ on Wednesday, 7th June at 2pm. This year’s presentation will provide an opportunity for Christian leaders from the Middle East, Africa and Asia to share the blessings God is pouring out around the world, not least in challenging contexts.

Youth Assembly Fringe Event Over the past few months, residents from Sunnyside House and pupils from Ballymagee Primary School have been working together on environmental projects.

The students recently visited the home’s new sensory garden, to see what residents are growing. A few Sunnyside residents in turn visited Ballymagee, to see the school’s eco garden and help the students plant some bulbs.

In April, Sunnyside handyman Michael Gillespie, care assistant Hazel Conn and residents Jean Gibson and Heather Neill went to Ballymagee to present a bug hotel, created by Michael.

Michael worked with the children to assemble his creation, which has been placed in their eco garden.

During May, a few Sunnyside residents were invited to afternoon tea, served by the Eco Club students. This was an opportunity to present a plaque for the bug hotel.

The Youth Assembly will host a Fringe Event at this year’s General Assembly. This will be on Wednesday, 6th June from 5.45-7.15pm in the new groundfloor conference facility.

The theme will be ‘Together: Young People and the Church’.

A light tea will be served at the event.

Booking is essential and can be done by emailing clw@presbyterianireland.org or through the PCI website www.presbyterianireland.org

Youth Night Assembly Buildings in Belfast will host Youth Night on Saturday, 9th June.

Johnny Bell, youth worker at Saintfield Road Presbyterian in Belfast, is the speaker and the theme is ‘40 Years From Now’ – a look at living faithfully for God in a hostile and challenging culture.

Tickets for Youth Night cost £5 (euro equivalent).

After Youth Night, there will be an Unplugged Event with acoustic music, food and conversations.

The cost for attending both Youth Night and the Unplugged Event is £6 (euro equivalent).

All tickets are available online at www.presbyterianireland.org or from the CLW office clw@presbyterianireland.org

Resources New resources planned Those already beginning to turn their thoughts to the next church year will be interested to know of new resources for use in congregational life and witness, all of which will be released for September.

MAD Crew MAD will be celebrating a special landmark this year with the 20th anniversary of the event.

This year’s MAD takes place in Ulster University, Coleraine from 26th to 28th October. To run the event, PCI needs a large number of volunteers who love Jesus and want to help see young people meet with Him at the event.

So, If you are 18 or over and available during that weekend, why not consider joining the MAD Crew? Further information can be found at www.presbyterianireland.org/Events/MAD

10

Herald June 2018

ENCOUNTER is a six-part DVD Bible study resource, leading participants to reflect more deeply on aspects of worship such as gathering, confession, illumination and sending. It unpacks the worship service as a journey and conversation with God and aims to help members grasp a greater awareness of God in weekly worship.

PROXIMITY is the first of a series of discipleship resources for use in oneto-one, or other small scale, relational discipling. It will provide a six-part framework to unpack what it means to follow Jesus in a range of seasons of life, such as change, disappointment and rest.

ASK is a series of 12 postcard-sized prayer prompts for use by members in private prayer and in Sunday worship. They unfold themes such as hope, light, expectation and presence in simple, Scripture based ways to help inspire and focus prayer for congregational life and witness.

Further details of all these resources will follow soon.

Find out more on www.presbyterianireland.org

A

ssembly Buildings in Belfast hosted around 1,600 Attending the event, the Moderator Dr. Noble McNeely said, women from across Ireland in May, as they gathered “My theme for 2017-18 has been ‘Everyday Disciples’ and as together for the annual meeting and evening Florence and I have visited many congregations and shared celebration of Presbyterian Women (PW) – a part of in PW services across Ireland, we have seen how women have PCI’s women’s ministry. been demonstrating what it means to be an everyday disciple in Those who attended saw the launch of ‘Beautiful’ as PW’s their service of the Church and in numerous ways in the wider theme for 2018/2019, which is taken from Psalm 27:4. community.”

This year’s Special Projects were also Guest speaker Kate Patterson, an unveiled. The Overseas Special Project author and part-time school chaplain will raise funds to support the work of based in west London, spoke at both the International Justice Mission (IJM), meetings on the newly launched theme a global organisation that protects the of ‘Beautiful’, which is based on Psalm poor from violence in the developing 27:4 – “…that I may dwell in the house world. Presbyterian Women will be of the Lord all the days of my life, to supporting IJM as it strives to address gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and the issue of cybersex trafficking; a to seek Him in His temple.” new, devastating form of slavery, and Speaking ahead of PW event, Kate a rapidly growing problem as internet said, “In a world where beauty is an access increases globally. industry and an obsession, we are called PW office bearers (l-r): Valerie Stewart, Women’s Strategy and Coordination Committee convener; Karen Craig, home vice-president; The Home Special Project will raise to gaze on the beauty of the Lord. In Lynda Stothers, president; Heather Clements, overseas vice-president; funds to support the work of PCI’s Psalm 27, David said that it was top of Pauline Kennedy, Women’s Ministry and Development Officer. newest residential care home, Trinity his prayer list. Why is it so important?

House, located in Garvagh. Last year, over £500,000 (€591,000) Because when we gaze on the Lord, we find that His face is was raised by PW members for mission both at home in Ireland shining on us. He wants us near. We were made to know Him. and overseas, including the training of three new student What could matter more? deaconesses.

“In the Evening Celebration, we will consider our calling to Each of the 465 PW groups seek to encourage women to ‘shine, for the glory of the Lord is upon us!’ As we live in the light live for Jesus and actively reach out to others at home and of God’s glory, gazing on Him, we reflect it and shine with His overseas. Incoming PW president Lynda Stothers, a member of beauty in a dark world.”

Mountpottinger Presbyterian Church in Belfast, explained how Worship at both events was led by Emma Smyth, Erin she was looking forward to representing PW among women in McBride and their band. Prayer ministry and an interactive the wider Church and encouraging groups to play their part in prayer space were available to support and encourage a prayerful equipping and enabling women to become and grow as disciples response to God’s beauty and His desire to bless His children. of Christ.

Photo left: Sylvia Santos-Bryce (student deaconess). Right: Kate Patterson

Herald June 2018

11

NEWS | PCI IN FOCUS | Sunday Morning Children’s Ministry

Ideas to develop your ministry N

early every congregation in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has some form of Sunday morning children’s ministry. It might be Sunday school, it might be children’s church or it might be both.

A lot of these ministries run relatively easily and successfully each week, but how often do we actually take a step back and ask if it is running as well as it could be? It is so important that even if something is not causing big problems, to evaluate it and think if there is a way to make it better.

PCI wants to help you to ask these questions and to give you some ideas as to what might be possible.

The idea of the resource is not that you necessarily adopt one of the models completely, but that you look and see what small change you could make that might just make a big difference.

Sunday Morning Children’s Ministry is a new resource that helps us to ask the big questions. It includes descriptions of three different models of doing children’s ministry on a Sunday morning and then tells the story of three congregations and how they have

developed their ideas around these models. The idea of the resource is not that you necessarily adopt one of the models completely, but that you look and see what small change you could make that might just make a big difference.

In one model the emphasis is on bringing the teaching from the children’s ministries into the main church service. In another, it is about the intentional integration of children into the church family and in the last, the emphasis is on extending the teaching time to focus on helping children to develop the rhythms of faith that will impact their lives and the lives of those around them.

In Psalm 78, we are commanded to tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord so that they will put their trust in Him, not forget His deeds and keep His commands. Changing the structure and model of your Sunday morning children’s ministry will not change children’s faith. However, creating a structure that frees your leaders and church community to more easily share the gospel and disciple children will make a difference.

We want to help you ask the big questions to help the children in your congregation become better followers of Jesus.

Resource details One copy of the resource will be sent to every congregation and the video stories can be downloaded from the resources section of the PCI website (www.presbyterianireland.org).

Additional copies of the booklet and videos can be purchased from the CLW office at a small cost.

12

Herald June 2018

PERSONAL VIEW

Life lessons Luke Hanson

Queen’s Christian Union (CU) president I am 20 years old and am currently studying structural engineering at Queen’s University, Belfast. I was born in Drogheda in the Republic of Ireland, lived in Malawi between the ages of one and nine, and now live one half of my life in Union Theological College in Belfast and the other half in Dromore, County Tyrone.

conversations about Him with teammates in the car on the way to rugby training, with teenagers on the beach in County Clare, or with six and seven-year-old children on summer teams.

I think it is during these encounters when I can see God work so clearly that I am most thankful for what He has done for me, and most humbled by His mercy to me.

The Christian Union at Queen’s is a mission team on campus.

We are a group of Christian students who want to spread the good news of Jesus and salvation to the people who we rub shoulders with in class, on the streets and in our accommodation. I was introduced to CU by my mum. She was involved ‘back in the day’ and sent me off to Queen’s CU pre-term at Castlewellan Castle (which, by the way, is a great idea if you are hoping to study at Queen’s – check out the Queen’s CU Facebook page).

Anyway, I got involved with CU and have benefitted from it, and enjoyed it massively, over the last two years.

I am incredibly thankful for the upbringing that my parents have given me. I have been brought up in the “fear and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). I am grateful for the example that mum and dad have given me to follow; their commitment to Christian ministry and family life have really inspired me.

It amazes me every time I think about what they have given up in this life for me as their child, and also for the sake of the gospel. The willingness that they had to go, and the risks that they took in moving to Malawi twice, is very admirable.

This year I was asked to consider taking over the role of president. This took effect before Easter.

The role of president is a little difficult to explain, partly because I haven’t been doing it for all that long, and partly because it is so varied and ever-changing. My role is to basically oversee the ‘big picture’ of CU. I try and be at least a step ahead, thinking about events down the line and what needs organised.

Queen’s CU benefits greatly from the rich Christian heritage which exists here. We are blessed to live in an area where there are so many Bible-believing Christians. As in my case, many students in Queen’s CU have parents who were involved when they were at university, and so are encouraged to become involved themselves.

One of the greatest challenges for Christian students in Ireland is having the courage to tell friends and family about Jesus and the importance of accepting Him as personal Saviour and Lord. The message of the gospel is unpopular and divisive, but it is the one truth that people need on this island.

It has been a wonderful privilege to see God at work at so many different times in my life; whether that be in

My idea of relaxation is sitting on the veranda of the guesthouse in the middle of Lujeri tea estate, surrounded by a beautiful tropical garden, looking up at the outline of Mount Mulanje in Malawi as the sun sets.

It is frustrating to me that the visible church and the true church exist together in one place. This means that too many people do not have the desire, or at least the sense of responsibility, to spread the gospel to their friends and family, and even to total strangers.

I love that we have so many helpful traditions in our Church, from the creeds and catechisms to the congregational vows at a baptism.

Our family used to make the best of living in southern Africa, so my ideal holiday would probably be anywhere in South Africa or Namibia. Ideally an active holiday which includes a visit to National Park or a game reserve.

One of my favourite presents ever was a book called The Good News We Almost Forgot by Kevin deYoung. It’s about the Heidelberg Catechism.

Herald June 2018

13

AS I SEE IT...

Redeeming welfare Paul Gray

W

here do you stand on the welfare debate? The What does all this tell us about Jesus and the welfare of people?

Presbyterian Children’s Society has been helping He certainly identifies with those on the margins and distances address situations of genuine need for the last 30 Himself from those who would render the lives of the suffering years. There are differing views when it comes to insufferable. Whilst the Pharisees vocally raised their objections, the welfare debate but what view should we, as Christians, take?

Jesus raised the dead and raised the lowly to a higher place.

As others see it. The word ‘welfare’ has had a chequered history.

As we should see it. How does Jesus’ life and witness Some have been positive. Helen Keller said, “The welfare of each impact our thinking on people and welfare? When members is bound up in the welfare of all.” And if we are to believe Cicero: of our Church support the work of organisations such as the “The welfare of the people is the ultimate law.”

Presbyterian Children’s Society, they are showing concern for Welfare has been defined in terms of happiness, prosperity the material and spiritual welfare of people and embodying Jesus’ and well-being but a second definition is: the financial and reaction to those in need. The Society’s approach to welfare, other assistance given to people. It is developed 150 years ago, was also counterthis definition that has been met with a cultural at the time. The Society’s grants It should be clear that decidedly mixed reception. Some regard were tokens of grace, a contrast to what was, God wants us to be this type of welfare as a blight rather than in many instances, reluctantly dispensed a blessing. It is seen by some as a ladle, state provision. The Society’s open-hearted concerned with the begrudgingly dolloping gruel into the tin and biblical attitude has continued to physical and material as this day. We believe giving to others is bowl of the undeserving. This Dickensian caricature has been accompanied by a important. well as the spiritual more modern caricature of angular-faced, It should be clear that God wants us to be assertive welfare recipients, not just asking needs of people. concerned with the physical and material as for more but now demanding it. It is an well as the spiritual needs of people. We are unhelpful picture of welfare rooted in playground clichés, the all in need in different ways; money is only one measure of need. sainted heroes of taxpayers dispensing welfare to the shadowy In the community of God there is no ‘us’ and ‘them’, there is only villains of the undeserving. ‘us’. Let’s also examine our attitudes towards welfare recipients.

As Christians, we need to redeem the word ‘welfare’, enabling We need to place every story within its context, seeing the person some of the inclusivity and positivity of the former definition to or people behind each story. work its way into the latter. Disraeli once said, “Power has only Let us adopt a perspective that acknowledges that people need one duty – to secure the social welfare of the people.” We should to have enough income to live with dignity and not merely to look at how Jesus deals with the welfare of people and examine survive. Work should be productive, fairly paid and reasonably how this might influence our duty regarding it. secure. Rather than ‘workfare’ there should be fair work and As Jesus sees it. Jesus appears to have been counter-cultural appropriate welfare for those unable to work. in His attitude to the welfare of people. His encounters with We should be advocates of fair welfare for all. Paul in 2 individuals on the margins were at times extraordinary; for Him Corinthians writes: “At the present time your plenty will supply their physical and spiritual well-being intertwined. Although what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you aware that sometimes their lives were less than perfect, His need. Then there will be equality…” judgments were always tinged with mercy and concern.

We can redeem the word ‘welfare’ by approaching it with an Let’s take tax collectors, for instance. Generally unpopular in open mind. We can also, with an open heart, support Presbyterian Jesus’ time, He nonetheless shared a table with the tax collector children and their families through the Presbyterian Children’s Zacchaeus. Through His message a changed Zacchaeus shared Society, sharing His grace and welfare with all within our out his ill-gotten gains; Jesus initiated physical and spiritual Presbyterian community. transformation. In another memorable encounter, a woman who had lived a ‘sinful life’ poured expensive perfume over Jesus’ feet Paul Gray is Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Children’s and then dried it with her hair; this action was beautiful, loving Society. and unexpected and His acceptance of her gift was no doubt life-changing.

14

Herald June 2018

REFLECTIONS

Metaphors with a message Arthur Clarke Study in 2 Timothy 2:3-7

Y

ears ago, a fellow undergraduate submitted an essay many a bitter word and cunning schemes to thwart their godly to the Professor of English Literature on his given endeavours. topic. My friend ‘lifted’ most of his production from a The discipline of the athlete. “Where’s this fellow Liddell recent publication and felt proud of how he joined up now?” Thus, a bowler-hatted critic challenged some students various pieces with his own interlocking snippets. Called in to one day in 1922 in Hampden Park, where their fellow student, discuss his essay, my friend immediately detected dryness in the Eric Liddell was running in a series of competitions. In this opening exchanges and he decided to get his excuses in early. instance, Eric was 40 yards behind the leader in the 440-yard “I took some paragraphs from a piece I found in the library,” he dash. “His heid is no back yet,” explained the students knowing confessed. Without making eye contact, the professor said, “Of the style adopted by their running friend. The pack entered the course! When I detected the presence of a literary style I knew last lap, Eric threw back his head, flailed his arms, lifted his it wasn’t you.” knees high and left the field behind as if they were statues set in The professor was right. As one writes, stone. He won with 20 yards to spare. The one cannot evade revealing one’s values, bowler-hatted ‘expert’ was speechless.

The Christian athlete insights and the influences which make “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure,” us who we are. Just turn to the New Liddell repeatedly declared. His quest was lives according to the Testament for example. The same person not for earthly laurels, but the approval of rules where life and lip could not have produced Matthew His Saviour. Such a prospect motivated chapter five and Romans eight! Our Lord cohere for the glory of him all his days. The Christian athlete lives growing up in the villages of Galilee, spoke according to the rules where life and lip knowingly about wandering sheep, weed- Jesus. cohere for the glory of Jesus. tainted harvests, well-fed ravens and caring The productivity of the farmer. The shepherds. Saul of Tarsus, a metropolitan man, wrote about the farmer knows all about prosaic toil and the patient waiting for world he knew: sophists, magistrates, builders and the Games. the harvest. The farmer’s life is totally removed from glamorous In our passage for study we note Paul’s use of metaphor. surroundings and devoid of excitement; only when harvest The hardihood of the soldier. Timothy and his generation, comes will observers become aware of the price paid in toil, facing the challenges of defection and opposition, should quest sweat and tears. The implication of a harvest, in this context, after the hardihood of the soldier, the discipline of the athlete, can be interpreted in two ways: the harvest of personal holiness and the productivity of the patient farmer (2 Timothy 2:3-7). and Christ-likeness and the harvest of the extended kingdom.

Hadrian’s Wall, built in 122-126 AD and abandoned in 383 Neglect of the means of grace is detrimental to spiritual growth AD, marked the northern boundary of Britain and was in and there is seldom gain without pain. This applies to both the Roman soldiers’ estimation ‘the wilderness posting’. Excavators pursuit of holiness and soul-winning. John Stott contended: in later years found at the base of the wall a makeshift shrine “Sowing of the good seed of God’s Word and the reaping of with this inscription: “To the discipline of the gods”. These the harvest are hard work, especially when the labourers are men, far from home, accepted their lot as decreed by the gods of few. Souls are hardly won for Christ, not by the slick, automatic their inherited creed. We may lament their theology but cannot application of a formula, but by tears and sweat and pain, help but admire their motivation. The soldier had no option but especially in prayer and in sacrificial personal friendship.” to obey. Soldiers face risk, hardship and suffering as a matter “Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident of course. ‘Carrying one’s own pack’ was a basic obligation of that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance” all in ranks, as well as helping with any additional equipment Colossians 3 (The Message). necessary to the army’s strategy. So, the Christian loyal to the Master, whom the world hated without a cause, will face

Herald June 2018

15

CONGREGATIONAL STORY

In search of a new world

Alison McCaughan outlines the fascinating history of First Dunboe Presbyterian Church and details how the congregation will commemorate it later this month.

T

he mass migration of people has been a defining factor in the history of Ireland for 300 years.

It began with people from the Lower Bann and Foyle valleys in County Londonderry.

During the late summer of 1718 a number of small ships sailed into Boston harbour in New England bringing emigrants from Ireland. On board were people from Garvagh, Ballymoney, Bushmills, Coleraine, Dunboe, Macosquin, Kilrea, Aghadowey, Ballywillan, Limavady and other parts of the Foyle Valley and Ardstraw. Their intention was to start their lives afresh in the American colonies and to settle down together to form new communities in the New World.

We do not know how many Ulster emigrants arrived in Boston that summer, but it was probably in the region of 500-1000 individuals. Today most people in Ireland know little or nothing of the 1718 migration, but the tercentenary this year marks an important event in the relationship between Ulster and America because the Scots-Irish, as they became known, began to shape what would

16

Herald June 2018

eventually become the United States of America. And 1718 started something.

During the next 200 years, thousands of Ulster Presbyterians would leave hearth, home and loved ones to make the hazardous journey across the Atlantic to America.

Why did they leave? Presbyterians had stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow Protestants during the Siege of Derry in 1689 and afterwards they had expected to be rewarded for their loyalty; they were deeply disappointed. After the Williamite Wars, the Establishment, of which the Anglican Church was a part, held power in Ireland. Legislation was passed which meant that Presbyterian marriages were

As Presbyterians reflected on their situation in Ulster, they looked to the New World and hoped that it would be one of commercial and religious freedom‌

not recognised, meaning that children could be declared illegitimate.

It was also difficult to acquire land to build a Presbyterian meetinghouse.

All Presbyterians and Roman Catholics had to pay tithes to the Church of Ireland, a Church which none of them attended. While the Roman Catholic people suffered most severely under the Establishment, Presbyterians felt that they, too, were discriminated against.

In addition, by 1718, the Ulster economy was in deep depression and the embryonic linen industry had slumped.

Landlords were also increasing the rents of their tenants. Ministers like Rev. James McGregor of Aghadowey and Rev. James Woodside of Dunboe were owed money which their congregations could not pay. As Presbyterians reflected on their situation in Ulster, they looked to the New World and hoped that it would be one of commercial and religious freedom, endless opportunity and, crucially, the prospect of having land of their own.

Events then moved quickly. In March 1718 a petition was drawn up, addressed to Governor Shute of Massachusetts to inquire about the possibility of land for

the Ulster settlers. The man delegated to carry the petition to New England was Rev. William Boyd of Macosquin, near Coleraine. Rev. Cotton Mather, the leader of the Puritans in Boston, gave every encouragement to the intending immigrants to come to America and wrote back saying he hoped that “much may be done for the kingdom of God… by the transportation”. Mr. Mather probably expected that any Presbyterian immigrants would blend in easily with the Puritan New Englanders who shared very similar beliefs.

As part of the migration, two ministers, Rev. James McGregor of Aghadowey and Rev. James Woodside of Dunboe, led significant numbers from their congregations across the Atlantic.

Contrary to Rev. Cotton Mather’s warm words, the emigrants were not made welcome in Boston. Indeed, one observer noted that “the Scots-Irish were met with a volley of sticks, stones and other offensive weapons.” It seems that the people of Boston were alarmed at the manners, lifestyle, language and poverty of the immigrants from Ulster.

The Puritan fathers of Boston now implemented a strategy to position them on the frontier from Maine to Massachusetts to protect themselves from Indian aggression and to create a barrier against the French in Canada.

In addition, there were also property speculators who were determined to make as much money as possible by settling the fresh arrivals from Ulster on the frontiers. As a result, there evolved three main areas of settlement for the 1718 immigrants.

The Foyle Valley contingent largely went to Worcester in Massachusetts.

Although welcomed initially, there were constant disputes with the English Puritans and when they eventually began

…many must have concluded that the socalled ‘New World’ was no more than another part of the same old world with all its problems. to build their meetinghouse, it was burnt down by a mob, which was led by some of the town’s most eminent citizens.

Many families in Worcester later moved on to towns like Pelham, Sutton and Voluntown where Rev. Samuel Dorrance from the Coleraine Presbytery became their minister.

Those from the Lower Bann Valley had two main settlements. The best known is, of course, Rev. James McGregor’s group from Aghadowey who eventually settled in Nutfield, New Hampshire, renaming it Londonderry in 1722. Within a generation, their town had almost 2,500 inhabitants and a thriving industry in the manufacture of linen cloth and yarn.

The least well-known of the settlements is that of Rev. James Woodside’s group from Dunboe. It all started well. The families settled in Maine at Merrymeeting Bay in a fertile area with fresh water and good grass for their cattle; it did not last.

The indigenous people, the Abenaki Indians, were understandably angry at

the invasion of their territory and ordered them to leave. They protested that the newcomers’ cattle “trampled their native plantings and consumed the food needed for migratory birds.”

The indigenous people asked the newcomers to fence in their cattle but the settlers refused. Meanwhile more settlers were brought in. In 1722 the inevitable happened. The Indians swept in, killed some of the settlers, burnt houses, slaughtered livestock and carried off some of the men to French-held Quebec to the north. The women and children escaped, some going back to Boston, where Governor Shute called them traitors for leaving their homes. Some fled to more densely populated areas in Maine like Brunswick and Topsham, while others moved south to Londonderry in New Hampshire or went to Pennsylvania.

Rev. James Woodside, called to a church in Brunswick, was eventually dismissed and he returned to England, a deeply disappointed man. As families dispersed and they reflected on the hard sea crossing, the cold welcome in Puritan Boston, the reluctance of New Englanders to help them and the sheer fear of frontier-living, many must have concluded that the so-called ‘New World’ was no more than another part of the same old world with all its problems.

During the following years, emigration continued unabated and has deeply marked generations from every part of Ireland and from every community. All of us can think of people who emigrated; and all of us can think of people who were left behind.

Alison McCaughan works in adult education and speaks regularly on aspects of local history. She is married to Jim who is minister of First Dunboe Presbyterian Church.

First Dunboe exhibition From 20th–24th June 2018, a creative exhibition called ‘In Search of a New World’, will be held in First Dunboe Presbyterian Church (Articlave, Coleraine, BT51 4UN), commemorating the departure of 160 people and their minister from the church in 1718 and reflecting on the tens of thousands who have left from every church and every community since then.

The exhibition begins on Wednesday, 20th June at 7pm and will be open from Thursday, 21st to Saturday, 23rd from 10am to 10pm. On Sunday, 24th it will be open from 2pm to 6pm and will conclude with a service of worship at 7.30pm when the Moderator, Dr. Charles McMullen, will speak on ‘A Sending Church’. All welcome.

Herald June 2018

17

Building relationships

Photography by David Cavan

INTERVIEW

Ruth Sanderson chats to the Moderator-designate, Rev. Charles McMullen.

C

harles McMullen has finally It’s a Tuesday morning, and it is clear found me, after I was wandering that this church is not just for Sundays. about lost outside West Church Someone has made us coffee and in Bangor. Having gone to the Charles and I sit down to get underway wrong entrance, I was helped by a man with the interview in one of the clutching a guitar case. “Go straight in, counselling rooms. Perhaps a pertinent round the corner, past the cafe…”

Wowzers, I think, looking at the signs to various sections of the church. This place is pretty big!

Luckily for me, Charles is now on hand to guide me through its corridors and numerous rooms.

The nursery is in full swing; tiny coats on pegs three feet off the ground line a hallway. Children’s voices are heard chattering through the corridors and the noise from The McMullen family: Lydia, Charles, Samuel, Barbara and David a mums and tots group is coming from another room. Smiling helpers greet As far as Church is Charles and I. The café is being prepared concerned, I believe the by several folks in aprons. Someone is arranging flowers. People are busily local church is the hope working away behind computers in the church office. of the world…

18

Herald June 2018

place to chat to the next Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Charles McMullen was born and raised in Omagh. He belonged to Trinity Presbyterian under the ministry of Harry Pinkerton. Pinkerton introduced a character in his children’s addresses called ‘wee Johnny’ each week; like a soap opera, Johnny would face another challenge or learn another truth as a follower of Jesus. It had a profound impact on the young Charles, and he, like wee Johnny, came to know Christ as his own Saviour. Later on, Rev. Bill Clarke involved the teenage Charles in the life of the church, doing readings, children’s talks etc.

He has been woven into the fabric of church life in some way or another for most of his life. It was his formative involvement which first gave him an inkling that God might be calling him to ministry.

The sense of call deepened as Charles went to study languages at Trinity

College Dublin, then on to do a master’s …it made me realise that in Modern European History at St. there were Christians in Antony’s College, Oxford.

“I felt like a boat being tossed around the world other than at sea. It wasn’t a case of running away Presbyterians. It had a from God’s call to go to Oxford, but He was definitely working at a deeper level. whole ecumenical When I said, ‘Yes God’, I felt a peace widening influence on me. which has never left me.

“My traditional Presbyterian roots falling head over heels in love; we had a in Omagh were very important to me, romantic honeymoon experience. Then but when I went on to Trinity and then coming to West Church was like being Oxford it made me realise that there brought kicking and screaming to the were Christians in the world other altar… I was resisting it every step of than Presbyterians. It had a whole ecumenical widening influence on me. In the way, but never having any peace about pulling out! It was simply because Oxford, I lived for a year in the Russian we loved Legacurry and had seen the Orthodox Centre, where the warden was a high Anglican and my neighbour an congregation grow and had made deep Argentinian Roman Catholic. Yet those friendships. Roots had gone down very of us who had faith were all a minority deeply there.” in a very secular college, so it made me realise that those labels in themselves were not actually that important, which was a life-defining experience.”

Charles finally came back to begin his ministerial training at Union College in 1984, and appreciated the evangelical zeal that his year group had. He found a much deeper love of the Bible, as well as strong fellowship and friendship. Of course, Belfast in the 1980s was not a bed Being installed at West Church of roses, and it was in the context It’s a feeling that many ministers of the Troubles that Charles began his ministry. He was an assistant in Harmony struggle with in relation to ‘the call’ – wanting to remain in the safety of the Hill in Lisburn, then his first charge was Legacurry. He moved from there to West familiar, whilst also wanting to be open to a move if God wills it.

Church in 1999, where we sit today.

“There were three on the list to preach “I’ve had two experiences of ‘call’.

Going to Legacurry,” he says “was like at West Church, and I just assumed

that one of the others would get it. I remember the Sunday I preached here, there was a long silence on the drive home, and then my wife Barbara turned to me and said, ‘You were yourself ’ – that was all I needed to hear, because I realised if they did call me they knew what they were getting!”

What strikes me is, not only did Charles not expect to get called to West Church, but he didn’t expect to be Moderator either.

“A few times friends had suggested to me that I put my name forward and I’ve always been able to kick that to touch, but when it came up a year ago, I felt that feeling deep down, reminiscent of the call I’d had 18 or 19 years ago and the gut reaction of ‘Oh please God, don’t do this!’

– but I realised it was a test of obedience.”

He shakes his head and smiles.

“One Sunday night before Christmas, we had had a wonderful weekend here at West Church and I was about to pull out from the race, when I had a phone call from a friend who said, ‘I hear you might be in the running to be Moderator, please don’t pull out!’”

The right call at the right time, it seems. So now that he has been elected, what does Charles see the role of Moderator as being?

“That’s a very good question – and I will be finding out!” he muses. “‘Building relationships’ will be my theme for the year. I see that as so important – who we are as individuals with our own walk with God, and I want people to realise more and more of who they are in God, and to be sure and confident in their relationship with Jesus.

Herald June 2018

19

“As far as Church is concerned, I believe the local church is the hope of the world, but quite often our relationships do not reflect who we really are and what we should be. I hope there can be healing and a renewed emphasis on togetherness.

“One of the things I love about West Church is its diversity. It all hangs together very well. We have traditionalists, charismatics, people from a Roman Catholic background, Free Presbyterian and Brethren backgrounds… and even some Presbyterians! There’s a deep spirituality and a joy to life together here.”

This cohesive attitude bodes well for the wider political polarisation we find our country in at this moment in time.

“Our political situation here at the minute is dreadful. The importance of building relationships is more important than ever. Considering the parable of the good Samaritan recently – I was quite struck by the intensity of sacrificial love in it. In our politics, society, culture and theology, we are all about passing by on the other side at the moment. What does it mean then to cross those divides? To build bridges? To be confident of who we are in Jesus Christ? And then be able to reach out to others?

“Sometimes though, we have such a concentration on our own ‘truth’, that we rule out love and the importance of relationships. Of course, truth is vitally important, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of cutting ourselves off from other people and battening down the hatches. When you combine truth with love and relationships, that’s living the life of the cross. It’s a difficult balance; we can often have our theology so worked out that we run the risk of not even needing God Himself. There is an 18inch journey between the head and the

20

Herald June 2018

heart which is the hardest journey for some people.”

Charles also inherits a time of great social friction. I wonder how Charles views Brexit, after all, he will inherit the Moderatorship of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland… both north and south.

“There are Presbyterians on both sides of the argument. I was quite taken aback by the acrimony of the debate at the time of the referendum. Maybe because of my own experience of studying languages and European history, and all that the European community offered in terms of reconciliation, and a continent which has been transformed after centuries

The Pope will also visit Ireland during Charles’ term as Moderator – will he meet him?

“That all depends on what the Church decides. I don’t want to be presumptuous to expect an invitation! Personally speaking, I would have no hesitation.”

Charles’ grandfather, an Anglican, was a well-respected member of the community in Belleek, a predominantly nationalist village. When he died in the early 1980s, Charles was struck by how the whole village closed down and everyone came to the Church of Ireland to pay their respects. There was a great outpouring of love from both Catholics and Protestants.

The experience has stayed with him, and it’s easy to see how all these gestures form Charles’ make-up.

“We are all shaped by the courses of study and life’s experiences and the fact that we are born in a certain generation for a certain time.”

One of the main influences on Charles’ life is that of his wife Barbara. His face lights up every time he mentions her.

“We met at the General Assembly in 1990.”

I nearly choke on my coffee at this.

“It’s not known for being a hotbed of romance,” I say. Charles’ eyes twinkle.

“There has to be an exception to every rule!”

‘Building relationships’ will be my theme for the year. I see that as so important…

of war, the richness of that – I voted to remain. I’m also aware of decisions being taken away from individual countries and complaints about bureaucracy, however, I think the referendum was a very blunt tool to try and sort that particular debate out.

“The Good Friday Agreement, as part of the European settlement, was a great step in sorting out our identity here and moving forward, and we want to avoid a hard border at all costs.”

Barbara had been teaching English as a PCI missionary in China before returning to Northern Ireland; they were introduced by a mutual friend. By all accounts it was a whirlwind romance.

“I’m usually a very cautious person,” he says. “But not this! Barbara has been 100% supportive in my ministry and keeps my feet on the ground. I’m a conservative on the outside and a rebel underneath, whereas she is a rebel on the surface and a conservative underneath. She is half bottle full, I am half bottle empty.”

Together, they now have three adult children. So how is Barbara feeling about the year ahead?

“We had taken the decision that she

would retire from teaching this year, so it’s great that the two of us can be together doing this. Also, it’s been such a long time since I’ve done any children’s addresses that we’ve decided she can do them when we’re visiting churches.”

Charles has become Moderator at an historically significant time for women in society. The birth of the #metoo movement, anger over the gender pay gap, and the refusal to accept sociological misogyny any more, have left a lot of us wondering how the Church will respond.

What should the Church be saying to women (and indeed men) in that regard?

…we can often have our theology so worked out that we run the risk of not even needing God Himself.

foremost. I don’t know how many gay people come across our doors on a Sunday morning, I’m not asking that each week – we welcome everyone. I want to teach what the Bible teaches.

We must speak in love and affirm people, but balance that love with grace and truth.”

Charles has taken up an eminently tricky role.

There’s the pressure of presiding over a denomination with hard held differing opinions. Yet at the same time, in an increasingly post Christian society, being a relevant voice in that bigger cultural conversation.

“I can only speak personally,” says Charles. “We in West Church have lots of women elders and female members of the leadership team. It’s who we are in Christ which is important. As far as I am concerned, I don’t notice whether they are male or female, it’s what they have to offer in their work. I am for women in ministry and leadership in the church.”

The debate around same-sex marriage also continues, especially since the Church of Scotland has paved the way to approve it.

“When it comes to human sexuality, it feels like we are all in glasshouses about to throw stones. I am very conscious of my own many shortcomings too, and the brokenness and pain reflected in so many relationships. In terms of same-sex marriage, we want to be compassionate and understanding but we must come back to the Bible about this, and the basic definition of a man and a woman coming together. The Apostle Paul, and Jesus Himself reinforced this, so in terms of marriage, there is a biblical definition of one man and one woman.”

How then, I wonder, does the church reach out to that part of society in that case? How does it reach gay Christians?

“I’ve encountered gay people over the years and I am so aware of hurt and pain caused – I come back to identity; our identity is in Jesus Christ first and

There’s a stained-glass window at the back of West Church, behind the congregation facing the pulpit. It depicts a sword in front of a flame; sunlight shines through, illuminating the purple, orange and yellow colours.

“That window is very special to me,” Charles tells me. “When I felt the call to West, one of my prayer partners had a picture of a stained-glass window. The night of my installation, having never been in the place, she came up to me with tears in her eyes and said, ‘Charles, there’s the window!’ I wondered, ‘Why

that window at the back of the church?

Why not the more prominent one at the front which everyone sees?’ After a few weeks, it’s as though God said to me, ‘That’s the window you see.’ And any time over the years when I’ve felt a bit tested or strained, a wee look up at that window has been very reassuring.”

I wonder if Charles will think of that window often over the next 12 months.

In the next year, what does he see as his greatest challenge, and his greatest opportunity?

“In terms of opportunities, getting alongside people. Especially manse families, in the trenches! Praying with them, supporting them. The challenge, however, is that in a very secular age, we do not have an automatic opportunity for our voice to be heard in wider society, and we have the tendency to come across as naysayers. So, we need to find out how we can speak the truth with love.

It’s a learning experience; I’m excited by day and wide awake by night! I have no idea what the year will entail. I hope that I’ll have a listening ear. I hope the congregations throughout PCI will be blessed as well.”

Christ’s love compels us Herald June 2018

21

TALKING POINTS

Fellowship and friendship Norman Hamilton continues his conversation about friendship, suggesting that both deep fellowship and great friendships are needed in the Christian life.

I

n recent months in this column I have written about There is a parallel question to that last one. How many friends loneliness and also about friendship. The response to (apart from your own family) have taken the initiative to pray the article on loneliness has been fascinating, and I am with you in the past month. Again, for many readers, including genuinely grateful to all those who have been in touch. colleagues in the ministry, the answer will be ‘almost nobody’.

Clear patterns have emerged. For example, when there is a If this limited praying together is your ongoing experience, crisis in a family (perhaps a death) many friends, colleagues and then I suspect you know very well the impact of too little neighbours will come to help, and that is much appreciated. fellowship and too little friendship. Paul’s words quoted above Yet within a few weeks, sometimes even a few days, almost will seem a very long way from your own experience. all that support may subside, and loneliness will set in. That is In conclusion, I would like to suggest five key ingredients of often intense, for there are too few deep friendships to share the good Christian fellowship and good friendship. burdens of loss and change.

Both are built up over a period of time – this is the opposite I was ‘mentored’ some years ago with these words: “Make of acquiring a ‘friend’ on Facebook which merely comes from sure that you keep your friendships in good repair.” It was the click of a button. excellent advice, for in a busy and rapidly Both need to be nurtured and developed changing world, it is very easy for friends – that means investing time in each other, We are strangely to drift apart. When that happens, many and showing a high degree of ongoing emotions can kick in. Disappointment at reluctant to allow others commitment to the other one, so if the other person; guilt at not keeping in tensions arise, they can be handled well. touch; puzzlement or even anger at feeling to know very much about It does not necessarily mean constant rejected for no apparent reason; frustration our fears, needs or contact, but it does mean that the quality that all the energy invested in a friendship of the relationship is not allowed to hopes. seems wasted; a sense of hurt where you deteriorate. vow never to be as vulnerable again, and so Both are important for the long term, new friendships are not made. and are not to be set aside without very good cause.

A neighbour once described his sister as having many Both are necessary if effective challenge is to be given as well acquaintances, but few friends. His sister has had a top-notch as received. Fellowship and friendships are not only for support career, has travelled widely, and continues to have a vibrant and encouragement. If we are not genuinely open to being Christian ministry. I suspect that the very high pace of life for challenged or corrected, we will stay spiritually and emotionally her over many years has been a major contributor to her lack impoverished. of deep friendships. Her situation is not unusual, for loneliness Both are sources of great support in times of weakness and and scarcity of friends is not confined to those who live on their need. The story of the friends in Luke 5 who brought the own. paralysed man to Jesus is wonderfully compelling. They were In many of our churches, and amongst committed Christian committed to doing whatever was needed to ensure the best people, we seem to have opened up a big gap between what we possible outcome for their friend. call ‘fellowship’ and deep friendship. Yet they are very close. It Deep fellowship and great friendships both bring great seems almost impossible to have one without the other. Paul outcomes – here on earth and into eternity. That is why they takes us to the heart of both when he says: “Because we loved are worth a big investment of our time and effort. So make that you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the telephone call and offer coffee to someone you know… gospel of God, but our lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). God’s people are no more immune from the scourge of individualism than anyone else. So we conform to the norms of society all too easily, and rarely share our lives with anyone else. We are strangely reluctant to allow others to know very much about our fears, needs or hopes. For example, how many people (outside your family) have you prayed with in the past month? For many Rev. Dr. Norman Hamilton readers, the answer will be ‘almost nobody’. If you have prayed Norman Hamilton is the convener of the with five others, you are much blessed and you are in a very Council for Public Affairs and minister small minority. emeritus of Ballysillan Presbyterian Church.

22

Herald June 2018

JUNE 2018

Mission Connect

United Mission to Nepal works alongside the poorest communities to improve education

Caring for older people in Dublin Richard Zipser

Mission news from workers around Ireland and the world.

A distinctive flavour Naomi Leremore United in service Rev. Katherine Meyer Changing circumstances Peter and Valerie Lockwood God-ordained coincidences David Boyd

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

The Belfast Conference Neil Harrison

Including June prayer diary

Caring for older people in Dublin

Richard Zipser

Home manager, Tritonville Close

T

he Presbyterian Residential Trust was established in 1949 to Christmas shoebox appeal. We filled each shoebox with a range of provide care for elderly people seeking sheltered housing. simple Christmas gifts – school supplies, washing up items, some In 1971, Tritonville Close became the Trust’s first project little things to wear like socks, pants and gloves, some sweets and in the Republic of Ireland. Tritonville is a complex of sheltered a toy. accommodation; a selection of single and double flats set in This activity allows our residents to be involved with helping private and spacious gardens some of the world’s most in the Sandymount area vulnerable children, many of The contribution made by our residents is of Dublin, within walking whom would receive no other distance of Sandymount tremendous and it helps them to remember that gift at Christmas and for some, village and many local it’s the first gift they’ve ever while they may be older in years, they can still received. The contribution made amenities.

Tritonville Close offers care our residents is tremendous play a big part in serving God and His people. by and support for older people and it helps them to remember in a comfortable, friendly and that while they may be older in Christian environment. We currently have 40 residents, and being years, they can still play a big part in serving God and His people. located in the heart of Dublin we find ourselves in close proximity We are currently refurbishing our community room where we to two major landmarks, Aviva Stadium and the RDS. hold different events like coffee mornings, quiz nights, and parties While our accommodation ensures that residents can enjoy etc. We are also upgrading the look of our dining room at this time. a degree of independence, a call and care nursing service is Residents have been involved in choosing our colour schemes, provided several times a week if required, and we provide an making suggestions about furniture and how we can use and optional four-course lunch on weekdays for those who wish to enjoy the space more, as well as making it a bit more homely. avail of it.

Please pray for the residents and staff of Tritonville Close. What We run a number of activities in Tritonville and once or twice a we do here is all about maintaining each person’s dignity, security year residents help to raise funds for charitable organisations. In and comfort and we believe that God is glorified in this work and November, we filled a record 32 shoeboxes for Team Hope’s annual ministry to older people and their families.

Mission Connect | Herald June 2018

A distinctive flavour Naomi Leremore

Global mission worker, Kenya

T

he team of writers for the Theological Education by straightforward. Does this description fit us well? As Christians, we Extension (TEE) department has completed work on ‘The should be positively impacting the lives of those around us.

Crossing’ series for teens. The five Stepping Stone books in The teens are encouraged to pray for themselves and their the course combine a fictional story with daily reflections. The Christian friends, that none will lose their saltiness, but instead add story is set within the local some useful flavour to life – like Onesimus did. context and has a distinctly When a person is called ‘the salt of the earth’, it At first Onesimus did not Kenyan flavour to it. live up to his name, meaning Day 44 features a character is a way of saying they are kind, reliable, honest, useful, but after coming to called Mzee Chumvi. His name faith he was transformed. The in Swahili means ‘Mr Salt’. Mzee good, trustworthy and straightforward… As letter to Philemon was written Chumvi is a salt maker who Christians, we should be positively impacting the to reintroduce this runaway harvests reeds from the banks slave to his Christian master. of the swirling river and uses a lives of those around us.

Paul wrote, “At one time he traditional method of drying was of no use to you, but now to produce a unique salt which he is useful both to you and to me. I am sending him back to you is then packed in banana leaves. This indigenous salt has a very now, and with him goes my heart. I would like to keep him here strong taste and is good for people with hypertension as there is with me, while I am in prison for the gospel’s sake, so that he could no sodium in it. It’s also useful for disinfecting wounds. help me in your place” (vv.11-13).

The story of the salt maker connects to the day’s devotions as Please take a moment to remember the teens in Kenya who we look at the words of Jesus to His disciples: “You are the salt of are studying this TEE course. Pray that they will be a ready-salted the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty generation. again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot” (Matthew 5:13).

When a person is called ‘the salt of the earth’, it is a way of saying they are kind, reliable, honest, good, trustworthy and Mission Connect | Herald June 2018

United in service

Rev. Katherine Meyer Christ Church, Sandymount

W

hat do carved pumpkins, the letter to the Romans, Kendrick Lamar? Well, he featured a few years ago in a service Kendrick Lamar, and tomato soup all have in common? of contemporary songs of praise, at which people share pieces of They have all helped us to embrace our calling: to live music which have been significant for them in coming to a deeper in Christ, gratefully, simply, generously and well, where God has encounter with the gospel. Musical styles can be wildly different, placed us. but in addition to offering a space for personal testimony, the Welcome to Christ Church, Sandymount (United Presbyterian service unites musical cultures in one act of worship. and Methodist). A united congregation now for almost 50 years, And that leaves the tomato soup. On Sunday morning, people our DNA still carries the marks of that courageous union: the of all ages worship together. We have cushions and a small table capacity to remember what really unites us, what matters, and for children, who on most weeks, share their space with a few what doesn’t matter so much; how to laugh, often at ourselves; wheelchair-using worshippers. Toddlers toddle. A small boy works and how to be thankful to God on a word puzzle and suddenly every day, and show it. whispers, “I found God!” Half We share in the fragility of all small And so, to the pumpkins. the contents of one of the Carved by children from the offering plates spills to the congregations, but there is also something village, they are displayed each floor as the plate is lifted up to wonderful going on. autumn in our church hall. the table.

Several years ago, we formed And the tomato soup was a partnership with the Sandymount Tidy Towns and Community served on Christmas Eve, at our first all-generation Messy Church Association, and each year, in the season of harvest, they organise event. Our oldest members are up for doing it again, and tell us a Scarecrow and Pumpkin Festival, while we host a craft market, that next time they will invite their (great?) grandchildren. café and open church, as well as a service of harvest thanksgiving At Christ Church, Sandymount we are a work in progress. There – which celebrates, among other things, a harvest of good is not much pretence here. We share in the fragility of all small neighbours. congregations, but there is also something wonderful going on.

The letter to the Romans was the focus of the Explorers, our local We stand in the presence of the risen Christ, and we are given this inter-church Scripture reading group, last year. We are linked to time, and we know it counts. the local churches, though not all of the 35 or so who attend are We send you our joyful greetings in Christ. And if you are ever in currently churchgoers. Each year we ourselves choose a book of Dublin, you are always welcome to join us. the Bible we would like to explore, and then find people who will lead us well. The instigator of this lively gathering, who is herself ‘full of years’, is an inspiration to us all.

Mission Connect | Herald June 2018

Changing circumstances in Nepal

Peter and Valerie Lockwood Global mission workers, Nepal

T

he end of April into May is a hot time in Kathmandu, with Democratic Republic. The successful promulgation of the new daily temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius throughout the constitution in 2015 and the successful local, state and federal month. With the change in weather comes the affliction elections in 2017 have resulted in the stabilisation of the political of sore throats and fever. The Lockwood household has had its arena. fair share this year, with people suffering more than usual due to Matching Nepal’s decentralisation of power and authority to the low air quality caused by the new federal states, UMN poorly maintained vehicles, is currently reviewing and Change is never easy for any organisation but changing its organisational brick factories and dust from road and building construction and proposing to work the core focus of UMN is to continue working, by setup all contained within the in new geographical areas, Kathmandu valley. with increased authority and God’s grace, alongside the poorest people…

The Kathmandu Post reported responsibility to the local recently that, “Air quality in level clusters. Change is never Nepal is the worst in the world, with the country being ranked easy for any organisation but the core focus of UMN is to continue at the bottom among the 180 countries surveyed in terms of air working, by God’s grace, alongside the poorest people and quality in a global study.” It is not uncommon to have a mouth communities to improve health, education, livelihoods, peacefull of grit and black nostrils after walking the Kathmandu streets building, in an environmentally friendly and gender-sensitive these days. Water shortages and a rationing of electricity heighten manner. during this month too. Everyone waits expectantly for the annual The prophet Micah succinctly summarises God’s expectation monsoon rains to arrive in June, which cool, quench and nourish for all Christians: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and the thirsty land and its people. This year the rains are desperately what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love needed to dampen the dust! kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

It is almost six years since we returned to Nepal and began As God’s children, we are called to humbly reflect these qualities working with the United Mission to Nepal, a Christian organisation of justice and mercy in our lives and to prioritise them in our which seeks to serve the people of Nepal by addressing the root families and communities. In doing so, we draw attention to causes of poverty and to make Christ known by word and deed. and honour the beauty of our Father God’s character and it is Over the last decade, Nepal has been transitioning from being our prayer that the work of UMN, amidst all the changes and the only Hindu kingdom in the world to a secular-based Federal challenges that lie ahead, will continue to do this.

Mission Connect | Herald June 2018

God-ordained coincidences David Boyd

Irish mission worker, Adelaide Road Presbyterian Church, Dublin

G

od never ceases to surprise me. He can take a seemingly When Leo completed his apprenticeship, he wanted to return random series of events and relationships and weave to university to study for a master’s degree. He applied to several them into a beautiful tapestry. Back in 1994, when I went universities but was unsuccessful. Eventually, he applied to the to Belfast Bible College to study for my Bachelor of Divinity, I was university in Porto and was accepted. Things were finally coming exposed to a wonderful tight-knit Christian community that God together for him. I told him that I knew James and Heather, who had drawn together from the four corners of the world. Every one had moved to Porto in 2013 to plant a church there. We made of these people had felt God’s call on their lives and were there to contact with James and explained Leo’s situation. James was able prepare for mission in a wide variety of situations and contexts. to help Leo with his move to Porto and Leo is now an enthusiastic As I was in training for Irish mission work, I met James and member of Comunidade Pedras Vivas, the name of the church Heather Cochrane. They plant in Porto where James and headed off to church plant Heather Cochrane serve.

God never ceases to surprise me. He can in Brazil with PCI and I never From small beginnings, imagined that our paths the relationship between take a seemingly random series of events would cross again. Then Comunidade Pedras Vivas and in 2008 I heard that James Adelaide Road has developed and relationships and weave them into and Heather had moved to to the stage where I am going a beautiful tapestry.

Portugal and were working in as part of a small mission team the Algarve. to work with the Cochranes About six or seven years ago, we started to see Brazilian students for a week in July this year. This partnership is a natural fit as we arriving in Dublin. They were coming to learn English and their have so many Portuguese speakers in Adelaide Road. Of course, experience must have been a good one as the initial trickle it won’t be an easy place to evangelise as James has told us of the gradually turned into a flood. I met a young man called Leopoldo prejudice, suspicion and distrust with which the Portuguese view Machado, who contacted me by email through our church any evangelical church, but it’s hard to escape the feeling that God website, and he came and joined our church. His enthusiasm and is at work here. love for the Lord really impressed us and Sam Mawhinney, our Please pray for the team as they prepare for this mission trip, minister, invited him to become a ministry apprentice. that God will bless our efforts as we seek to reach out with the In Adelaide Road, our international café, set up to reach out gospel to the people of Porto and encourage the small fellowship to the huge numbers of international students living in Dublin, of Comunidade Pedras Vivas. Pray also that God will work in the began filling up with young Brazilians as Leo invited his classmates hearts of the team members through this experience, that He along. Many of them have become part of our congregation and will build them up in their faith and encourage wholehearted have greatly enhanced the life of our church. dependence on Him.

Mission Connect | Herald June 2018

The Belfast Conference Neil Harrison

PCI Mission Development Officer

A

quick google of ‘Belfast Conference’ will tell you all of the workers and residents’, thinking primarily of young professionals. wonderful events taking place at the Waterfront, Titanic Secondly, ‘student needs’, with particular consideration given to Centre and the SSE but absolutely nothing about PCI’s their increase within the city centre to approximately 60,000 in the ‘Belfast Conference’. Rather like childbirth, the Belfast Conference near future. The third need identified the ‘inner-ring and estates’ has to be experienced to be understood! Now, with three as pertinent, given the complexity related to social deprivation. meetings under my belt, I feel I can speak with some insight into Finally, bringing all of this together there is a need for specific the nature of the Conference ‘leadership and ministry skills’ from the perspective of a to both understand and equip The stark fact is that in one generation, ‘midwife’, seeking to guide a those seeking to respond to discussion towards the birth of these needs.

PCI’s presence in the city of Belfast new life for the city.

With a great sense of has declined by more than half.

The Belfast Conference, honesty, unity and clarity formed in June 2016, is around these needs, the Do we have a future here? comprised of four delegates Conference is at an advanced from each of the three Belfast stage of establishing priorities presbyteries and is ably chaired by the Very Rev. Dr. Alastair for supporting expressions of discipleship and mission that will Dunlop. It has been established as a place for collaborative insight strengthen PCI’s presence in the city. This is a slow process but into the growing needs of the city that might enable quality be assured of the commitment of the Conference members who decision-making and advice around the allocation of resources together have a vision that is both creative and gospel-focused. As regarding PCI’s presence in the city. The stark fact is that in one a ‘midwife’ this is incredibly exciting! generation, PCI’s presence in the city of Belfast has declined by Please pray for the Conference members. Pray they will seek more than half. Do we have a future here? What might that future God for wisdom and insight as they consider the priorities for the look like?

Conference going forward. Pray for a continued sense of unity and In an effort to gather momentum, the Conference met seven synergy for the Conference as it begins to lean into the purpose for times this year, and an analysis of these discussions has identified which it has been established. four areas of need for the city. Firstly, the needs of ‘city centre Mission Connect | Herald June 2018

JUNE 2018

Please pray for...

1 NEPAL – The Lockwood family; for Valerie’s work with United Mission to Nepal’s human resources department; and for Peter as he works on construction projects in the Dhading District of Nepal, which was badly affected by the 2015 earthquakes.

2 DEACONESS – Eleanor Drysdale serving in Wellington, Ballymena. Pray for wisdom as the congregation seeks to develop a work with children with additional and special needs and their parents.

11 HOME MISSION – Rev. Molly Deatherage and the home mission congregations of Ballina, Ballymote and Killala. Pray for effective outreach to the needy of Ballina through ‘Ballina Churches Together’ and the mobile drop-in centre ‘The Big Blue Bus’.

20 CSW STAFF – The Council for Social Witness has some 400 plus members of staff working in homes and units throughout Ireland. Pray for those staff who are currently on sick leave, that they will soon be able to return to work.

12 MYANMAR – The Presbyterian Church of Myanmar and the developing of our partnership with them. Pray too for the full restoration of democracy, human rights and freedom of information in Myanmar.

21 EUROPE – The Faculté Jean Calvin, in France. Pray that students will be envisioned

by God as they prepare for ministry.

Eleanor Drysdale

3 HOME MISSION – Rev. Rodney Beacom and the home mission congregations of Lisbellaw, Lisnaskea, Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler as they continue to reach out to their local communities.

4 ITALY – Alan and Tracey Johnston who have just completed their four-year assignment at the Sola Grazia congregation in Porto Mantovano. Pray for wisdom and guidance for Andrea as he continues to lead the congregation.

5 CARLISLE HOUSE – this is a residential substance misuse treatment centre in Belfast.

Give thanks for the ongoing support which Carlisle House gives to those suffering with addictions and pray for staff who have a huge challenge in managing increased referrals with unchanged resources.

6 CHAPLAINS – Rev. Cheryl Meban as she provides pastoral support to students at the Jordanstown and Belfast campuses of Ulster University and seeks opportunities to share the gospel.

7 HOME MISSION – Give thanks and pray for Donabate’s church family as they seek to grow in faith in Jesus Christ together. Pray too for the congregation’s minister, Rev. Andy Carroll.

13 HOME MISSION – Rev. Vicki Lynch (Methodist Church in Ireland) and the home mission congregation of Limerick. Give thanks for the outreach in the community gallery and coffee dock; for all the wonderful meetings, conversations and relationships which are taking place.

22 PORTUGAL – For the Christian Presbyterian Church of Portugal to know God’s encouragement and growth. Pray for each of the five congregations and the church plant in Porto where James and Heather Cochrane serve.

23 HOME MISSION – The home mission congregation of Corvalley, which is vacant at present. Pray for the elders and members of the congregation as they plan for the future.

24 DEACONESS – Sharon Heron as she works in the International Meeting Point on the Lisburn Road in Belfast, and in Windsor congregation in south Belfast.

14 CHAPLAINS – Rev. Norman Harrison, serving in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Give thanks for the completion of the new arts pack for patients and pray for the chaplains now writing devotional material to add to their specialised packs.

25 LEADERS IN TRAINING – Pray for leaders from partner churches which PCI supports while they undertake further study aimed at helping their personal development for future ministry and leadership within their church and context.

15 CHAPLAINS – Rev. Ivan Neish in his chaplaincy work at Whiteabbey Hospital, and that many will benefit from his pastoral support.

26 HOME MISSION – The vacancy in Corboy and Mullingar, as the elders and congregations plan and pray for the ministry and mission in the area.

16 URBAN MISSION – Rev. Lachlan Webster and the urban mission congregation of Craigavon. Pray for God’s guidance and blessing as Craigavon congregation tries to develop relationships with the families of children who attend their organisations and services.

27 CHAPLAINS – Rev. Ken Doherty in his chaplaincy work at the Mater Hospital in north Belfast. Pray that all patients’ denomination/faith will be properly recorded by hospital staff, to enable hospital chaplains to visit patients.

28 NEPAL – Peter and Jayne Fleming as they come towards the end of their period of orientation and language study and look forward to starting their new roles during the summer; Peter Peter and Jayne Fleming to serve as Integral Development Advisor to the United Mission to Nepal, and Jayne teaching at the Kathmandu International Study Centre.

18 MIDDLE EAST – Bethlehem Bible College 17 HOME MISSION – Aughentaine congregation which is vacant at present.

Pray for the discipling of people who have recently come to faith in Christ and pray that many others in the surrounding community will be reached for Christ.

8 ZAMBIA – Diane Cusick and her work with the early childhood teachers in Midlands East and Southern presbyteries of CCAP Synod of Zambia. Pray that the teachers will implement practically what they have been learning to benefit the children’s development.

9 DISABILITY SERVICES – Give thanks for the wide range of care and accommodation that Disability Services can provide and for the skill, experience and professionalism of staff teams.

10 CHAPLAINS – PCI’s chaplains serving with the armed forces, especially those posted overseas on deployment with soldiers, as they provide pastoral care, and seek opportunities to share the gospel.

and the Near East School of Theology (Lebanon). Pray that the fellowship and teaching at these two colleges will envision and equip students well for future Christian service.

29 SUNNYSIDE HOUSE – this is a 45-bed residential care home in Bangor for older people. Give thanks for Anna McCaffrey, Home Manager, the staff and the residents.

19 HOME MISSION – Rev. Daniel ReyesMartin and the home mission congregation of Kilkenny. Pray for the summer Bible clubs as elders and leaders seek God’s direction.

30 DEACONESS – Eileen Black, deaconess serving First Magherafelt congregation.

Pray for discernment and wisdom as the congregation explores ways to connect with young people .

www.presbyterianireland.org/prayer

The

invisible world

Alfred Thompson reflects on C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters and how it can help us understand what the Bible teaches about the devil – and God’s angels.

“H

umans have no grasp of the world of spirits,” was the line that jumped out at me, and then stayed lodged in my mind, during and after seeing the powerful Saltmine Theatre Company production based on C.S. Lewis’ famous book The Screwtape Letters a few months ago.

The Screwtape Letters is a satire C.S. Lewis wrote to expose the way that the devil attempts to discourage, undermine, and damage human beings – especially those who are coming to know God. It is a portrait of hell and its workings that corresponds with Jesus’ description of the devil in John 10:10 as being a thief who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” – and is the very opposite of Christ’s promise later in that verse to give “life… to the full”.

Screwtape is a senior devil who is mentoring his nephew, a junior devil

called Wormwood, in how to undermine the burgeoning faith of ‘the patient’ – a man in wartime Britain who has just experienced the joy of becoming a Christian. The tactics that Screwtape and Wormwood use in their attempts to undermine and destroy the patient’s faith ring very true to life. Being aware of them can be instructive for us, as Lewis intended they would be, as we seek to “resist the devil” ( James 4:7).

One of the main faith undermining tactics Screwtape teaches Wormwood is keeping people unaware of the invisible world in which they –

…the Bible reminds us that the invisible world is real. It also reminds us that God wants us to be aware of that reality.

and also God and His angels – operate.

“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds,” Screwtape tells Wormwood, “In reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”

Angels and fallen angels When I think of creation I often think of God creating the earth. But, of course, the very first verse of the Bible: “God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) – tells us that God’s creation was much broader than ‘the earth’. Later in the New Testament, Paul tells us that God created all things “visible and invisible” (Colossians 1:16).

This means the visible and invisible, the material and the spiritual worlds are all part of God’s good creation. And that God created all “things in heaven and earth” means that as well as creating human beings, God created angels.

“Angels”, the theologian Paula Gooder writes, “are not a marginal, unimportant part of the biblical narrative. They are central to it.” She also points out that Herald June 2018

31

“it is very hard to go far in either the Old or the New Testaments without encountering stories of angels, though these angels are very different from the angels of the popular imagination.” This central role of angels throughout the Bible reminds us that the invisible world is real. It also reminds us that God wants us to be aware of that reality.

Fredrick Buechner, the American writer and Presbyterian minister, explains that “angels are powerful spirits whom God sends into the word to wish us well.”

But some angels, the Bible tells us (2 Peter 2:4), rebelled against God and have become active opponents to God and all that is good in the world. It is the work of these fallen angels – the devil and his demons – that C.S. Lewis exposes through the characters of Screwtape and Wormwood.

The father of lies The name ‘Satan’ is a Hebrew word that means ‘adversary’ – and one of the main ways the devil opposes us is by lying, again and again, so that we come to believe his lies as being the truth. Jesus tells us that lying is the devil’s “native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” ( John 8:44).

The devil lies to Adam and Eve (Adam was with Eve – Genesis 3:6 – even if he was passive) through the serpent, and tempts them into eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge, leading to the fall and all its consequences. Whether we take the story of the fall literally or metaphorically, the ultimate truth of it is that our falling “short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) begins with us listening to, and believing, a lie from the ‘father of lies’.

But how does the devil get us to believe his lies? Another quote from Screwtape, “The best lies all contain a grain of truth,”

offers us a clue. The devil is “crafty” (Genesis 3:1) enough not to tell us lies that we can clearly see as lies. Instead he twists the truth, distorting it into a lie that ‘feels’ true to us.

I perceive this in the reluctance of Christians to see our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as being ‘saints’, even though that is exactly what we have become through Christ and is how God sees us (1 Corinthians 1:2). It feels

…one of the main ways the devil opposes us is by lying, again and again, so that we come to believe his lies as being the truth. truer to see each other as being ‘sinners’, doesn’t it? And, of course, it is true, we are sinners. But that is not even close to the whole truth of who we are in Christ.

Christians can sometimes be guilty of emphasising the ‘what we are saved from’ (sin) part of Christianity, while downplaying the ‘what we are saved to’ (resurrection in a new heaven and new earth) part. This difficulty we have in grasping the full depth of what being a Christian means, and of what God has planned for our redemption in the new heaven and new earth, is, I believe, one of the distorting lies of the devil.

What is real?

The lie that something negative is somehow more valid than something positive is then used by the devil to alter our perception of what is ‘real’.

Another piece of Screwtape’s advice to Wormwood in their work to discourage ‘the patient’ is to “teach him to call” these immediate negative senses “‘real life’ and

don’t let him ask what he means by ‘real’.”

When I was younger a friend of mine said after church on a Sunday evening almost every week: “Now, back to reality tomorrow”. This is a very common Sunday evening – ‘getting ready to face Monday morning’ feeling. But why do we think that work, which for my friend at that time was stressful and difficult, on a Monday morning is somehow more ‘reality’ than experiencing the presence of God through worship on a Sunday?

The truth for Christians is that ‘reality’ is not the immediate stresses of life in the here and now. Our reality is that we are living an eternal life as part of the kingdom of God. A new life that starts now and continues into the new heaven and new earth where, Jesus tells us, all things will be renewed (Matthew 19:28).

Our reality is that we are never alone, God is always with us, and we are loved beyond our comprehension.

I confess that when I consider the Bible’s teaching about what it means to live life with God now, and about what God has in store for His children in the future, my response is often “It’s too good to be true”. That feeling, at least partly, comes from the devil’s message that the limitations of my immediate human experience of the here and now are somehow more real than the beyond my imagination truth the Bible tells us about God. For as Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Biblical balance It is important when thinking about the way the devil works to maintain the same balance that the Bible does: not to ignore it, but not to overemphasise it either. In the New Testament “very little space is

Five facts you might not know about The Screwtape Letters The Screwtape Letters wasn’t originally a book.

The letters were originally published as a weekly series in an Anglican periodical called The Guardian in 1941.

Their popularity led to the book being published in February 1942. It’s been in print ever since.

32

Herald June 2018

Lewis refused payment for his original work.

The Guardian offered to pay Lewis £2 per letter, but he refused to take it and instead requested that it go to a Church of England widows’ fund. Lewis was known for his generosity and it is estimated that 90% of his income eventually went to charity.

Lewis did not enjoy writing The Screwtape Letters.

He once said, “They were dry and gritty going. At the time, I was thinking of objections to the Christian life, and decided to put them into the form, ‘That’s what the devil would say’. But making goods ‘bad’ and bads ‘good’ gets to be fatiguing.”

given to discussing demonic activity,” as Wayne Grudem points out.

In his introduction to The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis explains that “there are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils.

One is to disbelieve in their existence.

The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.

They themselves are equally pleased by both errors.”

C.S. Lewis expressed a desire for this balance when he said that he wished The Screwtape Letters could have been balanced with advice from an archangel mentoring another angel. Without this, Lewis, noted “the picture of human life” in The Screwtape Letters “is lop-sided”.

But Lewis also notes that while he could write about the devil and his ways, no man could “scale the spiritual heights” required to write from an archangel’s point of view.

God’s messengers “Our English word ‘angel’ comes from the Greek word aggelos, which means messenger,” Paula Gooder observes.

Angels are God’s messengers from the invisible world – and we can learn about the invisible world from what the Bible says about them: Do not be afraid: The first reaction of most people in the Bible – like Mary (Luke 1:26-38) – to encountering an angel is to be afraid. Often the first words an angel says are: “Do not be afraid” (Luke 1:30). Fear is an entirely

The book is dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkein.

Lewis dedicated the book to his friend and celebrated author of Lord of the Rings.

It is rumoured, however, Tolkein did not appreciate the gesture, given the nature of the content; he found it disturbing.

Becoming more aware of the invisible world will enable us to be more open to noticing…God when He does communicate with us. understandable reaction to encountering the invisible world made visible in this way – but the Bible tells us it is something that we shouldn’t be afraid of.

Encountering angels unawares: Hebrews 13:2 tells us: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

Angels often take on the form of human beings and this verse implies that we should treat the strangers we come across as if they could be angels.

Our protectors: The Bible clearly tells us that God sends angels for our protection (Psalm 91:11-12). There is some evidence in the Bible for individual guardian angels (Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15), but it is more likely that God sends angels for our general protection rather than each person having a specific angel watching over them. Yet how incredible is it to consider that God “will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11)?

Lewis based one of the characters on his friend’s mother.

Lewis fought in World War One and made friends with a man named Paddy Moore.

Each made a promise that if either one should die, the other would take care of their single surviving parent (Lewis’ mother had died of cancer in 1908).

Paddy died on the French front, leaving behind his mother. Lewis kept his promise

Being aware that there are angels in the invisible world “encourages us into an openness and willingness to be surprised by the God who yearns to communicate, and who time and time again is ignored – not because He doesn’t speak but because we don’t notice when He does,” Paula Gooder writes. Becoming more aware of the invisible world will enable us to be more open to noticing and recognising God when He does communicate with us.

Heaven and earth “There are more things in heaven and earth… than are dreamt of in your philosophy,” Shakespeare writes in Hamlet.

And the truth is, there are more things going on in the merging of the visible and invisible worlds than many Christians are often aware of.

C.S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters shines a light on the activity of the devil, and that points us to what the Bible tells us about God’s good angels.

In thinking about all that goes on in the invisible world, it is vital to remember that the power of the devil is more limited than angels, and the devil can be resisted ( James 4:7). By the end of The Screwtape Letters Screwtape and Wormwood have failed in their attempts to undermine the faith of ‘the patient’. In the invisible world the power of good is much stronger than the power of evil.

and, after the war, moved in with Mrs. Moore to take care of her.

She was known to be a very difficult and overbearing person, who did not treat Lewis well. In The Screwtape Letters, Wormwood’s mortal ‘client’ is described as “a positive terror to hostesses and servants.” Commentators agree that she is likely based on Mrs. Moore.

33

Dropouts or disciples?

Rick Hill discusses how preparing students for the mission field of university should be a priority for congregations.

I

often wonder what made Joseph choose the path of integrity rather than accepting the advances of Potiphar’s wife? Was there something about his upbringing at home that enabled him to make good choices in a far-off land?

My mind also turns to Daniel and his friends, being carried off as young men into an unfamiliar land. Under the rule of a king wanting to rob them of their identity and push new customs on them, these young men determined not to eat everything offered to them, bow at the feet of worthless idols or give up the discipline of prayer. Who had taught them, influenced them and prepared them to make such choices as young men in a new place?

While we are never told the answer, I am often struck in Scripture by the instrumental role played by those who might appear to be in the background, and yet help to influence the bold decisions of God’s people in testing and extreme environments. Esther had Mordecai. Ruth needed Naomi. Paul met Ananias. All were influenced to play significant roles. In the same way, what role might we have in preparing a younger generation for future decisions in a far-off land?

One of these new environments is university. For young people, the transition to university is one of life’s biggest upheavals and it often sets the

34

Herald June 2018

trajectory for much of their future. It is easy to underestimate the importance of preparation for university, but let me encourage you to make preparing your young people leaving for university a priority.

How can we help our future students lay the very best foundations? Taking time to disciple them, train them, talk with them and resource them for this huge transition in their life is of vital importance to the future of their faith. It is an age group where we often see a huge dropout rate in the church, but rather than just seeing university as a place where they need to survive in their faith, we should also be seeking opportunities to help our students thrive there. Above giving them advice on managing finance or cooking for themselves, how are we preparing our young people for entering the cross-cultural mission field of university?

Each summer, our young people head off on mission teams for a week or two and congregations do all sorts of things to help them. These young people are often brought to the front of church before they leave, supported financially,

…let me encourage you to make preparing your young people leaving for university a priority.

prayed for when they are away, and given a chance to share stories with the church when they are back home.

While this should be welcomed, I would suggest that many students head off to the most cross-cultural, antiChristian, faith-testing environments they will ever have found themselves in without a single mention, adequate preparation or a helpful conversation from their church community. This is a missional project that every single congregation within our denomination can be engaged in.

There are over 360,000 undergraduate students in the tertiary education sector across Ireland. With over 90% of students not currently attending church, this represents one of the biggest mission fields in our culture, and it is my belief that the people who are best placed to reach students, are actually students.

I don’t often quote the blue book, but in a 2016 General Assembly report, a task group headed up by Maureen Bennett, reporting about student ministry on behalf of the Council for Mission in Ireland, wrote the following: “We can no longer rely on a ‘come and see’ model of ministry. Rather our role is a ‘go and tell’ one.”

Perhaps this has a wider message for us in congregations; not relying on students to come to us, but instead preparing them for their vital role of going and telling.

If they are to be effective in this role

they will need much equipping, support, encouragement and prayer.

Here are some things that might help you do that: Prepare them now. If you are only thinking about this the week students arrive at university, it is probably too late.

You could put on a short course in the summer term within your congregation or presbytery aimed at equipping students who are moving to university.

Also consider a teaching series, either in youth group or Sunday worship, focused on living as a Christian in cross-cultural situations, using the university setting in your illustrations and application.

Send them well. Some congregations put on a meal before the start of the university term. Other congregations bring students up to the front of church on the first Sunday of September to pray for and commission them for the year ahead. Or if there are just one or two individuals in this position, why not schedule a pastoral visit or coffee conversation with them before they leave? Also, there are lots of useful resources that you could put into the hands of students to help them grow.

Watch your language. Your students aren’t ‘disappearing to university’, they are being ‘sent out’ to university. Be positive in how you speak about students rather than being frustrated that they aren’t around church as much. Rather than thinking about what they could do for the church, instead ask how you could support them while they are at university.

Help them connect. Actively encourage them to connect with Christian community when they arrive at their university. Point them in the direction of a couple of local churches, provide them with contact details of the university chaplain and encourage them to find out about the Christian Union (CU) group. There are some brilliant online resources designed by UCCF for CUs and Fusion for churches that might help.

Keep in touch. Some congregations appoint someone to keep in touch with their students throughout the year.

They write to them, email them or even visit them to offer encouragement and support. Also, for those students closer to home, some congregations create an oncampus Bible study, where a leader in the church goes to where their students are.

Hear their stories. When students come back to church between terms, invite them to share some of their experiences at the front of church.

Ask them to share challenges and opportunities, taking time to pray for them and other students. Perhaps use Christmas, Easter and summer breaks as an opportunity to put on a social event to help students reconnect with church.

The body of Christ I recently discovered some research that said that 73% of Christians stop going to church while at university. While that might discourage you, there was also an encouraging aspect. Two thirds of students

The young people we send to university desperately need Christian community. who connect to a church when they reach their university location remain connected to the church after university. Did you catch that? Two thirds remain when they connect to the body of Christ! The young people we send to university desperately need Christian community.

Let me share the stories of two young people who I’ve had the privilege of working with. Both of these young people began university at the same time, having been products of the same youth group. One was a girl who was a gifted and passionate young Christian who had been serving in mission and flourishing in her faith. The other, a boy who remained on the fringes of the kingdom.

At university the young girl decided to leave it a few weeks, to settle in before she ‘checked out’ the churches around her. She never got around to it. Now her life is very far from reflecting Jesus.

The young lad, however, got involved in a church the moment he set foot in his new city. He has since made a commitment to Christ, been baptised on profession of faith and is now serving in a church in his university town.

Let’s help our young people to treasure and enjoy their student days, but let’s also prepare them for the cross-cultural environment they are about to enter and support them as Christian missionaries when they are there.

Helpful resources Student Linkup Box: www.fusionmovement.org/box This is a small, postable box packed full of resources and books offering essential advice and tools that provoke reflection, prayer and planning for the transition to university. The £10 box includes four essential preparation for university resources and some congregations buy these as a gift for their sending students. Full review on p.41.

Find Your CU: www.uccf.org.uk/find-your-cu For students going to England, Scotland or Wales, here is a resource to find details about the CU that meets in their university.

Christian Union Ireland: www.cui.ie Find out information about university CUs in Ireland, particularly pre-term and Freshers events.

Student Linkup: www.studentlinkup.org Available via a website and also an app, Student Linkup helps to connect university students to a range of churches in their new location.

Fresh by Krish Kandiah This book provides bite-sized daily inspirations and challenges for new students, covering everything from writing essays to writing home, from making friends to making the grade, from debt to dating. This is a challenging introduction to maintaining a strong personal Christian faith, but keeps its main emphasis on discovering how Christian students can make the most of their faith, relationships and studies.

Herald June 2018

35

Noreen Erskine chats to David Gray about his new role as Presbyterian chaplain at Queen’s University, Belfast and considers the challenges for a university chaplain in today’s society.

A

t 51, Rev. David Gray wondered if he was too old to apply for the post of university chaplain.

A daily diet of non-stop coffees would be required over term-time chats and meetings with students and staff, he reckoned.

However, having been a teacher for 20 years, he is well used to dealing with young people. He took up the full-time role of Presbyterian chaplain at Queen’s University in Belfast last November. His remit includes Union Theological College and Stranmillis University College close by. Before then, he was assistant minister for over two years at West Presbyterian Church in Bangor, Co. Down, a large flourishing congregation with many young families.

David Gray, his wife Jane, their two children aged 12 and 10 and their dog Tara live in a bungalow at Derryvolgie Hall, a hall of residence in south Belfast for 88 students – most of them Presbyterians. It occupies a unique role in being the only hall of residence for Presbyterians at any university across Ireland, with its students studying a range of subjects at either Queen’s or Stranmillis.

His week starts with a Sunday evening worship service there for students returning after weekends away, followed

36

Herald June 2018

by what he calls “quality time” informal conversations over tea or coffee.

“We are just loving the experience and the opportunities here. I think being visible, being available for conversation, is vital. It’s only when you have people who are visible, who speak with confidence and clarity, that I think young people start to see the authenticity of your message and of your faith. I think that is what any encounter needs to be able to do.”

Among his other tasks at Derryvolgie Hall, David coordinates a service programme in which students living there are asked to volunteer. They organise weekly meals for international students, assist in a residential home for old people, and help in homework clubs for refugee children – mostly from Syria – in west Belfast and for local children in the nearby Sandy Row area.

Apart from his duties at Derryvolgie Hall, David spends part of the week with

All students…they need mentors through whom they can see Christian faith interpreted, understood and translated into real life.

staff and students at Union College, and also at Queen’s University, where he runs Christian faith courses.

David’s arrival at the university came as the University and Colleges Chaplaincy Committee (UCCC) of PCI set up a task group to review “the purpose, provision and profile of university and college chaplains”. The UCCC had become increasingly concerned about what it saw as the low level of the Presbyterian Church’s investment and profile in the third-level education sector.

Maureen Bennett is convener of the UCCC. “The review came about because we were keen to provide the Church with evidence how chaplaincy was working, and to show the gaps in chaplaincy, and that it wasn’t organised to face into the 21st century. It worked on principles that were rather historical.

“Chaplaincy was perceived as a pastoral role supporting Presbyterian students who were leaving home and coming up to university. Now we see chaplaincy as much more than pastoral. It does have that aspect, but it’s broader than just Presbyterian students, and it has a missional thrust to it.”

Given that the context of chaplaincy has changed in recent years, due to dramatic changes in the nature of our society, Maureen says there are new challenges to consider.

Photography by Jamie Trimble

University challenge

“We now live in a society that is very fractured and moves at high speed.

This makes it a difficult place for our young people to develop emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. All students, Christian or not, need safe places to ask big questions and explore their own identity; they need mentors through whom they can see Christian faith interpreted, understood and translated into real life. They also need people who will support them, listen to them and not judge them.”

Throughout Ireland, there are more than 360,000 undergraduate students, both full and part-time, in third-level education. In Northern Ireland, the task group estimates around 60,000 of them are in the greater Belfast area. PCI currently has two full-time university chaplains there – David Gray and Rev. Cheryl Meban, who’s based at Ulster University’s campuses at Jordanstown and Belfast, plus one full-time assistant chaplain at Queen’s, Lynn Guiney. PCI also has two part-time chaplains who spend one day a week on the Magee and Coleraine campuses of Ulster University.

Each chaplain in Northern Ireland is paid through the PCI United Appeal fund, with no public money involved and no access to a budget for their work.

In the Republic, where around 160,000 undergraduate students attend universities, colleges or institutes of technology, PCI has three chaplains. In total, they give the equivalent of less than three days per week, according to the task group. There is currently no Presbyterian chaplain in any of the universities or colleges in Dublin. Funding for chaplains at venues where there are such posts varies with a small remuneration given by the university institution in some cases.

However, this practice, along with the formal recognition of chaplains,

I think being visible, being available for conversation, is vital. has been reviewed following appeals by Atheist Ireland to the Republic’s Higher Education Authority that no public money should go towards the funding of chaplains. Following these appeals, a directive was issued that when new chaplaincy posts became available, they should go out to tender in line with the normal procurement process for any public appointment there.

Rev. David Bruce, Secretary to the PCI’s Council for Mission in Ireland, said churches across the denominations are likely to cooperate to ensure that no denomination will be excluded from a campus simply on the basis that another denomination has won the tender.

“For example, if a Catholic diocese won the tender to provide chaplaincy services but there were Presbyterian students on the campus wishing to see a Presbyterian chaplain, then we would have a code of agreement in place that would allow access to those students without question or difficulty, by a Presbyterian chaplain locally appointed, on request. The details of this will need to be ironed out, both with the four main churches and the other churches, but also with the student services departments

in each of the colleges, because the tendering arrangements in each college are independent.”

As part of its review, the task group set up by UCCC organised a small-scale online survey to ask students, chaplains, academic staff and representatives from church congregations in areas around universities or colleges about the roles of university chaplains. The survey built upon an earlier survey carried out on chaplaincy in greater Belfast in 20132014.

The findings of the 2018 survey are currently under consideration. The task group’s draft report will go initially to the UCCC and then to the Council for Mission in Ireland later in the autumn.

It is hoped that issues highlighted and recommendations given will instigate positive changes to effectively support and equip the work of university chaplains for today.

In the meantime, on the basis that “food and coffee are always a draw for students”, David Gray has been planning a series of lunchtime barbeques for students and staff coupled with talks by Christians invited from local companies.

“I think for every generation there is a challenge in that even though we may go to church, we operate as Monday morning atheists when we get back into the hurly-burly of normal life. I do think that if we miss the resonance of what spiritual life looks like, all of life starts to unravel. I think to ignore the spiritual in the life of a student, in the life of a university, diminishes unbelievably the view of what it means to be fully human.”

Noreen Erskine is a freelance journalist and former Religious Affairs correspondent for BBC Northern Ireland.

Herald June 2018

37

Photography by Jamie Trimble

Guinness: books & being on record Lisa Skinner chats to writer, Os Guinness.

M

any within the Church will know the name Os Guinness. An author and social critic, his works are frequently used and promoted throughout our churches. Dr. Guinness was in Ireland recently undertaking a series of speaking engagements across the island at the invitation of Christian Unions Ireland (CUI).

CUI Director and Presbyterian minister David Montgomery said, “Part of our mission is to help Christian students know why they believe, and to challenge non-Christian students to see the intellectual coherence of the Christian faith. Last year we welcomed two leading apologists, Drs. William Lane Craig and John Lennox, to Ireland under the banner ‘Reasons for Hope’, and were delighted that Os agreed to come this year.”

Dr. Guinness is, of course, no stranger to Ireland being the greatgreat-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer. He was born in China in World War Two where his parents were medical missionaries. A witness to the climax of the Chinese revolution in 1949, he was expelled with many other foreigners in 1951 and returned to Europe where he was educated in England. Following a stint as a freelance reporter with the BBC, Dr. Guinness moved to the United States in 1984. He is currently a senior fellow at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and lives with his wife Jenny, in Washington DC. To date Dr. Guinness has written or edited more than 30 books.

38

Herald June 2018

You’re here to help Christian students better understand their own faith and be able to explain it to their non-Christian peers. Why do you think Christian students find it hard to communicate their faith in modern times?

I think in many of our Western countries Christians have just been able to rely on the consensus. They are Christian countries traditionally and so people have grown up and roughly believed what their parents and grandparents believed and so on. But in almost all of the West that has collapsed.

The central issue for the church worldwide is faithfulness…

The new factor is the speed at which we’re living, so one of the effects of that is life is fired at us at point-blank; we have an instant society. What that does is it makes ‘transmission’, handing it on, much harder. That’s incredibly difficult, both for the church but also for our democracy.

Both faith and freedom have to be handed on to be alive in every generation or they die within a generation or two. Social media is a huge part of our

inability to transmit information in an effective way.

Many people might say, but you’re an academic, apologetics surely comes easy to you. How could I ever articulate myself and my faith in the way that you do?

I’m not an academic, I hope I’m a thinker.

If we love our neighbours, love our colleagues, we should ask them questions and be really curious. What makes them tick? How do they see the world? No one is a card-carrying perfect atheist or humanist or Buddhist or Muslim. They all have their personal story. Jesus talked about the treasure of the heart – if we want to love our neighbours and our colleagues, we need to get into their world and see what makes them tick; try and find out what the treasure of their heart is. So it’s not a matter of being academic, it’s a matter of knowing people.

You’ve said in the past that: “Contrast is the mother of clarity”.

Why do you believe it is important for us as Christians to expose ourselves to other world views?

It’s natural to be nervous or a little afraid of people who are different. The stranger will not be in our image but the stranger is still in the Lord’s image, and therefore we should care for them too.

If we’re confident in the gospel, nothing should rattle us. In my 20s I went out to India and studied under a guru, to see why so many Westerners were going East. It was tough and people warned me if it was too much my little boat would

soon be swamped, so get out. But the day I suddenly understood Hinduism and the incredible contrast with the gospel, I was overwhelmed with wonder and gratitude.

I’ve learned first-hand that contrast is the mother of clarity.

Within PCI we strive to have a voice in the public square. How can we engage in a way that is faithful to our beliefs, yet respectful to those which are contrary to our own?

You have to have a vision of public life that includes civility and respect for all faiths. If you look at the world there are two extremes – one is called the ‘sacred public square’ where one religion is established and everyone else is second class. You have Christian versions of that and you have Muslim and Buddhist versions and so on. Obviously anyone who doesn’t share whatever the religion is in the sacred public square is in trouble.

In Pakistan or Iran you are in trouble with your life.

The other extreme is the so-called ‘naked public square’ where religion is removed altogether. My vision, and this is in the book The Global Public Square, is of a civil public square where everyone of all faiths have the freedom to enter and engage in public life based on freedom of conscience.

Now the trouble is, we Christians are often known for being advocates of a sacred public square, we want to return to what we’ve had. I don’t think we should argue for that today because we’re in a world of pluralism and diversity and it’s going to be unjust and unfree.

In many parts of the world we’re

against the tide. Europe is so secular. We have to have the courage to speak out, but we need to be known for standing for justice and freedom for everybody.

If we’re confident in the gospel, nothing should rattle us.

One of the talks you have been delivering is titled ‘Evangelicals and the Challenge of the Coming Century’.

What do you believe is the challenge of the coming century?

We’ve got to recognise some of the great shifts and challenges all around us, but also recognise why the church is weak.

Social media and cellphones shape people’s relationships unless they think carefully how it’s affecting them. This is all part of ‘the world’. We’re called by Jesus to be in the world but not of the world. And yet many modern Christians in Europe don’t analyse the world. The odd thing is, the world is more powerful today than ever before, with our consumer society and so on; Christians are shaped by that and that is what’s making us weak. We’re actually more worldly than we realise.

Considering your book The Call, there can be an assumption by evangelicals that God ‘calls’ His people into what we deem to be ‘important’ roles and if

that isn’t the case then we haven’t been called. With this in mind is there such a thing as ‘a calling’?

You are Presbyterians, you’re the heirs of the Reformation but ironically Pope John Paul II would be closer to John Calvin and Martin Luther than many modern evangelicals. The very mistakes that Luther and Calvin were trying to attack have come back into the evangelical churches. The spiritual being higher than the secular, and the idea of important callings and making a difference or thinking that the great commission is more important than doing a spreadsheet in the financial world or whatever. We’ve got to get back to the biblical and the Reformation view of calling. And shame on us the reformed. I’m reformed. Shame on us if we’ve been infiltrated by these ideas. Jesus had no part-time secondclass disciples; it’s everyone, everywhere and everything.

If there was just one thing you could impart to Christians in Ireland, young and old, through the ‘Reasons for Hope’ tour this year, what would it be?

The central issue for the church worldwide is faithfulness, but we’ve got to make it a faithfulness that is fresh, courageous and adventurous. In other words, we’re not called to be faithful reactionaries; because of the solidity of the gospel, we have the foundation and the platform for moving forward on grand issues for humanity.

Herald June 2018

39

REVIEWS

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

Special Offer

Sing! Live at the Getty conference Keith and Kristyn Getty INTEGRITY MUSIC

£12.93

«««««

Reformation Worship Jonathan Gibson and Mark Earngey

NEW GROWTH PRESS Special Offer for Herald readers £40 from the Evangelical Bookshop (RRP £51.99)

Keith and Kristyn Getty have produced some of the most popular and well-loved sacred music of the 21st century. It is music that tends to appeal across the spectrum of churches and generations represented by church attenders. This live album doesn’t bring us anything new but, for those who enjoy a live worship album and who appreciate the music of the Gettys, this will be very happily received.

Recorded at their inaugural Sing! conference in Nashville, this is an album of well-known Getty favourites and a few covers of other songs.

No album of Getty songs would be complete without a rendition of In Christ Alone and there are also versions of The Power of the Cross, and He Will Hold Me Fast from more recent collections. However, there are some interesting covers of both older hymns, such as Hallelujah! What a Saviour, sung with Joni Eareckson Tada, and newer worship pieces, such as Blessings by Laura Story.

Although there is nothing particularly groundbreaking about this album, it is still worth a listen, especially if you are already a fan of the Gettys’ music. The live album creates an intimacy and allows the listener to join in the worship, in a way that a studio album might not. This is enabled by the highly singable nature of most of the Gettys’ compositions, which we easily imagine we have been singing all our lives.

LI

40

Herald June 2018

«««««

One thing every minister has to do each week is plan and lead a worship service.

Good, thoughtful, moving worship does not simply fall together though.

It requires diligence in arranging the parts of the service and working through the content of each movement of worship so that our prayers, songs, Scripture readings, and the sermon all mesh together into a unified worship encounter that is edifying for God’s people and glorifying to God. This volume is a massive collection of liturgies from the Reformation period. Many of the orders of service have never before been in English; new translations from the German, French, and Dutch originals have made them accessible to many more Christians in the Western world.

This is a highly valuable resource on two levels. This book will help us remember that and recover the insights of past generations about how we can guide thoughtful, Christ-exalting worship. It is also eminently practical. The prayers and forms included here can inspire our planning as we think about how to fill our own prayers, select readings, and direct praises to God. As reformed Presbyterians we can reclaim the riches of our heritage, which is full of deep, biblical insights on how to put together a wonderfully scriptural worship service.

(Jonny Gibson will be at the Evangelical Bookshop for a ‘Meet the Author’ event on Tuesday, 19th June from 7-8pm) HP

Left to their own devices?

Katharine Hill MUDDY PEARL

£9.99

«««««

The subtitle for this book is ‘Confident parenting in a world of screens’ which describes perfectly what all parents want to feel when it comes to navigating their children through the modern online world.

Author Katharine Hill is the UK Director of Care for the Family and a mother of four; she writes in a refreshing down-toearth style that is honest, relevant and encouraging. She outlines at the start that part of the difficulty for parents begins in our whole approach. While most parents are ‘digital visitors’ (tending to use the internet as a tool – e.g. for emails, or to get information), teenagers in contrast are ‘digital residents’ i.e. they see the internet as a fully integrated part of their lives, affecting all their interactions.

It is this difference that makes it challenging for parents at the outset. As technology seems to be developing faster than parents can keep up with it, Katharine helpfully covers some of the main issues to think about, including social media, sexting and online bullying. There is also a truly frightening, yet extremely important chapter on pornography, highlighting the scale of this problem, and the dangers it poses to our young people.

While many parents will feel overwhelmed with this subject, subsequently tending to bury their heads in the ground about it, Katharine makes clear that this is not an option. We need to be talking to our teenagers about this. The internet certainly isn’t all bad, but it can’t be avoided. As Katharine says, “In a world of unlimited choices, our role is to equip them to make good ones.”

SH

REVIEWERS

SH – Sarah Harding is the editor of the Herald LI – Louise Irwin is part of the worship team at Kirkpatrick Memorial

Inside Fatherhood David Atkinson, with Mark Chester

All Saints DVD

BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP

£6.99

LS – Lisa Skinner is an administrative officer for the Herald PA – Phil Alcorn is an administrative officer for PCI’s Creative Production Department HP – Harrison Perkins is the assistant minister in Second Saintfield

«««««

As a fairly new father (my son is now 15 months old), I feel like I have now struck a balance. I have been through the combination of mad panic, intense love, and utter confusion that, for my wife and I, has been the first year of parenting. That said, I have no doubts whatsoever that the rest of my life as a father will still be filled with those emotions – and that is why I am grateful for books such as Inside Fatherhood.

David Atkinson has compiled what is, on the surface, quite a simple book – a collection of 10 interviews, conducted with 10 very different men, all talking about their experiences of fatherhood. To write this book off as unimportant, however, would be a grave mistake. With chapters titled ‘Stepdad’, ‘Mid-life dad’, ‘Absent dad’, ‘Widowed dad’ and ‘Adoptive dad’ (among others), there are experiences here that will speak to every kind of father.

Each interview is honest and hard-hitting.

Mark Chester has also written a biblical reflection following each chapter, calling us to reflect on the love and fatherhood of God, and how our experiences as dads can reveal God’s actions in our lives.

To see these men open up about the joys and the challenges they have faced was refreshing and incredibly encouraging. To hear how they have changed, how they have grown and, at times, fallen, gives me hope that whatever challenges fatherhood holds for me in the future, I am not alone.

For, as David himself writes, “We’re all just doing our best.”

PA

PROVIDENT FILMS

£12.93

«««««

Based on real-life events, All Saints tells the story of pastor Michael Spurlock (played by John Corbett), who, along with his family, is sent to a tiny Episcopal church in Smyrna, Tennessee. At the outset, he knows it is only for a few months since he is to oversee it closing down and prepare the 12 members of the congregation for this. Since the church sits on prime agricultural land there are plans to sell it to developers.

Spurlock is portrayed as a bit of a

Student Linkup Box £10.00 available from www.fusionmovement.org

«««««

Did you know that 73% of Christian students don’t connect to church when they get to university? It is quite shocking and begs the question: How are we, as churches, preparing our young people for going to university?

It can be a struggle to find good resources to help us in our quest to equip them for this new and challenging season in their lives. With this in mind, Student Linkup

maverick, who got into trouble at his previous congregation, and so when he is presented with an opportunity to grow the church, he embraces it fully and resists the original closure plans.

Some Karen farmers (an ethnic minority group from Burma), who arrive in Smyrna as refugees after experiencing a devastating war, are drawn to attending the church, more than doubling the congregation. After believing he has heard from God, Spurlock hatches a plan to farm the land surrounding the church, using the expertise of the Karen farmers.

With a view to feeding the Karen people and selling the rest to keep the church afloat, the outcome is far from smooth.

This is certainly not a sickly-sweet tale where everything ends up rosy.

Spurlock and others are forced to consider if he did in fact hear God clearly, or if he was spurred on by his own agenda. Regardless, the message that God is in control and His wisdom is unsurpassed, is clear. The film was shot on location at the actual All Saints church and many of the congregation play themselves, a lovely touch to a thought-provoking story.

SH

and Fusion, supported by New Wine and the Salvation Army, have developed a box packed full of really helpful resources and books to encourage and inspire our students. It contains plenty of practical advice and tools that should prompt and provoke important space to reflect, pray and plan for the transition to university.

While it is one thing to put resources in the hands of a young person, it is quite another to journey with them as they try to manoeuvre life at university. All of the advice and wisdom contained herein is good but when reality hits it will likely take more than some booklets to get students through difficult times. By all means give your youth these resources but back it up by committing to pray for them, to communicate with them, to catch up with them at home or visit them where they are at if possible. Wisdom and guidance should be met with genuine love and commitment.

LS

Herald June 2018

41

LIFE IN PCI Blue plaque in Rostrevor A partnership between Rostrevor Presbyterian Church and two local community groups has resulted in a blue plaque being installed to mark the original site of Presbyterian worship in the Co. Down village.

Denis Brady (clerk of session of the neighbouring Warrenpoint congregation) coordinated the effort, which saw the Presbyterians in Rostrevor coming together with the Tom Dunn Project and the Xodus Centre.

The Tom Dunn Project seeks to retell the story of Tom Dunn who taught local Catholic and dissenting children at a hedge school in Rostrevor in the late 1700s. The project is a cross community initiative, which aims to have a permanent memorial to Dunn in the village as well as to promote local history in the area.

The Xodus Centre, which will soon open in the building where the plaque has been installed, is intended to be a community hub in the village.

Presbyterians have formally worshipped in Rostrevor since 1850, firstly in the building marked by the plaque and then in a purpose-built meetinghouse, which was erected thanks to the efforts of Rev. Thomas Morgan and David Ross of Bledensburg. Rev. Dr. Henry Cooke gave the address at the laying of the foundation stone of the church building, which remains to this day.

Dr. Cooke is quoted as saying, “The church to be erected here will be frequented by some to whom it will be a well of life. It will be seen and passed

by multitudes who will never enter within its walls, but even to these also, the fabric itself will not fail to express, by its very presence among them, a continued witness to God, to His Word and to the value of His holy ordinance.”

Pushing back the boundaries The Townsend Street congregation in Belfast is used to hosting unusual events, such as the play Concrete Angels, tribute events for Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Recently the meetinghouse again became an auditorium for a performance of the Opera Guy. Explaining why the congregation opens up the church for such events, Townsend Street minister, Rev. Jack Lamb says, “At the heart of Presbyterian theology is our recognition that the church is the congregation, not a building – no matter how ornate it is. Our main building is simply our meetinghouse, no more or less holy than our homes, streets, schools and offices. We, the body of Christ, are the ones called to be holy in our daily lives. We are part of the church and it is when we forget that we are in danger of becoming precious about our buildings and no longer seeing them as tools for the church to use to advance God’s kingdom.

“Grasping this fact sets us free to use our buildings for secular as well as spiritual events. And so, it was that I first heard and then met the Opera Guy, Ryan Wallace, in the centre of Belfast. Ryan is a professional dancer, singer and cabaret artist. I invited him to come with some of his friends to perform in our meetinghouse. He agreed but asked me to take a collection for Action Cancer.”

The evening began with Noel Williamson pulling out all the stops on Townsend Street’s amazing Hunter organ. Then, it was over to Ryan to take those gathered on a musical journey, including songs from Les Miserables, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.

The first half of the evening ended with an eight-minute dance tribute to Michael Jackson as 13-year-old Steven McKenna twisted, jumped and moonwalked through a fast-moving compilation of Michael Jackson songs.

The second half saw Ryan demonstrating his vocal range in singing ballads, love songs and an operatic song as well as showing how to reach an audience with humour, pathos and verbal dexterity.

“What did the evening achieve? Well, more than 150 people came to our meetinghouse, most of them for the first time. More than £250 was raised for Action Cancer. And goodwill, friendship and understanding was built up with artists who are unlikely to forget that the church made them welcome,” says Mr. Lamb.

“I am looking forward to seeing our meetinghouse being used regularly for concerts, recitals and plays. Our buildings and, in particular,

42

Herald June 2018

our meetinghouses are an underused resource which, with care, sensitivity and generosity, can be used to build bridges with our local communities and raise much-needed money for worthy causes,” he concludes.

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

New elders in Loughgall A commission of Armagh Presbytery (standing) recently ordained and installed three new elders in Loughgall Presbyterian Church. Seated are: James MacQueen (clerk of session); new elders Alan Beggs, Joseph Johnston and Trevor Martin; and Rev. Philip McKelvey (minister of the Co. Armagh congregation).

Seventy years of continual service in Mosside Mary Barr recently celebrated 70 years of membership of Mosside Presbyterian Church choir. Among those pictured are three generations of the Barr family.

Minister installed in Omagh Presbytery Long service recognised in Second Rev. Clarke Deering was installed as minister of Fintona, and Ballynahatty Comber and Creevan Presbyterian churches in the Omagh Presbytery recently.

Pictured are: Rev. Charles Clements, Rev. Linda Keys, Mr. Deering, Rev. Jonathan Cowan (convener), Rev. Robert Orr (moderator) and Rev. Robert Herron (clerk of Omagh Presbytery). Picture is courtesy of the Tyrone Constitution.

Rev. Roy Mackay is pictured presenting a gift to Noel Spence in recognition of his 43 years as editor of Scope, the magazine of Second Presbyterian Church, Comber. Noel’s wife Heather received a bouquet of flowers.

Forty years celebrated in Burnside The 40th anniversary of Burnside Presbyterian Girls’ Brigade company was celebrated recently.

Herald June 2018

43

LIFE IN PCI

100th birthday in Armagh Road Anne Dickey, who celebrated her 100th birthday recently, was treated to a surprise party by members of Armagh Road Presbyterian Church, which she attends. The party was joined by Presbyterian Moderator Dr. Noble McNeely and his wife Florence. Seated are: Katrine Collins (daughter), Mrs. Dickey, Dr. McNeely and Mrs. McNeely.

Birthday milestone in First Castlederg Annabella Emery, from First Castlederg Presbyterian Church, has celebrated her 100th birthday. She is pictured with Rev. Robert Orr (minister of the Co. Tyrone church) and PCI Moderator Dr. Noble McNeely.

Due to the increased use of small digital and phone cameras we are having to reject some of the photos due to their quality or size. Digital images should have a minimum resolution of 2000x1500 pixels (approx. 7x5 inches) at 300dpi and be the original, unedited image.

Further information can be found in our submission guidelines at www.presbyterianireland.org/herald

Seedtime and Ploughman’s service in Ballyblack Ballyblack Presbyterian Church in Co. Down recently hosted a service of thanksgiving for the farming community. The annual Seedtime and Ploughman’s service was conducted by Dr. Donald Watts as stated supply minister. The guest speaker was Colin McDonald (outgoing RUAS Chief Executive), and the praise was led by Dromore and District Male Voice Choir. A generous offering of over £1,000 was raised for the Air Ambulance. Pictured are: Dr. Watts, Alex Warden (session clerk), James Speers (YFCU), Grace Williams (Air Ambulance), Elizabeth Warden (WI), David Thompson (conductor of Dromore and District Male Voice Choir), Mr. McDonald, Fiona Watts and Vivienne McDonald.

100th birthday celebrated in Dunmurry Jean Wilson celebrated her 100th birthday recently. She is pictured being congratulated by former Moderator Dr. Frank Sellar and Rev. Corrina Heron (minister of Dunmurry Presbyterian).

44

Herald June 2018

New elders in Hazelbank Hazelbank has ordained and installed new elders. Among those pictured are: Dr. Andrew Brown (moderator of presbytery); new elders Edward Kilgore and David Sampson; Chris Alexander (clerk of session in the Coleraine church); and Rev. Trevor McCormick (presbytery clerk).

Tag good news stories from your congregation on Twitter with #lifeinpci and @pciassembly

Retirement in Kilmore Pat Nixon has retired as organist in Kilmore Presbyterian. She is pictured with Rev. Mark Spratt (minister of the Crossgar church), Christine McCabe (choir member) and Dai Kennedy (clerk of session).

Full attendance marked in Largy Largy Sunday school pupils have been presented with Bibles in recognition of their full attendance. Pictured are: Peter Currie (Sunday school superintendent in the Co. Londonderry church), John Crown (11 years’ full attendance), Laura Cochrane (nine years), Hannah Maxwell (nine years), Matthew Wilson (eight years) and Dr. Clive Glass (minister).

Queen’s badges in Granshaw Glenn McCreery and Jordan McIntyre each received their Queen’s badge from their mothers at the Granshaw Boys’ Brigade display.

New communicants in Sion Mills Sion Mills Presbyterian Church welcomed five new communicants into the church during a recent communion service. Pictured with Rev. Mark Shaw are Jason Henderson, David Henderson, Cameron Lucas, Katelyn Russell and Nathan McCrabbe.

Money barns in Carnmoney P5-P7 children at Carnmoney Church’s Sunday school have been looking at the parables of Jesus. Inspired by the parable of the rich fool, the children created ‘money barns’ to collect money to give to charity. A total of £1036.20 was raised for Stand By Me, a charity which helps disadvantaged children throughout the world.

Herald June 2018

45

First Portadown Presbyterian Church

Family Discipleship Worker Applications are invited for this full time post based on a two year contract, to join the ministry team at First Portadown Presbyterian Church.

This is a full-time post 37.5 hours involving evenings and weekend work.

Salary will be in line with PCI Salary scale £22,849 annually.

The person appointed will be expected to focus on developing relationships with the families connected to the congregation, and in the local community, and to assist us in the promotion of active discipleship – encouraging members towards participation and service within the life of the church.

They will be expected to share in the preaching responsibilities each month and play a full part in the life of the congregation.

Details of the job description, personnel specification and application form can be obtained from Mr. John Finlay, Clerk of Session Tel: 07845 222039 Email: johnfinlay02@gmail.com mail@firstportadown.org Closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 31st July 2018.

CROSSWORD Puzzle no. 242 1

2

3

solution on page 50 4

5

6

7

8 9

10 11

12

13

14 15

16 17 18 19 23

20 24

21

22 25

26 27

28

compiled by Harry Douglas

46

Herald June 2018

ACROSS 1 Sore molar (9) 8 Don’t let your money go down here (5) 9 The ‘Lone Star State’ (5) 10 A short “hello” (2) 11 Asian carp (3) 12 Italian cycle race (4) 13 Ancient kingdom in the O.T. (4) 15 Loosen a cord (5) 16 Major homeless charity? (7) 17 144 (5) 18 Where rugby players lock horns (5) 19 Tourist Trophy (2) 20 In the year of our Lord (2) 23 A person of great courage (4) 24 Crocodiles dress thus! (8) 26 Noah’s refuge (3) 27 Not yeah (3) 28 A rite for atonement? (7)

DOWN 2 Large African bird (7) 3 Matthew’s occupation (3, 9) 4 Tea producing region (5) 5 Knox’s burial place (9) 6 Box for valuables (6) 7 An annual celebration (11) 14 Person who rows a boat (7) 16 The first Christian martyr (7) 18 A lost dog (5) 21 “O to see the ...” (4) 22 Lily doesn’t do this! (4) 25 Confederate general (3)

REFLECTIONS

Three

Betsy Cameron

I

t’s that time of year again – long days, hayfever and exams. . . .’; ‘Blood, sweat and . . .’ That last one, actually, is interesting.

I don’t know much about the curriculum for Junior Cert Those famous words, uttered by Winston Churchill in his first English, but I have learned quite a lot about the GCSE speech as Prime Minister to the House of Commons were English language exam over the years, and one thing stands actually “blood, toil, tears and sweat” but there we go pruning out. If you have ever sat this exam or stood on the sidelines with and rearranging because three sticks better in our memory. an encouraging smile and a cup of tea while someone in your Your church, school or business likely has a three-pronged house has prepared for it or if, perhaps, you are even a teacher summation of its vision, and advertising slogans routinely make of GCSE English, then you will know what I’m talking about. liberal use of a list of three.

It is a lesson that has permeated all of your explorations of And finally, three is strong and stable. Think of the sturdiness language and your analysis of what makes good, clear, engaging of a three-legged stool or a toddler’s tricycle. Ponder the many communication. It was drummed into you at every possible things a triangle can teach us. The fascinating relationship opportunity. Drummed, drummed, drummed, I tell you! between its sides and angles has been used in navigation ‘Three’, you will have learned, is a magic number. You may use through the centuries, from the astrolabe to the GPS on the word triads, triples or the rule of three, your phone. As well as that, a triangle but the point is that a list of three – verbs, …deep at the heart of is a very rigid shape and, therefore, is adjectives, nouns, for example – works in used extensively in construction and our belief, is the concept engineering. From bridges to trusses to our brains like a magic charm, filling the empty space with just the right amount of of the Trinity, God in geodesic domes, you will find triangles information and no more. Like Goldilocks working their magic in the world around (oh, three bears!) and her endless quest for three persons. us. perfection, three is ‘just right’.

As Christians, three is also a meaningful Examples of the power of three abound across many diverse number. We have the three kings who brought their gifts disciplines: from the Three Little Pigs to the three caskets in to Jesus, the three days between the crucifixion and the Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, stories and literature are resurrection and the time-honoured three-point sermon. Most replete with patterns of three; musical triads are the building importantly, deep at the heart of our belief, is the concept of blocks of harmony; and Newton’s three laws of motion are the Trinity, God in three persons. Theologians have wrestled the basis of mechanics. Three also works quite well visually. with this notion through the centuries, but cutting through all My friend Pauline, floral designer extraordinaire and all round their arcane debate, we find an idea of God that is powerful and lovely person, demonstrates this very ably in her amazing uplifting: God, in God’s very being, is a community and exists arrangements. Three well-placed flowers of varying heights can in a relationship. We, too, are made for community and need be stunning together on their own or as the basis for a more relationships with others to help us understand who we are. complicated arrangement, and you’ve probably noticed how well And, of course, finally, it is in our relationship with God that we three photo frames work or how pleasingly three knick-knacks are made complete. sit together on a shelf.

I have three wonderful children, and we are now living Three is powerful because it is neither too much nor too through our third and final experience of GCSE exams in my little; it is the smallest number needed to create a pattern, and house, which I write with a bittersweet mixture of wistfulness, neuroscience confirms what we already know: recognising disbelief and joy. But mostly joy. patterns is how we learn. There is a sense of completeness So, for my sweet Rose and all of you out there involved with with three, or as the Latin phrase omne trium perfectum puts it, exams, let me encourage you: Keep your chin up! Keep your everything that comes in threes is perfect. First person, second shoulder to the wheel! And keep your eyes on the prize! God person, third person. Beginning, middle, end. Mind, body, spirit. – Creator, Son and Holy Spirit – is beside you and loves you, What more do we need? no matter what numbers come your way when you open your Three is memorable. How many of these phrases can you envelope on results day. finish? ‘Stop, look and . . .’; ‘I came, I saw, I . . .’; ‘Ready, steady

Herald June 2018

47

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

1. LEAVE TO CALL GRANTED

TEMPORARY STATED SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT

ANNALONG: REV. S.S. JOHNSTON: Mr. Jim Hanna, 209 Kilkeel Road, Annalong, Newry, BT34 4TW.

BALLYBLACK: REV. R.J. STEVENSON: Mr. Alex Warden, 92 Bowtown Road, Newtownards, BT23 8SL.

BAILIEBOROUGH, FIRST; BAILIEBOROUGH, TRINITY, CORRANEARY & ERVEY: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. D.T.R. EDWARDS: (Bailieborough, First) Mr. Fred Gilmore, Lisgar, Bailieborough.

(Bailieborough, Trinity) Mr. Bert Coote, Kells Road, Bailieborough. (Corraneary) Mr. Eddie Martin, Ardmone, Canningstown, Cootehill. (Ervey) Miss Jean Archibald, Largy, Drumcondrath, Co. Meath.

BALLINDERRY: REV. W.J. HENRY, Minister of Maze

BALLYGOWAN: REV. DR. A.F. NEL: Dr. Roy Harper, 31A Drumreagh Road, Ballygowan, Newtownards, BT23 6LD.

BLACKROCK – ST. ANDREWS: REV. DR. K.P. MEYER, Minister of Sandymount – Christ Church BOVEEDY: REV. DR. T.J. McCORMICK, Minister of 1st Kilrea

BANGOR, HAMILTON ROAD (ASSOCIATE): REV. T.W.D. JOHNSTON: Mr. Tom Clarke, 85 Churchill Park, Bangor, BT20 5RW.

BOYLE: REV. D.J. CLARKE, Minister of Sligo

COLERAINE, FIRST: REV. R.S. McMULLAN: Mr. Joe Cassells, 25 Queen’s Park, Coleraine, BT51 3JS.

BRAY – ST. ANDREWS: REV. C.W.P. KENNEDY, Minister of Dun Laoghaire

COOKSTOWN, FIRST: REV. D.S. BROWNLOW: Mr. Gordon Black, 21 The Dales, Cookstown, BT80 8TF.

CAHIR: REV. WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, Minister of Fermoy

CORBOY & MULLINGAR: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. DR. K.D. McCRORY: (Mullingar) Mr. Wilson Porter, Joristown, Raharney, Killucan, Co. Westmeath.

KATESBRIDGE: REV. N.J. KANE, Minister of Magherally

CREGAGH: REV. S.P. MOORE: Mr. Dennison Mahood, 229 Cregagh Road, Belfast, BT6 0LD. DROMARA, FIRST: REV. K.W.J. HANNA: Mr. I. McCullagh, 10 Mullaghdrin Road, Dromara, BT25 2AF. HARMONY HILL: REV. JOHN BRACKENRIDGE: Mr. Derek Alexander, 24 Downshire Park, Hillsborough, BT26 6HB. HOLYWOOD, FIRST (ASSOCIATE): (Reviewable Tenure - 3 years) REV. A.C. RANKIN (Acting Convener): Mr. Joe Campbell, 2a The Esplanade, Holywood, BT18 9JG. IRVINESTOWN, PETTIGO & TEMPO: (Home Mission) REV. R.S.G BEACOM: (Irvinestown) Mr. John Dickey, Ardmore House, 47 Pound Street, Irvinestown, BT94 1HF. (Pettigo) Mr. Noel Baxter, Flowerdale, 80 Sydare Road, Ballinamallard, BT94 2DU. (Tempo) Mrs. Carole Trimble, 5 Tullyreagh Road, Edenmore, Tempo, BT94 3GJ. MONAGHAN, FIRST & SMITHBOROUGH: REV. DR. G.W. CLINTON: (Monaghan, First) Mr. David Hamilton, Aughnaseda, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan. (Smithborough) Mr. John Bole, Glenlough, Smithborough, Co. Monaghan.

NEWTOWNHAMILTON, SECOND & CREGGAN: (Reviewable Tenure – 5 Years) REV. J.K.A. McINTYRE: (Newtownhamilton, Second) Mr. Jim Copeland, 2 Old Mount Road, Newtownhamilton, Newry, BT35 0DS. (Creggan) Mr. Cyril Feely, 20 Cloughogue Road, Cullyhanna, Newry, BT35 0LS. RICHVIEW: (Part-Time (60%); Reviewable Tenure – 5 Years) REV. N.S. HARRISON: Mr. Victor Garland, 25 Abingdon Drive, Belfast, BT12 5PX. WARINGSTOWN: VERY REV. PRINCIPAL J.S. CARSON: Mr. David Crawford, 148 Avenue Road, Lurgan, BT66 7BJ. WHITEHOUSE: REV. A.V. STEWART: Mr. Maurice Finlay, 12 Whitethorn, Greenisland, BT38 8FH.

2. LEAVE TO CALL DEFERRED BELVILLE: REV D.S. HENRY: Mr. Jack Parks, 95 Dromore Road, Hillsborough, BT26 6HU. GORTNESSY: REV. P.E. LINKENS: Mr. Ross Hyndman, 32 Temple Road, Strathfoyle, Londonderry, BT47 6UB.

48

SETTLED STATED SUPPLY APPOINTED

Herald June 2018

KILREA SECOND: REV. S.A. MORROW, Minister of Moneydig TYRONE’S DITCHES: REV. J.K.A. McINTYRE, Minister of Bessbrook

3. DECLARED VACANT ABBOT’S CROSS: REV. E.J. HYNDMAN: Mr. Gary O’Rourke, 14 Abbeyhill Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0YE. AGHADOWEY & CROSSGAR: REV. DR. MARK GOUDY: (Aghadowey) Mr. William Knox, 46A Mullaghinch Road, Aghadowey, Coleraine, BT51 4AT. (Crossgar) Mr. William Reid, 87 Broomhill Park, Coleraine, BT51 3AN. AUGHNACLOY & BALLYMAGRANE: REV. N.L. SMYTH: (Aughnacloy) Dr. Cecil Givan, 230 Main Street, Lisnaskea, BT92 0JG. (Ballymagrane) Mr. Murray Robinson, 184 Caledon Road, Aughnacloy, BT69 6JD. BALLYCAIRN: REV. ROBERT LOVE: Mr. J.B. Milligan, 19 Glenariff Drive, Dunmurry, BT17 9AZ. BALLYHOBRIDGE, CLONES, NEWBLISS & STONEBRIDGE: REV. C.G. ANDERSON: (Ballyhobridge) Mr. David Jordan, Drumboghamagh, Newtownbutler, BT92 8LL. (Clones) Mr. Tom Elliott, Bellmount, Newtownbutler, BT92 6LT. (Newbliss) Mr. Thomas McConkey, Killyfuddy, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan.

(Stonebridge) Mr. Gerald Mackarel, Roughfort, Clones, Co. Monaghan.

BALTEAGH & BOVEVAGH: REV. J.G. JONES: (Balteagh) Mr. William Robinson, 46 Drumaduff Road, Maine South, Limavady, BT49 OPT. (Bovevagh) Mr. Boyd Douglas, 279 Drumrae Road, Dungiven, Co Londonderry, BT47 4NL. BELVOIR: REV. B.J. McCROSKERY: Mr. Brian Dunwoody, 19 Drumart Drive, Belfast, BT8 7ET. BURT: REV. JAMES LAMONT: Mr. James Buchanan, Heathfield, Burt, Lifford, Co. Donegal.

CAIRNALBANA & GLENARM: REV. W.F. DICKEY: (Cairnalbana) Mr. T. Montgomery, 133 Doury Road, Ballymena, BT43 6SR. (Glenarm) Rev. W.F. Dickey, 6, Ambleside, Cullybackey, BT42 1RQ. CALEDON & MINTERBURN: REV. A.D. DAVIDSON: (Caledon) Mr. Joseph Lawson, 51 Derrycourtney Road, Caledon, BT68 4UQ. (Minterburn) Mr. Alan Campbell, 46 Rehaghy Road, Aughnacloy, BT69 6EU.

Editor’s Note: Information for this page is supplied by the General Secretary’s Department.

Vacancies for Conveners of Commissions, councils and committees of the General Assembly are online at www.presbyterianireland.org/convenerships CAVANALECK & AUGHENTAINE: REV. W.D. CUPPLES: (Cavanaleck) Dr. Charles McKibbin, Cooneen Old Rectory, 9 Tattenabuddagh Lane, Fivemiletown, BT75 0NW. (Aughentaine) Mr. John McCrory, Screeby Road, Fivemiletown, BT75 0TP. CLOGHER & GLENHOY: REV. L.M. KEYS: (Clogher) Mr. David Boyd, Knockmany, Augher, BT77 0DD. (Glenhoy) Mr. Rowland Mulligan, 3 Knockgreenan Park, Omagh, BT79 0DD. CRUMLIN ROAD: VERY REV. DR. T.N. HAMILTON: Mr. J. Coleman, 2 Abbeydale Parade, Belfast, BT14 7HJ. DRUMBANAGHER, FIRST AND JERRETTSPASS & KINGSMILLS REV. B.D. COLVIN: (Drumbanager, First and Jerrettspass) Mr. George Moffett, 16 Glen Road, Jerrettspass, Newry, BT34 1SP. (Kingsmills) Mr. Raymond McCormick, 119 Kingsmills Road, Bessbrook, Newry, BT35 7BP. FORTWILLIAM & MACRORY: REV. J.K. DOHERTY: Ms. Carolyn Crowe, 84 Somerton Road, Belfast, BT15 4DD. GLENDERMOTT: REV. K.A. JONES: Mr. George Walker, 3 Beverley Gardens, Londonderry, BT47 5PJ. INCH: REV. JAMES LAMONT: Mr. James Buchanan, Heathfield, Speenoge, Burt, Co. Donegal, F93 W3K6.

KEADY, FIRST & ARMAGHBRAGUE: REV. S.M. HAMILTON: (Keady, First) Mr. Ronnie Boyd, 113 Keady Road, Armagh, BT60 3AD. (Armaghbrague) Mr. William Henry, 39 Dungormley Estate, Newtownhamilton, Newry, BT35 0HY. KEADY, SECOND & DRUMHILLERY: REV. D.J. HUTCHINSON: (Keady, Second) Mr. David Coulter, 1 College Glebe, Killylea, Armagh, BT60 4GL. (Drumhillery) Mr. George Mitchell, 55 Drumhillery Road, Middletown, Armagh, BT60 3QB. MARKETHILL, FIRST & SECOND: REV. N.J.E. REID: Mr. Ken Toal, 9 Magherydogherty Road, Markethill, BT60 1TX. MOSSIDE & TOBERDONEY: REV. A.J. BUICK: (Mosside) Mrs. Mabel Morrison, 284 Moyarget Road, Mosside, Ballymoney, BT53 8EH. (Toberdoney) Mr. Hugh Hill, 5 Castle Park, Deffrick, Ballymoney, BT53 8EW. RYANS & BROOKVALE: REV. F.J. GIBSON: (Ryans) Miss Nora Hamilton, c/o Bronte Fold, Rathfriland, BT34 6LU. (Brookvale) Mr. Norman McCrum, 49 Ballynamagna Road, Rathfriland, Newry, BT34 5PA.

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

THE ELDERSHIP Ordained & Installed: CUMBER, UPPER: Jennifer Campbell, Kenneth Haslett, Wesley Haslett, Arlene Moore HILLSBOROUGH: Elizabeth Arthur, Denise Henry, Carson McMullan, Edward Poots, Lyndsey Shields KILFENNAN: Joyce Smith, Margaret Scott, Jonny Montgomery OMAGH, FIRST: Isobel Bell, Mervyn Charles George Boyle, Godfrey Joseph Crawford, Margaret Elizabeth Mary Cummings MBE, Philip Raymond Ewing, Florence Rebecca Harper MBE, Ivan David Short, Dorothy Jayne Simpson Died: BALLYMENA, WELLINGTON: James Lamont BUCKNA: Samuel Wallace COMBER, FIRST: Dorothy Cairns COOKE CENTENARY: Lynn Patton, Audrey Stuart DERRY, FIRST: John V Arthur DROMARA, FIRST: Jim Elliott ELMWOOD: David Babcock GLENDERMOTT: Bertie McCarter LISBURN, FIRST: Cecil Kirkwood MINTERBURN: Anna Kirkland NEWTOWNBREDA: Frances Berry TOBERYDONEY: James McAlister

THE MINISTRY Ordained & Installed: David James Kelly, as Minister of Woodburn & Loughmorne, on 12 April 2018 Ordained & Inducted: Andrew Gill, as Assistant in West Church, Bangor, on 26 April 2018 Installed: David James Irvine, as Minister of Trinity Ballymoney, on 20 April 2018 Retired: Ivan Douglas Neish, as Minister of Abbot’s Cross, on 30 April 2018 Resigned: David James Irvine, as Minister of First & Second Markethill, on 19 April 2018 Robert Andrew Kane, as Minister of Aghadowey & Crossgar, on 24 April 2018 Died: Rev William Harold Gray, Minister Emeritus of Harmony Hill, on 18 April 2018

TEMPORARY STATED SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT DONEGORE, SECOND: REV. JONATHAN BOYD: Mr. Samuel Gawn, 120 Parkgate Road, Kells, Ballymena, BT42 3PQ. DUNDALK: (Home Mission) REV. T.D. HAGAN: KELLS: (Home Mission) REV. DAVID NESBITT: Ms. Ruth McCartney, Shancarnan, Moynalty, Kells, Co Meath.

A82 PF60.

MAY STREET: REV. GRAEME FOWLES: Mr. Arthur Acheson, 56 Quarry Road, Belfast, BT4 2NQ. TOBERMORE & DRAPERSTOWN: REV. DR. J.A. CURRY: (Draperstown) Mr. G. Dickson Jnr, 7 Strawmore Road, Draperstown, BT45 7JE. VINECASH: REV. DR. MICHAEL McCLENAHAN: Mr. Thomas Graham, 38 Richmount, Portadown, BT62 4JQ.

Herald June 2018

49

CLASSIFIEDS Accommodation Northern Ireland PORTSTEWART LET: Luxury 3 bedroom townhouse in private development. View property on www.northcoastholidaylets. co.uk, for more info telephone 028 90401745 or 07800 802662.

PORTSTEWART: Five bedroom semidetached chalet bungalow overlooking sea coastal road. OFCH. Non smokers. WiFi available. Tel: 028 25582525.

PORTSTEWART: Luxury 4 bedroom cottage and 5 bedroom townhouse available June-Sept. Call: 07513 826551, Email: pabloguy50@gmail.com Facebook: @campbellandcorentalproper ties Web: www.millcottages.com FERMANAGH: Fermanagh Lakeland.

‘Muckross Lodge’ Bed & Breakfast, Muckross Quay, Kesh. Situated overlooking Lough Erne. All rooms en-suite, TV, tea/coffee making facilities. Open all year. B&B £25pps, £5 single supplement. Tel: Caroline Anderson 07739 910676.

PORTSTEWART: Sea Holly Lodge. Modern luxury bungalow, presented to the highest standard, 3 bedrooms (1 en-suite) in quiet cul-de-sac. Ten minutes’ walk from promenade, garden front and rear, TV/ video, washing machine, dryer, microwave.

No smoking, no pets. Available high and low season. Tel: Tommy or Hannah Collins 028 29540645. Mobile: 07989 397942.

PORTSTEWART: A modern 3 bedroom semi-detached house presented to a high standard, with off-street parking and a fully enclosed rear garden. Near local amenities.

Available high and low season. No smoking and no pets allowed. Contact Paula: 07840 123518 or 028 79632163.

CROSSWORD Solution to No. 242

ACROSS 1 Toothache 8 Drain 9 Texas 10 Hi 11 Koi 12 Giro 13 Moab 15 Untie 16 Shelter 17 Gross 18 Scrum 19 TT 20 AD 23 Hero 24 Snappily 26 Ark 27 Nay 28 Penance

50

DOWN 2 Ostrich 3 Tax collector 4 Assam 5 Edinburgh 6 Casket 7 Anniversary 14 Oarsman 16 Stephen 18 Stray 21 Dawn 22 Spin 25 Lee

Herald June 2018

Please note: Adverts must be received in writing (email or post) by the first of the month preceding publication to guarantee inclusion. Adverts received after that date will be published if space permits. Advertising rates can be found on the website – www.presbyterianireland.org/herald – or telephone the Herald office on +44 (0)28 9032 2284 for more information.

P O R TS T E WA R T/S T R A N D R OA D : Penthouse apartment, 4 bedrooms (2 double, 1 en-suite, 2 twin) sleeps 8. Sea views to Mussenden Temple/Donegal Hills.

TV/DVD, washing machine, tumble dryer, microwave, electric showers. No smoking, no pets. Town centre 2 minutes’ walk. £395 pw. Tel: 028 90826986 evenings.

HOUSE IN PORTSTEWART for rent.

Lovely 5 bedroom (one en-suite) semidetached house. Downstairs bedroom and cloakroom. Cost £400 per week which includes oil heating and electricity. Contact Fiona 07920 016326.

MODERN 3 BEDROOM end terrace in Portstewart available for holiday let June to end of August. Close proximity to beach and town centre. Contact Denise: 07738 632366.

PORTSTEWART TO LET: Modern fully equipped and very well maintained 3 bed holiday home, close to all amenities.

Fully enclosed south facing garden with off road parking for 2 cars. £330 per week.

Tel 028 44831748 or mobile 07784 897379.

PORTSTEWART: Modern 3 bedroom house (1 en-suite). All mod cons. Situated in quiet cul-de-sac (Lisadell Mews). Corner house, very private. Large enclosed garden to rear. Walking distance to promenade and beach. Available July/August.

Tel: 07973 134576.

PORTSTEWART: 2 bedroom apartment in quiet cul-de-sac. Ten mins’ walk to promenade or beach. Available May to September. Tel: 07751 514227.

PORTSTEWART: Luxury 2 bedroom apartment. Excellent location overlooking the harbour. Holiday bookings throughout the year. Adults only. No pets. Tel: 07749 048378.

PORTSTEWART HOLIDAY HOME: Recently refurbished end of terrace house.

Enclosed back. Sleeps minimum 8. Quiet area.10 minutes’ walk from promenade.

Available high and low season. Tel: Elaine 07763 566140.

PORTSTEWART: Modern, spacious, detached 5 bedroom home, sleeps 9. 2 reception rooms, en-suite, bathroom and ground floor shower room. Beautifully finished. Private garden, separate garage. Tel: 07500 907083 or visit www.portstewartholidayhomes.com PORTSTEWART BUNGALOW TO RENT: enjoy a relaxing week on the beautiful North coast in my 3 bedroom bungalow; located in a quiet area and 5 minutes’ walk to the Promenade. Bed linens and towels provided, WiFi, washing machine, gas BBQ. Available selected weeks in June, August, September (minimum stay August – 1 week). Rates: £350-450pw contact Hilary: 07919 987729.

FOREST LODGE BED AND BREAKFAST, Hornhead, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal.

Tel: Jean Scott NI (0035374) ROI (074) 9136104 Mobile: 086 3215396. Web: www.forestlodgedonegal.com Email: info@forestlodgedonegal.com

PORTSTEWART HOLIDAY LET: Spacious family home on the coast road with beautiful uninterrupted seaview. Tel: 028 40630294.

PORTSTEWART: 3 bedroom house.

5 minute walk from promenade. Quiet residential area. Available from September for 6-9 months. Suitable for family or 2 professionals/postgraduate students.

Would consider 6-week blocks to accommodate placement students at university. Tel: David at 07740 766134.

Republic of Ireland D O N E G A L : R o s s n ow l a g h . N e w l y refurbished to high standard, two-storey house. Sleeps 7. Conveniently situated 5 minutes’ drive from Rossnowlagh beach or Murvagh beach and Donegal Golf Course. All mod cons. Bord Failte 4 star approved. Tel: Raymond Hammond NI – 00353 749734038 or 00353 879488074 ROI – 07 49734038 or 087 9488074.

Self Catering SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION: FLORIDA (villa/apartments) lake views, large swimming pool complete with sun loungers, 10 minutes from Disney. SPAIN (apartments) coastal location, sea views available. N. IRELAND (apartment) north Antrim coast, sea views/minutes from beach. Contact Gerald 07971 194211 or www.christiancoastalapartments.com

Catering HILLSBOROUGH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH will cater for groups coming to visit Hillsborough Castle, the forest park, Dobbies, Sprucefield etc. Morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, high tea. Contact Helen 028 92682664 or the church office 028 92683502.

MOIRA PRESBYTERIAN WILL cater for groups coming to visit Hillsborough Castle, the forest park, Dobbies, Sprucefield, Lisburn etc. Morning coffee; lunch; afternoon tea; high tea. Contact: Mrs. Dorothy Cantley 028 92692454.

T H E L A D I E S O F G L E N W H E R RY Presbyterian Church would be delighted to cater for your group (minimum 15).

Morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, high tea or supper. Situated between Ballymena and Larne. Please contact Wylva on 028 25892446 or 07918 105537.

Services VIDEO RECORDING: Professional service for interviews, website videos, short stories, appeals, events, weddings, corporate, church, charity. Tel Phil 07531 779502 www.reelimpressions.com

Miscellaneous MALIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: From Saturday, 14th July to Saturday, 25th August inclusive, there will be afternoon teas served in church hall from 2.30-5pm.

There will be home baking and jam for sale.

Everyone very welcome.

BIBLE BLOG: http://bibletheologyqa. blogspot.co.uk – read ‘Britain`s culture of death!’

Ross Morrow A.L.C.M., L.T.C.L.

Piano Tuning Services available throughout Ireland

Tel: +44 (0)28 9268 9468 Mobile: 07788 746992

Church AV Specialists

PA systems • Loop systems Projectors & screens • Installation & repairs alan@audiopromotions.co.uk www.audiopromotions.co.uk

07855 450887 Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church Bangor Is seeking to appoint an

Associate Minister

Further details, including an information pack, are available from Rev. David Johnston [Convener] djohnston@presbyterianireland.org

Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke

Students Welcome

From All Universities And Colleges Catered Standard Room £113 per week Catered Ensuite Room £156 per week Prices 2018/19

Price Includes: • Single Room • Heating, Hot Water and Electricity • Bed Linen and Cleaning Service • 7 day Cooked Breakfast • 7 day 3 course Evening Meal • Free Wi-Fi • On site Laundrette ‘Cyber Tub’ • Access to Library • Access to Sports Facilities • Bicycle Storage • 24 hour security on campus • Students Union • Fee Free Cash Machine

For more information or to apply contact the Halls Office on (028) 9038 4251 or email halls@stran.ac.uk

Remember your loved one in a very special way You could help make an immediate and lasting difference to families and loved ones whose lives have been devastated by chest, heart or stroke illnesses.

Please consider a donation in lieu of flowers to Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke.

Contact our Supporter Care Team on 028 9032 0184 www.nichs.org.uk Charity Registration No. NIC103593

Leaking flat roof?

NICHS_press ad_89x125_v1.indd 1

11/04/2017 19:44

Upgrade to a new

Warm Rubber Roof

Save money on heating bills and add comfort to your home Supply & Fit Service Also D I Y Kits

Haire Bros Ltd 028 7034 2696

www.hairebros.co.uk

Professional Audio Visual Installations 57 Drum Road Cookstown BT80 8QS

T: 028 8676 4059 ¦ www.reasound.com