Presbyterian Herald April 2023

APRIL 2023

SILENT GRACE AT WORK

Moderator’s Easter message

25 YEARS ON…

Reflecting on the Good Friday Agreement

150 YEARS OF THE GAMBLE LIBRARY

Special anniversary at Union

Family

Festival 2023

Extending the family of the church to others

Saturday 13 May 1.30–4pm

Crawfordsburn Scout Activity Centre

Limited Space – Book Now To find out more and book scan the QR code or go to www.presbyterianireland.org/ familyfestival

Family Festival is a new event for

families with children aged 0–11 years to come and enjoy a fun afternoon of: • outdoor activities – archery, orienteering, grass sledging, climbing wall, assault course for under 8s • crafts • games This event is part of an initiative aimed at helping congregations to further contact and strengthen links with parents and children connected with ministries such as kids’ clubs, uniformed organisations and toddlers groups etc. but who are not members and don’t regularly attend church.

Why not take this opportunity to bring a group and deepen relationships while having fun together?

CONTENTS | APRIL 2023

FEATURES 14 Going greener

Orangefield takes steps towards creation care

16 Silent grace at work Moderator’s Easter reflection

18 150 years of the Gamble Library

Anniversary at Union Theological College

31 25 years on…

Reflecting on the Good Friday Agreement

38 Beyond skimming the surface on baptism

New PCI resources on infant baptism

REGULARS 4 6 8 9 10 12 13 23 40 42 46 47

150 years of the Gamble library p18

Letters News In this month Life lessons Council news Norman Hamilton As I see it Mission Connect Reviews Life in PCI David Clarke Ruth Sanderson

25 years on… p31

Beyond skimming the surface on baptism p38

CONTRIBUTORS Joy Conkey is librarian of the Gamble Library, Union Theological College and is a member of First Portadown Presbyterian Church.

Rev David Thompson is Secretary of the Council of Congregational Life and Witness and chaplain to Glentoran Football Club.

Deborah Ford is an elder at Orangefield Presbyterian Church, where she’s involved in mission and teaching ministries.

Ruth Sanderson lives in Scotland with her husband and two daughters. She is a freelance radio/television presenter and producer.

Cover illustration by Barry Falls April 2023 No. 847 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

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 Subscriptions and Advertising: articles do not necessarily contain the official views of the Church, which can only be laid down only by the General Assembly. Acceptance of advertisements Edward Connolly; does not imply endorsement of the goods or services. Advertising will not be Elaine Huddleston included if the product or service is deemed to be in conflict with the Church’s Design and Layout: official views, or if it is inappropriate for a church magazine. It is not Herald policy Edward Connolly to include any editorial content along with adverts. The editor reserves the right Printing: to decline any advertisement or letter without assigning any reason. Letters may W & G Baird Ltd be edited for publication. No correspondence can be entered into regarding nonpublication of advertisements or letters.

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

Herald April 2023

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EDITORIAL

LETTERS Women in leadership

History

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, he described history as “a tale told by an idiot…signifying nothing.”

In contrast, as Christians, we regard history as ‘His story’, believing that it is very significant to us in the present, affirming that God is sovereign and Lord over everything – not only over what has passed, but also what is still to come.

It is often good to look back, as hindsight can afford us a fresh perspective and offer lessons that can be learned. This month we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gamble Library at Union Theological College. Librarian Joy Conkey gives us a fascinating glimpse of how the library has grown and been shaped over the years, as well as providing insight into the key people who valued books and learning and generously gave of their time and money to make the library what it is today.

This month also marks the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. This was a truly momentous occasion on this island, impacting deeply the lives of citizens and future generations. We asked a number of Presbyterians to share their thoughts, both on the time of the Agreement itself, but also how the intervening years have panned out.

Reading these reflections, it is clear that the problems were, and remain, complex. As one person put it: “…compromise and pain were always going to be part of the price.”

As we approach Easter – the greatest event in human history – Moderator Dr John Kirkpatrick offers a reflection that reminds us of the “silent grace” of Jesus as he accepted the punishment that should have been ours. In Revelation we read of Jesus being described as “the lamb”, depicting this sacrifice he made, but we also read of him as “the lion”, testifying to his power and strength.

In C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the character of Aslan perfectly portrays Jesus’ sacrifice and strength: “They heard from behind them a loud noise – a great cracking, deafening noise… The Stone Table was broken into two pieces by a great crack that ran down it from end to end… There, shining in the sunrise, larger than they had seen him before, shaking his mane (for it has apparently grown again) stood Aslan himself.”

Aslan tells the other characters that “when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor’s stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards.”

This Easter we can give thanks for the sacrificial courage of our Lord Jesus Christ and that through his glorious resurrection, our salvation is freely given and also secure.

Happy Easter.

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Herald April 2023

Dear Editor I would like to congratulate you and your team for the excellent presentation in the February edition on the Herald’s 80th anniversary. In particular, the recording of some of the articles over the years was fascinating.

Considering the statement made by the ModeratorDesignate, Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney, on women ministers, the article in July/ August 1973 on ‘Women in the Ministry’ is timely and mildly sardonic.

The fact that 18 out of the 21 presbyteries voted in favour of the proposal that “Women shall be eligible for nomination as students for the ministry and for ordination thereto,” is truly significant.

One of the questions from the Code 205 (4) V is: “Do you believe the Presbyterian form of Church government to be founded on and agreeable to the Word of God; and do you promise to adhere to and to support it, and to yield submission in the Lord to the courts of his Church?”

This was a promise I made as a ruling elder – surely this promise applies equally to all who are ordained, especially ministers?

Dr Mawhinney’s statement has resulted in great consternation and hurt by many. As a father to a daughter, who I love deeply

and who has been called by God and ordained by PCI, I feel deeply saddened by the hurt which has been caused and the detrimental effect upon PCI; more importantly, the Lord must also be grieving.

At this time in which we now live, there is so much turmoil and hurt. Surely it is time to keep our promises and support and encourage each other – working together for the good of the kingdom and keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour who himself experienced unspeakable pain and suffering because of his amazing grace, humility and love for each one of us.

Ian Williams Waringstown Dear Editor Thank you for a most interesting edition in February.

It was wonderful to look back over 80 years of the Herald!

I am writing in response to a short article which was republished in February from March 1964: ‘An excess of men’.

I am thankful that almost 60 years on from when that piece was written, there has been progress in terms of women becoming ministers and elders, however this progress appears to have perhaps stalled in recent years.

I felt troubled that during his first BBC TV interview regarding his election, the Moderator-Designate, Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney gave his personal view of opposition to the ordination of women. PCI

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

policy is clear that women are welcome to be ordained for ministry and eldership. Rev Liz Hughes rightly said on Radio Ulster on 9 February that we should be inviting women to come forward for leadership and women need to be seen exercising the gifts they have for ministry: “PCI needs to openly and intentionally invite and welcome women into leadership with as much warmth and encouragement as it does men.”

I echo J.R. Boyd’s reference to Galatians 3:28 in his article from 1964: “…at the heart of our Christian faith lies the great affirmation that, in Jesus Christ, and because of his work, there is neither male nor female.” I pray for progress and that in the near future, PCI will be able to benefit from more women ministers and elders and hopefully also a female Moderator.

Name and address supplied Dear Editor The portrayal of various front covers in the February issue of the Herald over its past 80 years was a novel way to celebrate and commemorate this milestone in the history of our Church’s magazine. The issues current during this long period of time and the views expressed in past editions make for interesting reading.

Interestingly, and by mere coincidence, I came across a copy of the May 2005 issue of the Herald which featured on its cover a photograph of the then Moderator-Designate, Rev Harry Uprichard, together with his statement: “It’s good to belong to a broad Church”.

The reported recent comment by the present Moderator-Designate, Dr Mawhinney, to the effect that he is not in favour of the ordination of women in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland casts doubt

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.

in my mind as to whether we are indeed a broad church. At variance I may say from our sister (or mother) Church of Scotland which has seen fit to appoint women as Moderators on a number of occasions.

Name and address supplied Dear Editor Having enjoyed the selection of articles from the 80 years of the Herald, I was shocked and disappointed to find the article from July/August 1973 regarding ‘Women in the ministry’. I realise the intention may have been to reflect a range of opinions but felt it was entirely unnecessary to include Rev Gillies words that can only be described as hurtful and insulting to women. I will not repeat the mistake by quoting them here, but feel this was an editorial error of judgement to include such extreme and misogynistic opinions that have no place in a community of faith. Surely there must have been so many other opinions that could have been chosen for the 80 years. It may have been to demonstrate how things have changed but being reminded that some genuinely held these awful views in the past is not helpful. I am not surprised that the media recently challenged the ModeratorDesignate over his views, leading to more unnecessary controversy and hurt when the gospel message should have been the focus.

Shirley Lennon Downpatrick Dear Editor I am a long-time member of the PCI, currently worshipping in Gilnahirk Presbyterian, and was disappointed to learn that the Moderator-Designate, yet again, has a negative attitude towards the role of women in the Church, i.e. ordination in leadership roles in the Church.

Topical Tweets @PCIModerator Oct 7 2022 is mostly forgotten by everyone... except those touched by the Creeslough explosion. It was my privilege to spend time listening to some living with and caring for the community. @Christianitymag Removing references to God from Brownie campfire song ‘Brownie bells’ is the latest attempt by the girlguiding movement to erase their Christian roots. @Tearfund We’re thrilled to see people around the world joining the #RubbishCampaign. In Bolivia, 38 young people have been campaigning and raising awareness of the plastics crisis.

You can take action today too by signing the petition: tearfund.org/rubbishpetition @peterlynas Turns out holding orthodox Christian beliefs and explaining them with generosity and clarity is popular with the public in Scotland – go Kate Forbes – confounding almost everyone! @EANInews Today we celebrated Christian women of faith and influence for #IWD23 We were thrilled to have a room full of women and our special panel as we considered how we live out our faith in the public square. Check out Instagram, stories for more.

In past years, the General Assembly has maintained the position of supporting ordination of women as elders and teaching elders while leaving a door open for those who feel it is inappropriate for women to serve in these spheres. The number of women entering training in our Theological College has also stayed at a low level.

There are currently (as listed in the February 2023 Herald) 38 vacant congregations with a further 18 congregations with “leave to call granted”, making

a total of 56 congregations waiting for new leadership. We live in challenging times and as a Church need to turn some new pages over in order to provide for our local churches.

Hilary Gowdy Co Down Dear Editor I am writing as a full member of PCI to voice my concerns regarding remarks made by Moderator-Designate Rev

Continued on page 6

Herald April 2023

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NEWS | IN THE ROUND

LETTERS Dr Sam Mawhinney during a recent interview with BBC NI. It would not be an understatement to express my shock and dismay at what he said regarding women in ministry. His comments will undoubtedly have caused hurt to many women who are ordained as ministers, but also to women who are ordained as elders. Many congregations would struggle without the faithful service of so many dedicated Christian women.

How dispirited and demeaned they must feel.

As he undertakes the office of the most senior position in the Church, I hope Dr Mawhinney will reflect on the hurt that this has caused.

Name and address supplied

General comment unhelpful Dear Editor While I share W.J. Arrell’s concerns about the state of the Church (February 2023), I am disturbed by the tone of some of his remarks. “Some ministers and leaders need to reconnect with their flocks, rediscover their work ethic and concentrate more on their responsibilities than their rights and entitlements.”

I wonder has he in the spirit of Matthew 18:15 approached such ministers privately to speak the truth in love to them. I wonder anyway who those ministers are. I genuinely cannot think of any in active duty in this time of crisis to whom such criticism should apply. A heart-to-heart conversation, however difficult, would likely be of great help and encouragement, but such a general comment does the opposite and is likely to hinder the revival which is longed for.

Rev John Faris Carnalea

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Herald April 2023

Post-ordination training Dear Editor I am writing to raise some concerns regarding the way post-ordination training is being conducted and implemented within PCI. Sadly, it has been my experience through four years of post-ordination training, that those responsible for selecting and inviting trainers have in their praxis failed to support the Church’s clear position, reiterated recently by the Clerk of General Assembly.

We are a church that ordains men and women. Surely, our training should reflect this long and settled position? But it does not.

There has never been during my years of post-ordination training a keynote speaker who is an ordained female minister. Even the people invited to lead worship sessions have likewise always been men, some ordained, some not. It is hard to avoid the conclusion that those organising the training do not in praxis uphold the Church’s position that men and women are full ministers of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

It is my understanding that at least one of these speakers holds a strongly complementarian view and publicly teaches this position, which is clearly in opposition to the longstanding and settled position of PCI. It begs the question why those responsible for organising training continue to look to speakers with this viewpoint?

Extending such an invitation, when there are so many other rich theological pools to draw from, is surprising to say the least. It suggests to me, a lack of intention to proactively seek out teachers who can with integrity represent our Church’s stated position.

Rev Susan Moore Donegal

Moderator in Dublin and Munster The Moderator, Dr John Kirkpatrick, completed his tour of PCI’s Presbytery of Dublin and Munster. During the visit, he welcomed the opportunity to meet An Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, and Minister Heather Humphreys TD, along with Rev William Hayes, minister of Tullamore Presbyterian Church and convener of PCI’s Republic of Ireland panel.

He also visited two schools during the tour. He joined Howth Road Mixed National School’s fifth and sixth years during their RE class; and also met St Andrew’s College’s student council, along with Rev Alastair Dunlop, minister of Howth and Malahide Presbyterian Church, who is one of two Presbyterian ministers on the board of governors.

His final engagement of the tour was when he joined members of Maynooth Presbyterian Church, one of PCI’s newest congregations, for an historic moment in the life of the County Kildare congregation and the all-Ireland denomination itself, when he officially turned the first sod for their first purpose-built church.

(L–R) Heather Humphreys TD; Dr John Kirkpatrick; Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD; and Rev William Hayes.

Dr John Kirkpatrick and Rev Alastair Dunlop with members of St Andrew’s College’s student council.

Dr John Kirkpatrick turns the first sod for Maynooth Presbyterian Church, along with Maynooth’s minister, Rev Dr Keith McCrory.

IN THE ROUND | NEWS PCI’s statement on ordained ministry PCI has issued a statement regarding the ordained ministry of the denomination.

Regarding the formal position of the Church, Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, commented: “The clear, longstanding and settled position of our General Assembly is that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland ordains men and women on equal basis.”

Mr Gribben continued: “This means that in a local congregation both men and women can be, and often are, elected to the position of elder.

Likewise, at denominational level, both men and women can apply to be students for the ministry, trained in our College and become eligible to be ordained as full ministers of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. While this is the clear policy of our denomination, on this particular issue the Church permits those who genuinely and sincerely differ from its position to hold a different personal view. Nonetheless the Church’s position is clear.”

Shooting of an offduty police officer Following last month’s shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, in Omagh, County Tyrone, the Moderator, Dr John Kirkpatrick, described the attempt on his life as an “outrage” and an “awful and appalling act”.

Dr Kirkpatrick said, “It is difficult to find the words to describe the sense of anger and outrage felt by so many at this awful and appalling act. Serving the community by day then serving the community off duty coaching young people, we lift Detective Chief Inspector Caldwell up in prayer, praying also for his family, his colleagues and the children who witnessed this horror. We owe a great debt to those who serve in the Police Service to keep us, and our way of life, safe. May he, his family and colleagues know the love, strength and comfort of the Lord Jesus Christ at this time and how what the PSNI does day in and day out is much valued.”

Tim Rowlands is announced as new head of Evangelical Alliance in Wales

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The 108th Irish National Christian Endeavour Convention will be held on Saturday 23 September 2023. Hosted by the Belfast Union, it will be held in the T3 Conference Centre, Vic-Ryn, Lisburn. Rev Roland Watt will speak on the theme ‘Jesus is Lord of all’.

Roland worked as a teacher previously but then felt called to the ministry. While serving in Immanuel Presbyterian Church, on Agnes Street, Belfast, he witnessed the benefit and value of the work of Christian Endeavour (CE).

It was here that the first CE in Ireland began in 1889, through the work of Sunday school teacher, Margaret Magill.

Now serving in Killymurris, in rural County Antrim, Roland is looking forward to speaking at the Convention; his desire is that all that will be said and done will be for “Christ and the church”.

Cost-of-living crisis is worsening for disabled people in Northern Ireland According to research by the disability charity Sense, since the start of the year, the financial situation has worsened for four in five (83%) of disabled people in Northern Ireland, with more than half (55%) now in debt.

Across the UK, nearly half (46%) of all disabled people are skipping meals to save money, with one in five (21%) regularly using food banks. More than half (59%) say they are struggling to afford to keep their home warm, with one in four (29%) cutting back on using essential equipment to save money In response, the charity has announced that it will distribute £200,000 in emergency financial support to disabled households this month, adding to the half-a-million pounds it distributed last year.

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IN BRIEF

New all-Ireland Mothers’ Union chaplain The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Rev John McDowell, has appointed the Archdeacon of Connor, the Ven Dr Stephen McBride, as the all Ireland chaplain to the Mothers’ Union.

Announcing the appointment, the Archbishop said: “The Mothers’ Union has been at the heart of the worship and witness of the Church of Ireland for more than a century, and under the enthusiastic guidance of June Butler and the present leadership team continues to serve the Church with cheerfulness, modesty and devotion.

“I can think of no better person than Dr Stephen McBride to support and nurture this spirit of involvement and dedication (and fun) at the heart of the Church, so well supported by his wife Helen.”

The Evangelical Alliance has announced that Tim Rowlands will be joining the staff team as the head of the Evangelical Alliance in Wales from 1 April, supporting the church in Wales in its local mission and amplifying its voice into wider society and government.

Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance, commended the appointment saying: “I’m delighted that Tim is joining us to serve and support the church in Wales.

He is an experienced church leader who knows first-hand how the church can engage politically and culturally in Wales.”

Born and raised in North Wales, Tim is an ordained Assemblies of God minister.

Rev Roland Watt to speak at Irish National Christian Endeavour Convention

Herald April 2023

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IN THIS MONTH...

April 1987

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

Where shall I place the cross?

Tom Patterson (former Moderator)

1987 will, in all probability, be looked on as ‘election year’. Even without an election, tensions run high, especially in Northern Ireland… A reasonable and balanced assessment will be difficult as we take stock of our situation.

Emotions run high over the Anglo-Irish Agreement…

It is all important to keep continually in mind our identity in Christ. He is our Lord and our allegiance to him comes before all else and in all else is paramount… It is not enough to cast our vote and leave it at that. We are involved in our community for good or ill. The party and the candidate become our responsibility in that by our vote we have put them in the front line. We must demand of them that they will see that justice is done, action is taken to help the deprived and that every effort is made to bring about reconciliation…

In the end, how we cast our vote is a personal matter. We have to make up our own mind in light of our obedience to Jesus Christ and then act on our decision. We cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated, while we respect the convictions of others. Our prayer in this, as in every other decision we make, should be that the Holy Spirit will lead us in the right way.

Towards a new lifestyle Peter Duffin

Conflict sounds like something to be avoided. It can’t be. Not in a home, nor in a business or a country. There’s always somebody who sees the thing differently. The challenge is not to avoid conflict but to handle it in a Christian way. Conflict is what we have in Ireland and in Ulster. Is it any wonder? We have northern Protestants and northern Roman Catholics as well as southern Roman Catholics and southern Protestants, all living in a relatively small space. Each grouping has its own traditions, values, expectations and aspirations. Outsiders can’t blame us for the conflict: it’s there.

They can point the finger when we handle it so poorly…

Where problems are complex, it is hard to think clearly, let alone Christianly.

Words and actions of recent years make things even more difficult. It becomes possible to regard the murder of a ‘Catholic’ differently from the murder of a ‘Protestant’, or to immediately discredit someone because of their label, be it DUP or SDLP… We all need help to get beyond our instinctive, ‘tribal’ reactions…

Eternity as portrayed in Revelation sounds like a recipe for conflict: “I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.” How will we ever cope with that lot? Of course, our hope is that we are not only being changed now, but will be changed hereafter…

Also from April ’87 8

Herald April 2023

Duchess of Windsor’s jewels auctioned for £31,380,197

The first The Simpsons cartoon short is shown on The Tracey Ullman Show

As I see it Alf McCreary

“We confess that as churches we are stumbling pilgrims, unable to accept each other as God accepts us, preferring our partial histories to the wholeness of creation, sometimes intolerant, often witnessing to a faded past and not the living Lord.”

These striking words were spoken

by Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich at the interdenomination service for church unity, in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, earlier this year. The fact that they were spoken by the Cardinal was coincidental – it was merely his turn to move to the microphone in a service which was shared by Roman Catholic and Protestant clergy, including the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Dr John Thompson. Some Protestants might find the above words particularly applicable to Cardinal Ó Fiaich and the Roman Catholic Church. That would be a very narrow view. The words of penitence and the admission of wrongs, past and present, apply to all of us…

Texaco files for bankruptcy

PERSONAL VIEW

Life lessons Joy Conkey

Librarian of Union Theological College I am the youngest of five children born to Samuel and Rosemary Conkey. Since dad was a minister in the Presbyterian Church, we moved a number of times. I was born in Dungannon and have lived in Ballygawley, Belfast and Raffrey. After training as a primary school teacher, I taught for six years in various primary schools around County Armagh.

Then I took a break from teaching and got a job as a library assistant in Banbridge Public Library. I really enjoyed it and decided to retrain as a librarian. I have now been librarian at Union Theological College for four and a half years.

The Gamble Library’s collections are constantly growing and adapting to keep pace with changes in technology. We started investing in e-books in 2015 and now have over 910 in our collection. Our staff and students can also access several key databases and our 11 electronic journals.

The Gamble Library holds a number of special collections including a rare book collection with items dating back to the late 16th century, the Magee and Assembly’s Pamphlet Collection and the Presbyterian Mission Archive. The preservation of these collections for future generations, using limited resources, will be challenging. The promotion of these and our other collections will require persistence and creativity.

The internet presents an opportunity to reach a wider audience.

One of the online exhibitions I created on the first parliament of Northern Ireland and the College has received over 3,300 views.

When my mother was very ill in 2020, I was very aware that people were praying for her and our whole family. I prayed for her often, as did the rest of the family. We had to depend on God, not really knowing what would happen. Often when we are forced to depend on God, we feel closer to him and know his sufficient grace.

I am very grateful for parents who taught me the Bible from a very early age and lived out their faith before me. They took God at his word and believed his promises. Through their faithful witness, I came to trust in Christ at around eight years of age. Since I was a minister’s daughter, I had the opportunity to be involved in church work and share my faith, which has helped me to grow as a Christian. I try to honour the Lord and follow him faithfully every day.

My favourite hymn is Be Thou My Vision, because it encourages us to look to the Lord, our “best thought”, who should come first in our hearts. It shows how useless, second-rate and unsatisfying everything else is in comparison with him. If we truly grasped the reality of this, our lives and priorities would look very different!

I enjoy walking around parks with friends, especially when the long walk ends in a coffee shop. I also enjoy knitting, crocheting, baking, embroidery, and of course reading.

I love the fact that people of all ages, from all different backgrounds and cultures, can truly be one in Christ. When I was in my teens and early twenties, I was involved in United Beach Missions and its sister organisation, Young Life. At an Easter camp, one of the most moving memories I have is listening to people from all over the world saying, “He is risen,” in their own language on Easter Sunday morning. The best teams I have been on have been united in the glorious gospel of Christ Jesus and enthusiastic about telling others about it.

‘What is for you will not go past you’ is probably the best advice I have been given.

I have had many disappointments in life, but ultimately I have learnt that God is in control and faithful. He knows best and you should trust and obey him because he is working out his best plans for you.

My greatest achievement was when I won the CILIPS Annual Student Award for I went to Sorrento in 2018 with two The Moderator signing the visitors book achieving the highest grades of all Master’s friends. The scenery was absolutely beautiful in Information and Library Studies students studying at around the Bay of Naples. We also went to a gelateria one Scottish universities in 2013. I was presented with the award by evening and learned how to make sorbet. It was very tasty, as the president of CILIPS in front of a packed conference hall. was the vast majority of food we had in restaurants. Italians take food seriously and the results are well worth sampling!

Herald April 2023

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NEWS | PCI

Events

Find out more on www.presbyterianireland.org

News

Impact Impact summer teams are an opportunity for over 16s to be together with others of their own age for a residential week of worship, learning and serving God alongside local congregations across Ireland.

Teams will gather each morning for worship and Bible study, then go to serve alongside a local congregation in different outreach activities. The young people will grow in leadership ability and in confidence in being a witness for Jesus.

The locations for 2023 are: • Belfast hub: 22–29 July • Londonderry hub: 29 July–5 August • First Monaghan: 5–12 August • Seskinore: 12–19 August • Co Cavan: 12–19 August To find out more or apply go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/impact

PCI’s Apprentice Scheme offers individuals and congregations the chance to either give or receive mentorship and training in a congregational environment. There are several opportunities through this scheme: Serve: If you are 18 years and above, an active member of your church, seeking to grow and serve, wanting to be supported in exploring and developing your gifts, an apprenticeship is ideal for you.

Recruit: If your congregation would like to profile an apprentice opportunity on our website, provide a short profile by 28 April 2023.

Host: Find out more about having an apprentice and facilitating a good programme for both participants and your congregation.

Train: An accompanying training programme for apprentices, jointly designed and delivered by the Council for Congregational Life and Witness and the Institute for Ministry at Union Theological College, begins with a two-day intensive training session at the end of August 2023, and will then be delivered one Friday each month until May 2024.

To find out more go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/apprentice

Resources

April

Family Festival The new PCI Family Festival offers congregations an opportunity to invite families who love their children being part of activities like toddler groups, uniformed organisations and kids’ clubs, but aren’t really involved in the rest of the life of the church, to something at which they can experience more of the larger family of the church.

The Family Festival will offer a varied programme of fun outdoor activities, crafts and games for families with children aged 0–11.

Why not gather and sign up as many families as you can from around your congregation to be part of the festival, or bring your family and invite another family to come along with you?

It takes place on Saturday 13 May at the Crawfordsburn Scout Centre, beginning at 1.30pm (participants can come and bring a picnic).

Then the organised activities will run from 2–4pm.

The cost is £5 per person (under-2s are free) For further details and to book go to: www. presbyterianireland.org/familyfestival

Onward

Lisneal College, Londonderry – Saturday 1 The new PCI Digital Worship Hub is a resource for those who plan and conduct worship. It has suggestions of a variety of songs, including psalm settings and for worship in seasons such as Easter, as well as other material. It will be updated regularly. To access the new Worship Hub go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/worshiphub

Herald April 2023

May Family Festival

Crawfordsburn Scout Centre, Co Down – Saturday 13

July/Aug Impact

Newsletter To stay connected and up to date with the latest resources, events and training for your congregation’s life and witness, sign up to our E-quip e-zine at www.presbyterianireland.org/equip

Pictured below are a group of Home Mission minsters who met for a gathering in Athlone in March for a mix of personal refreshment, shared learning and ministry envisioning.

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DIARY DATES

Belfast – 22–29 July Londonderry – 29 July–5 Aug First Monaghan – 5–12 August Seskinore – 12–19 August Co Cavan – 12–19 August

2023 Easter dawn services On Easter Sunday each year, across various outdoor locations as the day dawns, Presbyterians will come together to celebrate and worship the risen Lord Jesus.

With the earliest services beginning at 6am on Sunday 9 April (weather dependent of course), they vary in format, involving praise, prayer, scripture readings and a short address. This is a tradition that goes back many generations – some even offer a tasty breakfast afterwards.

For details and venues please visit: www.presbyterianireland.org/ easterdawn

NEWS | PCI IN FOCUS | Women’s ministry

Being

Transformed

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resbyterian Women (PW) is looking forward to its annual conference on 4 May 2023 when women from across Ireland will gather together to hear from God’s Word, to worship in song and to celebrate all that God is doing in his church. We are delighted that Erin McBride, Emma Smith and band will be leading us in praise and worship.

We will be launching our new theme for 2023/24, ‘Being Transformed’, based on Romans 12:2. ‘Being Transformed’ is the essence of our journey with Christ, one that should lead us to become more like him in everything we do. This takes time and has to be constantly worked on for the rest of our lives on Earth. In his letter to the Romans, Paul reminded his readers that we should not conform to the pattern of the world but, instead, we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds. He promises that, when we do this, we will be able “to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

We are delighted that Ali Calvin, a well-known speaker and current rector of Christ Church, Kilkeel, will be our guest speaker. Please pray for her as she prepares to unpack God’s Word with us and as she helps us understand more of what it means to be transformed in Christ. Ali will speak at the first session at 2pm and again at the evening celebration at 7.30pm.

Recently, we caught up with Ali and asked her what she is looking forward to at the PW conference in May. She said, “My deepest prayer is that we will know God’s presence with us. When we unpack his Word with hearts open to his Spirit there is no limit to what he can do. I pray that he will break chains that bind, open prison doors, set captives free, heal broken hearts and call us deeper into

his heart and purpose. We’re daughters of the King! I’m looking forward to entering his courts with you.”

We also asked her to share about a time in her life when she believed God was transforming her.

“I think God is continually transforming us from one degree of glory to another, constantly renewing our minds and giving us new encounters with himself. The main moment of transformation was obviously the night I asked Jesus into my heart, but there have been many others along the way.”

At the conference there will also be an opportunity to hear about our new Special Projects for 2023/24 and meet with representatives from REACH Mentoring, Biblical Counselling Ireland and SAT-7.

It’s our prayer that God will meet with each woman who comes and that he will pour out his blessing as we gather together in worship.

Please note that this is a non-ticketed event and it is open to women of all ages and stages. See you soon!

Thursday 4 May 2pm and repeated again at 7.30pm Assembly Buildings, Belfast This is a non-ticketed event, so all welcome.

Pauline Kennedy (women’s ministry and PW development officer)

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TALKING POINTS

The problem of poverty Norman Hamilton discusses the reality of poverty in our communities and the responsibility on all of us to help.

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overty is no longer the top story on the TV news, so it important discussion on the relationship between evangelism is easy to forget that the distress, pain and consequences and social responsibility. What was true then, is surely just as of poverty are just as real now as when they dominated true now. He wrote: the daily headlines.

“Social activity not only follows evangelism as its Recently, Nichola Mallon (former Minister in the Stormont consequence and aim, and precedes it as its bridge, but also Executive) gave a short talk, in which, speaking personally, she accompanies it as its partner. They are like the two blades of ranged across most of the causes of poverty, knowing them as a pair of scissors or the two wings of a bird. This partnership she does from her time in government. It was a very challenging is clearly seen in the public ministry of Jesus, who not only and deeply troubling address, hosted by Contemporary preached the gospel but fed the hungry and healed the sick. In Christianity, a local Christian think tank which I have the his ministry, proclamation and service went hand in hand. His privilege to chair. words explained his works, and his works dramatised his words.

She drew our attention (again) to the fact that there are Both were expressions of his compassion for people, and both 330,000 people in poverty in Northern Ireland, of whom over should be of ours. Both also issue from the lordship of Jesus, for 100,000 are children, and asked: “How did we let this happen?”, he sends us out into the world both to preach and to serve. If when we are in one of the most developed we proclaim the good news of God’s love, economies in the world. She reminded we must manifest his love in caring for the …we need to have a us that poverty is caused by many factors, needy. Indeed, so close is this link between proper public debate on proclaiming and serving, that they actually including, among other things, poor housing (which in turn affects health); poor our values and priorities overlap. education for many young people (which “This is not to say that they should be in turn limits job and career opportunities); as a modern society. identified with each other, for evangelism low-paid employment (which makes is not social responsibility, nor is social everyday living very challenging); the lack of family support and responsibility evangelism. Yet, each involves the other.” help with parenting; and the weakness of ‘early years’ support When Nichola Mallon asked in her talk how have we allowed for children (which too often gets them off to a poor start in the levels of poverty in our midst to happen, might one answer life). What then ought we to do? be that Christian people have not followed through properly on One of her key suggestions was that we need to have a proper John Stott’s picture of the “two blades of a pair of scissors or the public debate on our values and priorities as a modern society. two wings of a bird”?

That is my own view. I suggest we have abdicated much That struck a chord in my own thinking and my own soul – responsibility, and left too much of the challenge of public for the Bible is full of guidance as to what those values might righteousness to our politicians and to the state. What do you be. I think of Micah’s call: “He has shown you, O mortal, what believe the Lord might be calling us to be and do in the current is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly poverty quagmire? and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

(If you would like a copy of Nichola Mallon’s 20-minute talk in Proverbs 31:8–9 could not be clearer: “Speak up for those a high-quality video recording, it would be a privilege to send it who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are to you, for free, on a USB stick. Simply text your details to me on destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the 07570 407094. Thank you.) poor and needy.”

We all know the example and the calls of Jesus in relation to those in need, and the importance spelled out in the rest of the New Testament of having a truly generous and gracious spirit.

For me, in terms of what the values and priorities are that we should be seeking in our land – North and South – I suggest Norman Hamilton that they are well captured in both the call and the warning of Proverbs 14:34: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton is a former condemns any people.”

Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Just over 40 years ago, Rev John Stott led a massively Ireland.

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AS I SEE IT...

More must be done for the climate crisis Joe Furphy

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bout 20 years ago I wrote a Herald article on the world are not acting quickly enough to stop or retard the subject of climate change and in it I considered what adverse effects of climate change. This is particularly noticeable changes were likely to occur in three parts of the in the case of coastal protection, where it seems to me that the world – East Africa, the Ganges Delta and the Pacific voluntary environmental organisations have led the way. This islands – concentrating on the effects on the human populations. they have done both in terms of actions to reduce the impact of I think the time is ripe to have a look at what has happened in sea level rise and of generating publicity to inform the public, those areas since. with the aim of persuading them to not only use their political East Africa is currently experiencing a prolonged period of leverage to bring about direct action at government level but drought – for several years in places – inevitably leading to crop also set an example of reducing the environmental impact of failures with truly massive, devastating consequences. The scale their lifestyle. It is also clear that younger generations feel more of human suffering and loss of life is horrendous, and, sad to say, strongly than their elders on this subject, understandably so as this all largely passes by with barely a mention in our media. they are set to live through the most damaging effects of climate In my earlier article I referred to the risk of flooding in the change. Although many people question the morality of students Ganges Delta in Bangladesh, where many missing class to attend protest rallies, the millions live in desperately poor housing very fact they happen is an indication of The scale of human only a few feet above the normal water the students’ worries and their desires to levels in that gigantic water basin. Threat of suffering and loss of life impact political change. inundation is always present, but at times, is horrendous…

In recent times, churches generally as happened recently, rapidly rising water have been expressing their concerns as to levels cover vast areas, cutting off escape routes; the resultant, the future consequences of climate change. Some have acted and considerable, number of deaths will never be known. dynamically, including the Church of Scotland, whose material Even at the time I wrote before, it was already clear that on the internet regularly includes prayers and materials for many of the low-lying islands in the Pacific Ocean were set services covering many aspects of the climate crisis. However, to be completely inundated by rising sea levels and the New the main Christian environmental bodies feel that churches Zealand government had begun to move some populations to could still do a lot more to relate environmental issues to biblical the mainland. We have learnt little of the current situation there, teaching. but recently I heard a man on the radio describing how he had Several of the predictions are quite scary, particularly in the recently sailed his yacht over a stretch of water where 10 years case of an island like Ireland, where even small sea level rises previously an island had been! can, and will, have a catastrophic effect on coastal communities In Ireland, we have generally been unaffected by the major and transport networks. But there is still hope that politicians effects of climate change, but changes are taking place – the worldwide will waken up to the realities of the situation majority of them predicted by climate scientists 40 years ago. and act with true determination. And why don’t we make A slow, general warming of the atmosphere has brought with representations through our church channels quoting biblical it increasing rainfall; for many of us, it is the increase in storms, reasons as to why we should be making every effort to secure the with their greater wind strengths, particularly in autumn and future of our planet? There are plenty of phrases we can quote. winter, that indicates that something is afoot. The rise in summer Deuteronomy gives many examples of how we should manage temperatures brings its own problems. our detailed relationship with the soil, our crops and livestock.

In the natural world there are many clearly observed changes Above all, there is Christ’s command to love our neighbour as – insects and birds formerly only rarely seen are now regularly ourself – is the displaced person in Ethiopia, Bangladesh or a with us and indeed some of them are now classified as residents; Pacific island not one of our neighbours? Also, the Psalms tell us: conversely, tens of thousands of wildfowl that used to migrate in “The earth is the Lord’s.” Can we make this our mantra? winter from eastern Europe no longer do so, because lakes there do not now freeze over. Fish are moving north as the sea warms Joe Furphy, an elder in Lowe Memorial, was for many years a – birds that feed on them are having difficulty finding enough member of the PCI Environmental panel and on the committee of food for their chicks.

EcoCongregationIreland.

There is a general impression that governments across the

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CONGREGATIONAL STORY

Going

Photograph courtesy of Tearfund

greener

Deborah Ford outlines Orangefield Presbyterian Church’s steps towards creation care.

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e all know we’re living through an unprecedented environmental crisis – but how does this impact the life and ministry of your average urban congregation? The answer in Orangefield until recently? Not very much, to be quite honest. We give thanks, of course, for the land at harvest; we know God’s plan in Genesis 1. But when the nearest we get to the soil is our shrink-wrapped shopping from Tesco or Lidl, it’s hard to make those vital connections between care for God’s world and our daily routines. An intriguing quotation from the Ulster Farmers’ Union is: “There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.”

Does the convenience of modern urban living carry innate spiritual dangers: ingratitude; thoughtlessness; selfdependence?

Certainly, environmental issues never used to feature in Orangefield’s mission statements and business agendas.

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The catalyst for change came from our relationships in mission overseas.

Through links with Cambodia, India and East Africa, we’d long been convinced of the need for integral mission, but it was a new partnership with Tearfund Rwanda in 2021 that softened our hearts and sharpened our spirits.

Mention Rwanda and you inevitably think of genocide; reconciliation continues to be a major aspect of the church’s work there. But by far the biggest challenge for Rwanda today is man-made climate change.

“The impact is huge, and complicates our work in so many ways,” says Tearfund’s Rwanda country director, Emmanuel Murangira. “There are so many changes in the seasons and rainfall patterns. The dry periods last longer. In

Does the convenience of modern urban living carry innate spiritual dangers…?

2021 many people died because there’d been no rain for two years, and so they missed two harvests. When it does rain, it’s so strong that it causes landslides, eroding the topsoil and destroying water resources and crops. When it floods, you lose everything. There’s no money left, and no harvest either: you’re back to being below the poverty line.”

To put this in context, over 70% of Rwandans are subsistence farmers. 39% of the population live below the poverty line and 16% live in ‘extreme poverty’ (lacking even essential goods and services). Climate change is making the already desperate poorer, hungrier, and even less able to access health care and education, and so the vicious circle continues.

“In essence,” says Emmanuel, “climate change is destroying all the benefits of development work. Pray that what we have achieved is not undermined. We need lifestyle changes to be lighter and kinder on the planet.”

When you hear stuff like this, you dare not view creation care as an optional extra for those who happen to like that

sort of thing. You start to see it for what it really is: a fundamental outworking of Jesus’ command to love our neighbours as ourselves; a non-negotiable obedience.

For Orangefield, this was a kairos opportunity, not only to bless and learn from the Rwandan Church, but also to make creation care an integral part of our own discipleship, recognising that our daily choices radically impact our brothers and sisters overseas.

And so, we began to map out the first steps of a ‘creation care journey’ for Orangefield.

From the outset, two things were very clear. Firstly, this had to be more than just a token gesture. We could easily dish out personal eco tips and challenges to get people talking for a couple of weeks, but if creation care was to become an integral part of our living for Jesus, we really needed to grasp the biblical framework underlying all of this. Secondly, committing to creation care with integrity would mean moving beyond the purely individual response and letting this inform our congregational policy at every level. This would require some radical thinking, and quite a bit of sacrifice.

Our first step, then, was to explain the ‘why’. We wanted to make it clear that God’s Word was our authority; we weren’t just following the latest trend.

We began teaching creation care through topical sermons, but also in our regular preaching of the Scriptures, together with testimonies and interviews. Summary statements and points for taking away were then drip-fed through our social media channels.

We were very conscious that while the Bible and the green agenda have many points of contact, their start and end points are radically different. It was vital, therefore, not just to focus on a few proof texts, but to set creation care within the big story of the Scriptures – creation, fall, redemption and renewal: God who is reconciling ‘the whole world’ to himself in Jesus Christ. Above all, amidst all the doom scrolling, we wanted to instil some Spirit-filled hope. While we’re to be responsible tenants and stewards, the future of this world isn’t all up to us. God has created a world that he judges “very good”; he has promised never to give up on it; he came to it in human form; he died to save it; and his resurrection is the

absolute guarantee that it will be made new again. We care for God’s creation not only because of where it’s come from, but also because of where it’s going to.

Our second step was to explain the ‘what’ and the ‘how’. In consultation

…our daily choices radically impact our brothers and sisters overseas. with Tearfund, we identified five key areas of daily life where our choices here have a direct impact on climate change in Rwanda: consumerism and clothes; food and farming; transport; waste and recycling; and energy consumption.

For each of these areas, we’ve outlined some incremental actions to take both individually and corporately over the next three years.

So, how has it all been going? The response has been surprisingly positive.

The leadership team is convinced, though we’re still working through how creation care will impact current ministry priorities (for example, weighing the potential of short-term overseas teams against the carbon footprint they’ll generate). We’ve realised too that solutions aren’t always clear-cut: an electric car is only environmentally beneficial if you do sufficient mileage; a highly processed and packaged vegan product can be more environmentally harmful than fresh, organic, grass-reared meat from right here in Northern Ireland. Rather than being prescriptive, we’re trying to help folk act responsibly according to conscience (and, of course,

personal circumstances, given the cost-of-living crisis).

Our youth have been particularly encouraged: as one girl said, “I’d never thought I’d get speaking on this in Orangefield!” Individuals are coming forward with their own initiatives, and the church committee now has a whole new environmental group. There have been several successful sales of pre-loved ladies’ clothes and a pre-Christmas toy swap. Corporately, we’re recycling our communion cups and actively promoting BYO (bring your own) cups for Sunday coffee. We’ve phased all our lighting over to LED, purchased new recycling bins and installed solar panels. Other projects in view include a waste reduction programme, a quarterly litter-pick around the parish, and an annual event that is a beach clean, BBQ and worship service all rolled into one.

It’s great to see how God has brought unexpected people together with different ideas and skills – as, of course, he always does when the Spirit moves.

We’re conscious that these are baby steps and that many congregations are much further ahead of us – but creation care is now an established part of Orangefield’s journey, and for this, we give thanks.

Deborah Ford is an elder in Orangefield, where she’s involved in mission and teaching ministries.

She enjoys getting to know people from other cultures who’ve made Belfast home.

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MODERATOR

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Moderator, Dr John Kirkpatrick, offers an Easter reflection that reminds us of God’s wonderful grace.

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hen you’re 16, cash flow can be quite a problem.

Quite a bit more cash is required when you have passed from a quarter of bonbons to a packet of Player’s No 6. So a way has to be found. For me, one of the best and simplest ways was to get a ‘chit’ for train fares. In my boarding school, a ‘chit’ was a permission slip to access money from the school office. I handed it over and got instant cash. It was like a ‘hole in the wall’ before they were invented. You still had to make the train journey though and that was the tricky bit. With a few old used tickets in hand, mostly it was no problem. That was until some zealous conductor would have to check every one and every detail.

“Just you wait there young lad.”

Silent stares as the honest and decent folk walk past, some stealing a glance to see just what an offender looks like. Then there is the long wait, time to make up an alternative narrative. I think the worst part was knowing that I would involve a really honest person. Outside, waiting in the car to give me a lift was my host, Rev Jim Matthews… a decent and good man to the core.

Whatever conversation occurred out of my sight or hearing, I cannot tell, but when he came to meet me there was no mention of the ticket or of any issue. On that subject it was just silence. “…like a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” So begins Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities. In it we meet a man named Charles Darnay who has been sentenced to death by the guillotine. He waits in the Bastille in Paris for his sentence to take place.

Sydney Carton, a man who strongly resembles Darney, breaks into the jail with a few friends and knocks Darnay out. Carton exchanges clothes with him, and his friends steal the unconscious Darnay out of the jail. Carton then waits to die in Darnay’s place. Love of a woman is the backstory for those not familiar with the plot.

The scene is witnessed by a young

…he does not defend himself, he will defend us instead. Here is silent grace at work. woman, also condemned to die. When she realises the truth she is amazed and says to him, “Are you dying for him?”

He answers, “Yes”. Out of love, Sydney Carton will silently go to his death in the place of Charles Darnay. “…like a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

At nine o’clock the lights are switched off in the dormitory. There is meant to be absolute silence from then on. How can 18 boys do that? The answer is that they don’t. Before long, there is a general hubbub of noise; not a pillow fight or anything like that, just conversation.

Then… the slow, silent turning of the door handle and a small but growing slice of light cuts through the room.

“Right, who was talking? Own up.” This is followed by a predictable silence… and then from out of the darkness I hear, “It was me sir.” What does he mean ‘it was me’? It was ‘us’, all of ‘us’.

There is a momentary pause, time seems suspended underneath the sheets of 17 beds as we wait in silence.

“Out here now, quick!” And there follows the sound of three sharp slaps as a slipper is raised and brought down hard.

That was 50 years ago or more, and here, as I write, it is as powerful in memory as in actuality. The silence of the volunteer and the sound of the punishment echo in my mind. “…like a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

Then we read in the gospel records the declaration concerning Jesus by Pilate: “I find no guilt in him”( John 18:38 and repeated in John 19:4 and John 19:6).

In answer to further questions Jesus does not reply. His silence is deafening.

He has chosen to say yes to the will of his Father and embrace the role of the sacrificial lamb. So he does not defend himself, he will defend us instead. Here is silent grace at work.

As we listen to this silence we can hear many things. We hear our own conscience reminding us of our guilt and we are silent too because we know that it is right. We hear a sigh of overwhelming kindness and love from a heavenly Father towards his Son. This truly is the beloved Son, well pleasing.

I think I can hear many words, spoken to try and justify ourselves for things that we are guilty of… but I hear his silence above them.

In his silence he has won for us a true voice. We now have the right to speak, to pray with hope, and to praise with acceptance.

When I left that railway station at the age of 16, I had several coins weighing in my pocket. How heavy they felt. Like the heaviness of guilt we can all feel. Jesus’ obedience and silence is a work of grace for us. This wonderful grace is eloquently described in some words from the hymn Before the Throne of God Above (see sidebar).

Only this grace, when accepted, can lift the weight of guilt in all our ‘pockets’ and hearts.

Before the Throne of God Above Charitie L. De Chenez (adapted Vikki Cook) Before the throne of God above I have a strong, a perfect plea: a great High Priest, whose name is Love, who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is written on his hands, My name is hidden in his heart; I know that while in heaven he stands no power can force me to depart, no power can force me to depart.

When Satan tempts me to depair and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look, and see him there who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Saviour died, my sinful soul is counted free; for God, the just, is satisfied to look on him and pardon me, to look on him and pardon me.

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150 years

of the Gamble Library The Gamble Library at Union Theological College celebrates its 150th anniversary this month. Current librarian Joy Conkey outlines its fascinating history.

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“An institution which aspires in any sense to be a seat of learning must possess a well furnished and well endowed library.”

Library committee report, minutes of the General Assembly, 1873

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or around two centuries the Irish Presbyterian Church had no college of its own, and men who wished to train for the ministry had to attend Scottish universities.

Therefore, they had access to the libraries of Scottish institutions. The Church was nonetheless very aware of the importance of theological knowledge and learning derived from reading. From early in the 18th century there is evidence that at presbytery meetings, ministers of the Synod of Ulster were required to share catalogues of the books they owned. As a result, circulating libraries developed at a presbytery level.

Photography by Ten21 Photography, Jamie Trimble and Joy Conkey.

The formation of PCI At the union of the Synod of Ulster and the Secession Synods in 1840 that formed the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), the libraries belonging to both synods were brought together, but the total number of works available was still comparatively small. A committee was appointed in 1840, by the newly formed General Assembly, to raise subscriptions for the founding of a library.

A year later the ‘library committee’ reported that £240 had been raised.

By 1845, the committee applied to Fisherwick Place congregation for a room in their church for the temporary storage of the books. Thus, a nucleus of around 300 volumes was in place. In 1850, the committee was instructed to spend its available reserve, at this stage almost £300, in the purchase of “suitable” books.

After Assembly’s College was opened in 1853, the library used by students and the General Assembly’s library were relocated to a room in the College, but kept separate. Then in 1863 both libraries were merged together and several generous donations came to the new library after this.

The establishment of the Gamble Library The funding required to establish a library that was sufficient to meet the needs of PCI came from Mrs Caroline Anne Gamble, widow of Rev Henry Gamble, former minister of Ballywalter Presbyterian Church. In September 1872, she proposed that she fund a theological library for the use of the professors and students, as a memorial to her husband.

The terms of the bequest were as follows: A room in the College was to be set apart for the library and fitted with suitable bookcases, the cost of which would come from the £1,500 donated by Mrs Gamble; it would be called the Gamble Library in memory of her late husband; and a marble bust of the late Rev Henry Gamble was to be placed in the library with a tablet “recording the object for which the library was founded”.

The faculty accepted Mrs Gamble’s proposal and agreed that the common hall should be converted for use as the library. Each member of faculty submitted lists of books they wanted purchased and these were scrutinised by the faculty as a whole. Professor Porter was sent to London to acquire the books they had settled on, with the authority to spend £1,000. He actually spent £1,200 purchasing 2,500 books; hence, Mrs Gamble’s generous donation of £1,500 was completely spent.

The Gamble Library was opened on the last day of the academic session: 8 April 1873. Mrs Gamble was gifted illuminated addresses prepared by Marcus Ward & Company (illuminators to Her Majesty the Queen) during the official opening.

Librarians In 1909, the College received the bequest of Miss Isabella Brownlee of Lisburn, which brought an income of £125 annually. The terms of her will stated that the spending of this money should be determined by a board of trustees.

The board agreed that a permanent librarian should be employed and the first librarian, Mr J.W. Kernohan, was appointed on 1 January 1910.

There have been 10 librarians over the course of its history, some of whom were very notable individuals. Rev Dr Bain authored a number of publications including: Sören Kierkegaard, his life and religious teaching. He also edited the Presbyterian Missionary Herald magazine

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Professor Porter was sent to London to acquire the books…Mrs Gamble’s generous donation of £1,500 was completely spent. for 22 years. Prof R. Knox McElderry had been professor of Greek at Queen’s University, Belfast. Rev William Miskelly was a former missionary in Manchuria – he had been a sub-librarian while studying for the ministry and he authored several books in Chinese.

The use of the Gamble Library The Gamble Library has been used to host a variety of classes, events and meetings throughout its history. In April 1952, the British Council of Churches met at various locations in Belfast, including in the Gamble Library. The Archbishop of Canterbury chaired the meetings.

The Witness magazine dated 14 March 1890 recounts how the Gamble Library hosted an evening during which an Egyptian mummy, which probably belonged to the 12th dynasty, was presented to the College by Rev Dr

Whigham. The Egyptian princess, in a gilded sarcophagus, and several other undisclosed artefacts, taken from the royal tombs at Thebes, were placed in the centre of the Gamble Library hall.

The hope was that the addition of the mummy might be the start of a College museum.

When a hospital occupied the Gibson Chambers during World War One, faculty refused repeatedly to permit it to be extended into the Gamble Library because “the books…are in constant demand” (faculty minutes 8 March 1918).

Prior to the construction of Stormont,

the first parliament of Northern Ireland occupied the College for 11 years: the Commons met in the Gamble Library while the Senate met in the chapel. Part of the Gamble Library was relocated to 2 University Square so that staff and students had the resources they required.

In 2021, the Gamble Library and College Chapel hosted the ‘On these steps’ event to commemorate the first parliament of Northern Ireland. It was attended by representatives of the Irish and Northern Irish governments and other dignitaries.

Who were Rev Henry and Mrs Gamble?

Rev Henry Gamble was the son of Rev Samuel Gamble who was minister in Second Ramelton. He was born in 1823 and was licensed for ministry in Letterkenny Presbyterian Church on 14 May 1851. He was ordained as a chaplain in Windsor, England on 20 October 1853. He resigned from this in 1861 to be installed as the minister of Second Ballywalter on 25 June 1861. He then resigned from this post just over four years later, on 5 September 1865. Mr Gamble is described as being of “Ashburn Gourock N.B.” (i.e. North Britain – Scotland) on the marble bust in the Library. This is where he spent the latter part of his life.

He died at Marseilles in 1870 and is buried in Howden, Yorkshire, near where his wife was from. Ironically, Rev Henry Gamble did not actually receive his theological training at Assembly’s College. His training was completed two years before it was built.

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Mrs Caroline Anne Gamble was very wealthy, but also very generous, using her wealth to fund many projects within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and supporting its missionary interests.

In 1887, she also donated £500 towards the addition of a spire to Second Ballywalter Presbyterian Church as a memorial to her late husband. Rev Henry Gamble was Caroline Anne’s second husband, her first husband being Arthur Saltmarsh of Saltmarsh in Yorkshire.

She moved from Gourock, Scotland, to Torquay in 1879 and died on 4 March 1894 at the good age of 76. She is buried in the same place as her husband, Howden in Yorkshire.

Today the Gamble Library is the largest theological library in Northern Ireland…

Further developments During the war years, fewer donations were given to the Library and money was scarce. Notably, however, during Principal F.J. Paul’s post-war visit to Germany, he was able to purchase the Weimar edition of Luther’s works at a very competitive price since German currency was virtually worthless at this stage.

By 1954, the Gamble Library contained around 13,000 volumes. The libraries of several professors of the College were added to the Library after their passing, including the libraries of Prof Scott Pearson (1953), Principal J.E. Davey (1961) and Principal J.L.M Haire (1987).

Growth of the collection The Library’s collection continued to grow through generous donations from former professors, ministers and members of PCI. By 1997, its book stock was around 42,000 and 14,000 pamphlets.

By 2004, the stock was around 50,000 books and 18,000 pamphlets. Two years later this had increased to around 64,500 books, 20,000 pamphlets and 110

periodicals.

In 1998, the Library’s budget was around £20,000 per annum. This was increased to £30,000 per annum in 2006 and in 2022 it was increased substantially again.

Other slightly unusual gifts were given to the College in the early 2000s.

A bust of Karl Barth was presented to the College in 2001 by Very Rev Prof John Thompson. In 2006, the Thomas Sinclair tea urn was given by his family in Baltimore and Fitzroy Presbyterian Church gifted a pewter communion set – these are both stored near the Library. A statue of John Knox was also given to the Library in 2007.

Herald April 2023

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Advances in technology Over the years, as technology has advanced, so has the Library.

Advancements have included: the purchase of Heritage Library Management System (LMS) and its accompanying online catalogue; the addition of videos, CD-ROMs, DVDs and CDs; and more recently the acquisition of over 900 e-books and subscriptions to several databases such as ATLA Religion Database.

Looking back to look forward Today, the Gamble Library is the largest theological library in Northern Ireland with around 64,000 books and over 20,000 pamphlets, and it regularly receives more than 50 theological periodical titles. Staff and student members have access to a wide range of electronic resources. The Library also holds a number of special collections, which can be consulted in the main reading room.

Public membership of the Gamble Library Members of the public may apply to become readers on payment of a membership fee. Standard membership allows you to borrow eight books at a time for four weeks.

Annual subscription rates are: • £35 for former students of Union Theological College, ministers, deaconesses, accredited preachers and auxiliary ministers of PCI.

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Herald April 2023

Any member of the public can be a member of the Library…

Any member of the public can be a member of the Library on the payment of a membership fee. The Library has over 300 life members who are alumni of the college, and around 50 annual members, over and above its staff and student members.

As the Library looks to the future, it will aim to achieve its vision: “Every member equipped with the resources and information literacy they need to support teaching, learning, research or personal and professional development, within the context of the Union Theological College’s vision, mission and ethos.”

It will do so by adapting to changes in technology and responding to the needs of its members, through support from its key stakeholders and the wider Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

• £100 for those studying for research degrees at other colleges, enabling them to borrow up to 16 books for 12 weeks.

• £50 for all others.

• Life membership is available to former students of Union and for ministers of PCI for £100 within one year of leaving College and for £200 thereafter.

• There will also be an initial fee of £10 for a library card.

For more information and an application form go to: www.union.ac.uk

APRIL 2023

Mission Connect

Grace and gratitude

All change!

Csaba and Ilona Veres Grace and gratitude Gary and Mary Reid

Mission news from workers around Ireland and the world.

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.

Prayer, planning and preparation Philip Whelton Building relationships Phoebe Nugent Dia daoibh as Gaillimh!

Greetings from Galway!

Rev Helen Freeburn Special service to mark home’s 30th anniversary Michelle Murray

Including April prayer diary

All change!

Csaba and Ilona Veres

Global mission workers, Romania

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or over 25 years, the Reformed Diakonia has been engaged Mera is organised by the local leaders and primary school. School in Christian community development aimed at transforming dropout is rare. Adult literacy classes and work-ready training communities where the Roma are excluded and segregated. programmes are no longer necessary. Job opportunities in the city For the past 13 years we have worked with the Diakonia, with the are good and many Roma parents have stable employment. aim of seeing change – a transformation in the external things like Over the years, spending time with people and forming lasting health care, quality education, relationships has been the employment, housing – but where the gospel could Over the years, spending time with people and place also internal transformation be lived out and shared. We where people meet the forming lasting relationships, has been the place have known the Spirit’s work Saviour and become faithful through engaging with families where the gospel could be lived out and shared. and through opportunities disciples and enthusiastic disciple-makers. We longed to for home group Bible studies, see change where divided communities experience the powerful women’s fellowship groups, weekly good news clubs, and grace and love of the Saviour and are reconciled to God and one Christmas, Easter and summer children’s Bible clubs, often assisted another. by international teams. We have seen adults and children changed Christ’s call on us is to bring the gospel in word and deed, sharing by his grace and are encouraged by the ongoing openings for the our skills, wealth, knowledge and educational resources with Roma lay preacher and his family and the local church leaders. those living in poverty; to bring change in such a way that they As we look back, we give thanks for the many changes in the are empowered to break out of the cycle of poverty. Often this is community but look forward with hope and confidence in the a long-term process, but what happens when the community no one who never changes, and whose “love endures forever; and longer needs your help? faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:5).

After 25 years of declaring and demonstrating the gospel of Jesus in the community of Mera, there has come a time when many of the ministries have been handed over to local leaders Please pray: and the only part of ministry left is a small afterschool programme • For the Diakonia’s community development projects as for 10 kindergarten children. Through the years, there have been leadership is handed over to locals. many struggles and at times disappointments, but a number of • For godly leaders in Mera and for the continuing discipleship of the ministry focus areas in Mera have seen positive change. the Roma believers.

For many years, we ministered in daily afterschool programmes • For God’s guidance as our work in the Diakonia comes to an end for Roma children, mentoring and assisting students with learning and as we seek him for our next step with the Hungarian Roma disorders, combating non-attendance and early school dropout mission. of socially disadvantaged children. Today, the afterschool work in

Mission Connect | Herald April 2023

Grace and gratitude

Gary and Mary Reid

Global mission workers, Kenya

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feeling of deep wonder and thankfulness overawed my rain in our area of Maasai land and beautiful greenery is starting to soul. Just a few minutes earlier, I (Mary) had been saying to blanket the ground and canopies. our Beloved, as I listened to the song Gratitude, that I would Bible study is being held each Saturday and we are grateful for indeed throw up my hands and praise him again and again, if I each person our Father brings along – for the questions asked and weren’t driving the Land Rover! for the desire to know more.

I had only said these words This last week we studied Bible study is being held each Saturday when I reached the top of the Ahithophel, and there was hill and saw straight across great interest in his story, and we are so grateful for each person from me four large elephants alongside learning more of our Father brings along – for the questions approaching the ‘road’ that we who God is and his amazing (along with the community and grace. From this life story, asked and for the desire to know more. the local government primary there is enthusiasm to learn school) were making for the even more about Absalom’s local children, so they could walk more safely to school from the life story and this will be studied, God willing, this incoming hills and through the valley (granting the children a wider field of week. Furthermore, we give thanks for the worship leaders and vision with the hope that they will be able to detect any nearby evangelists who, alongside Gary, teach and preach. We also rejoice wildlife). Heartfelt gratitude for our Beloved’s tender kindness was that each month the church families from within Olkinyei come bolstered with “Hallelujah” being voiced in the background as the together for a service of prayer. song continued to play… and how I praised our Lord.

Please pray: As Gary was coming behind in the digger, he didn’t see the • Rejoice with us in the continual goodness, faithfulness and elephants, but I asked our Father that he would graciously allow mercy of our Lord, whose steadfast love never ceases.

Gary, and all who were working on the road, to also see them.

• Please pray that God’s Holy Spirit will continue to work mightily The next day, our Father wonderfully granted that all would see in this place, for his glory and the exalting of his holy name, and his impressive creations walk across the ‘road’, just up from the that many will grow deeper in their knowledge of our Lord and seasonal river where tradesmen were making a concrete drift for desire to live fully and unconditionally for him. the children to cross. The concrete drift is now completed and • Please remember the weekly Bible study and Sunday services – we are in the process of daily transporting water to assist with that God will teach through his servants and that his Holy Spirit the curing of the concrete. Of course, little thorn-prick troubles will prepare the hearts of all who come. annoy, but God helps us through each situation and difficulty, and • Please remember our children as we are apart from each other, his grace is enough. Truly, the mercies of our Lord are new every that they will be drawn even closer to our Beloved and desire to morning. live fully for him. Thank you.

Despite exceptionally hot days, our Father has graciously sent

Mission Connect | Herald April 2023

Prayer, planning and preparation

Philip Whelton

Irish mission worker, Arklow Presbyterian Church

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ome sunshine or rain, the children and young people rarely with outreach in various forms, and remain available to listen to miss a chance to come to our weekly clubs. The Friday those who need to be heard. youth club has about 60 young people each week and a The holiday Bible club is planned again for August and there good group of volunteers. The Wednesday Bible club has around is much work to do for that. Our theme this year is ‘Make Waves’ 50 children who are always eager to learn the Bible lessons and and we are working on ordering the t-shirts, with registration verses. A recent lesson explored Jesus healing Jairus’ daughter. The beginning in March. Through engaging Bible lessons, fun activities, children discussed the woman as well as music and crafts, we who wanted to touch the hem will do our best to help the …one boy said, “Jesus can do anything – of Jesus’ robe for her healing. children understand how they Several thought there was no can share God’s love with the and he knows everything! Jesus will know way that could work, but one people around them. By the the woman has touched his robe.” boy said, “Jesus can do anything time you read this there is a – and he knows everything! good chance that the holiday Jesus will know the woman has touched his robe.” They were so Bible club will be fully booked. We still need help for that, so we excited to hear the rest of the story and learn what Jesus can do. would appreciate your prayers for the right people to be available The adult Bible study is on Monday nights and has a good group this summer. of people who are interested to learn and study God’s Word together. The Coffee dock continues each Tuesday morning for toddlers and parents. It is an informal setting for parents to chat while their children play. This is a brilliant way to get to know families in the community and parents find the support helpful Please pray: and encouraging.

• Pray for Philip and his team of volunteers as they plan and Each of these groups requires prayer, planning and preparation. prepare for the various activities they run each week.

There are always some who ask questions or discuss difficulties • Pray for the young people who recently became communicant they are facing. With over 100 families involved in the weekly members. clubs, extra time is required to maintain contact, listen to • Pray for the church family and session as they plan individual needs or try to be an encouragement. Please pray that programmes, continue with outreach in its various forms – that we will be effective in our preparation as well as having wisdom to they would have wisdom, energy and encouragement. reach out and help when needed. We had several young people • Pray for the holiday Bible club planned for August, that the right become communicant members recently, so please pray for them people will step forward to help and that it would be a time of as they continue their journey with Christ. Pray also for our church true blessing for everyone involved. family, including the session as we plan programmes, continue

Mission Connect | Herald April 2023

Building relationships

Phoebe Nugent

Community outreach worker, Ebrington and Carlisle Road Presbyterian Churches

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aving spent the past three years on placement in Ebrington Just across the river on the Waterside there are important as part of my youthwork degree, it has been a refreshing relationships being built as well. Schools in the Waterside are very change to now be employed full-time between Ebrington open to ministers and Christian youth workers coming into school and Carlisle Road Presbyterian in Derry. Working between two for assemblies and classroom visits. I’ve enjoyed getting to do locations hasn’t been without this alongside our minister, as its challenges, but the beautiful well as being invited to run Working between two locations hasn’t been thing is that it brings double one of the primary school’s the opportunities to build without its challenges, but the beautiful thing afterschool Scripture Union meaningful relationships and with 30+ young people make God’s name known. attending each week. Within is that it brings double the opportunities I began by completing a Ebrington we have become to build meaningful relationships and community profile for the area acutely aware of our need to surrounding Carlisle Road. step outside of the confines make God’s name known.

This paints only a small picture of the church building and are of the area but is extremely beginning to think about how useful to us as we plan exactly how we can reach out to meet the we might be able to link with the local community centres to host needs of those surrounding us. Two of the ways we have been a holiday Bible club in the community this summer. able to do this so far is through our growing relationship with the It’s an exciting time here in the north west, as we see the Lord local schools and women’s shelter. I have been able to partner open door after door and we are expectant to see his Spirit move. I with a volunteer from the nearby Methodist church in delivering am blessed to get to partner with him in what he is doing here and RE lessons within the local primary school every week. This has am excited for what the future months will hold. been a fantastic opportunity to explore what the Bible is. In recent weeks we have considered the life and death of Jesus with them, with many of the children hearing these stories for the first time!

We have also had the opportunity to reach out to the local Please pray: women’s and men’s shelters that are located only down the • That we would continue to be able to build connections in street from the church. We have had several meetings with staff the women’s shelter, and that God would lead and guide our to identify how we can best assist those in the shelter, which has conversations with the ladies. involved a Christmas sing-along at their coffee morning, doing gel • That we would be able to host a holiday Bible club in the local nails, delivering a personalised Christmas present for each lady community in the Waterside this summer – that God would (donated by the PW) as well as providing packs of essential items open doors to allow that to happen. (including a Bible).

Mission Connect | Herald April 2023

Dia daoibh as Gaillimh! Greetings from Galway!

Rev Helen Freeburn Galway Presbyterian Church

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s a community, we have continued to experience the Sharing food, conversation and praise with some of our church grace, power and presence of Christ throughout these past community was also a real blessing. challenging years. We have also experienced change, as Some challenges… we transitioned to being solely a congregation of the Presbyterian • If there was a TV competition entitled ‘Which PCI congregation Church in Ireland, while maintaining our historic and deep links of has the worst toilets?’ – we might win. The Sunday school friendship with the Methodist Church in Ireland. classroom in that toilet block is also in a bad way. We are This has not always been hoping and praying we can easy, but as we say on a replace or build.

The Lord has kept our doors and hearts open Sunday: God is good, all the • Being a church with a lot time! The Lord has kept our of transience and change is and for this we are very grateful. doors and hearts open and challenging at times. for this we are very grateful.

We give thanks for God’s Worshipping together as a community made up of people from goodness to us, for newcomers, new members and new many different countries (24 at the last count), we are blessed to opportunities to be a presence in the city and in the county. witness to Christ together, and display the power of the gospel “Beirigí buíochas leis an Tiarna mar is maith é; Maireann a that calls, unites and sends. bhuanghrá go brách!” 1 Croinicí 16:34 (1 Chronicles 16:34).

Some recent encouragements...

• To see more people – especially kids – returning to public worship together and newcomers coming along.

Please pray: • The development of youth group, Sunday school, student • Pray for love that is patient and forgiving, for without love we lunches, times of hospitality at church and kids’ ministry has are nothing. been so good.

• Pray for courage, particularly for younger members growing up • New leaders have stepped forward and this is truly a blessing. in a society increasingly hostile to church.

• We have kept our Bible study and prayer time online as this • Pray that we as individuals and fellowships would be filled enables people to be there who join from around the county. constantly with the Holy Spirit to know Jesus better and • Visits of guests has been encouraging, including the visit of winsomely make God known with every opportunity we’re the Moderator, John Kirkpatrick, and his wife Joan, which given. enabled some great meetings with local leaders in Galway.

Mission Connect | Herald April 2023

Special service to mark home’s 30th anniversary

Michelle Murray

Home manager, Harold McCauley House, Omagh

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amilies of former and current residents, members of staff and Harold McCauley is a special place and has been a home to many guests, including local councillors, came together in February where everyone is welcome and its Christian ethos is so important. for a special service of thanksgiving to celebrate 30 years It is a testament to that special environment that it has seen so since the official opening of Omagh’s Harold McCauley House. many members of staff stay. Testimony to their dedication is the It is the only nursing home managed by PCI’s Council for fact that two of our colleagues, Ruth Mitchell and Wesley Crawford, Social Witness and we can marked 20 years of service last accommodate 32 residents year. It was also a real privilege We give special thanks…for the compassion and to honour Trudie Hawkes and with 24-hour nursing care.

Situated in a secluded, care shown on a daily basis which enables the Shirley Hetherington, who tranquil setting close to the have completed 30 years’ town centre with views of the service – they were here when residents to celebrate the love and joy of Jesus.

Camowen River, the home is Harold McCauley opened. primarily for older people, who Wendy Kelly, PCI’s Social Care are cared for in a Christian environment.

Support Manager, who spoke after the service, thanked all the staff Those attending the service, which took place in First Omagh for their dedication and summed up much of what the home has Presbyterian Church, were welcomed by the minister, Rev Jane meant to so many people. She said, “When the home was opened Nelson, with residents and staff who were unable to attend in 30 years ago the vision was to provide a Christian environment person watching via livestream in the home. Two residents took for those living and working there. Through the support of the part, with Jenny Jones reading Psalm 71:1–3 and Joey McGrew staff, daily devotions, church services and special celebrations that giving a prayer of thanksgiving. vision continues to be provided within the home. We give special During the service, Rev John Murdoch, who was minister of First thanks today for God’s provision and for the compassion and care Omagh when Harold McCauley opened, gave the lesson, with the shown on a daily basis, which enables the residents to celebrate thanksgiving reflection on behalf of the relatives given by Father the love and joy of Jesus.”

Joe Gormley. After the service everyone who attended stayed for a special afternoon tea in the church hall, including the niece of the late Harold McCauley, who gifted the land so that the home could Please pray: be built. Music was provided by local musicians, St Eugene’s Silver • Give thanks for the work and witness of Harold McCauley House Band. in Omagh over the last 30 years.

This was a very special day as we celebrated and gave thanks for • Pray for residents and their families – that God would bless the 30 years since the official opening. I started my journey with residents as they are cared for, and also bless their families. the home as a student nurse and knew straight away that I wanted • Pray for Michelle and the whole staff team as they continue to to work here. Eleven years on, I am so honoured to be head of show the love of Jesus in caring for residents and their needs. home.

Mission Connect | Herald April 2023

Please pray for...

APRIL 2023

n CHAPLAINS – Rev Rodney Cameron serving as chaplain in Hydebank Wood College and Women’s Prison; pray for the conversations that take place, that gospel hope would break through.

n CHAPLAINS – Pray for Rev Kenny Hanna, PCI’s rural chaplain and the wider rural chaplaincy team as they engage with people at local marts and with those involved in the agricultural industries; that those they engage with will be impacted with the good news of Jesus.

n EASTERN EUROPE – Pray for God’s blessing on the leaders and members of the Hungarian Reformed Church serving him in Hungary, Romania and Ukraine, especially that the Lord will build up his church in the region for the glory of his name. n HOME MISSION – The congregations of Ballyhobridge, Stonebridge, Clones, and Newbliss; pray for Rev John Hanson as he serves these congregations and encourages them to go deeper in their faith and fellowship.

n CHAPLAINS – Pray for Rev Mark Proctor, part-time health care chaplain at Tallaght Hospital; that he would draw alongside those requiring the care and compassion of Christ in difficult circumstances.

Lesley and Mabel Brush

n HOMELESSNESS – Pray that God will watch over those who will sleep in the open tonight. Pray for those who work among homeless people, giving them food and shelter and assisting with health problems. Pray for staff to have wisdom and compassion. n SOUTH BELFAST FRIENDSHIP HOUSE – Pray for the staff and volunteers who enable the various programmes to take place.

Pray particularly for the outreach to asylum seekers that takes place weekly. n KENYA – Pray that God’s Holy Spirit will continue to work mightily through the worship leaders and evangelists in Olkinyei as they teach and preach, and engage in weekly Bible studies, prayer meetings and Sunday services. Pray that many will grow deeper in their desire to live fully and unconditionally for the Lord. n INTERNATIONAL MEETING POINT – Pray for the staff and volunteers of the International Meeting Point in both north and south Belfast, that they would have the resources and skills for the needs of those arriving from different countries. n AARON HOUSE – This is a residential care home in Dundonald for people with a profound learning disability. Pray for staff as they attend training and also give thanks for new staff appointed. Pray for the residents and their families. n INDONESIA – Give thanks for the first annual meeting of the Christian Evangelical Church of Halmahera (GMIH) that took place in March in Firdaus congregation, Togola Sanget, West Halmahera under the theme, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’. Pray that as GMIH moves forward as a church, she will be strengthened in holistic mission endeavour.

n COMMUNITY OUTREACH – For Lesley and Mabel Brush working in Tartaraghan; pray for them as they seek to reach out to those in the community through a range of different programmes and initiatives. n EAST AFRICANS in the UK – Remember Edwin and Anne Kibathi from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa as they provide pastoral care to the East African expatriates living in the UK. Pray especially for the church in East London, along with fellowships in Reading, Luton and Birmingham, and for all their efforts to reach many for Christ. n IRISH MISSION – David Boyd, Irish mission worker in Adelaide Road, Dublin; pray for those students who attend the international café, that they would be open to the gospel and its transforming power in their lives. n RUSSIA – Pray for the students at the St Petersburg Christian University to be able to maintain a clear focus on their studies despite unsettling times. Pray also for the University’s leadership to know wise decisionmaking and ample resources in their work despite a range of Louise Davidson challenges. n CHAPLAINS – Pray for Rev Cheryl Meban as she seeks to serve the students at Ulster University in Belfast and Jordanstown; that she will be drawn alongside those who need support and care. n TAKING CARE – Pray for adult safeguarding, for those at risk in our congregations, as Jacqui Montgomery Devlin, head of safeguarding, continues to deliver training throughout a number of presbytery areas. We thank God for the policy and guidelines that have been produced and pray for support from congregations in all aspects of safeguarding.

n SPAIN – Grupos Biblicos Unídos (GBU) – Remember this Spanish Christian student organisation as it seeks to reach nonChristian students and professionals with the gospel and develop Christian leaders who will contribute to the growth of the church. Pray that God would call and equip staff workers for those regions in Spain that currently do not have one. n CHAPLAINS – Pray for PCI’s forces chaplains and for their families as often they do not see each other for long periods of time. Pray that the Lord would protect and foster deep loving relationships for PCI’s forces chaplains. n MENTAL HEALTH – Pray that there will be adequate funding for our health trusts to provide services in the community. Pray that God will be close to those suffering from depression and other mental health problems. n Specialist Service Agency: SAT7 – Pray for SAT7’s Arabic and Turkish teams to be sustained and comforted, while continuing to serve the Turkish and Syrian churches helping communities decimated by February’s earthquake. Pray also for the ongoing ministry of SAT-7 TÜRK, the only Christian national TV broadcaster in Turkey, reaching out at this time of great emotional and spiritual need in the region. n COMMUNITY OUTREACH – For Michelle Stewart, community outreach worker in Cloughey. Give thanks for the warm space that has been provided in Cloughey over the winter months; pray that this will have helped deepen relationships with the surrounding community. n DEACONESS – For Louise Davidson, deaconess serving in West Church, Bangor; give thanks for the recent women’s weekend with the theme ‘Rooted in Christ’. Pray this will have been beneficial for those who attended. n HOME MISSION – The congregation of Corboy and Mullingar; pray for the congregations as they seek to witness to the surrounding communities, particularly for the Oodles and Doodles group that meets each week. n OLDER PEOPLE SERVICES – Pray that our Church will find appropriate ways to celebrate the gifts of old age as well as practically help meet its concerns and difficulties. Pray for those who, on account of age, infirmity or illness, receive care at home, in residential or nursing homes, or in hospital.

www.presbyterianireland.org/prayer

25 years on...

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the Herald asked a number of Presbyterians to reflect on the significance of the Agreement and its impact over the intervening years.

A political accommodation

Clinton administration; the prayerful, careful and sometimes courageous Following the partition of Ireland engagement of people from the in 1921, two unsatisfactory states churches; the generosity of the evolved, characterised by the exclusive European Union and the seemingly and excluding ideologies of Irish endless patient negotiating skills of Catholic nationalism and Ulster the US Senator George Mitchell, Protestant unionism, neither of which a Maronite Catholic of American properly honoured the minorities Lebanese background with no within their jurisdictions. historical biases as far as Ireland and The Agreement of 10 April 1998 the United Kingdom were concerned. was immediately preceded by almost George McCullagh, an elder from three decades of the Troubles, Adelaide Road Church in which over 3,500 in Dublin, and I had the persons were killed and honour of co-convening 47,000 people sustained PCI’s Church and injuries. There were Government committee 16,200 bombings and from 1996–2003. It was the 37,000 shooting incidents committee’s responsibility and 19,600 individuals to seek to understand the received a prison sentence background complexities for offences related to involved in the negotiations terrorism. Operation Very Rev Dr John Dunlop and encourage the political Banner was the longest representatives of the people to campaign in British military history. reach an accommodation with one In all, some 300,000 soldiers took another.

The committee produced and part in it. It all left a legacy of faith, circulated an 1,843-word ‘response’ to courage, endurance, grief, suffering, the Agreement two weeks after it was unemployment, dislocation and signed (see 1998 Assembly Reports mistrust. pp.23–27).

Against that background it is The Agreement was a political remarkable that any Agreement was accommodation that provided elected achieved. It involved the most careful negotiations; difficult compromises and courageous leadership involving local political parties; the Irish and British governments, backed by their advisers and civil servants as well as the leadership of both republican and loyalist paramilitary groups; the informed involvement of the

That it failed to fulfil its potential is due to the continued sectarian virus within the various layers of our society…

politicians with the opportunity to overcome a bitter legacy and co-operate for the common good of the whole population. That this vision was partially achieved was a significant improvement compared with what went before. That it failed to fulfil its potential is due to the continued sectarian virus within the various layers of our society that traps politicians, citizens and churches largely within the perspectives of our communities of origin.

The Agreement took place under the umbrella of the European Union within which three sets of relationships could, and to some extent did, develop: the internal relationships within Northern Ireland; north/south political, economic and social co-operation, and Dublin/ London understanding. Within these carefully constructed parameters Brexit was detonated like a hand grenade in January 2020. All of those three sets of relationships have been damaged.

Jesus, who provided us with the new priorities of the kingdom of God, to love and forgive our neighbours and our enemies, might ask us why we were so timid and afraid in these matters. Is there more that we, as individuals, congregations and a denomination, ought to have done to follow his commands? I find it a sobering question.

Very Rev Dr John Dunlop Former PCI Moderator

Herald April 2023

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…compromise and pain were always going to be part of the price.

A ‘Yes’ campaign poster for the Good Friday Agreement during simultaneous referendums in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland. Ardfern – Wikicommons

Listening less to fears

If the real meaning of repentance is to see things differently then perhaps The popular book by Charlie we all need to repent of our failure Mackesy, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox to risk enough in order to make the and The Horse, is the story of a boy dream of 1998 reality. The school of who is trying to find a place called unlearning requires us to let go of home. On his journey he is joined some of our cherished ideas, of our by three very different individuals prejudices and judgemental attitudes, whose quest is basically the same. of our unquestioning acceptance of a They journey together. On the eve status quo that seems to have erased of the 25th anniversary of the Good the notion of a common humanity Friday Agreement, first and foremost all equally broken and beloved. Only I give thanks for those who have with such repentance can we begin to sought to journey together toward listen less to our fears and more to our a new Northern Ireland where in dreams. all our increasing diversity “Home is not always a we might find ourselves at place,” says the boy. Until home. For the commitment we waken up to the fact and wonderful initiatives that home is relationship – taken by so many groups and with God, with ourselves, individuals who have sought with one another in all our over these rather turbulent wonderful diversity, and with years to live the future we the whole created order, the long for in the present dream will never become Rev Dr Ruth Patterson moment, I thank God. reality.

In the book, at one point At the end of Mackesy’s book, the the boy says, “We have such a long mole says: “Sometimes I want to say I way to go!” love you all, but I find it difficult.”

“Yes,” replies the horse, “but look “Do you?” said the boy. how far we’ve come.”

“Yes, so I say something like I’m While acknowledging that this glad we’re all here.” must always be our starting point, “Ok,” said the boy.

I, along with many others, carry “I’m glad we are all here.” with me a burden of sadness and “We are so glad you are here, too.” disappointment for opportunities To reach the point where we can missed, for courageous steps not taken turn to one another across this whole (both in Church and state), of which I community and say “I’m glad we are and you are part. The boy wishes there all here” is going a long way towards was a school of unlearning and the fulfilling the dream. What about it? mole talks of the old moles he knows Rev Dr Ruth Patterson who wish they had listened less to Restoration Ministries their fears and more to their dreams.

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Herald April 2023

A hopeful day The day the Good Friday Agreement was signed I had just begun work in Fortwilliam Park congregation.

As I prepared for the Good Friday service, a media reporter rang to see if he could come and interview people coming in and out of church that evening, about the events of the day. Such was the import of what was happening across these islands, focused on Northern Ireland, and such was the place churches had in society at that time, that this was not a particularly unusual request.

Perhaps the fact that comment was sought from ordinary church people emphasised the reality of some of the morally challenging elements of the Agreement, which we all still had to read in detail.

At that time, I was a member of the Church and Society committee and I had been talking with republicans and loyalists in private conversations over many years. My interest was high.

I had invested emotional energy in working and praying for an agreement between long divided groups within our community. Over the years of talking to both those on the ground and those who held sway within the organisations that would have to decommission hearts and minds as well as weapons, I was convinced that those who acted to provide space for political leaders to sign the Agreement were genuine. Their intent was good.

Yet there remained a requirement to find the courage to trust if the proposed Agreement was to be

Image sourced from www.whytes.ie

…perhaps we all need to repent of our failure to risk enough in order to make the dream of 1998 reality

successful.

The days following the Agreement were both heady and worrying.

Rev Dr Lesley Carroll Triumphalism, or it seemed such to others, crept on to the streets and into discussion at times. Some felt their determination flounder. Others held the line and steadied the ship.

I grew up in Co Tyrone in the days when Dungannon was the most bombed town. I knew adults who were murdered, both security forces and civilians. In later years I would come to realise I also knew some who had murdered and caused mayhem – they had been members of the same congregation.

I understood my vocation to ministry to include a vocation to peacemaking. I therefore tried to grasp opportunities to understand those who were politically and religiously different, to make efforts to persuade those who believed in the power of the bullet and bomb to choose peaceful means and to keep the doors of the church open for those finding meaning in paramilitary organisations.

So, despite the moral dilemmas, Good Friday 1998 was a good day for me, probably one of the most hopeful days of my life. It was a beginning. Much would lie ahead.

Rev Dr Lesley Carroll Former minister of Fortwilliam and MacCrory Presbyterian

Politicians still need to grasp the opportunity the Agreement offered On 23 February 1998, as a relatively young councillor, I stood in the wreckage of Portadown Town Hall an hour after a republican bomb devastated the town yet again.

Portadown was a deeply divided town – the Drumcree dispute was at its zenith and now this. The political talks process was ongoing, but any sense of optimism was hard to come by.

Less than seven weeks later, the Belfast Agreement was signed. For some this presented a glimmer of hope; for others it was a bitter betrayal, particularly for those who had suffered at the hands of terrorism.

For me, the Belfast Agreement presented a Mark Neale complex, finely balanced opportunity to create a new Northern Ireland, a Northern Ireland where my children and hopefully grandchildren could grow up, with the shadow of the gunmen a distant memory.

Whilst recent events have shown the sinister shadow of the gunman may not be extinct, there is no doubt the Northern Ireland of today is in a better place. One set of figures proves this fact. In the 25 years before the Belfast Agreement, on average, 134 people were killed in Troubles-related deaths each year. In the 25 years since 1998, that figure has dropped to an average of six people per year and over

the last five years that average is less than two.

While our political institutions may not be overly stable, if 1998 proved anything, it proved there was always an alternative to violence. Killing, in either the name of Ireland or Ulster, was never justified. 1998 proved that politics was the only answer to our problems. Yet we must not forget, for all the years of the Troubles, our cry went up, “How long, oh Lord, how long?” We prayed for peace, longed for peace and many worked for peace.

For example, many of our congregations stood between the people of Northern Ireland and those who sought to kill and destroy for political ends.

While many, particularly within the RUC family, were bitterly hurt by the way the RUC was treated, it was their bravery that enabled democracy to eventually overcome the evil. It was their sacrifice that made devolution and powersharing possible.

Even as a member of the Ulster Unionist Party, my decision to support the Belfast Agreement was not an easy one. There was much soul searching, debating and anguish. I was only ever a ‘cautious yes’; I still am.

The Belfast Agreement reestablished the primacy of the ballot box; it condemned the Armalite to the past. The vision of men like

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the Achilles heel…has been its failure to dispense justice

David Trimble and John Hume, for a better future for our children and grandchildren, was on offer, but compromise and pain were always going to be part of the price.

So, was it all worth it? Certainly, when I see the reaction of the whole community, and particularly the political community, to the recent attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector Caldwell, I praise God for this change. When I hear young people chant “Ooh ah up the Ra,” it depresses me. When I hear menacing threats from loyalist paramilitaries, I nearly despair. Northern Ireland still has a long way to go. Our politicians still need to grasp the opportunity the Belfast Agreement offered. The opportunity to create a new Northern Ireland, one at peace with itself, maturing as a democracy, confident and outward looking. Without doubt the unintended consequences of Brexit has destabilised our political system, but that’s politics.

The Belfast Agreement was never perfect, there were many issues the negotiators got wrong; some of the structural aspects were supposed to be reviewed within five years – this never happened. The ugly scaffolding that was required as we came out of conflict should be removed. We need to normalise politics; Stormont needs to work.

The one group that we have totally let down has been the victims. Truth has sadly been sacrificed for political justification. History has been revised and at times the perpetrators have

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been elevated, while those who suffered have been forgotten. Even our churches have failed to care for the widow and the orphan.

Yet, would I rather be a grandfather in 2023 Northern Ireland as opposed to the 1998 one? There is no comparison. Even though the Belfast Agreement was a political agreement, I still thank God for the peace it secured, the lives it saved, the opportunities it offered. I pray particularly that we find a way to treat the victims honourably, but most of all I will pray that my grandchildren will never stand in the ruins of Portadown Town Hall in the aftermath of a terrorist bomb.

Mark Neale Elder in First Portadown Presbyterian, former UUP councillor for Portadown 1997–2001, special advisor to David Trimble 2002–2005

The Agreement had obvious flaws My memories of the Good Friday Agreement are largely framed through the prism of politics. As an active member of the Ulster Unionist Party, I attended a meeting of the party executive at our Glengall Street headquarters on the Thursday evening. There Danny Kennedy was mounting speculation of a deal; Tony Blair and Bertie Aherne had already arrived for

the ‘hand of history’ moment.

The executive meeting ended with an agreed recommendation that the party leader, David Trimble MP, in consultation with his talks team, would make any final decision for later approval by the party executive.

The talks team then headed back to Castle Buildings, Stormont and, being both inquisitive and interested I tagged along at the suggestion of, I think, Jim Nicholson, our MEP. Castle Buildings was awash with speculation and political fever and a huge media presence had already assembled expectantly.

As I wasn’t a member of the talks team, long hours followed with various pieces of possible text being considered. In the early morning of that Good Friday, when the final text of the Agreement had been received, I have the clear memory of David Trimble addressing party colleagues in a very small and claustrophobic room in Castle Buildings, saying something like: “I know it’s not perfect, and I realise some of you have very real concerns, but I’m going to go with it because I believe it is a real opportunity to create a better future for everyone.”

It was an unforgettable moment of high drama, emotion and true leadership. A moment when David Trimble put his own leadership and political career on the line realising it would have both personal and political

Image sourced from www.independent.ie

Mo Mowlam in her official portrait as Northern Ireland Secretary

consequences for himself, as it later proved.

I suppose the rest is history. The Agreement was made, unionism, particularly the Ulster Unionist Party, divided and some friendships and relationships never recovered.

As for me, after serious reflection and prayer, I decided to support the Agreement. It had obvious flaws and obnoxious outworkings, such as the early release of terrorist prisoners, who had wrought so much death and destruction to society here. There was also the widespread reform of the RUC, whose members had stood so bravely, and with such cost, against the terrorists – both republican and loyalist. But, like many others whose lives had been so miserably affected by the Troubles, I wanted a better future for the next generation.

I can’t and won’t defend much of the morality of the Good Friday Agreement, but ultimately, I supported the political settlement it offered.

Long hours after I had left home the previous day, I returned in time to attend our Good Friday service in Bessbrook Presbyterian Church.

Before going to that service, I told my wife, Karen, that however it would work out, I was going to support David Trimble in his efforts to bring peace to the people of Northern Ireland.

Danny Kennedy Clerk of session at Bessbrook Presbyterian Church, former Ulster Unionist MLA, and NI Executive Minister

A failure to dispense justice I was a one-year-old during the ratification of the 1998 Belfast Agreement, and so for better or for worse, my life has been shaped by its legacy.

The 25th anniversary of the Agreement has acquired a sombre notoriety, particularly among a broad stroke of unionists who feel disillusioned by the Agreement’s legacy. Even among young people who identify as unionist, James Boyd the Agreement is often viewed as ‘the best alternative’ to the continuation of violence, a view to which I subscribe.

For me, the Achilles heel of the Agreement has been its failure to dispense justice following decades of barbaric violence. The accelerated release of prisoners was an unjust act, and at odds with the actions of a liberal democracy.

This unjust act grew legs and the Agreement’s legacy is ultimately tarnished by the issuing of noprosecution letters, the apparent failure of decommissioning, and to some extent, the emasculation of Northern Ireland’s security services.

The reintegration of released prisoners to society has understandably caused hurt to those who are already hurting. The elevation of those who propagated violence to the Assembly has understandably caused outrage.

Supplemental to the shortcomings of justice has been the failure of those who propagated violence to acknowledge that their violent means were illegitimate. It is therefore hard to see how Northern Ireland can enjoy reconciliation without remorse.

These failings have made it regrettably difficult for me to advocate for and to celebrate the Agreement. Indeed, such failings are acknowledged, at least in part, by liberal unionists who point to the constitutional successes of the Agreement for comfort.

From a constitutional perspective, it is my view that unionism was the victor at the negotiation table in 1998.

Amendment of Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland achieved the prescribed abandonment of the irredentist claims that the Republic made upon Northern Ireland prior to and throughout the Troubles.

Twenty-five years on, the Republic’s appetite for unification has softened in place of a quiet contentment for their northern neighbour. The afterbirth of this constitutional achievement has also healed the gulf between north and south. Presently, north and south remain cooperative with intrinsic economic, social and cultural links that will, in any event, survive Brexit.

Therefore, the Agreement was, at the very least, instrumental in founding a lasting peace in Northern Ireland as well as yielding constitutional reform with the Republic. Regrettably, these

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Image sourced from www.bbc.co.uk

achievements have been overshadowed by the Agreement’s carelessness with the rule of law, which has ensured the ineffective administration of justice in Northern Ireland.

James Boyd Elder at First Presbyterian Church Armagh and a solicitor, practising in Belfast

Confidence for subsequent generations

I was a mere 12 months old when the Good Friday Agreement was signed.

It wasn’t until I entered secondary school that I heard phrases like ‘the Troubles’ or ‘the Good Friday Agreement’ – quite often on the five o’clock news. The remembrance services, the reminiscing from relatives at a family dinner, significant anniversaries of innocent people who lost their lives – all started to paint a picture Paddy Smith of a very different Northern Ireland to what I have always known.

Growing up in a ‘post-conflict’ Northern Ireland, I had the privilege of going to school in the integrated sector, with classmates from every corner of Belfast. Conversations were facilitated and differences were discussed. This forced me to wrestle with my faith and articulate what I believed. The Good Friday Agreement encouraged the promotion of this

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sector and I’m thankful for the part it played in my faith journey, shaping who I am today, and how it aims to promote positive changes in our shared society.

I’m not naive enough to believe that everyone has shared my positive experience. The second paragraph in the Agreement sums this up when it states that the past has left a “deep and profoundly regrettable legacy of suffering”. Twenty-five years later, dissident republican groups still attempt to disrupt communities and the power-sharing executive at Stormont is not functioning.

But I cannot ignore the fact the Agreement has given subsequent generations the confidence and resilience to pursue a more peaceful society. This anniversary reminds me of PCI’s vision for society statement and the importance of seeking “a more reconciled community at peace with each other.” No matter what way the island of Ireland is constituted, my prayer is that those on this island would know the Mighty God who “is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth” (Daniel 4:17).

Paddy Smyth Elder at West Kirk Presbyterian Church who currently serves at Grace & Hope Community Church, West Kirk’s church plant in North Belfast

Optimism or pessimism?

The Good Friday Agreement (GFA) was a creative, if contradictory, attempt to manage the identity conflict at the heart of the Northern Ireland problem. How successful has it been in achieving its aim of ‘a new beginning’ characterised by “reconciliation, tolerance and mutual respect”? I think two readings are possible alongside each other, an optimistic one and a pessimistic one.

There is cause for optimism. An entire generation has grown up largely free from the catastrophic violence of the Troubles. Compared to other ‘hot’ ethnic conflicts around the world (Syria, Ukraine, Ethiopia – the list could go on), the ongoing ‘war’ between Irish nationalism and unionism is at least a ‘cold’ one. Most people just want to get on with life.

The younger generation have other priorities – the climate crisis, social justice, the cost of living, access to education. Endorsed in referenda north and south, the GFA meant that republican violence to force unionists against their will into a united Ireland has been rejected by an overwhelming majority of people.

However, there are reasons for pessimism. The power struggle between Irish nationalism and unionism grinds on unabated. The requirement for cross-community agreement has meant that, with one side or the other walking out, Stormont has been inactive for about 40% of the time since 1998. Such dysfunction has caused crises across

local government in areas like the health service and the lack of delivery of an antipoverty strategy.

The self-inflicted damage done by Patrick Mitchel a DUP-backed Brexit has increased uncertainty and fears about the future. Victims have been marginalised. Perhaps the biggest failure is how virtually all participants in the conflict kept their versions of history intact. ‘Others’ were to blame, not ‘us’. This lack of repentance about the past has prevented meaningful reconciliation.

So where now? First, the ‘heart’ of the GFA was in the right place. If Irish history teaches us anything, it’s the dead-end of one side ‘winning’ over the other. Second, while I’m no politician, it seems to me that the north’s political structures are now in urgent need of reform. Third, a Christian’s identity and security rests, not in any political agreement, but in Jesus Christ the reigning Lord of all. God is not ‘for Ulster’ any more than he is ‘for’ a united Ireland.

When it comes to the future, the long-term prospects for unionism seem uncertain. I know from living in the Republic for the last 30 years that Presbyterians have little to fear.

Perhaps our first question should be a missional one: What best advances the kingdom of God in Ireland? If the answer to that question is one day some form of a unified Ireland then

so be it. We belong to the PCI not the PCNI after all.

Dr Patrick Mitchel is Senior Lecturer in Theology, Irish Bible Institute, Dublin and an elder in Maynooth Community Church (PCI) in Co. Kildare.

the Agreement has given subsequent generations the confidence and resilience to pursue a more peaceful society.

On Thursday 6 April (Holy Thursday) RTÉ will hold a special service of commemoration and thanksgiving to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

It will be an opportunity to come before God with thanksgiving for the years of relative peace brought about by the compromises made by so many to make the Agreement possible.

It’s important in marking the anniversary of the agreement that we hear the voices of ordinary people and the extraordinary suffering that these people endured.

For many, their faith in Christ was what brought them through hard and difficult times.

Pastor David Williamson of South City Church will speak of his time serving in the RUC and the lifechanging injuries he received in the line of duty. His testimony will be matched by that of others who lost friends and family throughout the Troubles. Music based on the Psalms will be provided by Kiran Young Wimberly, a Presbyterian minister from the United States.

The service will be broadcast on RTÉ One at 4.40pm on Thursday 6 April.

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RESOURCE

Beyond skimming the surface

on baptism

David Thompson introduces PCI’s new suite of resources for use in a variety of conversations and settings to increase our understanding and appreciation of the sacrament of baptism.

B

aptism marks a great moment in the lives of parents, children, adults and the local congregation. It provides a little glimpse of what God is doing and how he is at work behind the scenes of our lives. It pictures some big truths that we want to return to often and in which we can ground our faith – in God as our heavenly Father, Jesus as Saviour and the Holy Spirit as the One who empowers us to live by grace.

Over the years, though, a number of misunderstandings about what baptism means have evolved, for example, who it is for and how it makes a difference in our lives. Something that was meant to be so startlingly simple, yet enormously spiritually significant, has too often become a matter of friction and fracture.

Maybe this has left us reluctant to really engage with the sacrament of baptism. As a denomination, perhaps we are guilty of just skimming the surface of our relationship with this deep means of God’s grace. We don’t want baptism to be reduced to nothing more than a nice moment in church for new parents, their wider family and circle of friends. Yet, on the other hand, we fear our Reformed expression of baptism might come across as appearing less significant than the full immersion, adult experience offered by those who have another understanding and adopt a different approach.

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Against that backdrop, can we recapture in mind and heart what this great image of God’s grace to us in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit is really all about? The new PCI suite of resources on baptism aims to help members of congregations of all ages do just that. It provides simple and accessible material to help those considering baptism for themselves or their children, as well as the whole congregation, better understand the sacrament and participate in any service in which baptism is taking place. In setting out to do so, it offers a first word on the sacrament rather than a last word. Congregations are invited to find their ways of making best use of the flexible content, and where necessary, amplifying it as they judge best. It is hoped these resources will help them regain a depth of understanding and appreciation of this amazing sign and seal of God’s amazing grace.

Leaflets and video stories Two new short leaflets for those considering baptism have been developed. One is for use with parents

…a number of misunderstandings about what baptism means have evolved…

considering baptism and is called Your child, baptism and growing up in the family of God. As the title emphasises, baptism is much more than a moment – it is the initiation into the congregational family of faith.

A second leaflet entitled Considering baptism is designed for use with those who have not been baptised as children and have come to faith in later life.

As society becomes more secular in complexion and church connection becomes increasingly rare, we can anticipate, and indeed need to prayerfully expect, that more people who come to faith later in life will not have been baptised as infants. As a Church, we need to be ready for that and not give the impression that baptism is something that is only for babies.

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Your child, bapti and growing up d in the family of Go

Consideri

ng

baptism

For adults

considerin

g baptism

Both leaflets are supplemented by video material. Jill relates her story of bringing her children for baptism. Beth reflects on her experience of being baptised as an adult on profession of faith.

Building on the material in the leaflets and videos for parents or adults considering baptism, a framework for a follow-up conversation called ‘Let’s chat about baptism’ has also been developed.

This offers a focus and structure for unfolding what will be an important chat, so that deciding whether or not to proceed to baptism can be arrived at in a more personal, pastoral way.

perhaps we are guilty of just skimming the surface…with this deep means of God’s grace.

Downloadable material Beyond the individual or parental understanding of baptism, the suite of resources offers ways of going further in our congregational exploration and practice of the sacrament in a number of particular settings: Kirk session. There is a discussion guide and video material aimed at stimulating a conversation in kirk sessions about their role in helping others to explore and express faith as they consider baptism.

It aims to encourage ministers and elders to play their particular role in preparing those coming forward for baptism. At the heart of this process is sensitive listening, helping those requesting baptism to appreciate and become more aware of God’s work in their lives so as to credibly and confidently express a real and living faith in him.

Young people. This is a simple session for use with young people to help them understand and appreciate the teaching of PCI on baptism. It is enhanced by video material in which Suzie shares her story of being baptised as a child, but equally importantly how the sacrament plays an important part in her ongoing life of faith.

Children. A set of PowerPoint slides and accompanying script is available to provide a way of guiding children present at a service of baptism through what is going to be happening in the sacrament and what it means.

The whole congregation. It is significant that the sacrament of baptism is celebrated in a service of worship with

the whole family of the church looking on and participating. The main video material around which the suite of resources centres visually unfolds the teaching of Scripture on baptism in a straightforward and accessible way. It could be used to accompany a sermon on baptism or shown at a baptism service so that everyone present gains a fuller appreciation of what is happening.

Another video clip, entitled Our part as the church family unfolds the place of the congregational family of faith in committing to support those being baptised, whether children or adults, in their ongoing journey of faith.

The resources can be found at www.presbyterianireland.org/baptism Rev David Thompson is Secretary of the Council for Congregational Life and Witness.

Quotes from the resources Bringing children for baptism is a way of publicly showing and saying we want them to grow up having faith in Jesus and living his way. More than that, though, we are also trusting in God to work in their lives. We do all we can to facilitate that by involving our children in the life of the church, and we prayerfully look for signs that they are owning for themselves the ‘family faith’ into which they have been born. That journey can only unfold in God’s way and time and may not be without its twists and turns. It will require careful and prayerful parenting appropriate to childhood, adolescence and the many life transitions by which we grow into adulthood.

From the Baptism video material We can look back to that moment of baptism as the time when we were marked with God’s promises of salvation, which we have come to personally own for ourselves in later life. That backward look reminds us that salvation is something that God plans in eternity and works out in his own time in our lives.

From the Baptism video material

Congregations stand as witnesses to the public profession of faith… they stand with the parents or person making promises to say “We are for you, we are cheering you on, we want you to keep those promises”.

From the Baptism – Our part as the church family video material Discussions about baptism are a great opportunity to explore with parents, or adults coming forward for admission to the sacrament, what they believe about God and their particular journey of life and faith… Perhaps exploring baptism with parents and others is best described from the outset and positively developed as a journey of articulating and affirming an existing living faith in God, or discovering what that involves.

From the kirk session discussion material

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REVIEWS

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

Wonderful Years Claire Trueman

THE PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND

£5

«««««

The opening pages of Claire’s diary come alive as we discover what it felt like for a young woman in her early twenties to leave Ireland and travel to Jamaica for a whole new way of life – starting with a journey that in those days took three weeks by sea. A good number of her friends and PWA office bearers had come to ‘see her off’ on the Liverpool boat in Belfast.

She records every little detail of her arrival in Kingston too: her welcome by leaders in the Jamaican Church and initially staying with Rev John and Joan Stewart who were also from PCI; heading out in the dark to a regular early morning church service and coming out at sunrise; her excitement at seeing the green oranges that grew in the Stewarts’ garden; later learning how to make rice and peas.

One observation that John Stewart made and that she never forgot was very simply: “Claire, you won’t change Jamaica, Jamaica will change you.”

Her first job was to work as a teacher in a recently established church preparatory school but over the years that widened out to a full-time job with the Synod, organising Church-wide children’s work and children’s camps. Finally, she became a regional co-ordinator for equipping Church members of all ages for ministry and mission. Sixty years later and Claire is still living in Jamaica and still serving the United Church in Jamaica through this collection of letters, articles, reports and extracts from her diaries – which she describes as her legacy.

In introducing her book to us she comments, “I received a very clear call to Jamaica which I never doubted. I left my biological family in October 1962…and have been blessed with a much larger family as numerous as the stars.”

Claire’s reflections include poetry, personal meditations on Scripture and extracts from sermons preached. Despite being a relatively slim volume, Wonderful Years also includes stories of mission trips and church visits to places like Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti.

Now in her 85th year, Claire has thought deeply about what it means to serve God in later life and at a slower pace. She shares this insight in a letter to the Moderator of her beloved United Church in Jamaica when she was honoured by the Synod: “Some years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to me. I was reading the Bible and I became very sleepy. Although it was open at Galatians 6, I read the following words: ‘they will still bear fruit in old age’. After a search I found those words in Psalm 92… it is encouraging to know that God may still have work for me to do.”

This Irish version of Wonderful Years is beautifully edited by Rev Dr John Dunlop who, with his wife Rosemary, served with the United Church from 1968–1978 and knew Claire well. It is published by the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland as a joint project with the Council for Global Mission. A very helpful list outlining the many PCI personnel who have served in Jamaica through the years is appended at the end of the book. Like Claire, we can all say, “We didn’t change Jamaica, but Jamaica undoubtedly changed us!”

LH Wonderful Years is available from the offices of the Historical Society (028 9072 7330) or Global Mission (028 9032 2284) in Assembly Buildings.

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Chasing after Wind: A Pastor’s Life Douglas J. Brouwer EERDMANS

£19.98

«««««

This is a very courageous and honest account of the author’s life as a pastor, and in parts he is quite critical of himself.

Douglas Brouwer is a third-generation Dutch-American, brought up in the Netherlands Reformed Church, with zealous devotion to the Calvinist faith. He really wanted a career in writing, editing and publishing, but this was not to be.

However, he has written many articles for numerous church publications and, in later years, books.

After graduation and before starting his ministry, he decided to become Presbyterian and explains his reasons for doing so. Throughout his time as a pastor, he acknowledges that his greatest teachers were his various congregations, for which he is extremely grateful as at times he felt he was “chasing after the wind” (quoting from Ecclesiastes).

Disillusionment set in, which he says was a painful time, but Brouwer adds, “God allows us to be humbled so that we can see at last what is real and what is of lasting importance”. It is sad that the author seems to have, at times, seen his life as a real struggle, never feeling as though he was on “top of the job”. He reaches retirement with “a sigh of relief” and at last is able to be himself.

I enjoyed this book but did feel sorry for Brouwer as he never seemed relaxed in himself, but I do applaud his honesty and courage in baring his soul and being so truthful. He is very hard on himself; how different the story would be if told by a colleague or member of one of his congregations.

DH

REVIEWERS

SH – Sarah Harding is editor of the Presbyterian Herald DH – Dorothy Hamilton is a member of Ballygrainey Presbyterian

God’s Spirit: The Antidote to Chaos Reuben Hunter CHRISTIAN FOCUS PUBLICATIONS

£7.98

«««««

The opening of this short book is testament to the central message it aims to convey. If we are to live our lives as servants of Christ, we are under obligation to display the fruits of the Spirit by weaving them into our everyday interactions.

Although a seemingly insurmountable task, there is help available to the Christian – in striving to do this we aren’t reliant on our own strength but can seek it from above. As the author puts it: “A Spiritfilled life, walking by the Spirit, very simply looks like a life shaped by love, joy, peace, patience and so on.”

Timely issues for the believer discussed throughout the book include relying on God’s judgement as opposed to enacting our own revenge amidst a vengeful culture, and why, despite God’s plan for our lives not making sense within our earthly understanding, there is necessity to trust it nonetheless.

He concludes by posing a challenge wherein the believer is asked whether they are going to follow this way of life or not. If the answer to this question is yes, there are fundamental sources of encouragement that will be essential for perseverance, such as listening to God’s voice by means of his Word and ensuring a relationship with him can be built up through prayer.

This is a useful guide for Christians seeking to make God’s presence in their lives evident to those around them.

CD

CD – Claire Dickson is a politics student at Queen’s and comes from Banbridge LH – Rev Liz Hughes is minister emerita of Whitehouse Presbyterian RM – Rebecca McConnell is a member of First Rathfriland Presbyterian

Honest Offering Cain

SONY MUSIC/PROVIDENT ENTERTAINMENT

Available via streaming services

««««« Cain is made up of a trio of siblings: Madison, Taylor and Logan. As the kids of pastors, they grew up playing music in church, and although first attempting to launch a country music career, God had other ideas, leading them to sign with the Christian wing of a music label instead.

Digital Dominion Jeff Mingee 10OFTHOSE.COM

£4.99 (bulk discount available)

«««««

How many of us set up a Facebook account because it was the thing to do at the time and the bandwagon to jump on to? And how many of us have stepped back to evaluate what we say and post in terms of our witness as a Christian?

This 114-page booklet seeks to challenge us and our use of devices and social networking channels. It is a helpful

This EP contains six tracks, all recorded live in Nashville. There is a joy to the band’s free-flowing praise throughout. This vibe was a conscious effort to return to their roots, when they used to host teen Bible studies. Madison says, “We’d pack so many in our family room and just sing to Jesus.”

Praise Opens Prison Doors is a thumping opening number that seems poignant considering the awakening that is happening in Asbury at the time of release. “Sing all day, sing all night, our hearts lifted up… God we know what you can do when we lift up our voices and worship you.”

Friend In Jesus is a slower, more meditative song that speaks of the redeeming love of Jesus and Blessed Assurance is a fresh take on the classic hymn with a country twist.

There are some well-known songwriters who have contributed to this EP, including Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram and Mitch Wong. Mitch also features on the track Shine On Us, which is another worshipful anthem. Overall, this is a joyful collection.

SH

reminder that the digital space can be missional too and be used to share our faith to those who follow us.

There should be a desire to make the shift from ‘mindlessly scrolling’ to ‘missionally engaging’ and to be ‘intentionally engaging’ with the online communities we are part of. Not shying away from the issue of idolatry, Jeff wishes for us to hold other Christians to account for things they post that are perhaps not helpful, such as political viewpoints and opinions.

If, like me, you find your device sometimes controls you then perhaps it’s time to set limits on social apps and take a digital sabbath regularly. “God did not intend for you to be controlled by your device, rather he intended you to use it for his good purposes.”

Each chapter ends with discussion questions to ignite group chat, thus making it ideal for small groups to work through, although it is still relevant for people to read on their own.

RM

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LIFE IN PCI

New elders at Groomsport On Sunday 27 November 2022, three new elders were ordained and installed at Groomsport Presbyterian. Pictured standing are members of the commission of the Presbytery of Ards, seated are the new elders George Purdy, Maureen Stewart and Chris Thompson with the moderator of presbytery, Rev Mairisine Stanfield.

Farewell to Ballycastle minister Rev John Stanbridge has been called to Joymount Presbyterian Church in Carrickfergus after more than 10 years in Ballycastle and Croaghmore congregations. A farewell congregational luncheon was held after his last service in Ballycastle on Sunday 22 January. Pictured are: Back row: Dr Brown, Father Daly and Rev Ferguson. Front row: Miss Pat Shirley, clerk of session, Mrs Lesley Stanbridge, Rev John Stanbridge and Mr Eric Wilson, church secretary.

Greystone Road installs and ordains new minister Rev Chris Wilson was recently installed and ordained as minister in Greystone Road congregation in Antrim. Back row: Rev Dr Donald Patton, Rev Stephen McNie, Rev Stephen Simpson, vacancy convener, Rev Colin McDowell. Front row: Rev Alan Moore, James Livingstone, clerk of Templepatrick Presbytery, Rev Chris Wilson, and James Warwick, clerk of session, Greystone Road.

Twenty-five years of service recognised in Strean At their recent Girls’ Brigade enrolment, Strean Presbyterian Church in Newtownards thanked GB officer Jennifer Rankin, who has just stepped down after serving for 25 years as an officer. Jennifer joined Strean GB aged 3.

High Street Holywood welcomes new members On 20 November 2022, the congregation of High Street in Holywood, Co Down, welcomed a group of people into membership – nine new adult members and their children. Far right is the clerk of session, Tim Bromley.

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

Bushmills minister retires Rev Dr Nancy Cubitt at a reception in Bushmills Presbyterian Church, Co Antrim to mark her retirement. Dr Cubit is presented with a cheque and flowers by Hilary Taggart, incoming treasurer, accompanied by Kenny Blair, outgoing treasurer.

Moderator visits Second Presbyterian Church, Comber Minister of Second Presbyterian Church, Comber, Rev Andrew Conway, presents a gift to guest speaker at Sunday morning service, 15 January, the Moderator, Dr John Kirkpatrick. The Moderator’s visit coincided with the completion of Mr Conway’s first year as minister in Second Comber.

Retirement in Corraneary Mrs Florence Lucas was presented with inscribed glass and flowers to mark over 55 years of dedicated service with the PW boxes at Corraneary, Co Cavan. Pictured are Rev John O’Donnell, Mrs Florence Lucas and Mrs Martha Hunter, who will continue this work.

Knitting skills at Drumlee PW help those in need Ladies and friends of Drumlee PW, Co Down, knitted a ‘Christmas Tree of Hats’ in various shades of green. These hats have been donated to those in need via International Meeting Point.

New communicants welcomed at Magherahamlet In November 2022, history was made at Magherahamlet Presbyterian Church, Ballynahinch, when 15 new communicants were welcomed into the Church family. (This photo was taken at the New Year Communion and two are missing from the photo).

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LIFE IN PCI

New minister in First Kilraughts and Armoy

50 years’ service to BB at Trinity Boardmills

The congregations of First Kilraughts and Armoy welcomed Rev Gary Glasgow as their new minister recently, when a service of installation was held. Back row (L–R): Rev Richard Murray (moderator of presbytery and convener of the vacancy), Rev Campbell Mulvenny, Mr Ivan Kerr, Dr Ian McNie (acting clerk of presbytery), Mrs Heather Morrison (clerk of session: Armoy), Rev Gary Glasgow, Mr Maurice Christie (clerk of session: First Kilraughts).

The Co Down congregation of Trinity Boardmills made a special presentation to Mrs Iris Conroy to mark her long and faithful service of over 50 years with First Boardmills Boys’ Brigade Company. Iris also devoted herself to the Good New Club at the Temple, and the Christian Endeavour work at Trinity. Pictured with Iris after the recent enrolment service are (front): Johnny Price (president of the company), Mark Conroy (leader-in-charge, Junior Section). Back: Alastair Martin (captain) and Robert Kirk (past captain).

Spa celebrates 150th anniversary The Moderator, Dr John Kirkpatrick, visited Spa Presbyterian on 27 November 2022 to celebrate the Co Down church’s 150th anniversary.

First Ards Junior CE celebrates 100 years Recently First Ards Christian Endeavour (CE) celebrated its 100th anniversary. Cutting the cake are Rev Craig Lynn, minister of First Ards Presbyterian Church, Russell Armour (Irish CE president and member of the Newtownards congregation), Harry Martin, whose dad founded the CE in 1923, and the youngest juniors, Evie and Adalie.

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New elders in Elmwood Three new elders were ordained at Elmwood Presbyterian Church in Lisburn on Sunday 15 January 2023. Front row, from left: Dr William Henry, Rev Andrew Thompson, minister of the congregation, Robin Walsh, Julie Murdock, Lorraine Bell and Rev Dr Allen Sleith, moderator of presbytery. Back row: members of the commission from Dromore Presbytery.

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

Magheramorne congregation expresses thanks

10th anniversary of Faith Without Borders ministry at Windsor

On completion of his period as temporary stated supply, Dr Michael Barry and his wife Esther received gifts from a grateful Magheramorne congregation. A painting of the Co Antrim church was presented by artist Janet Crymble, daughter of Rev James McAuley, a previous minister of the church, while the flowers were arranged and presented by Jemma Boyd, church secretary.

Rev Gareth McLean, minister of Orangefield Presbyterian, preached at a special service in Windsor Presbyterian Church, south Belfast to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Windsor’s Faith Without Borders ministry. Pictured are Rev Gareth McLean, Rev Ivan Steen and his wife Gemma and their children, with some members of the Windsor congregation.

CROSSWORD Puzzle no 277 1

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ACROSS 1 John the Baptist’s father – see Luke 1 (9) 6 Top drawer 7 This boy is a star! (5,7) 9 Yearly investment yield (7) 12 Waterlily (5) 14 Chinese chairman (3) 15 Dutch port (9) 18 French friend (3) 19 Type of power (5) 20 Easyjet’s HQ is here (5) 21 Crept forward (6) 22 Daisy’s best friend (6) 25 Garland (3) 26 Worship (7) 27 Boyle of singing fame (5)

DOWN 1 Safer striped place (5,8) 2 Piece of furniture (7) 3 Whenever suits (7) 4 Initials of local soccer body (3) 5 Tree (5) 6 Wide awake (5) 8 OT prophet (6) 10 Jack the sailor (3) 11 Sings the Swiss way (6) 13 OT sacrificial animal (2) 16 Jesus was one (7) 17 Ways of doing things (7) 18 Yearly books (7) 23 Meadow (3) 24 Unpleasant noise (3)

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compiled by Harry Douglas

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REFLECTIONS

Heirs of the gracious gift of life David Clarke Studies in 1 Peter (3:1–7)

“A

ll romances end at marriage,” remarked a Peter is convinced of the power of a pure and reverent life. The character in Thomas Hardy’s novel, Far From great short story writer O. Henry wrote of a man who moved The Madding Crowd. While Hardy’s line surely from his small town and threw himself into the racy life of a reflects his own unhappy experience, there is a big city. One day, in the street, he passed a young woman, fine, growing number in our society for whom it is sadly true. Almost clean and contented. Her face triggered a memory. She had been 50% of marriages in Britain end in divorce, and abusive and a classmate in their small-town school. As he thought about insensitive behaviour is all too common. the gap that now existed between them, he turned into an alley, Peter was well placed to offer insights on husband–wife crouched against a wall, and sobbed, “I wish I was dead”. relations. He brought Jesus to heal his mother-in-law (Mark The great Augustine’s account of his believing mother’s 1:30), while, as Paul tells us with just a attitude to her pagan husband illumines hint of envy (1 Corinthians 9:5–6), Peter’s The dignity which Christ Peter’s purpose. Augustine wrote, “She wife accompanied him on his evangelistic served her husband as her master, and did conferred on all the travels. all she could to win him for you, speaking It was something other than male to him of you by her conduct, by which women with whom he chauvinism that led Peter to address more you made her beautiful… Finally, when her came in contact meant verses to wives (v1–6) than to husbands husband was at the end of his earthly span, (v7). The dignity that Christ conferred she gained him for you.” that women felt on all the women with whom he came in Considerate husband. While husband confident to identify with and wife are “heirs together” (v7), the wife contact meant that women felt confident to identify with the growing Christian is regarded as “weaker” (in a physical but the growing Christian fellowship. Besides, in the rigid social not moral or intellectual sense) and thus fellowship. structure of the 1st century, if a man deserving of considerate treatment. became a Christian his wife was expected That considerate behaviour was the ethos to follow suit. The situation Peter addresses is that where a of the home in which the novelist Somerset Maugham grew up. woman becomes a believer and her husband remains a pagan.

His mother was a strikingly beautiful woman, but her husband Peter shows how a woman should comport herself in that was far from handsome. She was once asked, “Why have you situation, hence the more detailed instruction. remained faithful to that ugly little man you married?” Her Gentile wife. Peter’s guiding principle is evangelistic, desiring answer was simple: “Because he never hurts me”. And words are that “husbands…may be won over by the behaviour of their as important as actions. As someone observed, “For a marriage to wives”(v1). The writer is no domestic autocrat, for the entire have any chance, every day at least six things should go unsaid.” section reflects the domestic harmony Matthew Henry had in Underlying Peter’s plea is the knowledge that husband and mind in his celebrated comment on Genesis 2:21, that she was wife are equal, “heirs...of the gracious gift of life” (v7). That verse “not made out of his head to top him, nor out of his feet to be is the death knell of sexual inequality, but also emphasises that trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal to him, marriage is not an end in itself, but serves the more important under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.” end of our fellowship with God. That fellowship can be John Stott helpfully defined “headship” (Ephesians 5:22) as jeopardised, and prayers hindered, by any form of selfishness. pertaining more to care than to control, more to responsibility One commentator remarked, “The sighs of the injured wife than to authority. That is the tone of Peter’s advice. come between the husband’s prayers and God’s hearing.”

Peter’s commendation of “a gentle and quiet spirit” (v4) is a call The Victorian preacher J.H. Jowett summarised the ideal that to Christlikeness, since Jesus described himself as “gentle and Peter had in mind: “The relationship is a mutual ministry of humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). He does take aim, however, honour, each willing to be lost in the good and happiness of the at outward adornments, such as “braided hair, gold jewellery and other.” fine clothes” (v3). Even in our 21st centurycompiled the categories haveDouglas

by Harry not changed much, have they? While dowdiness is no proof of saintliness, for Christian people issues of stewardship ought to Very Rev Dr David Clarke is a former PCI Moderator and minister arise, and displays of ostentation should be avoided. emeritus of Terrace Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine.

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REFLECTIONS

40...ish

Ruth Sanderson

W

ell, it’s happening. up. Maybe start keeping on top of any grey hairs that might I’m turning 40. begin to crop up in my roots. The thing is, I’m quite squeamish, The day has come… I’m trying to be brave. so going under the surgeon’s knife isn’t really an option…

I am the youngest in my family and the nor is Botox (not good with needles). Also, I’m an absolutely youngest in my friendship group, so for a while at least I was terrible liar; I do wonder if I can fully commit to a future life of able to revel in the fact that I was enjoying seeing everyone mistruth. having their big birthdays before me. We’ve had some fantastic Then there’s the little fact that all my friends and family know parties, gorgeous food, drink and dancing to celebrate. It how old I am already, so either I’m going to have to ditch them seems like no time at all since we were all celebrating our 18th all or ask them to pretend too. It’s a tricky one; I’m pretty keen birthdays (staying up all night), then our 21sts (also staying up on them, you see, and I’m loath to find either new friends or all night), then 30ths (staying somewhere classy) and now our family at this point. Maybe I should send out a mass WhatsApp 40ths (everyone has to leave by 10pm to relieve babysitters). message just letting everyone in on it, asking them to respect I’m not sure I’m dealing with the run up to the ‘big one’ as my ‘new’ age, only sending well wishes for a 39th birthday from well as I thought I might have. now on, limiting the candle count on my birthday cake – that “Our life is nearly over!” I whined last kind of thing. night to my husband.

Yes, I think I can just about live in a “No, it isn’t,” he said calmly, not looking God…wants us to be world of self-delusion. I’m sure there will up from his book. I sensed he was fighting truthful and authentic. be lots of other 39-year-olds in the old the urge to roll his eyes. age nursing home I’m carted off to when “But it’s all slipping by!” I cried, my children are in their 50s (I’ll still dramatically flouncing on the sofa. be 39, which might cause a few questions on the admission He is dealing with it better than I am. He is a few weeks paperwork). I’m sure my husband won’t mind having a 39-yearyounger than me, and calls me ‘the old lady’ at every old wife when he is 97. opportunity. I find it highly unamusing.

I’m starting to see a few flaws in my plan now. A life of selfSo, I’ve come up with a plan. I’d like to let you into a little delusion is not that appealing after all. secret, just between us. Are you ready reader? Come closer. You It seems obvious, but God will always know what age I am, can’t tell anyone… I’m going to whisper it. what I say, do and think. He sees every birthday, every crow’s I’m not going to turn 40… foot. He will know if I got my lines blurred or lips plumped I have decided that the best way to deal with things is simply or face filled. He sees it all. He strips it all away and looks at to stay 39. the heart, looks at who we are and asks us to look back at him.

Hear me out. It can’t be that hard, can it? All I have to do There is no pretence with him, no fooling him, no deceiving is remember, if anyone asks me, that the year I was born will him. change for the foreseeable future. It will become 1984, then I do wonder how often in life I delude myself, try to convince 1985, then 1986… You get the picture. Glamorous people have myself that somehow God doesn’t care if I am unkind or selfish, been doing this for decades, haven’t they? I’m sure Elizabeth or pass on gossip to friends, or am downright obnoxious to the Taylor or Joan Collins didn’t go around shouting about their person in the car in front. God cuts through these delusions. age. Haven’t scores of filled, plumped, face-lifted folk tried to He wants us to be truthful and authentic. To live our precious, push back the years and just happily pretended to be an age amazing lives to the fullest – not in a state of half shade they saw many moons ago? and white lies, but to exist every second in the full, blazing My passport, birth certificate and driving licence are going brightness of his glory. to be problematic, but nothing a little bit of Tipp-ex on What an awesomely liberating thought. To be in his light, for the originals can’t sort out. Besides, if I don’t travel or drive him to see us for all that we are and all that we have been, and anywhere, I should be able to keep my real age under wraps. all that we will be. What freedom there is in being truly known, Of course, I’ll have to start wearing significantly more makewhether we are 18, 81 or really turning 40.

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CHURCH RECORD VACANT CONGREGATIONS, MODERATORS AND CLERKS OF KIRK SESSIONS (Information supplied by clerks of presbyteries, conveners of Assembly commissions and councils.)

1. LEAVE TO CALL GRANTED

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

BALLYALBANY and GLENNAN: REV D.T.R. EDWARDS: (Ballyalbany) Mr Sam Condell, Billary, Smithborough, Co Monaghan. (Glennan) Dr Michael Wallace, 8 Fellows Grange, Fellows Hall Road, Killylea, Co Armagh, BT60 4LR. BALLYMENA, FIRST: REV N.A.L. CAMERON: Mr Tom Heaney, 109 Loughmagarry Road, Ballymena, BT43 6ST. BALLYRONEY and DRUMLEE: (Reviewable tenure – 7 years) REV A.M. BORELAND: (Ballyroney) Mr David Peters, 30 Seafin Road, Ballyroney, Banbridge, BT32 5ER. (Drumlee) Mr Graham Truesdale, 128 Lackan Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan, BT31 9RX. BELMONT: REV T.J. STOTHERS: Mr Christopher Steele, 1 Hawthornden Drive, Belfast, BT4 2HG. COLERAINE, NEW ROW: REV R.D. GREGG: Mr Adrian Cochrane, 12 Cambridge Park, Coleraine, BT52 2QT. DUNFANAGHY and CARRIGART: (Home Mission) 50% Congregational Ministry, 50% CMI Mission Project REV T.J. BRUCE: (Dunfanaghy) Mrs Ethel Montgomery, ‘Millrace’, Marble Hill Road, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal, F92 N2WO. (Carrigart) Mrs Joy Buchanan, Figart, Carrigart, Co Donegal, F92 N2WO. DUN LAOGHAIRE: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV A.J. BOAL: Mrs Dorothy Shanahan, 1 Holmwood, Brennanstown, Cabinteely, D18 T2T5.

GARDENMORE: REV B.S. PRESTON: Dr Philip Shepherd, 1 Huntersbuoy Lane, Larne, BT40 2HH. GARVAGH, MAIN ST and KILLAIG: REV KNOX JONES: (Garvagh, Main St) Mr Alan Farlow, 39 Ballynameen Road, Garvagh, BT51 5PN. (Killaig) Mr Ivan McKane, 27 Cashel Road, Macosquin, Coleraine, BT51 4PW. HILLTOWN and CLONDUFF: (Reviewable tenure – 7 years) REV KENNETH NELSON: (Hilltown) Mr John Ervine, 51 Rostrevor Road, Hilltown, Newry, BT34 5TZ. (Clonduff ) Mr Cecil Brown, 39 Bannfield Road, Rathfriland, Newry, BT34 5HG. KNOCK: REV R.J. BEGGS: Mr Hugo Wilson, 5 Finchley Gardens, Belfast, BT4 2JB. LECUMPHER and MAGHERAFELT, UNION ROAD: REV J.A. MARTIN: (Lecumpher) Mr Sammy Thompson, 10 Ballynagowan Road, Desertmartin, BT45 5LH. (Magherafelt, Union Road) Mr Ian Francis, 32 Caraloan Road, Magherafelt, BT45 6NW. LOWE MEMORIAL: REV DR D.J. McKELVEY: Dr Moyna Bill, 6 Old Coach Avenue, Belfast, BT9 5PY. McQUISTON MEMORIAL: (Reviewable tenure – 7 years) REV DR COLIN BURCOMBE: Mr Ken Galbraith, 14 Millars Forge, Dundonald, Belfast, BT16 1UT. NEWTOWNARDS, REGENT STREET: REV P.T. DALZELL: Mr Ian MacDonald, 11 Stanvilla Road, Newtownards, BT23 8HE. RALOO and MAGHERAMORNE: (Reviewable tenure – 7 years) REV D.R. CROMIE: (Raloo) Mr Geoff McBride, 72 Raloo Road, Larne, BT40 3DU. (Magheramorne) Mr Morris Gardner, 89 Ballypollard Road, Magheramorne, Larne, BT40 3JG. RATHFRILAND, FIRST: REV C.G. HARRIS: Mr David Scott, 13 Sleepy Valley, Rathfriland, Newry, BT34 5HL. SAINTFIELD, FIRST: (Reviewable tenure – 7 years) REV B.A. SMALL: Mr Paul Jackson, 20 The Grange, Saintfield, BT24 7NF. TOBERKEIGH and RAMOAN: REV R W GASTON: (Toberkeigh) Mr Jim Kane, 67A Ballinlea Road, Ballinlea Upper, Ballycastle, BT54 6NN. (Ramoan) Mr Robert Getty, 23 Carrowcroey Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, BT53 8UH.

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WARINGSTOWN: REV R.L. BROWN: Mr David Crawford, 148 Avenue Road, Lurgan, BT66 7BJ.

2. LEAVE TO CALL DEFERRED CLADYMORE and TASSAGH: REV R.I. ABRAHAM: (Cladymore) Mr David Wilson, 73 Kilmachugh Road, Mowhan, Armagh, BT60 2EN. (Tassagh) Mr Philip Crozier, 68 Bachelors Walk, Keady, Armagh, BT60 2NA. DROMORE and DRUMQUIN: REV E.T. FRAZER: (Dromore) Mr Lynden Keys, 25 New Park Road, Dromore, Omagh, BT78 3JU. (Drumquin) Dr Paul Booth, 231 Tummery Road, Irvinestown, BT78 3UF. RICHVIEW: REV N.S. HARRISON: Mr Victor Garland, 25 Abingdon Drive, Belfast, BT12 5PX.

SETTLED STATED SUPPLY APPOINTED BALLINDERRY: VERY REV DR W.J. HENRY, Minister of Maze.

BOVEEDY: REV DR T.J. McCORMICK, Minister of 1st Kilrea.

CAHIR: (Home Mission) REV WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, Minister of Fermoy.

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

TYRONE’S DITCHES: REV J.K.A. McINTYRE, Minister of Bessbrook.

3. DECLARED VACANT ARMAGH, FIRST: REV G.R. MULLAN: Mr Ian Kyle, 8 Drummanmore Road, Armagh, BT61 8RN. BALLEE: REV T. P. McCULLOUGH: Mr John Quigley, 81 Queen’s Avenue, Magherafelt, BT45 6DB. BALLINA, KILLALA & BALLYMOTE: (Home Mission) REV D.J. CLARKE: Mr Geoffrey Shannon, Robin Hill, Carraun, Corballa, Ballina, Co Mayo, F26 A070.

BALLYCASTLE & CROAGHMORE: REV DR ANDRE ALVES-AREIAS: (Ballycastle) Pat Shirley, 22 Dunamallaght Rd, Ballycastle BT54 6PB. (Croaghmore) Andy McGugan, 158 Whitepark Road, Bushmills, BT57 8SS. BALLYNURE: REV D.J. KELLY: Mr George Clarke, Kinnen House, 70 Ballyvallagh Road, Gleno, BT40 3NA. BELLAGHY and KNOCKLOUGHRIM: REV J.B. MULLAN: (Bellaghy) Mr Harry Ferson, 12 Railway Terrace, Castledawson, Magherafelt, BT45 8AY. (Knockloughrim) Mr Wilbur Bownes, 10 Meadowell Fold, Westland Gardens, Magherafelt, BT45 5DP. BELVOIR: REV B.J. WALKER: Mr Brian Dunwoody, 19 Drumart Drive, Belfast, BT8 7ET. BUSHMILLS: VERY REV DR D.I.J. McNIE: Rev Martin Gracey, 6 Bush Crescent, Bushmills, BT57 8AJ. CASTLEDERG FIRST and KILLETER: REV R.A. ORR: (First Castlederg) Mr James Emery BEM, 8 Lurganbuoy Road, Castlederg, BT81 7HS. (Killeter) Mr Isaac Crilly, 7 Fort Road, Castlederg, BT81 7UL. CASTLEDERG, SECOND and URNEY: REV C.H. DEERING: (Second Castlederg) Mr Bert Huey, Tossa, 8 Listymore Road, Castlederg, BT81 7JG. (Urney) Mr Norman McMullan, 80 Orchard Road, Strabane, BT82 9QT. CASTLEROCK: REV D.H. BROWN: Miss Heather McSparran, 26 Freehall Road, Castlerock, BT51 4TR. CLONTIBRET and MIDDLETOWN: REV J.H. HANSON: (Clontibret) Mr S.R. Gray, Legnacrieve, Castleshane, Co Monaghan, H18 DN20.

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 CRUMLIN: REV BEN JOHNSTON: Mr James Livingstone, “Edin”, 56 Largy Road, Crumlin, BT29 4RW. CUMBER and UPPER CUMBER: REV S.W. HIBBERT: (Cumber) Mr Eric Christie, 43 Gorse Road, Killaloo, Londonderry, BT47 3SS. (Upper Cumber) Mr Jack McFarland, 12 Cregg Road, Claudy, Londonderry, BT47 4HX.

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

STRABANE and SION MILLS: REV P.B. HOUSTON: (Strabane) Mr William Watson, 44 Orchard Road, Strabane, BT82 9QS. (Sion Mills) Mr Colin Campbell, 26 Albert Place, Sion Mills, Strabane, BT82 9HN. TULLYCARNET: REV R.S.J. McILHATTON:

DROMARA, SECOND: REV D.H. GILPIN: Mr Herbert Chambers, 29 Stewarts Road, Dromara, BT25 2AN.

VINECASH: REV P.W.A. McCLELLAND: Mr Thomas Graham, 38 Richmount, Portadown, BT62 4JQ.

DUNDROD: REV R.C. KERR: Mr William McClure, 20 Thorndale Road, Dundrod, BT29 4UD.

WHITEHEAD: REV N.W. DUDDY: Ms Helen Graham, 4 Kilcarn, Islandmagee, BT40 3PJ.

ENNISCORTHY and WEXFORD: (Home Mission) REV M.R.J. ANDERSON: (Enniscorthy) Mr Ian Gibson “Tanglewood”, Monart, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. (Wexford) c/o Mr Ian Gibson.

ENNISKILLEN: REV G.M. ANDRICH: Miss Kate Doherty, Tiernisk, Drumgay, Enniskillen, BT74 4GH. FAHAN (Home Mission) and WATERSIDE: REV G.A. McCRACKEN: (Fahan) Mr James Lamberton, 1 Deanfield, Limavady Road, Londonderry, BT47 6HY. (Waterside) Mr William McIlwaine, 19 Glenaden Hill, Altnagelvin Park, Londonderry, BT47 2LJ. GLASTRY and KIRKCUBBIN: REV A. GILICZE: Mr James McClements.

GORTNESSY: REV COLIN McKIBBIN: Mr Ross Hyndman, 32 Temple Road, Strathfoyle, Londonderry, BT47 6UB. HYDEPARK & LYLEHILL: REV C.K. McDOWELL: (Hydepark) Mrs Lynas Alexander, 22 Broadacres, Templepatrick, BT39 0AY. KELLS: (Home Mission) REV ALAN McQUADE: Miss Ruth McCartney, Shancarnan, Moynalty, Kells, Co Meath, A82 PF60.

KILMAKEE: REV ROBERT LOVE: Miss Aileen Irvine, 5 Aberdelghy Park, Lambeg, Lisburn, BT27 4QF. KILREA, SECOND: REV DR CLIVE GLASS: Mr John McIlrath, 9 Moyagoney Road, Kilrea, Coleraine, BT51 5SX. MONEYDIG: REV DR S.D.H. WILLIAMSON: Mr Steven Torrens, 115a Agivey Road, Kilrea, Coleraine, BT51 5UZ. NEWINGTON: REV DR I.D. NEISH: Mr John Lynass, 8 Bushfoot Park, Portballintrae, BT57 8YX. NEWTOWNARDS, SECOND: REV C.W. JACKSON: Mr Ivan Patterson, 11 Heron Crescent, Newtownards, BT23 8WH. PORTAVOGIE: REV G.J SIMPSON: Mr Trevor Kennedy, 1 Cairndore Road, Newtownards, BT23 8RD. RANDALSTOWN, O.C: REV A.W. MOORE: Mr Alun Coulter, 48 Portglenone Road, Randalstown, BT41 3DB. RASHARKIN: REV A.J. McCRACKEN: Mr Norbury Royle, 96 Drumsaragh Road, Kilrea, BT51 5XR. RATHCOOLE: REV A.K. DUDDY: Mr Norman Creaney,7 Coolshannagh Park, Newtownabbey, BT37 9LA. RATHGAR – CHRIST CHURCH: REV DR S. MAWHINNEY: Mr Paul Fry, 44 Monolea Wood, Firhouse, Dublin 24, D24 A2V3.

SPA and MAGHERAHAMLET: REV D.F. LEAL: (Spa) Acting Clerk - Mr Stephen McBride, 28 Ballynahinch Road, Castlewellan, BT31 9PA. (Magherahamlet) Mr David Whan, 74 Castlewellan Road, Dromara, BT25 2JN.

TEMPORARY STATED SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT BALLYCAIRN: REV WILLIAM HARKNESS: Mr Brian Milligan, 19 Glenariff Drive, Dunmurry, BT17 9AZ. BELLVILLE: REV D.S. HENRY: Mr Mervyn King, 29 Ardmore Road, Derryadd, Lurgan, BT66 6QP. CARNLOUGH-CUSHENDALL and NEWTOWNCROMMELIN: REV J.A. BEATTIE: (Carnlough-Cushendall) Mr Norman McMullan, 91 Ballymena Road, Carnlough, BT44 0LA. (Newtowncrommelin) Mr James Gillan, 67 Gracefield, Ballymena, BT42 2RP. GRANGE with CRAIGMORE: REV R.S AGNEW: Mr Jamie Harris, 32 Portglenone Road, Randalstown, BT41 3BE. NEWTOWNSTEWART and GORTIN (Home Mission): REV JONATHAN COWAN: (Newtownstewart) Mr James Baxter, 22 Strabane Road, Newtownstewart, Omagh, BT78 4BD. (Gortin) Mr Adrian Adams, 32 Lisnaharney Road, Lislap, Omagh, BT79 7UE. WARRENPOINT and ROSTREVOR: REV S.S. JOHNSTON: (Warrenpoint) Mr Denis Brady, 28 Seaview, Warrenpoint, Newry, BT34 3NJ. (Rostrevor) Mr Terry O’Flynn, 15 Aurora Na Mara, Shore Road, Rostrevor, BT34 3UP.

THE ELDERSHIP Ordained and installed: AUGHENTAINE: Valerie Edith Adams, Lorraine Bleakley, Stephen Thomas Erskine BALLYCLARE: Norma Adams, Sheelagh Dalton, Chris Dickey, Gareth Harding, Ian Holmes, Adele Irwin, Zoe Lutton FIRST LARNE: Beth Alexander, Mary Magill, Heather Murray, Kathryn Swann, Shirley Torbitt LEGACURRY: Michael Davidson, Alan Little OBE, Jacqueline Pickering, David Smyth MOIRA: Matthew Blain, Stuart McIlwaine, Andrew Preston RAPHOE & BALLINDRAIT: Rodney Bates, William Bell, Audrey Clarke, Jacqueline Hunter, Victor Kilpatrick, Alan Macbeth Installed MOIRA: Allen Gamble Died: ANTRIM, FIRST: Robert Ivan Stockdale BALLEE: Robert McCullough BALLYDOWN: John Brown BUCKNA: John Robinson CARRYDUFF: Albert Morrell Murphy COOTEHILL: Robert McCrea DRUMREAGH: Westley Eakin GILLYGOOLEY: Gerald McCauley NEWTOWNBREDA: George Turkington PORTADOWN, FIRST: Bill Burnett PORTADOWN, ARMAGH ROAD: Ivan Stirling RAILWAY STREET: Victor Hutchinson, Leonard Murray SAINTFIELD, FIRST: Samuel Robert Gerald Massey SIXMILECROSS: William Philip Kerr SLOAN STREET: Jim McDowell ST. JAMES’ S BALLYMONEY: David Fleming TRINITY, BOARDMILLS: James Crothers TULLYCARNET: Tommy Addis WESTBOURNE: Robert Tinney

Herald April 2023

49

CLASSIFIEDS

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.

Hoping...

PORTSTEWART: 3 Bedroom second floor

Accommodation apartment, in Montague Court area. A peaceful area with ample parking always to be in a relationship?

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available and a short distance to all the local attractions Portstewart has to offer.

PORTSTE WART: Excellent Apartment is modern and spacious with 4 - b e d r o o m c o t t asomeone g e b u n g a lwho o w shares your faith? a kitchen which will have all equipment available June –S ept. Call 07513 needed. One bedroom has an ensuite with 826551, Email: pabloguy50@ shower and then a family bathroom with gmail.com.

Facebook : @ bath. Fresh bedding and towels supplied it difficult to meet the right person? campbellandcorentalproperties along with Wi-Fi . Call Lizzie 07796 543070.

PORTSTEWART: Sea Holly Lodge. Modern PORTSTEWART: Holiday House to rent in luxury bungalow, presented to the highest Portstewart opposite the Baptist Church. standard, 3 bedrooms (1 en-suite). Garden Two double beds and a bunk bed. Adults front and rear, TV/video, WiFi, washing preferable. No internet or freezer. Very machine, dryer. No smoking, no pets. clean large house. Bed linen and towels High and low season. Tel: Tommy or included. Very convenient to Portstewart.

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P O R T S T E WA R T : To u r i s t B o a r d PORTSTEWART HARBOUR: 2-bedroom approved, 3-bedroom terrace house, apartment to let. May, June and September Upper Heathmount, Portstewart. Ideally availability. Tel: 07753 718494. located. 2 minutes walking distance to the PORTRUSH: Modern bungalow in Promenade. Available 17th June–8th July, Portrush for holiday letting. 3 Bedrooms.

2023. Tel: 07810 797415.

Enclosed back garden. WiFi. Located of the Republic of Ireland Coleraine Road. Walking distance to beach.

Contact Joy: 00353 (0)862164169.

CO DONEGAL: 3-bedroom farmhouse P O R T S T E WA R T H O L I D AY L E T : to rent for holiday accommodation all Townhouse, 3 Bedrooms. 2 minute walk year round. Pets welcome. 1 mile from to Promenade. WiFi. Full Details Tel: 07800 Carndonagh town centre. 10 minutes from 802662. beautiful local beaches and Ballyliffen golf course. Tel: 00353 749374227; Mob: 08684 48955. €80 per night.

Seeking...

Finding...

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CROSSWORD Solution to No 277

ACROSS 1 Zechariah 6 Ace 7 Bobby Dazzler 9 Annuity 12 Lotus 14 Mao 15 Rotterdam 18 Ami 19 Solar 20 Luton 21 Inched 22 Donald 25 Lei 26 Glorify 27 Susan

DOWN 1 Zebra crossing 2 Cabinet 3 Anytime 4 IFA 5 Hazel 6 Alert 8 Isaiah 10 Tar 11 Yodels 13 Ox 16 Teacher 17 Methods 18 Annuals 23 Lea 24 Din

Hoping...

to be in a relationship?

Seeking...

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Finding...

it difficult to meet the right person?

Then call

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Piano Tuning

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Tel: +44 (0)28 9268 9468

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Advertising Rates for 2023 (Trim size: 210mm x 297mm Bleed: 3mm)

Full Page – Outside Back/Inside Front

£490.00

Full Page – Inside

£450.00

Half Page portrait (w86mm x h256mm)

£295.00

Half Page landscape (w176mm x h126mm)

£295.00

Quarter Page portrait (w86mm x h126mm)

£150.00

One Eighth (w86mm x h61mm)

£80.00

Semi Display (per column cm – width 41mm)

£8.00

Classified ads are charged at 40p per word All prices are exclusive of VAT Registered charities and PCI congregations will receive a 12% discount Artwork for display advertising should be supplied electronically where possible.

This ad is being seen by over 30,000 people.

It could be yours!

To advertise in the Presbyterian Herald contact +44 (0)28 9032 2284 herald@presbyterianireland.org www.presbyterianireland.org/herald

50

Herald April 2023

Advertising needs to be booked by the first of the month preceding publication, e.g. 1 August for September edition.

If you wish further information about advertising in the Herald or want to place an ad please contact the Herald Office in Assembly Buildings.

Tel: +44 (028) 9032 2284 Email: herald@presbyterianireland.org

D O N AT I O N E N V E LO P E S

Church Envelopes “Great is thy faithfulness”

22-Dec-2024

Artistic Director: Cherie Nummy

Only buy the envelope numbers that you need

Friday 26th - Sunday 28th May 2023

Great value envelopes from your local accredited supplier

THE BENEFITS!

Times:Friday: 26th May 11.00am - 7.00pm Official Opening & Dedication of Festival at 11.00am

• Save Money • Locally Sourced • Larger Envelope • COVID Secure • Better Visibility • Fresh Colours

Saturday: 10.00am - 7.00pm Sunday: 2.00pm - 5.00pm (no refreshments) Closing Service at 7.00pm conducted by the Moderator The Rt Rev Dr John Kirkpatrick

THE CASE STUDY We only print and supply the actual number of Envelope Sets that you need for your contributing members.

One congregation was able to reduce the envelope sets they purchased from 350 to 200 and save 48%!

Refreshments available - group bookings essential Contact: Anne Love - Tel. 07751 577 003 Email: balteaghpresbyterian@gmail.com

This congregation saved £515!

Read the full Case Study here:

Balteagh Presbyterian Church Drumsurn Road Limavady BT49 0PH

Tricord Ltd 4 Ferguson Drive, Lisburn, BT28 2EX

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EBRATIN

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350 Charity Number: NIC104984

Further information: www.firstarmagh.co.uk Contact us: info@firstarmagh.co.uk or find us on

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