Presbyterian Herald February 2024

FEBRUARY 2024

If one part suffers...

PIONEERS WHO PERSEVERE

Moderator reflects on his trip to Kenya

THE CHALLENGE OF ABUSE WITHIN OUR CHURCH Addressing abuse in PCI

TRANSFORMATION IN CONCILIATION

How conciliation helps with conflict

perfect for day trips... a warm welcome awaits.

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CONTENTS | FEBRUARY 2024

FEATURES 10 Five ministers up for Moderator

The list of nominees for this year

14 Fisherwick celebrates 200 years An important milestone for the Belfast church

16 Pioneers who persevere

Moderator reflects on his trip to Kenya

20 The challenge of abuse within our Church Addressing abuse in PCI

31 The plight of the persecuted Stories of Christian persecution around the world

34 Moving from darkness to light

Pioneers who persevere p16

A story of growing up in Iran

36 Transformation in conciliation

How conciliation helps with conflict

38 Interested in becoming a minister?

Details about PCI’s Ministry Taster Day

REGULARS

Transformation in conciliation p36

4 5 7 12 13 22 23 40 42 47

CONTRIBUTORS

Letters News In this month David Clarke My story Norman Hamilton Mission Connect Reviews Life in PCI Ruth Sanderson

Interested in becoming a minister? p38

Pip Florit is a mission support officer for PCI. She is a member of Bloomfield Presbyterian and lives with her husband, Ismael, and son Jonah in Belfast.

Paul Jamieson is minister of Hillhall Presbyterian Church in Lisburn and the convener of PCI’s Conciliation Service.

David Leach is Professor of Ministry and Director of the Institute for Ministry at Union Theological College.

Mark Smith is PCI’s Press Officer. He lives in east Belfast with wife Debbie and daughter Emily.

Cover photo: PakMission February 2024 No. 855 £2.20/€2.60 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; Hazel Gilliland does not imply endorsement of the goods or services. Advertising will not be Design and Layout: included if the product or service is deemed to be in conflict with the Church’s Edward Connolly official views, or if it is inappropriate for a church magazine. It is not Herald policy Printing: to include any editorial content along with adverts. The editor reserves the right W & G Baird Ltd to decline any advertisement or letter without assigning any reason. Letters may 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 February 2024

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EDITORIAL

LETTERS Remembering loved ones

Light in darkness

Encountering a different culture can be so enlightening.

My first real experience of this was on a mission trip to China as a young adult. Although initially bewildered in this alien environment, I came to discover it would be one of the most challenging, humbling and enriching experiences of my life.

This month, the Moderator, Dr Sam Mawhinney, recounts the trip he and his wife Karen took to Kenya just before Christmas. He shares insights on time spent with PCI global mission workers, along with the lessons he learned and his thoughts on life in Kenya and how God is at work there.

It is perhaps good for us all to be shaken out of our comfort zones as it’s then that we have no option but to place ourselves firmly in God’s care and trust him completely. It can be difficult for us in the secure bubble of Ireland to truly grasp the reality that faces other Christians around the world. Pip Florit reminds us of the terrible persecution facing brothers and sisters in Christ and urges us to pray for them and support them as much as we can.

She says: “There is a temptation to compartmentalise, thinking of ‘the persecuted church’ as something separate from us, but we are…one body, part of which is persecuted.”

Pip’s article is a difficult, yet important, read. Another such article is provided by Amir Abbas Kalhor, from Great Victoria Street & Windsor Presbyterian Church. He shares his story of moving from Iran to Northern Ireland, and bravely testifies to what life was like in his home country.

He says: “As children, we couldn’t sleep because of the fear of unpunished sins… We grew up in absolute darkness.”

It is unsettling to hear the stories of those who suffer, but only by doing so can we shine a light on the darkness.

PCI is endeavouring to do this in the whole area of abuse in the Church. Jacqui Montgomery-Devlin, PCI’s Head of Safeguarding, outlines the steps that the denomination is taking to tackle this issue, acknowledging that sadly abuse does exist within PCI. She categorically states: “Abuse needs to be met with positive action – silence around abuse is inaction. Encouraging silence is worse than doing nothing.”

While there are many things in life that we would rather not have to think about, the Moderator reflects that lament is an important process for dealing with our pain, and we do so, knowing that we can trust in God and his goodness. He says: “Let me encourage us to lament all we see that is not good and, in line with God’s will, do so with confidence.”

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Herald February 2024

Dear Editor Regarding the letter in the December Herald ‘Remembering loved ones’ – I agree with everything that Ernest Stewart stated in his letter. I have also been an elder of our Church for 30 years and was very disappointed that our Church was not represented at the memorial service in Creeslough on 7 October.

Surely, if our Moderator couldn’t attend, there are quite a few retired senior ministers who could have represented him at that service.

I am aware that many of our Presbyterian friends across Northern Ireland travel down to holiday in the Dunfanaghy/Carrigart area and pass through the village of

Creeslough, and many would have stopped at the shop where this tragedy occurred.

We have four loyal small congregations around Creeslough – Dunfanaghy and Carrigart on one side and Kilmacrennan and Trenta on the other side – so our Church should have had an official representative there to support our local churches.

I also agree with Ernest that our Church talks a lot about mission and outreach but found itself wanting on this occasion.

About the ‘editor’s note’ which stated that PCI wasn’t asked – I don’t think you need to be asked to turn up and offer your prayerful support to those caught up in this terrible tragedy.

Andrew Hunter Ramelton, Co Donegal

Topical Tweets @OpenDoorsUK At least seven believers in #Iran were arrested in a spate of arrests over Christmas, as the authorities continue their clampdown on Christian activities. Read more: bit.ly/47o9OJW @CSWadvocacy CSW continues to condemn the use of air strikes on civilian targets in #Myanmar and calls upon the international community to continue to pursue sanctions to sever the junta’s aviation fuel supplies. @PCIModerator A challenge in preparation for Sunday. “Secret prayer, is a means to fit for public worship.

They who are most upon their knees in the closet will get the most benefit in the sanctuary.” @ReleaseInt #PrayforIraq Please remember in prayer those receiving food baskets from Hand of Help in Kurdistan. Many are refugees who have fled conflict in Syria. Pray these gifts will encourage them spiritually & nourish them physically. Thank you for praying! http://releaseinternational.org/pray

IN THE ROUND | NEWS ‘Pick-and-mix’ approach to devolution criticised PCI’s State Education committee has expressed its astonishment at the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s “pick-and-mix” approach to devolution.

Speaking after a recent meeting of the committee, acting convener Karen Jardine said, “The recent, and impending, industrial action by school staff in Northern Ireland highlights the very difficult circumstances that characterise the sector, including pressure on budgets, long-term impact of educationat-home during Covid lockdowns, and increasing demands on staff time and resources.

Chris Heaton-Harris, Secretary of “All of which makes the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland State for Northern Ireland’s pick-andmix approach to devolution even more astonishing, where making changes to the school curriculum, with regards to Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE), has taken precedence over arguably more pressing issues, like resolving school funding, or delivering longterm solutions to educational underachievement.”

The committee did, however, welcome the common-sense approach taken by the Department of Education in implementing legislation on the delivery of RSE in post-primary schools.

“While we continue to regret the manner in which these changes relating to teaching on access to abortion have been introduced, it is encouraging that the Department of Education has listened to the 7 out of 10 respondents to its consultation, who said they did not want to see RSE taught in a morally neutral or value free environment. That both teachers and pupils will continue to be able to explore moral, ethical and spiritual issues during the delivery of RSE is to be welcomed.”

Miss Jardine said that the State Education committee also welcomed the Department of Education’s recognition of the importance of school ethos, alongside the vital role played by school governors in relation to setting policy on RSE. She went on to express its sincere gratitude to teachers, and all those engaged in educating and nurturing children and young people in schools across the island of Ireland.

Karen Jardine

4 Corners Festival 2024 The annual 4 Corners Festival is set to return this month with a packed line-up of events, which include everything from talks, discussions and exhibitions to music and literature.

Now in its 12th year, the festival was conceived as a way to inspire people from across Belfast to transform it for the peace and wellbeing of all.

The festival features a range of music, discussion, sport and faithinspired events and will run until 11 February in venues in all four corners of the city.

Speaking at the launch, committee member George Sproule said, “Our theme this year is ‘Our Stories…Towards A Culture of Hope’. We want each other to listen to each other’s stories, and the events throughout the festival are designed to do just that.”

This year’s programme includes a talk by Claire Hayns on her book Unveiled, taking place in Fitzroy Presbyterian Church on Sunday 4 February. The screenwriters behind the successful BBC police drama Blue Lights will be interviewed by Ulster University student Tyree Patton on Wednesday 7 February at All Saints College, while the festival will officially draw to a close on Sunday 11 February with an event entitled, ‘Towards a Culture Of Hope’ at St Comgall’s.

All festival events are free of charge, with most open to the public, although advance booking of tickets is mandatory. Select events will be streamed online on the official 4 Corners Festival YouTube and Facebook accounts. For more information go to 4cornersfestival.com

4 Corners Festival co-founder Rev Steve Stockman, journalist Tyree Patton, Blue Lights screenwriter Declan Lawn and 4 Corners Festival co-founder Father Martin Magill at the recent launch.

PCI addresses Oireachtas Committee “Human life is sacred” was the message PCI representatives gave to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying during a recent meeting.

Addressing the Joint Committee via video link, Dr David Bruce (General Council convener and former Moderator) voiced PCI’s ongoing ethical, moral and legal concerns with regards to any possible legislative changes to the status quo. He was joined on the call by Dr Rebecca Stevenson (PCI’s Public Affairs Officer).

During the presentation Dr Bruce said assisted dying raised the most fundamental of questions about the value that is placed on human life in Ireland. He spoke of the Church’s concern around the unintended policy consequences, should the law be altered, particularly if there is a lack of sufficient safeguards to protect vulnerable people.

Along with others who presented to the Joint Committee, Dr Bruce said that PCI also had concerns on the potential detrimental impact on doctors involved in assisted dying cases. He highlighted the concerns expressed to the Church, by medical practitioners, should the law

Dr David Bruce addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying via video link (Credit: Oireachtas TV).

change, in that they could have a role to play as professional advisors on strictly medical aspects of a request to die. “If doctors are made the judges in such matters, this will fundamentally change the doctor/patient relationship,” Dr Bruce said.

Herald February 2024

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NEWS | IN THE ROUND IN BRIEF Publication of education review welcomed The Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC), which includes the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, has welcomed the publication of the report of the Independent Review of Education in Northern Ireland.

Describing the report as important, Council chairman Dr Andrew Brown said, “Our education system serves one of the youngest populations in Europe and ensuring that it is fully funded must be a high priority for all in government. We look forward to continuing to work with colleagues across education to seek the best for our schools, families and communities.”

Presbyterian Historical Society The next event in the Presbyterian Historical Society’s programme takes place on Thursday 15 February in First Portadown Presbyterian Church, starting at 8pm.

Rev Mark Wilson will speak on ‘Catch-My-Pal and the Temperance Movement’.

Seminar examines postCovid blues During the Covid lockdown people longed for the day when they would be free to engage again in the activities they previously enjoyed in their churches and communities.

However, many of them have found, post Covid, that they don’t seem to have the energy and enthusiasm that they once had.

The Churches’ Council for Health and Healing in Ireland recently organised a seminar to examine the issue. Dr Andrew Collins, who is both a church elder and a consultant psychiatrist, sought to help understand what has happened. PCI Moderator Dr Sam Mawhinney also shared his understanding of the current situation in churches today.

WDA23 launched Launching PCI’s World Development Appeal are: Rev Liam Rutherford (convener of PCI’s World Development Appeal committee); Rosamond Bennett (chief executive of Christian Aid Ireland); PCI Moderator, Dr Sam Mawhinney; Chris Thompson (Tearfund Northern Ireland director); and Dr Liz Hughes (chair of Christian Aid Ireland). Entitled, ‘Starting from Scratch: Hope for the displaced’, this year’s appeal focuses on supporting those who have been displaced due to the practices of multinational palm oil companies and local collaborators.

Feeding hungry Christians

Warning over banning Church Pressure is mounting on Western leaders to intervene to stop the Ukraine government banning the country’s oldest Christian Church.

International lawyers acting on behalf of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) have written to the UK prime minister, US president and president of the European Commission, urging them to tell President Zelensky to suspend efforts to ban this historic institution.

The intervention comes as the Ukrainian parliament appears set to approve legislation that would outlaw the UOC because of its alleged links with the Russian Orthodox Church and alleged support for the invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago.

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Herald February 2024

Pictured at the seminar are: Dr Jim Campbell (CCHHI secretary), Rev John Scott (chair, CCHHI), Dr Andrew Collins, Dr Sam Mawhinney (PCI Moderator) and Rev David Turtle (President of the Methodist Church in Ireland).

barnabasaid.org

More than 11,800 Christians living in Zimbabwe’s hungerafflicted Matabeleland region received one daily helping for 60 days in Barnabas Aid’s latest rollout of the nutritious porridge ePap. The ‘food.gives’ project delivered 33,000 kg of ePap through 131 churches, providing 708,840 servings in total. The beneficiaries included more than 2,000 children aged six or younger, for whom the effects of malnutrition are stark.

Study reveals global postcode lottery New analysis of the top 20 costliest extreme climate disasters over 2023 has revealed a “global postcode lottery stacked against the poor” where the relative economic impact of disasters varies considerably across countries.

Christian Aid, which published the analysis in their report ‘Counting the Cost 2023: A year of climate breakdown’, warns more climate finance is desperately needed, including investment in early warning and early action.

The charity found the highest per capita cost of natural disasters was the wildfires which affected Hawaii in August. The cost of these wildfires averages over $4,000 per person. This is far beyond the second costliest per capita – Guam’s storms in May – which cost almost $1,500 per head of population.

Chief executive of Christian Aid, Patrick Watt, said: “When it comes to the climate crisis, there is a global postcode lottery that is stacked against the

poor. In poorer countries, people are often less prepared for climate-related disasters and have fewer resources with which to bounce back. The upshot is that more people die, and recovery is slower and more unequal. There is a double injustice in the fact that the communities worst affected by global warming have contributed little to the problem.

“Governments urgently need to take further action at home and internationally, to cut emissions, and adapt to the effects of climate change. And where the impacts go beyond what people can adapt to, the loss and damage fund must be resourced to compensate the poorest countries for the effects of a crisis that isn’t of their making.”

IN THIS MONTH...

February 1964

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

The Shankill Road Mission Ivor Lewis

The Shankill Road Mission, which was started over 60 years ago in days of great social and industrial depression, still continues to fulfil a mission in the community today…

In the course of any week, we feed people, clothe them, give them financial assistance, furnish their homes, paper their homes… we do literally dozens of mundane things for people, but that is not the end…

We seek to give people thought and time, and by all means at our disposal, to get to know them. As a result, a lot of time is spent interviewing people. There is no glamour attached to it…But who can measure the value of restoring a marriage that has been threatened with the divorce court. What joy can be greater than seeing an ex-prisoner go straight…

Our work…is not confined to Belfast.

Clean bowled over We have a village in Bangor, where we provide houses for ladies. At Sunnyside, J.C. Faulkner for instance, we have accommodation Is there any connection between Sir for 24 ladies… We also provide holidays Francis Drake and the Presbyterian for old people and children in Seaview Church of Ireland? Until quite and Crosby… recently the answer would probably In spite of all we do, it seems pitifully have been, “No”. Now it’s a small in comparison with what we different story. The game which Sir want to do. We want to provide more Francis and his Elizabethan seahouses for old people, a home for old dogs were playing as the Spanish men, a home for unmarried mothers, Armada invaded the channel has a permanent home for children… We now invaded our church halls. are not put off by the greatness of what Now a strip of green baize, some remains to be done, because we have yards of underfelt and Ballydaisy already discovered the generosity and church hall is turned into a fair loyalty of our Church… imitation of Plymouth Hoe and, far more important, the same spirit of adventure and fellowship is introduced. Now the Session can finish their game of bowls and then go out and fight the devil…

A new church hall was opened at Greenisland on 11 January by James Martin… The inclusive cost of the new hall, which is built in a very modern style with seating accommodation for about 400 people, is about £15,000.

Also from February ’64

Muhammad Ali wins first world heavyweight boxing title

The Beatles complete their first US tour

The Coordinated Appeal and (unfortunately) all that!

Dear Editor, What a joy to be alive in 1964! What a release for harassed ministers, church treasurers and congregational committees to know that the Coordinated Appeal is now in operation… As Mr Heanen told the Monaghan Presbytery… “the present system of continuous appeals by individual committees is out-of-date”.

Now that system is ended. We know that the activities of our Church will now be planned and financed in an orderly and responsible way… Every congregation will be enabled, from 1964 onwards, to play its due part in the total witness of our Church by responding to the Coordinated Appeal, knowing that the Budget committee has scrutinised the programmes of the various committees…

But now…we have read in the Herald…an article appealing for £15,000 to provide a permanent training centre for our Church… Is this project so urgent that it could not have been presented to the Budget committee for inclusion as part of our obligations for 1965?...

Patterson (T.C.)

£10 banknotes are issued in the UK for the first time since WWII

Herald February 2024

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NEWS | PCI

News Carols at Cultúrlann On Sunday 10 December, the gallery space was packed at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich (formerly Broadway Presbyterian Church on the Falls Road, Belfast) for a carol service.

Over half of those attending were from the local area, but others came from all parts of the city and beyond. Several local people had invited friends who were members of a choir.

The event received a warm welcome from Gráinne Ni Ghilín (executive director of Cultúrlann) and a positive response from others present.

If you wish to learn more about PCI in

QCF Level 5 qualification

west Belfast either email mission@presbyterianireland.org, visit www.antionolann.com or search ‘antionolann’ on Facebook or Instagram.

Travel fund for overseas mission The Concorde Travel Fund aims to help young Irish Presbyterians (18–25 years old) finance their travel overseas for short-term service so that they might learn from, and contribute to, the life of the wider Church.

The deadline for the next round of applications is 31 March 2024.

To find out more about the Concorde Travel Fund and how to apply go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/concorde

Co-op service On Friday 8 December, over 350 people, of all ages and backgrounds, gathered in Rathfriland Co-op Livestock Market, for a carol service – the first event in the new sales ring.

The rural chaplaincy team reported that there was a great sense of God’s presence at the event. The team is so thankful to God for the many Christians who prayed for the event and invited others along, as well as local PCI congregations who helped in a multiplicity of ways.

Drumadonnell Primary School choir really added to the service too. The team asks for prayer that God will continue to be at work.

(Photography by Peter Houston, Irish Farmers’ Journal)

Resources PCI’s daily digital devotional Delivered straight to your inbox each weekday morning, PCI’s daily digital devotional ‘Tides’ is a chance to read God’s Word, reflect on what he is saying and respond in your daily life.

This is a home-grown resource, created and written by contributors from across PCI. Sign up at: www.presbyterianireland.org/tides

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Herald February 2024

Lisa Gibson (top right, manager at Adelaide House) and Lisa Taggart (below right, manager at River House) have both recently completed their QCF Level 5. This is a fantastic achievement and has been a big undertaking for both managers whilst managing two very busy services.

Impact teams Booking for the summer 2024 Impact teams is now open.

Impact is an opportunity for young people (16 years and over) to come together for a full week of worship, learning and serving God alongside local congregations across Ireland.

As a member of an Impact team, you will: • Gather each morning for worship and Bible study, to deepen your understanding of God’s love and our call to serve him.

• Go to serve alongside a local congregation in different outreach activities in the community that open up opportunities to share your Christian faith.

• Grow in your leadership ability, your love for God and in confidence as a witness for him.

In 2024, Impact teams will serve in Londonderry and Belfast. The Londonderry Hub takes place from Sunday 21 July to Sunday 28 July, while the Belfast Hub will run from Saturday 27 July to Saturday 3 August.

To find out more about the 2024 locations go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/impact

Blaze prayer calendar In 2024, we are encouraging children, leaders and families to pray for global mission. Blaze the bee has prayer ideas for our global mission workers in PCI. Each month, a new global mission worker will be highlighted and we will share prayer points about the work they are involved in. In February, we are praying for the Kennedy family in Romania.

Download the full calendar to distribute and find the up-to-date prayer points at www.presbyterianireland.org/blaze

Find out more on www.presbyterianireland.org

Events

DIARY DATES

Mission in Ireland evenings

February

Each March, Mission in Ireland evenings are held in various presbyteries to highlight the mission of our Church across the island and share encouraging examples of God’s work.

The Council for Mission in Ireland supports presbyteries in running these evenings. Ten of these services or events will be held in March, with a range of speakers.

This year’s theme is ‘Weak Made Strong’, drawing on the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12 about God’s power being made perfect in weakness. These evenings aim to emphasise that even though we may feel weak as individuals or no longer assume a position of strength as the church, weakness is no barrier for gospel growth.

It is hoped many people will engage with these events as we each seek to play our part in God’s mission across Ireland today.

See diary panel for dates.

An event for young people and youth leaders is taking place at Clogherney Presbyterian Church, Omagh on Friday 23 February between 7.45pm and 9.30pm.

PCI is partnering with Growing Young Disciples to run this brandnew event for young people aged 11–16 and their leaders.

Bring your young people along to explore how we are made for a different world and discover what it is like to trust Jesus with our whole lives.

Find out more and book in for Explore at: www.presbyterianireland.org/explore

Family Festival The PCI Family Festival event will take place at Spruce Meadows, Lisburn on Saturday 18 May, from 2pm to 5pm.

This is an opportunity for congregations to invite families, of all shapes and sizes, with children aged 0–11 to enjoy a fun afternoon of outdoor activities, crafts and games.

The 2024 Family Festival will be an afternoon of ‘Fun at the Farm’ with plenty of activities to keep families and little ones entertained. Come along with your family and invite families to join you.

To find out more and to book in go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/ familyfestival

Age-old problem, or new possibility?

The potential for age-specific ministry and evangelism among those in later life will be explored at an event being held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast on Thursday 16 May between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

The ‘Age of Opportunity’ morning offers an important first step into exploring an increasingly important area of congregational life and witness. We live in an ageing society. The membership and mission field of our Church looks just the same. This is both challenge and opportunity – but most of all, it is something we cannot ignore any longer.

At the event, possibilities and stories of engaging in a range of ministries of discipleship, leadership development and evangelism among those in later life will be shared, fresh thinking stimulated, and PCI’s own resource for evangelism among those in later life, ‘All the days of my life’, offered as a way to get started.

The event is delivered in conjunction with the Faith in Later Life organisation.

To find out more and book in go to www.presbyterianireland.org/ ageofopportunity. Further information about the ‘All the days of my life’ resource and Faith in Later Life organisation is available at: www.presbyterianireland.org/allthedaysofmylife

God’s Church in Egypt; Challenges, Calling and Creativity

Assembly Buildings – Friday 2

Explore

Clogherney Presbyterian, Omagh – Friday 23

Additional needs service of worship Mosside and Toberdoney Presbyterian churches are hosting an Additional Needs Service of Worship on Sunday 24 March at 3pm.

This informal worship service for children and adults with learning disabilities or complex needs will be held in the Mosside Presbyterian Church and will be led by Rev Andre Alves-Areias.

Refresh Elders have the opportunity to come together to be renewed and refreshed in fulfilling the calling of eldership at an in-person event in March.

Refresh will take place at Second Limavady Presbyterian Church on Thursday 14 March from 7.45pm to 9.15pm.

To find out more and to book go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/ refreshforelders

Healthcare chaplaincy conference A morning conference for anyone involved in healthcare chaplaincy is being organised for April 2024.

As well as providing a source of encouragement and input for those serving as healthcare chaplains, the conference also aims to consider how to approach some aspects of an ethical nature within such roles.

There will be a mix of Bible teaching, up-front input and a panel discussion. There is no cost but booking is essential and can be done via the Mission Department either by email mission@presbyterianireland.org or phone +44 (0)28 9041 7266.

March Kids’ Big Day Out

First Ahoghill – Saturday 9

Mission in Ireland evenings

Iveagh Presbytery (Tullylish) – Sunday 3 Newry Presbytery (Downshire Road) – Tuesday 5 Carrickfergus Presbytery (Ballynure) – Sunday 10 Dromore Presbytery (Railway Street) – Sunday 10 Ballymena Presbytery (Trinity, Ahoghill) – Wednesday 13 Coleraine and Limavady Presbytery (Terrace Row) – Sunday 17 Omagh Presbytery (Aughentaine) – Sunday 17 Route Presbytery (Dunloy) – Sunday 17 Templepatrick Presbytery (Muckamore or High Street) – Sunday 17 Armagh Presbytery (Richhill) – Wednesday 20

Jesus is the light of the world

First Ahoghill Presbyterian Church will host this year’s Kids’ Big Day Out, which takes place on Saturday 9 March between 2pm and 4pm.

The event is for primary-schoolaged children and their leaders. To find out more and to book go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/ kidsbigdayout

Herald February 2024

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NEWS | PCI

Five ministers

up for Moderator

Mark Smith outlines the five nominees for Moderator this year, and explains how the role of Moderator at General Assembly 2024 will look slightly different.

W

hen presbyteries meet across Ireland on the first Tuesday of this month, they will have five names to consider, as they vote to select the person who will become the next Moderator of the General Assembly.

The choice before presbyteries is one of the largest in recent years. You would have to go back to 2014 when five ministers last let their names go forward to become the Church’s senior office bearer and principal public representative.

The process of choosing a new Moderator starts in the late autumn when presbyteries begin to suggest the names of ministers who they would like to see considered. In the run-up to Christmas, those on this ‘long list’ are asked to confirm that they would be willing to have their names go forward.

Those that do will be voted on when presbyteries meet across Ireland on 6 February.

Five names – one Moderator The person selected will be known as the Moderator-Designate, until their formal election by the General Assembly in June, the 179th person to hold the office.

It is usually the responsibility of the Clerk of the General Assembly to liaise with those on the long list and advise, where necessary, those on the subsequent short list. As he is a nominee this

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Herald February 2024

year, these and other important duties connected to the election, has fallen to PCI’s Deputy Clerk, Rev Dr David Allen.

“The first election I took part in was in 1990, when the late Dr Finlay Holmes was selected. The process has not changed much since then; in fact, it is a relatively straightforward process,” Dr Allen said.

The Deputy Clerk explained that each of PCI’s 19 regional presbyteries will meet separately across the island on the first Tuesday in February, to undertake routine business – and elect the Moderator-Designate.

Any of the people on the list of five can be nominated and seconded by members of presbytery, and a vote is taken on those who have been. The vote of the presbytery is given to the person who receives the majority of votes at the presbytery meeting.

A prayerful, open and democratic process The person with the support of most presbyteries becomes Moderator-

Last year the Assembly agreed significant reforms to the Opening Night and installation of the incoming Moderator.

Designate and will be formerly nominated for election as Moderator at June’s General Assembly. Should there be a tied vote, as last happened in 2014, presbyteries will remain in session and vote again. This time, only those who tied in the first round will be considered.

“The way in which we elect our Moderator is very Presbyterian, in that it is a prayerful and open process, and fundamentally a democratic one as well.

At the same time, for those of us in Assembly Buildings who are part of the process, there is always a great sense of expectation that evening, as we wait for the phones to ring as presbyteries call with their vote,” Dr Allen said.

While the process of selecting a new Moderator hasn’t changed much over time, this year’s Moderator-Designate will be the first not to be installed on the Opening Night of the General Assembly, which this year will start on the morning of Thursday 20 June and close on the afternoon of Saturday 22 June.

Explaining what to expect and the rationale for the changes, Dr Allen said, “Last year the Assembly agreed significant reforms to the Opening Night and installation of the incoming Moderator. Amongst the proposed changes, the formal election and installation would move away from the stand-alone Wednesday night, to later on during the Assembly.”

A new installation for the new Moderator The Deputy Clerk explained that it is hoped that separating the opening of the Assembly from the installation will allow the Church to focus on what it believes the Lord is calling it to do for him, and to highlight these issues to those outside PCI. While the act of installation will take place at a different point during the Assembly, as always, it will involve specific prayers and an affirmation made by the incoming Moderator following their formal election.

The change will also mean that on Thursday morning, the outgoing Moderator will be able to approach the task of chairing a number of business sessions with the benefit of a full year’s experience in the role. This will enable them to bring their own insights to bear, having seen the work of each Council, and the work of the Church across the island and beyond, during their year in office.

The name of the Moderator-Designate should be known around 9pm on Tuesday 6 February…

“At the same time, they will be able to combine their reflections on the past year at the start of the Assembly, with the space to apply God’s Word to the specifics of where the Church finds itself, and to do so from a position of knowledge. As it says in the report containing the proposals: ‘Their address need not, therefore be a swan song… [but] provide a more solid platform for the outgoing Moderator to complete their term of office.’” Dr Allen said.

Following a new installation service, when civic representatives will be invited, the incoming Moderator will then chair the remaining business sessions of the General Assembly. This will mean that next year they will open the Assembly and chair a number of business sessions.

Rev Richard Kerr M.Sc. (Lond.), M.Div. (QUB) Richard was ordained minister of Templepatrick Presbyterian Church in County Antrim in 2005, where he continues to serve. Born in 1965, Richard was convener of PCI’s Global Concerns committee from 2015–2020 and has been convener of the Global Development committee from 2021.

Rev Gary McDowell Dip. Min. (PTFI) Gary was born in 1956 and was ordained minister of Greystones Presbyterian Church, in County Wicklow, in 2015 where he continues to serve as minister.

Rev Mairisíne Stanfield B.D. (Aber.)

Mairisíne has been minister of First Presbyterian Church, Bangor in County Down, since 2013. Born in 1965, she was ordained in 1990 as assistant minister of Regent Street Presbyterian Church, Newtownards.

Mairisíne was installed as minister of First Presbyterian Church, Ballynahinch, in 1993.

Dr Allen concluded by saying, “As they wait for the Lord’s guidance and continue to prepare their hearts for what may lie ahead, please pray for our five colleagues, and for the members of presbytery who seek the Lord’s will, as they cast their votes. Whoever it may be, I look forward to working with them.”

Rev Richard Murray B.A. (QUB), B.D. (QUB) Richard has been the minister of Drumreagh Presbyterian Church in County Antrim since 2016. Born in 1965, he was ordained as minister of Hilltown and Clonduff Presbyterian churches, County Down in 1997, having spent three years as assistant minister in Terrace Row Presbyterian Church in Coleraine. Before coming to Drumreagh, Richard was installed as minister of Connor Presbyterian Church, County Antrim in 2005.

Rev Trevor Gribben B.Sc. (QUB), B.D. (QUB), Dip. Th. (QUB) Trevor was appointed Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 2014. Born in 1961, he was ordained in 1988 as assistant minister of Duncairn and St Enoch’s Presbyterian Church in Belfast. Trevor was called to Leckpatrick Presbyterian Church in County Tyrone as its minister in 1990.

In 1996 he was called to Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church in County Antrim, where he remained for a further eight years, prior to being appointed PCI’s Deputy Clerk in 2008. He held various convenerships until that year.

The name of the Moderator-Designate should be known around 9pm on Tuesday 6 February and will be posted on PCI’s website (presbyterianireland.org) and communicated across the denomination’s social media platforms.

Mark Smith is PCI’s press officer.

Herald February 2024

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REFLECTIONS

Overcoming evil with good David Clarke Studies in Romans 12:14–21

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atal human malice is the staple of narrators, for years, until Thackeray’s daughter pleaded with Dickens for original sin the mother-fluid of historians,” a reconciliation and swept aside his reservations by saying: “Just wrote Thomas Keneally, author of Schindler’s Ark, try him, Mr Dickens, just try him.” Soon afterwards they met at the book in which he brought to the world’s a London club, and Dickens held out his hand, muttered that attention the heroic stance of Oskar Schindler in shielding they had been enemies long enough, and the two relieved and Jewish workers from the horrors of the gas chambers. Human humbled men set about repairing the ravages of the years. malice shows itself in a myriad of forms, not only in ruthless Good overcomes evil when we control the thirst for revenge. genocide but in sneer and ridicule and subtle pressure.

The followers of Jesus had been warned of the inevitability of These closing verses of Romans chapter 12 contain Paul’s persecution (Matthew 5:11), and in that situation Paul calls advice on how to deal with such adversity, his readers to bless their persecutors. He and the controlling maxim is that with The thirst for revenge…is himself had known the powerful impact which the chapter concludes: “Do not be of such an attitude. Paul had aided and a confession of pain, of overcome by evil, but overcome evil with abetted the stoning of Stephen, and had good” (v21). heard him pray forgiveness for his killers. insult and injury Be it noted that these verses are not That incident proved to be one of the received. The urge to standing orders for society in general. goads which he could not resist (Acts In the next chapter Paul will move to 26:14). Well did an early church figure retaliate is political matters and the role which human observe: “The church owes Paul to the governments ought to play in ensuring an understandable but prayer of Stephen.” Calvin noted: “No orderly society. Here, he is addressing those deeply harmful, leaving a one can boast that he is a child of God, or who have experienced the mercies of God, glory in the name of Christian who has and are duty bound to offer their bodies as soul embittered. not partially undertaken this course, and living sacrifices. does not struggle daily to resist the will to Good overcomes evil when we identify with the situation of do the opposite.” others. The ‘natural man’ is unalterably self-centred. A prime The thirst for revenge, all too evident in the Middle East, is human motive is always the desire to save face, as exemplified a confession of pain, of insult and injury received. The urge to by the lawyer who questioned Jesus (Luke 10:29). How retaliate is understandable but deeply harmful, leaving a soul challenging then it is to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and embittered. As an ancient saying has it: “Before you embark on to mourn with those who mourn” (v15). The order Paul used a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” may indicate that he felt rejoicing with the successful was Paul makes his plea: “Do not take revenge” (v19), but moves more difficult than mourning with the grief-stricken, for the beyond secular wisdom and places it firmly in the context former requires us to slay “the green-eyed monster which doth of faith in the living God. Quoting Deuteronomy 32:35, he mock the meat it feeds on.” Envy is a towering spiritual foe urges us to leave matters with God. This is God’s world, built (Proverbs 27:4) which some make no effort to disguise. When on moral foundations, in which evil ultimately rebounds on the short-story writer Katherine Mansfield died, Virginia those who plot it (Psalm 7:14–16). Besides, we should take the Woolf remarked: “A rival has been removed.” Prayer is our only offensive in kindness, thereby “heaping coals of fire” (v20) on weapon against envy, for it is difficult to envy those for whom the head of our adversary. The meaning is somewhat obscure, we sincerely pray. but suggests that by treating an enemy well we increase for him Good overcomes evil when we reach out the hand of the burning stings of shame and remorse, and so perhaps stab friendship. Believers are required to “live in harmony” (v16) him into repentance. Booker T. Washington, a pioneer for black and to “live at peace with everyone” (v18). Peace is sometimes education in the United States, captured Paul’s meaning when bought too dearly, and so Paul adds two reservations: “If it he said: “I will not allow any man to make me lower myself by is possible” and “as far as it depends on you” (v18). Believers hating him.” should always take the high moral ground, not dithering out of fear how a friendly gesture might be received. The great Very Rev Dr David Clarke is a former PCI Moderator and minister Victorian novelists, Dickens and Thackeray, had been estranged emeritus of Terrace Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine.

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MY STORY...

Neil Stewart, assistant minister at Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church, Bangor, tells his story of visiting Bolivia last year with Langham International.

The need for healthy churches in Latin America

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y wife and I served in a church in Chile for two When I arrived at the escuelita, I was met by a group of years with Latin Link. We’ve also taken trips to pastors from a range of traditions interested in joining a group.

Argentina, Central America and most recently, to Some of these godly men had formal training, others none, but Bolivia. I’ve annoyed friends countless times with all left excited in how they might grow in their ability to serve stories from Latin America and will pause everything for a the church and help others to understand the Scriptures. good empanada. Believe me when I say, I love Latin America.

Once the meeting began, they read that week’s Scripture But it’s not just the landscape or the food that captured me, it’s passage from several versions, taking time to meditate upon the people. The profoundly loving, social, what was being said. After a period of joyous people who are so hungry for the reflection, the group prayed through The need in Latin Word and desperate to know God more what the text had talked about, both in America is…for deeper in their lives. I love those people, and it’s adoration of God and in applying the so encouraging to see the kingdom grow truths to their lives. It was only then, once preaching and among them. they had underlined their dependence We’ve all heard of how the church in the discipleship… on God and their love of him, that Global South is growing – and we should they turned to preaching. After a short rejoice. But we should also consider the state of those new 20-minute sermon (and yes that’s short for Latin America) believers. The need in Latin America is not for evangelists, but the group spent some time reflecting on how the passage and for healthy churches, for deeper preaching and discipleship, and sermon applied to their lives. Before any feedback was given, for widespread spiritual maturity. they attempted to let the Word work in their hearts. Only With all that in mind, you can understand my excitement once they considered what God might be saying to them did when, last year, I was able to visit a preaching school in Bolivia. they consider how their classmate could improve on their Langham International, a ministry founded by John Stott to understanding and delivery of the text. equip churches in the majority world, is at work training pastors The feedback went through structured questions – was it and lay preachers in basic Bible handling skills so that they faithful to the text? Was it clear? The love and friendship in the can more effectively lay out the Word of God for their church group made it possible to speak both warmly and honestly; it family. was iron sharpening iron so that they would serve God and his The way they do this is through small preaching schools, or church to their utmost. What struck me was the joy in the room escuelitas, that meet regularly to study the Bible, theology and at being equipped, the delight in understanding, and the hope how to preach it to others. A large component of the meeting is in what that meant for their churches that shone through each having one person preach to the rest and then receive feedback. participant.

The three-year course creates an encouraging and motivated The church in Ireland has an embarrassment of riches when learning environment that produces better preachers and it comes to theological education, but where we might not listeners, who then go back and bless their congregations. appreciate those opportunities, the Latin Americans know that Rather than taking centre stage, Langham simply equips programmes like the escuelitas are a gift to be cherished. The indigenous pastors with the skills that they need to effectively gospel might be advancing quickly in Latin America, but it is minister to the church in which God has placed them. The in training leaders that that passion will translate into mature equation is simple: better training leads to better preachers, believers and churches. which brings better engagement with the Word, and so deeper For more information about Langham International, visit: discipleship for the church. https://uk.langham.org/

Herald February 2024

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CONGREGATIONAL STORY

Fisherwick celebrates

200 years

Fisherwick Presbyterian Church celebrated its bicentenary on 31 December 2023. Alan Hewitt, the editor of a new history of the congregation, highlights some of the most significant events during those 200 years.

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isherwick was founded on New Williamson (1896), John Waddell (1937) As Fisherwick enters its Year’s Eve 1823 in response and Jack Withers (1964). Never parochial, third century, it finds to a memorial to the Synod of Fisherwick’s ministers and elders also Ulster, signed by 109 people, helped to found several other churches itself in very different who pointed out that “there are a great in Belfast, including Townsend Street, circumstances from its number of Presbyterian families in this Sinclair Seamen’s Church, Duncairn, town who cannot be accommodated in Belmont, Elmwood and the Kinghan founders in 1823. any of the meeting houses belonging Church for the Deaf. The congregation of the first church’s construction; these to the Synod.” The signatories included has also supplied and supported many many who were to become influential workers in mission fields far beyond are still in Fisherwick’s possession. in the rapidly growing town of Belfast Ulster’s boundaries. Its ‘Sabbath schools’ Fisherwick’s ministers and members – among them the Grimshaws (of the in various districts provided for amazing have been very influential in the wider Linen Mill), the Mulhollands (of the numbers of children – in 1886 there Presbyterian Church. Its first minister, York Street Flax Spinning Company), were 1,385 children on the roll, with 112 James Morgan, was one of the prime the Herdmans (who later transferred teachers. movers in the union of the Synod of their linen works to Sion Mills), the The Davey family has been closely Ulster and the Secession Synod in 1840, Thompsons (of Kelvin fame) and the associated with Fisherwick; Charles which formed the General Assembly, and Pirries (the shipbuilders).

Davey was its third minister (1900– also in the establishment of Assembly’s The congregation’s first church was built 1919). His son, Ernest Davey (who College (now Union Theological in the centre of Belfast at Fisherwick happily survived the infamous ‘heresy College). He served as Moderator of the Place (named after the Donegall family’s trial’ of 1926) was an assistant minister General Assembly (1846), as did three of estate at Fisherwick in Staffordshire – there before his academic career, and Ray the congregation’s later ministers: Henry the Marquis of Donegall laid the Davey, former Presbyterian chaplain church’s foundation stone). However, at Queen’s University and founder in 1901, by which time many of of the Corrymeela Community, and its members had migrated to the his wife Kathleen were life-long suburbs, Fisherwick moved to its members. Other influential members present site on the Malone Road. Its were Henry Musgrave, whose Fisherwick Place building was sold generous legacy paid for the church to PCI, which demolished it and halls, and Dr Arnold Frank, who had built Church House on the site. The an extraordinary ministry to Jews in foundation stone was retrieved at the Hamburg until forced to escape the time of the demolition, and inside it Nazis in the 1930s and who was still was found three local newspapers and L–R: Dr Derek McKelvey, Dr Sam Mawhinney, Rev Andy Galbraith and Peter able to walk up Fisherwick’s steps Lindsay (clerk of session). a banknote, all dating from the time when aged over 100.

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The original Fisherwick Church

Wilson Ervin, managing director of the Northern Bank, was an elder and former treasurer, and after his death his generous legacy was a vital component of the funding for the renovation of the church halls and the creation of a new welcome centre, kitchen, offices and meeting rooms. This £2.3million project was completed in 2019 without any debt, thanks not only to Wilson Ervin’s legacy but also to the congregation’s great generosity and the sale of a house in Chlorine Gardens which was no longer required.

Fisherwick has been blessed with very gifted preachers. The early ministers were passionate evangelists, and in more recent times Jack Withers’ preaching drew people from all over Ulster. David Lapsley, with his experience ministering in Jamaica and working for Christian Aid, brought an increased emphasis on social concern along with a heart for evangelism which led him to invite the late David Watson and his team over from York for a week in 1979, a time which was of immense importance in the lives of many of Fisherwick’s members. Derek McKelvey, deeply influenced by the work of the Holy Spirit in the early 1990s, brought another dimension to the church’s life and worship, including new prayer and counselling ministries and a revitalised evening service which attracted up to 150 people, mostly students.

However, churches are much more than just their ministers, and Fisherwick down the years has had hundreds of unsung heroes who week by week have given their time and talents to its organisations and activities. The Sunday schools; Presbyterian Women (PW); coffee and chat club for older members; Daylight team, operating outside the church on alternate Wednesdays; annual Alpha course; iMeal for international students; babies and toddlers facility on Tuesdays; the 37th Belfast Company of the Boys’ Brigade (which recently celebrated its 120th anniversary); the 109th Northern Ireland Company of the Girls’ Brigade (which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary); and the Friends Across Borders ministry to immigrants – all these, and more, have required and received the dedicated service of innumerable people.

Praise on many occasions. The first television service in colour from Northern Ireland was also due to come from Fisherwick in 1973, but because of the Troubles the colour camera crews from London refused to come to Belfast without payment of danger money, which was not forthcoming.

Dr Jack Withers had a very distinguished broadcasting career in radio and television, and when UTV was founded in 1959 he gave Fisherwick Place c.1886 the first of many epilogues from Havelock House; he later became a member of ITV’s panel of advisers in London. Dr David Lapsley, also a very talented communicator on radio and television, chaired the BBC’s Northern Ireland Religious Advisory committee and its London equivalent, as well as serving on the General Advisory Council of the BBC. As Fisherwick enters its third century, it finds itself in very different circumstances from Music has always been important in its founders in 1823. We live in an Fisherwick. Its organ, installed in 1901 increasingly secular age when, as the after opposition to such things was recent census confirms, a sizeable finally overcome, is one of the finest in section of the population is happy to the country, and a succession of organists identify as non-Christian or as having and choirmasters have established a no religion, and the membership of all remarkable choral tradition, not least the the mainstream Churches has dropped current director of music, Neale Agnew, dramatically. In this writer’s lifetime at while the praise band ensures that new least eight congregations in the South worship songs are not neglected.

Belfast Presbytery have ceased to exist.

Fisherwick has also been deeply But all is by no means gloom and doom; involved in religious broadcasting there are signs of new life in many over the years. The BBC opened a places, and as I hope this short account broadcasting station in Belfast in 1925 indicates, Fisherwick is well placed to and from 1926 until 1936 broadcast a surmount these difficulties and, under service from Fisherwick once a month.

God’s guidance, to continue to add to Dr John Waddell, the church’s fourth what has been a rich and remarkable minister, was a member, and for a number history. of years chairman, of the BBC’s Advisory This short article cannot do justice to Council for Religious Broadcasting. The that history, but the new bicentenary first television service from Northern history of Fisherwick, just published (in Ireland came from Fisherwick in 1962, hardback, with 228 pages of text and 32 and the church has presented Songs of pages of mostly full-colour photographs) is available through the The BBC opened a church’s website (www. broadcasting station in fisherwick.org) priced at Belfast in 1925 and from £20 plus £3.50 P&P.

1926 until 1936 broadcast a service from Fisherwick once a month.

Alan Hewitt is the editor of Fisherwick Presbyterian Church: Bicentenary history 1823–2023.

Herald February 2024

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Pioneers who persevere

Moderator, Dr Sam Mawhinney, reports on his recent visit to Kenya with wife Karen.

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aren and I, accompanied by Blaze the PCI mission bee, headed for Nairobi, Kenya for the Moderator’s overseas tour on 17 November until 2 December. It was my third time in Kenya, having served with PCI at the PCEA (Presbyterian Church of East Africa) hospital in Kikuya, about one hour from Nairobi, in 1991 and then during a sabbatical before moving to Adelaide Road Presbyterian Church in Dublin. During that time all the Mawhinneys spent time in Tuum

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with the Cowans whom we have known from university days.

We arrived safely, minus our luggage, which I have written a short blog about and can be found on the PCI website (www.presbyterianireland.org). My focus in this article is on our hosts, the PCI global mission workers, whom I am describing as pioneers who persevere.

As Hebrews 12:1 says: “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Kenya is a wonderful place…the rich diversity of 47 tribes and cultures make it an amazing country.

Naomi Leremore in Nairobi Naomi Leremore is married to Thomas, a Kenyan from the Samburu tribe, and they have two great boys Aaron (16) and Silas (13) who celebrated birthdays while we were there.

Karen and I arrived safely in Nairobi at 9.35pm on Friday evening and after one and half hours had successfully completed passport control, with our E-visas and expectantly and a little nervously went to collect our luggage.

Sadly, our two bags were not there, and the luggage guy quickly ascertained they were in London and would be delivered the next day at 9.30pm. To finish the story, the flight was delayed, and arrived in at 2.30am on Sunday. They were picked up by Thomas Leremore at 5am and delivered to our hotel at 5.39am for our departure at 6.30am to preach at two services in the PCEA Zimmerman Church in northern Nairobi.

Naomi works as a writer for the TEE programme, which is the main discipleship tool available to PCEA, pioneered by Rev Brian and Jean Gibson and Rev Uel Marrs. The topics covered are basic theology and a wide variety of issues; they are directed at different age groups and presented attractively in books that include stories, teaching, discussion and homework. The courses are part of a certificate and diploma award and there is a special graduation ceremony, with gowns on completion, which is a very Kenyan thing.

I saw that the course was an essential tool, because the key to stability, growth and maturity within the

many PCEA churches lies with lay leadership, including elders. There has been enormous growth in numbers of people and congregations within the denomination and, to quote John Stott, there is a danger the church could be “a mile wide and an inch deep”. TEE is an effective tool to deepen understanding and improve leadership and Naomi ably contributes to the writing team and enjoys her work.

…the struggles with government, culture, corruption, lack of opportunity…have hindered Kenya’s flourishing.

I was struck that as a woman, mother, and wife who is also at present doing a master’s degree in Education, navigating the complexities of living in a bustling city, in a cross-cultural marriage, she has modelled well the idea of pioneering perseverance. Naomi needs and values our prayers as she runs the race, as a writer for PCEA’s TEE discipleship programme in the complexity of a crosscultural experience. I commend her and her lovely family to your prayers and support.

Lessons to be learnt • The presence of God gives us reassurance. His character is good, and he works out everything for his children well. Knowing and believing these truths helps give us an ability to get on with the reality of life we face at that moment with a positive spirit.

• How helpful, indeed beautiful, is the self-sacrificial friendship of others. We give thanks for Tom Leremore who went the extra mile knowing the heavy schedule I faced on Sunday.

• In Kenyan Christian culture, clerical dress is important. It would have been unacceptable for me to preach in an open neck shirt.

My argument was going to be the logistics of the situation and though man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). However, what does God see in our hearts? He is surely aware of sin (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:20), and in the believer, he sees the perfect righteousness of Jesus covering over all my sin.

How wonderful is the good news of grace, that God loves us while we were still sinners and continues to do so, and in God’s grace there is the most wonderful confidence.

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Stephen and Angelina Cowan in Tuum Stephen and Angelina have been in Kenya for their entire working lives and have settled in a remote town in Northern Kenya, among the Samburu people and their neighbours, the Turkana.

Here they have raised their three children and developed a wonderful compound and area that supports jobs and utilises the bounty of the area. It includes: schools, primary and secondary; a PCEA church; a garage building for maintaining Land Rovers with Isuzu engines; a honey gathering, purifying and distribution centre; agricultural management of land and cattle; brickmaking and building projects; and the establishment and maintenance of water supplies to the area.

I took a walk with Stephen one day to view the compound and surrounding fields which were so lush and green with grass because of the rains. I am always reminded of the initial picture I was shown of Tuum, many years ago now, of a sparsely populated and barren landscape that has, because of decades of ideas, hard work and projects, resulted in the area now being like a garden and farm.

The lasting sense of this trip was the fragrant scent of the orange trees. It is a remarkable transformation.

The transformation in human hearts is an impossible task for human beings and yet not for God. The gospel inspires all

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the work and is at the heart of everything, and although I can report on progress having been made, it is sadly very slow.

The bind of culture is strong, including FGM (female genital mutilation) and a darkness of spiritual oppression. There is also a lack of good role models and leadership within the Church, not helped by the fact that many of the more able young people move away from the area.

This means that the growth and maturity of the Church has been slow.

Life is difficult for the vast majority of Kenyans, and yet their confidence and ours must be in God alone.

Stephen and Angelina have been, and continue to be, remarkable pioneers and their perseverance is a challenge to us all. But I want to call us to double our prayers for Stephen and Angelina, the area and the people; that God would come in mighty power and continue to transform, not only the area, but the hearts of many in Tuum and its surrounding towns and villages where PCEA work – Baragoi, Seren, and Waso Roingai.

Gary and Mary Reid in Olkinyei This was our first time meeting Gary and Mary and it was a real joy to hear of their deep love for the Maasai people and of the four churches that had been planted.

We spent some lovely time with their people and were very impressed by the quality of leadership and ownership and partnership of the elders. Gary and Mary have built and enabled the development of a first-class compound and have given much-needed help to the people through road development, solar power and leadership training in the bespoke worship leaders course.

Difficulties of living in Kenya This is now my third visit to Kenya, and I have seen that the majority of Kenyans continue to face huge challenges.

Kenya is a wonderful place, with beautiful mountains, vast plains, coastline and lakes, wildlife, rich earth and variety of foods; the rich diversity of 47 tribes and cultures make it an amazing country.

Its people are smart, good linguists, have a can-do attitude, and make the place work. There is a vast array of churches, and they are God fearing.

However, it seems to me that though life is busier, modern and connected, the struggles with government, culture, corruption, lack of opportunity, and the depressive hopelessness of the selfishness of the human heart, have hindered Kenya’s flourishing.

It would be easy to lose heart, but I want to offer a starting place that I have been thinking increasingly about; that is the biblical idea of lament, offered with the confidence that God sees, hears and can do something about the many difficult realities of life. Lament is a passionate expression to God of grief and sorrow at the reality of our circumstances and our hearts. Within Scripture there are psalms of lament, a book called Lamentations, and the tragic story of a man called Job who suffered terribly and wrestled with God in prayer.

Our confidence as we lament life’s difficulties The character of God. God is love, good, strong and sovereign, perfectly revealed in Jesus.

The gospel. The true story of resurrection from death, of life everlasting, and the personal presence of God. The leadership of Jesus. Many of our difficulties arise from a lack of good leadership, from government to families.

We experience in Jesus good leadership, a leader who listens, is wise, truthful, hates violence and injustice, and leads in a selfsacrificial way. In picture form, he is the Good Shepherd.

The community of the church. It was John Stott who called his exposition on the Sermon on the Mount, ‘God’s new society’. The goal of the gospel is community – men and women, boys and girls from every nation – united under his leadership, a very safe place where all are loved and served.

Life is difficult for the vast majority of Kenyans, and yet their confidence and ours must be in God alone. Let me encourage us to lament all we see that is not good and, in line with God’s will, do so with confidence. David Powlison said of lament: “Talk out everything that matters, with the one whose opinion most matters, the only one who can do something about it.”

Let me encourage us to lament all we see that is not good and, in line with God’s will, do so with confidence.

Herald February 2024

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The challenge of abuse within our Church

Jacqui Montgomery-Devlin highlights the issue of abuse within our denomination and outlines how PCI is seeking to address it.

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hrist calls us to love, care for and value everyone. As a Church we should seek to reflect Christ’s compassion for all, and that includes safeguarding everyone who comes into contact with our Church. This needs to be our witness.

As you read this, you may, or may not, have experienced abuse within our Church; you may have heard directly or indirectly from a victim/survivor, about their experience of abuse; you might be the parent or family member of someone who was abused within our Church; you might have heard whispers about it in the community; or, you might be someone who thinks this does not happen in the Presbyterian Church. That is the belief of some.

Sadly, abuse is present throughout our communities and does not stop at the front doors of our churches. I hope that, if you are someone who has believed

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that abuse cannot happen within our churches, by the time you have finished reading this article, you will no longer be of that mind. If we hold to this belief, we reinforce the reason why so many victims of abuse never tell, and, instead, continue to suffer in silence. When we do not speak about abuse, when people are encouraged to keep quiet about it, or when it is not dealt with – these things in themselves are abusive.

Rev Dr Gerry Clinton, minister in Ballybay Presbyterian Church, is a member of PCI’s Safeguarding panel,

Abuse needs to be met with positive action – silence around abuse is inaction. Encouraging silence is worse than doing nothing.

and an ex-psychiatric nurse. He says, “Abuse needs to be met with positive action – silence around abuse is inaction.

Encouraging silence is worse than doing nothing. All too often, those who are supposed to be a source of help, repeat the abuser’s message, ‘Don’t go telling anyone’. That’s called ‘secondary victimisation’ because the silence that is encouraged prevents the person getting the help they so badly need.”

What is abuse?

Abuse can take many forms. It can include sexual, physical, emotional/ psychological, financial, institutional, spiritual, neglect, discriminatory, modern slavery, and domestic abuse. It can happen to children, young people and adults; to males and females; and can be both contact and non-contact.

It is abuse whether it happens once or more than once.

It is wrong to place an equal importance on protecting an abuser and a victim…

The impact of the abuse None of us can ever fully know the impact of abuse for any individual victim/survivor, but I have worked long enough in the field of abuse to know the devastating impact it can have on children, young people, adults, and their families. Irrespective of the form of abuse, who the abuser is, or how often it happened, it can have the ability to destroy lives.

In the book, Sex, Power, Control: Responding to abuse in the institutional church, by Fiona Gardner, one survivor of clerical abuse speaks about how, “The Bishop was very tall, very big. He said that physical comfort was the best kind.

He said, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto me’. And then he abused me.”

This survivor said this sexual abuse stripped away her identity. I share this example, not to shock, but to emphasise the potential impact of abuse and consequent feelings of fear, powerlessness, loss of self-worth, to name just a few.

Why should we speak about this?

There can be many reasons why people might not speak about their experience of abuse, but there can be additional reasons why disclosure of abuse within the Church can be even more difficult, including: • The importance placed on protecting the gospel above all else; • A belief that suffering is commendable because Jesus suffered for us; • The abuser is in a leadership position and placed on a pedestal; • The cultural context of the local community prevents disclosure from within the Church – giving paramountcy to the reputation of the Church.

Only by talking about abuse and acknowledging its existence, will it encourage people to speak about their experiences. This is important if victims are to find healing for past harm; to encourage those to speak out about current experiences; and to give a strong, clear message for the future, that any form of abuse within the Church is wrong, will not be tolerated, and should

not go unaddressed if the Church is aware of it.

As a Church, we should speak about forgiveness, however, the forgiveness of an abuser should not be a reason for it not to be dealt with effectively, and by those who have specific in-depth knowledge of, and experience in, safeguarding, in conjunction with the Church.

It is wrong to place an equal importance on protecting an abuser and a victim, believing that the abuser’s expressed regret for the abuse is sufficient to prevent them from harming others in the future. Research tells us that an abuser rarely abuses just once, or has only one victim. Therefore, it is critical that this is dealt with effectively to minimise further harm.

Dr Clinton says, “Silence enables the abuser to go on to abuse others.

How many people have experienced abuse because of the perceived need to ‘keep things quiet’ so as to avoid social embarrassment? It doesn’t bear thinking about… Perhaps people are unaware of the damage that a culture of silence can do, not only to individuals, but to a whole community. These cultures of silence need to be dismantled for the sake of our children, and those who suffered as children whose stories have never been heard.

“People might think that things brushed under the carpet in the past are best left there for fear of opening old wounds. They couldn’t be more wrong.

Those who experienced abuse deserve healing. Continued silence is the oxygen off which abuse lives.”

How you can help?

We can all help build a culture whereby safeguarding of all is in the DNA of PCI and the people in it; a culture that is positive and affirming, compassionate and caring. To not act in this way, would be to fall short of what Christ has asked us to do.

Having worked in the area of all forms of abuse and exploitation for many years, and now as Head of Safeguarding in the Presbyterian Church since 2019, I want to give assurance that I take seriously my responsibility to safeguard those in our

congregations and organisations. I will deal with every allegation of abuse that comes to my attention. My ask is that you help me to do this by speaking out.

By doing so, together, we can prevent further abuse and support healing where abuse has happened. Look at the example set by our Lord. He did not turn away from those who were suffering. He reached out and befriended them.

I and my colleague, John Steven, have already embarked on delivering awareness raising sessions, within every presbytery, to speak about ‘Confronting the challenge of abuse within our Church’. The next session is in Derry and Donegal Presbytery on 27 February at 7pm in Strabane Presbyterian Church.

Future sessions will be advertised at www.presbyterianireland.org/takingcare.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend these sessions.

Dr Clinton comments: “These sessions can help people realise the need to do the right thing, to free those who have experienced abuse from their prison of silence and give them the liberty to access the help that they need. Perhaps in the past the ‘relevant authorities’ simply didn’t listen when approached – or the services available now did not exist. Well, they exist now, and they are ready to listen – and there are people whose stories need to be told, for their own sake and for the sake of our communities. Again, silence is the lifeblood of the abuser.”

Whether you are a victim/survivor of abuse within our Church; have heard directly or indirectly from a victim/ survivor; are the parent or family member of someone who was abused within our Church; or have heard whispers about it in the community, I can assure you that we in the safeguarding office are here to listen.

If, or when, you are ready, we are ready.

Jacqui Montgomery-Devlin is Head of Safeguarding in PCI. If you would like to speak with someone about anything raised in this article, please contact the Safeguarding Department on: (From NI) 028 9041 7290 / (From RoI) 048 9041 7290

Herald February 2024

21

TALKING POINTS

Good friends Norman Hamilton discusses how we need to rediscover the art of good friendship.

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n recent months, I have been able to explore in this monthly always easy to do, for friendships can become strained, as has article some of the issues around friendship and fellowship. been my experience again in the past year. Yet to seek God’s Their importance has been highlighted again for me in the grace and help to nurture troubled relationships is always so last few weeks as I have been re-reading the handwritten worthwhile – again, as I have found in the past year. After all, notes (and printed letters) that came with both the physical and “A friend loves at all times” – not just occasionally or when email Christmas cards I received back in December. things are straightforward or easy.

They are more fascinating second time around. For in making In trying to think through how to nurture better friendship and taking time to read them again, I’ve picked up comments with those ‘Christmas only’ friends, I have decided to make and nuances that I didn’t see when giving them a quick read personal contact with some of them again – and to make a after they popped through the letterbox or appeared on my determined effort to meet up with them over coffee or a meal. computer screen.

Doing that is going to be a bit ‘inconvenient’ in some cases, but There are both happy and sad events recounted; unusual seems eminently worthwhile. happenings in family life; concerns about the future; and some With others, I’m getting round to responding to their real distress about what happened last Christmas emails with a proper reply – year. As well, I have been blessed as I read This biblical and in so doing opening up conversations of God’s work in the lives of some dear understanding of what it that can be followed through on the phone friends. or again by meeting up with them. means to be a really In re-reading these letters, I’ve been Underlying my thinking (as it develops) rather forced to think about just how is the biblical precept to try to love others good friend has been important the writers and their families as a response to Christ’s love for me. To completely torn asunder try to give some pastoral care where I can really are to me. In some cases, this is the only contact of the year. In others, there where it is needed; to help reassure by today’s social media. and is occasional contact, and of course, with some others that in their loneliness or some, there is quite regular contact. fears, there are some Christian friends who Proverbs 17 makes this important observation: a friend loves care about them; to encourage those for whom their daily work at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. is particularly challenging or demoralising; to try to follow the This biblical understanding of what it means to be a really example of the Apostle Paul when he said in 1 Thessalonians good friend has been completely torn asunder by today’s social 2: “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share media. You can become a ‘friend’ or delete someone as a ‘friend’ with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” at the click of a button on your phone or computer. Friends can Might I specifically urge you too to reflect on those with be treated like an old pair of jeans or an old phone – disposable, whom you were in contact over Christmas. To ask yourself if without much thought or consequence. I find this appalling, there are any who might be blessed by your being in contact and it is the main reason why I never seek to make ‘friends’ with them again right now; then do it – and see what the Lord on this basis on social media. I’m not concerned about being brings your way as a result. I have high expectations of God in deleted – I’m simply not prepared to play ball with systems that this small ministry. You should have them too! allow this to happen so easily.

Real friends are real people, made in the image of God and precious to him. So, their wellbeing – physical, mental and spiritual – really ought to be a matter of ongoing interest, perhaps even concern to us, if we claim to love the Lord.

So, is it good enough for me as a Christian, to limit my contact with a friend to an annual Christmas card or an occasional text? Broadly speaking, I think not. Receiving those cards, letters and notes show that at the very least, that I am not Norman Hamilton forgotten by my friends. Does that bring any responsibility or privilege to me? I think it does.

Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton is a former I often recall the advice of a colleague who said to me: Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in “Norman, always keep your friendships in good repair.” Not Ireland.

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Herald February 2024

FEBRUARY 2024

Mission Connect

Joy and thanks

Igniting a passion for Jesus Jack Wright

Mission news from workers around Ireland and the world.

The benefit of coffee breaks at meetings Volker Glissmann Giving thanks to God Edwin and Anne Kibathi Gossiping the gospel Rev Gunther Andrich Rehabilitation and the gospel Rev Gary Aitcheson

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.

Joy and thanks Paula Burrows

Including February prayer diary

Igniting a passion for Jesus

Jack Wright

Community outreach worker, St Andrew’s, Bangor

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ollowing the pandemic, we began to develop a new We’ve been thankful to God that in recent months a number of children’s ministry each Monday evening, called ‘Spark’. This young people have made a commitment to follow Jesus, and we’re includes an engaging mix of Bible teaching, dramas, songs, seeking to encourage them to get plugged into the worshipping crafts and small-group time for children, whilst also offering tea community on Sunday mornings, as well as our youth fellowship and coffee to help engage with families as they wait for their ministry – a more intimate gathering for young people on Sunday children. nights, to study the Bible and At the same time, we’ve one another in our Our aim is to nurture the spiritual journeys of disciple developed a new ministry faith journeys. This is exciting, with teenagers in the church and also challenging at times, young people, many of whom have no church family and from the wider as we walk with young people connection, through building strong relationships. with no previous connection community. ‘Ignite’ happens every Thursday evening and is with church and have no a ministry I help lead, in partnership with Young Life International understanding of the Bible’s truth.

– a ministry that seeks to support the local church to engage with We’re so thankful for the opportunities the Lord is giving us to young people. We’ve been really encouraged by how this ministry share his love with young people at this time, and for the ways in is developing. which he is encouraging us to move out of our comfort zones, to Each Thursday evening, we welcome around 65 young people keep engaging with young people and families from across the and build relationships through small-group games, energetic wider community. activities, up-front skits, Bible teaching, and the much-loved tea and toast. Our Bible teaching series has focused on the life of Jesus, through the Gospel of Mark. Our aim is to nurture the Please pray: spiritual journeys of young people, many of whom have no church connection, through building strong relationships. We seek to • For the children and young people who come to Spark and share the gospel in fun and relatable ways.

Ignite, that they would hear and respond to the good news of Each week we’re involved in ‘contact work’ – meeting young Jesus.

• For the young people who have made a commitment to follow people where they are at. We cheer young people on at sporting Jesus, that they would grow in their faith. events they participate in or catch up with them in coffee shops • Give thanks for the leaders and junior leaders. Pray that they or McDonalds to see how they’re doing and what support we would be encouraged and inspired as they see the Lord at work, can offer. Through these times, conversations are drawn towards that they too would continue to grow in their faith. chatting about Jesus, and relationships are deepened.

• Pray for adults to join the Ignite ministry, especially for We’re also seeking to disciple a group of young leaders and experienced Christians open to mentoring young people and those showing leadership potential, through a junior leadership becoming spiritual parents/grandparents to those who have programme, where opportunities are given to lead in up-front and previously had no church background. behind-the-scenes roles.

Mission Connect | Herald February 2024

The benefit of coffee breaks at meetings

Volker Glissmann

Global mission worker, Southern Africa

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t the beginning of October 2023, I was in Nairobi, Kenya, for are important questions that require thorough answers that both a week, attending a meeting about increasing partnership understand the context of the question and the culture from between different theological training providers to scale which it arises and look at the whole counsel of the Scripture to up non-formal theological training. Those studying pastoral provide comprehensive answers. training in Africa say that Several of us decided during around 95% of pastors still the meeting that it would We realised that we all had vast and unique have either no or inadequate be helpful to develop a new access to theological training course that addresses the experiences in theological education, to prepare them for ministry. key problems we face while especially with grassroots and pastors The meeting was very good, benefiting from each other’s but even better were some experience and expertise. The without formal schooling. conversations that a colleague group is spread geographically and I had during the coffee across the continent and breaks with some attendees who are involved in pastoral and includes members from Angola, Malawi, Kenya and Uganda. We biblical ministry training in sometimes remote areas. We realised have already had preliminary discussions on the content and will that we all had vast and unique experiences in theological continue with different meetings in the next few weeks. Due to the education, especially with grassroots and pastors without formal geographical spread of the participants, everything will be done schooling. Quite a few of us worked in small, scattered settings. We online. Additionally, we want to bring others into the conversation enjoyed the enrichment it brought to share, learn and we often whose expertise will help the project. All of this is a bit of a new realised that we had developed similar solutions to engaging with adventure for us all. God led us to collaborate and try to make this our learners. project work even though we are significantly geographically apart.

The issue is that theological training outside a university requires significant methodological adjustments. At the heart of it is Please pray: the desire to find better ways to communicate the patterns of • Give thanks to God for bringing us together during the coffee scriptural revelation centred on key themes. A few participants breaks on the side of the Nairobi meeting and for preparing work with oral communities, others work with groups with some each of us individually for the project. but limited schooling, while others work with university graduates.

• Pray for us as we overcome technical challenges to make this Yet, we also had partial solutions to one of our main struggles project work. to tell the Christian story to address the questions that African • Pray for us as we reach out to others who could help guide the Christians ask. For example, in hierarchical cultures, different project. questions are asked of the biblical text than back home. These

Mission Connect | Herald February 2024

Giving thanks to God Edwin and Anne Kibathi Global mission workers, England

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e thank God for granting us yet another year and are fellowship was started. This will take place in Nairobi and we are grateful to him for what he enabled us to achieve during hoping to send a representative to the event.

2023, including visits to all four congregations at least We hope to hold two classes of catechism. One for the youth and once a month. Though progress has been slow, we are excited to the other for the adults. These classes are expected to take place see the congregations grow and welcome new members. From via Zoom and will be followed by the confirmation of those who January, the Reading congregation will change its meeting venue. participate.

This is to enable it to move nearer to where most of the members Before the Covid-19 outbreak, there were two classes pursuing reside.

TEE (Theological Education by Extension) but they have not been In 2024 there are events that we hope to hold as we serve God meeting since the Covid break. The groups have now decided to and reach out. In January and February, we will have leaders’ continue with the classes and more members have enrolled for elections and their induction the same. We are hoping there to their different roles. The will be a graduation before the Though progress has been slow, we are Birmingham fellowship, which end of this year. has been meeting for Sunday excited to see the congregations grow and services on Zoom and in person once a month, has plans to welcome new members. start physical meetings every Sunday.

Several children from church school have now graduated and have been received into the youth group. They are excited to have achieved this. At the same time, some of the senior youth group have moved on to universities and colleges.

Please pray: The women’s ministry has been very active and will continue • Thank God for his mercies and allowing us to see the new year. with their monthly fellowships. A seminar to prepare those who • Pray that he will enable us to achieve all the scheduled events want to join the Woman’s Guild is scheduled to take place in the for this year. first Saturday of February. The ceremony to join the Woman’s Guild • Pray for the children and the youth, that they will continue to is expected to take place later in June. grow spiritually as they meet and learn from the Word of God. The men’s fellowship is one group that has not fully recovered • Pray that God would make his presence known to the men and after Covid-19. However, there is hope, for we still have a handful revive them so they take their position both in church and their who have maintained their presence and participation in church. homes.

This month, the PCEA will celebrate 50 years since the men’s

Mission Connect | Herald February 2024

Gossiping the gospel

Rev Gunther Andrich

Tempo, Irvinestown and Pettigo

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t is a pleasure and a privilege to provide a brief update of where Another discovery being made is how true repentance and we are in our journey as rural Home Mission churches. When we saving faith are two sides of the same coin. It was to thoroughly think of our community, we realise that our God simply wants to religious people like us that Peter said: “Repent, then, and turn keep letting his good news of to God, so that your sins may salvation through Christ travel be wiped out, that times of This word-of-mouth gossiping of the gospel from one person to the next refreshing may come from through the tightly-knit family Lord… (God) sent him happens quite naturally where people see a light the and friendship networks. This first to you to bless you by word-of-mouth gossiping turning each of you from your shining, become curious and ask questions… of the gospel happens quite wicked ways” (Acts 3:19 and naturally where people see a 26). Please continue to partner light shining, become curious and ask questions, or where they with us in prayer for the ongoing work in the congregations of hear an off-hand comment about something good that the Lord Tempo, Irvinestown and Pettigo. has done for them. In the normal course of life, when people live, work, study or play together, spiritual growth in Christ follows.

Therefore, at the very heart of what we are seeking to do as churches is to pray that as many of us as possible are converted to Christ and born again of the Spirit. May this miracle continue Please pray: to unfold through our Sunday services, senior and junior Sunday • Give thanks to God for he looks after us and lifts our spirits in schools, PW groups, prayer and Bible study meetings, prayer dark times. meetings, committees, pastoral visits, baptisms, weddings, • Give thanks to God as he enables many of us to keep turning funerals, administrative and maintenance work, uniformed towards him in repentance and faith. organisations, and presbytery meetings. For example, one of our • Pray that the Lord would help us to increasingly be those true members recently said to one of the PW leaders as she was being worshippers the Father seeks. dropped off at home: “You know what, I realised tonight that I am • Pray that we would not grow weary of seeking him not born again yet. Before I get out of this car, can you explain to wholeheartedly despite inner and outer hindrances. me what to do?” She has since been baptised.

Mission Connect | Herald February 2024

Rehabilitation and the gospel Rev Gary Aitcheson

Prison chaplain and minister of Balteagh and Bovevagh

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hen I was a boy, the worst thing I could possibly imagine when they leave, they are rehabilitated. I have been impressed was to be sent to prison. I never thought that one day I at how hard the staff at Magilligan work to train, educate and would be working as a prison chaplain. encourage those in their care.

I am minister of Balteagh and Bovevagh congregations, and work Many people in prison have addictions, and for many, they are five and a quarter hours per week in Magilligan Prison in addition there as a direct result of their addictions. For them, the process to my normal duties. Usually of rehabilitation is long and this means that I will be in difficult, and it has been a Sometimes people will say things like: Magilligan one afternoon/ privilege and a challenge to evening per week. While spend much time with some “Sure prison is like a holiday camp!” there, I try to see as many who want to recover. Some of It is not a holiday camp, and for most people, prisoners as possible, making them have spent most of their contact with those who youth in and out of the prison being in prison is very difficult. are newly transferred from system.

Maghaberry, and following As a chaplain, I think the up on those that I have got to know well. In the late afternoon, I message of the gospel is the ultimate message of rehabilitation, conduct a service of worship. and it is always a joy to share that message with men who are At any one time, HMP Magilligan is ‘home’ to around 480 open and searching for something to live for. I would appreciate men who are serving sentences from a few months to life. your prayers for this work. As someone said to me recently: “You Usually around 80 of these men claim some connection to the can’t unhear what you have heard.” It is not always easy to leave all Presbyterian Church, although as chaplains we are available to that at the prison gate on the way home. everyone.

I have been working in Magilligan since late 2021. There are limits to what I can do in five hours per week, but I have always come home each day feeling that I have done something worthwhile and that God is at work.

Please pray: Sometimes people will say things like: “Sure prison is like a holiday camp!” It is not a holiday camp, and for most people, being • For Gareth as he serves as chaplain at Magilligan each week, in prison is very difficult. A former Director General said: “People that he would know God’s strength and leading as he has are sent here as punishment, not to be punished.” People are in conversations and builds relationships with those he meets. prison as punishment for breaking the law, but once there, the • For peace as he “can’t unhear” what he has heard. goal is that they would make good use of their sentence so that

Mission Connect | Herald February 2024

Joy and thanks

Paula Burrows

Deaconess, Ballygrainey Presbyterian Church

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oesn’t time fly! Today is my youngest daughter’s birthday various ministries in church who serve God gladly where he has – she has just turned 13. It can be hard to believe how fast placed them. Thankful for the church family, from the youngest to the years go by, often overlooking the goodness that God the oldest, who gather to worship our great God each week. has bestowed on us each and every day.

Joy is another word that comes to mind as I think of Ballygrainey.

The ladies from our badminton and Bible study group were Joy on the faces of little ones as they come in to play at Tweenies reflecting on how quick people are to blame God for all the bad and on the faces of the carers when it’s time for tea and a scone. things that happen in our Joy of the children of different world. Why do wars happen? ages playing together after What a blessed people we are to be his, to know church as their adults chat Why do people suffer cancer and other illnesses? Why do that our joy can be found through him each day, with one another. Joy beaming our loved ones have to die? through the face of a sister in How can a good God allow all Christ as she looks forward to no matter what circumstances we face. this to happen? Yet we can be getting to worship after many slower to remember to thank weeks of recovering from God for the breath he has given us this day, the food we have on surgery. Joy as a much-loved man from church gives his life to God our tables, the clothes we wear, the job we go to and the beautiful shortly before he passes into glory. world he created. Only a good, loving God would give his people Paul tells us in Thessalonians to “rejoice always, pray continually, these things again and again. Only a good, loving God would get give thanks in all circumstances”, so let’s do this each and every day us through all the pain and sorrow of this broken, sinful world. because “this is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be Only a good, loving God would give us the hope and assurance glad in it.” of an eternal life with him in a new heaven and new earth with nothing to be sad about ever again. What a blessed people we are to be his, to know that our joy can be found through him each day, Please pray: no matter what circumstances we face. We have so much to thank • Give thanks to God for our minister, Session and church family. him for.

• That those who love God will continue to grow in their love of Thankful is a word I can definitely use for the privilege I have of God and show his love to those in their schools, workplaces, serving God in Ballygrainey, and it is a word I hear from many of families and communities. the church family. Thankful to God for blessing us with a minister • That we will listen and be obedient to God as he shows us how who faithfully preaches God’s Word. Thankful for godly elders who to reach those in the communities around Ballygrainey. faithfully seek to discern God’s will. Thankful for the leaders of the

Mission Connect | Herald February 2024

FEBRUARY 2024

Please pray... n FORCES CHAPLAINS – For God’s guidance and protection for PCI’s chaplains serving with the armed forces as they provide pastoral care and seek opportunities to lead people to Christ. n RURAL CHAPLAIN – For the rural chaplaincy team as they plan events to promote physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing in six livestock marts in February and March. Pray for opportunities to share Jesus’ good news. n NAOMI LEREMORE – Give thanks for the 40th anniversary celebrations at the recent TEE conference and the new theme ‘Sound theology for a safe society’.

Ask that delegates Naomi Leremore will be given many opportunities to tell others about the courses available and the impact these can have on lives. n DEBT – With the continued increase in household costs, many families are finding that income from wages simply isn’t enough.

This often leads to the accumulation of debts which they see no way of repaying. Pray for families in this situation and for organisations such as Christians Against Poverty who provide advice, help and hope. n COMMUNITY OUTREACH – For Jack McQuillan, serving in Christchurch, Dundonald and Tullycarnet. Pray he will develop good relationships with the surrounding community, particularly among those who aren’t connected to a church. n JAMES AND HEATHER COCHRANE – For James and Heather as they continue with their time of sabbatical, also seeking God’s leading for their next phase of ministry. n DEACONESS – For Rachel Cubitt serving in Whiteabbey; that the Lord’s love would be shown in each interaction she has. n URBAN MISSION – For the congregation of Craigavon, that they would know the Lord’s blessing as they gather to worship each Sunday. n STEVE AND ROSIE KENNEDY – For Steve and Rosie, that they would know God’s guidance and encouragement as, together with the Council for Global Mission, they explore options for the future. Pray that as a family they would sense the peace and assurance of God in a time of uncertainty. n HEALTHCARE CHAPLAIN – For Keith McIntyre; that he will be filled with the love and compassion of Jesus as he cares for patients and their families in difficult circumstances in Daisy Hill Hospital.

n CHILD PROTECTION – For vulnerable children, and for ministers, designated persons and others within congregations who are dealing with difficult child protection issues. Pray for guidance and wisdom to resolve issues. n BRAZIL – For the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, that it would provide wise leadership and godly witness throughout the nation.

Remember also the president of Brazil, Lula da Silva, as he continues in his third term of office. n SOUTH BELFAST FRIENDSHIP HOUSE – For the staff and volunteers of South Belfast Friendship House, that they would be guided by God as they serve and care for those who come through their doors. n HOME MISSION – Give thanks for the congregations of Blackrock and Bray and pray that as they meet to worship the Lord, they would grow deeper in faith and fellowship. n VOLKER AND JINHYEOG GLISSMANN – Praise the Lord for his guidance and for Volker and the team as they set up a network to address how to go about creating TEE learning materials. n EASTERN EUROPE – For Bishop Béla Kató, and for the life and witness of the Transylvanian Reformed Church District in Romania. n RIVER HOUSE – For River House as it provides residential accommodation for older people.

Remember manager Lisa Taggart and the staff as they support residents in their daily routine. Give thanks for the residents and the sense of community in the Newcastle home. n COMMUNITY Eleanor Drysdale OUTREACH – For Sally Moore serving in Second Randalstown. As Sally and the team serve the church and local community through children’s ministry, pray that the love of God would been known by the children. n NEPAL – Give thanks for UMN’s wideranging engagement seeking to bring fullness of life to the people of Nepal. Please especially remember projects to improve mental health, an area of work urgently in need of support.

n INTERNATIONAL MEETING POINT – For the team as they seek to help people practically, that they would have wisdom and grace as they help people in their difficult circumstances. n COMMUNITY OUTREACH – For Dan Rosbotham serving in Ravenhill. Pray for Dan and the congregation in the various opportunities they provide to develop warm relationships with the surrounding community, particularly among young people. n PRISON CHAPLAINS – For Gary Aitcheson and all of PCI’s prison chaplains as they share the message of Christ with those in prison. Pray that they would know the Lord’s strength as they support inmates in each of their specific situations. n STAFF IN PCI HOMES – The Council for Social Witness strives to provide the best service and care across all its services on a daily basis. Please pray for those undertaking their QCF Level 3 Training qualification. Give thanks for the interest shown in the course by staff. n SPECIAL MINISTRY IN WEST BELFAST – For the work of the special ministry in west Belfast, for relationships to be deepened with those in the surrounding community, that the hope of Jesus may be shared with those who don’t yet know it. n MYANMAR – For an end to the civil war in Myanmar and for PCM members who have been forced to flee their villages due to bombardment by government forces. n IRISH MISSION – As Keith Preston gives a lead to the team in the International Meeting Point, pray that he will know the Lord’s equipping and guiding. n DEACONESS – For Eleanor Drysdale serving in Wellington, Ballymena, both pastorally and in leading different ministries. Pray that through her conversations, people would be drawn to Christ. n OLDER PEOPLE – Give thanks to God for older people and the encouragement and practical help that they can offer to their families, church and community. Pray that they may feel valued and appreciated. Pray also for older people within our residential and nursing homes and for those who conduct weekly devotionals and visits. n UNIVERSITY CHAPLAIN – For Graeme Orr as he serves the students at Ulster University in Magee, that they would know the goodness of Jesus.

www.presbyterianireland.org/prayer

The plight of

the persecuted

Photography by PakMission

Pip Florit reports on those around the globe who are persecuted for their Christian faith.

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n 2023, Open Doors reported that 360 million Christians worldwide face persecution and discrimination because of their faith. Last year, around 5,600 Christians were killed for their faith, while over 2,000 churches and Christian buildings were attacked.

These are the more extreme manifestations of persecution, but Christians in persecuted minorities around the world face many struggles, ranging from worship restrictions, to discrimination, harassment, imprisonment, torture and martyrdom.

Most published reports indicate that

There is a temptation to compartmentalise, thinking of ‘the persecuted church’ as something separate from us, but we are…one body, part of which is persecuted.

persecution against Christians is getting worse, as year on year, numbers of attacks on people and buildings increase.

In many countries, it is dangerous to publicly live out and share a Christian faith. Some of the most dangerous places to do this include North Korea, Somalia and India, while threats have been growing in countries such as Indonesia, Nigeria and Myanmar. Many of PCI’s international partners are having to be increasingly cautious about how they carry out and communicate their work.

PCI has partners in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Myanmar and Syria – all countries that feature in Open Doors’ World Watch List, which ranks the 50 countries with the highest rates of persecution of Christians. They face varying degrees of persecution, but all have to exercise a level of caution in their ministry. They know the meaning of resilience, how to depend on God and rely on prayer, when it is often the only tool they have.

While we in Ireland enjoy peace and freedom to live out our faith, our brothers and sisters are living a different reality, and it is one that we cannot forget. There is a temptation to compartmentalise, thinking of ‘the persecuted church’ as something separate from us, but we are

Anti-conversion laws In countries such as Syria, Iran and Nepal, the Christian church isn’t officially prohibited and therefore Christians are, in theory, allowed to meet together, with freedom to worship. However, if an individual converts to Christianity from Islam or Hindu, there can be great problems. In some of these countries, proselytising and conversion, or ‘apostasy’ are illegal and can be punishable by death. In others, they can lead to discrimination and ostracism.

As a result, converts may be forced to flee and many refugees and asylum seekers have come to the UK and other countries for this reason.

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Pakistan Pakistan appears at number seven on Open Doors’ World Watch List and intimidation of Christians is a common occurrence. Women and girls are particularly at risk and there have been many cases when young girls have been forced into marriages with Muslim men and therefore forced to convert to Islam.

On 16 August 2023, a mob of around 7,000 people attacked an area of Christian colonies in Jaranwala, a district of Faisalabad. Claiming blasphemy, which is illegal in Pakistan and can be punishable by death, the mob reduced 26 churches to ashes and ransacked the houses of Christians, with at least 250 families directly affected.

These attacks have become more and more common in recent years, fuelled by religious intolerance, societal tensions and misinformation.

PCI supported PakMission in its response to this violence, as it sought to provide both immediate relief to affected families and longer term psychosocial support, livelihood support and aid in rebuilding church buildings. As well as meeting the needs of those affected, PakMission is also working on developing programmes and networks to improve social cohesion, particularly among the youth of the community.

Further details of the PakMission Society’s work can be found at www.pakmissionsociety.org

one global church, one body, part of which is persecuted.

Jesus promised that persecution should be expected. He was mocked, beaten and crucified. In John 15:20, he says, “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” Throughout the New Testament, we find examples of people persecuted for their faith; from Stephen, falsely accused and stoned, to Paul and Silas, flogged and thrown in prison for driving out a demon in Jesus’ name.

From biblical times until now, persecution has continued as Christians through the centuries have suffered for sharing the hope they have been given. Early Christians came under threat from the Roman Empire when they refused to worship the emperor.

They were seen as a threat, an unknown quantity to be suspicious of. They were also threatened by many Jews, who did not think that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Christians suffered painful and humiliating executions at the hands of the Roman Empire, but for many, martyrdom became something to be prized, and was seen as the most honourable kind of death, reflecting passages such as Matthew 5:10–12: “Blessed are those who are persecuted

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because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

While the Roman Empire sought to eradicate Christianity, persecution only fuelled the fires of early believers, with the church growing rapidly in the face of trials. As in Acts chapter 8: “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria… Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went.” When Paul and Silas were thrown in prison, it resulted in the conversion of the jailer and his family.

When Philip fled from persecution in Jerusalem, he encountered the Ethiopian

In 2023, Open Doors reported that 360 million Christians worldwide face persecution and discrimination because of their faith.

eunuch, taking the chance to explain Scripture to him. God used trials to bring his hope to more of the world.

In these days, Christians are persecuted for many reasons, but it is often that, as in early Rome, they are assumed to be a threat to governments and other power structures, particularly in Islamic states and dictatorships. In countries like Somalia and Yemen, citizens are expected to be Muslim and leaving Islam is seen as a betrayal of family, community and state.

Christian converts are forced underground and if their faith is discovered, they face discrimination, violence, imprisonment or even death. Some flee from their home country, seeking safety elsewhere, including Ireland.

Although this may seem a world apart from where we are, it is not something we can ignore. We have much to learn from persecuted minorities, who are living out their faith as they seek to be good neighbours in their societies, to engage in dialogue as they work towards better understanding, while still maintaining an uncompromising witness to Jesus Christ.

We need to ask about our part in these difficulties. Hebrews 13:3 says, “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you

India “In my opinion, from the martyrdom of the Apostle Thomas in Southern India, in the first century AD, India has never been void of Christian persecution.”

These are the words of the head of one of PCI’s partner organisations that works in some of the most hostile parts of India. We are unable to name the individual or the organisation for security reasons.

Religious equality is meant to be part of Indian law, but, more and more, Christians are facing harassment and exclusion at the hands of those who say that you can’t truly be Indian if you are not Hindu. Anti-conversion laws are active in around half of India’s states and while their stated intention is to prevent forced conversion, they have been used to harass Christians who are living out their faith.

In recent years, reports of attacks on Christian homes and churches, of deaths and assaults, of arrests and false accusations have become more common.

On Maundy Thursday in 2022, in the Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh, around 40 worshippers were fasting and praying in a church when a group of Hindus locked the church door from outside and called the police, falsely accusing them. Twenty of them got arrested by the police along with the pastor. All apart from the pastor were later released on bail. After two months the pastor also came out on bail, but was later rearrested and is still in prison. The community is not allowed to have a Christian gathering, even in their homes. If they try, Hindu mobs will gather outside their homes, forcing them to close the meeting.

Our partner reports that the people involved in the organisation’s work face threats, even from family, particularly around the time of religious festivals, “but God has been gracious to our people and he is giving them his grace and protection every time to face the threats and still hold on to their faith.”

yourselves were suffering.” We are called to remember, to pray, to advocate and support where we can.

PCI’s Global Development committee has recognised the importance of this global issue and is seeking to appoint a persecuted minorities agent. This person will keep up to date with the latest news from countries where Christians are most persecuted, particularly those where PCI has partners, and advise on how our Church and congregations can best respond. PCI also encourages congregations to support the work of agencies working with persecuted minorities, particularly those mentioned

They know the meaning of resilience, how to depend on God and rely on prayer, when it is often the only tool they have. at the end of this article.

The statistics from around the world indicate that persecution of Christian minorities is increasing. It’s hard to see the hope in the midst of the statistics, but it is there. Romans 5:3–5 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and

character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

In the underground churches, God’s love is poured out. On the prisoners unjustly imprisoned, God’s love is poured out. On the family fleeing from the only country they’ve ever known, God’s love is poured out. On the new convert who has found Jesus but lost their family, God’s love is poured out.

Let’s pray for that as we remember persecuted Christians around the world.

Pip Florit is PCI’s Mission Support Officer for Partnerships.

Agencies working with persecuted minorities

Open Doors works in more than 70 countries, supplying Bibles, providing emergency relief and helping persecuted believers stand strong. It encourages the church in the UK and Ireland to pray, give and speak out. www.opendoorsuk.org

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has a vision of a world free from religious persecution, where everyone can practise a religion or belief of their choice. www.csw.org.uk

Church in Chains is based in the Republic of Ireland and encourages prayer and action in support of persecuted Christians worldwide. www.churchinchains.ie

Release International is UK-based and supports believers around the world who are persecuted for Christ and the gospel. www.releaseinternational.org

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Moving from darkness

Protest in Iran following Mahsa Amini’s death, Tehran, Iran - 28 Sep 2022 – Social Media/Shutterstock

to light

Amir Abbas Kalhor, from Great Victoria Street & Windsor Presbyterian Church in Belfast, describes how different his life has become since moving from Iran to Northern Ireland.

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randmother used to say that women who dress immodestly will hang from the tips of their breasts in the afterlife.

In elementary school, our Islamic studies teacher told us that girls who don’t wear headscarves and have visible hair in the street will hang from their hair in hell.

As children, we couldn’t sleep because of the fear of unpunished sins. Every night, we would think about hell, fire and molten lead pouring down the throats of women. We grew up in absolute darkness.

Even the colours of our clothes during school, for girls and boys alike, were navy blue, grey and brown.

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It was even worse for the generation before us. The hardline Islamists who came to power after the 1979 revolution would roam the streets on motorcycles and cars. If they saw a woman with her hair uncovered or her legs visible, they would whip her forehead or draw a line on her legs with a knife to serve

As children, we couldn’t sleep because of the fear of unpunished sins… We grew up in absolute darkness.

as a lesson for other women. Listening to cheerful music was forbidden, and throwing parties was risky.

The truth is, that we Iranians grew up through trial and error. We were laboratory mice. The clerics in power had turned society into a human laboratory, shocking it every day with new laws and regulations. Our parents got married at a young age and, in that atmosphere of war, inflation, scarcity, and a society plagued by conflicts, they no longer had the patience to raise and nurture children.

That’s why beating us became a tool for calming us down. We were beaten at school and home. We had to be silent.

We didn’t know how to protest. We didn’t have the courage. There was no institution to support us. Our lives were built on fear and the torment of conscience.

The torment of conscience had become a part of our cultural life: don’t look at girls, or you’ll go to hell; be obedient to your parents at home because you’ll go to hell and God won’t be pleased with you. This cycle continued in every aspect of life. And today, I see myself and other friends who still carry the torment of conscience as part of our lives. If Amir Abbas Kalhor we come home late at night or if we want to have a life of our own, we feel the torment of conscience for leaving We were beaten at school our families. We feel the torment of and home. We had to be conscience for worrying our mothers.

Now, as I write these words and think silent. We didn’t know about Iranian society in the years after how to protest. the revolution, I see that everything has been dark, and no matter how much I write here, it’s still not enough. The Of course, some churches are designated revolution of 1979 was a devastating for tourist visits, where non-Christians earthquake. An earthquake that destroyed can go sightseeing. everything that was being built in Iranian Furthermore, if you want to marry a society, which was moving towards non-Muslim person, you will face specific modernity, and erased the progress and complicated troubles. In general, that women and men had gained. This life in Iran, where the Islamic Republic event had negative effects on all aspects holds power, is like navigating through of citizens’ lives. From their clothing winding corridors and constant mazes and food to their beliefs and religious that daily place a heavy mental burden convictions, everything came under and stress on you, reaching a point where control and surveillance. you realise you can no longer tolerate all This happened in an Iranian society the pressure, suffering, harassment and which is filled with people of different torment. religious inclinations. The revolution If you are a woman, or if you are caused Islam and its laws to be LGBTQ+, these pressures and recognised as superior, leaving other harassment are even greater. For example, religious groups sidelined or in difficulty. when I was a journalist in Iran, during Now, for years, changing religion in Iran my last months there, I was constantly has been a major and unforgivable crime, threatened with death, arrest and torture and if the government finds out that by the security forces of the Islamic someone has converted from Islam to Republic. Why? I would write on social another religion, severe punishments are networks about the poverty of the people imposed on them. and their poor economic conditions, Another issue is that in Iran there or I would write about the inhumane are beautiful and grand churches, but behaviour of the morality police towards non-Christians cannot enter them for Iranian girls and women on the streets, visitation, or if they do, it is with fear reminding people that Iran had better and stress. Because it is possible that days before the revolution. I reached a when you leave the church, you may be point where I had no choice but to leave confronted by government officials who Iran through a difficult and exhausting will ask you why you went inside the journey and step into a world I had no church and what you were doing there. familiarity with, except through movies

and books: the free world. A place where citizens enjoy legal rights and where humanity takes precedence.

When I first arrived in Northern Ireland, I felt intensely lonely and missed my family. I was invited to a church. Despite my limited Englishspeaking abilities, the church members greeted me with tranquility, smiles and patience. This kindness has been a recurring experience for me over the past year in various churches and from different people. Individuals who, without any personal gain and without knowing anything about me or my life, strive to help me. They sometimes try to solve my problems, and other times, when I find myself trapped in the depths of despair, they extend their compassionate hands and guide me toward the light.

I remember one day, I asked one of the individuals who was helping refugees why they were doing this. They said it was to ensure that these people, in turn, would help others, and the cycle of assistance and kindness would continue among humans. This perspective was deeply appealing and filled with love because I could see that the world with love and humanity is not just confined to books, poetry and movies, but can also exist in reality. A place where peace prevails and people, regardless of their race, religion, or ethnicity, live together, love one another, and show kindness, not only to each other but also to animals and nature.

These are the things that the people of the Middle East, overshadowed by the darkness of hatred, animosity, and wars fuelled by their leaders, desperately need – to end this darkness and live in peace and contentment, enjoying their lives.

They should be treated as human beings, able to choose their religion and not be burdened with countless daily problems.

They should be able to make decisions regarding their attire, enjoy the blessings of God, and worship God in the way they desire, without any compulsion. However, unfortunately, what is happening today, for example in Iran, is that the people are shackled and restrained, and they are being driven towards a forced paradise that only the Mullah believes in.

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Transformation

in conciliation

Paul Jamieson outlines the harm that conflict can cause and, in contrast, the transformation that can be achieved through conciliation.

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ow do you commence a new year? Do you set yourself new goals – perhaps to lose weight, join the gym, get more involved at church, or take up a hobby? Do you take an opportunity to thank God for his help during the past year, seeking his wisdom as you move forward into a new one? Do you think about the people in your life and thank God for all those relationships, even the challenging ones?

After all, two people can’t be expected to agree on everything, all the time.

Conflict is something that occurs in all human relationships; conflict is caused by people. It does not simply begin and then evolve within a vacuum. The Apostle James gives some insight into the people who were instrumental in stirring up and participating in church conflict. He asks a pointed rhetorical question: “What causes fights and quarrels among you?” ( James 4:1–2). James then answers it by telling us that some church conflicts are caused by self-centredness and anger.

When we consider the primary hallmark of the church, that its most perfect means of ministering to the world is love, Christians can go ‘off course’ when they engage in conflict.

If you are involved in a conflict, the key is not to fear or try to avoid conflict, but rather to learn how to resolve it in a healthy way. When conflict is mismanaged, it can cause great harm to a relationship, but when handled in a respectful, positive way, it provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between two people.

Whether you’re experiencing conflict at home, work, or church, you can resolve

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differences in a healthy way and build stronger, more rewarding relationships.

Do you ever think of those relationships that have broken down and long to see them resolved? Why not make a decision to do something constructive, find a better way to move forward, resolve past quarrels. In all honesty, it is easier to create conflict, not so easy to resolve it! Thankfully, our Presbyterian Church has a Conciliation Service to help. We aim to facilitate a process to help those in conflict discover how it can be transformed, along the pathway to reconciliation.

Conflict arises from differences, both large and small. It occurs whenever people disagree over their values, motivations, perceptions, ideas, or desires.

Sometimes these differences appear trivial, but when a conflict triggers strong feelings, a deep personal need is often at the core of the problem. These needs can range from the need to feel safe and secure or respected and valued.

Let me share a situation when conflict arose from a misunderstanding of values.

What started as a perfect evening descended into chaos. A group of friends gathered for their annual reunion.

Everyone was laughing, exchanging

…handled in a respectful, positive way, conflict provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between two people.

stories of the past year – holiday stories, dealing with cancelled flights, retrieving lost luggage, bad airport restaurant food, finding an airport Uber.

However, the convivial mood of the party quickly changed; the conversation turned to politics. Never a good subject at dinner! Situations of ongoing world conflicts were discussed in detail; two opposing positions of a war region were hotly debated. One could see the big picture of a shared society with respect for cultures, identity, values and cooperation. Another took a very different viewpoint – they argued of a political crusade to eradicate cultural identity, an imbalanced retelling of a flawed historical narrative. The debate shifted from a balanced sharing of opinions to a personal attack. In anger, the past was dragged up, a volcanic flow of toxic destructive words spewed out; faces were contorted, battle lines were drawn. The diatribe eventually ceased and an icy, uncomfortable silence filled the room.

In that moment, each party expected the other to agree with their position.

They evaluated the situation from very different perspectives; they held different values and views. They were unwilling to accept that both positions exist. This conflict triggered strong emotions, leading to hurt, disappointment and discomfort. This unhealthy exchange caused a rift, resentment, and the potential breakup of a good friendship.

When conflict exists, you can either escalate it or find a process to transform it. Conflict can provide an opportunity to glorify God, by being willing to forgive.

Holding on to conflict will cause much frustration and potentially drain your life.

Resolution lies in releasing the urge to punish. Holding on to conflict will cause much frustration and potentially drain your life. Some people become so stressed by conflict and its emotional life cycle, they avoid the subject and stay neutral. Others take sides and position themselves with one party, often escalating the situation.

There are a number of responses to conflict: • Avoid. Some people avoid conflict at all costs, preferring to run a mile away. If your perception of conflict comes from painful memories from early childhood or previous unhealthy relationships, you may expect all disagreements to end badly. You may view conflict as demoralising, humiliating, or something to fear.

• Accommodate. Others will accommodate conflict to preserve the relationship at all costs.

• Compromise. Some will compromise and give in to the demands of another.

• Compete. Others love the idea of drama and eagerly compete in conflict, standing their ground and fighting to the bitter end.

• Collaboration and conciliation. This is by far the better way to deal with conflict. Approaching it down a path of collaboration and conciliation will ensure a sincere effort to work with others, helping parties find solutions to problems.

Conciliation becomes possible when all parties have support to: engage in meaningful, shared conversation; understand the issues; take time to

unpack how people involved feel; evaluate why people in conflict behave in certain ways; and most importantly, provide a process for broken relationships to be restored. The Conciliation Service within PCI has highly trained members who can work through your conflict and help you find a process that will lead to the place of reconciliation and transformation.

If you feel you could benefit from this service, please contact Rev Dr David Allen, PCI’s Deputy Clerk, and arrange for the service to work with you. It could be life changing – truly a new beginning at a new year. Dr Allen can be contacted on +44 (0)28 9041 7204; email: deputyclerk@presbyterianireland.org Rev Paul Jamieson is convener of PCI’s Conciliation Service.

PCI’s Conciliation Service PCI has a panel of trained conciliators to assist in mediating disputes which arise in congregations or presbyteries.

How the service works • Any Presbyterian (member, elder or minister) struggling with disagreement involving another member(s) of the church can contact their clerk of presbytery as a first step in finding resolution.

• Alternatively, contact the conciliation coordinator at Assembly Buildings on +44 (0)28 9041 7204.

• If the matter appears appropriate for the Conciliation Service, an assessment will be made by meeting the parties separately.

• The conciliators will then decide whether both parties are ready to meet together and work towards a resolution.

• The conciliation process normally involves one or more confidential meetings with the parties together, where they will be facilitated in working through their conflict.

Could conciliation be useful for you?

Yes, if...

• You want to deal with the issue; • You are willing to be reasonable; • You wish to work at restoring the broken relationship.

No, if...

• You are not ready to work through the issues because you are too hurt or angry; • You do not wish to build a better relationship.

Please note: Conciliation should be sought as early as possible. Far too often conflict is allowed to fester, making attempts at conciliation less likely to succeed. Seeking help early is a sign of strength rather than weakness.

For more information, go to www.presbyterianireland.org

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Interested in becoming

a minister?

David Leach highlights the upcoming Ministry Taster Day, designed to help men and women explore a calling to ministry within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

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ave you ever asked your minister how they were called into ordained ministry?

Maybe you’ve had leadership responsibilities in your congregation as an elder, leading a home group, preaching, discipling a group of young people, or pastorally caring for others. In those moments of spiritual service have you ever considered ordained ministry?

Have those thoughts lingered? Have you spoken to anyone about them?

If you are prayerfully seeking to discern a sense of call into ordained ministry then PCI would welcome your attendance at the next ‘Ministry Taster Day’ on Saturday 16 March in Union Theological College, Belfast. This event is for anyone who wants to find out more about serving God and studying for the ministry.

I have really enjoyed my time at Union with the broad variety of modules that we have covered, and the friendships that I have formed…

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Many within the Church are concerned about the shortage of ministers and so PCI is asking local ministers, and other leaders, to identify men and women, and encourage them to explore whether God is calling them into this important vocation.

I took up my role, as Director of the Institute for Ministry, in 2021 and it is my privilege to meet with, and speak to, many people within our denomination,

as they consider that sense of call upon their lives.

I sensed God’s call on my own life as I listened to a sermon, preached on 2 Corinthians 5, back in 2002. Having been a primary school teacher, in east Belfast, for almost a decade, I knew that God had gifted me, in certain ways, yet I was unsure what to do with those gifts.

Some colleagues and friends had often asked the question: “Would you not think

Peter Huey (first-year ministry student) In our culture, it is a shock to take part in an application process that is collegiate, and not competitive. From CVs to social media profiles, society teaches us to put our best face forward. But, for me, the journey from first conversations to half-way through first year of training has been the opposite: one of honest vulnerability and abundant encouragement. The notion of cohort is prominent.

As a group of candidates, we navigated the application year together: at meetings, on retreat, and of course, through the interview days. Though not everyone will be accepted for training – and that’s hard – the togetherness has continued into our time at college and is such a help.

Of course, college is an avalanche of emotions. We work hard; the pace is relentless; standards are very high. But this is not competitive – it is collegiate. The faculty, student body and college community are absolutely committed to supporting and preparing each student for ministry, and it is tangible. As students, we are deeply encouraged by the support from the Church widely and the college specifically – and I am finding that to be both unique and immensely enjoyable.

Christine Craig (first-year ministry student)

Andrew Ferguson (third-year ministry student)

Full-time ministry, of some description, has been something I’ve considered, and explored, over several years. However, I strongly sensed God calling me to ordained ministry through the process of becoming an elder in my church and through my involvement in PCI’s Mission in Ireland office as I heard of how God was on the move in amazing ways throughout Ireland.

The interview process was helpful in discerning my call and I found the experiences I had on the placements very beneficial as they were in two very different settings. Leaving work and returning to study was a bit of an adjustment with a different rhythm and routine, however, it has been lovely to begin studying alongside the others in my year group. A real encouragement has been the times of prayer for each other that we have already structured into our timetable.

I’ve really enjoyed the culture at Union College which I’m looking forward to being a part of for the next three years.

As a third-year ministry student, the application process feels like a distant memory. Before attending the Ministry Taster Day, I had already begun to explore my sense of call to ministry, but the taster day was a great opportunity to hear more about Union College and the training pathway for ministry. The application process helped me to explore my call further, although I was a bit nervous about studying at Union having been out of fulltime education for over 10 years.

I have really enjoyed my time at Union with the broad variety of modules that we have covered, and the friendships that I have formed with fellow ministry students. I have particularly enjoyed the opportunity of summer placements where I have had the chance to work in different congregations (rural and urban) and explore further my sense of call through more regular preaching and pastoral work. These placements provide a great learning environment as you learn from your supervising minister and their past experiences. I would warmly encourage those who have a sense of call to ministry within PCI to attend the Ministry Taster Day.

Many within the Church are concerned about the shortage of ministers… about the ministry?” But I had always resisted. I had the privilege of preaching a number of times in my home church of Dundonald (thanks to a very trusting and encouraging minister) and had also been ‘on the road’ leading youth weekends or speaking for a number of Christian Unions, but God’s Spirit penetrated my heart with the words of 2 Corinthians Ministry films Scan the QR code below or visit www.presbyterianireland.org/Utility/ Training/Ministry-Promotional-Films. aspx to view three short ministry promotional films.

5:14–15: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

If you sense that compelling love of Christ, and have a deep desire to serve him, within his Church, why not come along to the Ministry Taster Day and see what God may have in store for you?

From seeking nomination as a candidate for the ordained ministry of the Church, to being eligible to be called to a congregation, as minister, normally takes around six years. The application process takes a year, and, if accepted, is usually followed by three years of study plus 26 months as a full-time assistant in a congregation.

In all of this, PCI is aware that the Lord leads people in different ways, and at various stages in life. Some ministers believed that God was calling them into ministry from early in their lives; for others, it was after many years of work or service in different fields.

The format for the Ministry Taster Day is very simple: enquirers will get the opportunity to hear from Faculty at Union Theological College on what it is

to study theology, the biblical languages, and how that applies to everyday life and work within the context of a local church. The programme will also feature interviews with ministry trainees, at different stages on the pathway towards ordination, and with parish ministers in relation to ministering to people in 21st-century Ireland. College staff and students will be on hand, throughout the day, to answer questions.

Rev Prof David Leach is Professor of Ministry and Director of the Institute for Ministry for Union Theological College.

Ministry Taster Day Saturday 16 March 2024 10.30am–1pm Union Theological College, Belfast Find out more about serving God and studying for the ministry of PCI. The day will include: • Current and former students’ experiences of study • Study courses and pathways • Ministry application process • Tea and coffee (10.30am) • Lunch (1pm) This event is free but booking is essential.

Please register by Friday 8 March for catering purposes: Email: admin@union.ac.uk Tel: (From NI) 028 9020 5080 (From RoI) 048 9020 5080

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REVIEWS

Table Talk – Connecting culture with Christianity Jack Timpany and Graeme Johnstone PODCAST ««««« The Table Talk podcast offers an excellent insight into a diverse range of topics as well as individuals’ experiences of how culture and contemporary society meets and mixes with Christianity.

During my time listening to multiple episodes, I heard an interview with Tim Barron MP, the former Liberal Democrats leader, where he discussed the challenges he faces being a Christian in a leadership position with the ever more secularisation of contemporary society. He discussed how putting God first and following the teachings of Jesus is paramount as a Christian.

Another episode that was intriguing and insightful was an interview and discussion around burnout, particularly with the New Year and people setting unrealistic goals and expectations for themselves. The episode focused on how people can rely on their faith in God to overcome societal pressures in everyday life and work.

Overall Table Talk offers a vast catalogue of episodes which cover everything from Covid-19, the meaning of Christmas, as well as interviews with politicians, businesspeople and sports athletes about their individual experiences as Christians. It is insightful, easy to listen to and short enough that the listener can easily listen to an episode during a commute to work or during a short period of downtime.

AH

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

A Good Work: Reflections on the eldership in everyday life and ministry David Watson EVANGELICAL BOOK SHOP

£7.99

«««««

Elders who appreciated the recent PCI ‘Refresh’ events held in Magherafelt and Belfast, or who are looking forward to the forthcoming event to be held in Second Limavady on Thursday 14 March, will appreciate these grounded reflections on what it is like to exercise the ministry of eldership today.

Rooted in Scripture, Watson’s little book sets out to “reflect on the joys, privileges, heartaches, responsibilities, disappointments, frustrations, regrets and rewards of eldership.”

The content, set out in bite-sized chapters, ranges over aspects of eldership such as participation in kirk session, the conduct of private devotional life and family life. They offer much food for thought around live issues in leadership in today’s church, such as managing frustration, the need to show imagination, and how busy is too busy?

The section on pastoral support is rich with everyday wisdom around connecting and developing relationships, as well as going deeper in conversation about many of today’s issues experienced by the flock under any elder’s care.

In a season where it seems like the primary need of eldership is encouragement, chapters on ups and downs, niggles and disputes and criticism will be particularly welcomed.

Like every author, the writer brings his own churchmanship and perspectives to his theme, however, elders of any branch of Christ’s church will find much that is helpful here.

DT

Brothers In Arms Brendan McManus S.J. with James Fullam MESSENGER PUBLICATIONS

£12.95

«««««

One of the most popular physical and spiritual journeys throughout countless decades has been setting off on a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago. Since 2013, the Camino, which involves several routes in Spain, Portugal and France, has attracted more than 200,000 pilgrims a year.

Father Brendan McManus, from Belfast, and the Dublin taxi-driver James Fullam were originally unlikely companions who later bonded together closely along the recently-created Ignatian Camino from Loyola to Manresa. In the process they produced this fascinating book.

It is a mixture of a tourist guide as well as a vivid account of their trials and tribulations along the way, including intense heat, exhaustion, dehydration and much else, and the vivid and lively prose helps to carry the reader along every step.

It is also a deeply spiritual book, tracing the path taken by St Ignatius in the 16th century, and also reflecting on his teaching and deepening spiritual values.

One of the most attractive aspects of the book is the self-examination of the two men, and the reader is constantly given an opportunity to reflect on his or her own life journey. I particularly liked the succinct epilogue: “God is close to us and in constant relationship with us, but we have to do our part, and walk our road of faith as best we can.”

This is a well-written and reflective book which has quickly gone into its second edition, and it can be read with benefit by people from all denominations who recognise that they too are on a spiritual journey.

AMcC

DT – David Thompson is Secretary of the Council for Congregational Life and Witness SH – Suzanne Hamilton is an administrative assistant for the Herald AMcC – Alf McCreary is religion correspondent for the Belfast Telegraph PG – Peter Gray is a member of Knock Presbyterian RD – Ruth Dalzell is a schools’ worker for Scripture Union NI AH – Andrew Hamilton is a member of St Andrew’s, Bangor REVIEWERS

The Gospel According to a Sitcom Writer James Cary SPCK PUBLISHING

£8.94

«««««

What might we learn if we could listen in to the disciples as they sought to make sense of what Jesus said and did, and who he is? Would their conversations be so different from those that we might have, including the banter that friends engage in? This is what James Cary imagines in his book The Gospel According to a Sitcom Writer.

Cary may not be a household name, but the TV and radio programmes he has written scripts for will be better known. He is also a member of the Church of England’s General Synod. His earlier book, The Sacred Art of Joking, was an explanation of how comedy works and how this might help us read the Bible.

In his latest book, Cary rewrites various events and parables in the gospels, some as if the disciples were debating what should or should not be included. This unorthodox approach aims to make these biblical accounts more personal; what might we have said and thought if we were one of those disciples. Scattered throughout are various diversions where he writes about how Christians are represented in sitcoms and how he stayed an Anglican despite believing in miracles!

This is a book that should appeal to almost everyone. Those of a more austere disposition may not be so comfortable. Nevertheless, Cary draws the line at attributing words to Jesus that are not written in the Bible. Like all good comedy, it entertains, tells a story, sends up our human foibles, makes us think and leaves us refreshed.

PG

Where the Winter Was Skye Peterson

AVAILABLE VIA STREAMING SERVICES

««««« Even though Skye Peterson has been performing and recording for many years, this is her debut full-length album. Many will have already heard her voice – her dad is Andrew Peterson and she has sung on his albums and also with the Gettys.

Peterson has a beautiful voice which

Godforsaken Stephen Cottrell

HODDER & STOUGHTON

£9.99

«««««

This is a beautiful and thoughtprovoking book which looks at the last words of Jesus found in Mark’s Gospel: “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” or “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Through a series of reflections, the author – Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell – ponders the significance of these words, looking at what it means for Jesus to have quoted them at the end of his earthly life, and what they mean for us.

It brings home the horrors and anguish

is easy to listen to and this album has been a great one to listen to in the car or while relaxing at home. Recently, she has been studying theology and shares deep theological truths through her song writing.

The songs in this album have been written with Peterson’s past experiences in mind – growing up in a world that is far from simple, missing home and feeling insecure.

One of my favourite songs is Cedar of Lebanon which are mentioned many times in the Bible, signifying God’s power and goodness and flourishing of the righteous. The lyrics that have stuck with me are: “So let me be as steadfast as an evergreen/ Let me carry on/ Stay strong like a cedar of Lebanon.”

Other great songs on this album are Real Love, Wonder of It All, and New Year.

I would definitely recommend Where the Winter Was for an easy listening selection of beautifully written songs by a talented songwriter.

RD

of Jesus’ crucifixion – the isolation, desperation and abandonment – while at the same time emphasising the hope that we have exactly because of this.

“Jesus is sharing completely in what it is to be human, and therefore sharing our forsakenness…God the Father is not looking on dispassionately. Not merely waiting for it to be over… But really involved in the pain of this separation,” writes Cottrell.

As well as providing biblical and historical insight, Cottrell draws on his own experiences from those he’s ministered to. I particularly liked the story of how a seven-year-old so ably depicted the Trinity as a picture of three trees with their roots intertwined.

Each of the seven chapters end with a series of questions, which could be used either for further personal reflection or in a home-group setting. Whilst it is billed as a book for Lent and Holy Week, I feel it could be used at any time. In fact, having read it in the days before taking Communion recently, I found it gave me a greater sense of what Christ has done for me.

SH

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LIFE IN PCI Launch of poetry book in Bangor Pamela Ferguson’s new poetry collection, Open Secrets: Poetry of nature and grace has been launched in Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bangor.

Among the large crowd attending were former PCI Moderator Dr Ken Newell and Rev Jack Lamb, former minister of Townsend Street Presbyterian.

Before her recent death, Dr Joy Alexander, former QUB lecturer in English and member of Hamilton Road Presbyterian, wrote about the book: “This marvellous collection of poems explores nature, the arts, biblical narratives, and personal experience to uncover hidden grace-filled depths. This is a book to read and re-read because these captivating poems keep on giving.’’

Open Secrets is available from Faith Mission bookshops, or from the author herself at pamferg29@gmail.com

Left: Rev Jack Lamb and Dr Ken Newell.

Right: Paula Ferguson

Draperstown church celebrates 180 years In general, Presbyterian congregations commemorate at least three important historical milestones – the formation of their congregation, the ordination or installation of their first minister and the opening of their church building.

In the case of the Draperstown congregation it was formed in 1835, while Rev Samuel Smyth was ordained in 1837 and the large rectangular church building held its opening service on Sunday 3 December 1843.

And so, on the exact 180th anniversary of the opening, a special service was held on Sunday 3 December at 6.30pm, with former Moderator Dr John Kirkpatrick as guest preacher. The members of this small but spiritually vibrant congregation were delighted to welcome everyone from the local community and, in addition, families from near and far who claim ancestral connection with the County Londonderry church.

The current minister, Rev Trevor Boyd, said, “In an era marked by rapid change and uncertainty, our church must continue to adapt, innovate, and embrace new ways of connecting with our congregation and the wider community. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to inclusivity, compassion and social justice, ensuring that our church remains a sanctuary for all who seek solace, guidance and a sense of belonging.”

The local Ballinascreen Historical Society has published a book exploring the rich family tapestry of the church’s history. It contains full transcriptions of all of the 114 gravestones, together with around 600 19th-century baptismal records. The church provided complimentary copies to those attending the service.

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Herald February 2024

Above left: Rev Trevor Boyd, Barbara Boyd with Dr John Kirkpatrick and Joan Kirkpatrick.

Above right: Rev Trevor Boyd, Graham Mawhinney (author), Al Bodkin (author) and Dr John Kirkpatrick.

Below: Rev Trevor Boyd with elders Steven Linton, Willie Phillips, Jim Smyth and Gordon Dickson, and former Moderator Dr John Kirkpatrick.

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

100th birthday in Kilkeel Annie Morris, a member of Kilkeel Presbyterian, celebrated her 100th birthday recently. She is pictured with PCI Moderator Dr Sam Mawhinney and Rev Stephen Johnston (minister of the County Down church).

Sixtieth wedding anniversary in Donaghmore Cyril and Adeline McConville celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary recently. They were presented with flowers and a card with the best wishes of the congregation at the morning service in Donaghmore Presbyterian by Rev Mark McMaw (vacancy convener in the County Down church). Pictured are: Don Cummins (church elder), Mr McConville, Mrs McConville and Mr McMaw.

Birthday celebrations in north Belfast Greta Taggart, a member of Eglinton Presbyterian Church, celebrated her 100th birthday recently. Joining her to mark the occasion were Trevor Long (clerk of North Belfast Presbytery), Rev Ian Cahoon (presbytery moderator) and Liz Moore (Mrs Taggart’s district elder). They brought greetings and a card from the Moderator of the General Assembly, who apologised for not being there in person.

Retirement in Moy Moy congregation recently acknowledged the granting of elder emeritus status, and retirement from committee, of David Riddell (pictured left) with the presentation of a gift by Ivan Thompson (committee secretary). Mr Riddell has given 47 years’ faithful service to the County Tyrone congregation.

New minister in First Rathfriland The congregation of First Rathfriland Presbyterian was delighted to welcome Rev Rodney Moody, his wife Eimear, son Michael and daughter Megan. Mr Moody was installed as minister of the County Down church recently. He is pictured along with kirk session and members of the church committee.

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LIFE IN PCI

New communicant members at Trinity, Ahoghill Recently, seven new members, all on profession of faith, were received into full membership in Trinity, Ahoghill. Pictured in the back row are: Jim Crawford, Rev Brian Smyth (minister of the County Antrim church) and Ben Scott. Front row: Lydia Glass, Grace Hamill, Ellie Logan, Margaret McDowell and Jenny Burrows.

Birthday milestone at St James’, Ballymoney Pearl Boyd, a long-standing member of St James’, Ballymoney in County Antrim, recently celebrated her 100th birthday with family and church members. She is pictured with former Moderator, Dr Ian McNie, and her minister Rev Hugh Cubitt, who attended the celebrations in the church hall.

First Castlederg harvest mission First Castlederg held a harvest mission during a weekend in October conducted by Dr Ian McNie. The former Moderator is pictured with kirk session members of the County Tyrone church: D. Young, L. Nelson, R.C. Rutledge (clerk of session) and J.A. Emery. Back row: M. Porter, D. Nelson, J. Young and G. Sproule.

Sixtieth anniversary marked in First Cookstown Bryan Dunlop BEM, organist emeritus at First Presbyterian Church, Cookstown, was appointed as organist in October 1963 during the ministry of Rev Ernest Morrison. To mark the special anniversary, he recently made a return to the organ console. He is pictured with Rev Michael Currie, Gordon Black (clerk of session in the County Tyrone church) and Meta Bell MBE (retired choir leader).

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Herald February 2024

New elders ordained in High Kirk, Ballymena Eight new elders have been ordained in High Kirk, Ballymena. Pictured in the front row are: Clifford White, Ryan Walker, Claire Wilson and Trevor Magee. Back row: Gary McQuoid (clerk of session), David McLaughlin, Clive Fulton, Ali MacCorkell, David Boyd and Rev Norman Cameron (minister of the County Antrim church).

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

Elders ordained at Corboy The Presbytery of Dublin and Munster recently ordained two elders, Charlie Murphy and Christiaan Potgieter, to the congregation of Corboy.

This is a historic occasion for the church as the last record of an elder from Corboy congregation dates back to 1830s. Pictured, from left to right, are: Rev Richard Houston (moderator of presbytery), Rev Daniel Reyes Martin (minister of Mullingar and Corboy), Mr Murphy, Mr Potgieter, Carel Mienie, Rev Damien Burke (convener) and Margaret McKenna (acting clerk).

Retirement in Anaghlone and Garvaghy Rev Brian Martin, minister of Anaghlone and Garvaghy Presbyterian churches for the past 16 years, has retired. His final retirement service was held in Second Anaghlone, where presentations were made by Anaghlone clerk of session John Logan, while Christine Martin received flowers from Jody Cairns. Pictured are: Mr Logan, Mrs Martin, Miss Cairns and Mr Martin. Picture by Billy Maxwell.

Scarva presentations Scarva congregation recently received gifts in memory of loved ones.

Ivan Hammond presented a wall clock in memory of his wife Tina; Sally Simms gave a table in memory of her husband, former clerk of session, Derek; and Ruth Porter presented a keyboard presented in memory of her mother, former clerk of session, Gladys Chambers. Ms Porter is pictured with the minister of the County Down church, Rev Patricia McBride, and clerk of session Robert Jordan.

Presentation at Second Comber Rev Andrew Conway is pictured presenting a farewell gift to Robert Dalzell, who has been youth and family worker in Second Presbyterian Church, Comber, for close on 10 years. Mr Dalzell has taken up a post as family worker for south Belfast, and will be working out of Friendship House in Blythe Street.

Croquet tournament in Bray The members of St Andrew’s Presbyterian, Bray celebrate the finalists and winner of the annual croquet tournament, held at their garden party.

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CROSSWORD Puzzle no 285 1

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Herald February 2024

ACROSS 1 Hand-held firework (8) 5 Flat-bottomed boat (4) 9 Steptoe was one (3,3,4,3) 10 Large Canadian mammal (5) 11 Not as well as before (5) 12 Devilish creature (5) 13 Life-choking weed (4) 16 Enid Blyton character (5) 18 Not acclaimed (6) 21 Energy-producing machine (9) 22 Demand (6) 24 Road charges (5) 25 Freedom from danger (6) 26 The Bible’s first woman (3)

DOWN 1 Centrepiece of a church service (6) 2 Rows (9) 3 Heavenly title (4,2,5) 4 To decline (3) 6 Flawless (8) 7 Soft, delicate (6) 8 Winter construction (7) 14 One of Paul’s letters (6) 15 Inspections of accounts (6) 17 A small terrier (6) 19 Acclaimed hymn writer (5) 20 Revelation identifies seven (5) 23 Strong connection to 8 Down (3)

REFLECTIONS

Should have gone to...

Ruth Sanderson

O

ne Saturday, early in our marriage, my husband in the jewellers’ window. announced to me that we were going into town to I wondered how long we would stay married for. have a romantic morning together. Yippee I thought “FINE!” I barked.

– brunch; shopping; strolling hand in hand in some As it turned out, I had perfect vision and he ended up having delightful location. He refused to tell me where we were going. to get glasses. I reminded him of this for the next nine years – We stopped for a coffee and fancy pastry – so far so good. I even displaying our optometry results cards on the fridge for all swooned as he opened the car door for me… that time.

“Ready to go to location number two?” he asked.

I write this though, all this time later, whilst wearing my “YEEESSSSS!” I squealed in delight. very first pair of glasses. Turns out, they are great… in truth I We started off and soon arrived on the main street of our probably have needed them for a while but refused to get my local town. Parking up outside a branch of Specsavers, I looked eyes tested again out of principle because of the aforementioned around – where could we be going? Maybe to the lovely deli incident. However, even I had to admit that squinting at down the road? Perhaps to the cinema to catch a rom com everything and holding my phone away from my face at a matinee? Could we even be headed in the direction of the certain distance (with, you know, that funny raised eyebrow jewellers? Was he going to buy something look) was not a sustainable way to live. dazzling and overpriced for moi? Maybe it We shouldn’t presume…

I was thinking about how often sight was the opal earrings I had pointed out the is mentioned in the Bible, and used as that our spiritual sight is a common trope employed to illustrate week before. Perhaps the charm bracelet I had been ogling each time we passed the illuminating power of Christ. Isaiah perfect. the window. Surely it couldn’t be another uses the analogy often, declaring how the sparkly ring to make my fingers look extra shiny?!

Messiah will come to bring sight to the blind. Christ makes My feelings of love for him were really fizzing at this point… reference to that passage in Luke. In Corinthians, Paul talks “Ta da! We’re here,” he announced. about the minds of unbelievers being blinded and Peter also I stood still for a moment. A rictus smile on my face as a employs the metaphor. dawning realisation came over me. I looked in absolute horror These analogies also sit beside biblical stories of sight as he pointed up, grinning, his feet resolutely planted under the restoration – whether the healing of Bartimaeus or Saul’s Specsavers sign. temporary blindness after his road to Damascus experience.

“What?” I asked. “Ha ha – nice joke.”

Sight plays a big role in how the writers of the Bible expressed He opened the door. the change from darkness to light, from ignorance to “Surprise!” he said, as he guided me by the elbow, like an knowledge, disbelief to belief. elderly aunt, through the door. “I’ve booked you an eye test.”

That’s not to say though that once we become Christians, “What? But this is meant to be a romantic morning,” I we don’t need help with our eyesight. We shouldn’t presume gasped, barely unable to contain my utter disgust. (as I did for so long) that our spiritual sight is perfect. We “It will be romantic,” he said. “I’m getting one too – his and can always find new, clearer ways of ‘seeing’ and experiencing hers.”

God. I wonder how we can have better sight? What can act “Why on earth have you booked us an eye test?” I said, trying as our spiritual reading glasses? Perhaps some good Bible my best to use an inside voice. commentaries. Maybe active listening on a Sunday morning.

“Well, you keep missing road signs when we are driving and Time spent with wise Christian friends. Sure – all those things you’re supposed to be navigating – so I thought we’d better get are super – but fundamentally, the thing that will hone our your eyes tested.” vision is time spent reading God’s Word, and spending time At this point, well, you can imagine. I saw red – and not with him. because of any optical problem. He was referring to once How is your spiritual vision? I find that when mine is clouded, or twice when I had been in the passenger seat and missed I get the new reading glasses out and turn to God’s Word... the signs for quite important turn offs (one leading to a very long font is no longer too small. diversion). This had nothing to do with my sight though, I was just chatting, or day dreaming, or imagining those opal earrings

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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. BALLYLINNEY: REV MARK RUSSELL: Dr Michael McBrien, 24 Lylehill Green, Templepatrick, BT39 0BF. BALLYNURE: REV D.J. KELLY: Mr George Clarke, Kinnen House, 70 Ballyvallagh Road, Gleno, BT40 3NA. BALLYRONEY and DRUMLEE: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV GEORGE McCLELLAND: (Ballyroney) Mr David Peters, 30 Seafin Road, Ballyroney, Banbridge, BT32 5ER. (Drumlee) Mr Graham Truesdale, 128 Lackan Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan, BT31 9RX.

WEXFORD CHURCH DEVELOPMENT: (Home Mission) (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) MR RICK HILL: CMI Secretary, c/o Assembly Buildings, 2–10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW.

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.

BANGOR, WEST (ASSOCIATE): (Reviewable Tenure – 3 years) VERY REV DR C.J.C. McMULLEN: Mr Lindsay Conway OBE, 14 Rutherglen Gardens, Bangor, BT19 1DD.

GORTNESSY: REV COLIN McKIBBIN: Mr Ross Hyndman, 32 Temple Road, Strathfoyle, Londonderry, BT47 6UB.

CASTLEROCK: 60% Part-time REV D.H. BROWN: Miss Heather McSparran, 26 Freehall Road, Castlerock, BT51 4TR.

RICHVIEW: REV N.S. HARRISON: Mr Victor Garland, 25 Abingdon Drive, Belfast, BT12 5PX.

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.

SETTLED STATED SUPPLY APPOINTED

EGLINTON: REV STEPHEN LOWRY: Mr Dougie Crowe, 25 Meadow Park, Crawfordsburn, BT19 1JN. ENNISKILLEN: REV G.M. ANDRICH: Miss Kate Doherty, Tiernisk, Drumgay, Enniskillen, BT74 4GH. FAHAN: (Home Mission) 50% Congregational Ministry, 50% CMI Mission Duties (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV P. POOTS: Mr James Lamberton, 1 Deanfield, Limavady Road, Londonderry, BT47 6HY. 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. LOUGHGALL and TARTARAGHAN: REV ALASTAIR McNEELY: (Loughgall) Mr James MacQueen, 114 Moy Road, Portadown, BT62 1SA. (Tartaraghan) Mr Norman Cornett, 11 Cloncarrish Road, Portadown, Craigavon, BT62 1RN.

48

STRABANE and SION MILLS: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) 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.

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 ANAGHLONE and GARVAGHY: REV D. CONKEY: (Anaghlone) Mr John Logan, 4 Bluehill Road, Katesbridge, Banbridge, BT32 5LU. (Garvaghy) Mr James Smyth, 35 Tullyglush Road, Banbridge, BT32 3TN. ARMAGH, FIRST: REV ALAN MARSH: Mr Ian Kyle, 8 Drummanmore Road, Armagh, BT61 8RN. ARMAGH ROAD, PORTADOWN: REV N. McCULLOUGH: Dr David Lowry, 5 Ridgeway Park South, Portadown, BT62 3DG. BALLEE: REV T. P. McCULLOUGH: Mr John Quigley, 81 Queen’s Avenue, Magherafelt, BT45 6DB.

NEWTOWNBREDA, ST JOHN’S: REV ANDY GALBRAITH: Sir Bruce Robinson, 3 Deramore Drive, Belfast, BT9 5JQ.

BALLINA and KILLALA: (Home Mission) REV D.J. CLARKE: Mr Geoffrey Shannon, Robin Hill, Carraun, Corballa, Ballina, Co Mayo, F26 A070.

RALOO and MAGHERAMORNE: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV DR CECIL GRANT: (Raloo) Mr Geoff McBride, 72 Raloo Road, Larne, BT40 3DU. (Magheramorne) Mr Morris Gardner, 89 Ballypollard Road, Magheramorne, Larne, BT40 3JG.

BALLYCASTLE and CROAGHMORE: REV DR ANDRE ALVES-AREIAS: (Ballycastle) Pat Shirley, 22 Dunamallaght Rd, Ballycastle BT54 6PB. (Croaghmore) Andy McGugan, 158 Whitepark Road, Bushmills, BT57 8SS.

RAVENHILL: REV J. WARBURTON: Mr Denis Marriott, 216 Orby Drive, Belfast, BT5 6BE.

BALLYNAHATTY, CREEVAN and FINTONA: REV JONATHAN COWAN: (Ballynahatty & Creevan) Mr John Nevin, 116A Clanabogan Road, Omagh, BT78 1SN. (Fintona) Mr Keith Boland, 119 Blackhill Road, Fintona, Omagh, BT78 2LN.

Herald February 2024

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 BALLYWILLAN: REV STUART MORROW: Mr Robert Wilson, 13 Millbrook Avenue, Portstewart, BT55 7DZ. BANAGHER: REV DAVID BROWNLOW: Mr Ivan J. Montgomery, 66 Teenaght Road, Claudy, BT47 4DD. 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. BOARDMILLS, TRINITY: REV JOHN TORRENS: Mr Adrian Patterson, 41 Cabra Road, Legacurry, BT26 6NB. 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 Robert Rutledge, 36 Ednagee Road, Castlederg, BT81 7RD. (Killeter) Mr Robert McKelvey, 17 Carrickadartans Road, Castlederg, BT81 7NQ. CASTLEDERG, SECOND AND URNEY: REV ROBERT McFAUL: (Second Castlederg) Mr Bert Huey, Tossa, 8 Listymore Road, Castlederg, BT81 7JG. (Urney) Mr Norman McMullan, 80 Orchard Road, Strabane, BT82 9QT. CLOUGH, BALLYMENA: REV T.D. KANE: Mr Ian Johnston, 48 Springmount Road, Ballymena, BT44 9RB. CORBOY and MULLINGAR: REV DR K.D. McCRORY: (Mullingar) Mr Wilson Porter, Joristown, Ruharney, Kilucan, Co Westmeath, N91 A344. (Corboy) Mr Christiaan Potgieter, 2 Pine Grove, Clonbalt Woods, Longford.

CRUMLIN: REV BEN JOHNSTON: Mr James Livingstone, “Edin”, 56 Largy Road, Crumlin, BT29 4RW. CUMBER and UPPER CUMBER: REV S.W. HIBBERT: (Cumber) Mr Cecil Pollock, 248 Tamnaherin Road, Londonderry, BT47 3LY. (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.

GREAT VICTORIA STREET: REV ALISTAIR BILL: Mr Colin Houston, 23 Beechgrove Avenue, BT6 0ND. HYDEPARK and LYLEHILL: REV DEREK WEIR: (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. LEGACURRY: REV A. THOMPSON: Mr J. Ferguson, 142 Comber Road, Lisburn, BT27 6XQ. LOUGHBRICKAND and SCARVA: REV DR MARK GRAY: (Loughbrickland) Mr Fred Cairns, 20 Scarva Street, Loughbrickland, Co Down. (Scarva) Mr Robert Jordan, 3 Station Rd, Scarva, Co Armagh, BT63 6JY. LISBURN, FIRST: VERY REV DR D. BRUCE: Mr Perry Reid, 142 Moy Road, Dungannon, BT71 7DX. LURGAN, FIRST: REV L.W. WEBSTER: Mr Norman McCleery, 12 McCormack Gardens, Lurgan, BT66 8LE. 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. OMAGH, TRINITY and GILLYGOOLEY: REV JANE NELSON: Mr Samuel Gallagher, Ramona, Strathroy, Omagh, BT79 7JE. PORTAVOGIE: REV G.J. SIMPSON: Mr Trevor Kennedy, 1 Cairndore Road, Newtownards, BT23 8RD.

DONEGORE, SECOND: REV E. McDOWELL: Mr Samuel Gawn, 120 Parkgate Road, Kells.

PORTRUSH: REV DR JOHN COULTER: Prof John Gillespie, 12 Randal Park, Portrush, BT56 8JJ.

DONEGAL TOWN and STRANORLAR: REV ROBERT ORR: (Donegal Town) Mr Oswald Perry, Drumenagh, Donegal Town, F94 N7P8. (Stranorlar) Mrs Audrey Chambers, Magheracorran, Convoy, Co Donegal.

RANDALSTOWN, O.C.: REV G. MOORE: Mr Alun Coulter, 48 Portglenone Road, Randalstown, BT41 3DB.

DROMARA, SECOND: REV DR A. SLEITH: Mr Herbert Chambers, 29 Stewarts Road, Dromara, BT25 2AN. DRUMGOOLAND and KILKINAMURRY: REV ANDY DOWNEY: (Drumgooland) Dr Alastair Chestnutt, 22 Fruitvalley Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan, Co Down, BT31 9RE. (Kilkinamurry) Mr Mervyn Copes, 43 Carnpark Road, Dromara, Dromore, Co Down, BT25 2HD. DUNDROD: REV R.C. KERR: Mr William McClure, 20 Thorndale Road, Dundrod, BT29 4UD. GARRYDUFF and DUNLOY: REV C.B. MULVENNY: (Garryduff ) Mr Stanley Lee, 12 Cambourne Park, Ballymoney, BT53 7PG. (Dunloy) Mr Jonathan Gault, c/o 26-28 Church Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6DL. GLASCAR and DONAGHMORE: REV M. McMAW: (Glascar) Mr Alan Little, 38 Loughbrickland Road, Rathfriland, Newry, BT34 5HF. (Donaghmore) Mr David Shilliday, 21 Cargabane Road, Donaghmore, Newry, BT34 1SB. GLASTRY and KIRKCUBBIN: REV A. GILICZE: Mr James McClements.

RAPHOE and BALLINDRAIT: REV R. EDGAR: Mrs Sylvia Cole, The Common, Raphoe, Donegal.

RATHCOOLE: REV A. CARSON: 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.

SCRABO: REV A. LITTLE: Mr John Doherty, 37 Ballymaleedy Road, Comber, Newtownards, BT23 5RD. TULLYCARNET: REV R.S.J. McILHATTON: VINECASH: REV P.W.A. McCLELLAND: Mr Thomas Graham, 38 Richmount, Portadown, BT62 4JQ.

continued on page 50

Herald February 2024

49

CHURCH RECORD continued from page 49 WARRENPOINT and ROSTREVOR: REV J.S. MAGUIRE: (Warrenpoint) Mr Denis Brady, 28 Seaview, Warrenpoint, Newry, BT34 3NJ. (Rostrevor) Mr Terry O’Flynn, 15 Aurora Na Mara, Shore Road, Rostrevor, BT34 3UP. WATERSIDE: REV RICHARD TREGASKIS: Mr William McIlwaine, 19 Glenaden Hill, Altnagelvin Park, Londonderry, BT47 2LJ. WOODLANDS: REV J. MOXEN: Mr Ian Drysdale, 27 Windslow Heights, Carrickfergus, BT38 9AT.

TEMPORARY STATED SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT BALLYCAIRN: REV MORRIS GAULT: Mrs Lucy Mulholland, 32 Blenheim Park, Carryduff, BT8 8NN. BELLVILLE: REV D.S. HENRY: Mr Mervyn King, 29 Ardmore Road, Derryadd, Lurgan, BT66 6QP. GRANGE with CRAIGMORE: REV R.S. AGNEW: Mr Jamie Harris, 32 Portglenone Road, Randalstown, BT41 3BE. NEWTOWNSTEWART and GORTIN: 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. RASHARKIN: REV W. MOODY: Mr Norbury Royle, 96 Drumsaragh Road, Kilrea, BT51 5XR. SPA and MAGHERAHAMLET: REV DAVID BINGHAM: Mr Stephen McBride, 28 Ballynahinch Road, Castlewellan, BT31 9PA. (Magherahamlet) Mr David Whan, 74 Castlewellan Road, Dromara, BT25 2JN. WHITEHEAD: REV D. CROMIE: Mr Warren Heggan, 44 Middle Road, Islandmagee, Larne, BT40 3SL.

THE ELDERSHIP Ordained and Installed: BALLYWEANEY: Clifford Christie DUNDONALD: Rob Bailie, Pete Cardwell, Rory Gibson, Paul Magill, Ben McNaughton, Stephen Shooter NEWMILLS (Co Down): Andrew Beattie, Stephen Beattie, Stuart Campbell, Jim Freeburn, Peter Martin, David McCullough Died: AHOGHILL, TRINITY: William Leslie Dodds BELMONT: Mary Rose Gibson BUSHMILLS: Harry Richmond DONAGHEADY: David Edgar DONOUGHMORE: Ronald Lyttle DUBLIN, ADELAIDE ROAD: Ian Black DRUMINNIS: Jim Megaw FIRST DERRY: Elizabeth McMonigle KILBRIDE: William Stevenson LECUMPHER: William Barfoot LETTERKENNY: Noel Wylie MOLESWORTH: Victor George Black RAVENHILL: Leslie Scott RAY: William James Davis

THE MINISTRY

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.

Accommodation Northern Ireland ACCOMMODATION TO RENT IN PORTRUSH: The Apartment @ 3:16.

2-bedroom, 2-bathroom upstairs apartment with lounge. Shared kitchen downstairs with washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher on site. Minimum 2-night stay £90 per night. No.14 – 5-bedroom house (2 doubles & 3 single rooms) fantastic views of Portrush and only minutes to the beach. Minimum 6-night stay. £190 per night. Private parking available for both properties. For more information check out our website www.portrushpresbyterian.org/ or email us on info@portrushpresbyterian.org PORTRUSH: Cosy holiday home available in Portrush. Short walking distance from beaches and town centre. Can accommodate 4 adults and 2 children in three bedrooms. Has downstairs toilet.

WiFi also available. Minimum stay 2 nights.

Reasonable rates. Contact 07735 928901.

PORTSTEWART: Modern, spacious, detached 5-bedroomed home.

Sleeps 9. 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms. Beautifully furnished. Modern amenities. Tel: 07500 907083 or visit www.portstewartholidayhomes.com

CROSSWORD Solution to No 285

ACROSS 1 Sparkler 5 Punt 9 Rag and bone man 10 Moose 11 Worse 12 Snake 13 Tare 16 Noddy 18 Unsung 21 Generator 22 Insist 24 Tolls 25 Safety 26 Eve

DOWN 1 Sermon 2 Arguments 3 King of kings 4 Ebb 6 Unmarked 7 Tender 8 Snowman 14 Romans 15 Audits 17 Yorkie 19 Getty 20 Seals 23 Ice

PORTSTEWART: Excellent 4-bedroom cottage bungalow available June– September. Call 07513 826551; Email pabloguy50@gmail.com; Facebook @campbellandcorentalproperties PORTSTEWART: 4-bedroom house with private parking to let in quiet residential area (sleeps 6). Short drive to The Strand and 10-minute walk to Tesco.

WiFi included. Sorry no pets. For further details contact 07855 039712 or patterson.joan12@gmail.com

Republic of Ireland DONEGAL: Beautiful holiday home in Cranford, Co Donegal. 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8–10, 2 ensuite. Contact John at alyntanic@yahoo.com

Self Catering HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION: FLORIDA – Disney 20 mins, heated pool etc. SPAIN – East coast, minutes to beach, public travel by bus or tram. NORTHERN IRELAND – North coast, Portstewart, sea views.

Contact: geraldsmyth@hotmail.com Web: www.christiancoastalapartments.com

For Sale CHURCH LIGHTS: Following renovations Dungannon Presbyterian Church has seven 60cm and one 45 cm, glass panelled, light fittings for sale. For details contact David at crd.cuddy@btinternet.com DOES YOUR CHURCH NEED AN ELECTRIC ORGAN? Technics organ for sale. Excellent condition – barely used. Dual manual and one-octave pedals. Contact Betty (Co Armagh) on 07708 201617.

Wanted WANTED: Small wood-turning lathe. Tel 07933 598776.

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

Piano Tuning Services available throughout Ireland

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

Ordained & Installed: Keith McIlroy, as Minister of First Dromore on 15 December 2023 Installed: Daniel Reyes Martin, as Minister of Clontibret and Middletown on 16 December 2023 Resigned: Daniel Reyes Martin, as Minister of Corboy and Mullingar on 15 December 2023 David McMillan, as Minister of Clough, Ballymena on 31 December 2023 Retired: John Brackenridge, as Minister of First Lisburn on 31 December 2023 Robert Herron, as Minister of Trinity Omagh and Gillygooley on 31 December 2023

50

Herald February 2024

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