Presbyterian Herald June 2022

JUNE 2022

Ready for a new season

Renewed Morning Bible Teaching

Sat 9th Fri 15th July

David Scott

Evening Celebrations Martin Salter & Glen Scrivener

Hearing God’s Word | Becoming like God’s Son | Serving God’s Mission

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CONTENTS | JUNE 2022

FEATURES 14 A church without walls

Donegal Presbyterian thinks outside of the box

16 New job, same John

Interview with Moderator-designate John Kirkpatrick

20 The big story in 52 weeks

A new resource to help families engage with the Bible

31 Reconciling all things on earth Interview with Ruth Valerio

34 Ukraine and Poland: a personal reflection

Stephen Williams comments on a recent visit to Poland

36 Hardship and desperation

A church without walls p14

A report on the difficulties facing people in Syria and Lebanon

38 Fathers and faith

Encouraging fathers ahead of Father’s Day

REGULARS 4 6 8 9 12 13 22 23 40 42 44 45

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

Reconciling all things on earth p31

Hardship and desperation p36

CONTRIBUTORS Alan Meban attends Kilmakee Presbyterian Church and writes about culture and politics as Alan in Belfast on his own blog and Slugger O’Toole.

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.

Andy Frost is the Director of Share Jesus International.

He works with Care for the Family on The Kitchen Table Project.

Andrew Dickson is the Community Partnerships Manager at the Bible Society in Northern Ireland.

He and his family attend Islandmagee Presbyterian.

Cover photo: David Cavan June 2022 No. 839 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 Renée Finnegan 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).

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EDITORIAL

LETTERS Climate change

Light in the darkness

This month the Herald features the ‘big interview’ with Moderator-designate, John Kirkpatrick, who will be installed at the General Assembly later in June.

John reflects on his life that led him to ministry, which includes some very difficult times in his early years – his father left the family home when he was just three, and then at the age of 10, he tragically lost his mother to cancer. He says, “I wouldn’t want to relive my life…But I thank God for it. Even the miserable bits. They are the dark shadows that highlight the brighter parts…”

Unfortunately, there are many dark shadows in our world in these days, some of which feature in this edition.

Following a recent trip to Poland, Stephen Williams offers a personal reflection on the plight of Ukrainian refugees there. Observing that the experience of refugees is greatly varied, he says: “Such is human tragedy: the mixture of very sad smaller stories within the very sad larger story.”

Pip Florit also reports on the dire situation in Syria and Lebanon and brings news from PCI’s partner Church, the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL), which is struggling to provide help. With 90% of the population of Syria living below the poverty line and a dramatic rise in the cost of living in Lebanon (it costs more than a month’s salary for a full tank of petrol), there are many needs to be met.

Despite this, Rev Joseph Kassab from NESSL relays that many people are finding refuge in the church, as the faith community pours out unconditional love. Pip reminds us that the mission there is not just for NESSL, but for God’s people worldwide. She says, “In darkness and struggle, he calls us to be his light.”

This theme is poignantly symbolised by Ruth Sanderson in her regular column. We congratulate Ruth on the birth of her second daughter last month, and sympathise with her honest reflection on the challenges of sleepless nights. Sharing her thoughts on the ensuing desperation of willing her baby to sleep, she says, “It suddenly struck me that even in the darkness of night, God was there.”

The words of Psalm 139 float into her mind: “…even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”

Just as these words served as a comforting reminder to Ruth of God’s presence in that moment, so too they signify his powerful ability to bring light out of darkness and hope out of despair in any situation.

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Dear Editor I write about climate change and wish to point out that in many sermons I hear the minister point out our responsibility to care for the beautiful world in which we live.

One way to help preserve our world is to use solar panels, but how many churches have them on their building and/or manse?

People may object to the sight of panels, but they probably did when slates became the tiles for roofing.

It is, of course, necessary to use a capital sum for installing panels. I have had one for my house which was installed some 20 years ago and I believe that the savings I made covered the outlay after about three years of use. I only recently had the expense of a check on it.

I would point out that the Lord does not ask us to pay more for the sunlight he sends.

J.W. Russell Bangor

General Assembly 2022 Dear Editor In the last two editions of the Herald you have very kindly ‘flagged up’, if I can put it like that, that this year’s General Assembly will start later this month on Wednesday 22 June and close on the afternoon of

Saturday 25 June. Before you read the previous sentence again, the ‘Wednesday’ is not a typo – and yes, the General Assembly will close on a Saturday.

In seeking to make future General Assemblies more accessible, changes agreed at last year’s Assembly included moving future meetings to a later date in June, having the Opening Night on a Wednesday, with business conducted on Thursday, along with the Evening Celebration.

Business will continue on Friday until 9pm and on Saturday.

While the timing of our meeting may have changed, our General Assembly itself, that special coming together of Presbyterians from across Ireland, together with our guests from home and overseas hasn’t, and I am looking forward to hearing from our new Moderator, Rev John Kirkpatrick, and his predecessor, Dr Bruce, on the Opening Night.

Worship will always be a key part of our Assembly and this year we will worship together on Thursday, with the Assembly Communion service on Friday. Our Evening Celebration is on Thursday, starting at 7.45pm. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all who can join us, especially that evening when our speaker will be the Evangelical Alliance UK’s director, Peter Lynas.

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

I hope that as many people as possible will be able to attend the Thursday evening celebration, take part in the week’s proceedings, or just come and listen to the debates from the public gallery.

You can also join us via the livestream at www.presbyterianireland.org/ ga2022 where you will also find news stories and full details of the business before the General Assembly.

Rev Roy Mackay Convener, General Assembly Business committee

Women in the Church Dear Editor A Presbyterian told me women were an endangered species – if the photos page in the last issue was anything to go by. So, in the May edition I turned to see if anything had changed. Unfortunately, he was right. (Note the elders especially.)

On page 8 a former Moderator called for a church, “youthful in spirit”. That was 42 years ago. Look again at the photos!

Enough said.

Bill Moore Carrickfergus

Christmas Dear Editor It might seem strange to be thinking of Christmas at this time of the year. But I want to draw the attention of your readers to the fact that Christmas Day 2022 (and New Year’s Day 2023) both fall on Sunday, the Christian Sabbath.

Now we have clear commands in Scripture to “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy”, but no command at all to remember a day called Christmas Day. (Please note here that I am not saying that we should not remember

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

the wonderful incarnation of Jesus, and worship God for it.)

However, I do want to appeal to all ministers and elders in our denomination to look ahead and plan to have normal morning and evening services on these two Sabbaths. I know that Christmas is a time when families like to meet together, but there is plenty of time for them to do that in the following week, and surely it is more important that God’s people meet together to honour and worship him each Lord’s day. And we cannot do that if we have no opportunity to do so.

I think it was very sad in the past, when Christmas Day fell on a Sunday, to see virtually the whole Presbyterian Church closed down, with its meeting houses dark and empty in the evening. So, I would appeal to ministers and kirk sessions to carry on with evening services where they normally take place, and in churches which don’t normally have them, please start services each week so that your people have that opportunity to meet together and hear God’s Word and worship each Sabbath morning and evening.

Rev Kenneth Patterson Minister emeritus, Castledawson and Curran

Kinghan Dear Editor News that the Kinghan Church is celebrating 165 years of ministry prompted a memory of the church from long ago. Back in the days when it was the ‘Kinghan Mission’, my father – Alex McCracken – was clerk of session while Dr Robert Allen was minister (possibly in the 1950s).

For many years, I attended services with him and enjoyed various outings with our friends. I wonder if anyone remembers him being there?

In the days before learning sign language was actively encouraged, my father taught himself. He signed sermons for visiting speakers and on different occasions, was invited to preach. He loved the Kinghan Mission as it was then and I look back at those years with pride and respect for his commitment.

It’s wonderful to mark 165 years of this very special ministry and I pray the Lord will continue to bless the church in the years to come.

Leta (McCracken) Halliday Groomsport

Topical Tweets @tidesdaily Do we complain about the challenges in frustration or pursue the possibilities in faith?

Do we notice the problems around us or do we choose to trust in the power of God? #tidesdaily @Tearfund Record rainfall over the past three years across South Sudan has led to overflowing rivers and entire communities underwater.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes. Our team now uses boats to get around to reach people in need. @ChristianAidIrl Staggering prospect that 700 million people could be at risk of being displaced by drought by 2030. The worst drought in 40 years in the Horn of Africa has already forced a million people to abandon their homes in recent months. @pciassembly As the UK Parliament resumes its business following the Queen’s speech, pray for MPs as they consider new legislative proposals. Pray that those who represent their constituencies would do so with integrity, compassion and selflessness. @CAP_NI Last year, 38% of CAP clients here couldn’t afford basic toiletries, and over 4 in 10 (41%) had to skip meals. Now, with the cost of living increasing and inflation at its highest level since 1992, many people here and across the UK are having to choose between basic necessities.

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NEWS | IN THE ROUND Church thanked for cyclone support The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has been thanked for the help it gave to those affected by Cyclone Seroja, which brought loss of life and widespread devastation to south-east Indonesia and East Timor last Easter.

At the time, Moderator, Dr David Bruce, encouraged Presbyterians to pray for partner Churches in the region and, if possible, give practical support to their relief effort.

As a result of donations received from Presbyterian congregations and individuals across Ireland, PCI was able to send almost £20,000 (€24,000) to support its partner Churches in their relief and rebuilding work following the cyclone.

Thanking PCI for their donation and support, Dr Mery Kolimon, Moderator of the Christian Evangelical Church of Timor, said, “When our disaster response team received a donation from PCI, we were moving from our emergency response phase into the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. Some aspects of the emergency response continued however, such as logistical assistance, and distribution of food and clothing.

“Our Seroja team is now in the process of rebuilding four ministers’ homes and two church buildings, but we are doing this in a way that offers a model for other congregations to follow in the construction of disaster-resilient and eco-friendly buildings.”

Dr Kolimon continued, “The locations for these examples of resilient, eco-friendly buildings were carefully chosen in order to maximise the educational impact. Funds donated by PCI have been used to partly fund this project, but have also helped provide groceries to the most vulnerable, and in funding other repair work to damaged churches. We are very grateful to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland for the support

The Moderator of the Christian Evangelical Church of Timor, Dr Mery Kolimon, and the Church’s General Secretary, Rev Gomar Gulton, distributing food aid on Sabu Island after Cyclone Seroja

that has been of great help to us in these difficult times.”

Rev Alfred Samani, Moderator of the Sumba Christian Church, also thanked PCI for its support, writing, “Last year’s Cyclone Seroja disaster will never be forgotten by the people of Sumba. It happened so suddenly without any warning. Its impact was devastating, with people losing their houses, their agricultural lands and their livestock.

“The Christian Church of Sumba contributed in helping people during this difficult time. In doing this we were supported by our partners, including the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Please receive our heartfelt thanks for the support of your Church.”

Presbyterian Women return to Assembly Buildings The first in-person annual conference of Presbyterian Women for two years took place in Belfast’s Assembly Buildings in May. Those attending heard from guest speaker Amy Summerfield, CEO of Kyria, a leadership network that seeks to champion, empower and release women into their spheres of influence, and learnt how Presbyterian Women’s work has continued to make a difference at home and overseas during the pandemic.

While the past two years have been financially difficult for PW groups, two Special Projects for 2020 to 2022 were funded. The Home Project supported Care NI to set up retreats for couples who have suffered the pain of pregnancy loss. The Overseas Project helped to refurbish the mothers’ waiting home in Okhaldhunga Community Hospital in Nepal.

In 2020 and 2021, a total of £206,000 was given to support the work of PCI deaconesses

Amy Summerfield

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Herald June 2022

Pauline Kennedy

and global mission workers, with two new trainee deaconesses starting their training at Union Theological College in September 2021.

The event also saw Esther Parker, a member of Sinclair Seamen’s Presbyterian Church in Belfast, elected as PW president for 2022/23 and the unveiling of the next year’s theme as ‘Deeper Together’.

Talking about the theme, Pauline Kennedy, PCI’s Women’s Ministry and PW Development Officer, explained, “It is inspired by Romans 12:10, when the Apostle Paul encourages us to ‘Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.’ Deeper Together will enable us to take all that we have learned about what is important over the two years, assess where we have come from, where we

are, and decide how we can best move forward together.

“This is important as it has become, notwithstanding the societal effects of the pandemic, increasingly apparent that there has been a growing generational gap within women’s ministry over the years that makes building an effective ministry to women of all ages less straightforward. We need to ask ourselves ‘How can we think differently about women’s ministry and what approaches can we adopt to help us grow deeper together?’”

IN THE ROUND | NEWS Moderator visits Portugal

IN BRIEF

Moderator, Dr David Bruce, has completed a fourday visit to Portugal, where he witnessed the work being undertaken by PCI’s global mission workers.

Portugal is one of 11 countries across four continents where PCI directly supports 27 global mission workers. These include James and Heather Cochrane, from Second Comber, and Chris and Rachel Humphries, from Tartaraghan Presbyterian, who are planting a church called Comunidade Pedras Vivas (CPV), in Senhora da Hora in the greater Porto area.

CPV translates as ‘Living Stones Community’ and is being planted in collaboration with the Igreja Cristã Presbiteriana de Portugal – the Christian Presbyterian Church of Portugal.

Speaking before his departure, Dr Bruce said the visit had been a James Cochrane, David Bruce, Paulo Jorge (President ICPP) and Manuel Luzia (Vice President long time in ICPP) in Lisbon. coming. “As the ‘pastor to the denomination’, a Moderator seeks to be an encourager to the Church. In my two years in office I have had the wonderful privilege of seeing and encouraging the work that is being done by many of our congregations, preaching on Sundays and meeting hundreds, if not thousands, of my brothers and sisters in Christ across our denomination.

“Due to the pandemic, which has often made short and long-term planning difficult, I have not been able to undertake an overseas tour like my predecessors.

Now that I can, I hope that this short visit to our team in Porto will be an encouragement. At the same time, I am looking forward to discovering what God is doing through them and the Comunidade Pedras Vivas

Talking Jesus report

Alana Cochrane, James Cochrane, David Bruce, Heather Cochrane pictured at the Porto church Communidade Pedras Vivas (CPV).

family,” Dr Bruce said.

Speaking on behalf of the CPV team, James Cochrane said the visit was an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenging mission context in western Europe.

“Portugal, for example, is a religious nation with symbols of Christianity on every corner. Yet few would claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus. In this context there is a great need to make disciples through the planting of Christ-centred, Bible focused churches,” he explained.

During his visit, Dr Bruce also travelled to the capital Lisbon, 200 miles south of Porto, to meet with the President and Vice President of the Christian Presbyterian Church of Portugal and to hear first-hand of the work and challenges faced by one of PCI’s small sister denominations.

In addition, he met a representative of Grupos Biblicos Unidos, the Portuguese movement within the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), to hear about ministry among students. For three years in the 1980s Dr Bruce was the IFES Travelling Secretary in Ireland.

Nearly half (45%) of the UK population believe in the resurrection, according to the latest ‘Talking Jesus’ report.

Commissioned by Alpha, the Evangelical Alliance, HOPE Together, Luis Palau Association and Kingsgate Community Church, the report also shows that one in three non-Christians want to know more about Jesus after a conversation with a Christian, and 20% of the UK population believe that Jesus is God.

Gospel Rising festival The Gospel Rising Music Festival is coming to Dublin city centre for the second time over the weekend of Friday 17 to Sunday 19 June.

Taking place in a number of venues across the city, the festival will feature workshops, social events and a major outdoor concert.

For more information visit: www.gospelrising.com

Complaints about Bibles in India

Chris and Rachel Humphries

Fahan history book A book outlining 300 years in the life of Fahan Presbyterian Church is now available.

The County Donegal church has an extensive history, and the book covers the events of the three centuries between the first mention of a Presbyterian meeting house at Cashel in 1719 and the final event of the 300th anniversary celebrations: ‘The Way to Bethlehem’ which happened in late December 2019.

It records the life and times of 16 ministers but much more, including wills, stolen manses, unpaid

ministers, emigration to New Zealand, benefactors, fundraising at home and in USA, a purse of sovereigns, art and artefacts.

To order a copy, please ring or text Sandra on +44 (0)7814 291716. For further information visit www.fahanchurch.org/history.htm

Extremist groups in Karnataka, India have issued complaints against the use of the Bible in a prison and in a Christian school, according to Barnabas Fund.

The charity says a prison visitor claims to have found a Bible in a non-Christian prisoner’s cell. This has led to calls for a state-wide ban on Christian chaplains making prison visits.

Allegations have also been made that a Christian high school in Bengaluru (Bangalore) is forcing nonChristian pupils to read the Bible. As a result, the school is now under investigation.

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IN THIS MONTH...

June 1961

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

The great debate Rev J.K. Elliott

…On all sides there is agreement that an outbreak of nuclear warfare today, with the capacities for destruction possessed by great nations, would almost certainly result in the destruction of civilisation as we know it, and would have a ruinous impact on whatever generations might follow… there are some who believe it possible to contrive a ‘limited war’; but surely the whole history of mankind goes to show that, once a conflict becomes really serious, the nation which glimpses the possibility of defeat will use every weapon at its disposal without regard to long-term results.

Others believe in a kind of ‘balance of terror’, assuming that the very destructiveness of a nuclear war will compel any nation to refrain from launching it. There are those who, in cold blood, have already calculated the advantage of ‘getting in the first blow’ and, according to these calculations, in the case of two powers fully equipped with nuclear weapons, the one launching a surprise attack could destroy up to 90% of the power of the other to retaliate. Does this not constitute, in any tense situation, a terrible temptation to strike first, even leaving out the dangers of a false alarm?

The debate which is going on today is mainly between those who favour multilateral disarmament and those who want to push on for unilateral disarmament.

The former believe in keeping things as they are until there is an agreed settlement amongst the major powers to banish nuclear weapons or to disarm gradually…The latter believe the situation to be too full of peril to wait for this, and fear the spread of nuclear weapons to more and more nations will make such agreement highly improbable…

News and notes

…In a special service, the Moderator laid the foundation stone of the new Presbyterian Community Centre at Queen’s University, Belfast. The work of the centre and the rebuilding of the premises are most convincing signs that the Church has recognised that many of her most important functions are outside congregational limits.

The Presbyterian population at the university and at Stranmillis Training College more than justifies a Dean of Residences with an assistant and specially equipped premises…

Also from June ’61 8

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US President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev meet at the Vienna Summit

March competition – ‘Why I go to church’

This competition drew a great volume of replies; but unfortunately the general quality was in no way proportional to the quantity…

We got far too many replies like, “I go to church because I like our minister”, or “because we have a fine choir”. Do such people really go to worship the “nice minister” or the “fine choir”?

A number of competitors asserted that they went to church from a sense of duty; but told us nothing of what joining in the service brought them…

A very interesting reply came from a Bangor reader who says, “When my son was five years old, one day he asked, ‘Mummy, why do we call heaven God’s home and yet when we go to church we say we are going to God’s house? Why has he two houses?’ I found it difficult to answer; but I said that, in his goodness and consideration for us, God made a house or home here on earth for us so that we could visit him and then, when we became old and tired, he would invite us to his other home in heaven… My son pondered over this and then said, ‘Yes, I think I understand. He has two houses, as a man might have a town house and a cottage at the seaside.’”

Kuwait gains full independence with the ending of British protectorate

Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defects to the West

MY STORY...

Ivan Johnston, from Second Randalstown Presbyterian, shares his story of being involved with the Gideons organisation, now called Good News for Everyone!

Sharing the good news

I

am married to Jennifer and live in Grange Hamlet, four received at the North West 200 and the Open Golf tournament miles outside Randalstown. We are members of Second at Portrush.

Randalstown Presbyterian Church, where I have been an We have also produced a new gospel magazine called Hope elder for over 25 years. which has been very well used during Covid. Over 400,000 have Outside church activities, Jennifer and I have also been involved been distributed throughout the UK. Many churches are using in Gideons for many years, and at present I am the regional these magazines for outreach. One church in Ballymena has director of Northern Ireland. In the last year Gideons UK has given out 3,000 copies door to door. If your church would like been rebranded and will now be known to use them for outreach, please email me Our main ministry is as: ‘Good News for Everyone!’. The name (address at the end). change has given members a clarity of Our members share the Word of God distributing…copies of purpose to respond to Jesus’ words in Mark with those they meet on a day-to-day basis. the New Testament, 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the There are many opportunities to have ‘God gospel to all creation.” The new name should Psalms and Proverbs, to appointed’ meetings with people who are leave the public with hopeful expectation lost and have no hope. God’s Word is more every year eight pupil about what we are offering to them. relevant today and has the answers to all of Since adopting our new name, we have (23,000 young people)… life’s problems. At the front of all our Bibles made several significant changes within our is a section entitled ‘Where to find help association. Most importantly, opening our work for both men when…’. Praise God the Bible is still the number one bestseller and women to join in their own right and on the same level. We in the world with all the best advice for problems. also have a new emblem showing an open book to better reflect We want people all over the world to hear about Jesus. This the work we undertake, which is placing and distributing the has not changed. We are working with our Canadian partners precious Word of God. ShareWord Global. We in the UK have a specific focus on Our commitment to share God’s Word far and wide remains Eastern Europe where have employed two people to manage the same. Over the past 60 years in Northern Ireland, our this – Zeljko and Dragan from Serbia – who are seeing many forefathers have built a wonderful foundation on which we God-exciting things happening. continue to grow. With the establishment of ‘Good News for We love getting mail at our Lutterworth headquarters where Everyone!’ we can officially start a new, exciting chapter in our we receive many letters from people who write to tell us they story. have come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord by reading God’s The work continues in a similar way as with Gideons. Our Word. You can read some of these exciting testimonies on our main ministry is distributing, without charge, copies of the New website. An example is the story of Andy who found Jesus while Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, to every year eight pupil (23,000 he was in prison, after reading a Bible we placed there. young people) in Northern Ireland. We give praise to God for In Northern Ireland, we have 10 branches comprising of allowing us to be a part of this ministry.

313 members carrying out the various aspects of the work. In We are also still placing Bibles in hotels, B&B establishments, the UK as a whole, there are over 4,000 members. Criteria for hospitals, nursing homes, doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries, membership is that you must be a born-again believer of the solicitors’ offices and prisons. Another exciting ministry finds us Lord Jesus Christ, and in good standing in your church. Our in partnership with the Sports’ Chaplaincy of Northern Ireland membership represents a wide range of denominations and where we have created badged Testaments which backgrounds. We are men and women who love show the logo of a football team on the front – Jesus and want others to experience the joy of 44 football teams up to the present. In the same knowing him. If you would like to join us you can way, pre-Covid, badged Testaments were well contact me by emailing ivan_johnston@hotmail.com

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NEWS | PCI

Events A time to plant Upwards of 100 people from across Ireland gathered in Dundalk recently for a PCI church planting conference, ‘A time to plant’.

Those attending heard from Presbyterians who are currently building new communities of faith, including Balbriggan in County Dublin, which began its weekly services in 2020, Central in Belfast, which opened its doors in 2016, and another expression of Christian witness in west Belfast – Grace and Hope Community Church.

They also heard from keynote speaker Scotty Smith, author and founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee. Mr Smith pastored the church for 26 years, from which grew five ‘daughter churches’ and 10 subsequent ‘granddaughter churches’.

Commenting, Dr Marty McNeely, co-convener of PCI’s Church Planting panel and whose own church, Ballykeel, was planted in the early 1970s, said, “Across the world Christ’s church is growing and there is a genuine desire within PCI to expand and grow too, reaching those in new ways who have yet to hear the gospel.”

He hoped the conference inspired those who have this call upon their lives to build new expressions of church, “and so introduce new people in new places to a new life in Christ.”

Impact There is still time to sign up for our Impact teams this summer.

This is an opportunity to be together with others of your own age for a four-day mix of worship, learning and serving God in Belfast.

The programme takes place between Thursday 18 and Sunday 21 August in Belfast. Costing £35, it is for young people aged 16 and above.

Each morning the teams will gather to explore God’s impact on the world, our lives and others through the witness of his church. Our host church for the gather sessions will be Bloomfield Presbyterian.

In the afternoons and evenings our three teams will go to serve in churches, showing and sharing God’s love with children, young people and the local community. The host churches for the ‘go’ sessions will be: • West Kirk Presbyterian, Belfast • Fitzroy Presbyterian, Belfast • Christ Church Presbyterian, Dundonald Applications close on Friday 10 June. To find out more and apply go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/impact

General Assembly 22–25 June 2022

Business timetable THURSDAY 23 JUNE 10am Business committee Presbytery reports General Council section 1 11.30am Reception of visiting delegates 2pm Council for Training in Ministry 2.45pm Listening to the global church 4.15pm General Council section 2 5.15pm Code Republication panel Conference attendees listen and take notes.

Union events Two events are being held at Union Theological College in autumn 2022.

The first is a conference and exhibition to mark the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 1522 September Testament. Taking place on 12–13 September, the event looks at the historical context of the September Testament, its impact on New Testaments and Bibles in Dutch, English and Irish, as well as aspects of Luther’s legacy.

The second event is ‘The Bible for All’ series which takes place at the College on the evenings of 29 September, and 7, 14 and 21 October.

The themes for these evenings include ‘How to read the Bible’, ‘How we got our Bible’, ‘Who still needs the Bible?’ and ‘Telling the story of the Bible’, and is open to individuals, midweek, PW or youth groups.

Assembly coverage The 2022 General Assembly takes place between Wednesday 22 June and Saturday 25 June.

This later than usual date means it is not possible to cover the Assembly in the July/August Herald. However, comprehensive coverage, including reports of business sessions, alternative presentations and the installation of the new Moderator, will feature in a packed September Herald. In the meantime, you can keep up to date with Assembly news and watch the livestream via the PCI website www.presbyterianireland.org or follow along on Twitter @pciassembly

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FRIDAY 24 JUNE 10am Trustees 10.30am Council for Global Mission 2pm General Council section 3 2.45pm Alternative presentation 4.15pm General Council section 4 5.15pm Overtures 7.15pm Linkage Commission 8pm Council for Mission in Ireland SATURDAY 25 JUNE 10am Private session – Judicial Commission 11am Council for Congregational Life and Witness 12 noon Council for Social Witness 2pm Council for Public Affairs 3pm General Council section 5 Lapsed business Business committee (Final report) Opening Meeting Wednesday 22 June at 7pm Evening Celebration Thursday 23 June at 7.45pm Guest speaker: Peter Lynas (UK director of Evangelical Alliance) Worship Thursday 23 June 12.15pm Friday 24 June 11.45am – Communion service

Find out more on www.presbyterianireland.org

News Balmoral Show As thousands flocked to the Balmoral Show last month, PCI once again extended a warm welcome to show-goers, to visit its stand in the Show’s Eikon Exhibition Centre.

Organised by Dromore Presbytery, which includes 22 congregations in the north eastern corner of County Down, the convener of its Balmoral Show Committee, Rev Bobby Liddle, said a warm welcome awaited

everyone. He also commented: “As a Church we want to reassure all farmers and their families of our ongoing pastoral and prayerful support, which is one of the main reasons for taking part in Balmoral each year.”

Also there was PCI’s first rural chaplain Rev Kenny Hanna, who is working throughout the farming communities of counties Armagh and Down. He accompanied the Moderator as he toured a number of stands, including meeting the new President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, members of HSENI and the Farming Families Health Checks Programme.

Resources Building God’s church back up again Serving and training opportunities PCI’s Apprentice scheme is ideal for anyone wanting to explore ministry opportunities, develop their gifts or seeking to serve in a different way for a year.

It is open to those aged 18 years or above, who are active members of their church.

There are currently opportunities in the following congregations: • Drumbo Presbyterian • Great Victoria Street and South Belfast Friendship House • Wellington Presbyterian • First Larne Presbyterian • Hamilton Road Presbyterian • West Kirk Presbyterian • Saintfield Road Presbyterian • Duneane Presbyterian • Ballykeel Presbyterian • Downshire Presbyterian (Carrickfergus) • Cregagh Presbyterian, Belfast To find out more go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/apprentice Apprentice Serve is part of the overall PCI apprentice programme which is designed to team up those who would like to serve as a congregational apprentice with churches who would like to host apprentices. Both will be supported as the apprentice plays a key role in the development of some identified aspect of the church’s life or witness.

Apprentices can now sign up for Apprentice Train – a development programme jointly designed and delivered by the Council for Congregational Life and Witness and the Institute for Ministry (Union Theological College) that incorporates a mix of theological and practical learning. This is highly recommended to supplement an apprentice’s congregational ministry experience.

The training programme begins with a two-day Ministry Intensive at the start of September 2022, and will then be delivered one Friday each month from September 2022 to June 2023. There will also be other opportunities to grow through online peer-support groups, mentoring and guided reading.

To find out more and sign up for Apprentice Train go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/apprenticetrain

‘Living Stones – Building God’s church back up again’, the new children’s ministry resource, is now live and available for congregations.

This free pre-recorded video resource gives you the opportunity to host a gathering for children and families without the stress of having to plan all the content.

The resource is based on the story of Nehemiah and will help the children to see how they can play a part in God’s plan of building his church.

It features worship songs to sing along to, and spoken content and ideas for activities that can be done together, including fitness routines.

A leader’s pack highlights how the programme works, the approximate length of the event and also what simple resources you will need for the children to complete the activities. There are also commitment cards – printable templates for children to complete.

To access your free copy of the resource, go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/livingstones

A resource to reconnect ‘Another look?’ is a simple, cost-effective resource which could be used by elders or others involved in visiting, to reconnect with church members or those on the fringes of church life following the Covid-19 interruption to attendance at congregational activities.

Priced at 10p per copy, it encourages reflection on a variety of aspects of life in light of the pandemic experience.

It could be distributed by visitors or used as a way of opening up a gentle pastoral or evangelistic conversation.

To order go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/anotherlook

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

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REFLECTIONS

The preacher... on life’s injustice David Clarke Themes in Ecclesiastes

“There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.” Ecclesiastes 9:14–15

the unfinished state of evolution. Likewise, the Buddhist and Hindu assert we are all part of one great Being, and distinctions between good and evil are illusory.

The problem is acute for the Christian, believing in a loving and powerful God. Either God is all-powerful and could prevent all evil and suffering, but his failure to do so shows he hen asked about the best advice she had received, is not all loving. But if he is loving, and longs to prevent such veteran journalist Dame Joan Bakewell recalled a things, his failure to do so proves he is not all-powerful. phrase used frequently by her mother. The phrase The problem becomes particularly acute at Calvary. There was: ‘Life’s not fair, get used to it’. the purest spirit was done to death by a combination of lying The quest for justice is a clamant witnesses, cowardly judges and rough demand, but justice is an elusive concept, soldiers. There was someone entitled to say, The quest for justice is a “Life’s not fair”, but he was able to see a and perceptions not only differ but alter with time. When the slave trade was larger picture. clamant demand, but abolished, justice seemed to demand that Life’s unfairness preserves a precious slave owners receive compensation for the justice is an elusive truth – that we live in a fallen world. loss of their ‘property’. Today we feel that concept, and perceptions Genesis chapter 3 may have weird features justice demands that the slaves should have – a talking serpent, for example – but not only differ but alter contains profound insights. Something has been the recipients of compensation.

The writer of Ecclesiastes, perhaps entered to mar God’s good creation. As a with time.

Solomon, would have endorsed Bakewell’s result, shame and guilt haunts us, work is view. He reminds his readers of an event laborious and the land produces thorns and with which they may have been familiar. A lopsided battle took thistles. Things are not as God meant them to be. Paul spoke of place, when a small city with few inhabitants is surrounded by creation “groaning” (Romans 8). As a result, we live in a world the massed forces of a mighty king. In the city, a poor but wise with topsy-turvy values. As one scholar wrote, “What counts in man proposed a strategy which led to the city’s deliverance. the world’s judgment is wealth and self-advertisement; genuine However, he was forgotten soon afterwards. unostentatious merit goes unrecognised, unrewarded.”

Some modern translations suggest that v15 should read, “he Life’s manifest unfairness presents a challenge. God is not to might have delivered the city”. This interpretation helps make be blamed for the fact that we live in a world where thousands sense of v16, which reads, “the poor man’s wisdom is despised of children die every minute from preventable diseases, and and his words are no longer heeded”. There are, therefore, two where millions have less to live on each day than we spend alternatives; either his advice was overlooked, or it was accepted when meeting friends to ‘do a coffee’, and where vast numbers and after deliverance he was promptly forgotten. die of starvation while others grow obese. Such imbalances When the danger was over, perspectives changed. When the summon Christians to action. As Jesus said to his disciples butler failed to keep his promise to Joseph (Genesis 40:23), the when thousands gathered in a remote location to hear him latter could justifiably have said, “Life’s not fair”. In Browning’s teach, “You give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16). poem The Pied Piper, a figure of 1,000 guilders is offered to the The problem also points to the future where it finds its piper to deliver the city from a plague of rats. But when, his ultimate solution in the context of eternity and God’s righteous mission accomplished, he came to collect his reward, the city judgment. As Chris Wright has stated: “On the judgment fathers replied, “Our losses have made us thrifty. A thousand day of God all wrongs...will be met with the verdict of God’s guilders? Come, take fifty!” As Derek Kidner wrote, “We should perfect justice. God will put all things right.” learn not to count on anything as fleeting as public gratitude.”

Life’s apparent unfairness poses a problem for faith, for Very Rev Dr David Clarke is a former PCI Moderator and minister those who believe in a God of justice and love. It poses no emeritus of Terrace Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine. such problem for the atheist who sees the physical material universe as all there is. They explain any apparent unfairness by

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PERSONAL VIEW

Life lessons Steph Campbell Senior case worker, Flourish NI

I grew up in Lisburn and attended Wallace High School, followed by University of Ulster where I completed my degree in Social Work. I am now married to my husband Jonny and have moved to Maghaberry, where we live with our little pup Sonny! I have been a senior case worker at Flourish NI for the past five years. Flourish NI provides long-term, trauma-focused tailored-support to adult survivors of human trafficking and their families living in Northern Ireland.

I always knew that I wanted to work with people in some capacity, which is why I decided to study a Social Work degree. After I graduated, I volunteered with an organisation called Stop the Traffick, which raised awareness of human trafficking and how to spot the signs in your community. As part of this work, I attended an event at Stormont, and ended up sitting beside one of the founders of Flourish NI. At the time, Flourish NI had no paid staff, and were looking for volunteer case workers… and so my volunteering journey began. This quickly led to a paid position.

Each survivor has endured trauma and terror that you and I cannot even imagine, and often it takes time to build trust with each new survivor. The work I do has a tremendous personal impact, particularly on the way I look at the world and how I hope to treat people. God designed each one of us and we are precious in his sight. I see it as my role to restore dignity, respect and hope to each survivor I meet and to remind them of their inherent value and purpose.

Human trafficking very much takes place here in Northern Ireland, in the streets we live in and the places we are familiar with. As neighbours and members of our community, we are well placed to spot the signs of human trafficking within our communities.

Some things to look out for: houses or flats with too many people who are picked up or dropped off at the same time; people with untreated injuries; an individual who does not have their own ID documents or telephone; workers with inadequate protective clothing. If you suspect human trafficking within

your community, you can contact the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.

One of the most shaping seasons of my life was when I lost my dad. I was 21, in my final year of university, and it felt like the world as I knew it was pulled from under my feet. My dad struggled with alcoholism and it eventually took his life in 2015. Looking back now at that season of my life, I realise how it has shaped me to be much more empathetic to everyone I meet in my daily life.

As the saying goes, ‘Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind.’

I love spending time with friends and family. I am incredibly blessed to have a large, close family on both my side and my husband’s side, with lots of lovely little nephews and a beautiful little niece to keep smiles on our faces!

I have no tolerance for the level of racism that exists in our society today. I have personally supported survivors living with intense trauma and fear, who have then experienced hate crime in a place they are trying to seek safety. The opinion that we should only ‘look after our own’ is one that I cannot get on board with as a Christian. Hebrews 13:2–3 says, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realising it. Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.”

As we see the refugee crisis around the world, I despair at the fearful narrative that we should close up our borders and turn back the boats. It is our call as Christians to live without fear of the future, to open our home here in Northern Ireland and welcome the “alien in our land” as if they were our very own.

I love to listen to worship music, particularly after a difficult day in work. I love a wide variety of both modern songs and old hymns, but one song in particular always tugs at my heart – Because He Lives.

I have fond memories of my grandmother on my father’s side singing it out loud, and it always gives me a sense of calm and peace when I listen to it.

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CONGREGATIONAL STORY

A church

without walls

Stephen Richmond shares how his congregation, Donegal Presbyterian, has been blessed by adapting during the pandemic and worshipping God outdoors.

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ne of the greatest challenges we have all been facing in our congregations over the past couple of years is simply not being able to be together. Donegal was probably the part of Ireland that was under lockdown restrictions longer than anywhere else and that was incredibly difficult for a church family that enjoyed being together. We missed one another.

We all felt more isolated and found it much more difficult to support and care for one another. It has been a challenging time. However, one of the great things that a challenge does is that it forces you to think about how you need to change and adapt. Challenges can enable you to see new opportunities and new possibilities.

One of the opportunities we have been looking to make more use of is the great outdoors. Donegal town is a beautiful place to live. If you are going to be restricted to a 5km radius then Donegal Bay is about as good as it gets. When we couldn’t meet indoors, what could we do outdoors?

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We have always had a lot of children’s work in the church. Things like Sunday school, Kidsklub and messy church were regular parts of church life. So instead of indoor messy church we tried outdoor muddy church. Same type of event, with Bible-based crafts and activities, with some food and fun, but in an entirely different context. Not in a church hall but at the beach and in the forest.

On the beach we did things like building the best castle, writing a massive message and even playing hide and seek.

We then looked at biblical stories and ideas that tied in. The beach is not an easy place to hide, so how did Jonah think he was going to hide from God by getting on a boat? We wrote a massive ‘Jesus Saves’, the most important message anyone could ever hear.

Probably the highlight was cooking mackerel as we looked at the story

When we couldn’t meet indoors what could we do outdoors?

of Jesus having breakfast with Peter.

Thinking about Jesus alive and chatting to his disciples after the resurrection was such a different experience when you are sitting beside the water and can smell and taste the fish. The kids loved it, although some weren’t so sure about the mackerel!

Muddy church in the forest was the same idea with different stories and activities. Crossing a bridge and hunting for sheep that had been hidden – a great way to explain the gospel. Allowing the children to lead us down a path that was a dead end and then having to all turn around and go in the right direction – repentance visually demonstrated.

Standing at the base of some very tall trees and thinking about how big they were and how much bigger God is – “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there’s nothing that he cannot do.”

It wasn’t just children’s events that we have had outdoors. We recently did a ‘spiritual walk’ around the same forest that was used for muddy church. About 20 people, aged from a few months to mid80s, met and walked around Lough Eske

forest thinking and reflecting about some Bible passages and ideas. Adults need to be reminded just as much as children that God is big and strong and there is nothing he cannot do.

We prayed together and chatted together. We looked out across Lough Eske into the Bluestack Mountains and reflected on Psalm 121:1–2: “I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from? It comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” A reminder to us all that during pandemics and postpandemics we continue to look to the Lord who never slumbers and will keep us from harm.

To hear comments like, “I have walked this so many times and I am seeing things I have never seen before” and “Thanks for giving us the opportunity to get out and meet people again,” made the event special for all who were involved.

Another place that has had a lot more use over the last two years than ever before is the carport at the manse. When the weather was agreeable (and even a few days when it wasn’t), it was used as an

…it was a great reminder that God isn’t confined to inside church buildings. outdoor gathering point for prayer, praise and fellowship. When unable to sing indoors we had a great night of hymn singing. Every Tuesday morning the local ministers met for a coffee and prayer. One younger woman arranged for three or four others to meet for fellowship and prayer.

During those gatherings there was more sharing and praying together than they had ever done before.

Being outdoors has been absolutely brilliant! It was a bit more complicated at times. The weather caused us to cancel muddy church one Saturday in case some children were blown out to sea, but the experiences were much more intense. It often wasn’t as comfortable or warm as a church hall, but it was a great reminder that God isn’t confined to inside church buildings. So often the only place we talk about God together or encounter God together is inside the church premises.

Perhaps we have been learning to open our eyes to a world of greater possibilities.

When you look at the life and ministry of Jesus, think of where he meets people and talks to people and prays with people. It is sometimes in the temple or synagogue but it is also along the roads, beside wells, in town streets, in wilderness areas, on the sea and beside the sea, at the top of trees and in gardens.

It is great to be at the stage where we can meet together much more easily without the need for great restrictions, but I’m hoping we don’t just retreat back to being an ‘indoor church’.

As we look to encourage relationship building again and grow more comfortable meeting together again, I’m hoping the church will continue to be ‘messy’ and ‘muddy’. Making use of the buildings we are blessed to have, but also making use of all the amazing backdrops and spaces we have outside of the church buildings.

Rev Stephen Richmond is minister of Donegal and Stranorlar Presbyterian churches.

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Photography by David Cavan

New job, same John

Alan Meban chats to the new Moderator-designate, John Kirkpatrick.

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ohn Kirkpatrick had reached that stage of ministry when papers are cleared out and books start to get packed into boxes. He had attended the ministers’ pre-retirement conference last October and was planning to retire from his Portrush congregation this summer.

Instead, he’s now cutting down on biscuits – “Tell them I don’t do sweet stuff !” – ahead of a year that is likely to involve a lot of eating as he and his wife Joan represent the denomination at home and abroad.

A combination of a misbehaving email account and “not being paranoid about looking at my emails” meant that when the Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Trevor Gribben, phoned to ask what his decision was, John’s reply was that “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about”, completely unaware that his name had been put forward as a candidate for Moderator.

A couple of times over the years when people asked John whether he’d be willing to be nominated, he said, “No, it’s not the right time”. Now at the end of his parish ministry, it didn’t seem quite so out of the question.

Mulling the proposition over with Joan that night, he says they both felt that “if ever there was a time that we could do this, it would be now; and if ever there was a way that it would happen, this is about the only way that we would have accepted it.”

The next day, John allowed his name to go forward. Like other pivotal moments in his life, it was a case of “we’ll say yes, and see what happens”.

A matter of weeks later, on Tuesday 1 February, John was taking part in an online beekeeping course. The phone call came… it was Moderator David Bruce informing him that a majority of presbyteries across the island of Ireland had voted for him and he was now the Moderator-designate.

The hand on the tiller of his life has definitely been God’s rather than John’s.

The son and grandson of Presbyterian ministers, there was nothing inevitable about John’s call to ministry. His father had left the family home in Limavady and moved out of their lives when he was just three. His mother died of cancer when he was just 10 years old.

Sent to board in Coleraine Academical Institution, he left school after his O levels and switched to Greenmount College to study farm management.

John admits that his teenage years were relatively unchurched. His faith journey really began, aged 19, while spending the middle year of his course working on a farm.

“That’s when God really met me in a powerful way. I had no intention of meeting him at all. I was going very fast in the other direction, just doing my own thing. But it changed the whole trajectory of my life.”

I wouldn’t want to relive my life…But I thank God for it. Even the miserable bits. They are the dark shadows that highlight the brighter parts…

His education – both academic and spiritual – continued when he enrolled in a social sciences degree at the new University of Ulster in Coleraine, later switching to Environmental Science. “I was responsible for looking after an old uncle who was on his own, so I couldn’t really go any further than would allow me to return to him during the week.”

He picked up a leadership role in the Christian Union, but the call to full-time ministry was still not properly on his radar. Through a university friend Tony Davidson, he got the chance to work part-time – in what today would be termed youth ministry – in Dungannon, alongside Rev Andrew Rodgers.

“I then applied to go to Belfast Bible College, because it was

interdenominational and there were a number of theological issues in my head that I wasn’t totally settled denomination-wise. The college gave me space and time to think.”

His one-year course included input from figures such as Patton Taylor (Greek), Alan Flavelle (homiletics), and Ian Hart. John certainly knows about hard work. Those college days involved getting up at 5.30am each morning to drive to Belfast for lectures, followed by practical work in the afternoon, and then more lectures right up to 9.30pm at night. “By the end of that year I was nearly physically burnt out by the routine.”

An extended student placement with Rev Alastair Dunlop at Portglenone proved to be a turning point in John’s decision to study at Union Theological College. The logic began to fall into place.

Community work in the agriculture and social science sectors, youth ministry in Dungannon, church placements and overseas visits while at college, and now working in the congregation at Portglenone, all began to convince John that what other people had long been saying was right: he had the gifts for ministry.

The interview process was smooth at first until he failed to turn up for the psychological assessment, nearly scuppering his entry to Union! The rest is history, with a two-year assistantship in east Belfast, nearly six years in Garryduff, before settling in Portrush in 1993.

John told his congregation on the first Sunday after becoming Moderatordesignate: “New job, same John”. So,

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…a big part of what we need to do is listen.

what will he bring with him into his new role?

John is a thinking pastor: “On the essentials [of faith] I have complete peace. But that doesn’t mean to say that I don’t still continue to learn about those things.” So, he’ll be open to learning as he travels the length and breadth of Ireland and beyond.

And he’ll be himself. “You begin to realise you don’t have to do it the way it’s been done before. You just have to be yourself. People say to me, ‘You were elected because of who you are. They

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There’s a great need for the church to develop a strong apologetic… haven’t elected you because they want you to be put into some sort of straitjacket.’”

He’ll definitely bring his love of apologetics, something he’s been intentionally studying and sharing for two decades, and a practice he expects to continue into his retirement. For 12 years, his Portrush congregation has been running an apologetics course with a broad curriculum, covering contemporary issues alongside the classical existence of God. “There’s a great need for the church to develop a strong apologetic. Not just letting society create the issues for us… If we’re to be salt and light in society, then we ought to be able to be the first to say something about some topics.”

John brings his own lived experience.

“I wouldn’t want to relive my life, nor want any of my children to have lived my life. But I thank God for it. Even the miserable bits. They are the dark shadows that highlight the brighter parts of my life for me. And I have come to learn so much through them.

“I hope it has made me a person who will not come to a quick judgment about people, but will try to understand that behind every person there’s a story. And so when people come and ask about this issue or that, I’ll say, ‘You’re a person before you’re an issue’.

“And it’s only as I take time to get to know and understand people that you can have a proper conversation about any of the other things. I might not have experienced what they’re experiencing, but I can learn to understand other people.”

John has taken the theme for his year of ‘Grace Works’. “Rescuing people from religion”, John says, “seems to be the mission I’ve been on all my life, including myself, because my own heart can tend to that religiousness, that works will always come back in.”

Being in the spotlight this year will be an “uncomfortable coat” for him to wear.

Away from the front, John is looking forward to the quiet conversations.

He’ll not be rushing to speak out about big political issues. But he will be “very happy to sit down with any politician and say, ‘tell me about yourself ’”.

“I look at the way Jesus went about, encountering many, many people along the way. And I’m aware that in our lives we will encounter all sorts of people that, in God’s providence, he will have located us alongside. I just pray that we will have enough wisdom and sensitivity to listen to those people, because a big part of what we need to do is listen. And if we take more time to listen, when we do say something, it will be spoken in such a way that it might be more helpful. Tone is very, very important.”

Watching Kenneth Brannagh’s film Belfast reminded John that so many people have a story that has never been told. “If you don’t have a gun, if you don’t shout loudly to get noticed… all those people in the middle… they’re the ones who are paying the price.” So in the coming year, he expects that he may “advocate for people that nobody notices… that can’t advocate for themselves.”

John believes that ministers ought to find space amongst the busyness of congregational life to rest and relax.

Aside from spending time with his family – four children and five grandchildren – John enjoys walking, gardening, bees and bikes.

Tilling the soil and watching things grow connects John with his rural background and farming days. A builder told him that his garden needed bees, supplied a beehive, and John had to quickly learn the art and science of being an apiarist. “I’ve got stung multiple times since, but that’s not a big deal. Bees are fascinating, absolutely amazing creatures.”

…we will encounter all sorts of people that, in God’s providence, he will have located us alongside…

John’s been a race chaplain for the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland for more than a quarter of a century. While he no longer rides on the road, for him “it’s a fascination with speed, an adrenaline thing. Some people can go out and tour on a motorbike. I couldn’t really do that.

I like to go fast and I like to go around corners fast. Even when I was a child, if I had a bicycle, I wanted to make it go fast.”

Now his work as a race chaplain is about the relationships “you build with riders, their families and children, teams and officials”.

He has conducted more than 20 funerals for motorcyclists, returning to

his previous congregation in Garryduff on three tragic occasions to bury brothers Joey and Robert Dunlop as well as Robert’s son William. Does the ethic of a sport that kills so many participants bother him?

“Yes it does, but while they make that choice I’d like to be available for them and their families.

“I’m not an apologist for road racing…

But I respect their wish to do so, and will try to be able to provide the same sort of support I provide for people doing anything else.

“There are people who do things we don’t agree with, but we wouldn’t walk past or abandon them because they were in trouble. I’m not there to start the race, and I’m not there to make their bikes go quick. I’m there for them as people.”

Alan Meban writes about culture and politics as Alan in Belfast on his own blog and Slugger O’Toole.

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The big story in 52 weeks they may be.

The Scriptures sitting on our bookshelves, by our beds, in our bags, or on our phones are an essential God-given tool to help us keep in step with our heavenly Father as we hear, encounter and get to know him better.

Yet, for a whole lot of reasons, Andrew Dickson highlights a new resource that engaging with the Bible and is equipping families to engage with the Bible being intentional every day. about passing this faith on to the younger generations ike a child needs to hear their in our homes, churches, and wider parent say every day, “I love you”, communities can seem we each need to hear the voice of difficult. our heavenly Father speak to us.

On one hand, our Each day we need to be reminded that pervading culture God’s grip on us is stronger than our grip and its many ‘-isms’ on him. We need to hear that because of (individualism, Jesus’ death in our place on the cross and consumerism, naturalism, his resurrection from a borrowed tomb, pluralism, and many we have complete forgiveness. Daily we more) perpetuate that need the assurance that our names are the Bible is irrelevant, written in the Lamb’s book of life; that antagonistic and we belong to Christ and his larger family completely at odds with by grace through faith. For as long as we 21st century life. live, in both our good and difficult days, And on the other we need the emphatic encouragement of hand, even with our best Paul in Romans 8:38–39 that nothing we intentions, sometimes experience can ever separate us from the we find it difficult to carve out that love of Christ. daily quiet time between work, family, At the Bible Society in Northern Ireland (BSNI), we understand that each …we want to see of these truths and more are presented generations of people for us to read and hear within God’s divinely inspired Word. equipped to be people of The Bible is one big story, relevant to each of our stories, no matter what the Word.

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extra-curricular, and even church engagements. As parents and church leaders, we may feel we lack the necessary confidence, knowledge or skill to know where to start or what to do. We can also be discouraged that our daily Bible reading, and discipleship, is often fuller of mundane earthly moments rather than regular ‘mountaintop’ experiences and encounters.

This is where 52 comes in.

As we navigate life and serve the church across our nation in these days, we have seen that no matter who we are, we need a regular diet of God’s Spiritbreathed Word, that we might continue to receive Jesus and be rooted in his hope.

At BSNI, we wholeheartedly believe that reading the Bible should be part of our everyday, normal lives. We believe Jesus meant it when he said, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). We want to see generations of people equipped to be people of the Word.

We believe that 52 is a starting point in your journey to seeing these things happen.

Launched digitally in 2021 and as a onevolume, 240-page book in 2022, 52 is BSNI’s year-long Bible reading project. Birthed around a dinner table amid a global pandemic, 52 is designed to recognise the important role played by parents, grandparents and carers in raising up children and young people of faith and empowering families (as well as individuals and wider churches) to connect with God’s Word each day.

Exploring one chapter of the Bible each week over the course of a year, 52 takes readers on a guided, bird’s-eye view journey through the Bible’s big story by exploring 28 well known Old Testament

52 is a resource that can help families of all ages to engage with God’s Word on a daily basis… and 24 New Testament passages – the 52. Packed full of bright colours and beautifully designed graphics and pages, 52 is more than a book for your coffee table. It is a tool brimming with simple study questions to aid reflection; fun activities to inspire biblical application to everyday life; memory verses to encourage Scripture to take deep roots in our hearts and minds; and short prayers to cultivate a deeper relationship with our Father.

We wholeheartedly believe that the best way to use 52 to discover more of God’s big story is by setting time aside each day to follow the simple template mapped out in every study: 1. Read – Grab your Bible and read the daily passage, learn the weekly memory verse and dig into the deeper optional passages to further discover how the Bible’s big story weaves together.

2. Look – Study and note down on the journal page how God is speaking to you through the passage by using the same three study questions: What does this passage say about God? What does the passage say about you? Which verse stands out to you most and why?

3. Live – Have a go at each week’s easy challenges designed to help people of all ages put into practice what they’ve just read and make the connection that Bible engagement involves application, not just study.

4. Pray – As people cultivate healthy rhythms of daily Bible engagement, we also want to encourage them to grow in

their prayer lives. That is why we have included a short prayer in each week’s study to give thanks, say sorry, pray for others and yourself. We know that God loves it when we talk to him, so we hope these prayers will act as a springboard to propel you deeper into this wonderful aspect of our faith.

As Chris Webb says in his book The Fire of the Word: Meeting God on holy ground, “When we open the Bible it does not say to us, ‘Listen: God is there!’ Instead, the voice of the Spirit whispers through each line, ‘Look: I am here!’” Our hope and prayer at the Bible Society in Northern Ireland is that once families, and people of all ages and backgrounds, commit to engaging Scripture, even in a small way, they will embark on a lifelong journey of discovering even more of its author. 52 is our nudge to help everyone engage with the Bible as we continue to pray and rely on the Spirit to take it from there.

Andrew Dickson is the Community Partnerships Manager at the Bible Society in Northern Ireland.

He lives in Whitehead with his wife Katherine and their two children. Together, they are part of the family at Islandmagee Presbyterian Church.

For more information on our resources and work in Northern Ireland and across the world visit: www.biblesocietyni.co.uk or follow us on social media: @biblesocietyni

Ruth Bromley PCI’s Children’s Development Officer Reading the Bible together as a family is a really powerful and life-changing activity. It reflects something of the plan that God has as we talk about faith when we sit at home and when we walk along the road, when we lie down and when we get up.

Finding a resource to help us do that well though can be tricky. Not all resources are good at helping young children, older children and teenagers engage with the Bible together and alongside parents.

52 is a resource that can help families of all ages to engage with God’s Word on a daily basis, to challenge and encourage and to help everyone to work out their faith together with activities to do, as well as head and heart knowledge to be gained. It is written by people from here for families across Northern Ireland. The resource could also be used within children’s ministry to reinforce what children are learning at home.

Special offer CLW has 100 copies of this resource available for a reduced price of £10 (including p&p) to purchase by individuals or congregations to resource families in their discipleship.

To get a copy at this reduced rate contact clw@presbyterianireland.org Once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Herald June 2022

21

TALKING POINTS

Leading with integrity Norman Hamilton discusses the recent news story about Archbishop Justin Welby’s comments on the government’s Rwanda asylum plan.

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n his sermon in Canterbury Cathedral on Easter Sunday for if Christians back away from doing that, can we expect morning, Archbishop Justin Welby, speaking about the others to do it for us? government’s Rwanda asylum plan, said there were “serious The Bible is absolutely clear that “righteousness exalts ethical questions about sending asylum seekers overseas.” a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14.34).

He added: “The details are for politics and politicians. The Upholding what is true, right and good is always a challenge in principle must stand the judgment of God and it cannot.” political and public life, just as it is in personal life, for we are His words were one of the most dramatic criticisms of fallen people in a fallen world, with everything tarnished by sin. government policy by any Archbishop of Canterbury in recent This fact makes it all the more important that there is moral times. He was publicly supported by the Archbishop of York and ethical accountability in public life as well as in the life of who told the BBC: “I’m appalled at what is being proposed, and the individual.

I think we can do better than this.” He added that he thought I remember well asking a well-known elected representative the policy was “unethical”. (who is unashamedly an atheist) what he saw the role of The reaction was swift. The Prime Minister responded by the church to be in our society. His answer was immediate saying: “This is the morally right thing to do and the humane and deeply challenging – “to be the moral conscience of the and compassionate thing to do. We cannot community”. It has stayed with me ever have people continuing to die at sea, paying …the call to be a moral since. huge sums to evil people trackers who are It is extremely hard to disagree with his disinfectant in the world I comment, and extremely hard to carry the simply exploiting their hopes and their ambitions.” There is much to commend responsibility it brings, for it often requires inhabit is ever with me in that statement, and it opens up an great wisdom, great compassion and great – and you too. important debate on opposing views of courage. Yet when great sin taints a nation, what is morally proper. or great scandal convulses a community, Predictably, however, much of the response was also hostile. A it can hardly be honouring to Christ or in accordance with the headline in a leading national newspaper the next day declared teaching of Scripture for silence to be kept by God’s people. that “MPs attack Welby rant”, and one MP is quoted as saying The call of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount to be salt and that “commenting on government policy is not Justin Welby’s light in a corrupted world is as demanding as it is important. job. He’s usually way out of tune with public opinion, and he One Bible commentator described that call in unambiguous undermines the role of the church with daft statements like and very strong language. Christ’s disciples are “to be a this.” moral disinfectant in a world where moral standards are low, Those comments once again raise the highly contentious constantly changing, or non-existent.” issue of how the church of Jesus Christ should relate to the And so I cannot outsource my own responsibilities to the government of the day in a democratic society. It is not at all church generally or church leaders in particular. Without unusual for politicians (including some on this side of the Irish arrogance or self-righteousness, without rancour or prejudice, Sea) to demand that religion is left at the front door of one’s the call to be a moral disinfectant in the world I inhabit is ever house when politics is involved. with me – and you too.

That is a view that I suggest Christian people should totally Whether or not you agree with the Archbishop, he was reject, since it implies that politics should be a zone largely faithfully seeking to carry out his Christian and biblical freed from biblical perspectives and ethics. A place which responsibility as a leader of the church. For that he is to be is morally self-regulating and adjudicating; where the ever thoroughly and unambiguously commended – and constantly changing standards of wider society should be taken as normal prayed for. and acceptable; where God’s standards should be increasingly pushed to the margins, and where public opinion rules.

Whilst there is certainly room to disagree and debate with the Archbishop on this particular topic, a healthy society will Rev Dr Norman Hamilton not seek to vilify him for seeking to speak ‘truth to power’ – a phrase coined in 1942 by a black Quaker in the United States.

Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton is a former It certainly is his job (irrespective of what any MP says) to call Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the government to account for its moral and ethical standards, Ireland.

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Herald June 2022

JUNE 2022

Mission Connect

Building bridges for the gospel

24/7 prayer Eleanor Drysdale

Mission news from workers around Ireland and the world.

Building bridges for the gospel Steve and Rosie Kennedy Some reflections on God’s leading Volker and JinHyeog Glissmann Postponements and praise Rev Andrew Gill The ministry of a PCI army chaplain Rev Ivan Linton

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.

Bible teaching and fun Stephen and Angelina Cowan

Including June prayer diary

24/7 prayer

Eleanor Drysdale

Deaconess in Wellington, Ballymena

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’m writing this in the days leading up to Easter Sunday. We are planned out her week to pray for her family and friends, local and having a week of 24/7 prayer and I’m so thankful to God for this worldwide issues. It was brilliant and such an encouragement to time. The tasks ahead seem daunting with most organisations all who listened to it. not having met fully for two Tillie lives in the full belief years, and with people no that God answers prayer, not I am so fortunate to work in a church which has longer wanting to serve in always how she would like but men and women…who are constantly lifting according to his will. I am so leadership or on committees; it is a massive challenge for all to work in a church us all up in prayer, many of them are the older fortunate concerned. which has men and women like But here’s why this week generation…who just radiate God when you are Tillie who are constantly lifting of prayer has been special – us all up in prayer. Many of in their presence.

Thomas Torrance, a Scottish them are the older generation, theologian, wrote this: those in their 80s and 90s who “What are the real master just radiate God when you powers behind the world? Here is the astonishing answer: the are in their presence. I want to learn from them and I want them prayers of the saints and the fire of God.” It would be easy to get to have opportunities to pass on to the next generation what it downhearted and overwhelmed, but none of this has come as a means to ‘stand in the gap’ for the church. surprise or a shock to God. Instead, he gave a week of prayer to So, thank you to those who see prayer as the first thing we need rest before him, listen to him, be refreshed and challenged by him to do and the most important thing that we do, before we do and know that he has a plan even when we don’t. So, it’s a time anything. of praying, waiting and then obedience. It’s a time for leaders and helpers of organisations to meet together and pray, and know Please pray: that God is already raising up other people to serve. And even if he • Give thanks for those who constantly lift up others in prayer. doesn’t, then we have got to just keep on trusting and listening to • Pray for Eleanor as she serves in Wellington. what he is saying at this time.

• Pray for Wellington congregation as they pray and listen to Part of our week included videos by people in our church talking what God is saying. about prayer. One of those was Tillie and she shared how she

Mission Connect | Herald June 2022

Building bridges for the gospel Steve and Rosie Kennedy Global mission workers, Romania

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he Transylvania region of Romania has, for many centuries, conflict has continued, we have built a bridge between Clujbeen a place where multiple ethnicities and cultures reside Napoca and Northern Ireland: 17 Ukrainian refugee students at alongside each other. The modern-day city of Cluj-Napoca is the Royal School in Transylvania have their education funded by a continuing example of this history, blending those of Hungarian, Kilbride Presbyterian Church, Kilbride Central Primary School and Romanian and German Ballyclare High School. descent.

The key word in this ministry The key word in this ministry has been Furthermore, many students has been community, as God from different countries attend has connected us into the community... university in the city, with international lifeblood of the courses taught in a variety of city. Early in our ministry, we languages (Hungarian, Romanian, English, French and German). As spent time in our worship services studying the book of Acts, the ‘Silicon Valley of Romania’, Cluj is an international hub for many and how a fledgling community of faith developed in a city fields of information technology. Following the fall of communism context. We noted the significance and gospel impact of building in 1989, many Romanians travelled to other parts of the world, relationships and growing community. sometimes marrying there before relocating back to Transylvania.

Our regular refrain has been to serve those that God has It is in this context that the Hungarian Reformed Church brought us. We long for Christ’s salt and light to flavour and shine congregation of Tóköz has for some time sought to build bridges throughout all this city, and we are thankful to be a part of God’s for the gospel. The congregation’s most recent mission initiative mission here. As we seek to provide welcome, deepen each other is Cluj Christian Fellowship (CCF), described as “an international in faith and build relationships, we trust that Christ will shine community of faith serving the city in the English language”. through this community of faith.

CCF began in November 2020, yet we are already seeing God’s blessings. Initially gathering for a monthly worship service, we Please pray: now meet weekly in a blend of worship, discipleship groups and • Give thanks for the community that God is building in CCF and informal fellowship, representing seven nationalities. We work beyond, and pray that relationships will deepen. with another 13 nationalities in our outreach to international • Pray for wisdom as programmes and meetings increase: that we students, including gatherings for food and conversation, will not lose our gospel focus, or allow busyness to take over. day trips and game nights. A film club, partnering with Pulzus • Pray for our international student ministry that connects youth organisation, provides conversation and discussion on with many people of different faiths and none – that gospel contemporary issues. opportunities will arise.

Most recently, an influx of Ukrainian refugees has brought • Continue to pray for the situation in Ukraine and those refugees a new dynamic to the city. Rosie teaches English in the Tóköz that we have contact with. kindergarten, and now also with Ukrainian refugees. As the

Mission Connect | Herald June 2022

Some reflections on God’s leading

Volker and JinHyeog Glissmann Global mission workers, Southern Africa

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t the end of one of the last of our weekly meetings for the for the college in South Africa, where we are designing a new new ‘Knowing the Spirit’ course in Zomba, a friend from Bachelor in Theology programme. That work looks at the big the course asked me how I see God’s leading in our lives? picture of theological education. The other 20% of my time is She reminded me that in 2018 we were ready to leave Malawi spent on grassroots training here in Malawi. This work is about to move to South Africa, to take up a new role with Theological theology for the grassroots. But I am also a course writer for the All Education by Extension College Africa TEE Association, so that in Johannesburg. But four years courses will be used across …it felt strange that the South African visa was the later, we were still in Malawi!

Africa.

She had just finished the new Initially, it felt strange that not approved as we felt God’s leading, but his 16-week Bible literacy course the South African visa was plan indeed was more refined.

(Acts to Jude) with me. She not approved as we felt God’s asked if I agreed with her that leading, but his plan indeed God wanted us to be still in Malawi? She joined the first course, was more refined. It is very good for us to still be active in Malawi, ‘Knowing God’ in 2017, and then she was part of the pilot to test developing courses for the grassroots, while for South Africa, ‘Knowing Jesus’ in 2018 (then she did the course again with her thinking about the big picture. It is an exciting way God has led us husband). In 2018 with our planned departure from Malawi, it to serve him in this unique fashion. looked as if the third course in the trilogy would never come out.

Yes, God wants us still to be in Malawi!

Over the last few months, it has become more apparent that we need some short courses on discipleship/spirituality, and also Volker works off-campus as a programme developer for TEEC, the on what we believe as a church written for the grassroots here in Theological Education by Extension College in Johannesburg, South Malawi that deals with the issues that affect the church here (but Africa, and does grassroots theological training in Malawi. JinHyeog is less so in the West). My friend was delighted that the third course involved in a local primary school as a music teacher. came out and that more courses will be written to help the church here to address its issues (all courses are written in collaboration with local Christians).

Please pray: All of this prompted some reflections again about God’s leading.

• Praise God for leading us over the last few years in this unique In 2018 when we weren’t able to move to South Africa to take up way. a new role with Theological Education by Extension College in • Pray for the continuation of developing grassroots training in Johannesburg, we remained in Malawi and it was agreed that I Malawi. could work remotely for them. I spend 80% of my time working

Mission Connect | Herald June 2022

Postponements and praise Rev Andrew Gill

St Andrew’s, Blackrock and Bray

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here are many reasons why this Easter time was special But praise God that since then we were able to start Alpha, for me as the minister of St Andrew’s, Blackrock and Bray. and every week we have been meeting together for a delicious Firstly, this year was the first year that I was able to celebrate meal, followed by uplifting discussion about the Christian faith.

Easter with the congregations in-person rather than online, since What I find particularly encouraging, is that nearly half the group I was called as minister in has only come in contact 2019. It was a wonderful day with our church during the and great to be able to gather …even during the slow and frustrating times, pandemic. An example of together to worship our risen how, even during the slow and the Lord is constantly at work in people’s lives, frustrating times, the Lord is Saviour, with almost all of the restrictions on church life constantly at work in people’s and fulfilling his promise to build his church. finally gone. Secondly, the lives, and fulfilling his promise Sunday after Easter we had a to build his church. joint service with both congregations, at which our daughter was For both congregations, much of the focus up to now was on baptised. After the service we enjoyed tea and coffee in the hall, a getting through the pandemic. But now that most of church life is simple part of church life which was absent for over two years. opening up again, we are excited to plan towards the future and Both of these moments made me reflect on God’s faithfulness, seek God’s will for us as churches in Blackrock and Bray. and the hope of new life that he gives us through his glorious promises. Like all churches, the last two years have given us many challenges. The return to ‘normal’ has been slow, and admittedly frustrating at times.

During the first lockdown we ran a successful Alpha course online, and ever since I have been looking forward to running one in-person. Towards the end of 2021 the number of Covid cases Please pray: were lowering, and I announced at our carol service that Alpha • Give thanks to God for his faithfulness to us over the last two would be starting in January. But then the numbers went higher years, and for the strong community that there is in both again, so it was postponed to February. But when February came, congregations. we felt the numbers were still too high, so it was postponed again • Pray for those who did the Alpha course in Blackrock, that it to March. Then the day finally arrived. The guests had signed up, will have a lasting impact on their faith, and that they will be the food was cooked, everything was ready, but then I took a effective ambassadors for the course in the future. positive Covid test, and it was delayed for another two weeks! An • Pray for the elders of both congregations as they develop a example of what ministry is like during Covid times – almost but vision and mission plan for the future. never quite…

Mission Connect | Herald June 2022

The ministry of a PCI army chaplain Rev Ivan Linton Forces chaplain

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ince 2014 I have served as a chaplain in the British Army, the busy times, and visiting the congregation always involved moving area of ministry I felt called to, and after going through the either by helicopter or armoured vehicle, to the locations where various application processes, this call was confirmed when I we had troops based. The opportunities for ministry with soldiers was offered a position as an army chaplain. and contractors from around the world were a real blessing, and What have the past eight years looked like for me? I have on my first tour we were touched to receive parcels from the boys served with Armoured Engineers, three Infantry battalions, and at Loughbrickland Presbyterian Church Boys’ Brigade. Thank you currently work in a Brigade to the boys and leaders for headquarters. Each of these thinking of us!

In 2016 I was deployed to Jordan…and I ran a In October 2017, I dedicated postings has brought its own challenges and opportunities, headstone for a Royal Irish Christianity Explored course…in the middle of aFusiliers some of which I’d like to share soldier who was killed with you now as they illustrate the desert. That was a very special time; myself in action in Sicily in 1944. This the type of ministry our PCI fusilier had been buried in a and 10 or so soldiers thinking together about the grave marked ‘An unknown army chaplains undertake.

Our remit is to look after Royal Irish Fusilier. Known unto Christian faith in that biblical landscape. serving personnel and their God’. His twin sons, who were families, providing pastoral 21 days old when their father care to everyone, spiritual support to those who ask for it, and died, had never given up hope of finding their dad’s final resting moral guidance to individuals and the Chain of Command. place, and, in their 70s, they did. It was a very humbling experience Sometimes that can be in barracks, during a field exercise, or on to be part of their journey of grief and loss. operations; sometimes it’s in a phone call in the early hours from I know I speak for all the PCI forces chaplains when I say we value someone who needs to talk. Wherever and whenever that may be, and appreciate your prayers and support as we undertake the role I am certain that God has called us to this ministry for his purposes of an army chaplain in God’s strength. and for his glory.

In 2016 I was deployed to Jordan for three months to be chaplain to a major exercise and I ran a Christianity Explored course, in Please pray: a tent, in the middle of the desert. That was a very special time; • Pray for Ivan and PCI’s other forces chaplains as they follow myself and 10 or so soldiers thinking together about the Christian God’s call and serve him. faith in that biblical landscape. I am still in touch with two of those • Pray for wisdom and guidance as they provide pastoral care, soldiers, both now actively involved in churches. spiritual support and moral guidance.

I served two operational tours in Afghanistan – December 2016 • Pray too for opportunities to share their faith with others. to August 2017, and May 2020 to November 2020. These were very

Mission Connect | Herald June 2022

Bible teaching and fun

Stephen and Angelina Cowan Global mission workers, Tuum, Kenya

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ll of the Land Rovers returned to the compound, springs is already running alongside the older system in the primary sagging, occupants laughing, noise rising and excitement schools. ‘Covid catch-up’ requires that three years of school are spreading. As a seemingly endless stream of little people being squeezed into two calendar years. This means that parents tumbled from the open have to find an extra set of doors, it was clear to see school fees and for staff and …the young people were encouraged to put effort pupils, it creates much stress the continuing need for and value of the large, one as they are already dealing into living out their Christian commitment. venue, children and youth with ‘two’ curriculums. camps. Covid limitations had A massive crack of thunder splintered the camps into several village locations but these awoke us to the storm over Tuum. Although rainfall is barely restrictions had now been lifted. sporadic, in faith grass seed is planted and vegetable gardens The junior camp’s five days of Bible teaching, games and fun was prepared. This is not a natural concept for a pastoralist people ably led by the young people from Tuum who had returned from whose focus tends to be on the present moment. We are grateful YWAM and iServe discipleship training courses in Nairobi. Feeding for some Samburu Awareness and Action Programme farmers 350 additional people requires a team approach and a kitchen rota who are leading by example. As we travelled towards Nairobi a few was established to help prepare, cook, clean and serve the many days ago, we saw the more agriculturally inclined areas already plates of rice and beans. well prepared for the anticipated rain. We also continue to see The garage team was kept busy making sure the vehicles were long queues at filling stations. Kenya’s countrywide fuel crisis is not ready for crossover day when the children were returned home over yet. and the youth were brought in for the senior camp.

The senior camp had outside input and teaching from various Please pray: visitors who shared their life experiences and walk with Christ.

• Give thanks that Stephen was eventually able to source the 1100 How ‘beliefs affect action’ was discussed and the young people litres of diesel necessary to run the youth camps and all other were encouraged to put effort into living out their Christian work. commitment.

• Give thanks that youth camps resumed in Tuum and for the The construction of the new classroom at Tuum Girls’ Secondary healthy interaction between villages, including a Turkana School is almost complete. The two builders experienced in village. Pray this natural peacebuilding process will spread to working with the interlocking blocks method have willingly shared many communities. their skills with the local young men. The double intake of pupils • Pray for wisdom at every level of the country’s educational in the secondary sector, the result of the new competency-based reforms programme. curriculum format, will take place in January 2023, although it

Mission Connect | Herald June 2022

Please pray for...

JUNE 2022

n FRANCE – Pray for wisdom and guidance for the staff at Faculté Jean Calvin in France, and for students to be envisioned by God as they prepare for ministry.

n CARLISLE HOUSE – Pray for the specialist ministry of Carlisle House Substance Misuse Treatment Centre. Give thanks for the commitment of the staff and for the service users and residents who have been resolute after completing their course and stayed free of their addictions. Pray also for those on waiting lists for services and those who continue to battle daily with addiction, that they will receive the help they need.

n FORCES CHAPLAINCY – Pray for forces chaplains, that they would develop good relationships with members of the armed forces/cadets, and have opportunities to share their faith in Christ. n URBAN MISSION – Give thanks for the youth and children’s ministry in Craigavon congregation. Pray for those who come along each week to various groups and for the leaders as they share God’s love.

n DEACONESS – Pray for Hazel Reid who serves in First Broughshane to know the Lord’s strength and guidance as she seeks to bring encouragement, comfort and support to others.

Hazel Reid

n ZAMBIA – Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia, that it may be strong in its faith and witness. n SUICIDE – There has been a steep increase in suicide rates throughout Ireland. Pray that God will move powerfully in the lives of those who are in such pain that they feel driven to attempt suicide. Pray also for their families. n RURAL CHAPLAINCY – Pray for Kenny Hanna as he continues to reach out to the farming community. Pray too for farmers who are facing unprecedented rises in their key inputs. Over the past year fertiliser has risen by some 300%, while fuel and feed have increased by around 200%. n MYANMAR – Pray for the situation for the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM) which has become increasingly difficult under the military coup. Villages with PCM members are being bombed, with homes, businesses and churches destroyed. Pray for peace, justice and that the military will hand power to democratically elected politicians.

n INDONESIA – Pray for God’s blessing on the Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera. Pray for leaders as they work for the unity of the Church, the training of new ministers, and for Christians to be able to build good relations with their Muslim neighbours. n HOME MISSION – Give thanks for the return of many of Sligo congregation’s ministries as restrictions have eased. Pray for plans for a children’s Bible club and the establishment of a friendship group. n JUVENILE JUSTICE – Some children come from difficult backgrounds and end up in trouble with the police. Pray for these young people and give thanks for all those who reach out to them, bringing care and order to their lives. n REFUGEE CRISES – People throughout the world find themselves with little choice but to leave their homes, possessions and livelihoods and seek refuge in other countries. Pray they will receive the humanitarian assistance they need.

n HOME MISSION – Give thanks for growing attendances at Sunday worship in Naas congregation and for the desire by many to grow in their Christian faith and service.

Pray that the congregation’s love for Jesus and for people will lead to increasing gospel outreach.

n BRAZIL – Pray for Naomi Keefe as she continues reaching out to people in the Olinda area in north-east Brazil. Pray for the evangelistic events due to take place on St John the Baptist Day and that more people will put their faith in Christ. n COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Michelle Stewart serves in Trinity Presbyterian Church in Cloughey. Pray for her as she makes contacts, builds new relationships and strengthens current relationships with people in the community. n URBAN MISSION – Give thanks for the outreach initiatives by St Columba’s Presbyterian Church to the people of the Old Warren estate in Lisburn. n INTERNATIONAL MEETING POINT – Pray for Henry Coulter in his role in the Meeting Point in south Belfast. Pray for all who attend English classes, Bible studies and those who come to seek advice, help with food and basic provisions, and for support. n PEACEHAVEN – Peacehaven Trust in Greystones, County Wicklow consists of three residential homes. Give thanks for the commitment of staff in ensuring residents’ needs are met. Pray that over the next few months residents will enjoy outings and time together. n URBAN MISSION – Give thanks for the ongoing work and witness of Strand urban mission congregation. Pray for guidance for Rev Danny Rankin (minister), the kirk session and all involved in leadership in Strand. n HOME MISSION – Give thanks for the life and witness of Rathmullan congregation.

Pray for Rev Susan Moore and the kirk session as they lead and guide this congregation. n ROMANIA – Pray for Csaba and Ilona Veres and their work with the Diakonia mission. Pray too for Ilona as she teaches English to refugees from Ukraine.

Csaba and Ilona Veres

n DEACONESS – Pray for Sylvia SantosBryce as she settles into her new role in West Church, Ballymena and gets to know the congregation and local community.

n CHAPLAINS – Pray for Rev Lindsay Blair and Rev Ross Kernahan, chaplains at Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry. Pray too for hospital patients and their families, that they will know the Lord’s comfort and strength during difficult times.

n COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Give thanks for Dan Rosbotham, Young Life worker in Ravenhill (east Belfast). Pray that the young people whom Dan is in contact with will have open hearts and minds and that they will listen to God speaking to them.

n HOME MISSION – Pray for God’s blessing on Rev Alan McQuade, the kirk session and members of Smithborough as they seek opportunities to share God’s love with family, friends, colleagues and their community.

n GLOBAL MISSION PARTNERS – Give thanks for PCI’s partnerships with churches and Christian organisations and institutions around the world. Pray for leaders from partners who are attending PCI’s General Assembly and for the Listening to the global church session, that we will hear God speaking to us through what is shared by our global mission partners. n TAUGHMONAGH – Pray for wisdom and guidance for Rev Robert Love and the leadership team in Taughmonagh in south Belfast. Pray for the local community, that many people will come to know and love the Lord.

www.presbyterianireland.org/prayer

Reconciling all things on earth Photo: Chris Hoskins / Tearfund

Suzanne Simpson chats to Ruth Valerio, an environmentalist, theologian and social activist who recently addressed church leaders at the Irish Churches Creation Care Conference.

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r Ruth Valerio is Global Advocacy and Influencing Director at Tearfund, a Christian charity with over 50 years of experience in international development, working in underserved communities in more than 50 countries to tackle poverty and injustice. An environmentalist, theologian and social activist, Ruth holds a doctorate from King’s College London, and honorary doctorates from the universities of Winchester and Chichester. She enjoys living sustainably – practising what she preaches and inspiring others as she does so – in the south of England with her family.

She is the author of numerous books, including Just Living: Faith and community in an age of consumerism, which Dr Krish Kandiah describes as, “A book about justice that comes from the heart of a writer who has worked hard to live it out. Ruth’s integrity and humility on top of careful scholarship and passionate activism makes this a must-read for

anyone concerned about putting God’s Word into practice in today’s world.”

Most recently, alongside a panel of senior Church leaders, including Dr David Bruce, Ruth led workshops at the Irish Churches Creation Care Conference, helping delegates think about transforming churches and communities through creation care and how to link the global challenge of the climate crisis to the local church. Ruth’s hope is that, as a body of believers in Jesus Christ, the church will answer the call to be “communities of people dedicated to seeing the multi-faceted good news of Jesus impact all areas of our world and the people, places and species that share that world with us.”

It was as if the scales fell from my eyes, and I could see a whole angle of my faith that was entirely missing from my life.

When did you first start to understand the connection between your Christian faith and environmentalism?

While I was studying theology at university, I had a heart for issues of local poverty and spent a lot of my time helping out at local homeless shelters and volunteering in social care settings.

But, at that time, I didn’t really have an awareness about issues relating to the wider natural world. Then someone recommended that I read a book called Whose Earth? written by Chris Seaton. It was a short, unassuming little book that explored what the Bible says about caring for the environment, yet when I read it, it was like a second conversion.

It was as if the scales fell from my eyes, and I could see a whole angle of my faith that was entirely missing from my life. I came to understand that caring for the natural world was actually a key part of the Christian faith, and that motivated me to read more and to learn more about this. And, to be honest, I got quite evangelistic from a biblical perspective

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(probably a little annoyingly so!).

Suddenly, I realised if it was the case that God so loved the world then environmental problems would be something that he would care about deeply, because seeing the world harmed would hurt him. And I understood that this realisation needed to impact how I chose to live: I needed to live in a way that would honour God by honouring the world he had created.

In Genesis 1:31, we read that “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” God looked at all that he had made, not just humans, but all that he had made and said that it’s very good.

That’s the foundational text – wider creation is deemed good by God. It’s so important that that matters to God. We often inherit a theology that denigrates the physical world, but that stops us from seeing that this world is precious and loved by God. Shouldn’t we then want to honour what is precious to him?

How did you begin to outwork that realisation in your own life?

When you read Paul’s letters, you may have noticed that he always writes “therefore”. You’ll find he gives an amazing reflection on a key area of doctrine and then writes, “therefore…”

This word is the call to action for the church on how to live out the teaching he has just given. And I could feel my ‘therefore…’ growing

We often inherit a theology that denigrates the physical world… inside me, and like a rolling stone, once I got going, I just couldn’t stop.

So, I kept reading around the biblical theology of creation and, at the same time, was starting to read about the ecological problems we were facing and some of the ways we could respond. My ‘therefore…’ moment was when I decided to set myself a goal of trying to live in a way that did as little damage as possible to God’s world and to all of God’s creatures, and possibly maybe even live in a way that did some good.

I began by doing lots of reading around the global food system, banking – including savings and pensions – and energy use. I wanted to find ways to change my interactions with these systems which often cause so much damage and harm, because if these were the causes of so many global problems, then as a Christian, I needed to do something about them.

What was your church community’s response as you began to make those decisions and changes?

Not very favourable. Pretty much everyone – my family, my friends, my church – all thought I was a bit weird and didn’t really get it. But I had to

The Climate Emergency Toolkit provides a route map to help congregations respond to the climate emergency with simple but powerful actions that will have an impact far beyond their church’s walls.

Sign up at climateemergencytoolkit.com to receive a link to the full toolkit direct to your inbox.

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keep going despite quite a lot of ridicule because I knew that as a Christian, I had to live my life in a way that took care of the work that God had made.

The things that I was doing then seem normal now, but 30 years ago they were very countercultural. When we see people stepping out and doing things differently there’s a feeling of implied criticism of how we’re living and that leads to resistance too.

The response from my church community was reflective of a deeper theological issue around not perceiving creation care as part of their Christian faith. They were very focused on an individualistic perspective of the gospel that was motivated by praying for and working towards revival. Environmental care just didn’t fit into that picture. Now, it should have because biblical revival is a revival of people which leads to the land flourishing too. So, the challenge is developing that understanding in our theological world view.

The psalmist writes in Psalm 113, “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap….” This is a reminder for me of how central issues of poverty and injustice are to the Christian faith, and are to God. The people of God are to act to lift people out of the ashes and the dust heap. The situation we find ourselves in today is that we can’t do this without responding to the climate crisis because it is at the heart of what is causing poverty today. If the church cares about people living in global poverty, then it must care about the climate crisis.

What advice can you give to individuals within church communities who are

considering beginning this journey or who are already making decisions around their lifestyle choices?

Finding others like you is important so that you don’t feel like you are alone.

I read a quote by Aldo Leopold, who was one of the founders of the American Simplicity Movement, while I was still studying that said, “One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds.” And, even though I was in academic study mode, I put my pen down and burst into tears because that was exactly how I felt. I felt as if I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders because I felt that no one else cared about these massive problems. Connecting with others who felt the same was, and is, vital.

Supporting each other is key and a starting point is to simply open up conversation around creation care, through sermon series, Sunday school curriculums and youth programmes. Creating these opportunities allows enthusiastic people in your church community the space and permission to explore climate action. And what’s really important is that no one has to do this on their own.

So with enthusiastic, like-minded people in the room, how can we begin to enact our ‘therefore…’ moments?

Start small. Go for the easy wins, the low-lying fruit. Don’t start off with a massive solar project; make choices that create momentum in order to build towards something more significant.

Sometimes it’s not about doing new stuff, it’s about a wider approach to the things you’re already doing. For example, do the prayers in your church ever include issues

If the church cares about people living in global poverty, then it must care about the climate crisis. of environmental concern? Can you support local dairies by using their milk when serving tea and coffee after your services? Consider the cleaning products you use in the building – could you choose products made without harmful chemicals?

There are lots of choices you can make that aren’t about starting a big project but are instead about what you’re already doing but in a more careful, more attentive way. The Climate Emergency Toolkit, produced by Tearfund, in partnership with a broad coalition of organisations, activists and church leaders, provides a route map to help you and members of your church respond to the climate emergency with simple but powerful actions that will have an impact far beyond your own walls.

When Paul writes to the Colossians, he tells them that Jesus’ blood was shed on the cross to reconcile all things on earth and in heaven to him. We implicitly read all people but it doesn’t say that, it says all things. So that fundamental, foundational affirmation is that salvation and reconciliation is for all things. A personal relationship with God is vital to our salvation, but for us to fully join with God in his redemption story, we must also include all of creation.

Suzanne Simpson is the Media and Communications Officer for Tearfund NI.

Irish Churches Creation Care Conference The beautiful setting of Dromantine Conference Centre provided the perfect backdrop for the Irish Churches Creation Care Conference. Attended by all the main denominations, the sold-out conference brought together church leaders and lay members with an enthusiasm for developing the role of the church as both advocates and examples of creation care.

Renowned theologian, Chris Wright joined the meeting virtually and gave a comprehensive rationale for why Christians should be leading the way in caring for our planet. Drawing on Scripture from across the biblical text, he challenged the church, both individually and corporately, to act responsibly as “how we treat God’s earth reflects how we treat its creator”.

Through breakout sessions we heard practical examples of how churches are being climate conscious and there was a panel featuring leaders of each of the main denominations which included PCI’s Moderator, Dr David Bruce.

Undoubtedly a highlight of the day came from a short input from two teenage girls from an action group called Lighten their Darkness based in the parish area of Mullingar. They are raising awareness of the climate crisis through a powerful dramatic presentation that encourages everyone to take responsibility and reset our moral compass. A very powerful reminder that young people are leading the way in understanding that living out their faith demands a response to climate change, both individually and corporately.

Neil Harrison PCI’s Mission Development Officer

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Ukraine and Poland: a personal reflection

Stephen Williams provides some thoughts on the situation facing Ukrainian refugees, gathered from a recent visit to Poland.

O

n Easter Sunday, I conducted a Communion service for Ukrainian refugees in a house in Wroclaw, Poland. By then, I had been living for three days in that house, along with 15 or 16 refugees and their two hosts, the Polish-based English and American house owners. We were joined for the service by about 40 more refugees. Talking to one of them after the service, I said that I didn’t know what I had to offer, because I was not suffering what they were suffering. Her response was: “We are drowning; it doesn’t help us if you are drowning as well.” She followed this up with surprising words, spoken on the basis of her experience as a counsellor: “But I am also experiencing exactly what you are experiencing. You are experiencing guilt because you are not suffering as we are. I feel the same guilt because I am not suffering back in Ukraine as my family is.”

Out there in Poland, I learned how varied is the experience of refugees.

A handful are personal friends or acquaintances. Some refugees have lived all their lives in villages and have never crossed any border. Some are used to travel and have international contacts.

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A remarkably high number are crossing back to Ukraine for an indeterminate time to see loved ones. Some have opted for a longer-term move to other countries in or outside Europe to find jobs. Most do not know what to do. They are often in shock: one day, the everyday business of life was going on; the next, they were getting phone calls urging them to leave their homes right away before their residences were under attack, or they had woken up to the sound of a blast.

Some, usually women with children, encountered Ukrainian border guards demanding bribes of their fellow-citizens ‘for the defence of Ukraine’ before letting them cross. Such is human tragedy: the mixture of very sad smaller stories within the very sad larger story.

But there is more to the mixture than that. God can visibly use the straitened circumstances of refugees to bless those with whom they take refuge. A refugee couple travelled for two hours to talk to me (men under 60 with three

…I learned how varied is the experience of refugees.

or more children at 16 or under are allowed to leave Ukraine). They were Ukrainian Baptists from near the Black Sea, whose 13-year-old daughter was unhappy because she was having to learn set prayers at the school she was now attending in Poland; she believed that prayer was spontaneous, real communication with God, not something to be learned as one might parrot history or geography. She asked her teacher whether she could learn a psalm, as psalms are set prayers. The request was irresistible; she received permission, and learned it so well (Polish and Ukrainians have linguistic similarities) that she was put in charge of teaching set prayers from the Psalms to other Ukrainian children already in or coming to the school. A teenage refugee evangelist!

Although I had contact with Ukrainian refugees in Wroclaw, my main purpose in going out was to support Polish partners in an organisation with which I have long-standing connections: Central Eurasian Partners. They are helping the refugees, and many are exhausted. Polish hospitality and the level of its organisation has been admirable, but there are already signs

of compassion fatigue amongst Poles, especially where there are a number of children in the house. There is a worry about skilled Ukrainian workers taking Polish jobs; their employers or government do not have to supply them with the same protections or benefits as nationals. On another level, there is a demanding attempt to come to terms with a new national self-image: Poland as a country with resources to help a neighbour on a massive scale. Historical memory pervades the land. On the one hand, there is huge sympathy for the Ukrainians, who are perceived to be experiencing at the hands of Vladimir Putin what Poland experienced at the hands both of Adolf Hitler in September 1939, when Hitler invaded Poland, and of the Soviet Union, which entered Poland in the same month. On the other hand, another memory is also making the rounds. During the Second World War, in German-occupied territories in Poland and Ukraine, Ukrainians brutally massacred Poles. I was not able personally to ascertain with confidence just how much is being made of this in Polish media, though information on that may be easily available. But less than six years ago, the Polish Parliament referred to this as ‘genocide’, though whether this is a strictly correct designation is a matter of dispute. I spent one night in Krakow at the home of a US-educated Polish woman, whose grandfather was amongst those massacred.

Western media standardly reports that, whatever its exact objectives – often just a matter of speculation – Russian military action has been markedly unsuccessful

Such is human tragedy: the mixture of very sad smaller stories within the very sad larger story. because Ukrainian resistance, aided by Western powers, has been unexpectedly vigorous and heroic. That may be so, but what impressed itself on me was the thoroughly destabilising effect of the Russian threat. Even in those places where military action is either unsuccessful or not undertaken at all, the very prospect of Russian aggression is either driving out those who are able to leave or keeping out many who have already left. If war should cease, the shadow of Russian presence will likely deter many from returning, quite apart from what war has done to land and home. Whether that is a prominent Russian objective is not for people like me to judge, but the westward movement of peoples already has implications for the future of Ukraine.

In our churches and Sunday schools, we brightly teach adult and child about Abraham, the father of faith, who left country, kindred and family, knowing not where he was going. He is a prime example of faith. It would shock most of us to the core if we were called in some parallel way. And that is nothing compared to the people of Israel being carried against their will into exile in Assyria or Babylon. In Scripture, exile is judgment, and the exiled cannot choose where to go. So we should not assume an exact similarity in the

Ukrainian situation. Yet biblical accounts of stepping out into the unknown and of exile will surely become stories which refugees will ponder. Whatever the similarities or dissimilarities of experience, it is the same God of Israel who will see them through.

The God of Israel is God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Obedient to the editor of the Herald, I have been first-personal throughout this article, so permit me to come full circle. At the Easter service, I took as my text the thrice-repeated greeting of the risen Jesus to his disciples: “Peace be with you” ( John 20:19,21,26). I began by saying that if I had come from the UK with that greeting, it would express a wish insensitively remote from their circumstances. (I used rather simpler language even via an experienced translator!) But on the lips of Jesus, the words of greeting are not wish; they are promise. For us to have a purchase on the peace of Jesus does not mean that we substitute a spiritual for bodily or social care and concern. On the contrary, the reality of the inner peace which Jesus brings spurs us on all the more to pray and work with fervour for peace in Ukraine. For the inner peace is not a purely individual peace; it is a peace for the body of disciples, an inter-personal, relational peace. May the church of Jesus Christ in Ukraine or amongst Ukrainian refugees contribute to a peace which flows beyond the boundaries of the church into the worst and darkest zones of war.

Stephen N. Williams is Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology of Union Theological College.

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Hardship & desperation

Pip Florit reports on the difficulties facing people in Syria and Lebanon. Where news headlines focused on these countries have dried up, the issues have not.

“D

uring the Good Friday service in our church in Minyara, upper Lebanon, where I worshipped with the congregation and shared the Word of God with them, I had a moment of contemplation. I imagined our church with her beloved partners under the cross while Jesus stored all our sufferings in his broken body.”

These are the words of Rev Joseph Kassab, General Secretary of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL), in a recent update to the Synod’s global partners. NESSL includes 38 churches with around 4,000 communicant members. PCI has been involved with NESSL since its formation in the 1920s, with our engagement in the region going back to the 1840s. This year, we hope to welcome Mr Kassab to our General Assembly, giving us an opportunity to hear more about NESSL’s work and strengthen the relationship between our Churches. Mr Kassab talks of the importance of global partnerships, particularly at a time when the church and its members are struggling.

The church in Syria and Lebanon has

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seen more than its fair share of suffering in recent years, with war, poverty, corruption and a financial crisis among the challenges it has had to face. At one time, our news broadcasts were full of headlines from this part of the world, but in recent years, reporting has reduced, though the issues have not.

While we may not have heard much from Syria lately, the civil war continues into its 12th year. What started as peaceful, pro-democracy protests erupted into a deadly conflict with extensive repercussions. Syria once had one of the most diversified economies in the developing world, benefiting from agriculture, industry, retail and tourism.

The war and its outcomes have drained

90% of the Syrian population now live below the poverty line, while the average price of a food basket has increased by an estimated 236%…

more than two thirds of its resources.

War is generally complex, its multifaceted causes generating effects that extend beyond human casualties and destruction of physical infrastructure.

There are multiple factions involved in the Syrian war, including its government, Syrian rebels and international supporters, who are both directly and indirectly involved. In an effort to hold the government accountable, the US imposed sanctions in 2020. While this may have been an attempt to improve the situation for Syrian citizens, it has had the opposite effect. The sanctions prohibit dealing with Syrian banks, which in reality hinders the arrival of basic commodities into the country.

Combined with confronting Covid in a health system where half of the health facilities are not functioning and dealing with a drought that more than halved the country’s wheat production in 2021, life for Syrian citizens is increasingly difficult.

The statistics paint a grim picture.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, 90% of the Syrian population now live below the poverty line, while the average price of a food basket has increased by an

estimated 236% in the last 12 months alone. One in two Syrians are now displaced, either within the country, or abroad. Many Syrians have made their way into neighbouring Lebanon, where a quarter of the population is now made up of refugees. Lebanon, however, is not a haven that is free of difficulties.

Corruption and mismanagement have led to an economic and financial crisis, described by the World Bank as one of the worst in the world since the 19th century. The impact of Covid, along with the explosion at the Port of Beirut in 2020, have compounded the crisis.

Inflation is escalating and households are struggling to afford the basics. It now costs more than a month’s salary to fill the fuel tank of a small car and families are struggling to put good food on the tables. Over 70% of the population lives below the poverty line.

This is not easy reading. The facts tell a story of hardship and desperation, but there is another side to the stories of Syria and Lebanon and their people.

In the midst of pain and fear and gross injustice, God is using his church to work, showing his love through his people.

NESSL launched its ‘Relief Programme in Syria’ in 2012 with the aim of helping the neediest – the lowincome families, the elderly, widows with children and the unemployed. Initially, the programme focused on food, but as the crisis escalated, the population’s needs became greater with shortages of water, electricity, gas and medicine.

The expanding needs led to a diversified response and NESSL committed to supporting households by providing a

Lebanon…is not a haven…It now costs more than a month’s salary to fill the fuel tank of a small car… regular payment to enable them to meet their most pressing needs. Providing support in this way allowed it to be tailored to each region of the country, depending on which commodities were lacking.

The rollout of this programme hasn’t been without its challenges, as the sheer volume of households needing support is overwhelming. NESSL is relying heavily on donations from partners in order to be able to assist and empower at least some of the 90% of Syrians who are now classified as poor. They persevere, motivated by the knowledge that “the church, which is Jesus’ gift to society, its light, and salt, must accompany her teaching and preaching with love in action among the marginalised and abandoned.” They look forward, with hope, to an end to suffering and a time of peace and security in their homeland.

In 2021, NESSL found it necessary to launch a similar ‘Relief Programme in Lebanon’, focusing on those who had been most affected by the deteriorating situation, particularly the elderly, widows and the unemployed. They were able to reach 250 families in 2021, but hope to increase this number, recognising that the Lebanese currency is continuing to lose value.

The situation in Lebanon has deteriorated rapidly. Two years ago, the

Lebanese people wouldn’t have imagined the need for a relief programme like this.

Today, almost every household is under pressure to afford basic necessities.

Over the past two years, there have been several (mostly peaceful) protests from Lebanese citizens calling on their politicians to end corruption and injustice. During one of these protests, one protestor held a sign bearing the words, “We need leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice.

Not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity.” Perhaps this should be a guide for our prayers for both Syria and Lebanon. Pray that the leaders would “learn to do right; seek justice, defend the oppressed” (Isaiah 1:17), that they would “act justly…love mercy...walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

The problems in Syria and Lebanon are not simple and the church faces no small task in its mission to show God’s love and justice. This mission is not just for NESSL, or for the church in Syria and Lebanon, but for God’s people worldwide. We worship a God who “defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing” (Deuteronomy 10:18). He does this through his people, reminding us when it all seems too big and hopeless, where problems are overwhelming, his love “surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19) and he is “mighty in power” (Psalm 147:5). In darkness and struggle, he calls us to be his light.

Mr Kassab finishes his update with the following words: “However, a new reality is awakened in the faith community and its mission among the poor, sick, the helpless. It is the church’s liberating mission that pumps hope, synergy, and unconditional love. Today, many people are finding in the church a refuge, and we are honoured with our partners to act in the name of Christ.”

Pip Florit is PCI’s Mission Support Officer.

If you would like to support the work of NESSL please contact PCI’s Mission Department: Email: mission@presbyterianireland.org Tel: +44 (0)28 9032 2284

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Fathers & faith Ahead of Father’s Day this month, Andy Frost looks at the important role fathers play and encourages fellow dads to make the most of the opportunities they have with their children.

I

t was a blustery November evening as I stood in the quiet intensive care unit with close family. My dad’s breathing slowed, surrounded by complex machines and cables, until he breathed his last and passed into eternity. All the technical apparatus that surrounded his bed could not maintain his earthly existence. His spirit had left... his empty body was now motionless... he had gone.

He was 57 years old.

In my dad’s last weeks on earth, as he battled cancer, he lived with the reality of death. It was almost as if he was in a departure lounge between this life and the full newness of life to come. During this time of soul-searching, I had the privilege that not all of us do, of talking with him and reflecting on his life. I had the opportunity to say goodbye.

My dad had achieved great things in his years of ministry and he had some great stories to tell. He had led

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churches and written books. He had pioneered massive touring productions from which Cliff Richard’s Millennium Prayer reached number one in the charts. He had held massive televised services making the ITV News at Ten, with the likes of Princess Diana. He had travelled the globe speaking at prestigious conferences to thousands of people.

And yet one thing I will never forget in those final conversations was what he described as his greatest pride. It was not the platforms he had preached from or the accolades he had received… but his greatest pride was raising me and my brother.

I always knew that my dad loved me…He made time to make memories…

It’s funny how the reality of the brevity of life helps us verbalise what is most important. Each day as I wake up and glance at my phone there are a barrage of messages and notifications vying for my attention. Thanks to the rise of the smartphone, we can all live busier and more distracted lives than ever and we can lose track of what is most important in life.

Father’s Day is a poignant day for me.

Each year on Father’s Day, I do two things. Firstly, I give thanks for my dad.

Now it’s important to note that he was not perfect. I have memories of sitting in the car outside his office as he needed just “five more minutes” that would often morph into an hour. There were times when he put public ministry ahead of family. And there were times in my teenage years when our relationship was anything but harmonious.

But despite his shortcomings, I always

knew that my dad loved me and that he enjoyed spending time with me. I have great memories of play fighting, cycle trips and dissecting the latest blockbuster movie on the way home from the cinema.

He made time to make memories that have been immortalised in family photograph albums.

The second thing I do each Father’s Day is think about the dad that I want to be. My kids are still in primary school but I am so aware of how the years seem to speed up with each birthday cake. I want my children to know that I love them and I want to be present in their lives. At times I fall short of this and even though I am present physically, I can be distracted mentally. And my kids are all too aware of that – “Dad, are you even listening?”

In thinking about being present, I have found it helpful to think about both the regular and the irregular things I can do with my kids. The regular things might seem mundane. It’s the walking them to school, the dropping them off at a gymnastics club, the weekly fried breakfast making and the bedtime story telling.

In my work with Care for the Family, dads sometimes ask whether quality time is in fact more important than the quantity of time? It’s an interesting question and I can understand how in the pressures of life, we might look to create some special moments rather than trying to be present all the time. But in my experience, I think it’s very difficult to create quality time without a certain quantity of time being invested.

It’s in the regular things of life that our children get used to being around us.

They pick up on what we care about. And it’s in the regular things of life that we

can end up having some very meaningful conversations as our children unpack their day and tell us what they are loving and what they are struggling with. It’s actually in lots of the regular humdrum of life that quality moments emerge.

And then there are the irregular moments. In life, weeks can very easily drift into months, and months into years, and so I look for moments to intentionally spend time with my kids doing things that are out of the ordinary.

Some of these moments involve the great outdoors – climbing a mountain or swimming in the sea. But others involve cleaning the car together or upcycling a piece of old furniture. It’s in these mini adventures that I can create memories that my kids won’t forget.

up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). My dad did just that. He weaved the regular things, like car journeys, and the irregular things, like gazing at the night sky, with snippets about Jesus that continue to underpin my life today.

If you’re a dad this Father’s Day, remember that life is short. Think about what is really important. Whether you have kids in nappies or children who have flown the nest, I challenge you, as I challenge myself, to think through what kind of a dad you want to be. How can you let your kids know you love them? How can you invest time in being present, both in the regular things of life and in those irregular special moments?

Happy Father’s Day.

If you’re a dad this Father’s Day, remember that life is short.

When I think back upon my dad’s life, I am so thankful for the time he spent with me. He spent time with me in the everyday of life, but he also created special moments too. And it was in both the regular and the irregular moments that I now recognise how much he passed on to me. He taught me values and life lessons, our family history and what it meant to live life well.

Ultimately, it was in these moments that my faith story was nurtured too. In the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites are told to pass on the stories of God to their children in the everyday of life.

“Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get

Andy Frost is the director of Share Jesus International. He is a popular speaker and author of books, including Raising Faith and Long Story Short, and loves working with Care for the Family on ‘The Kitchen Table Project’. Andy is married to Jo and they have two daughters.

52 Faith Adventures for Dads and their Kids Andy Frost is the author of 52 Faith Adventures for Dads and their Kids, a book that explores how fathers can build lifelong memories with their children, and inspire faith too. It contains simple, fun activities that will spark natural God-conversations and help to grow and nurture faith in families.

The ideas are creative and low-cost, helping dads to make the most of their role. Each activity includes a step-by-step guide, a relevant Bible story to share, questions to spark discussion, and top tips along the way. And it’s not just for dads and father-figures – whether you’re a carer, grandad, godparent, mum, or any other intrepid adventurer, these ideas are just as relevant for you too.

For more information or to purchase a copy, priced at £7.99, go to cff.org.uk

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REVIEWS

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

Worship in the Word Shane & Shane THE WORSHIP INITIATIVE

£7.90

«««««

Shane Barnard and Shane Everett are friends who met in college and have spent the last 20 years leading worship and writing worship songs. Based in Texas, they are also the founders and leaders of The Worship Initiative, an equipping ministry which offers a library of hundreds of popular worship songs.

The duo are passionate about writing biblically based songs and successful past albums include ones focused on psalms and more traditional hymns. This album is a departure for them, as it is aimed at children and families.

Listeners may not recognise that the target audience is kids, because, apart from the addition of kids’ voices in the background, there is little to signify it is for a younger age group. However, there are plenty of upbeat numbers children will enjoy.

First Things First, based on Psalm 8, is a glorious proclamation of God’s majesty and goodness. Yes and Amen, based on Ephesians 1, will teach children that they are chosen

by God; and You Know Everything reflects Psalm 139 with an important message for kids – that God created them, knows them intimately and loves them completely.

If you are looking for something for younger children, the Rend Co Kids’ album, Sparkle. Pop. Rampage. is probably a better fit, but for those a bit older, Worship in the Word provides catchy tunes with biblically rich lyrics.

SH

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The Crucible of Leadership: Learning from the story of Moses Dr Alan Wilson INSTANT APOSTLE

£8.79

«««««

There are people who mostly think about themselves as leaders and there are leaders who mostly think about people. Alan Wilson is the latter. Quite simply, he is someone who understands leadership. This isn’t just because of his vast experience of leading in various contexts, interviewing seasoned leaders on his popular podcast or teaching emerging leaders in Bible colleges, but rather because he is someone whom others want to listen to, learn from and follow.

As a leader in my 30s with still so much to learn myself, I am delighted that Wilson has put pen to paper to bring us this comprehensive view of leadership. I have valued the teaching and advice of the author first-hand and the words are peppered with the same wisdom, humility and passion as he brings in person.

With a comprehensive journey through the life and leadership of Moses, Wilson’s writings are both deeply biblical yet intensely practical, and the personal insights from his own ministry alongside the lessons he has drawn from fellow leaders and authors makes for a rich resource.

This book will remind you of your primary identity, reassure you in the midst of personal crisis, reorient your view of leadership and reveal a mix of fresh insights and ancient truth that will enrich your leadership.

RH

Will I be Fat in Heaven?

J. John PHILO TRUST

£7.99

«««««

Don’t be fooled by the seemingly trivial title. Will I be Fat in Heaven? considers deeper questions posed by Christians and non-believers alike.

Why does God allow evil? What was God doing before the universe began? Do babies go to heaven when they die? These are among the questions John answers in this well-written book.

It is a follow-on from That’s a Good Question, which tackled questions asked by children. John says, “As I wrote the answers, I recognised many of the questions as being those that, phrased more elegantly, I often get from adults.”

This prompted him to pick 38 questions that adults might ask – although he says he could have easily doubled that number – about the Bible, God, good and evil, being made right with God, heaven and hell, and living as God’s people.

John invites the reader to imagine sitting down with him in a quiet coffee shop and chatting together about the questions. The style of the book reflects this, as it is extremely engaging, drawing the reader in due to its conversational style, but always pointing back to the Bible.

As for the title – far from being frivolous, it considers the bigger question of what we will be like in heaven. Acknowledging that we don’t know, John points to information given from the description of Jesus after the resurrection and from teaching in Paul’s letters. “Will I be fat in heaven? No! I will be happy and content with everything,” he says.

I recommend this book – it could just be the answer for the questioning Christian or ‘not yet’ believer.

SEH

REVIEWERS

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

Live No Lies: Recognise and resist the three enemies that sabotage your peace John Mark Comer FORM

£12.79

«««««

Occasionally a book comes your way that is more than just a good or inspiring read, but is important for the way you live and the times you live in. John Mark Comer’s Live No Lies: Recognise and resist the three enemies that sabotage your peace is one such book. Comer has become a hugely popular author in recent years partly because of his style which is conversational and easy to read, but also because he is not afraid to deal with big issues.

In Live No Lies, he tackles the three traditional enemies of Christian faith – the world, the flesh and the devil – and identifies their main weapon as lies. Lies that affect what we believe, how we live and how we respond to the culture around us. Comer places before us the reality that in this secular, post-Christian age we are engaged in a war for our minds, our bodies and our relationships.

He reminds us that while many of the challenges we face may appear to be new, the necessary weapons to fight back are as ancient as the gospel itself – practising spiritual disciplines, fasting and confession of sin and gathering as church. And dying to self to find new life in Jesus. There has never been an age when Christians did not need to be reminded of these things.

Comer gives us the necessary reminder in a fresh and engaging way that both challenges and encourages us in our discipleship.

GK

RH – Rick Hill is PCI’s Discipleship and Leadership Development Officer SEH – Suzanne Hamilton is an administrative officer for the Herald GK – Rev Graeme Kennedy is minister of Kirkpatrick Memorial RF – Renée Finnegan is an administrative officer for the Herald

My Savior Carrie Underwood

CAPITAL RECORDS NASHVILLE

£10.99

«««««

Avid Christian country music lovers will appreciate Carrie Underwood’s addition to the gospel genre with this latest album, My Savior, as it conveys more of her background and belief in Jesus than any of the previous seven studio country albums – all of which are peppered with themes of her faith.

What is there not to love about this album of traditional hymns that stand the test of time? She is clear on wanting

Stubborn Prophet, Faithful God William Boekestein EVANGELICAL PRESS

£9.98

«««««

Most Sunday school children will tell you the story of Jonah with great imagination and relish, especially the sojourn in the fish’s stomach. This book

by William Boekestein delves into the character and behaviour of Jonah.

When God told Jonah to go east to Nineveh, Jonah went west, and when God said, “Preach to the people of Nineveh,”

to stay true to the origins of these songs without drastically “jazzing it up” and yet still giving it the same sense of belonging today as all those years ago when first composed. Something which she has effortlessly managed to achieve while simultaneously opening up to a particularly younger audience.

Classics re-imagined include Great is Thy Faithfulness, How Great Thou Art, Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, Because He Lives and, as one would expect, Amazing Grace. It is worth saying not every track has a fully laden country medley enveloping the age-old lyrics.

My personal favourite, I Surrender All, is a good example of acoustics creatively ensembled to maintain the substance and significance of history that is pertinent to these hymns.

There really isn’t much more to be said about this album with its compilation of songs which timelessly praises God in our personal, and collective, journeys of trusting wholeheartedly in Jesus – other than, it will serve to magnify and glorify our Saviour and Lord.

RF

Jonah said, “No”. Jonah’s attitude was that God’s message was only for the Israelites – not for pagans and outsiders. That poses the question for us – do we share the gospel with those we consider outsiders?

When inside the fish, Jonah had time to reflect on his disobedience. God doesn’t punish Jonah, but equips him for future success, as we see in the revival in Nineveh. However, even when released from the fish, Jonah still goes reluctantly to Nineveh and instead of gently sharing God’s message, he threatens them with destruction if they don’t turn from their wickedness and repent. When all in Nineveh do repent, Jonah is still angry; he still has to learn that God is a gracious God and a God of second chances.

I enjoyed this book, and thinking I knew this story extremely well, I found I didn’t, instead discovering interesting nuggets of information. At the end of the book there is a section entitled, ‘How can I know God’s will’, and readers will, no doubt, find this helpful.

DH

Herald June 2022

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LIFE IN PCI

Long service marked in Co Down church Rev Andrew Conway (centre) is pictured with John Donnan and Crosby McVeigh, who have completed 50 years as ruling elders in Second Presbyterian Church, Comber.

100th birthday in Myroe PCI Moderator Dr David Bruce and Zoë Bruce visited Dorothy Cunningham to mark the start of her 100th birthday celebrations. Mrs Cunningham has been a faithful and committed member in Myroe Presbyterian Church all her life. As an active member of Session, committee, choir and PW amongst others, she continues to serve her Saviour using the gifts she has been given. Known as a great baker, she loves nothing more than getting into her car to go visiting and share her baking with old people. Her thoughtfulness was demonstrated by her request that instead of gifts, donations be given to aid Garden of Hope, an organisation working in Kenya, and Marie Curie Cancer Care. Pictured are: Dr Bruce, Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Bruce and Rev Geoffrey Jones (minister of the County Londonderry congregation).

New minister for Tullylish and Gilford Rev Samuel David Conkey has been installed as minister of Tullylish and Gilford Presbyterian churches. Pictured, seated from left, are: vacancy convener Rev Andrew Conway, Mr Conkey, Rev Nigel Kane (moderator of Iveagh Presbytery) and presbytery clerk Rev Gordon Best. Back row: Richard Fleming, Rev Andy Downey, John McCullagh (clerk of session in Tullylish) and Paul Cochrane (clerk of session in Gilford). Picture courtesy of Paul Byrne Photography.

Moderator visits Magherally The congregation of Magherally was honoured to have the Moderator, Dr David Bruce, leading worship services as part of his tour of the Iveagh Presbytery. Dr Bruce and his wife Zoë are pictured with members of kirk session.

President’s Badges awarded in Granshaw Ten boys from First Granshaw Boys’ Brigade received their President’s Badge.

Included in the photo, left to right, are: Josiah McDowell, Reece Brown, Aaron Shaw, Joshua Brockbank, Luke McEvoy and James Cusin. Missing are Luke Gibson, Watson Kingham, Ethan Spratt and Harry Wilson.

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Herald June 2022

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

Moderator visits Gilnahirk 100-yearold Mollie Mark, a member of Gilnahirk Presbyterian, has celebrated her 100th birthday. The occasion was marked with a visit by Moderator Dr David Bruce, Rev Stephen Moore (minister of the Belfast church) and Rev Mariann Gilicze (assistant minister).

Birthday milestone in Cuningham Memorial Jill Connolly, from Cuningham Memorial Presbyterian, celebrated her 100th birthday recently. The occasion was marked by a visit by former Moderator, Dr Rob Craig. Pictured also is Rev Noel Mulholland, minister of the County Antrim church.

Installation at Bangor West

New elder in Caledon

Rev Colin Dickson has been installed as associate minister of West Presbyterian Church, Bangor. Pictured are: Dr Charles McMullen (former Moderator and minister of the County Down church), Barbara McMullen, Marjorie Dickson, Mr Dickson, PCI Moderator Dr David Bruce and Zoë Bruce.

Joy Hadden has been ordained as an elder in Caledon Presbyterian Church. She is pictured with a commission of Armagh Presbytery: Rev Joanne Smith, Rev Alan Marsh, Rev Philip McClelland (acting moderator), Rev Peter Gamble (clerk) and Leslie Hadden (representative elder and Ms Hadden’s father).

Presentation in First Ballymena At an event held in First Ballymena, four elders were presented with paintings from the kirk session in celebration of their 40 years’ service as an elder in the County Antrim church. They were Bertie Johnstone, Lyle McQuitty, James McDowell (not able to be present) and James Wylie. The event also included a presentation to James Donaghey in acknowledgement of his service as deputy clerk of session. Pictured are: Mr Donaghey, Mr Wylie, Rev William Sinclair (minister), Mr McQuitty, Mr Johnstone and Tom Heaney (clerk of session).

Herald June 2022

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Charity 1087961

CROSSWORD Puzzle no 269 1

solution on page 50

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compiled by Harry Douglas

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Herald June 2022

ACROSS 1 Massacre (9) 7 Tennis shot (6) 10 Trio of Biblical figures (4) 11 Not hard (4) 12 Firewood (6) 14 Storywriter (8) 17 Conflict between nations (3) 18 Bygone age (10) 23 Ant’s mate (3) 24 Relative by second marriage (10) 27 That is (initials) (2) 28 Titled man (4) 29 Famous football club (4,6) 30 Christians should be like this (4)

DOWN 1 OT prophet (6) 2 Roman Emperor who liked to count (8) 3 Caribbean country (5) 4 Occurrence (5) 5 One went to Jericho (4) 6 Pillar-box shape (11) 8 London College (initials) (3) 9 Biblical instrument (4) 13 Of Titanic infamy (5) 15 A very clever lock! (4) 16 A secret service (initials) (3) 19 OT Queen (6) 20 To fall over (6) 21 Jonathan – speedy biker (3) 22 Type of anaesthetic (5) 25 Orderly (4) 26 Many of these to pot! (4)

REFLECTIONS

Sleepless nights Ruth Sanderson

R

eader, before I begin, let me just warn you that this darkness, a small light coming from my phone and I pleaded article is probably all going to go a bit wonky donkey. aloud to God. “Please, please, please let this child go to sleep!”

My mind is scrambled, my senses are up the left and Now, I am sure that I’m not the first mother who has shot up my brain is shrouded in a thick haar. Night and day desperate prayers to the Lord, entreating him to miraculously have merged into one, and I can no longer sleep. I mean, I can put our babies to sleep for a couple of hours (at least four sleep, all I want to do is sleep, but a very small, very determined ideally), and therefore to, in that moment, make things just a person is not letting it happen. little bit easier.

Three weeks ago, I gave birth to our second daughter. Martha Martha resolutely stared back up at me. is cute as a button, but refuses to sleep – well, she refuses to God didn’t answer this particular prayer. However, as I stared sleep anywhere other than on me or her father. Each time we back down at her, I felt God draw near. I thought of the words lay her in her cot she screams blue murder until we lift her of Psalm 139: “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the out again – petrified that she might wake our two-year-old light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be (whom one would describe as ‘spirited’). Of course, we are by dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as no means alone in the trials of parenting a tiny baby. It does light to you.” seem though that there are those who have It suddenly struck me that even in the ‘good sleepers’ and then there are the rest God’s manifest goodness darkness of night, God was there. Psalm of us – a haggard bunch of droopy-eyed 139 has been special to me for as long as I is bigger than sleepless can remember, and it amazes me that it is zombies, spending the nights awake and the mornings filling up with mug after applicable to my life as my circumstances nights… mug of coffee. change. Each time I read it, a new facet of This is our second time and in the meaning is revealed, a new layer seen. Last interim two years I had most definitely forgotten what it was night, as I sat awake with my daughter, I realised that God was like to have a newborn baby. Once the hormones cleared, all sitting with me. I held my child as he held his. I wasn’t alone. I I could remember was that tiny babies ate, slept and were have never been alone. generally delightful. I had forgotten that they take up quite a It was only this morning when I re-read the psalm, that I bit of time and often protest loudly while you play the lengthy realised with a jolt the next lines: “You made all the delicate, game of ‘Too hot? Too cold? Wet nappy? Hungry?’ until you inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s (PING!) get the right answer. Even the right answer is no womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your guarantee of sleep. workmanship is marvellous – how well I know it. You watched Our oldest daughter didn’t sleep very much for the first full me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven year of her life, but even she slept more than this baby. together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was “Second children are much easier,” people told us, “they’ll just born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every fit in.” Not in this case! moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

This little lady is really making her presence known in a big All the angst I had felt the night before dissipated. I gave way – and who can blame her? It’s not the most pleasant thing, thanks, not for a good night’s sleep, but for the reason I was being born. Imagine suddenly leaving the warm, snug, liquidy exhausted – for the child now dozing peacefully, finally in her comfort of your mother’s womb and being wrenched out into cot at 8am. Wonderfully woven together, wonderfully complex, the cold, bright, noisy world – no wonder she wants to stay wonderfully known by the Lord. close to her dad and me.

God has a plan for my daughters, as he has a plan for me.

Last night was particularly difficult; at 3am I was in tears, A double promise. I am still utterly sleep deprived, but God’s the only one awake, holding this little daughter who refused to manifest goodness is bigger than sleepless nights and frustrated be put back into her cot. Nights are lonely for new mothers in tears of tiredness. It is amazing, and it is good. particular. There was no point in waking my husband up (what good would two of us being exhausted be?), so I sat alone in the

Herald June 2022

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DIRECTOR of Christian Unions Ireland

Community Outreach Worker As part of our ‘Stepping Stones to Faith’ project applications are invited for this exciting full-time post (based on a threeyear fixed term contract) to reach out through relational evangelism to families with young children on the fringes of our congregation.

PCI Scale A5 Starting Salary £22,484 per annum 37.5 hours per week including evenings and weekends.

For further details and an application pack please contact the Church Office by email:

office@ballycrochanpc.org Applications should be returned via email to:

office@ballycrochanpc.org Alternatively send by post to: Clerk of Session, Ballycrochan Presbyterian Church, 34a Silverbirch Road, Bangor BT19 6EU Completed applications to be received by Midnight on 14 June 2022

www.ballycrochanpc.org

Part of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students The future of Christianity in Ireland will be shaped in no small part by the witness and ministry of Christian students in university and college campuses throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Christian Unions Ireland (CUI) is a stable and growing movement.

Our vision is to give every student in Ireland an opportunity to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we work on most campuses and colleges on the island of Ireland, through our network of Christian Unions. We encourage and help our CUs to be missional communities at the heart of their campus.

We are now looking for the person to lead Christian Unions Ireland – building on the momentum of the last 100 years of students meeting in Christian Unions in Ireland.

The Director of CUI is responsible for: • Development and implementation of CUI’s strategic goals, • Leadership of the staff team, • Development of relationships with supporters, • Maintenance of a persuasive Christian voice in wider culture.

The Director will be committed to the doctrinal basis, and to the values, of Christian Unions Ireland.

Further details about this important opportunity can be found on the CUI website. The closing date for applications is Friday 10 June 2022 at 12 noon.

www.cui.ie

Charity Registration No: NIC105230

Choose a caring career..

APPOINTMENT OF THE CONVENER OF THE LINKAGE COMMISSION

Senior Care Assistant nights Care Assistants Domestic Assistants

Aaron House, Dundonald

Sunnyside House, Bangor

Deputy Home Manager Team Leaders Care Assistants Relief Care Assistants

We are hiring!

For more information and to download application packs visit:

www.presbyterianireland.org/socialcarejobs Email personnel@presbyterianireland.org or call +44 (0)28 9041 7255 WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

46

Herald June 2022

Applications are invited for the Convenership of the Linkage Commission within the structures of the General Assembly, to take up post immediately following the June 2022 General Assembly.

The Convener of the Commission is appointed by and responsible to the General Assembly for the work remitted to the Commission by the General Assembly. S/he should write (at least in its final form) and present the report to the Assembly and answer questions on it.

S/he is responsible for leading the thinking of the Commission on issues of policy and strategy and should work with the Secretary and Deputy Clerk to ensure implementation of all Assembly and Commission decisions.

Please note that the above Convenership is open to ministers and elders of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland who are, or are eligible to be nominated as, members of the General Assembly in 2022.

Further information can be obtained from the Deputy Clerk, Rev David Allen.

An application form is available on request from the Deputy Clerk, or may be downloaded from the PCI website at:

www.presbyterianireland.org/convenerships Applications, using the pro-forma, should be forwarded by 12 midday on Tuesday 14 June 2022 to: deputyclerk@presbyterianireland.org or by post to – The Deputy Clerk, Assembly Buildings, 2–10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast BT1 6DW. Potential applicants should note that interviews for the position are planned for Thursday 16 June 2022.

Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church is seeking to recruit a

Family Worker to develop and grow our ministry with young families and children in the congregation and the wider community.

Youth and Family Worker

This is a new post within our Leadership Team and is part of a strategic plan for our church.

Applications are invited for this permanent, full-time post (39hrs which will include evening and weekend working), engaging with the Youth and Families of the congregation.

The post, which is part time (24 hours per week), will involve some evening and weekend work. We are looking for someone who is in sympathy with the Christian values of the church.

Salary will be in line with current PCI rates for Youth and Family Workers, i.e. £18,685–£22,226 dependent on qualifications/experience.

The salary will be in the range £23,772–£27,899 pro rata.

There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) that the post-holder is sympathetic to the ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 22 June 2022.

Late applications will not be considered.

For further information, job application, job description and personnel specification documents visit

Interviews will be held during the week commencing Monday 27 June 2022.

Email: 1stdunboeclerkofsession@gmail.com

For a job description and application form please contact Vilma Patterson at vilma@spaceni.co.uk

www.1st-dunboe.co.uk Closing date for applications: Friday 1 July 2022.

Either by email or to Rev Keith Hibbert, 12 Islay Court, Castlerock, BT51 4PZ

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Ballymoney

Hillsborough Presbyterian Church

seeks to appoint a

Praise Coordinator

Musical Director • •

• to lead and coordinate music • to encourage a multi-generational music ministry to continue to develop the Choir and Praise Group

• •

Applicants must be willing to work within the Christian ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

This is a part-time role with working hours usually on a Sunday.

However these may vary depending on the needs of the Church.

Salary of £5,000 per annum.

For the full job description and application form please contact: Clerk of Session Mr. W.R. Quinn, 48 Newal Road, Ballymoney, BT53 6HE

We seek to appoint a suitable person for this vital ministry.

Your primary role will be to lead the praise in our congregation in a way that is consistent with our mission, ethos, values, and theology.

For further details, job description and application pack, please contact: Church Coordinator, Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, 49 Lisburn Street, Hillsborough, BT26 6AB Tel: (028) 9268 3502 Email: dawnburnside@btinternet.com

Email: bertiequinn48@gmail.com Telephone: (028) 2766 3136 / 07831 831175

Closing date for applications: Wed 15 June 2022

Herald June 2022

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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.

BANGOR, HAMILTON ROAD (ASSOCIATE): REV CHRISTOPH EBBINGHAUS: Mr Alan McDowell, 11 Braemar Park, Bangor, BT20 5HZ. BROUGHSHANE – SECOND: REV P.D. THOMPSON: Mr Ivor Hutchinson, 73 Tullymore Road, Broughshane, BT43 7HW. CARNMONEY: REV P.G. McCREA: Mr Paul Elliott, 52b Connor Road, Parkgate, BT39 OEA. CASTLEBLAYNEY FIRST, CORVALLY (Home Mission) & FRANKFORD: (Parttime (60%); Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV DR G.W. CLINTON: (Castleblayney, First) Mrs Daphne Holmes-Greer, Tighnabruaich, Killygola, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. (Frankford) Mr Thomas McBirney, Mulladuff, Newtownhamilton, Newry, BT35 0LG. (Corvally) Mr Fred Eakin, Sreenty, Corduff, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

DUNFANAGHY and CARRIGART: (Home Mission) 50% Congregational Ministry, 50% CMI Mission Project REV DR BRIAN BROWN: (Dunfanaghy) Mrs Ethel Montgomery, ‘Millrace’, Marble Hill Road, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal, F92 N2WO. (Carrigart) Mrs Joy Buchanan, Figart, Carrigart, Co Donegal, F92 N2WO. GARVAGH, MAIN ST and KILLAIG: REV DREWE McCONNELL: (Garvagh, Main St) Mr Alan Farlow, 39 Ballynameen Road, Garvagh, BT51 5PN. (Killaig) Mr Ivan McKane, 27 Cashel Road, Macosquin, Coleraine, BT51 4PW. GLENWHERRY: REV S.D. KENNEDY: Mr Andrew Hoey, 49 Ballynulto Road, Ballymena, BT42 4RJ. GREYSTONE ROAD, ANTRIM: REV STEPHEN SIMPSON: Mr James Warwick, 3 Dunsilly Road, Antrim, BT41 2JH. KILLEAD and LOANENDS: REV D.J. STEELE: (Killead) Mr Tom Lewis, 65 Ballyrobin Road, Antrim, BT41 4TF. (Loanends) Mr Peter Leitch, 212 Belfast Road, Antrim, BT41 2EY. KNOCK (ASSOCIATE): (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV D.T. MOORE: Mr Hugo Wilson, 5 Finchley Gardens, Belfast, BT4 2JB. LECKPATRICK and DONAGHEADY: REV S.J. RICHMOND: (Leckpatrick) Mr Sam Clyde, 36 Woodend Road, Strabane, BT82 8LF. (Donagheady) Mr Ernie Colhoun, 44 Lowertown Road, Ballymagorry, Strabane, BT82 OLF. LECUMPHER AND MAGHERAFELT, UNION ROAD: REV J.A. MARTIN: (Lecumpher) Mr Sammy Thompson, 10 Ballynagowan Road, Desertmartin, BT45 5LH. (Magherafelt, Union Road) Mr Ian Francis, 32 Caraloan Road, Magherafelt, BT45 6NW. MONEYMORE, FIRST and SECOND: REV DR G.W.D. STEWART: Mr Jim Davison, 20 Drumrot Road, Moneymore, BT45 7QH.

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

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

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

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

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

3. DECLARED VACANT BALLEE: REV. D.A. McMILLAN: Mr John Quigley, 81 Queen’s Avenue, Magherafelt, BT45 6DB. BALLINA, KILLALA & BALLYMOTE: (Home Mission) REV D.J. CLARKE: Mr Geoffrey Shannon, Robin Hill, Carraun, Corballa, Ballina, Co Mayo, F26 A070.

BALLYGRAINEY: REV R.S. HAMILTON: Mr Brian McDowell, 263 Killaughey Road, Ballyhay, Donaghadee, BT21 0ND. BALLYMENA, FIRST: REV N.A.L. CAMERON: Mr Tom Heaney, 109 Loughmegarry Road, Ballymena, BT43 6SP. BALLYRONEY and DRUMLEE: REV A.M. BORELAND: (Ballyroney) Mr David Peters, 30 Seafin Road, Ballyroney, Banbridge, BT32 5ER. (Drumlee) Mr Graham Truesdale, 128 Lackan Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan, BT31 9RX. 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. BELMONT: REV. T.J. STOTHERS: Mr Christopher Steele, 1 Hawthornden Drive, Belfast, BT4 2HG. BELVOIR: REV B.J. WALKER: Mr Brian Dunwoody, 19 Drumart Drive, Belfast, BT8 7ET. BURT: REV JAMES LAMONT: Mr James Buchanan, Heathfield, Speenoge, Burt, Co Donegal, F93 W3K6.

CARRICKFERGUS, JOYMOUNT: REV G.A.J. FARQUHAR: Mr Stephen Drake, 8 Bluefield Way, Carrickfergus, BT38 7UB.

MOUNTPOTTINGER: (Reviewable Tenure – 7 years) REV J.W. FRAZER: Mr Gordon McConnell, 247 Orby Drive, Belfast, BT5 6BE.

CASTLEROCK: REV D.H. BROWN: Miss Heather McSparran, 26 Freehall Road, Castlerock, BT51 4TR.

MUCKAMORE: REV S.J. LOCKINGTON: Dr Brian Hill, 1 Lylehill Green, Templepatrick, BT39 0BF.

COLERAINE, NEW ROW: REV R.D. GREGG: Mr Adrian Cochrane, 12 Cambridge Park, Coleraine, BT52 2QT.

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. GORTNESSY: REV A.J.A. ROSBOROUGH: Mr Ross Hyndman, 32 Temple Road, Strathfoyle, Londonderry, BT47 6UB.

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

Herald June 2022

CUMBER and UPPER CUMBER: REV S.W. HIBBERT: (Cumber) Mr Eric Christie, 43 Gorse Road, Killaloo, Londonderry, BT47 3SS. (Upper Cumber) Mr Jack McFarland, 12 Cregg Road, Claudy, Londonderry, BT47 4HX. CRUMLIN: REV BEN JOHNSTON: Mr James Livingstone, “Edin”, 56 Largy Road, Crumlin, BT29 4RW. DROMARA, SECOND: REV D.H. GILPIN: Mr Herbert Chambers, 29 Stewarts Road, Dromara, BT25 2AN.

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 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. DUN LAOGHAIRE: REV A.J. DUNLOP: Mrs Dorothy Shanahan, 1 Holmwood, Brennanstown, Cabinteely, D18 T2T5.

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

FAHAN (Home Mission) and WATERSIDE: REV G.A. McCRACKEN: (Fahan) Mr James Lamberton, 1 Deanfield, Limavady Road, Londonderry, BT47 6HY. (Waterside) Mr William McIlwaine, 19 Glenaden Hill, Altnagelvin Park, Londonderry, BT47 2LJ. GLASTRY and KIRKCUBBIN: REV N.W. McAULEY: (Glastry): Mr Will Taylor, 43 Manse Road, Kircubbin, Newtownards BT22 1DR. (Kirkcubbin) HILLTOWN and CLONDUFF: 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. HYDEPARK & LYLEHILL: REV C.K. McDOWELL: (Hydepark) Mrs Lynas Alexander, 22 Broadacres, Templepatrick, BT39 0AY. INCH: (Home Mission) REV JAMES LAMONT: Mr James Buchanan, Heathfield, Speenoge, Burt, Co Donegal, F93 W3K6.

KELLS: (Home Mission) REV ALAN McQUADE: Ms Ruth McCartney, Shancarnan, Moynalty, Kells, Co Meath, A82 PF60.

KILMAKEE: REV ROBERT LOVE: Miss Aileen Irvine, 5 Aberdelghy Park, Lambeg, Lisburn, BT27 4QF. KILRAUGHTS, FIRST: REV R.M. MURRAY: Mr Maurice Christie, 10 Kilmandil Road, Dunloy, Ballymena, BT44 9BH. KILREA, SECOND: REV DR CLIVE GLASS: Mr John McIlrath, 9 Moyagoney Road, Kilrea, Coleraine, BT51 5SX. MONEYDIG: REV DR S.D.H. WILLIAMSON: Mr Steven Torrens, 115a Agivey Road, Kilrea, Coleraine, BT51 5UZ. NEWINGTON: REV DR I.D. NEISH: Mr John Lynass, 8 Bushfoot Park, Portballintrae, BT57 8YX. NEWMILLS and CARLAND: REV A.S. THOMPSON: (Newmills) Mr Roy Wilkins, 38 Dungannon Road, Coalisland, Dungannon, BT71 4HP. (Carland) Mr Howard McLean, 16 Ballynorthland Demesne, Dungannon Park, Dungannon, BT71 6BT. NEWTOWNARDS, SECOND: REV DR W.J.P. BAILIE: Mr Ivan Patterson, 11 Heron Crescent, Newtownards, BT23 2WH. NEWTOWNARDS, REGENT STREET: REV P.T. DALZELL: Mr Ian MacDonald, 11 Stanvilla Road, Newtownards, BT23 8HE. PORTAVOGIE: REV G.J. SIMPSON: Mr Trevor Kennedy, 1 Cairndore Road, Newtownards, BT23 8RD. RATHCOOLE: REV A.K. DUDDY: Mr Ken Neill, 307 Merville Garden Village, Newtownabbey, BT37 9TY. RATHFRILAND, FIRST: REV C.G. HARRIS: Mr David Scott, 13 Sleepy Valley, Rathfriland, Newry, BT34 5HL. SAINTFIELD, FIRST: REV B.A. SMALL: Mr Paul Jackson, 20 The Grange, Saintfield, BT24 7NF.

Clerks of presbytery please note: Only material received by the General Secretary’s Department by 12 noon on the first Friday of the month can be included in the Church Record.

SPA and MAGHERAHAMLET: REV D.F. LEAL: (Spa) Acting Clerk – Mr Stephen McBride, 28 Ballynahinch Road, Castlewellan, BT31 9PA. (Magherahamlet) Mr David Whan, 74 Castlewellan Road, Dromara, BT25 2JN. STRABANE and SION MILLS: REV COLIN McKIBBIN: (Strabane) Mr William Watson, 44 Orchard Road, Strabane, BT82 9QS. (Sion Mills) Mr Colin Campbell, 26 Albert Place, Sion Mills, Strabane, BT82 9HN. TOBERKEIGH: REV JOHN STANBRIDGE: Mr Jim Kane, 67A Ballinlea Road, Ballinlea Upper, Ballycastle, BT54 6NN. VINECASH: REV P.W.A. McCLELLAND: Mr Thomas Graham, 38 Richmount, Portadown, BT62 4JQ. WHITEHEAD: REV N.W. DUDDY: Ms Helen Graham, 4 Kilcarn, Islandmagee, BT40 3PJ.

TEMPORARY STATED SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT ARMOY and RAMOAN: REV DR MARK JONES: (Armoy) Mrs Heather Morrison, 82 Carrowreagh Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, BT53 8RS. (Ramoan) Mr Robert Getty, 23 Carrowcroey Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, BT53 8UH. BALLYCAIRN: REV WILLIAM HARKNESS: Mr Brian Milligan, 19 Glenariff Drive, Dunmurry, BT17 9AZ. BELLVILLE: REV D.S. HENRY: Mr Mervyn King, 29 Ardmore Road, Derryadd, Lurgan, BT66 6QP. CARNLOUGH-CUSHENDALL and NEWTOWNCROMMELIN: REV J.A. BEATTIE: (Carnlough-Cushendall) Mr Norman McMullan, 91 Ballymena Road, Carnlough, BT44 0LA. (Newtowncrommelin) Mr James Gillan, 67 Gracefield, Ballymena, BT42 2RP. GRANGE with CRAIGMORE: REV R.S. AGNEW: Mr Jamie Harris, 32 Portglenone Road, Randalstown, BT41 3BE. NEWTOWNSTEWART and GORTIN (Home Mission): REV R.N. ORR: (Newtownstewart) Mr James Baxter, 22 Strabane Road, Newtownstewart, Omagh, BT78 4BD. (Gortin) Mr Adrian Adams, 32 Lisnaharney Road, Lislap, Omagh, BT79 7UE. RALOO and MAGHERAMORNE: REV D.R. CROMIE: (Raloo) Mr Geoff McBride, 72 Raloo Road, Larne, BT40 3DU. (Magheramorne) Mr Morris Gardner, 89 Ballypollard Road, Magheramorne, Larne, BT40 3JG. WARRENPOINT and ROSTREVOR: REV S.S. JOHNSTON: (Warrenpoint) Mr Denis Brady, 28 Seaview, Warrenpoint, Newry, BT34 3NJ. (Rostrevor) Mr Terry O’Flynn, 15 Aurora Na Mara, Shore Road, Rostrevor, BT34 3UP.

THE ELDERSHIP Ordained and Installed: ARMAGH, FIRST: James Boyd, Heather Stevenson BALLYRASHANE: Jim Boyd, Samuel Steele, Thomas Steele BOARDMILLS, TRINITY: Simon Ross Irvine, Mervyn David Samuel McKeown, Iain Kennedy Watters BOVEEDY: William K. Gordon CASTLEROCK: Alma Andrews, James Hughes CLOUGHWATER: David Galbraith, Andrew Mauger, Stephen Simpson COLERAINE, FIRST: Liz Dowey, Jonathan Hamill, Norman Hamill, Carol McCaw COLERAINE, TERRACE ROW: John Andrew James Millen, Samuel James Peter Semple DRUMHILLERY: Ashley Mitchell GARVAGH, FIRST: Drew Gurney GARVAGH, MAIN STREET: Stephen Dinsmore, Brian King Farlow, Alan Trevor Thomas Wright continued on page 50

Herald June 2022

49

CHURCH RECORD continued from page 49

THE ELDERSHIP (cont)

THE MINISTRY

KILLAIG: Kenneth Ross Wilson McIntyre, Robert Douglas Alvin Morrow, Gary Taylor Watson KILREA, FIRST: Nigel Toye MONEYDIG: Alan McAleese

Ordained and Installed: Seth Andrew Wright, as Minister of Donemana, on 8 April 2022

Installed: ARMAGH, FIRST: Ruth McCann

Ordained and Inducted: Philip Adam Boyd, as Moderator’s Assistant, on 29 April 2022 Installed: Jonathan Boyd, as Minister of Killyleagh, on 5 May 2022 Glen James Jordan, as Minister of Ballygomartin, on 29 April 2022

Died: BANBRIDGE, SCARVA STREET: Peggy Donaldson CARRYDUFF: Eric Dobbin DRUM: Herbert Hall DRUMBO: Leslie Hamilton FISHERWICK: Roy Suitor GARVAGHY: George Mitchell, Brian Corbett HILLSBOROUGH: Bridget Eccles RICHHILL: Clifford McCullagh TANDRAGEE: William Hamilton

Retired: William Sinclair, as Minister of First Ballymena, on 30 April 2022 Robert Sydney McMullan, as Minister of New Row, Coleraine, on 30 April 2022 Katherine Priode Meyer, as Minister of Christ Church, Sandymount, on 30 April 2022 Resigned: Jonathan Boyd, as Minister of Hydepark & Lylehill, on 4 May 2022 Desmond Joseph Paul, as Minister of Crumlin, on 30 April 2022 Died: Rev Dr Thomas Crawford Ballentine, Minister Emeritus of Grange with Craigmore, on 20 April 2022

CLASSIFIEDS

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

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.

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50

Herald June 2022

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STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN BELFAST Coming to Belfast to study?

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To all Presbyterians interested in their proud history.

This little book may interest you: WHY WE FOUGHT is the true story of the American Revolution. It was fought mainly by Irish Presbyterians and Irish Catholics. Without the Presbyterians it could have been a totally a different outcome.

King George of England called it his “damn Presbyterian war”. Presbyterian ministers were so important to the cause they sat in on Washington's army council’s briefings.

A little notice about the writing style of this book.

This book is written in the same historical vein as French historian Gustave de Beaumont’s Ireland and Presbyterian historian John Mitchel’s many books and articles in The Nation paper i.e. the Young Ireland movement. Poor old John was a much maligned Irish historian.

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