Presbyterian Herald March 2019

MARCH 2019

On a wing

& a prayer JACOB: THE ‘SUPPLANTER’

Interview with Ulster Rugby star Jacob Stockdale

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF Why we need to wake up to climate change

UNTOLD STORIES OF GRASSROOTS PEACEBUILDING A bus tour with a difference

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CONTENTS | MARCH 2019

FEATURES 12 Relevance

The Moderator reflects on the church’s place in society

14 Stories of Proximity

How congregations have used this PCI resource

16 Eric says PCI resource for unchurched children

18 Jacob: the ‘supplanter’

Interview with Ulster Rugby star Jacob Stockdale

32 Untold stories of grassroots peacebuilding Alan Meban takes a bus tour with a difference

34 Maintaining support for Myanmar

Jacob: the ‘supplanter’ p18

PCI visit to help with theological training

36 Turning over a new leaf

Why we need to wake up to climate change

REGULARS 4 6 8 9 13 22 23 31 39 40 42 47

Letters News In this month My story Life lessons Arthur Clarke Mission Connect Talking points Betsy Cameron Reviews Life in PCI Crossword

Maintaining support for Myanmar p34

CONTRIBUTORS

Cover photo: Jamie Trimble March 2019 No 818 £1.50 (€1.80) 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

Turning over a new leaf p36

Allen Sleith is the minister of Hillsborough Presbyterian Church and a member of PCI’s Stewardship of Creation Panel, encouraging the reformation of our practices as we face climate change.

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

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

Ruth Bromley is PCI’s Children’s Development Officer. She is married to Brendan, mum to Bess and is a member of First Holywood Presbyterian.

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

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

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

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

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EDITORIAL

LETTERS Thinking deeply and biblically

Lead by example

Last year, a single tweet from Kylie Jenner (of the Kardashian clan) had an unbelievable impact. She made a remark which criticised changes to the social media app Snapchat, resulting in its shares sinking 6.1% in a day and wiping out $1.3 billion in the company’s market value. I’m sure even Kylie was surprised by the scale of her influence, which demonstrated, not only the power of social media, but also that of celebrity.

This month we feature local celebrity, Jacob Stockdale, who is very keen to use his influence in the rugby world for good and to be “an evangelist” where God has placed him.

Recognising the value of relationships for true Christian witness, Jacob says, “…separating yourself from others doesn’t help”.

For those of us who aren’t celebrities, we may not have the intense glare of media attention, but we can still wield a significant amount of influence if we choose to.

In this issue, Alan Meban tells us about a bus tour with a difference. Organised by the 4 Corners Festival, the tour visited areas of Belfast where peacebuilding efforts by individuals and communities at a local level had a positive and lasting effect on the Troubles.

In each instance, the people involved, many of whom were Presbyterian, displayed courage, sacrifice and a passion for change. It is challenging to consider if in recent times apathy, especially within the Church, has crept in. Rev David Knox, a fellow passenger on the tour, commented, “There’s a return, I think, to our own little communities and we’re not hugely interested in what’s going on in anyone else’s community. It’s a great pity.”

In a very sobering article addressing the dire consequences of climate change, Rev Allen Sleith asks our denomination to face up to the responsibility it has to lead by example in the whole area of creation care. He encourages us to cast off our apathy saying, “…the church is called, not to lag behind other communities, or to leave it to others, but to lead the way in reformation.”

It is a constant struggle for us as Christian believers to “not conform to the pattern of this world…” (Romans 12:2).

In his reflection, Moderator Dr Charles McMullen considers the relevance of church in today’s society and encourages us to be “unashamedly counter-cultural”. He reminds us that our message is that of “Christ changing lives”.

Therefore, whether we are famous or not, in big ways and small, our actions and reactions ought to reflect a fervid desire to serve God; sticking our necks above the parapet and leading the way when necessary.

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Dear Editor, I refer to the article by Norman Hamilton titled, ‘Thinking deeply and biblically’ (February). Norman poses questions that encourage us to think rather more biblically and deeply than we currently do. The church is faced with a very aggressive secularism to which we as Christians are having a great struggle to answer because of our dearth of knowledge and belief in the gospel.

Where do we go from here? We find that in many testimonies, the Bible is a transformative force! When we read the Bible, it sinks into our minds and especially into our hearts, which slowly but surely makes us more Christlike.

All what we think, say and do, is a result of what we believe.

It is Christ, by the power of his resurrection and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that helps us change.

Jesus gives us the power to change. This is called sanctification. The query then is why has this transformation not been the experience in the journey of individual Christians and the church as a whole? We have neglected the Christian disciplines and therefore are unable to pass them unto the future generations who are now, or are becoming, leaders in the church. We need a strong spirituality in the church which

will spread into our personal lives as Christians. This can be done through the teaching, practice and passing on of the Christian disciplines, e.g. Bible reading, prayer, meditation, fasting, silence, ministry, mission and worship. As the Apostle Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Hugh K. Henderson Carrickfergus

Let’s pray

Dear Editor As I read through the suggestions for prayer in ‘Let’s pray’, for 3-9 February, based round the call by the Moderator to ‘build relationships’, I cannot get away from the huge elephant in the room; namely the fractured relationships in our Church, which took a huge dip last summer when PCI cut itself off from the Church of Scotland and then adopted a series of decisions involving attitudes to gay people and their children, as well as news of unsettling developments in Union College.

All these decisions have led many Presbyterians to feel disenfranchised and unsettled by the ongoing exclusive trends within our denomination and beyond.

None of these prayer requests unfortunately took this sad state of affairs into account,

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

which makes the Church authorities appear out of touch and irrelevant.

Are we not asked to resolve our differences with one another first before we worship and busy ourselves with God’s wider work? So, I would like to know what plans ‘the powers that be’ in Church House have to deal with the ennui felt by many good and gracious folk in our beloved denomination?

Maeve Magowan Ballycastle

Hard pressed but not crushed Dear Editor I found the PCI conference, ‘Hard pressed, not crushed’

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.

(29 November, Assembly Buildings), distressing, laced with Palestinian propaganda and, in parts, contrary to Scripture.

Israelis being referred to as “settlers” and “occupiers” was a denial of Scripture, history and the legal right of Israel to exist.

God covenanted the land to Israel and he will never break his covenant (Acts 13:16-19 and Romans 11:1).

Israelis were wrongly cited as a “threat to Palestinians”.

However, Jews, including the Fogel family, were evicted from Gaza in a ‘land for peace’ deal, a peace that never was afforded to Israel. In 2011, five of that family (mum, dad and children aged 11, 4 and 3 months) were

butchered to death in their new home by a Palestinian.

The main speaker, Prof Katanacho, is linked to Bethlehem Bible College (BBC) which organises the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference (CATC). Dr Michael Brown describes CATC as “anti-Zionistic and perhaps even anti-Semitic”. He states that CATC has been used to propagate “a deadly antiIsrael theological error”. Some Presbyterian leaders attended CATC 2018.

The security ‘wall’ depicted on Prof Katanacho’s first slide is, for 90% of its length, a fence and not a wall. Its purpose, like the peace wall at Lanark Way, Belfast, is to reduce terrorist

activity. The ‘wall’ in Israel has been successful in this regard.

Prof Katanacho said that Jesus was “a Palestinian Jew”.

For not one Christian minister there to challenge that, was shameful. Jeremiah 47:1-7 prophesies that Egypt would “destroy all the Philistines” (fulfilled c.600BC) i.e. the Philistines ceased to exist. It stayed that way until 135AD when Hadrian cursed Israel by changing the name to Syria Palestina (the land of the Philistines). So, there is no way that Jesus could have been a “Palestinian Jew”.

Ivor McClinton Bangor

Maze minister set to be Moderator Rev William Henry, the 50-year-old minister of Maze Presbyterian Church in County Antrim, is set to become the youngest Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland for nearly a century.

Mr Henry received a majority of votes from the Church’s 19 presbyteries, which met independently across Ireland last month to elect a successor to the current Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen. Mr Henry will be formally elected Moderator by the Church’s General Assembly in June. Until then he will be known as the Moderator-Designate.

Reacting to the news, Mr Henry said, “I am deeply honoured to have been chosen in this manner, and thank God for the opportunity to serve him in a new way over the next year. I will trust him for the way ahead.”

Along with Mr Henry, Rev David Bruce (Secretary to PCI’s Council for Mission in Ireland), Rev Albin Rankin of Stormont Presbyterian and Rev Mairisíne Stanfield of First Presbyterian Church, Bangor were also nominated. Mr Henry received 11 votes (Armagh, Ballymena, North Belfast, Coleraine and Limavady, Down, Iveagh, Newry, Omagh, Route, Templepatrick, and Tyrone); Mr Bruce received four votes (Derry and Donegal, Dromore,

Dublin and Munster, and Monaghan); Mrs Stanfield received three votes (Ards, South Belfast, and Carrickfergus); and Mr Rankin received one vote (East Belfast).

Mr Henry said he will be choosing the theme ‘Enjoying God’ for his moderatorial year. “When we enjoy God, prayer and worship become real and meaningful because there is a sense that God has come near. That will result in practical service for Jesus,” he explained.

“I would wish to use the year ahead that I have to speak about this message and explore with people what it means to ‘Enjoy God’, both to the Church and wider society.”

Born in Belfast and brought up in Mallusk, County Antrim, Mr Henry attended Hyde Park Presbyterian Church and went to Mallusk Primary School, before going on to Antrim Grammar and Queen’s University, where he graduated

with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1990.

Having been offered a sponsored PhD in Chemistry, or a career in finance, Mr Henry said that he followed “the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit”, which led him, at age 22, to the Presbyterian Church’s Union Theological College in Belfast. Graduating in 1993, he was licensed in Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, his home congregation, the same year and ordained assistant minister in Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church in 1994. He was installed as minister of Maze Presbyterian in 1997 and in 2001 he was given the additional responsibility of Ballinderry Presbyterian, where he is the stated supply minister.

Married to Nora, the father of three is looking forward to his year in office and being used by God to bring encouragement to the wider church, particularly to the leadership and younger ministers. “Recognising that I myself entered ministry at an early age, and benefited from the assistance and advice from those older than me, I would now wish to do the same for others.”

He will be the denomination’s 174th Moderator since 1840.

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NEWS | IN THE ROUND Moderator attends Dáil centenary sitting PCI Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, attended a special sitting of Dáil Éireann, which marked the centenary of the first meeting of the Dáil.

TDs were joined by members of Seanad Éireann, descendants of those elected to the first Dáil, representatives of parliaments in the European Union and former Dáil members at the Mansion House in Dublin. Church leaders and representatives of civil society also attended, gathering in the Round Room for a ceremony that included an address by President Michael D. Higgins.

Speaking after the event, Dr McMullen said, “As we continue to commemorate defining moments in our island’s history as part of the ‘Decade of Centenaries’, like the sitting of the first Dáil 100 years ago, I would like to thank the government for their invitation to the Mansion House.

“As Moderator, I get to meet a growing number of people in the Presbyterian Church across Ireland who have reached their 100th birthday, and that does give me a certain perspective on what a century is actually like. In the context of Ireland’s story, while 100 years is only a relatively short period of time, perhaps spanning only three or four generations, it is important to continue to reflect upon events that have shaped us and the legacy that has been left to us all, as we travel, by God’s grace, the road ahead together.”

Christian Aid Ireland launches ‘footprints reflections’ for Lent Christian Aid Ireland has launched its Lenten resources and this year, for the first time, they include a daily email reflection series called Footprints. Each day during Lent participants will receive an email, consisting of a prayer and a short reflection based on one of the Bible readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.

The reflections will be written by Christian leaders, theologians, academics, thinkers and practitioners from Ireland, Brazil, Kenya, Sierra Leone and South Africa, including: Lady Christine Eames (former World President of the Mothers’ Union), June Butler (All Ireland President of the Mothers’ Union), Rev William Hayes (minister of Tullamore and Mountmellick Presbyterian) and Dr Liz Hughes (Board of Christian Aid Ireland chair).

David Thomas, Church and Community Manager at Christian Aid, is coordinating the Footprints series. He said, “Our hope is, as participants journey with us through Lent, that they will consider their metaphorical ‘footprint’ – the legacy they leave behind and the impact of their lifestyle on people and planet.”

Footprints is free, and you can sign up to receive it at http://caid.ie/lent Christian Aid is also hoping churches will consider ordering Lent cash collection boxes for members to take home and collect small change for the charity throughout Lent.

Churches take part in special World Leprosy Day services

With Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann) at the Mansion House are (left to right): Rev William Davison (President of the Methodist Church in Ireland), Archbishop Eamon Martin (Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland) and PCI Moderator Dr Charles McMullen.

New Public Affairs Officer for PCI Karen Jardine joins PCI in the role of Public Affairs Officer after nearly 10 years’ experience at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Building on the work of her predecessor Gavin Norris, she will provide support to the Council for Public Affairs and assist the Church with its work in the public square by helping to develop its thinking and position on issues of public policy.

During Karen’s time at the NI Assembly she primarily supported MLAs in their committee work through policy analysis, scrutiny of legislation and undertaking inquiries. Previously she was Public Policy Officer with Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland.

She read Geography and

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International Relations at the University of St Andrews and was awarded a master’s degree in Political Lobbying and Public Affairs from Ulster University.

Karen is an elder in Bloomfield Presbyterian Church in east Belfast where she helps to lead worship and is involved in a Tearfundsupported partnership with Gilgal Evangelical Church in Kigali, Rwanda.

Ballyblack Presbyterian near Newtownards, Kilcooley Presbyterian in Bangor and Knock Presbyterian, Belfast, welcomed speakers from The Leprosy Mission Northern Ireland (TLM) recently to raise awareness of the many thousands of people around the world who are still being diagnosed with this devastating disease each year.

The talks marked World Leprosy Day, which has been observed globally on the last Sunday in January since 1954. It is an opportunity to shine a light on how leprosy still exists today and can lead to disability, unemployment, isolation and even rejection from an affected person’s family and community.

“Most people I speak to haven’t heard about leprosy,” said Joanne Briggs, TLM NI’s national director. “They don’t know that it still exists and can destroy a person’s life. Our role is to shine a light on those with leprosy and make sure they are not forgotten; our call is to raise awareness about this terrible disease and the needless suffering of so many.”

Churches in Northern Ireland are being encouraged to hold their own Leprosy Sunday service any time until 27 April.

This year, TLM is excited to have a unique opportunity to help people affected by leprosy in Nepal where thousands of people are living with undiagnosed leprosy. Through its Heal Nepal campaign, TLM will be focusing on finding, curing and healing people with leprosy. Any donations made to this campaign before 27 April will be doubled by the UK government through UK Aid Match.

TLM medical elective students Katherine Aiken (far left) and Hannah Gardener (left) with Judith Carson, Ballyblack church secretary Madeline Russell and clerk of session Alex Warden.

IN THE ROUND | NEWS London visit PCI Moderator Dr Charles McMullen attended an Operation Mobilisation (OM) event during his recent visit to London. He is pictured at the Palace of Westminster event with Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (MP for Lagan Valley and event host), George Verwer (founder of OM) and Matthew Skirton (OM UK National Director).

Welcome for Republic’s first conviction under purchase of sex law A Co Meath man has become the first person in the Republic of Ireland to be convicted for paying for sexual services.

Introduced in 2017, the law making the purchase of sex illegal, shifts the burden onto the buyer. Offenders face a maximum fine of €1,000 or up to five years in prison if the person has been trafficked.

Louise Gleich (CARE’s senior policy officer – human trafficking) welcomed the conviction and said, “Introducing laws to criminalise the buyer of sex targets the inequality, harm and exploitation that is at the heart of prostitution. It also holds those who drive it – the buyers – accountable for their actions…We hope this law will continue to be used to protect the most vulnerable from sexual exploitation across Ireland.”

Bookmakers reduce stakes Highly addictive fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in Northern Ireland will have the maximum stake dramatically cut to just £2, in a major victory for campaigners.

Last year, following the British government’s decision to implement the stake reduction on FOBTs from April 2019, Ladbrokes said it would apply the reduction to Northern Ireland as well to make sure it was in line with the rest of the UK. William Hill, Paddy Power and Coral followed suit.

Now, the Northern Ireland Turf Guardians’ Association (NITGA) has called on all bookies in NI to reduce the stake on FOBTs from £100 to just £2 as of April 2019.

Public policy charity Christian Action Research and Eduction (CARE) in Northern Ireland has welcomed the news and praised the willingness of bookies to take this positive step. CARE in NI policy officer Mark Baillie said, “FOBTs cause genuine social devastation and the toxic combination they offer of high-speed play and a high maximum stake mean punters can lose thousands far too easily…Let’s hope this is the start of further action to provide support and help to those addicted to gambling.”

Wycliffe supports those in need after tsunami An appeal for donations by Wycliffe Bible Translators following the tsunami in Indonesia in September has helped to provide vital supplies and begin the rebuilding process.

The funds were sent to Kartidaya (Wycliffe Indonesia), which has been providing much-needed assistance to those affected by the disaster in Palu.

Within two weeks of the tsunami the Kartidaya team was able to distribute basic foods and large tarpaulins for shelter from

the sun or rain. These temporary shelters were used not only for housing, but also for church services and schools. The team also used the funds to rent buses, vans and trucks to get the basic foods to remote areas.

Further donations provided materials and supplies to rebuild churches, to help local mothertongue translators and local translation facilitators working in Bible translation projects in the area, and for transportation and logistics.

Helma Siahaan, Kartidaya’s

liaison for Palu earthquake relief efforts, said, “The earthquake and tsunami was very heartbreaking.

We were strengthened by those who not only felt the grief with us, but also chose to provide support for those in need.”

IN BRIEF Historical Society ‘Presbyterian responses to the Second World War: challenges and contexts’ is the theme of the Historical Society’s next talk.

Matthew Houston will speak at the event, which takes place at Windsor Presbyterian in Belfast on 21 March at 8pm. The talk follows the Society’s annual general meeting, which starts at 7.15pm.

Both Lives Matter gives evidence Representatives of Both Lives Matter appeared before the House of Commons Women’s Equalities Committee when it held sittings in Northern Ireland recently.

The Committee was hearing evidence from a range of individuals and groups – those who support the existing abortion law and those who want the law to change.

Dawn McAvoy, from Both Lives Matter, said, “Our message was clear, the law on abortion in Northern Ireland is devolved and the legislative concern of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

It’s a sensitive political issue and this is a sensitive political moment.”

Change at Corrymeela

Pádraig Ó Tuama will end his term as leader of the Corrymeela Community in April.

The Cork man has been leader since 2006 and, once his term ends, will continue as a member of the community.

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IN THIS MONTH...

March 1960

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

Here are the facts: the Bible

Universal bestseller the Bible is held in utmost respect by us all; but it lies seldom opened on a bookshelf in more and more homes. Even in the pew on Sunday fewer follow in an open Bible what is read from the pulpit.

Abroad, however, in Asia, Africa, in Spain, Colombia or Russia, the Bible in the language of the common man is eagerly sought, read, learnt by heart…

Excuses Perhaps we got too much Bible forced upon us when young and now have a superstitious ‘thing’ about a book which we instinctively revere as sacred, taboo, precious, but do not use because of the shiny black back, the double column of small print which offends the eye and the archaic language…

Results The Times educational supplement for 15 January 1960 reports that of 134 students entering a Church of England training college: 35 were unaware of the significance of Whit Sunday; 12 did not know that Good Friday commemorated the crucifixion…

Yes, you can say, that is England. It cannot happen over here. It was in a grocery in Belfast at Christmas some years ago that a woman told the girl behind the counter: “It’s a bit thick the way the churches are pushing religion into Christmas.”

It is happening over here. We are gradually becoming a community which lives on the sentimental inheritance of our grandfathers…

The challenge of Eire

Letter or spirit?

Why is it that even some ministers, when they write letters to the press on controversial subjects, seem to forget all about the Spirit of that Christ whom they have chosen to serve?

Some recent examples of this in public controversy have been deplorable, and must have done immeasurable harm to the Christian cause.

Surely if these ministers sought the kind of mind and spirit they urge others to seek, their letters would have a more Christian tone, and a more uplifting effect.

STILL PRESBYTERIAN

It is eight years since there was an ordination in one of our Southern presbyteries.

There have been many ministerial changes in the presbytery since then – in fact, there have been five installations in that time – but no ordinations.

Why is it that licentiates are not willing to start their ministry in the South of Ireland? Of the students I have known in the past number of years, only one has come back to minister to his own people.

It is true that there are disadvantages in living in Eire; the cost of living is high; the General Assembly makes no allowance for the fact that there is no health service to compare with the one in the North; our children are compelled to waste their time learning Irish… But these things in themselves are not enough to prevent licentiates applying for churches here… The thing which makes it hardest of all is the inexplicable and un-Christlike attitude among the people of the North assuming that a man only comes here if he cannot get a church anywhere else, and the churches in Eire suffer because of that…

I throw out the challenge to you students and licentiates. Stay in the North and follow the accepted practice of trying to get as near Belfast as you can; or show your courage and your love for Jesus Christ by accepting the challenge of some of the vacant congregations in Eire.

Also from March ’60 8

Ben-Hur wins a Golden Globe for best motion picture

Herald March 2019

Running Bear by Johnny Preston tops the UK singles chart

Elvis Presley is discharged from the US Army

MY STORY...

Steve Anderson, a member of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church and a former PCI global mission worker in Spain, outlines his work to increase biblical literacy in Argentina.

The challenge of biblical literacy

B

iblical literacy is something that we don’t often think has been on the ground in San Martin with the aim of bringing about – that idea that people can rightly interact with grassroots theological education to the churches in the region. and understand Scripture – and often we do not see it It may seem at first that, in a place where biblical literacy is as an issue. Yet, in 2014 Christianity Today noted that low, this would be welcomed. However, with churches placing almost 1 in 5 American churchgoers rarely read their Bible strong emphasis on the work of the Spirit and pastors reluctant during the week, with less than 1 in 5 reading it on a daily basis. to accept help or to admit a need, the place of Scripture has The challenge for many today, both inside and outside the slipped and experience becomes the dominant factor. Scripture church, is to seek the relevance of the biblical message in today’s becomes almost irrelevant in the church, seen as something for world. During my time in Torre, Spain, the first century, and having been replaced we faced the same challenge – why read …it is too easy to assume today by further inspired utterances of the Scripture if you don´t understand it? The Spirit. a level of biblical literacy The cultural emphasis on not losing challenge of discipleship was real and in Torre we had the chance to explore and try because people make a face and being seen to be as good as your different approaches to engage with the contemporaries, has the power to bind, profession of faith. text. Church became interactive, putting blind, and disempower the gospel and the text in context, exploring it together.

Scripture is demoted and secondary to a Biblical literacy is certainly an issue to be faced up to in the magical view of spirituality.

Spanish context; it is too easy to assume a level of biblical Yet, set against this background, God has been working. Step literacy because people make a profession of faith. Discipleship by step, a small number of individuals have had the courage has to be taught (Matthew 28:20) and in Spain I was able to see to step outside what they have experienced and engage with first-hand the result of doing so.

Scripture through workshops and inductive Bible studies.

Having also been involved with a small mission working in Engaging with Scripture has brought to them a deeper, more southern Argentina, I have seen the challenge there to make the meaningful, and more stable relationship with God. God is no message of Scripture real and discipleship a reality in people’s longer someone distant and to be feared, but one who can be lives. related to and who cares for his people. The stripping aside of In San Martin de los Andes where there are around 29 tradition and culture born partly from a fear and disregard of evangelical churches, bringing Scripture to bear on the lives Scripture, and the ability to read, learn and explore the biblical of people has been an uphill challenge. In a place where life text has had a life-changing impact. can be dominated by the word of the local pastor but where As these people are finding out, Jesus did not come solely the concept of a trained ministry does not exist, this level of to edit our behaviour, but to transform lives. When Scripture, authority can hold some dangers. Some pastors have a deep rightly understood, has a place at the heart of that process, then sense of calling to the role, but others accept the role out of we have the ability to enter into that transformative place that family loyalty or from a longing for power and authority. Add takes us beyond our culture and traditions and into the heart of to this a culture where no one wants to lose face or appear God himself. Here is the reward of taking time to engage with weak around their contemporaries, and you might begin to Scripture and walk the road of discipleship. understand something of the church culture and the potential dangers that come with it.

If you would like to know more of the work in San Martin, or For the past six years, Southern Theological Seminaries (STS) become a prayer partner, please email: stsbelfast@gmail.com Herald March 2019

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NEWS | PCI

News Personnel news Chris and Rachel Humphries were commissioned on 24 February in Tartaraghan Presbyterian Church, their home congregation, for service in Portugal. They departed shortly after this for Porto to work with the church plant team in Senhora da Hora. They previously served there with PCI in the summer of 2016. Chris and Rachel have two young children, Ezra and Abbey.

Ilona Veres is in Ireland on a short home assignment and is involved in deputation. She is due to return to Romania in early March.

Christopher and Nivedita Benjamin are due to retire at the end of March after 30 years’ service reaching out to the Gujarati community in the Wembley area of London.

Presbyterian Women’s annual conference Helen Warnock, principal of Belfast Bible College, will be the guest speaker at this year’s PW conference held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast on Thursday 9 May. Helen will be speaking on the theme ‘Restore’ at both the annual meeting, which begins at 2pm, and the evening celebration, which begins at 7.30pm.

Join with women from across Ireland to celebrate all God is doing in our lives and through his church to restore our world.

For more information visit www.presbyterianireland.org/pw or follow us on Facebook @presbyterianwomen

Naomi Leremore is due to be in Ireland on a short home assignment at the end of March and will be involved in deputation.

United Appeal Sunday Every year, the first Sunday in March is PCI’s United Appeal Sunday. To help congregations highlight this important mission campaign, which this year falls on Sunday 3 March, a range of resources are available on the PCI website.

These include, the Mission Together leaflet, which provides information on one particular project that is supported; an animation video outlining the range of work where funds are distributed; and a short video which focuses on the ministry of Edwin and Anne Kibathi. The Kibathis work with the East African community in London, reaching out to help in practical and spiritual ways. Through United Appeal, PCI partners with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa to support the Kibathis prayerfully and financially.

For more information, or to download any of these resources, please go to: www.presbyterianireland.org/unitedappeal

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Overseas visits

Summer teams

Rev Uel Marrs (Global Mission Secretary) travelled to Nairobi, Kenya at the end of February for a partnership consultation meeting with the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan.

The Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, his wife Barbara, Rev Trevor Gribben (Clerk), Rev Uel Marrs and Heather Clements (convener of the Council for Global Mission Partnership Panel) are due to visit Thessaloniki, in northern Greece in mid-March to visit projects and explore global mission partnership with the Greek Evangelical Church.

In 2019 PCI will have 11 summer outreach teams, all across Ireland, offering opportunities to be part of what God is doing through a variety of churches and projects.

Teams will be working with children, teens, adults, and in the community to show and share the good news of Jesus with a needy world. For further details visit: www.presbyterianireland.org/ summerteams

Herald March 2019

PCI Intern Scheme The PCI Intern Scheme is a oneyear programme providing the opportunity for young leaders aged 18+ to discover and develop their leadership potential while serving in a PCI congregation.

This opportunity includes quality

training for the individual through a specific ministry-related course and a monthly training day alongside other interns.

The scheme focuses on developing young leaders while placing them within a local congregational setting to contribute to the ministry there.

There are up to six spaces available for participants, and we will seek to match successful applicants with an appropriate placement.

The closing date for applications is Monday 29 April. Application forms for congregations and young adults will be available on the PCI website in the near future.

The Concorde Travel Fund Thinking about serving in short-term mission overseas but concerned about your travel costs?

The Concorde Travel Fund aims to help young Irish Presbyterians (18-25 year-olds) finance their travel overseas for short-term service so that they might learn from and contribute to the life of the wider church.

Full details of the criteria for eligibility and a downloadable application form can be found on the PCI website.

The deadlines for applications in any given year are: 31 March and 30 September.

Find out more on www.presbyterianireland.org

Events

DIARY DATES March

Kids’ Big Day Out

Transform PCI’s young adults’ conference, Transform, takes place on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 April in Assembly Buildings’ conference facilities.

The programme will run on the Friday night and all day Saturday.

This is an opportunity to gather with young adults from across the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The speaker for the weekend is Andy Carroll.

We are glad to be able to reduce the price this year due to our new location. The non-residential weekend option will be £45 and the hotel-based overnight option will be £75, which includes bed and breakfast. There will also be a Saturday day rate available nearer the time.

For further details, please see: www.presbyterianireland.org/ transform

Encounter This month Orangefield Presbyterian Church in Belfast will host ‘Encounter: Leading others in the weekly journey of worship’.

Led by Sam and Sara Hargreaves of Engage Worship, the event is for everyone involved in planning, shaping or facilitating worship, and takes place on Saturday 23 March between 10.30am and 3pm.

The cost of the event is £15, which includes a light lunch. To register, visit: www.presbyterianireland.org/ ecounterconference

PCI’s annual event for primary-aged children and their leaders/parents will this year look at how science helps us to understand more about who God is.

The special guests are the W5 outreach team and this is an opportunity to come along and explore the five Ws – who, what, where, when and why.

Wellington Presbyterian, Ballymena will host the event, which takes place on Saturday 6 April between 1.45-4pm.

The cost is £4 for children and adults, and all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

For further details, please visit: www.presbyterianireland.org/kbdo

Mission Ireland evenings

Scarva Street Presbyterian – Sunday 3 Sandys Street Presbyterian – Tuesday 5 Clogherney Presbyterian – Sunday 10 Ballykeel Presbyterian – Wednesday 13 Downpatrick Presbyterian – Sunday 17 St Columba’s Presbyterian – Sunday 17 Armoy Presbyterian – Sunday 17 Molesworth Street Presbyterian – Wednesday 20 First Limavady Presbyterian – Sunday 24

Sharing faith

Sharing faith

Starting strong

Andy Frost (director of Share Jesus International) is the speaker at Sharing faith, an event for ministers and elders that explores how to lead a congregation towards being more missional.

PCI will also be launching a new resource called ‘Share’ to equip you for this.

There are three venues for this event: Tuesday 12 March at Assembly Buildings, Belfast 7.45-9.45pm; Wednesday 13 March 10.30am-1pm Richhill Presbyterian; and Thursday 14 March 10.30am-1pm at Kilfennan Presbyterian, Londonderry.

The price is £5 and to register, please go to www. presbyterianireland.org/events

An evening for parents and key missional leaders on how to inspire lasting faith in our preschool and primary-aged children takes place in Assembly Buildings, Belfast on Thursday 14 March between 7.45-9.30pm.

‘Starting strong’ is an opportunity to hear stories, swap ideas and listen to Andy Frost (director of Share Jesus International and the Kitchen Table Project) share from his experience of how we can build faith in our children through the chaos of everyday life.

A bookstall will be available on the evening. The event is free and to register, please go to: www. presbyterianireland.org/events

Gala evening On Friday 22 March Harold McCauley House staff are holding a Gala Evening and Auction in support of a specialist dementia facility in Harold McCauley House.

Everyone is very welcome to attend this event, which will be held in Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh at 7pm. Tickets are priced at £50 per person, which includes a red carpet reception, a delicious banquet and live entertainment.

If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact Harold McCauley House on (028) 8225 2550 or email Jennifer on: jzhunter@pcisocialwitness.org

Assembly Buildings, Belfast – Tuesday 12 Richhill Presbyterian – Wednesday 13 Kilfennan Presbyterian – Thursday 14

Starting strong

Assembly Buildings, Belfast – Thursday 14

Encounter – Leading others in the weekly journey of worship

Orangefield Presbyterian – Saturday 23

Emerge session two

Lowe Memorial, Belfast – Saturday 30 Union Road, Magherafelt – Saturday 30

Taking Care foundation training Kirkpatrick Memorial – Thursday 7

Taking Care refresher training

First Holywood – Thursday 14

April Kids’ Big Day Out

Wellington Presbyterian, Ballymena – Saturday 6

Transform

Assembly Buildings, Belfast – Friday 12 to Saturday 13

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MODERATOR’S REFLECTION

Relevance

Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, considers the relevance of the church in today’s society.

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he leaders of the four main denominations recently meaning, hope and purpose where there was once no hope. took part in an interview on BBC Radio Ulster’s There has been the privilege of visiting many projects run by programme Sunday Sequence. My friend and colleague, our wider Church, and often supported by the United Appeal.

Rev Billy Davison, who is the President of the Also, I reflect on the number of times I have been alongside Methodist Church, was asked a question about the relevance members of our congregations in their places of daily work, of his denomination, particularly in the light of its developing quietly making a difference as they seek to serve Christ in word covenantal relationship with the Anglican Church. He was and deed. There is absolutely no way in which we can accurately typically gracious in his response as he highlighted the ongoing measure all these influences for good. There are so many importance of telling the good news of Jesus Christ who illustrations of my moderatorial theme in action – ‘Building changes lives. relationships – Christ’s love compels us.’

Subsequently, on our travels to various events, Billy and I Recently, I have been challenged by Romans 12 and all that have continued a good conversation about the relevance of Paul has to say about the body of Jesus Christ, the church. It’s a the church in general for today. In some ways, it is easy to be place that is unashamedly counter-cultural, where believers are discouraged as we reflect on increasing not conformed to the pattern of this world, It’s a place that is secularisation, as well as often ageing and but transformed by the renewal of their declining congregations. mind. It’s a place where there is humble unashamedly During my ministry, I have sometimes dependence on the Lord and where asked the question: if the Holy Spirit were counter-cultural... everyone exercises gifts of belonging and to leave our congregation, would 99% of the activities continue service. It is characterised by the depth of relationships as the unnoticed, as before? That’s not in any way to sound negative claims of Jesus Christ are lived out: “Love must be sincere. Hate but, I hope, is rather a very good assessment of relevance in what is evil; cling to what is good. Honour one another above itself. We need always to pray that the Lord would lead us and yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual show us his way in each succeeding generation. Otherwise, we fervour, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:9-11). risk falling into the trap of what has been described as the seven In our present environment where there is so much last words of the church, namely: “We have always done it this brokenness and pain, instability and insecurity, here then is a way”. picture of something very different, where each person matters Bearing all of that in mind, over these past few months I to God and in Christ finds lasting significance, value, worth and have been pleasantly surprised and deeply encouraged by so belonging together. many expressions of vibrant gospel life. I have been blessed J. John, evangelist, preacher and writer, was sitting beside a by students I have encountered at Union Theological College lady on a flight to Singapore, who asked him what he did for a and their evident Christian character. I have encountered living. He thought that to refer to himself as a minister would many young people who are outstanding in their generation probably bring the conversation to an abrupt end. Instead, – articulate and confident in faith, able to use their gifts of he teased the matter out by replying that he belonged to a leadership and service as they share the good news among global enterprise with outlets in nearly every country of the their peers. At the other end of the age spectrum, as I visit an world, providing hospitals, hospices and homeless shelters. He increasing number of centenarians, it has been so moving to mentioned marriage work, orphanages, feeding and educational experience their strong, sustaining faith in Jesus Christ. programmes, justice and reconciliation work: “Basically, we I think of literally hundreds of volunteers in different look after people from birth to death and we deal in the area of congregations, serving the Lord tirelessly with such generous behavioural alteration.” She was astounded. And then, of course, commitments of time and willingness. Many congregations he came to his punchline that he belonged to the church! are involved in exciting and innovative outreach projects at the Relevance seen here at the point of heart of local community and to the ends of the world. I have deepest need. Billy Davison put it a little heard many stories of people whose lives more succinctly in his answer to the have been radically transformed by the question, reminding us that it is a message grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, now having of Christ changing lives.

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Christ’s love compels us

PERSONAL VIEW

Life lessons Don Moen

Singer, songwriter, pastor and producer of Christian worship music As a producer, arranger and songwriter, I had been involved in the Christian music industry for many years before I joined Integrity Music in 1988 as the creative director of the label.

Certainly, this was a turning point for my career, not only as a music executive, but as an artist. Over the next 20 years I continued to head up the label, working closely with worship leaders and songwriters, and recorded over 20 projects as an artist for Integrity Music.

Sometimes the inspiration for a song will come from a melody I’ve had in my head, and sometimes it will come from a prayer that I’ve prayed, or a thought that I’ve had, and many times by listening to a sermon. The initial inspiration is the easy part. But a great song is written by taking all those elements and bringing them together to make a powerful, memorable statement.

In addition to an obvious natural gift, the things I always look for in a new artist, worship leader or songwriter are authenticity, sincerity, vulnerability, and believability. There are many gifted people, but there has to be something more. Do I believe what they are singing, saying? Do they have an ability to communicate their message clearly to an audience? In these days of sophisticated technology, a lot of great art can be created in a vacuum with home studios, etc., but the only way to truly develop the important skills of communicating authentically is by getting in front of people night after night, week after week, learning what works and what doesn’t work. There are no shortcuts or substitutions for experience.

Feelings are deceptive. There have been many times in worship and in prayer when I’ve sensed God’s presence in a profound way. In those moments, when I feel close to him, nothing seems impossible. Yet there are other days when it seems like my worship and prayers seem to be going nowhere. That’s when it’s important to rely on the Word of God rather than my feelings.

Trust what God’s Word says, not what you feel.

Being raised in a small town with conservative values has helped shape who I am today. Also, travelling with Living Sound as a ‘musical missionary’ for 10 years around the world was a combination of Bible school and boot camp. Staying in people’s homes, performing almost 1000 concerts per year (three per day) for 10 years will knock the rough edges off anyone.

My favourite hymn is: It Is Well with My Soul. Horatio Spafford penned these words in the most dire circumstances after hearing the news that his four daughters had been lost in a shipwreck. “When peace like a river attendeth my way; When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.”

Today’s society never seems to have a chance to unplug. We are being blitzed with media 24/7, and we must work very hard to find moments to unplug. A friend of mine once told me, “Don, if you want to get to know God, make a friend of silence.” That’s a good reminder for all of us.

I wonder sometimes how far we’ve come from what God intended the ‘church’ to be. It’s tempting to get sidetracked with programmes and traditions and miss the simple beauty (and challenge) of building a community of Christ followers.

Many times we see the church at her best in the midst of a tragedy or natural disaster, reaching out to the world in practical, tangible ways with God’s love and presence.

I love to read, and go through different seasons of what I enjoy reading for spiritual growth or simply for enjoyment, which includes everything from Max Lucado, Andy Andrews, a good spy novel or a Louis L’amour western. What is the book that consistently changes my life? The Bible.

The best advice I’ve been given in life is: be yourself, everyone else is taken.

The best holiday I have ever had was taking my wife, my mother and father to Norway to meet our Norwegian relatives for the first time.

Don has just released a book called God Will Make a Way: Discovering his hope in your story (Thomas Nelson, £10.99). Based on his award-winning hallmark song, God Will Make a Way, Moen encourages readers to rest in the fact that God is always working, though often in ways we cannot see, and that we serve a God for whom nothing or no one is too far from his reach.

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CONGREGATIONAL RESOURCE

Stories of Rick Hill highlights how congregations have been using the Proximity resource so far and introduces the next instalment in the series.

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’m not sure whether the idea of a trip to IKEA excites you or sends you into a cold sweat. I often feel the frustration of the one-way system and the fear of being left to assemble the product myself. However, the brilliance of IKEA is having everything I need to get the job done together in one single box.

Last year we launched the first in a series of new discipleship resources called Proximity. The idea was to put a simple yet strong resource into the hands of everyday disciples, to equip them to get on with the task of making disciples;

it has been encouraging to hear stories of this happening. While we often highlight resources when they are first released, we may not always take time to share how they have actually been used.

The Proximity resources can be used in any order and so you can jump into using this resource at any point.

What congregations are saying about Proximity: “I used Proximity as a mentoring tool with a group of young adult youth leaders; each at a different stage on their faith journey. We met for lunch and after a time of catch-up we chatted about what had stood out to each of us from the material. We then turned to the questions, often to find we had already answered them in our conversation. Each of the guys involved really enjoyed learning from each other, benefited from the material and look forward to the release of the next in the series.”

Ashley Parks, Hillsborough Presbyterian Church

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Therefore, I want to share some examples of how the Proximity resources are being used in a variety of settings. The aim is to point towards good practice, while also highlighting the flexibility the Proximity resources provides and perhaps motivating you to use it as a tool for disciple-making where you are.

One congregation used Proximity in their small groups, but with a slight difference to their norm, by breaking their regular small groups into even smaller groups. This was an attempt to encourage more openness, honesty and SE AS ON S OF LIF E

“Proximity was the perfect tool that enabled honest, real and vulnerable conversations about God, his Word and our lives. It pushed me to think, relate and apply the Scripture to every part of my life and I always left our time together feeling excited about how this was going to change me.”

Ruth Hall, Ballynure Presbyterian Church

“I’m using Proximity with two of our young adults in mentoring. Both of them are in final year of university and starting to process what the next ‘season’ of life will look like. This has opened up some great conversations around the Bible.”

Johnny Bell, Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church

BIBLIC AL REFLE CTION S AND CHALL ENGIN CONT ENT DESIG G NED TO RESOU RELAT IONAL RCE DISCIP LE-MA KING.

accountability within these conversations, and whet people’s appetite for a more life-on-life model of discipleship in the future.

Another congregation identified several people who had the potential to lead small discipleship groups and asked them to each meet with 4-5 other people within the congregation who had shown interest. This helped to develop community but also provoke people to go deeper in Bible application together.

There have also been several examples of how Proximity has given leaders an opportunity to meet individually with younger Christians they have been wanting to invest in. Youth workers have used the resource with teenagers, older Christians have mentored younger leaders to help shape them as disciples and some ministers have taken the time to meet one-on-one with members of their congregations to work through the material together.

There have also been some who have caught the multiplication potential with this resource. In one congregation it was used with a group of young leaders, and once they had finished the material, each participant in the group was encouraged to go and use it with others. In another church the resource was taught in the midweek setting, but booklets were distributed for each person to use in their own reflections. While in one kirk

Proximity was the perfect tool that enabled honest, real and vulnerable conversations about God, his Word and our lives… session, each elder was given a copy of the ‘Seasons of Life’ resource to give them content they could draw on in pastoral visitation.

These examples show how the Proximity resources are flexible enough to be used in a variety of contexts. However, while they can be used in different group sizes, they should always be done relationally. While they can be used just once, they also have the potential to be multiplied. How might you begin to use this resource and take the first steps in developing your own Proximity group?

To help with that, the next resource in the Proximity series will be available later this month. ‘Life in God’s Story’ focuses on exploring how we live in response to God’s big story unfolded in the Bible. The eight sessions point to God’s identity as creator, redeemer, rescuer and renewer, helping us to understand our responsibility as his children. This resource unpacks our part in God’s story by revealing the paradise we were made for, the brokenness of humanity, the rescue offered by Jesus and God’s plan for renewal through the power of his Spirit, the work of his church and his coming

to earth. Each session balances personal reflection and practical conversation by digging into the Bible and providing questions to discuss, helping you to find hope, rescue, responsibility and renewal in the story of Jesus.

The Proximity resources can be used in any order and so you can jump into using this resource at any point. If you have already been using the ‘Seasons of Life’ material, then ‘Life in God’s Story’ will give you a brilliant way to continue your discipleship relationships. If not, then you can grab this resource and get started with others at any time. You can order either of the Proximity resources online at www.presbyterianireland.org/proximity.

As well as the booklets, you can also download a user guide and preaching plan to use alongside them.

Rick Hill is PCI’s Discipleship Development Officer.

Newmills Presbyterian Church, Co Down In Newmills, we’re really feeling our way along this discipleship journey, gently and gradually. Our first baby steps included: setting up a new discipleship task team; a few of us attending the Everyday Disciples Special Assembly in 2017; and following it up by registering with the Disciple Makers Network. We used the Essentials resource for a number of our Sunday mornings and Wednesday evening small groups in the springtime of 2018.

Proximity has been very timely for us. I was confident that this material would be solid and biblically grounded; I liked that it was locally produced from a PCI stable – it would resonate with my good Presbyterian people – but also there was lots of flexibility within it, allowing us to really make it suit our own context and take our people forward on their discipleship journey.

I wrote to 16 such people from the congregation – eight men and eight women – outlining my own long-term vision for discipleship; how I imagined the Newmills journey possibly unfolding over the next few years and explaining how I was keen to trial Proximity with them during the 2018-19 session as our initial resource. Ten of the 16 responded positively, and from that, we’ve set up two discipleship groups to run in early 2019.

It would be my prayer that these 10 would be matured and equipped through Proximity to go on and lead further groups throughout the congregation, which we would hopefully roll out over the next couple of years, as more Proximity material becomes available. And who knows where this exciting discipleship journey will take us after that?

That’s where we are – gentle and gradual. I don’t know if I’ve got it right, but as I’ve prayed about this, read the resources and read my people, I think it’s the way forward for us. As we take our, sometimes frustratingly, little steps – we’d very much value your prayers.

Rev Gordon Best Herald March 2019

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CONGREGATIONAL RESOURCE Ruth Bromley introduces a new PCI resource to help congregations engage with unchurched children.

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hen I was a child, every other child who was in my Sunday school class or involved in different aspects of the children’s ministry, came from a family who were members of our congregation. That was 35 years ago, in a typical suburban Presbyterian congregation. Now, in 2019, the majority of children connected to the children’s ministries within our PCI congregations come from unchurched backgrounds, families who are not connected to our congregations. This may be in Sunday school and children’s church on a Sunday morning, a kids’ club during the week, one of the uniformed organisations, a Christian Endeavour group (CE), or some other discipleship-based children’s organisation.

The ways we operate our children’s ministry in 2019 and the assumptions that we make about the children who are there need to be very different to when I was a child.

Let’s think for a minute about a

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few assumptions that we may make about the children who come to our children’s ministry from non-Christian backgrounds. (These ideas are adapted from a resource by Christianity Today International.)

Don’t assume the children’s parents care for them When we are trying to explain abstract principles about God and how we can help to understand him, we often use phrases like: “Just like our parents love us so much, God our Father also loves us”.

The sad truth is that this is not always true. Some parents do not show love to their children and are nowhere near being a good example. Now, do not hear me wrong, we all fall very far short of being a

…remember that every family is unique and that we need to be sensitive to each different situation.

good example of God’s love, but parents who love their children and care for them are a better example than parents who resent and abuse their children. Better to encourage the children to think of someone who they know loves them a lot and then use that person as an example of how God loves, as imperfect as it still is.

Don’t assume children’s parents do not care for them The other thing that we must not do is assume that children who come from a non-Christian home are not loved and cared for as much as any child who comes from a church home. Some nonChristian parents treat their children better than some Christian parents! The bottom line is simply to remember that every family is unique and that we need to be sensitive to each different situation.

Don’t assume that the children’s parents will support what they learn in church Children from non-Christian homes will

come to children’s ministries for a variety of reasons. It may be that parents went to Sunday school and they want their children to learn good morals – they see the church as a place where the children will learn good living. It may be that they want some free childcare each week. It may be that the children’s friends go to the organisation and the parents do not see any harm in their children going if they are having fun. It may also be that every girl or boy in the village or area goes to the Boys’ Brigade (BB) or Girls’ Brigade (GB) as a tradition. Or there may be other reasons.

We believe that parents are the primary spiritual educators of their children, but when the children come home from church organisations to a non-Christian home, the parents may have no interest in following up or supporting what the children have been doing, or they may not understand anything about the Bible themselves. We need to remember that, as their leaders, we might be the only adults in their lives that ever speak to them positively about God. If you have been involved in children’s ministry for any length of time, you probably agree to some extent with the above three assumptions and know that they are issues that we need to be aware of in all that we do. The next one though, is a much newer phenomenon, but something that we definitely need to keep at the forefront of our minds when thinking about our children’s ministry.

Don’t assume that children know anything about God and the Bible Those of us who grew up in church and in Christian homes find it hard to imagine not knowing who Moses or Jonah are, or for that matter, who Jesus is. We learnt the stories in Sunday school and church, at home and in school.

Many children today do not have the knowledge of these stories that we may traditionally expect.

Religious Education is still part of primary school education in both the North and South of Ireland. In the

…take some time to sensitively discern the level of knowledge that the children have and better to assume lack of knowledge than leaving children feeling inadequate…

South there is no national curriculum and so the subject has been left up to patron bodies, 96% of which are religious denominations. In the North, it is part of the curriculum, but it is not inspected by the Education Authority and so is entirely left to the discretion of the teachers in the classes. If there are Christian teachers within the school, children may know the stories, but if there are no Christian teachers, they may simply learn good moral lessons. Or the case may be somewhere in between.

When new children come to your children’s ministry, take some time to sensitively discern the level of knowledge that the children have and better to assume lack of knowledge than leaving children feeling inadequate or never completely understanding a story.

What sort of things can we do to help children from nonChristian homes hear the lifechanging and transformational good news of the gospel?

Consider the knowledge and experience children bring to the activities that you do. Start in the world of the child and use that starting point to help them understand something about who Jesus is.

Get to know the children well and build relationships with them so that they can see what an adult follower of Jesus looks like every day. Ensure that they know they can ask you questions any time to help them understand something of the faith that they can have in God and what it means to be a Christian. Think about the words that you use as you teach in

your children’s ministry. Consider what Christian jargon and phrases we use without really thinking about it that a child with no knowledge of God would not understand.

PCI wants to do everything we can to equip congregations and children’s ministry leaders to negotiate and adapt to how to teach the gospel in this changing culture. We have partnered with the Good Book Company to create a resource which will hopefully help congregations with the world that we live in. The aim of the resource is to teach children something about God and to help them encounter him, possibly for the first time. Each session – of which there are three – is connected to a book about a boy called Eric, written by Dai Hankey. They start in the world of the child, in this case through an everyday commonplace situation that Eric finds himself in, and then slowly moves the child towards God, helping them to consider how he can impact the situation.

The resource will be available for download at Easter and could be used over three sessions of a children’s club or holiday Bible club setting. The sessions are around the themes of saying ‘thanks’, ‘sorry’ and ‘please’. In saying ‘thanks’, Eric begins to have an increased awareness of who God is and a little of what he does. In saying ‘sorry’, Eric begins to understand how he is being given what he does not deserve, exploring something of the meaning of grace. In saying ‘please’, Eric learns that he can communicate with God through prayer, not simply in formal settings but as a natural rhythm of our day.

Ruth Bromley is PCI’s Children’s Development Officer.

The Eric books are available to purchase from Christian bookshops or online at: www.thegoodbook.co.uk The accompanying resource will be available for download from Easter at: www.presbyterianireland.org/resources Herald March 2019

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he name Stockdale will be familiar to many within Presbyterian circles with a great number from within our denomination and beyond having benefited from the ministry of Rev Graham Stockdale. Graham has ministered in Newtownstewart and Gortin, Edengrove in Ballynahinch, Eglington in north Belfast and more latterly in Newry Hospice and Maghaberry prison.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last year another Stockdale will no

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doubt have come to your attention of late – Jacob Stockdale – Graham’s son and the new star of Irish rugby. Aptly named Jacob, meaning ‘supplanter’, he has overthrown many opponents in his short career to date. Rarely does this young

Aptly named Jacob, meaning ‘supplanter’, he has overthrown many opponents in his short career to date.

man step out onto the pitch, whether playing in an Ulster jersey or an Ireland one, without making an impression. One of his most notable appearances being back in November, when playing against the New Zealand All Blacks, he scored the only try of the match and helped secure Ireland’s first ever home win against the team, establishing Ireland as the best side in the world.

Jacob Stockdale doesn’t just stand out for his athletic prowess; something else sets this young man apart from the others and that is his faith in God. At a time

Jacob:

Photo courtesy of Ulster Rugby

the ‘supplanter’ Lisa Skinner chats to one of Irish rugby’s rising stars, Jacob Stockdale. when it is often difficult to share faith in the public arena, Jacob is using sport as a platform to speak about Christ publicly and to draw alongside his teammates to witness to them. He is very aware of the opportunities that rugby presents him with and he’s keen to make the most of it. Striving to be “an evangelist” where God has placed him, he is intentional about embracing the various aspects of team life, saying, “separating yourself from others doesn’t help”.

I recently caught up with Jacob to talk about the difference that his faith

is making to his game, the challenges he faces and how he is coping with such a swift rise to the top of the rugby profession.

Jacob, you were a latecomer to the sport – indeed you didn’t start playing rugby at a high level until your latter years in Wallace High School. Did it give you time to develop and mature in other ways before you had the pressures of rugby placed on you?

Between the ages of 13 and 16 I was pretty small – whenever I was around 15

I was 5’4”/5’5”. Then I had a growth spurt around 16 and when I went into Lower Sixth I started playing for the First XV. Before that I was subbing for the B team or playing for the third and fourth teams, so it was a bit of a late start for me.

Until then, when rugby wasn’t an option for me, I put my focus on other things like school work, so I suppose in a sense it made me more of an all-rounded person, to a certain extent.

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Photo courtesy of Ulster Rugby

training regime, what involvement are you able to have in church at present?

A usual week for me is to train on a Monday, I’ll be off on a Tuesday, train Wednesday, Thursday and then play on a Friday night. The advantage of playing rugby is that after the game, that’s you done for the weekend, so that’s when I’ve found time to be involved in a church. I’m very involved in Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church on a Sunday evening – I am a leader there with the youth group.

Of course, it can be tough, especially when you’re travelling here, there and everywhere. During the Six Nations tournament, I’m in Dublin for pretty much eight weeks straight; it can be tricky but it’s about finding the time for church.

Many within PCI will be familiar with your dad Graham and his ministry.

What was it like growing up as ‘a child of the manse’ and how has that shaped and influenced you?

There’s a certain expectation placed on the children of ministers. For me, I enjoyed it; I always had somewhere to live, a community to be a part of. I was that kid who was at church for hours after the service had finished kicking a ball about. It was a good way to get to know people. But there is also the other side of it – you’re expected to be this ‘perfect’ child and when you don’t live up to the ideal, it results in rumours and I was always aware of that.

Growing up in a Christian family, it was something you always said – that you were a Christian – it is part of your culture almost. But I suppose my first real profession was at a summer camp when I was 14. It was the first time I realised that Christianity was more than just going to church with my family on a Sunday – it was about having a relationship with God.

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Herald March 2019

I’m very involved in Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church on a Sunday evening – I am a leader there with the youth group.

How do you prepare mentally and spiritually before each game?

For me, preparing for a game starts on a Monday rather than the Friday afternoon before the game. You start

Photo by Jamie Trimble

mentally getting ready by knowing and understanding your opposition; as the game gets closer and the excitement builds, you work on visualisation, thinking about what you’re going to be doing. And then spiritually I prepare through prayer – that’s the biggest one for me – I pray before the game; I pray after the game; I pray during the game sometimes. It’s great to be able to do that, especially when it’s a game where things aren’t going your way – to hand it all over to God and allow him to deal with it for you.

How difficult is it to be a witness for Christ within the sporting world at the level you play at?

It can be tricky. There is a very small percentage of people who have any sort of Christian faith within the rugby world and that can be a tough challenge. It’s a challenge that I don’t always get right; sometimes I can get into fights on the pitch and do things that probably don’t point towards me being a Christian, so the challenge is trying to get it right more times than I get it wrong.

You mentioned it’s a tough environment to be a Christian in and certainly there is a perceived culture within rugby circles. What would you say is the biggest challenge to your faith?

I think it is just that – the perceived culture. I’m a firm believer that you can’t completely detach yourself from that culture because it makes it hard to socialise, to interact with your teammates.

At the end of the day, the guys that I play with are my really close friends, whether they’re Christians or not. When you have team socials where there is a lot of drinking involved, you have to balance it; go, maybe have a few drinks but know when to stop drinking and be smart about it in that sense. I think it’s detrimental not to go to team socials and to distance yourself from your teammates and colleagues – at the end of the day you’re here to be an evangelist and separating yourself from others doesn’t help.

Do you think that with the likes of Ruan Pienaar, Andrew Trimble and Paul Marshall being outspoken about their Christian faith, it has made it easier for other Christian sportsmen to be bold about their faith?

Definitely. Coming into an environment like this can be quite daunting as a young guy; I was 18 whenever I started

training with the senior team. That was pretty young looking back now, so having guys like that around was great in terms of moulding me and giving me the confidence to be myself. They were great guys to have around and great examples of what Christian sportsmen should be like.

You’ve enjoyed incredible success playing in the centre and wing for both Ulster and Ireland over the last few years and the last year has been particularly notable – seven tries in the Six Nations tournament, the Grand Slam and player of the tournament; the only try in Ireland’s first-ever home win over New Zealand and named the 2018 BBC Sport Northern Ireland Personality of the Year. All this at only 22 years of age! How do you cope with that amount of success and what is it that keeps your feet on the ground?

I don’t really know. When you list it like that it seems pretty hectic, but for me those things just happened one after another. In the Six Nations, I just wanted to play as well as I could and winning the Grand Slam was a great team effort. Off the back of that, I broke the record with the tries and we went to Australia and it was about wanting to win the series. Then November came and we really wanted to beat New Zealand. I think these achievements have just come off the back of trying to do the right thing, trying to prepare well for games and making sure you play to your very best every time you set foot on the pitch. Ultimately, that’s all you can do – you can’t control what happens in the game but to a large extent you can control how you yourself perform.

In terms of keeping my feet on the ground, it’s pretty easy, my family have no problem in cutting me down a bit and that’s what your friends are for isn’t it? To keep you grounded.

…every time I step out onto the field I want to be the best example of me that I can be.

What has been the highlight of your rugby career so far?

I think for me it was probably winning the Grand Slam, the Six Nations, because before that I had never won any silverware for rugby so for the first one to be for a Six Nations tournament was pretty cool.

Photo by Jamie Trimble

In the past year, Ulster Rugby has received some negative media attention.

What would you like to be known for and remembered for during your time playing for Ulster and Ireland?

I don’t really know the answer to that question – right now I’m just trying to find my feet and I suppose to become a well-respected player. I want to be well known for the right reasons and to be respected; every time I step out onto the field I want to be the best example of me that I can be.

Looking ahead to 2019 with the upcoming Six Nations and the World Cup in Japan, what can we be praying for you as you train and play?

It’s a massive year and to be honest I won’t be there if I’m injured, so my main request for prayer would be for protection and not just for me, but for my teammates also. You don’t like to see players getting hurt and missing out on a huge opportunity like that. On top of that, please pray that I would have the wisdom to keep working hard and that I would be wise in all that I do over the next year.

Having watched and spent time with Jacob, it is obvious that God has blessed him with great athletic skill but also with the humility to handle that. While Jacob himself is conscious of this Godgiven gift and his responsibility to use it well, I wonder are we, as members of the same Church, as aware of our own responsibility to pray for witnesses such as Jacob, who occupy a unique position within the sporting world to influence many with the message of the gospel?

In the same way that we pray for our mission workers, whether they be in Dromara, Donabate, Portugal or Malawi, maybe you could commit to pray for Jacob in the coming months as he serves God in his mission fields – the Kingspan and Aviva stadiums – not least during this Six Nations tournament.

Jacob is scheduled to be playing for Ireland on 10 March at 3pm against France at home in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, and again on 16 March at 2.45pm away in the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Herald March 2019

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REFLECTIONS

Opinion isn’t always wisdom Arthur Clarke Study in Luke 7:28-35

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eople of my vintage recall Sir Bernard Ingham as press God used both John and Jesus. It cannot be claimed that God secretary in Margaret Thatcher’s government, decades preferred the approach of Jesus to that of John or the other way ago. This gruff Yorkshire man learned his journalistic around. The gifts and graces which creation endowed us with skills on the Hebden Bridge Times, his local paper. are all pleasing to God and when dedicated to his service he When Ingham was discussing some piece of journalistic blesses both. jargon or a cliché-ridden pronouncement by a rising politician Perversity. Each group of children complained about the he would quip: “What will they make of that in ‘The Two approach of the other and made no effort to value the other’s Ferrets’ in Hebden Bridge?” Unless the communicator could contribution. The fault lay with the observer, not the participant. get his message across to the patrons of that hostelry in his own John appealed to the serious in society and was charged by a village, they laboured in vain. His people had the right to be prejudiced populace of possessing a demon. The appeal of Jesus consulted. Yet Sir Bernard’s quip contained only a half-truth. was different; marked by cheerful godliness and deep devotion The world and his wife wouldn’t hang and the same populace charged him with around while Hebden Bridge made up its being too ‘matey’. The reality is, nothing The children of the mind. Other voices deserved consideration will please those who are determined and local opinion isn’t always wisdom. not to be pleased. When shying away kingdom seek the As R.W. Emerson wrote: “Facts are in from life-changing commitment, all approval of heaven the saddle and they ride mankind.” Now manufactured excuses are clutched at to to a marketplace in Palestine! Dr Samuel above all else and therein hide moral cowardice. Evasions are easily Johnson was of the opinion: “Some people detected and so conscience makes cowards lies their wisdom. see more on a day trip on the Hampton of us all. coach than other people see in a journey Finality. “Wisdom is proved right by through Europe.” Jesus, seeing the children growing irritable on all her children,” asserted Jesus. Honest seekers who found the the village square and quarrelling with each other as to which way into the kingdom through the declarations of John and the game they should play, reflected on the pettiness of their seniors teaching of Jesus were “wisdom’s children”. The fault-finding who quibbled over the authenticity of the ministry of Jesus and Pharisees (Luke 7:29-30) illustrate the principle of this parable: that of John the Baptist. there is a local, selfish, often petty, opinion and in contrast to The thing which united all the parties was simply this: it there is an incontestable divine verdict and ne’er the twain they were not going to be pleased and did not even dream of shall meet. The children of the kingdom seek the approval of changing their minds. The generation listening to the teaching heaven above all else and therein lies their wisdom. The wisdom and challenge of Jesus had to make a choice. The messengers of God, his immemorial intention and plan, personified in the may have been of differing temperaments and communicative ministry of both John and Jesus, would be pronounced right by styles but the basic reality remained; hearing brought all inheritors of insight. The shallow, capricious estimates of the responsibility: so make your mind up! Would truth triumph time will be overturned. Being right in eternity far outweighs over communal prejudice? the praise or blame any current estimation elicits from the Variety. The quest for uniformity of temperament, lifestyle thoughtless crowd. and experience has always been the demand of the Pharisee.

But such uniformity is seldom the mark of authenticity. John and Jesus were different men. John was a child of the desert and espoused asceticism, while Jesus was a ‘people person’ at ease with himself and at ease among people. The children ran to Jesus – can you imagine John handling that encounter?

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MARCH 2019

Mission Connect

Supporting girls’ education in Nepal

Parables in celebration Roberta Irvine

Mission news from workers around Ireland and the world.

Developing Spanish devotionals Derek and Jane French Supporting girls’ education in Nepal Peter and Valerie Lockwood Faith comes by hearing Tom Dowling Presenting the parenthood of God Rev Cheryl Meban

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.

Settling in Rev Daniel Reyes Martin

Including March prayer diary

Parables in celebration

Roberta Irvine

Deaconess in Greystone Road Presbyterian Church, Antrim

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ere in Antrim we are preparing for a celebration of 50 years Celebrations should be fun. If not, why celebrate? So, we are as Greystone Road Presbyterian Church. In the history looking to bring a clear, joyful memory to all the ages within our of our denomination and our worldwide church this is congregation. Celebrations, however, also involve hard work. This not long, but for many it is a solid 50 years of rich and intense will require commitment from each person to bring their past as memories. As we seek to be true to these memories, the key need a gift and let go of their hold of it. It will require strength for those is to explain how it was for Jesus, through Jesus and about Jesus. involved in running the activities. It will require a ‘church year’ of Drawing alongside these people and plans means that by now sporadic events which will bring a ‘bride of Christ’ message to I am well versed in the past. each generation. Tentative Our job now is to sew them We have a need to become living parables in the plans involve a lot of food. The together to make a glorious parable of the great banquet large and indifferent town of Antrim. testimony to Jesus. in Matthew 22 reminds us Drawing alongside these that God determines our people and their cautious Presbyterianism means I am seeking to celebration should not be exclusively about ‘us ones’. This will encourage them to play their part in sharing their gospel story, not mean that each fun event should have an intentionality about just to each other, but beyond the walls of the church, even their it that opens a new chapter, written by Jesus, in the life of the age group, and into the community. We have a need to become congregation. living parables in the large and indifferent town of Antrim.

It will also require a commitment to bathe the anniversary in Drawing alongside these people with both their immediate prayer. Will you take a moment to join with us in praying for our needs and their future hopes of flourishing ‘beyond 50’ means the year-long celebration? job is a daily delicate whisper of lifting people’s eyes to Jesus and lifting their vision beyond the ‘now’.

As I think of the anniversary celebrations, I think of a picture Please pray: of a group of children skipping in a playground, with a queue • Pray that the congregation will be able to share their memories of new children shyly waiting to jump in. Many of our new in the context of what Jesus has done. members do not have decades of memories, but their testimony • Pray for a Holy Spirit excitement about what God could do in of finding a spiritual home at Greystone Road is just as important this year and beyond it. to Jesus as those who have been there since the days of ‘the • Pray that I would find my spiritual place in the celebrations. Not hut’ (yes, we began in a hut!). The parable of the workers in the just as someone who ‘knows where something is in a cupboard’, vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) reminds us that God determines the but as a servant of Jesus with a spiritual purpose. celebration.

Mission Connect | Herald March 2019

Developing Spanish devotionals Derek and Jane French Global mission workers, Spain

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hen the beginning of a new year approaches, many of you will be familiar with The Jesus Storybook Bible, a beautiful of us find ourselves thinking about what new Bible Bible storybook for children by Sally Lloyd Jones, with captivating devotional we will use in the coming year. Often it is illustrations. We are delighted to have this available not only in such a difficult decision because there is simply so much choice.

Spanish, but more recently in Basque as well!

Any search on Amazon Currently Andamio is also or any trip to your local working on translating and What a blessing it will be for families Christian bookshop will offer publishing the devotional you a plethora of options: and churches to have great Christian resources series Engage, which is geared do I want an in-depth daily towards teenagers and to aid them… study, a thought for the day, young people. We pray that a devotional that focuses on the publication of resources a book in the Bible, or a compilation of daily thoughts from my like this will encourage young people to establish a daily routine favourite Christian author? The choice is abundant. Not so, here in of getting into the Word and that in doing so, it will create a Spain. habit which will stand by them and help them shape their lives For many years, when asked to recommend a good devotional according to God’s ways. in Spanish, we were stumped; we could think of plenty in English As we share this vision with other Christian workers and pastors but not in Spanish. However, we are thankful to be collaborating here in Spain, the response is always excitement, joy and an with Andamio, the publishing arm of GBU (Grupos Bíblicos Unidos: eagerness to get their hands on these resources as soon as student and graduate ministry in Spain, part of IFES), which seeks possible. to produce good Christian resources that will benefit not just students and graduates, but the whole church at large in Spain and Latin America. In previous years, Andamio has published Please pray: devotionals by Don Carson, For the Love of God, Volumes 1 and • Give thanks to God for the opportunity to get this publication 2; and Timothy Keller My Rock and My Refuge, which are great project up and running. resources for getting into the Bible on a daily basis.

• Pray for copyright permissions.

Of course, Andamio also publishes commentaries, books on • Pray for those involved in translation.

Christian living, and more recently it is seeking to expand the • Pray for funding. amount of resources for children, teenagers and young adults; • Pray for wisdom in deciding the priorities of which resources to books specifically for this age range and also resources for those focus on. involved in teaching children and youth. What a blessing it will be • Pray for God to move in amazing ways as these resources are for families and churches to have great Christian resources to aid published and used throughout Spain and Latin America. them in bringing up the next generation in the ways of God. Many Mission Connect | Herald March 2019

Supporting girls’ education in Nepal

Peter and Valerie Lockwood Global mission workers, Nepal

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ith the ever-increasing road network in Nepal, the occurred from girls who were from remote villages. While there are remote rural areas are becoming more accessible. primary schools in most communities, for secondary and higher However, there are still many areas which can be education these facilities serve a wider area. Mangri Secondary described as ‘hard to get to with a slight tint of risk’. Recently, I School covers all the villages within a three-day walk. A hostel visited the United Mission to Nepal’s (UMN) programme work in was constructed to provide a safe and secure environment for the Mugu district, a part of the Karnali province. You can go to Mugu girls to stay as before its construction, girls had to make their own on foot: five days’ walk from Nepalgunj, or by bus, two days but accommodation arrangement in Mangri. the road is described as dangerous; or fly into the local airport During my visit, I met with mothers and a grandmother who at the district headquarters, regularly walk three days Gamghadi. Flying in gives a …when the programme started, only eight girls to visit and encourage their beautiful view of the remote daughters in their education. ruggedness of the area, but We heard that a girl had sat their School Leaving Certificate having landed, access to the dropped out of school, which and last year there were 35! surrounding villages is on foot prompted a house call from only.

UMN’s education officer Hira A day’s walk takes you to Mangri, a large village and home Lal, and a sharp conversation about early child marriage and the to over 5,000 people, where for the last seven years UMN has importance of education. Thankfully the girl is back in school. been working with the higher secondary school for Dalit girls’ There are encouraging signs – when the programme started, only education. The programme aims to address the spiralling poverty eight girls sat their School Leaving Certificate and last year there trap in Mugu. There are multiple intersectional features of poverty. were 35! But most encouraging was the news that a recipient of an The community is primarily Dalit, described as backward and earlier scholarship had just completed her Bachelor in Nursing and untouchable, who have been subject to years of political and had started as a full-time paid health assistant in a health post in social discrimination. Even within the community girls are less Jumla. Proper facilities, scholarship, persistence and vigilance have valued than boys. Education for girls is not viewed as necessary all been needed in this situation to break the cycle of poverty. as they would be married off into another household, with an underlying attitude of why waste resources when they will Please pray: become someone else’s responsibility and ‘property’. Coupled with • Give thanks for the UMN’s Dalit girls’ education project and this attitude is the practice of early marriage. pray that many girls will continue to be educated in the years to The programme started as a simple scholarship scheme for Dalit come. girls to allow them to purchase a school uniform, school books and • Pray too for Peter and Valerie Lockwood as they continue to stationery. There was regular follow-up to check on attendance. serve with UMN based in Kathmandu.

It quickly became apparent that the most significant drop out Mission Connect | Herald March 2019

Faith comes by hearing Tom Dowling

Irish mission worker, Kilkenny

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s we reach out in Kilkenny, we are convinced that it is God’s Paul and Kate are so thankful for what Jesus has done for them Word that he uses, by his Spirit, to bring people to living and it’s encouraging to see how keen they are to honour him in faith in Jesus. Because of this, our aim is always to engage their lives. people with the truth of the Scriptures, as we pray for the Spirit We met Marian while doing door-to-door visitation. She had of God to do what we simply previously brought her cannot do – bring new life. grandchildren to Millennium We are so grateful that, by the grace of God, To this end, we are engaged Court children’s club, and in a number of outreaches, in conversation we found a number of people have come to faith including the following: doorthat she had contact already to-door visitation, one-to-one with Chrissy, a Christian lady in the Lord Jesus Christ over the past year.

Bible studies, Ossory Park who attends the church. She outreach Bible study, Saturday recognised that the message men’s study, Christianity Explored/Simply Christianity courses, we were bringing was the same as Chrissy had been sharing with discipleship courses, Kilkenny farmers’ market outreach, Saturday her. Along the way, as she chatted with Chrissy and began to night Streetlight and Millennium Court summer Bible club. attend meetings/church, Marian has come to a clear faith in Jesus We are so grateful that, by the grace of God, a number of people Christ and it’s great to see her delight in studying the Word of God have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ over the past year. at Bible study, as she grows in her new-found faith.

Sian had attended parent and toddlers in the church some years “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is ago. She came to church one Sunday morning. We happened heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). to be sitting beside her and invited her to the Ossory Park Bible study. We were just starting a series in Mark’s gospel. She enjoyed the studies, and after the second one, contacted us to say that the previous night had really helped her, and that she now believes in her heart that Jesus is her Saviour. She later said that she had Please pray: known she needed God, but she just didn’t understand where • Give thanks for these new believers; for those who are currently Jesus came into it. It’s lovely to see her joy in him, as he continues engaging with the Word of God and all who share so faithfully to work in her life. in this work.

Kate, another lady with whom we had had contact in the past, • Pray for door-to-door visitation, one-to-one Bible studies, phoned one day wanting to come to a Bible study. She came to Ossory Park community centre, Saturday men’s Bible studies, Ossory Park. Soon Kate and her husband Paul and their three and for the Spirit of God to be preparing hearts to hear his Word, children were attending church. We began a Christianity Explored and drawing his people to himself. course in their home, and both have come to a clear faith in Jesus.

Mission Connect | Herald March 2019

Presenting the parenthood of God

Rev Cheryl Meban

Chaplain, Ulster University, Belfast and Jordanstown

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here’s a lovely collection of international students in the we can present the parenthood of God – interested, welcoming, Jordanstown and Belfast campuses of Ulster University. loving; encouraging them to learn, grow and explore God’s world, Some are very young, far away from home for the first time and to discover more grace than they had yet discovered. and only here for one semester. Others are more mature and Chaplaincy has been recognised by some of the staff as an staying for longer courses, including postgraduate studies and excellent place for developing friendships, and I’ve witnessed even post-doctoral research posts. All have an opportunity with wonderful examples of Christians using the space as a place us to encounter God’s invitation and love in ways they might not of grace; for friendship, for kindness, for gentle loving talk have been able to receive about painful subjects, and in their own home. We are sometimes for teaching each careful never to abuse their other from their own lives, …we can present the parenthood of God – vulnerability, and to celebrate experiences and learning. interested, welcoming, loving; encouraging what God is doing in God’s When you remember us, pray way rather than imposing our that grace, mercy and truth will them…to discover more grace than they had own agenda. shine the love of God into dark One of our hopes is to help places, and set captives free. yet discovered. local students, too, to see that “And I saw another messenger they too are international, flying through the heavens, and varied in every way possible. Some have particular challenges carrying the everlasting good news to preach to those on earth – relating to physical and mental health, family circumstances; to every nation, tribe, language, and people” (Revelation 14:6). balancing work and study, as well as finding opportunities to make friends beyond the old school network. They also have questions about how to live well.

Staff and students can unburden themselves to a chaplain. Some experience pressure to conform to values very different from their Please pray: own culture. Some are dealing with difficult family situations far • Pray that God’s Spirit on campus will speak life into lives, and from home and their regular network of family and friends. This into people’s work and study and relationships. is a time and place for faith to grow, for openness to God’s love • Give thanks always for the freedom to live our faith in a secular to become a reality. For exercising courage and making changes, environment, to serve the servant king from the bottom up. letting go of old ways, of seeing the world and embracing a new • Pray for the new campus under construction in Belfast, that it belonging in God’s world. will be a place of light and hope, by the presence of God in God’s The chaplaincy team (Gail Mercer, Terry Howard and myself) people. do what we can to create a community in both campuses where Mission Connect | Herald March 2019

Settling in

Rev Daniel Reyes Martin

Minister of Mullingar and Corboy Presbyterian churches

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n 26 November 2018, our family’s house contents were the world, has come. As a child of God, I know that I won’t ever packed into a large truck in Kilkenny and offloaded into truly settle in here in Mullingar and Corboy, or anywhere else for our new home in Mullingar. On 1 December, family, friends that matter. We’re not perfect. We’re just broken people in a broken and members of the local and wider church and community world, trying to lead other broken people to the one who can joined for my induction service for ministry in Mullingar and make them whole. In utter dependence on Christ to shine his light Corboy Presbyterian churches – a humbling, blessed and deeply through me before others, and fulfil his final command to make affirmative time of worship, dedication and thanksgiving. disciples of all nations, I labour with a greater trust in him, that ‘Settling-in’ has since been a frequent point of conversation! The ministry here will depict something of my heavenly home.

Oxford Dictionary definition of As I continue to settle in, this phrasal verb is: “to move what lies behind me, and I labour with a greater trust in him, that into a new home, job, etc. and what lies before me are tiny start to feel comfortable there”. matters compared with who ministry here will depict something of my In a nutshell, my answer to lives within me. We are each heavenly home. the ‘how are you?’ of settling in called to various ministries, to Mullingar and Corboy can according to the gifts the Lord be answered using some of the wording on a commemorative has given to each of us. As a result, we work together, because we plaque as you enter Mullingar Presbyterian Church: ‘To the glory of walk and travel together the same road. So, may God’s Holy Spirit God’. “This is God’s work. We rub our eyes. We can hardly believe it” lead us together in Christ’s power every day.

(Psalm 118:23).

“How blessed are all those in whom you live, whose lives become Past and present circumstances gel together in ‘settling in’. It is roads you travel; they wind through lonesome valleys, come upon correctly stated that nothing remains as it was when you move. It brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain. Godis a complete uprooting, but in shifting my perspective to that of travelled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn the ultimate homemaker, Christ, I rest in his promises: “Do not let – Zion! God in full view!” (Psalm 84:5-7) your hearts be troubled... In my Father’s house are many rooms... I Please pray: am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2), and “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a • Pray for Daniel and his family as they settle into life and ministry Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). in Mullingar and Corboy Presbyterian churches.

My first services in Mullingar and Corboy coincided with the • Pray that the congregations of Mullingar and Corboy would be first Sunday of Advent: hope and expectation, culminating on blessed under Daniel’s ministry.

Christmas Day with the joyful celebration that Jesus, the light of Mission Connect | Herald March 2019

MARCH 2019

Please pray for...

1 DEACONESS – Eileen Black as she continues to settle into serving in Friendship House and Great Victoria Street Presbyterian Church in Belfast. Pray for the Friendship House team as they reach out to the community in the name of Christ.

12 IRISH MISSION – David Boyd, Irish mission worker serving in Dublin, attached to Adelaide Road congregation. Pray especially for the international café on Friday nights, that many students would attend.

13 CHAPLAINS – Susan Dawson in her chaplaincy work at various healthcare facilities in the Dublin area. Pray that she will bring hope and encouragement to those she visits.

2 HOME MISSION – The life and witness of the congregation of Kells which is vacant at present. Pray for Rev Brian Wilson (stated supply), the elders and members of the congregation.

3 PAKISTAN – The work and witness of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. Pray for wisdom for the leadership and ministers.

Pray too for Gujranwala Theological Seminary training people for ordained and lay ministries.

4 COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Sam Scott, community outreach worker serving in Eglinton congregation in north Belfast. Pray for the work amongst men.

14 DEMENTIA – Many thousands of people are affected by various forms of dementia.

Pray that, following assessment, they and their family carers will receive appropriate support and advice.

James and Heather Cochrane

15 HOME MISSION – Rev David Reid, and the elders and members of Douglas congregation in west Tyrone as they continue to reach out to their local community with the gospel.

5 TRITONVILLE CLOSE – This is an independent sheltered housing complex for older people located in the lovely village of Sandymount in Dublin. Give thanks that every resident is valued and respected in this happy community.

16 PORTUGAL – James and Heather Cochrane as they lead the church plant in Senhora da Hora and seek opportunities to build relationships with local people. Pray too for their colleagues Chris and Rachel Humphries, as they settle into life and work in Portugal.

6 HOME MISSION – The life and witness of the home mission congregations of Carndonagh, Malin, Moville and Greenbank and for the vacancy convener Rev David Latimer.

17 HOME MISSION – Rev Gunther Andrich who was installed as minister in the congregations of Irvinestown, Pettigo and Tempo in January, as he settles into ministry in the churches.

7 ENGLAND – Give thanks for the work and witness of Christopher and Nivedita Benjamin who have been reaching out with the gospel to the Gujarati community in the Wembley area since 1989. They are due to retire at the end of March. Pray for them as they prepare for retirement.

18 COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Andrew Dawson, community outreach worker serving in Second Dromara Presbyterian Church. Remember the twice monthly event (Café Hope), that new people will come along and that more people will come to faith in Jesus Christ.

8 COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Rebecca Finlay and for growing relationships with the women who come to the daily drop-in at West Kirk Community Project and those who attend mums and tots.

19 COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Josh McCance, community outreach worker serving in Donabate.

Josh McCance Pray for courage for Josh as he reaches out to people in Donabate and Balbriggan.

9 MALAWI – Lyn Dowds in her medical work at the David Gordon Memorial Hospital, and for Johnny’s work with the ‘Living Trees for Livingstonia’ project. Pray too for their children at boarding school in Zambia.

10 HOME MISSION – Arklow kirk session and congregation during this time of vacancy.

Pray that God will be preparing his servant to be the new minister of Arklow.

11 NEPAL – The United Mission to Nepal (UMN) as they strive to fulfil their vision: ‘Fullness of life for all, in a transformed Nepali society’.

20 BRAZIL – Naomi Keefe as she continues her work in church-based, Bible-based community development and evangelism in the Olinda area in north-east Brazil.

21 HOME MISSION – Rev Richie Cronin and the congregations of Aghada and Trinity, Cork as they seek to reach out to the people of the city and surrounding area.

22 LOVED ONES WHO ARE ILL OR LIVE WITH A DISABILITY – Give thanks for the many in our congregations who care for loved ones who are ill or live with a disability. Pray that they would be encouraged and sustained in their role.

23 HOME MISSION – Rev Colin McKibben and the congregation of Alt as they continue to reach out to their local community.

23 DEACONESS – Phyllis Linton serving in West Church Presbyterian Church, Ballymena.

Pray especially for West Church’s café church.

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

26 CHAPLAINS – Rev Dave Gray, chaplain at Queen’s University Belfast and Derryvolgie Halls. Pray for student services and small groups hosted in Derryvolgie Hall and their outreach ministries into the wider community.

27 NEPAL – Peter Fleming in his work in integral development with the United Mission to Nepal and Jayne Fleming as she teaches at Kathmandu International Study Centre.

28 COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Sean Roys, community outreach worker serving in Limerick. Pray for Limerick congregation’s community projects and for continued opportunities of reaching out to the local community.

29 CHAPLAINS – Rev Graham Stockdale serving as coordinating chaplain with the Northern Ireland Prison Service based at Maghaberry prison. Remember Graham and his colleagues dealing with the continuing challenges that come from working in the custodial setting.

30 Kinghan Church ministers to the deaf and hearing-impaired – Pray for the members of Kinghan Church as they worship together, for wisdom and guidance as they minister to each other and to those deaf people outside the church.

31 INDONESIA – People who are still suffering as a result of recent earthquakes and tsunamis in Indonesia. Pray that those in need will receive assistance to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. Give thanks for those who supported the Moderator’s Indonesia Tsuanami Appeal last autumn.

www.presbyterianireland.org/prayer

TALKING POINTS

Supporting the front line Dr Norman Hamilton and Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, endorse the work of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, urging Church members to get involved.

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n amongst all the frenzy, fury and fear that is surrounding Brexit, something very significant happened recently in Northern Ireland that has gone largely unnoticed. The Policing Board is back in operation again, after almost two years since the fall of the NI Executive in Stormont. The Board is responsible for the oversight of the police service in Northern Ireland, which itself faces huge challenges in its day-to-day work – as the recent car bomb in Londonderry showed only too clearly. We should not forget that the security threat in Northern Ireland is still officially classified as ‘severe’.

A few weeks ago, our Moderator led a delegation to meet with the chair and the chief executive of the Policing Board.

The purpose of that meeting was to offer our Church’s support, not only to the Board itself in the work it does, but to affirm our ongoing public support for and appreciation of the thousands of police officers who serve us night and day, week in, week out. Few of us really know the scope of what is done… investigating serious crime such as drug dealing and internet criminality; dealing with sexual abuse and serious family rows; policing our roads; offering security advice; and all the while supporting our communities.

Many of us take all this service and work for granted. Yet we should not.

There is a significant opportunity right now to support our police service and its officers at local level. And so a key message of this article is to invite readers in Northern Ireland to consider serving on one of the local policing and community safety partnerships, run by your local council. During the month of March, applications are open from members of the public to help in this way.

You can find out all the details online at www.pcsps.org/recruitment If you would like to chat to me about this possibility, please drop me an email

to norman.hamilton@btinternet.com and I will be delighted to help. I have served on one of these partnerships in Belfast, and I can assure you that to do so is both an enlightening and uplifting experience. Not only is it a great way of serving the community, but in doing so you become much more aware of what is happening locally, and you can bring that understanding back into the direct ministry of your congregation.

Almost by definition, policing deals with situations and with people where

There is a significant opportunity right now to support our police service and its officers at local level. there is often great distress emerging out of wrongdoing. It is no secret that officers themselves can be greatly affected by what they have to deal with day and daily.

They are called to uphold what is good as determined by the law of the land, and that is why their accountability through the Policing Board is so important. With that said, accountability works best when police officers are given the support and respect they so richly deserve. As a Church, we want to offer the support that is needed both in word and deed right across the province. So please consider if the Lord would have you offer your time and skills to your local policing and community safety partnership. Thank you!

Norman Hamilton is the convener of the Council for Public Affairs and minister emeritus of Ballysillan Presbyterian Church.

A very moving experience for me was a visit to the George Cross Memorial Garden in the grounds of Police Headquarters in east Belfast. I looked at the names of many officers who had paid the ultimate price and paused to remember the ongoing grief of their family members and colleagues.

The person accompanying me was a retired policeman and a member of my congregation. I had always been impressed by his warmth and strength of character, but that morning in particular I caught an insight into what had undoubtedly been his personal commitment to serve his community and his dedication to duty. He was visibly moved as he read some of the plaques.

My friend, reflecting the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, is typical of literally hundreds of police officers who belong to our churches. They all have personal stories to tell of being first on the scene or becoming involved in many traumatic situations.

I am delighted that the Policing Board has recently been reconstituted, which holds together two vitally important principles of accountability and advocacy. No organisation is ever perfect, but we surely owe it to our police service to offer our prayers and support in whatever way we can. In the coming weeks I am looking forward to visiting police districts in Northern Ireland to offer encouragement. In so doing I do not want to forget, of course, that our denomination covers two jurisdictions and we remember also the work of the Garda Siochana in the Irish Republic.

Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen

Herald March 2019

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Untold stories of

grassroots peacebuilding

O

n a recent Saturday afternoon, I joined a peacebuilding bus tour organised by the 4 Corners Festival and hosted

by Ohio-born Dr Emily Stanton, a peacebuilding practitioner and an academic at Ulster University.

Her PhD examined the practical wisdom of grassroots and civil society peacebuilding. She explained that “academic literature portrays civil society as being muted mood music, background to the political negotiations”. That contradicted her own observations and the bus tour grew out of a chapter in her thesis.

“I was struck by how many stories there were that hadn’t been told. And I was surprised that a lot of the learning hadn’t been consolidated. The historical narrative tended to be dominated by the political actors and ex-combatant actors, mostly male, and the grassroots, bottomup perspective was represented neither in academic literature nor at large… I wanted to be out there in public saying that there is a different story that’s also part of the narrative of the peace process.”

Stanton’s research recognises six phases of peacebuilding in Belfast, and the tour followed that chronology, travelling around the four corners of city as if following a piece of tangled spaghetti to revisit important people and organisations.

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Increasing the volume on the conflict radio (1965-1968) The bus drove past the Corrymeela Community’s original premises on Upper Crescent, predating the Troubles and set up with the support of Queen’s University students by Presbyterian chaplain, Rev Ray Davey and his wife Kathleen, to address societal division and promote dialogue in light of his experiences as a prisoner of war in Germany. Stanton described the early members “putting their faith into action” and providing “a form of community witness to divisions that could be bridged”.

Crisis response and fire-fighting (1969-1972) The rapid escalation of conflict in 1969 resulted in 60,000 people moving into single-identity communities over the next five years, at that time the largest mass movement of people in Europe since the end of the Second World War. Turning from south Belfast, we headed east past Ormeau Park – the site of 10,000-strong peace rallies – to stop on the Newtownards Road opposite the Titanic Yardmen sculpture. Stanton reminded the packed bus about the leadership shown by shipyard trade union shop stewards in influencing workers to prevent violence erupting from streets into workplaces.

She also recalled the nearly forgotten peace committees which used clergy and

As part of the 4 Corners Festival, Alan Meban takes a bus tour with a difference; visiting key areas in Belfast that tell the story of grassroots peacebuilding efforts. other civic leaders to de-escalate sectarian tensions in flashpoint areas.

Holding societal threads together (1973-1979) Two years before he was elected Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Jack Weir joined other Protestant church leaders including the Methodist’s Dr Eric Gallagher to travel to Feakle, Country Clare for talks with Provisional IRA leaders. Despite the meeting being disrupted by security forces, an IRA ceasefire began 12 days later on the 22 December 1974. On top of heavy criticism, the church leaders received abusive phone calls and death threats. It was many more years before substantive talks would resume.

Getting on with it (1980-1991) The bus re-entered south Belfast and stopped outside Fitzroy Presbyterian Church to hear about the FitzroyClonard Fellowship which began in 1981 to encourage mutual understanding and respect. A lifelong friendship developed between Rev Ken Newell and Father Gerry Reynolds. Near Marlborough Park we heard about the work of the Quakers in setting up prison visitor centres as well as hosting worldview-expanding dinners that increased contact between ex-combatants and politicians in Quaker House. Then we turned west.

Tilling the soil for political agreement (1992-1998) Clonard Redemptorist Monastery was the venue for reconciliatory activity as well as back channel talks. Father Alec Reid brokered talks between the SDLP’s John Hume and Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams. We passed the offices of Youth Link, set up in 1992 by the four main Churches to support inter-church youth work and faith-based peacebuilding.

Stanton noted that the ‘Yes’ campaign saw civil society activists undertake a widespread regional campaign to generate popular support for the Good Friday Agreement referendum and provide cover for negotiating politicians.

She spoke of the work done by Roisin McGlone and the Community Development Centre (CDC) in the immediate aftermath of the 1996 summer of conflict around disputed parades. 100 families were displaced at a financial cost of £10 million.

“Roisin is an unsung hero of peacebuilding. She helped develop the mobile phone network – innovative at the time because in 1996 mobile phones were not an everyday thing – realising how they could prevent interface violence from escalating. She helped create lines of communication across communities to dispel rumours in a way that wouldn’t put anyone at risk. The next summer saw much less conflict along the interface.”

Two steps forward and one step back (1999-2015) Heading northwards, we heard about the WAVE Trauma Centre which is still supporting the needs of people injured and traumatised during the Troubles.

By 1999, Roisin McGlone’s mobile phone network had been extended to 26 interface communities and she went on

We don’t want a society where people just tolerate each other; we want a society where people genuinely try and understand life from the other person’s perspective… to run community consultation processes to find ways to better manage and more sensitively police protests around the disputed Whiterock parade. She also helped link up senior republicans with police in the district command unit.

Stanton suggested that McGlone’s efforts in “trust-building and relationshipbuilding helped the republican movement towards a point where they could support the PSNI and join the Policing Board.”

Chatting over a cup of tea in the north Belfast Houben Centre at the end of the tour, Ruth McCrea (Rosemary Presbyterian) explained how the role of women struck her during the three-hour journey.

“I guess they were worried about their families. People from different sides had to be courageous and step forward and do what they felt was the right thing.”

She reflected that today we still “hear all the contagious stuff in the media and we don’t hear about the peacemaking that’s going on at ground level.

“We don’t want a society where people just tolerate each other; we want a society where people genuinely try and understand life from the other person’s perspective. You can only do that through talking to other people.”

Another person commented that “the

grassroots civil society came out trumps but you just hear about all the politicians who came in and saved the day. Though not Mo Mowlam. She’s been completely written out of history.”

Retired minister Rev David Knox was another Presbyterian on the bus who had come along “to learn more about the initiatives that went on but have been forgotten… we’ve lost so much of it”.

While he had heard about “some very heroic characters, I just wonder where the leadership is now?” he asked.

“There’s a return, I think, to our own little communities and we’re not hugely interested in what’s going on in anyone else’s community. It’s a great pity.”

That Saturday afternoon, as I left the bus tour behind and got back into my car at Holy Cross Parish to drive down past Crumlin Road Gaol and the Mater Hospital towards the Westlink, I reflected on the ordinary people and organisations – secular and faith-based – that stepped forward to make a difference and play unsung roles to build peace across the city, patiently and quietly working away from the glare of media attention. Their stories and the tour could be replicated in many different communities across this island.

Dr Charles McMullen’s moderatorial theme is ‘Building relationships’. Can our congregations be places of welcome, communities that reach out hands and wrap arms around people, that listen to the needs of those living around us and react by serving rather than judging or dividing?

Will we stand on the shoulders of past peacebuilders and in the words of Jeremiah “seek the good of the city”, and create communities of welcome, healing and peace, where people will encounter the mystery of community and lifechanging faith?

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Maintaining support for Myanmar

Ian Hart describes the inspiring visit he and wife Pat took to Myanmar, on behalf of PCI.

P

CI has had a partnership with the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM) (formerly Burma) for at least 40 years.

But out of necessity that partnership has been limited to sending specific financial help – during the 60 years of military rule the country was virtually closed to foreigners. Since the ending of military rule and the installation of a democratically-elected government in 2016, it has become possible for foreigners to go and work in Myanmar.

Later that year the PCM delegate at our General Assembly asked if PCI could send someone to teach on the staff of their theological college, Tahan, for a semester. Over the years I have done a lot of part-time theological teaching here and overseas – most recently short spells in Vanuatu (2015 and 2017). Pat and I are now retired and felt this was something we could undertake, when we were asked. So, after the details were worked out between PCI, PCM, and Tahan Theological College, we set off in May 2018, to teach semester one of the 2018-19 academic year, which began on 1 June.

The college The college is in the city of Kalay in the north-west of Myanmar – about 500 miles north of the capital Yangon

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(formerly Rangoon). The membership of PCM is mostly people from the Chin Hill tribe, and Kalay is the main city for Chin State.

Though PCM only has about 35,000 members, the college has an amazing 170 full-time students. This is because Baptist, Methodist, and other denomination students come too. Indeed, many students are simply studying for a degree, with

Another surprise about the Presbyterian church is that dancing in the aisles during hymn singing (often including the minister) is the norm rather than the exception…

no particular plan to become full-time church workers.

I taught four Old Testament modules to four year groups. Pat is a doctor, not an English teacher, but the college was delighted to have a native Englishspeaker to teach English, so having functioned thus in Vanuatu, she did a full teaching load too. All the teaching at tertiary level in Myanmar is in English but the standard of English of the students is generally poor. The whole country’s educational system had deteriorated during the military regime.

For the hill tribes English is their third language, after their mother tongue and Burmese.

We received a warm, even fervent, welcome from staff and students. Most students had never spoken to a nonBurmese before. These Christians, who had been living in a country closed off from the outside world for so long, were surprised and moved to learn that Christians in another part of the world know about them and are interested in them and love them enough to come and live alongside them! We formed a high regard for the teaching staff and they became firm friends – frequently popping in and out of our house and inviting us to theirs. They were also keen to know what we thought about their college – its standard compared to colleges in

the outside world – and wanted our suggestions for improving it.

Living conditions were basic. The classrooms were stiflingly hot – a problem for students and lecturers alike.

We had no fridge because there is no proper electricity supply. No Western food was available (because there have never been any westerners!). We bought our meat – from the beast which was slain every morning – at the roadside booth 100 yards from our front door. Our cooking facilities were two gas rings; Pat’s inventiveness in producing enjoyable food never ceased to amaze me.

These Christians were surprised and moved to learn that Christians in another part of the world…love them enough to come and live alongside them.

The church A fascinating fact is that the gospel was brought to this remote part of Burma, not by Western missionaries, but by Indian Christians from across the border in the Indian north-eastern states (which are predominantly Christian), especially Mizoram.

Another surprise about the Presbyterian church is that dancing in the aisles during hymn singing (often including the minister) is the norm rather than the exception; Methodists and Baptists apparently don’t have nearly so much fun.

The language situation is astonishing to westerners. The Chin Hill tribe, which is only one of six hill tribes living around the periphery of Myanmar, speak about 90 different languages. PCM runs services in nine. The Chin Hills rise to 20,000 feet and are completely covered on their lower slopes with dense tropical rainforest, so groups of villages, until recently, have had no contact with other groups of villages and so their languages developed independently.

We attended Sunday services in congregations of anywhere between 50 and 500. We felt the worship was enthusiastic and from the heart. The age profile is much younger than in PCI. There are good community relations between the 8% Christian minority and the 90% Buddhist majority. One of the two Vice-Presidents of the country is a Christian (and a Chin); an army general.

There are many efforts at evangelism among Buddhists and some success: we were at a service where seven Buddhists were baptised. The college has recently started a BA course and is delighted to have several Buddhist students enrolled – in this well-known Christian college.

The country Since independence from Britain in 1948 (at the same time as India/Pakistan), Burma has been a very troubled country.

For most of the intervening period the Burmese army has been fighting armed separatist groups in the border areas.

Put simply, eight civil wars going on for

At the level of everyday life things are visibly improving. Less money is going to the army and instead roads are being resurfaced, schools refurbished, dams are being built (for electricity). The stateowned ‘everything’ is being privatised, the press is freer, people are less afraid to speak about political issues, the teak forests are being protected. (There is a downside to all this good government: most people have a small motorbike and in the past it was normal to have up to four people on it and most people didn’t bother getting a licence to ride; now you have to get a licence, buy number plates, have to pay a road tax, no more than two people are allowed on it and both have to wear helmets! The police are standing on the roadside enforcing all this.)

The Rohingya crisis in Rakhine State in the west is well known, as is the criticism of Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi for not speaking out about atrocities by the Burmese military. The issue is a complex and long-running one. All we know (and we are not experts) is that the Burmese people are not criticising her; they say she is in a delicate powersharing arrangement with the army. Also, the recent crisis started with atrocities by the Rohingya armed group ARSA in August 2017 and there is evidence that ARSA has been infiltrated by IS. Most of Myanmar’s 50 million citizens want Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi to continue in government, she is doing so much good for the country.

Finally…

60 years! Today Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) government have persuaded most of these groups to cease fire and to negotiate towards a federal structure for Myanmar, giving the border area/ hill tribes a degree of autonomy. So the picture is much improved. (As we go to print, the Myanmar army has just announced it is halting operations in Kachin and Shan State, where there was sporadic fighting, to try to persuade the armed groups to join the negotiation process.)

The Christians among whom we were living all voted for the NLD (as did about 90% of the entire population) and are delighted it is finally in power.

Pat and I are grateful for the opportunity we had to spend time with God’s people in a remote corner of a far-off land, and to get to know brothers and sisters in Christ from a very different background to our own. We hope we have been able to encourage them in their faith and in their work for the gospel. We believe for them the partnership with PCI has become far more real since two Irish Presbyterians came and lived among them as colleagues and friends.

Rev Ian Hart is minister emeritus of Great Victoria Street Presbyterian Church.

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Turning over a new leaf Allen Sleith outlines why climate change is such a significant problem for this generation and why we as a denomination need to do more.

W

hen considering God’s good news in Jesus Christ, the Church’s predominant focus has been on the divine-human relationship and its consequences for human-human relationships. But the biblical witness cannot be reduced to this cluster of relationships, crucial though they are, for the Scriptures portray a grander narrative with vaster perspectives in which the ‘non-human’ (or better stated, ‘extra-

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From a biblical and theological perspective, we humans are… misconstruing our call to be responsible stewards of God’s good creation. human’) aspects of creation are also held to have a grandeur, integrity and value of

their own distinct from human utility.

The most comprehensive context for God’s loving purposes is the entire creation in all its wonder, beauty, intricacy, diversity and interdependence.

The latter basically means that one small change in a particular locale can have numerous effects, for better or worse, elsewhere and thereafter – there was a ‘worldwide web’ long before computers came along. To be sure, humanity is the special recipient of God’s blessing

(Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:5) but it is noteworthy that the first human being is given the name ‘Adam’ which means ‘of the dust’, indicating a profound, indeed intrinsic kinship with God’s good earth as well as with God. While we humans are called to the subordinate role of dominion of the earth on God’s behalf, this is not to be construed as domination or exploitation but rather stewardship of the divine gift (Genesis 2:15). The Hebrew word shamar translates to ‘keep/tend/ guard/take care of ’. The fall of humanity that ensues (Genesis 3) is contrary to God’s will, yet its evil consequences affect every dimension of creation (Isaiah 24; Hosea 4:1-3). Divine sovereignty and human responsibility are the main twin foci of the scriptural witness, and issue in a series of covenants that define their relationship in its drive towards redemption, but this is articulated in terms of creation as a whole and not just humanity in isolation.

Leviticus 25 is a command for Israel to renew its corporate life by letting the land replenish every seventh year, with a celebratory year of restoration every 50th year. Psalms 8, 19, 65, 67, 104 and 148 are wonderful renderings of how God ordains and sustains the intricate interactions of humans and the rest of creation to their mutual benefit and blessing. Our vocation, therefore, is to ‘nurture nature’, both human and extrahuman, as these have been entrusted to us by God, or even more so, to leave creation alone, as this article will argue, so that it can recover and thrive.

In the New Testament, Jesus defines his missionary priorities and refines his modus operandi by spending 40 days and nights in the primal purity of the wilderness, in the company of animals, but note, unaccompanied by humans. To advance his down-to-earth cause of redeeming creation, Jesus first of all goes on a retreat, a dialectic of withdrawal and engagement that continues throughout his ministry. His parables and other teachings about the reign of God make use of analogies from nature as well as human actions in natural settings. Paul speaks about “the whole creation groaning” as it awaits its redemption in Christ Jesus: human

salvation to be sure, but not without the rest of creation (Romans 8). And John the seer brings the biblical witness to a fitting climax in his vision of a new heaven and earth in which God dwells in a setting where human beings, city streets and nature’s garden all conjoin (Revelation 21-22). The biblical narrative is therefore concerned, first, last, and

…we covet and consume more than earth can sensibly sustain or we ourselves need. indeed, throughout, with God’s will to bless, renew and perfect creation as a whole, and not just humanity in isolation, nor even with creation as the expendable stage on which the divine-human drama is temporarily set.

A perfect moral storm: the ethical tragedy of climate change Given the above scriptural survey it is therefore incumbent upon the church to respond appropriately to whatever threatens the wellbeing of God’s good creation. The increasingly overwhelming scientific consensus is that humanlyinduced climate change, and especially global warming, is just such an urgent threat.

Naomi Klein’s book, This Changes Everything, reiterates the thesis of Stephen Gardiner that climate change is an ethical tragedy of our own making – ‘A perfect moral storm’. The numerous phenomena of climate change are well documented and affect our entire planet, but its particular manifestations and effects impact different localities in diverse ways and with varying degrees of intensity. Yet, as so often, it is the poor, already disadvantaged, who have

been, and likely will continue to be, most vulnerable to the deleterious consequences of climate change, and this despite the fact that the poor are far less responsible for contributing to it than are affluent communities.

Our shared earthly home has seen humanity undergo several historic revolutions: the ‘agricultural’ (9,000 BCE) from hunter-gatherers to agrarian workers; the ‘industrial’ (1750 CE) from agrarian to mechanisation; the information (1950 CE) with the rise of modern transportation, communication and other technology. Scientists call this 11,000 year era the Holocene, a Greek word meaning ‘wholly recent’, during which human civilisation has largely thrived in stable environmental conditions. But the cumulative effect of our desire for more resources has gradually depleted and is destroying earth and its ecosystems, a negative spiral that has markedly accelerated since we began rampant extraction of carbon-emitting fossil fuels with the onset of the industrial revolution in the 1750s, but especially since the 1950s. Consequently, scientists argue that we have now entered into a new era in human geo-history, the Anthropocene, another Greek word that emphasises that for some time now, and increasingly in the future, human activity is having a disproportionately negative affect upon the finely-tuned intricacies of planet earth.

As Daniel Maguire puts it in a pithy sentence, “If current trends continue, we will not.” This points the way to another and absolutely necessary revolution, the ecological, one which will require a nearly universal change in our ways of living, including an extensive reformation of our theology and ethics as church, since ours is a planetary parish. There is no plan-et B!

Climate change: causes and effects The evidence for recent rapid climate change, largely human-induced, can be demonstrated by the following nine effects: Sea level rise: the rate of this in the last decade is nearly double that of the last century. Several small pacific islands Herald March 2019

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are close to disappearing and other larger countries, such as Bangladesh, are especially vulnerable as are many coastal cities and communities.

Global temperature rise: most of this has occurred since the 1970s with the 20 warmest years having occurred since 1981 and with all 10 of the warmest years in the last 12 years.

Warming oceans: the oceans have absorbed much of this increased heat with the top 700 metres of ocean showing warming of 0.302°F since 1969.

Shrinking ice sheets: the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have significantly decreased in mass in the last few years.

Declining Arctic sea ice: both the extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice has declined rapidly over the last several decades and rates are accelerating constituting a severe threat to such species as polar bears and penguins.

Glacial retreat: glaciers are retreating almost everywhere, including in the Alps, Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska and Africa.

Extreme events: record high and low temperature events have been increasing with climate volatility also evident in intense rainfall events and prolonged droughts in already vulnerable areas.

Ocean acidification: since the industrial revolution, the acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by 30%, rising by about two billion tonnes per year. Fragile coral reef ecosystems are dying as a result.

Decreased snow cover: this releases more methane, previously trapped under the snow and ice sheets (see point 4 above) into the atmosphere and methane has even more destructive effect as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

From a biblical and theological perspective, we humans are surely running counter to the divine intent in contributing to this situation by misconstruing our call to be responsible stewards of God’s good creation. Rather than ‘going with the grain’ of the divine economy to respect, tend and share the various gifts and resources that God provides, we have chosen to engage in what is sometimes called the ‘extractive economy’ in which we covet and consume more than earth can sensibly sustain or

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…the church is called, not to lag behind other communities, or to leave it to others, but to lead the way in reformation. we ourselves need. The biblical authors were amazingly prescient in seeing the tragedy and exposing the faithless irresponsibility in such practices through their acute analysis of systemic sin.

They continue to challenge us, not simply to reconsider our individual choices (important though these are) but to lament and repent of our flawed practices as fallen societies. In this, the church is called, not to lag behind other communities, or to leave it to others, but to lead the way in reformation. Some suggestions for the reformation of our theology as a Church, and transformation of our ethics as a community are given below.

Turning over a new leaf I offer the above phrase as a contextually relevant motto for what we discern to be our Christian responsibility as we lean into God’s future, while facing the enormous challenge of climate change.

It has several shades of meaning that are intended to act more as ‘directions’ than ‘directives’ since they cannot be imposed upon the unconvinced or unwilling.

Nonetheless, I believe they represent a glad but urgent imperative that Christ calls us to enact as members of PCI, as part of his body, the church universal: A repentant change of mind, heart and practice at past and current attitudes and actions so that we seek afresh to live in ways more consistent with God’s will for all creation to flourish and not be threatened or destroyed by careless or rapacious human behaviour. Based upon the Reformation understanding in

which the church is ‘reformed and always being reformed’, this turn to a more ecologicallysensitive way of discipleship is a particularly compelling contemporary expression of the latter part of that venerable phrase. Our calling is to choose where our priorities lie: between the ‘big economy’ of conventional economics with its heavy emphasis upon extraction, consumption, pollution and waste; or the ‘great economy’ of divine revelation where God works to redeem and perfect the good but fallen creation which Jesus entered into fully.

A renewed hermeneutic, or simply put, fresh interpretations of the pages or leaves of the Scriptures in which the whole created order is the context for understanding God’s always greater ways and not just a human-centred or anthropocentric reading of the Bible.

While emphatically not denying or diminishing the biblical language of sovereignty, lordship, judgment and salvation, we seek to become more attentive to and appreciative of the terminology of creation and new creation also found in Scripture, being prepared to articulate our faith in these ways too.

The semantic field thus opened up will make extensive use of such metaphors as rootedness, nurture, waiting, yielding, frugality, sustenance, providence, growth and fruitfulness, as well as deepening our appreciation of the wonderful reality of earth’s numerous ecosystems and their intricate interactions.

A renewed vision in which we focus on the image of God’s eternal faithfulness and steadfast love, demonstrated, not least, in the cosmic processes and perennial seasons in which the fresh emergence of new growth and green leaves shows that God keeps promises even in the face of human sinfulness. The return of the dove to Noah’s ark (Genesis 8:11) with a fresh olive leaf; the renewal of life from the dead-looking stump (Isaiah 11:1); the abundant life we receive as we abide in Jesus the true vine ( John 15:4-5); and the fruitfulness of the tree of life in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:2) are tangible signs of God’s creative fidelity – ‘on earth, as in heaven’. Amen.

REFLECTIONS

Laughter, tears and lots of questions Betsy Cameron

I

have been plagued by eye problems these past few months. come into relationship with God, which continues to intrigue Actually, it seems the problem is with my tears. They are, me. How do you answer the question at the end? and I quote, ‘inadequate’. Isn’t that sad? I can’t even cry “It made me think about that mysterious turning of our hearts right! And I do get lots of practise. Like my mom and when we come to faith. Do we make our way through the maze sister, I tear up regularly. Dignity goes out the window as faces of our lives, with all of our dead ends and wrong turns and collapse and snuffling commences. missteps, to come into relationship with God? Can all of our Speaking of tears, did you realise (and why would you?) that striving and longing get us to God? Do we, lost and hopeless, March 2019 marks 10 years since I have been writing this find God? Or does God find us?” monthly piece? And yes, you heard right, it all started in tears.

An article I wrote in 2015 entitled ‘Wide open spaces’ comes Back in 2009 as Mother’s Day was approaching, a story about from quite a deep place in my heart. It was my attempt to my oldest child was swirling around in my heart, a story I had crystallise what the liberating good news of the gospel means always intended to write down and eventually pass on to him. and to affirm what the bedrock of my faith is. What, to you, is I boldly asked Stephen Lynas, editor of the Herald, if I could most important about your faith? share it with a wider audience, which I “In that big, big story of God’s love for thought might galvanise me into action, this crazy, broken world, I am grounded March 2019 marks 10 and he kindly said yes. The story involved by love, not fear. I swap certainty for faith a chance encounter we had with an elderly years since I have been that ‘all will be well’ even without all the woman when my oldest child – then my answers. I cling to the cross, which tells writing this monthly only child – was just a toddler. The colour me that life is stronger than death, hope of my child’s hair had caught her attention, piece… is stronger than despair, love is stronger and she came over to tell me about her than fear. I resist that powerful pull back little boy, her only child, who had died of a heart defect when to captivity, with its appealing certainty about how the system he was just four: works, and I step out boldly into the wide open spaces of God’s “And so, on Mother’s Day, I remember that unexpected radical freedom in Christ Jesus.” encounter with a stranger in a shop, a mother with her broken, The process of taking an idea and honing it until it becomes a searching heart who blessed my life. In her life’s story of finished (I use the term loosely) article is quite laborious. Even love and longing, she bears witness to our God who loves I can never quite believe how long it takes! The form is a short us endlessly, who longs for us to be in relationship, and who personal essay, something from the heart that I hope others will remembers, always, what we are like, down to the very smallest be able to relate to. I start with a story and then move out from detail.” there in a meandering way to pose questions that the story has It is over 20 years now since that conversation took place, and given me. I like to imagine that whoever is reading my article is I still cry when I remember her heartbreaking story of loss and having a conversation with me. the tender way she touched the top of my child’s head. Her I say ‘whoever is reading my article’ as if I take it for granted story helped me describe the way God loves us in a way I hadn’t that someone, anyone will be reading. And I don’t! So thank you considered before: God loves us like a mother. Have you had for being ‘out there’. Thank you for your company; for laughing experiences that give you fresh understanding about the way with me and crying with me and, most importantly, for loving God loves us? and living the questions.

When I’m not crying, I’m laughing. I find the ups and downs of daily life quite funny, even if I don’t always see the humour at the time. The story that makes me laugh to this day is the one I wrote in 2012 about getting lost in France, and it illustrates that old truth that tragedy + time = humour. It’s not really tragic.

But it did happen, and my family never even missed me. The story leads to an important theological question about how we

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REVIEWS

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

Worship Anthems 2019 Various ELEVATION

£12.93

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Worship Anthems 2019 gathers together live recordings of worship songs from various large Christian events and festivals from the last year. It’s a wide-ranging album with a good variety of worship leaders contributing to it, from events like Spring Harvest, Keswick and Soul Survivor.

It’s a great starting place to hear some of the most recent worship songs being sung in a congregational context. The live recordings give the pieces an immediacy that can sometimes be missing from studio recordings and, because these are pieces that are already being sung at large events, they are all fairly memorable and easy to pick up.

Of course, the musical setting of a large event like Spring Harvest is probably not quite what we are reproducing on a Sunday morning, but the live setting is easier to replicate than a studio recording might be.

It may be that most of us aren’t attending big conferences or events and, therefore, we are missing out on hearing some excellent new worship music; if that is the case, this album is a great way in to hearing what is being produced at the minute, as well as enjoying new settings of some classic hymns. Even if you’re an avid festival-attender, this is a good compilation of pieces from across the board – some with a very modern feel, others very traditional, reflecting the great variety of worship music that is being produced in 2019.

LI

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Prayer in the Making Lyndall Bywater BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP

£8.99

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Prayer is something that can produce feelings of guilt and inadequacy in many of us, but this book goes some way to encouraging the reader that it shouldn’t be so, helping us to build a sustainable life-giving rhythm of prayer.

Lyndall Bywater examines 12 different types of prayer, with each one linked to a different Scripture or biblical character.

She introduces the reader to different streams and methods of prayer.

As someone who struggles with the discipline of being still and praying in a traditional way, this book opened up the whole concept and practice of prayer to me. Offering me the assurance that I’m not getting it wrong as such, but rather that I haven’t been celebrating God in a way that’s wholly me, in a way that best suits my personality. I found it enriching and somewhat liberating to read that, as an activist, akin to the personality of Peter, I can pray in my doing as opposed to my being. What I also learnt was that the ‘listening’ in prayer can and should be a multisensory experience.

I found this book so very enlightening – it is packed full with suggestions, old and new, in how to pray, with each section concluding with practical options for ‘Trying it’, ‘Talking it’ and ‘Sustaining it’. This book is suitable for both individual and corporate use and will bring blessing to both in the reading of it. I believe the truth contained in the pages of this book have the power to transform your prayer life!

LS

Eternity is Now in Session John Ortberg HODDER & STOUGHTON

£13.99

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Is ‘being saved’ more than simply meeting the minimal entrance requirements for getting into heaven?

Is there more to the gospel than a call to believe the right things?

These questions, posed by Ortberg in the beginning of his book, demonstrate what is a prevalent assumption in our culture – that salvation is nothing more than the mental assertion of the correct beliefs in order to be permitted entry into the ‘good place’ after you die (a view that even those within the church can sometimes unconsciously adopt).

In a simple and straightforward way, Ortberg explains how the gospel is so much bigger than that, it is an invitation to allow Christ’s kingdom to permeate and shape our lives, to engage in interactive, grace-filled life with Jesus, here and now, which will then continue (not begin) after death. He challenges believers not to stop at profession of belief, but to actively pursue a life of discipleship and obedience – not just knowing about God, but knowing God. Although well written, this book was not always what you would call an easy read – I found myself frequently challenged to bring my own sinful attitudes and ego to Jesus’ feet. Yet in doing so, I also found fresh encouragement to seek and pursue Christ and the life of discipleship all the more, and so to experience the presence and power of God in the rhythms of the day-to-day, and for that, I am truly grateful.

PA

REVIEWERS

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

The Irish Presbyterian Mind Andrew R. Holmes OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

£65.00

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This new book, about the heyday of the prominence of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, will be of wide interest at a time when many in the Church are having to ask hard questions about our ambitions to play a leading role in society.

Holmes explodes the myth that a straight line can be drawn from Henry Cooke (in the 1830s) to Ian Paisley (in the 1950s), which led to Ulster Protestants being stereotyped as “irredeemably puritanical, uncultured, anti-Catholic, and narrow-minded” (p3). Instead, Holmes reveals a Victorian Presbyterianism that was largely conservative and evangelical but which, in the decades after the 1859 revival, was fully engaged with contemporary trends in natural and mental science, biblical criticism and patristics. Fuelled by a robust philosophical-theological synthesis, these high-minded Presbyterians saw themselves as heirs of Colmcille, hoping that Ireland could again be a centre of Christian learning and piety for the good of all Europe.

We also find that colleges overseen by the General Assembly owned a set each of Migne’s 330 volume collection of the Greek and Latin church fathers.

This book contains a treasure trove of insights into an overlooked period of Presbyterian history. Anyone seeking models of Irish Presbyterian ministry that are both progressive and conservative, robustly reformed and catholic, will find much to ponder in this book.

SB

PA – Philip Alcorn is an administrative officer for the Herald SB – Sam Bostock is the assistant minister in Bloomfield Presbyterian Church LS – Lisa Skinner is an administrative officer for the Herald

Only Jesus Casting Crowns

PROVIDENT MUSIC GROUP

£12.93

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In the 20 years since their formation, Casting Crowns have produced 12 albums in the Christian pop/rock genre. They have arguably been one of the most successful Christian groups of this era and have kept a mostly stable membership since they began in 1999. One of their aims over this time has been to challenge the church to steer clear of apathy and stir them to action.

Raising Kids in a ‘You Can Do It’ World Paul Tautges 10 PUBLISHING £2.99

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At 75 pages, this compact little book is a quick read, which makes it very accessible. Designed to offer insight and practical application for parents on raising their children in the context of faith, Tautges considers the society in which our children are growing up.

He says, “The world teaches our kids that they are awesome and that they can

This latest album invites the listener to focus on the saving grace of Jesus and points us to an evangelistic lifestyle.

I have to confess that I have not avidly followed Casting Crowns for the last 20 years (I know some people have!), but I really enjoyed this album. In particular, the title track, Only Jesus, challenges the listener to pursue Jesus rather than their own glory; speaking into our fameseeking generation about what kind of kingdom we want to build. “I don’t want to leave a legacy/ I don’t care if they remember me/ Only Jesus…”

The relaxed pop/rock style makes for easy listening and the catchy melodies and meaningful lyrics feel like a winning combination. In the track Nobody, they continue the theme of moving away from our own fame and towards Jesus: “Ever since you rescued me/ You gave my heart a song to sing/ I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus.”

An enjoyable and challenging listen for a newcomer to Casting Crowns – it might even encourage me to check out their back catalogue to see what I’ve been missing over the past 20 years!

LI

achieve anything they want.” Recognising that this backdrop can make it more difficult to parent, Tautges’ focus is on teaching children humility and that they are sinners in need of grace. His approach is particularly direct – on the first page he asks the reader: “Are you saved?... are you content to possess superficial faith?” His point is valid (although it may put some off!) – we need to be intentional about passing on faith to our children and this will happen more naturally when we have a vibrant personal faith of our own.

Unfortunately, there were some sections I struggled with. Tautges lists ideas for us to adopt of a Saturday night, to help us prepare the family for church on Sunday.

Although well intentioned, many of them just seemed too unrealistic for busy family life.

In writing advice books for parents, there is a fine line between offering encouragement with a challenge and simply inducing guilt. Sadly, I think Tautges veered too much into the latter.

SH Herald March 2019

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LIFE IN PCI Access awards for church buildings Four Presbyterian churches have received Prestige Access Awards from the William Keown Trust. Moira, Maze, Clogherney and Drumbo were all recognised for their accessibility for people with disabilities.

In 2013 Drumbo Presbyterian in Lisburn decided to replace the former schoolhouse which served as a church hall from the 1950s. Desiring to reach out to the community and facilitate the church’s needs, the new Receiving their awards are (clockwise) Moira, Clogherney, Maze and Drumbo. building includes a sports hall, café and lounge area.

Disabled toilets, clear signage, floor finishes suitable for wheelchair users and high quality lighting make this a user-friendly building.

Moira Presbyterian’s new church building was praised at the awards ceremony for being constructed to an excellent standard with user needs catered for in a “very acceptable way”.

In 2016 the original church building, which had served the Co Antrim congregation from 1829, was demolished to make way for a major building project costing £1.2 million.

Features aiding accessibility include flexible seating arrangements, double doors, wide aisles, hearing loop systems in all meeting rooms, and a fully compliant previous building having been knocked down due to the major repairs it stairway and lift. required.

A loop system has also been installed in Maze Presbyterian’s new The new building is totally disabled friendly and includes a ramp meetinghouse and halls. leading to the platform, which accommodates the pulpit and Access to the Co Antrim building is from a bitmac-surfaced car park Communion table. The hymns are projected onto both walls at either with four clearly defined disabled parking bays convenient to the main side of the pulpit and this is a great advantage for those who are visually entrance doors. impaired.

Good colour contrast and hard floor finishes throughout permit easy Praising Clogherney in the award citation, the Trust said, “The access for wheelchair users along with the use of wide door openings to congregation of Clogherney are to be commended for their foresight in corridors and rooms. constructing this new church, one which will serve the generations to Clogherney Presbyterian near Beragh in Co Tyrone opened in 2017, the come.”

A focus on the environment at Newtownbreda

Rev Anne Tolland is presented with an ECI Eco Award by Joe Furphy (ECI)

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Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church has long had an interest in caring for God’s creation, in using resources well and working to reduce the impact of climate change. One way the Belfast church has approached this is through the resources of Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI).

ECI encourages churches of all denominations to take an eco approach to worship, lifestyle, property and finance management, community outreach and contact with the developing world. The Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist churches are involved, and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

The website ecocongregationireland.com has many resources to help churches take practical action in the context of their Christian faith. A simple checklist helps churches assess what they are already doing and determine future priorities.

The eco-committee at Newtownbreda has been working in this way since 2012, including a commitment to recycling, the use of the church grounds for biodiversity, and involvement in overseas mission projects with a strong environmental element. Actions as simple as installing bicycle stands and the regular inclusion of environmental themes in services have helped to raise awareness among the congregation.

This year Newtownbreda successfully applied for an Eco-Congregation Award, given to churches which have shown an ongoing commitment. Joe Furphy (PCI representative on Eco-Congregation Ireland) presented the award to the congregation on 18 November.

At the same service, Newtownbreda was pleased to host the ECI Climate Justice Candle. This candle has been travelling around Ireland since December 2015, visiting over 100 churches.

As well as other Presbyterian congregations such as Hillsborough and Blackrock, and all the other main denominations, the candle has been used in services by the Dublin Korean church and in an event for Syrian refugees on a beach in Donegal.

The candle acts as a symbol of unity of purpose for all of these churches, and was a helpful element as Newtownbreda focused on the way that climate change impacts most severely on the poor of the world.

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

New elders in Carlisle Road Five new elders were ordained and installed by a commission of the Presbytery of Derry and Donegal in Carlisle Road Presbyterian Church recently. The new elders (seated) are: Trevor Galbraith, Shirley Hunter, Derek Moore, Stewart Ramsey and Victor Wray. Also in the photograph are: Ivor Ferguson (clerk of session), Dr Rob Craig (Kilfennan), Gary King (Leckpatrick), Rev Paul Linkens (moderator of presbytery), Dr Brian Brown (acting clerk of presbytery) and Rev Mark Russell (vacancy convener).

Retirement in Ballyblack A presentation was made to John A. Rankin following his retirement as chairman of Ballyblack Presbyterian’s fundraising subcommittee after many years of service. Photographed are: Dr Donald Watts, Mr Rankin and Alex Warden (clerk of session in the Co Down church).

100th birthday celebrations

Retirement in Ballykelly A presentation has been made to Shirley Nicholl (centre) to mark her retirement from Ballykelly Girls’ Brigade where she was captain for over 30 years. Also pictured are new captain Rachel Taylor and Rev Alan Wilson.

Ria Ferguson celebrated her 100th birthday recently. Mrs Ferguson was surrounded by family, friends and her minister Rev Alan Sleith (Hillsborough Presbyterian) for the celebration at Newcroft Lodge in Holywood. She was also visited by PCI Moderator Dr Charles McMullen and his wife Barbara. Born in Armoy, she married Sam in 1946. The couple moved to Antrim, Belfast and then Hillsborough in 1973, where they ran an antique shop until Sam’s death in 1986. Mrs Ferguson has two sons, Leslie and Bill. She attends Newcroft Lodge three days a week. Pictured are Bill Ferguson, Dr McMullen, Mr Sleith, Leslie Ferguson and (front row) Mrs Ferguson.

On song in Co Londonderry Members of Bellaghy and Knockloughrim Presbyterian churches brought Christmas cheer to Magherafelt Manor nursing home by singing and giving each resident a card and sweets.

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LIFE IN PCI

New minister in Mullingar and Corboy The induction service of Rev Daniel Reyes Martin took place in Mullingar Presbyterian Church, Co Westmeath recently. He will lead the Lord’s Word in both Mullingar and also Corboy Presbyterian Church, which is situated in neighbouring Co Longford. Both congregations thank vacancy conveners, Rev Keith McCrory and Rev William Hayes, for their constant support, leadership and guidance. Pictured are Mr McCrory, Mr Reyes Martin, Rev David Bruce (Secretary of the Council for Mission in Ireland) and Mr Hayes.

Fellowship in Co Armagh The Burning Bush Fellowship from Cremore, Fourtowns and Poyntzpass Presbyterian churches pictured at their New Year thanksgiving lunch in the Armagh County Club. They were guests of Rev Mark and Dr Lara Wilson.

New minister for Co Fermanagh Rev Gunther Manfred Andrich has been installed as minister of the congregations of Irvinestown, Pettigo and Tempo Presbyterian churches.

He is pictured with members of his family, Edeline, Dieter, Christelle and Ulrike. Photograph courtesy of Norman Donnell, Irvinestown.

Castlederg man receives BEM Lieutenant Jim Emery, from First Castlederg company of the Boys’ Brigade, is pictured receiving his British Empire Medal for services to the BB and the community in County Tyrone from Robert Scott (Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Co Tyrone) at a recent investiture in Hillsborough Castle, County Down.

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New Communion table in Katesbridge Thanks to the generosity of family and friends, who donated money in lieu of flowers following the death of Robert William (Bertie) McElroy, his wife Beatrice and his four children presented a new Communion table to Katesbridge Presbyterian Church in Co Down. Pictured are: Elaine Elliott, Robert McElroy, Rev Nigel Kane, Amanda Orr and Caroline Irwin.

Photograph by Billy Maxwell.

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

New minister in Trinity and Aghada Rev Richie Cronin has been ordained as minister of Trinity and Aghada.

He is pictured with Mick Finn (Lord Mayor of Cork) and Rev Alistair Dunlop (moderator of Dublin and Munster Presbytery).

Licensing in Ebrington The Presbytery of Derry and Donegal licensed Robert McFaul in his home congregation of Ebrington. He is now currently the assistant minister in Ballykeel, Ballymena. Pictured are Robert’s parents, Carol and Billy McFaul, with Robert and his wife Jillian.

Milestone in Ballyeaston Edward Ferguson, a member of Second Ballyeaston, celebrated his 100th birthday recently. He is pictured with PCI Moderator Dr Charles McMullen, daughter-in-law Marbeth, grandson Andrew, son Trevor, Rev Chris Glover (minister of the Co Antrim church) and his sister Marion McAuley.

Long service recognised in Joymount Joymount Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus has marked 40 years of service by organist and choirmaster John McIlwaine with a presentation.

John is pictured with members of Joymount choir.

Anniversary of ordination marked in Clogherney Members of Clogherney Presbyterian in Omagh marked the 50th anniversary of the ordination of their minister emeritus, Dr John Lockington, by inviting him to conduct their Communion service at the start of 2019. Pictured are Dr Lockington and Norma Lockington with the kirk session (front row) and the congregation.

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LIFE IN PCI

Retirement in Newington Thanksgiving in Hillsborough Hillsborough Presbyterian has just completed repayment of a debt for its new suite of halls, which cost almost £1.5 million. Repayment was ahead of schedule due to the generosity of the congregation and the local and wider community, who supported the various fundraising activities that were organised over the past eight years. To celebrate the occasion, a service of thanksgiving was held in the Co Down church when £7931.50 was raised for Air Ambulance NI through a special offering.

Newington Presbyterian Church members said a fond farewell to their minister Rev David McIlwaine and his wife Denise recently. David has been faithfully labouring in the church and local community for the past 11 years and is now looking forward to a well-deserved retirement.

Family and friends had joined together for a wonderful evening of praise and celebration the previous Friday night, and many returned to share in a meaningful Communion service on the Sunday morning. Pictured are David Wilson (elder), Mr and Mrs McIlwaine, and John Lynass (clerk of session in the Belfast church).

Newtowncrommelin charity event A charity concert in aid of Laurel House at Antrim Hospital took place at Newtowncrommelin Presbyterian recently. The church choir, friends and children from Clough Primary took part in the event, which was recorded

by Ernest O’Hara. It was well supported by friends and the community, and Margery Greenwood (one of the choir leaders/organists) recently handed over a cheque for over £5000 to Laurel House.

Presentation in Magherahamlet Magherahamlet Presbyterian Church recently presented a gift to Robert Carlisle in recognition of his faithful service as Gift Aid secretary. Mr Carlisle is pictured receiving his gift from Rev David Hyndman (minister of the Ballynahinch church).

Presentation in Edenderry At Edenderry’s nativity play a gift was presented to Rev Linda Keys, who is leaving Omagh to take up ministry in West Church, Ballymena. The gift was presented by the superintendent Amy Smyton.

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Visit

SAINT PATRICK'S COUNTRY

GROUP TOURS FOR 2019

PREPARED TO GO

The Saint Patrick Centre

Built in the shadow of the 12th century Cathedral of Down and Saint Patrick's Grave the Saint Patrick Centre provides the only permanent exhibition in the world about Ireland's Patron Saint.

Saturday 6th April / £10 at Belfast Bible College

Explore our award winning interactive galleries and IMAX presentation with a Guide, eat in our fantastic new cafe and shop in one of Northern Ireland's best craft and gift shops.

A day of training for those preparing for cross-cultural ministry on short-term

Our knowledgeable and friendly staff welcomed over 800 coaches to this stunning presentation last year and we look forward to welcoming your group and guarantee a personal service you will not find anywhere else.

mission trips.

Half Day Tour including an Exhibition Visit with our guide joining your group to go to the first church in Ireland at Saul, tour Down Cathedral and see Saint Patrick's Grave. - £7.50pp (min 12)

Sharing Faith Across Cultures / Health, Safety and Well-being / Team Development & Discipleship / Teaching English Effectively / Dealing with Poverty and Injustice / Understanding Islam / Ministering to Children

Guided Tour of Exhibition £4pp (Booking Essential)

To book go to: mapmission.org

Tel: 028 4461 9000 | www.saintpatrickcentre.com PreparedToGoGraphics.indd 2

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ACROSS 1 This number frequently appears in Revelation (5) 4 Paul’s protégé (7) 8 This OT country was an enemy of Israel (7) 9 A short form of Samuel (3) 10 A search to uncover facts (13) 13 A male sheep (3) 14 Deep humming sound (5) 17 A light musket (5) 19 Zero in a game (3) 20 Famous Jane (4) 21 The state of being the same (10) 25 The shepherds were filled with this (3) 26 Sharon’s flower (4) 27 A small onion (7) 28 French headgear (5)

DOWN 1 Disease which wiped out millions post WWI (7-3) 2 Italian volcano (8) 3 And not (3) 4 The business of buying and selling (7) 5 Type of duck from Fermanagh? (7) 6 One’s story of salvation (9) 7 Country in SW Asia (5) 11 One does not make a summer (7) 12 An old sailor? (3) 15 Northern Ireland Railways (abbrev) (3) 16 Constituent part (7) 18 Ways out (5) 20 Eagle’s nest (5) 22 Ark builder (4) 23 This occurred after Eden’s temptation (4) 24 American city (4)

compiled by Harry Douglas

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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 ABBOT’S CROSS: REV. E.J. HYNDMAN: Mr. Gary O’Rourke, 14 Abbeyhill Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0YE. AUGHNACLOY & BALLYMAGRANE: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. N.L. SMYTH: (Aughnacloy) Dr. Cecil Givan, 230 Main Street, Lisnaskea, BT92 0JG. (Ballymagrane) Mr. Murray Robinson, 184 Caledon Road, Aughnacloy, BT69 6JD. BAILIEBOROUGH, FIRST; BAILIEBOROUGH, TRINITY, CORRANEARY & ERVEY: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. D.T.R. EDWARDS: (Bailieborough, First) Mr. Fred Gilmore, Lisgar, Bailieborough.

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

BALLYGAWLEY & BALLYREAGH: REV. D.W. REID: (Ballygawley) Mr. Paul Coote, 2 Alexander Drive, Aughnacloy,BT69 6DP. (Ballyreagh). Mr. Trevor McDaniel, 120 Mullaghmore Road, Dungannon, BT70 1RD. BALLYGILBERT: REV. J.M. BROWNE: Mr. Alastair Vance, 1a Seahill Road, Holywood, BT18 0DA. BALLYMONEY, FIRST: REV. K.D.W. CROWE: Mr. Neil Robinson, 15 Kirk Road, Ballymoney, BT53 6PP. BALTEAGH & BOVEVAGH: REV. J.G. JONES: (Balteagh) Mr. William Robinson, 46 Drumaduff Road, Maine South, Limavady, BT49 OPT. (Bovevagh) Mr. Boyd Douglas, 279 Drumrane Road, Dungiven, Co Londonderry, BT47 4NL. BANGOR, HAMILTON ROAD (ASSOCIATE): (Reviewable Tenure - 5 years) REV. T.W.D. JOHNSTON: Mr. Tom Clarke, 85 Churchill Park, Bangor, BT20 5RW. BLACKROCK & BRAY: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. R.H. HOUSTON: (Blackrock) Mrs. Merle White, “Carnalea”, 71 Foxrock Manor, Dublin 8, D18 H2XA. (Bray) Mr. Karsten Lux, 73 Castlegate Apt., Castle Street, Dublin 2, D02 RC83.

BOARDMILLS, TRINITY: REV. S.A. WOODBURN: Mr. Adrian Patterson, 41 Cabra Road, Legacurry, Hillsborough, BT26 6NB. CAIRNALBANA & GLENARM: (Reviewable Tenure - 5 years) REV. W.F. DICKEY: (Cairnalbana) Mr. B. Alexander, 84 Drumcrow Road, Glenarm, BT44 0DL. (Glenarm). Mr. D. Preston, 42 Rossburn Manor, Connor, BT42 3RB. CAVANALECK & AUGHENTAINE: (Reviewable Tenure - 7 years) REV. W.D. CUPPLES: (Cavanaleck) Dr. Charles McKibbin, Cooneen Old Rectory, 9 Tattenabuddagh Lane, Fivemiletown, BT75 0NW. (Aughentaine) Mr. John McCrory, Screeby Road, Fivemiletown, BT75 0TP. COOKSTOWN, FIRST: REV. D.S. BROWNLOW: Mr. Gordon Black, 21 The Dales, Cookstown, BT80 8TF. CULNADY & SWATRAGH: REV. D.W. LEACH: (Culnady) Mr. Robert Kyle, 75 Culnady Road, Upperlands, BT46 7TN. (Swatragh) Mr. Ivan Bolton, 55 Barnside Road, Swatragh, BT46 5QS. DROMORE, FIRST: REV. R.A. LIDDLE: Mr. Cecil Gamble, 12 Diamond Road, Dromore, BT25 1PQ. DUNDALK: (Home Mission - Reviewable Tenure - 5 years) REV. T.D. HAGAN: Mr. David Redmond, Corderry House, Knockbridge, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

MARKETHILL, FIRST & SECOND: REV. N.J.E. REID: Mr. Ken Toal, 9 Magherydogherty Road, Markethill, BT60 1TX. RAMELTON & KILMACRENNAN: REV. C.M. WILSON: (Ramelton) Mr. David Armour, Loughnagin, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. (Kilmacrennan) Mr. Nathaniel Rogers, Gortnavern, Coolboy, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

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RICHVIEW: (Part-Time (60%); Reviewable Tenure – 5 Years) REV. N.S. HARRISON: Mr. Victor Garland, 25 Abingdon Drive, Belfast, BT12 5PX. SAINTFIELD ROAD: REV. A.E. TOLLAND: Mr. Alistair McCracken, 19 Beaufort Crescent, Belfast, BT8 7UA.

2 LEAVE TO CALL DEFERRED BALLYBLACK: REV. S.A. LITTLE: Mr. Alex Warden, 92 Bowtown Road, Newtownards, BT23 8SL. GORTNESSY: REV. P.E. LINKENS: Mr. Ross Hyndman, 32 Temple Road, Strathfoyle, Londonderry, BT47 6UB.

SETTLED STATED SUPPLY APPOINTED BALLINDERRY: REV. W.J. HENRY, Minister of Maze BOVEEDY: REV. DR. T.J. McCORMICK, Minister of 1st Kilrea CAHIR: REV. WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, Minister of Fermoy KATESBRIDGE: REV. N.J. KANE, Minister of Magherally KILREA SECOND: REV. S.A. MORROW, Minister of Moneydig TYRONE’S DITCHES: REV. J.K.A. McINTYRE, Minister of Bessbrook

3 DECLARED VACANT ARKLOW: REV. GARY McDOWELL: Mrs. Emily Kearon, Malindi, Sea Road, Arklow.

AGHADOWEY & CROSSGAR: REV. DR. MARK GOUDY: (Aghadowey) Mr. William Knox, 46A Mullaghinch Road, Aghadowey, Coleraine, BT51 4AT. (Crossgar) Mr. William Reid, 87 Broomhill Park, Coleraine, BT51 3AN. ARMOY & RAMOAN: REV. NOEL McCLEAN: (Armoy) Mrs. Ann Campbell, 77B Bregagh Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, BT53 8TP. (Ramoan) Mr. Robert Getty, 23 Carrowcroey Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, BT53 8UH. BALLYCAIRN: REV. ROBERT LOVE: Mr. J.B. Milligan, 19 Glenariff Drive, Dunmurry, BT17 9AZ. BALLYHOBRIDGE, CLONES, NEWBLISS & STONEBRIDGE: REV. C.G. ANDERSON: (Ballyhobridge) Mr. David Jordan, Drumboghamagh, Newtownbutler, BT92 8LL. (Clones) Mr. Tom Elliott, Bellmount, Newtownbutler, BT92 6LT. (Newbliss) Mr. Thomas McConkey, Killyfuddy, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan.

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

BELFAST, ST. ANDREW’S: REV. M.R. BURNSIDE: Mrs. Edith McCallum, 115 Comber Road, Dundonald, BT16 2BT. BELVOIR: REV. B.J. McCROSKERY: Mr. Brian Dunwoody, 19 Drumart Drive, Belfast, BT8 7ET. BURT: REV. JAMES LAMONT: Mr. James Buchanan, Heathfield, Burt, Lifford, Co. Donegal.

CAIRNCASTLE: REV. R.I. CARTON: Mr. Cowper Lynas, 2 Croft Heights, Ballygally, Larne, BT40 2QS. CARLISLE ROAD & CROSSROADS: REV. K.H. HIBBERT: (Carlisle Road) Mr. Ivor Ferguson, 24 Riverside Park, Altnagelvin, Londonderry, BT47 3RU. (Crossroads) Mr. Richard Russell, 31 Creevagh Road, Londonderry, BT48 9XB.

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 CARNDONAGH, GREENBANK, MALIN & MOVILLE: REV. DR. DAVID LATIMER: (Carndonagh) Mr. David McKeague, Claggan, Culdaff, Co. Donegal. (Greenbank) Mr. Campbell Armstrong, Whitecastle, Quigley’s Point, Co. Donegal. (Malin) Mrs. Barbara Smyth, Dunross, Culdaff, Co. Donegal. (Moville) Mr. Joseph McNeely, Rock House, Lecamey, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal.

CASTLEWELLAN & LEITRIM: REV. N.J. KANE: (Castlewellan) Mr. Desmond Wilson, 44 Ballylough Road, Castlewellan, BT31 9NN. (Leitrim) Mr. Drew Harte, 100 Carrigagh Road, Dromara, BT25 2HR. COAGH, BALLYGONEY & SALTERSLAND: REV. T.W.A. GREER: (Coagh) Mrs. Amy Allingham, 17 Coagh Road, Cookstown, BT80 8RL. (Ballygoney) Ms. Essie Hessin, 10A Ballyloughan Road, Moneymore, Magherafelt, BT45 7YB. (Saltersland) Mr. Matt Hyndman, 4 Brennan Court, Magherafelt, BT45 6AT. CRUMLIN ROAD: VERY REV. DR. T.N. HAMILTON: Mr. James Coleman, 2 Abbeydale Parade, Belfast, BT14 7HJ. DERVOCK REV. R.M. MOODY: Mr. John Surgenor, 82 Toberdoney Road, Dervock, Ballymoney, BT53 8DH. DRUMBANAGHER, FIRST AND JERRETTSPASS & KINGSMILLS: REV. B.D. COLVIN: (Drumbanager, First and Jerrettspass) Mr. George Moffett, 16 Glen Road, Jerrettspass, Newry, BT34 1SP. (Kingsmills) Mr. Raymond McCormick, 119 Kingsmills Road, Bessbrook, Newry, BT35 7BP. GLENDERMOTT: REV. K.A. JONES: Mr. George Walker, 3 Beverley Gardens, Londonderry, BT47 5PJ. INCH: REV. JAMES LAMONT: Mr. James Buchanan, Heathfield, Speenoge, Burt, Co. Donegal, F93 W3K6.

KILBRIDE: REV. D.T. McNEILL: Mr. Alistair Lamont, Church Office, Kilbride Presbyterian Church, 12 Moyra Road, Doagh, Ballyclare, BT39 0SD. KILKENNY: REV. WILLIAM MONTGOMERY: Mr. John Ellis, Annamult, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny.

LISSARA: REV. W.H. HIGGINS: Mr. Matthew Cuffey, 227 Derryboy Road, Crossgar, Downpatrick BT30 9DL. MAY STREET: REV. GRAEME FOWLES: Mr. Arthur Acheson, 56 Quarry Road, Belfast, BT4 2NQ. MOSSIDE & TOBERDONEY: REV. A.J. BUICK: (Mosside) Mrs. Mabel Morrison, 284 Moyarget Road, Mosside, Ballymoney, BT53 8EH. (Toberdoney) Mr. Hugh Hill, 5 Castle Park, Deffrick, Ballymoney, BT53 8EW. NEWINGTON: REV. DR. I.D. NEISH: Mr. John Lynass, 8 Bushfoot Park, Portballintrae, BT57 8YX. RYANS & BROOKVALE: REV. F.J. GIBSON: (Ryans) Miss Nora Hamilton, Rathfriland Manor Nursing Home, Rossconor Terrace, Rathfriland, BT34 5DJ. (Brookvale) Mr. Norman McCrum, 49 Ballynamagna Road, Rathfriland, Newry, BT34 5PA. SESKINORE & EDENDERRY: REV. C.F.C. CLEMENTS: (Seskinore) Mr. J.A. Patterson, 119 Letfern Road, Seskinore, BT78 2JU. (Edenderry) Mrs. Muriel Good, 14 Racolpa Road, Mountfield, Omagh, BT79 0HU.

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

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

A82 PF60.

TOBERMORE & DRAPERSTOWN: REV. DR. J.A. CURRY: (Draperstown) Mr. Gordon Dickson Jnr, 7 Strawmore Road, Draperstown, BT45 7JE. VINECASH: REV. DR. MICHAEL McCLENAHAN: Mr. Thomas Graham, 38 Richmount, Portadown, BT62 4JQ.

THE ELDERSHIP Ordained & Installed: BALLYMENA, WEST CHURCH: Bryan Gormley, Mark Livingstone, Fiona McConnell, Laura McKane, Sam Murray BELMONT: Caroline Elizabeth McCollum, Andrew James Sherrard, Christopher Michael Joseph Steele, Deborah Jane Thompson, Karen Elizabeth Watson CARNDONAGH: Mark Buchanan, Gordon Smyth SIXMILECROSS: John Henry Charles Anderson, Gareth Samuel James Clarke, William Albert James Hetherington Installed: BALLYMENA, WEST CHURCH: David Allen SIXMILECROSS: Alan Joseph Gibson Died: CASTLEDAWSON: Walter Montgomery CLONANEESE, LOWER: George Lyttle COAGH: Eric Howard COMBER, SECOND: Desmond Dobbin Crawford COOKSTOWN, FIRST: Sandy Gibson ISLANDMAGEE, FIRST: Isabel Kane MALONE: Danny Adams, John Stanley Barr Henderson NEWMILLS (Co TYRONE): Sam McMullen PORTADOWN, ARMAGH ROAD: Joseph Alexander (Alex) Edgar

THE MINISTRY Ordained & Installed: Alan Marsh, as Minister of Second Keady & Drumhillery, on 11 January 2019 Joanne Smith, as Minister of Caledon & Minterburn, on 18 January 2019 Ordained & Inducted: Jonathan Charles Newell, as RAF Chaplain, on 3 February 2019 Inducted: Günther Manfred Andrich, as Minister of Irvinestown, Pettigo & Tempo, on 18 January 2019 Linda Mary Keys, as Associate in West Church Ballymena, on 26 January 2019 Retired: David Joseph McIlwaine, as Minister of Newington, on 6 January 2019 Resigned: Linda Mary Keys, as Minister of Seskinore & Edenderry, on 25 January 2019 Died: Rev James Walker Neilly, Minister Emeritus of Immanuel, on 31 January 2019

WARRENPOINT & ROSTREVOR: REV. S.A. FINLAY: (Warrenpoint) Mr. Denis Brady, 28 Seaview, Warrenpoint, Newry, BT34 3NJ. (Rostrevor) Mr. Terry O’Flynn, 15 Aurora Na Mara, Rostrevor, Newry, BT34 3UP.

TEMPORARY STATED SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT BELVILLE: REV D.S. HENRY: Mr. Jack Parks, 95 Dromore Road, Hillsborough, BT26 6HU.

Herald March 2019

49

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

PORTSTEWART: Luxury 4-bedroom cottage and 5-bedroom townhouse available June-Sept. Call: 07513 826551, Email: pabloguy50@gmail.com. Facebook: @campbellandcorentalproperties PORTSTEWART: Five-bedroom house for rental high and low season. Enclosed garden, private parking. Tel 07598 719348 after 6pm.

PORTSTEWART: Kate’s Place at 10 Aghermore Avenue is an attractive 3-bed bungalow. Family friendly with enclosed rear garden and off-street parking in a quiet cul-de-sac. Available all year round (no smoking, no pets, minimum 2 night stay). Telephone Kate for bookings: 07511 801651.

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

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

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

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

CROSSWORD Solution to no 249

ACROSS 1 Seven 4 Timothy 8 Assyria 9 Sam 10 Investigation 13 Ram 14 Drone 17 Fusil 19 Nil 20 Eyre 21 Uniformity 25 Awe 26 Rose 27 Shallot 28 Beret

50

DOWN 1 Spanish flu 2 Vesuvius 3 Nor 4 Trading 5 Mallard 6 Testimony 7 Yemen 11 Swallow 12 Tar 15 NIR 16 Element 18 Exits 20 Eyrie 22 Noah 23 Fall 24 Reno

Herald March 2019

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.

FOR HOLIDAY RENTAL: A beautiful luxury 2-bedroom apartment on the coast road between Portrush and Portstewart, just past Tides restaurant. Unobstructed sea views over the Ballyreagh pitch and putt course. Living area on the ground floor, lounge on the first floor, completely redecorated and all new furniture etc.

Please note no pets nor smokers. £465 per week or £495 for July/Aug. Tel: 07745 158454.

ANNALONG: Two-bedroom bungalow sleeps four with extra travel cot on request, level access to the rear of the property extending to large enclosed garden overlooking the sea. OFCH, towels and bed linen provided. Local sites to visit include Silent Valley, Spelga Dam, Cranfield Beach, Carlingford Ferry, the Mourne Mountains and many more, local amenities – within 5 mins’ walk to shops, restaurant and Annalong Harbour. Pet and smoke free home located in Annalong. Contact 028 92689750 / 07747 716978.

W I L L A N LO D G E, P O R T R U S H: Picturesque log cabin set among gardens located in quiet residential area. 3 bedrooms (one en-suite). Fully furnished and equipped. Reasonable rates. Telephone 07989 815312.

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

Republic of Ireland GREYSTONES HOLIDAY HOME: Quiet area in Co Wicklow, 8 minutes’ walk to sea, village and DART to Dublin. Special reductions for clergy. Tel: 00353 012876805 / 0044 118 9787018.

HOLIDAY COTTAGE IN Dunfanaghy www.Justcome.biz Tel: 00353 851231274.

To Let

Self Catering SELF CATERING: FLORIDA (villa) lake view/private pool. Disney 20 mins. FLORIDA (apartment) resort – full facilities – heated pool. Disney 10 mins. SPAIN – large coastal apartments beach/restaurants mins. NORTHERN IRELAND – apartment – north Antrim coastal views – shops/ restaurants 5 mins. Contact 07971 194211/ geraldsmyth@hotmail.com

Catering MOIRA PRESBYTERIAN WILL cater for groups coming to visit Hillsborough Castle, the forest park, Dobbies, Sprucefield, Lisburn etc. Morning coffee; lunch; afternoon tea; high tea. Contact: Mrs Simpson 028 92612329.

LYLEHILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (near Templepatrick) – Our catering team will be delighted to cater for morning coffee, lunch or high tea. Tel Kathleen: 028 94432701 or 07842 193774.

VISITING THE CAUSEWAY COAST AREA? The ladies of Bushmills PW would be pleased to cater for groups. Telephone Doreen Armstrong 028 20741022 or Margaret Picken 028 20731539.

F I R S T BA L LYM O N E Y PW would welcome parties for morning coffee or high tea during the summer. Please contact Mrs M Murdock – 028 27663622 or Mrs A Booth – 028 27662757.

THE LADIES OF FIRST RANDALSTOWN PW are willing to cater for groups during May and June. Morning coffee or afternoon tea. Convenient to A26 for the North Coast or Antrim Castle Gardens. Contact Nadine 07883 834810 or June 028 94472046.

BANNSIDE PW, BANBRIDGE, will be pleased to cater for groups visiting the area for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and high tea. Please contact Marion on 028 40626987.

VISITING FERMANAGH LAKELANDS? Why not stop off with Cavanaleck PW for morning coffee or high tea? For further information contact Hazel Hopper – 028 89541321 or Margery Smith – 028 89521212.

ORGANISING AN OUTING? The ladies of Carrowdore and Ballyfrenis would be delighted to cater for your group.

Morning coffee, lunch, high tea or supper.

Convenient to Mountstewart, Ards Peninsula and Ards or Bangor shopping centres. For details contact Lillah Stevenson 028 91861233 or Hester Muckle 028 42788917 / Mobile 07713 029096.

B A L LYG AW L E Y P R E S BY T E R I A N CHURCH – At the end of the motorway not the world. Is your group heading west for a trip? Why not avail of the excellent facilities and food provided by our ladies in aid of Ballygawley and Ballyreagh Church Projects in Moldova. Menus and prices available.

Contact Catherine on 028 85557839 or 07519 089895 after 7pm.

CATERING – HEADING to or from the North Coast? Ballyclare Presbyterian is in an ideal location for morning coffees, lunch or high tea. For more information contact Margaret on 07521 888365.

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

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

Piano Tuning Services available throughout Ireland

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

Spain HOME IN MADEIRA FOR HOLIDAY RENTAL: Family home with glorious Atlantic Ocean view over secluded garden, 2 double en-suite bedrooms, 5 minute walk to shops and restaurants and bus to nearby Funchal city. View at www. dreamvillasmadeira.com, book via website or phone owners on 028 92689518 or 07818 894546.

offering the perfect location for visiting the stunning North Coast.

Ideal destination for walking and golfing breaks as well as family gatherings and memorable holidays.

For rates, availability and details of our eight delightful cottages visit www.giantscausewaycottages.com Or call Audrey on (028) 2073 1673

Church AV Specialists

Friends of Rev Henry Cooke New publication – £5.50 a copy with reductions for multiple copies.

One of PCI’s greatest sons.

Read about the history of your Church.

See also http://bibletheologyqa.blogspot.co.uk CONTACT: physics.services@gmail.com or mob: 07426 097322.

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

07855 450887

ROCKMOUNT GOLF CLUB RESTAURANT

28 Drumalig Road, Carryduff, Belfast T: (028) 90812279 E: info@rockmountgolfclub.com

Experience the Difference!! * Church Bus Trips * Private & Church Functions * * Family Parties * Anniversaries * Birthdays * Weddings * * Business Lunches * Conferences * * Breakfasts for Church Groups * Morning Coffee & Scones * * Afternoon Teas * Graduations * Christenings * Funerals * * or just for lunch * Rockmount provides great traditional dining with a contemporary twist. Set in the beautiful surroundings of our 18-hole championship standard golf course you will be treated to great food prepared to order by our chefs.

Special Rate for Bus Trips for groups over 20+ £10 Fork Buffet Meal £16.50 Main, Sweet and Coffee £20 Starter, Main, Sweet and Coffee No room hire and no service charge. Complimentary jugs of orange.

Youth Residential Starting from £36pp Day Trips Starting from £12pp - 21 Wet & Dry Activities

Site Includes:

- Accommodation for 1-60 persons

- Lounge Room - Dining Hall

- Enthusiastic, Fun & Fully Qualified Staff - Large Grass Area - Snack Shop

- Catering & Self Catering Available

- BBQ Area

- Close to Benone Beach, Giants Causeway, Binevenagh Mountain & much more

15% OFF when you quote

Local Church Information Available

‘HERALDCAC’ info@carrowmena.co.uk 02877763431 www.carrowmena.co.uk

Leaking flat roof?

Upgrade to a new

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MILLISLE AND BALLYCOPELAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Wedding Dress & Flower Festival THEME:

“BIND US TOGETHER LORD” Flower Displays Co-ordinated by Elsie Crawford

Friday 24th May 2019 Saturday 25th May 2019 Sunday 26th May 2019

10-00am - 8-00pm 10-00am - 8-00pm 2-00pm - 5-00pm

Other local attractions include:

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

Haire Bros Ltd 028 7034 2696

www.hairebros.co.uk

Eden pottery Mount Stewart house & Gardens Ballycopeland Windmill

Refreshments, Morning Coffee, Lunches, Afternoon Teas & High Teas Available Group bookings welcome for further details contact:

Betty Bailie Tel: 02891861177(after 6pm) Mary Kennedy Tel: 02891861965(after 6pm) Patrica Lightbody Mob: 07912449690

Proceeds in aid of Church Funds

Registered Charity in N.I. - NIC 105206

Integrators of:

Professional Audio Projection / Displays Salvation Army - Bangor

Cameras Induction Loops With nearly 50 years experience in providing Audio & Visual equipment, we work hard to enable you to get the very best solution for your needs and budget.

Every Church is unique and we provide the right solution for you.

We visit with you and discuss your exact requirements and then provide a clear and itemised solution. Please feel free to contact us for a chat.

Duneane Presbyterian Church

Salvation Army - Portadown

St Andrews Presbyterian Church

Dervock Presbyterian Church

Abbots Cross Presbyterian Church

Magherlin Parish Church

57 Drum Road Cookstown BT80 8QS Tel: 028 8676 4059 www.reasound.com Contact : Roger McMullan

High Kirk Presbyterian Church