Mission Connect

MissionConnect

Prison chaplaincy and new opportunities

PCI mission news from around Ireland and the world.

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

Rev Norman McDowell

Delivering ‘a message of hope’

Mae Irvine

Women’s ministry looks to the future

Naomi Leremore

Prison chaplaincy and new opportunities

Rev Graham Stockdale

Derryvolgie life in lockdown

Rev Dave Gray

Building bridges

Steve and Rosie Kennedy

Including spring prayer diary

God’s surprises

Rev Norman McDowell

Recently retired forces chaplain

Way back in the 1980s when Hazel and I were considering what had happened. Within two weeks someone asked could we whether God’s call was pointing us to overseas mission train recruits remotely and the dispersed regiment came back or congregational ministry, we discerned that it wasn’t to life again, as everyone from corporal instructors to platoon the overseas field that God wanted us in (too many creepy commanders (and the padre thrown in with the values and crawlies), but rather the teaching and preaching ministry. But God standards programme), created and delivered online training. It is full of surprises and we was so effective that when found ourselves not where we expected, but rather as Forces chaplains…are amazingly accepted in a those ‘dispersed’ recruits finally completed their training and missionaries to the soldiers of the British Army. fairly godless community as we are recognised and had their socially distanced passing off parade, just about God’s surprises are a good appreciated for our ability to reach into the lives everyone considered that they way of keeping us on our toes and keeping us reliant on him of our personnel and lead, guide, or direct them to were the best recruits we had ever trained. as our driving force in his work. My training had prepared me a better place in life. Summer and autumn saw us ramping up to capacity again, for a teaching ministry, but albeit with Covid-19 restrictions that focus on the Sunday sermon quickly morphed into the reality complicating everything. Socially distanced church services in the of chaplaincy, which is about mixing and mingling with people in barracks chapel meant that one single Sunday service became five, their own environment. It’s fair to say that genuinely committed with no mingling over coffee afterwards, but we were still able to believers are few and far between in the army, yet we are privileged reach our spiritually-hungry young people and teach them about to serve their spiritual needs (even though many may struggle to Jesus and point them to salvation. recognise anything spiritual about themselves). Forces chaplains – Then retirement finally caught up with me, six years late as the navy, army or air force – are amazingly accepted in a fairly godless army had kept me longer than any other chaplain. I wonder what community, as we are recognised and appreciated for our ability to God’s next surprise will be? reach into the lives of our personnel and lead, guide, or direct them to a better place in life. And so, I became less the congregational Please pray: minister, and more the missionary.

Fast forward to March 2020 and the first lockdown when God • Give thanks for Norman’s service over many years as an army had another surprise, this time for the whole world. I was assigned chaplain. to one of the army training regiments and we were just beginning to build up to maximum capacity after the doldrum years of low numbers. Then lockdown hit, we sent the recruits home, and within 48 hours I wandered around a deserted barracks wondering • • Pray for the new recruits as they begin their service in the army. Pray too for all who serve in our armed forces, for good health, safety and protection and that they will know the Lord is with them, whatever they face.

Delivering ‘a message of hope’

Mae Irvine

Home manager, Corkey House residential home

It is beyond dispute that one of the groups hit hardest by the A nursery in Edinburgh that provides care to keyworkers’ children pandemic is that of older people. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 even sent beautiful pictures that were made by the children. last April, our residents at Corkey House have had to isolate The residents really appreciated this. A few weeks later a large from their friends and families for extended periods of time. The envelope arrived from Australia. When we opened it there was a past 12 months have proven beautiful letter from an activity to be very challenging, as many residents are missing the Not only has this initiative given residents an coordinator in a care home, with postcards and lovely emotional support that their opportunity for social interaction, but it has also messages and pictures from loved ones are able to provide. It has also become evident that opened up new avenues for global communication some of the residents of that home. Our residents were so the residents are missing the daily activities that the staff and lifelong friendship moved by this kind gesture, that they were very eager are responsible for delivering. to respond. They have even We have had to limit the number of religious representatives and begun drafting their own replies and taking photos to attach to visitors to the home too, which has sadly impacted our social their letters. They are hoping to get a few pen pals ‘down under’ programming. from this amazing experience. Not only has this initiative given

At Corkey House we understand that older people are especially residents an opportunity for social interaction, but it has also vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation – and that it can have opened up new avenues for global communication and lifelong a serious effect on health if left unaddressed. The pandemic has friendship. prompted us to rethink how we can tackle loneliness and social isolation amongst our residents, so that they can enjoy their time spent here, even in times of such uncertainty. Please pray:

One initiative that we introduced this year was ‘a message of • Pray for our residents and their families – may the Lord comfort hope’. I asked my friends and family on social media to write and them and keep them safe in these hard times. send postcards to the residents from their home country. Whilst it • Pray for God to keep his hand over our staff, in house and the was a small gesture, the resulting deliveries brought a great deal wider team – to give us the strength to face the trials of a new of joy and sparked lively conversation among the residents and day. staff. The initiative was a huge success, with postcards arriving • Give thanks for the gift of a new day, the love and support of from all over the world: Australia, Amsterdam, Canada, America, our families, friends and professionals within and outside of our Tasmania and China. The residents were eager to see where the postcards had arrived from and were excited to read the stories and thoughtful messages that were written inside. • team. Pray for an end to this pandemic, as we look forward to the day when we can all be together again safely.

Women’s ministry looks to the future

Naomi Leremore

PCI global mission worker in Kenya

Ninety-nine years ago, a fellowship for girls was formed in Kimani, the Guild director, is leading the national board as they two Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) boarding take time out to look at the health of the organisation today and schools. The aim was to bring the students together for cast a vision for its future ministry. prayers and Bible study and to teach them how to live Christ-like The curriculum team have written two handbooks for use in lives. The fellowship (called training the ‘followers’ wanting Girls’ Guild) was founded on Romans 12:11–13: “Never Through the decades, the association has touched to become Guild members. Over the next few months, be lacking in zeal, but keep the lives of many in the community, taking care of another curriculum will be your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, destitute children and the needy. designed for mentoring girls with the same basic aim as patient in affliction, and faithful back in 1922 – bringing girls in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practise together for prayer and Bible study and teaching them to live hospitality.” Christ-like lives.

In 1943, the fellowship was renamed Women’s Guild as its membership included both women and girls. Through the decades, the association has touched the lives of many in the Please pray: community, taking care of destitute children and the needy. Their presence is relied on during church weddings and funerals. The women in blue headscarves have a reputation for being well organised and getting things done! Fast forward to 2021 and we’re in a village where all the Guild • • Thank God for Rev Elizabeth Kimani in her role as the director of women’s ministry and remember the board as they meet to pray and plan for the centennial events in 2022. Ask for God’s blessing on the curriculum team tasked with designing the mentoring book for girls. Pray over their first members belong to the same age group. Having grown old meeting which will take place in April and for the preparation together, they can no longer carry the heavy sufurias (giant work needing to be done beforehand. cooking pots) in which food is prepared for church functions. Who • Pray for the Holy Spirit to work within the Guild, encouraging will take their place? members to purposefully mentor younger women and girls as

This question needs to be addressed as the organisation part of their ongoing ministry. approaches its centennial celebrations in 2022. Rev Elizabeth

Prison chaplaincy and new opportunities

Rev Graham Stockdale

Lead chaplain in Maghaberry Prison

As prison chaplains, our essential remit is to bring spiritual a hostel or a family home, or requesting help from a supporting and pastoral ministry to the prison population, but the charity. virus has impacted heavily on both of these aspects of Now this is not without its tensions. One tension is getting the our work. During the last year, for the most part, we have not balance between the practical and spiritual – sometimes I feel been able to hold services and courses such as Alpha. And unlike there is an imbalance towards the former at the expense of the wider society where the latter, but alongside that there congregation can be reached by Zoom, Facebook and I hope that our efforts during this unprecedented is a knowledge that this is just for a time, that we will return YouTube, in the prison we period will yield long-term fruit, that prisoners to a more holistic approach. don’t have such resources. Similarly, our pastoral ministry and families will remember how we, in the name But I hope that our efforts during this unprecedented has suffered as we are not able to visit freely within the prison, of Jesus, were able to help. period will yield long-term fruit, that prisoners and but only to those who have families will remember how recently come in and to the wider population by request only. we, in the name of Jesus, were able to help.

However, where areas of ministry have been restricted or I also think that a careful reading of the Scriptures might bring us stopped, other areas have opened up for us and one of those is to a deeper appreciation of the spiritual role of clothing. The one the ministry of clothing. The last words of instruction from Jesus to clear example that has been imprinted on my heart and mind is his disciples before he goes to the cross, recorded by Matthew, is the action of the Father to his returning son who instructs that the that they should feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, befriend the finest robe is brought and placed on his shoulders. stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick and those imprisoned. Currently I can’t really fulfil the visiting instruction, but I can focus on the clothing bit. Let me explain this a bit further…

Before the pandemic, when family and friends were coming on prison visits, they were able to bring clothing. For most of the last Please pray: year, visits have only been virtual and so prisoners have not been able to get clothing in. This is an area where chaplains have been • Pray for Graham and others involved in reaching out to prisoners and their families during the pandemic.able to help. It hasn’t been the extreme case of needing to clothe • Pray that the practical assistance given will yield long-term “the naked” because the prison does provide basic clothing, but fruit. we have become a lot more involved in picking up clothing from

Derryvolgie life in lockdown

Rev Dave Gray

Chaplain, Queen’s University Belfast and Derryvolgie Hall, Belfast

The chaplaincy team spent the summer preparing protocols and creatively resourced these to shape a practice of being still, and putting the infrastructure in place in order to create listening, and praying with purpose into the life around us. as safe an environment as possible. The upgraded Wi- In a more typical year, chaplaincy students are encouraged to Fi anticipated the reliance of all residents on virtual learning. invest in service projects in south Belfast. With homework clubs, Derryvolgie (DV) Hall was given the green light to reopen in July residential homes, and youth gatherings like our international and 70 students took the decision to make DV their home during student meals all closed or prohibited, we as a team had to this academic year. Autumn 2020 began with headlines of student reimagine our practical witness. It has been possible to serve raves and apprehension of international students young people descending on campus neighbourhoods The amazing cohort of Derryvolgie students through the distribution of meals. Harnessing the skills and the risks of outbreak. It has helped create an experience of purposeful of Mulholland’s butchers and was a concerning time for everybody, not least students community, service, fun and growth, Fisherwick staff to produce fresh, individual meals, at key and their families. There has been a significant regardless of the difficulties. dates over the year, we set up distribution sites and gave out amount of prayer walking the dinners, inviting the ‘guests’ encircling the Hall, and we have experienced a year of God’s to join us on Zoom for a virtual meal together. This was particularly protection, grace and favour despite the challenging restrictions. wonderful at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Every endeavour working with people has had to operate with The joy of community at Derryvolgie has been a great increased creativity and flexibility due to pandemic restrictions; consolation during this pandemic and the friendships and this is the zone that chaplaincy has inhabited over the past year. encouragement of flat ‘bubbles’ has been significant. The team, The amazing cohort of Derryvolgie students has helped create Lynn, Vicky, Danni and Esther, have been amazing, working with an experience of purposeful community, service, fun and growth, resilience, flexibility, and love. regardless of the difficulties. Please keep praying for this generation of young people.

Our Sunday night connection, ‘Vital’, was relocated to Fisherwick Presbyterian Church. This incredible space made it possible for 60 Please pray: to 100 students to gather safely in their ‘bubbles’, to connect, be encouraged and worship quietly behind masks. This has continued online through the chaplaincy Facebook page in semester two. We have been able to create rhythms and practices of faith that are incredibly important for young adults. Lynn Guiney, in her role • • • Give thanks for the ways in which students have been able to continue their studies, worship, fellowship and outreach during the pandemic. Give thanks for the team at Derryvolgie and all they have done. Continue to pray for this generation of young people.as assistant chaplain, has initiated weekly days of prayer, 24/7 style,

Building bridges

Steve and Rosie Kennedy

PCI global mission workers in Romania

We arrived in Cluj-Napoca (Koloszvár in Hungarian) in Scripture, followed by a reflection and prayer which is being the time between Christmas and New Year along with distributed to around 15 of our group daily throughout the Lent our two children, and are working within the Tóvidéki season. Church congregation in the city. This fellowship has for some Steve has begun to work with the youth praise band at Tóvidéki time sought to build bridges through providing simultaneous Church, and we hope in the coming weeks to include a number of translation of worship services from Hungarian into both English new younger members. and Romanian, as well as Much of the administration welcoming mission teams from a range of countries. “But you will receive power when the required in relocating to another country is now English language provides a connection point for many Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be complete, and we are deeply thankful to God for how different groups in Cluj, and my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and smooth it has all been – we a ministry began in 2008 to reach out across the city Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 have a deep sense of him journeying both before and through worship services with us, even in the more conducted in English. A mundane matters of residency, revitalisation of this ministry is where we have been invited bank accounts, car insurance, and so on. We feel very settled and to serve, and it is operating under the name of Cluj Christian welcomed in home, school and church. Fellowship. One of our primary focuses in these early days of ministry is to

With the global pandemic pushing many of us to online and meet far and wide, and make as many connections as possible. video communication, we were able to connect ahead of time In the days of the global pandemic, this is met with inevitable with the new ministry in Cluj in which we will serve in ways that restrictions and difficulties. Yet we are encouraged by the we had not anticipated. The new ministry began its services in connections we have made through church, school and with other November, and continues on the second Sunday of each month, mission agencies, and hope to continue to develop these further. with 25–30 people gathering once a month, and more joining online. As a new community of faith seeking to serve the city Please pray: of Cluj-Napoca, we started by studying together the opening chapters of the book of Acts, where we read of a new community of faith exploring the impact of the gospel on life, worship and witness in the city of Jerusalem. • • Pray for opportunities to make connections, particularly with the international community in Cluj. Pray for our family as we continue to settle in and learn both Hungarian and Romanian languages.

We have also begun a series of Lent devotions – a verse of

n THE WORLD – Pray for all suffering around the world, either directly or indirectly, from the consequences of Covid-19. Pray that many more people will come to know Jesus Christ and put their hope and trust in him.

n GLOBAL MISSION PARTNERS – Pray for PCI global mission partners around the world as they give leadership and share the gospel throughout the pandemic.

n MYANMAR – Pray for Myanmar following the recent military coup. Pray for peace, for a fair and just government for all the people of the country. Pray too for the leaders and members of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar.

n COUNCIL

FOR SOCIAL

WITNESS – Pray for the work of the Council for Social Witness, as it continues to deliver care to residents and tenants. Pray that face-to-face visits, the holding of hands and those long-awaited hugs will soon take place.

n MENTAL HEALTH – Pray for all who are struggling with their mental health at this time and are concerned about what their future may hold. Give them courage to seek help and to share their feelings with family, friends, GP or counsellor.

n SOUTH SUDAN – Pray for peace and for all suffering due to violence, flooding, displacement and food insecurity. Pray for the unity of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan and for its newly elected leadership team.

n GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS – Pray for Christian Aid and Tearfund as they seek to tackle poverty around the world in the name of Jesus Christ.

n MODERATOR’S APPEAL – Give thanks for all who contributed to the Moderator’s Christmas Appeal which raised support for people in fragile, vulnerable countries suffering due to Covid-19. Pray for the wise distribution of the funds.

n REFUGEE CRISES – Pray for all around the world who are refugees or internally displaced. Pray that they will be protected from Covid-19 and receive humanitarian assistance to rebuild their lives, and that they will have hope in Jesus Christ.

n LEADERS IN TRAINING – Pray for leaders from partner churches which PCI support while they undertake further study aimed at encouraging their personal development for future ministry and mission within their church and context. n GLOBAL MISSION WORKERS – Remember all global mission workers serving during the pandemic. Pray for their health, protection and adaptation to changing local restrictions.

n PCI GLOBAL MISSION – Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Council for Global Mission, its committees, panels and task groups. Pray especially for Rev Uel Marrs (Secretary) and Rev Dr Liz Hughes (convener).

n ABUSE – Pray for all who have experienced abuse, that they may seek the appropriate help to enable them to share and disclose the hurt in their lives – and give thanks for all work in this specialised area – including the PCI Taking Care programme.

n CHURCH PLANTING – Pray for church planting initiatives which PCI and global mission workers are involved in, in the UK, Portugal, Spain and Kenya.

n PERSECUTED CHURCH – Pray that Christians around the world who face persecution and discrimination will be strengthened in their faith and know that the Lord is with them.

n IRELAND – Pray for each other, remembering especially those who are grieving or ill, or those who are struggling with isolation, loneliness or economic hardship. Pray that the Lord will bring comfort, healing and hope to all.

n MISSION IN IRELAND – Pray for the ongoing witness of all congregations and individuals in our Church and that through our words and actions, others will see the love of God in Christ and come to know him.

n HOME AND URBAN MISSION – Pray for home mission and urban mission congregations. Pray that new forms of sharing the gospel developed under the Covid-19 restrictions can be built upon and used to share God’s love with others in ways that we could not have imagined before the pandemic.

n RESIDENTIAL AND NURSING HOMES – Pray for all residents of residential and nursing homes as they adjust to new routines. Pray also for those who now will be able to visit, that they may have patience and understanding of the new regulations.

n HEALTHCARE CHAPLAINS – Pray for all healthcare chaplaincy staff. Pray for all those ill in hospital, for full and quick recovery, and that patients who don’t have Covid-19 will be protected from it. Pray too for staff working in very challenging conditions.

n DEACONESSES – Pray for deaconesses as they continue to serve, encourage people in their faith and reach out to others with the love of God. n FORCES CHAPLAINS – Pray for PCI forces chaplains and members of the forces, especially those who are serving overseas at present. Pray for their health, safety and protection at all times.

n IRISH MISSION WORKERS – Pray for Irish mission workers: David Boyd (in Dublin), Tom Dowling (in Kilkenny) and Philip Whelton (in Arklow) as they continue to serve, encouraging others to commit their lives to Christ.

n UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGES CHAPLAINS – Pray for students struggling with isolation, online fatigue and mental health issues, and for chaplains as they seek to support them.

n ADDICTION – Pray for all who are living with an addiction, that they may become receptive to advice and help at this difficult time in their lives. Give thanks for all those working in the area of addictions – including those in Carlisle House and Gray’s Court.

n COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKERS – Pray for the 15 community outreach workers as they engage in outreach through different means during restrictions and as they plan for the future.

n PRISONS CHAPLAINS – Pray for all involved in PCI’s prison chaplaincy ministry where services and visits have been restricted due to the pandemic. Pray they may be able to resume soon.

n INTERNATIONAL MEETING POINT – Pray for the staff and work of the International Meeting Point in Belfast and now also in the Op Shop at Carlisle Circus, seeking to reach out with the good news of salvation to asylum seekers and others from overseas. Give thanks for the foodbank ministry and other support offered during the pandemic.

n MISSION IN IRELAND – Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Council for Mission in Ireland, its committees, panels and task groups. Pray especially for Rev Jim Stothers (acting Secretary), Rev Robert Bell (Chaplaincy Secretary) and Rev Dr Frank Sellar (convener).

n HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE STAFF – Pray for all staff in health and social care as they pass the first anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic, that they will have continued health and strength to continue that vital work. Give thanks for the dedication of so many who have placed themselves at risk over the past year.