Reviews

Evensong – Hymns and Lullabies at the Close of Day

Keith and Kristyn Getty

NEW DAY DISTRIBUTORS

£10.99

This latest album from the Gettys is a departure from songs that can easily be used in congregational singing and rather has a much more meditative tone. A project that initially began as a marker of Kristyn turning 40, this album brings together songs that they have written for, or sung with, their children, as part of family worship, at the end of the day.

There are a number of voices and styles running throughout this album and the various contributors include Grammy award-winning country singer Vince Gill, Bluegrass singer-songwriter Sierra Hull and folk singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken – all bringing their individual styles to the album. Of course, there is still the traditional Irish current weaving through the songs that we have become used to from the Gettys, as well as contributions from their four young daughters.

This is a beautiful, thoughtful album which brings together some wellknown spiritual songs and hymns, such as His Eye is on the Sparrow and Abide with Me, alongside original pieces, familiar Getty songs and some medleys drawing from the world of classical music. At a time when we may be spending a lot of time at home, this album could be a great tool to help us quiet our hearts and spend time in God’s presence alone or with our families.

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

Reflections from the Road

Jim Rea

CEDRIC WILSON PUBLISHING

£12.95

Some people have the gift of being able to see the hand of God in almost any situation in life. Jim Rea, broadcaster and former president of the Methodist Church, is one of those people. Following the success of his previous book, Stories from the Streets, he has produced a second collection of 67 short stories about people who have crossed his path, mostly during his ministry in Belfast and in rural Ulster. Some are well known – Gordon Wilson, John Hume, Gay Byrne; others are unknown local folk.

Once when Jim was visiting a parishioner in hospital, the woman in the next bed interrupted and asked if he was the Jim Rea that broadcast on the radio. Then she said, “Yer great, I never miss ye”. He felt rather proud of himself, but as he left she said to him, “Ye sound better than you look” – a lesson in humility!

Jim tells the story that on a wet winter evening he came on a man lying on a Belfast street. Blood was gushing from a serious head wound. Stooped beside him was a young woman. She was wearing an elegant evening dress. Jim remarked, “You are getting your dress ruined”. She replied, “It doesn’t matter, I am a nurse at the City Hospital”. Her plans abandoned, all that mattered to her was the welfare of that man.

Many of the stories tell of such quiet compassion. The profits from the book are to support three homeless charities in Ulster and the book can be obtained from booksellers or directly from Jim Rea at wjimrea@gmail.com

JC

Down with this Sort of Thing

Dr Fraser Hosford

PRAXIS PRESS

£8.89 (Amazon)

This is a very different book. A title quoting Father Ted would not be the norm for a serious treatise on faith in modern Ireland. While just 99 pages long, it is packed full of introspection, theological insights, personal and community challenges, but above all hope and optimism.

The book begins with the parable of the prodigal son and its three main characters provide a mirror to Irish church life. Other parables are discussed, and his extensive research is evident in numerous quotes and references. These thought-provoking insights set a sound scriptural base for the book.

The author talks about the Eighth Amendment Referendum and goes on to place the good news in the various elements of modern Irish culture. He discusses faith, obedience, freedom, and salvation in the context of post-religious, post-authority, liberal, expressive, progressive and sceptical Irish culture.

He concludes by quoting scriptural references to support the view that the good news needs to be made relevant to the particular people, place and time. He suggests that each generation must “listen to its own culture and reflect afresh on the Scriptures for itself”, and asks, “What is the good news for 21st century Ireland?”

While this book is written with the culture of the Republic of Ireland in mind, the principles outlined are universally applicable.

WH

REVIEWERS

LI – Louise Irwin is part of the worship team at Kirkpatrick Memorial JC – Rev Jim Campbell is minister emeritus of Cooke Centenary WH – William Hosford is an elder in Regent Street, Newtownards RH – Rick Hill is PCI’s discipleship officer JD – The Very Rev Dr John Dunlop is a former PCI Moderator LR - Liz Reaney is from First Holywood and has nine grandchildren

Faith for Exiles

David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock

BAKER BOOKS

£8.34

Faith for Exiles unveils major new Barna research that uncovers what’s working in helping emerging adults sustain faith. Through tracking the lives of those who have continued to follow Jesus, this book offers five key practices that contribute towards resilient discipleship.

Barna’s research reveals that the percentage of young adults who drop out of the church in the USA has increased to 64. That’s almost two-thirds of 18–29-yearolds who grew up and were active in the church as a child or teen. While I understand those statistics are for the US, I don’t see much that convinces me we don’t have a similar problem here in Ireland.

But it’s not all bad news in this book, because the authors go on to point to a sub-section of Christians whose faith had not wilted under cultural pressure or been destroyed by trials, but had actually flourished. This group represent 10% of Christians surveyed and are given the term ‘resilient disciples’.

The book then unpacks five key practices that the research has revealed is consistent in all these resilient disciples, including intergenerational relationships and developing cultural discernment. Much of the book points to “Digital Babylon” as the place that is forming this generation the most, and offers some insightful reflections on how this generation of Christians can navigate the world of new technology and social media. All in all, this was a hugely insightful and challenging read.

RH

The Interest: How the British establishment resisted the abolition of slavery

Michael Taylor

THE BODLEY HEAD

£14.30

Michael Taylor is an academic who attended Ballymena Academy and has family connections with West Church, Ballymena. This carefully researched book is a timely contribution to our understanding of an uncomfortable part of our history.

The dumping of the statue of the Bristolian slave trader Edward Colston into the harbour from which his slave ships set sail has helped to open up a discussion about Britain’s centuries-long profitable participation in both the slave trade and in slavery itself, as well as its opposition to and subsequent support for emancipation.

The title of the book refers to the West Indian Interest, which resisted emancipation. A coalition of events came together in 1834 to achieve emancipation which included British politics, the slave rebellions in the West Indies, the courageous witness of non-conformist missionaries, and their associates in England, people like Elizabeth Heyrick, Thomas Buxton and William Wilberforce.

Slave/plantation owners and their associates were handsomely compensated by the government in 1834 with an estimated £340bn in today’s money. The government had to borrow the money which was only paid off in 2015. In the final epilogue Taylor raises the ethical question of reparation for places like Jamaica; an issue which might usefully engage the attention of Irish Presbyterians.

JD

Grandparenting with Grace

Larry E. McCall

NEW GROWTH PRESS

£10.28 (Amazon)

Have you lived to see your children’s children? If so, then this inspirational little book is worth reading. Larry E. McCall challenges grandparents to reject today’s stereotype of leisured, self-centred retired folk and become intentional in living our Christian faith so that “the next generation should set their hope in God”.

The author reminds us that our grandchildren are made in the image of God but are also sinners who need saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Grandparents play a crucial role supporting and encouraging parents in their responsibilities to teach and train up their children. We must pray for our families, and be part of the answer by giving our time and talents to pass on faith through the opportunities of daily life. McCall also gives advice for more complicated scenarios such as grandparenting at a distance; following divorce, death or estranged relationships; and where parents and/or children are antagonistic to the gospel message. McCall is an American writer who keeps God’s Word at the heart of his message and this transcends geography and culture. His simple, concise and logical style makes this practical book easily readable and applicable to Irish Presbyterians. Adapt it to suit the setting and dynamic of your family.

Each of us impacts young lives for good or ill and the legacy we leave is so much more than money or possessions. God grant us all grace and power to faithfully run the race and pass the baton firmly to the next generations.

LR

LIFE IN PCI

Please be aware that some of these photographs may have been taken before the introduction of government restrictions.

An important lesson in Bellaghy

Homes across Ireland have been turned into classrooms over the last few months, as pupils have been home schooled due to the ongoing coronovirus pandemic.

Sam Jackson, a P2 pupil at Bellaghy Primary School who belongs to Bellaghy Presbyterian Church along with parents David and Lois Jackson, has been busy with his remote learning, completing activities set by his teacher, Mary-Lou Richmond, a member of Clough Presbyterian.

Mary-Lou explains, “When we are at school, Friday is a great day. After playtime in the morning, we do some practical maths and literacy, then PE. The afternoon brings RE and Golden Time. Our RE lesson is a very special time of the week and the boys and girls in my class love our little routine. After lunch, we all gather on the carpet area, I get our Children’s Storybook Bible from the shelf and we hear a Bible story. We always finish the lesson with prayer.

“So it has continued during lockdown. Our Bible story, albeit online, has continued every Friday afternoon and what a lovely way to finish the week.”

She continues, “I remember the Friday afternoon I received this photograph. I was tired having sat in front of a computer screen all week, I was worried about how my children were getting on with this new way of learning, I was anxious about my elderly parents and then I read Sam’s mum’s message. She said, ‘This picture speaks volumes to me.’ Sam’s mum, who works in the family business Jackson Greens, explained that she too had had a hectic week home schooling her three children as well as dealing with constant business emails. She went on to say that amidst a global pandemic, watching Sam pray with me made her realise what is important.

“The message from Sam’s mum really touched me...It is time to put God first.”

Comber retirement

Clerk of session Gary Dalzell makes a presentation to Rev Roy Mackay to mark his retirement after over 25 years of ministry in Second Presbyterian Church, Comber. Also pictured are Hilary Mackay and their daughter Jill.

Ebrington installation

Three new elders have been installed by the Presbytery of Derry and Donegal in the congregation of Ebrington. Pictured at the close of the service are, from left to right: Colin Colhoun, Rev Paul Linkens, Frances Anderson and David Baxter.

New elders in Irvinestown and Pettigo

Irvinestown Presbyterian hosted the ordination and installation of elders for the Co Fermanagh church and neighbouring Pettigo Presbyterian. The new elders – Linda Wray, Robbie Pearson, Laurence Smith (Irvinestown), Irene Coulter, Alan Moore, Tom Read and Trevor Noble (Pettigo) – are pictured with minister Rev Gunter Andrich and clerks of session Ken Hunter (Irvinestown) and Noel Baxter (Pettigo). Photograph courtesy of Norman Donnell, Irvinestown.

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

Cladymore presentation

Rev Simon Hamilton (right) makes a presentation, on behalf of Cladymore congregation in Co Armagh, to Wallace Porter, to mark 50 years since Mr Porter was ordained.

Anaghlone renovations

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rev David Bruce, was the special speaker at the reopening of First Anaghlone Presbyterian Church after extensive renovations. He is pictured with Rev Brian Martin (minister of the congregation), Rev Trevor Boyd (moderator of Iveagh Presbytery) and John Logan (Anaghlone clerk of session).

CROSSWORD

Puzzle no 262

solution on page 62

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compiled by Harry Douglas

ACROSS

1 Hole along the edge of paper (11) 9 A boat blade (3) 10 Limb (3) 11 Jesus said it was hard for one to enter heaven (4, 3) 12 Point of view (7) 13 A bandit (7) 15 Confederate general (3) 16 Opposite of flow (3) 18 Golfer Ernie’s surname (3) 19 South American grassland (6) 21 Happen (5) 22 Oriental food (7) 23 First name of a Rooney (3) 25 Animal den (4) 27 Famous admiral (6) 28 Birthplace of Jesus (6) 29 French for dry (3)

DOWN

1 The Good Samaritan is one (7) 2 North American mountain range (7) 3 A musical note (3) 4 Belfast green area (6, 4) 5 Year of our Lord (4, 6) 6 Famous Harrison Ford role (7, 5) 7 An indigenous inhabitant (6) 8 Gulf state (4) 14 Hesitant (9) 17 A type of food dressing (8) 20 Funny folk (6) 24 One of Britain’s queens (4) 26 One was removed from Adam (3)