Wider World September 2019

WIDER WORLD Autumn: Sept - Nov 2019

THE ONE WHO RESTORES

Annual Conference 2019

Maud Kells & Jean Gibson talk Open Doors

Growing Strong Ministry Teams with Sandy Galea

BOTH LIVES MATTER Pro-women & Pro-life

Beautiful Daughters on Instagram Sharing Fellowship with PCEA’s Women’s Guild

Sonya Anderson Shore Street, Donaghadee

Roberta Irvine Greystone Road, Antirm

Heather McCracken Belfast Health & Social Care Trust

Michelle Purdy Ballyclare

Margaret Robertson Elmwood

Eileen Black

Great Victoria Street/ SBFH

Rachel Cubitt Whiteabbey

Eleanor Drysdale

Wellington, Ballymena

Joanne Dunlop Craigavon/Antrim Hospitals

Do you feel called to serve as a Deaconess?

Presbyterian Church in Ireland invites applications for training as a Deaconess to commence a two year course in Diaconate Studies at Union Theological College, Belfast in September 2020.

Closing date for applications on the appropriate form to be received by 30 September 2019.

All enquiries to: Rev David Bruce, Council for Mission in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, 2-10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW Tel: +44 (0)28 9041 7265 Email: mission@presbyterianireland.org

2019/20

DEACONESSES

Sharon Heron International Meeting Point

Amy Magee

Tracey Nicholl St James’s, Ballymoney

Hazel Reid

First Broughshane

Rosemary Spiers Greenwell Street, Newtownards

Serving God, the Church and their community Heidi England

Paula Burrows

Probationary Deaconess

Student Deaconess

Louise Davidson

Sylvia Santos Bryce

Student Deaconess

Student Deaconess

EDITOR’S LETTER

You can email Suzanne at: widerworld@presbyterianireland.org

CONTENTS Suzanne Simpson, Editor

More and more, I see the word ‘calling’ used outside of a faith context. It seems that, as a society, we’re in a place where finding our calling is seen to be key to living fulfilled lives in which our full potential has been unlocked and our satisfaction levels are at their peak. It also seems the central indicator of the discovery of a true calling appears to be, almost exclusively, financial success!

Yet, when we look at how people experience their calling in the Bible, it definitely doesn’t draw them into an easy, secure, personally fulfilling life. Their calling from God disrupts everything and sets them on an entirely new, uncomfortable and challenging path. Moses is called out of peaceful, nomadic shepherding and into leading the liberation of an enslaved nation. Esther is called out of an opulent, passive life in the palace and through her act of bravery saves all Jews living in Persia. Paul is called to leave his life of religious legalism and preach the good news of Jesus Christ across the known world.

Each of them must have felt the extreme discomfort of their calling by God, yet, ultimately, each of them knew that their calling came with a promise: “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid... For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

(Deuteronomy 31:6) This issue of Wider World is filled with people who have accepted God’s calling on their lives. From Maud and Jean, who answered his call to live out the gospel of hope in Congo and Kenya, to Evelyn and Phyllis, whose ministry within our local communities came about through their acceptance of God’s calling to become deaconesses. Catherine Campbell begins her new series of devotionals by taking us to the moment of Andrew and Peter’s calling to become Jesus’ disciples, leaving behind everything they knew to follow him. All of these lives are marked by the knowledge that the cost of this calling to their comfort, their security and their reputation is a price worth paying.

Called to serve. Called to go. Called to restore. Called to equip. Called to encourage. Called to provide.

I believe God has gathered together these stories of how women of different ages, stages and backgrounds have experienced and answered his call on their lives, knowing that he is faithful to all of his promises. I want to encourage you to listen for his calling on your own lives and to courageously step out, knowing that ‘He will neither fail you nor abandon you.’

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Presbyterian Women Annual Conference 2019-20 President: Karen Craig A Life in Service to God Growing Strong Ministry Teams It Takes a Village The God who Sees Inspirations: Restored from Brokenness Together with Family Breaking Ground on Social Media Special Overseas Project 2019-20 Serving God, the Church and their Community Taste and See with Margaret Feinberg Presbyterian Church of East Africa’s Women’s Guild The Nook Global Mission

Editor: Suzanne Simpson Contact: Presbyterian Women, Congregational Life & Witness Department, Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, 2-10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW. Email: widerworld@presbyterianireland.org Web: www.presbyterianireland.org/pw Tel: +44 (0)28 9041 7256 Like us on Facebook: Presbyterian Women Follow us on Instagram: @widerworldmagazine Digital download: issuu.com/presbyterianireland Designed by: Break - madebybreak.com Printed by: Peninsula Print & Design Wider World is the magazine of PW. Published Quarterly: March, June, September & December. Annual Subscription: £6 / €7 or £1.50 / €1.75 per issue. Each year, an order form will be sent to Wider World agents. This should be returned, together with payment, to the above address. If required, invoices will be issued upon receipt of the order form.

Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Presbyterian Church in Ireland’ marked Wider World on the reverse.

Wider World is available on CD for blind and partially sighted people and is produced by Belfast Talking Newspapers, Unit 4 Lyndon Court, 32 Queen Street, Belfast, BT1 6EF. Our sincere thanks to Belfast Talking Newspapers and Winnie Moffett for coordinating this service. For further details telephone +44 (0)28 9041 7256. The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject or edit contributions. Opinions expressed in Wider World are not necessarily those of PCI, Presbyterian Women or the Editor.

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A N N UA L C ON F E R E N C E 2 0 1 9

Do you know Him as the one who restores?

Esther Parker, PW Home Vice President for 2019-20, reflects on the Presbyterian Women Annual Conference that took place in May: from the inspiring and challenging messages of God’s desire to restore, brought

by Helen Warnock, to the encouraging stories of hope and restoration supported by Presbyterian Women’s Mission Fund.

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here were smiles and hugs and greetings. Searches for friends and resources and places to sit. Sounds of laughter and delight and chatter. It was time once again for Presbyterian Women to gather together to worship God; to give thanks for a year of reflecting on his beauty and being shaped a little more in his likeness; to be inspired and enthused for the year ahead.

There was a sense of anticipation, an atmosphere of worship, a joyfulness in gathering with so many others to celebrate God’s goodness.

However, no doubt there were some in the crowd hiding sadness, regret, hurt, even despair; each perhaps feeling that she was the only one struggling. They were in the right place to be ministered to and comforted by Presbyterian Women’s theme for 2019-20 – Restore – and key verse: ‘He restores my soul.’ (Psalm 23:3) Indeed, we were all in the right place because, as we were gently reminded by our speaker, Helen Warnock (Principal of Belfast Bible College), each one of us needed restoration in the past, we all need it in the present and we will all continue to need it in the future. She pointed out that there is no need for any of us to pretend, because every one of us sits before God’s Word with something in our life that needs restored. Acknowledging that should bring freedom, along with the ability to help and encourage one another to become disciples of Jesus.

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Based on Psalm 23, Helen’s afternoon talk challenged us to consider who is Lord of our lives and if we know Jesus as the one who restores. In Psalm 23, it is the Lord who acts: he makes, leads and restores. He is the one who is ‘with me’ and the one who anoints. Helen went on to give us an overview of restoration in the whole of Scripture; reminding us that this demonstrates the power of God as he restores all things. The third question was, “How does he restore?” Focusing on God restoring us as individuals, Helen assured us that God uses all of our life as a tool in his restoring work, including the tough times.

Going beyond God’s work in our individual lives, we saw that his restoration is also for our town, our nation and, ultimately, for all.

As God restores us, we should consider others around us who also need to be restored, including those who we might be tempted to reject. Helen challenged us to think about how we might live out the ripple effects of the God of restoration at work in our lives. We need to live it by allowing the Lord to be our shepherd, and then we need to share it. We must talk to others about God’s restoring work in our lives; sharing about what he has done is vital to encouraging others to become disciples of Jesus.

In the evening, Helen unpacked three points from 1 Kings 19:1-18: the God who restores; the gentleness of his restoration; and the purposefulness of his restoration. In this passage, we find Elijah under a broom tree - afraid, alone and wanting to die, but God gently and graciously comforts and provides for him. We were encouraged to consider if we had experienced that gentle restoration in our own lives, and were assured that in dark times we sometimes need to say little, to rest and to know that God is present even when he feels distant.

Sufficiently refreshed by the Lord, Elijah travels on for forty days and nights, with more restoration to come. In a cave at Horeb, God again engages with Elijah, asking, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

(1 Kings 19:9), and gives him opportunity to express how he feels. Elijah experiences the wind, the earthquake and the fire but the Lord is not “As God restores us, in them. When he recognises we should consider God in the low whisper, Elijah wraps his face in his cloak and others around us steps out of the cave. The Lord repeats his question, then gives who also need to be Elijah the task of going back restored, including the way he came to anoint three people; restoring him to be part those who we might of God’s plan. Helen challenged be tempted to reject.” us to think of what our restoration might result in, and what purpose God might have for us individually, especially as we focus on restoration this incoming year.

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The second time God asks Elijah, “What are you doing PCI’s Mission in Ireland, PCI’s Global Mission, and South here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13b), Elijah’s posture has changed.

Belfast Friendship House, and to fund our three student He covers his head, yet he steps forward, recognising the deaconesses as they continue their training. greatness of the Lord who was before him but wanting to be This year’s Overseas Special Project 2019-20 will provide near to him. Is that the kind of humble courage we need for funds to print a girls’ devotional in Arabic through Dar restoration to take place? Helen concluded: “If you are under Manhal al Hayat (see pages 24 & 25 for more on this project). the broom tree, let the Lord take care of you. If you are at the The Home Special Project will support PCI’s Specialist mouth of the cave, step forward.”

Services in Thompson House, Carlisle House and Gray’s Throughout both Court which support people sessions, we were sensitively with addictions, offending and capably led in praise behaviour and those who

by Emma Smyth, Erin require support housing.

McBride and their band.

Christianity or Life Explored We praised God for his materials will be provided goodness, his greatness for each of the three and his sovereignty, and locations, as well as funding for our salvation. He is our for an additional project in shepherd who restores us each house. What a privilege and will hold us fast. Many to be able to join together to have since voiced their help, encourage and restore appreciation and shared those in difficult situations how they were blessed both at home and overseas to in singing and by being become and live as disciples sung to. We were not mere of Jesus! spectators, but were drawn At the afternoon session, as a group of God’s people the then Moderator of the to worship him.

General Assembly, Rev In the afternoon session, Dr Charles McMullen, we took time to glorify expressed his appreciation God by reflecting on what of Presbyterian Women’s he has been doing through commitment to mission Presbyterian Women as and the contribution PW we reach out, in his Name, Groups make to local to help others locally and congregations. Lynda globally. We were shown Stothers also reflected on how the 2018-19 Special her visits and travels as PW Home Project is benefitting President for 2018-19, with residents with dementia at gratitude to the Lord. She Trinity House, Garvagh. spoke about the privileges It certainly was a case and challenges of the year, of a picture speaking a the sustaining power of thousand words, so if you God and the impact of the missed it and you want to prayers of so many. Lynda see what a Tovertafel is, go passed on the President’s to Presbyterian Women’s Facebook brooch to Karen Craig who is looking “May we all encourage page and watch the video. It’s forward to her year representing one another this amazing! It was also heartening Presbyterian Women, and meeting to know that we have, in some and encouraging many disciples of coming year by small way through our 2018-19 Jesus.

Special Overseas Project, helped May we all encourage one acknowledging our own International Justice Mission another this coming year by need of restoration; rescue children from cybersexacknowledging our own need of trafficking in the Philippines. In restoration; recognising that God is recognising that God is total, the income from PW Groups the one who restores. May we know for 2018-19 amounted to £501,381. his care when we find ourselves under the one who restores.”

As well as supporting the Special the broom tree and, being refreshed, Projects, this amount has enabled step forward from the cave with humble Presbyterian Women to generously support courage to serve him and tell others of his restoration power for his glory.

Annual Conference 2019 Podcasts

Helen Warnock’s messages on Psalm 23 and 1 Kings 19:1-18, are available via our podcasts.

To listen again visit www.presbyterianireland.org/pw

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Welcoming Presbyterian Women’s President for 2019-20:

Karen Craig Karen is married to Rob, who was minister in Kilfennan Presbyterian Church in Londonderry until retiring in June 2019, and they have two daughters. She has been involved with Presbyterian Women for over 30 years, seeing women grow in their Christian faith and developing in their service for the Lord. As she takes on her new role as President for 2019-20, Karen shares a little of her faith, her experiences and her prayers for the year ahead.

God uses all kinds of experiences in our lives to show us who he is, how much he cares for us and what he can do for and through us. Throughout my life there have been times when God has used circumstances and people to direct my way and to encourage me. However, I think it’s through difficulties that I have known his love and care the most. His grace has been more than sufficient for all my needs and his power has been made perfect in my weakness. When we lost our baby, Daniel, a few hours after he was born, our world was changed. Our future was changed. Yet, we knew that God was holding us and giving us the strength to face each day. At my lowest, I was so aware of the presence of God. It was as if he held me in his arms. I know God taught me that, no matter what I may face, I don’t face it alone. He is there every step of the way. I know it to be true. Through our experiences, God can mould, shape us and help us to be more like Christ, if we let him. Our experiences allow us to share in the joy that he gives, and it is a privilege to see how good our God is as he walks alongside us each day.

I love a lot about Presbyterian Women but the main thing is getting to know the others. Not just saying hello on a Sunday, but having time and opportunities to talk and share life together. It’s a safe place where we can be together, learn from God and serve him. I have cultivated deep friendships and experienced real encouragement from the women I have been with over many years.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

As a student, my favourite Bible verse was Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” However, over the last number of years, Ephesians 2:10 has become my favourite: ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ How reassuring!

Who has been spiritually influential in your life?

I would consider Maud Kells to be a ‘spiritual giant’. I have had the privilege of meeting Maud a few times when sharing her story at our PW Group in Kilfennan. She is a breath of fresh air. Her faith is real, dynamic and infectious.

God has used her in incredible ways over the many years of her faithful service. She is an example to us all.

Presbyterian Women’s theme this year is Restore and it is my prayer that we will know God’s restorative power in our lives; that we will know it in our families, church fellowships and communities; and I pray that, as servants of the Lord, we will be willing to be used by him daily.

As my year as President begins, I would appreciate your prayerful support for the following: - Opportunities to meet and share with Presbyterian Women’s Groups - God’s help and guidance as I prepare to speak at services and meetings - Safety in travel and health to fulfil the speaking engagements

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A Life in Service TO G OD

In 1965, Maud Kells was a reserved, twenty-five year old midwifery graduate when she decided to leave her home in Ireland and prepare to travel over two weeks by boat to Congo, to replace missionaries who had been martyred the previous year in the war-torn country. How did she take this remarkable step of faith and walk through the door God said he would open for her?

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s I was finishing my midwifery training in Edinburgh, the one overwhelming desire in my heart was to follow the Lord. I was a relatively new Christian and I desperately wanted to be obedient to him.

I had heard about the need for missionary nurses, particularly on the mission field, but I always said that I couldn’t do that. Those women were strong and courageous; I was timid and feeble.

I put those thoughts to the back of my mind and applied for district nursing to get back into Northern Ireland. But, I had no peace of heart at all, I just had a constant niggling in the back of my mind about missionary work. One particular day, because I couldn’t find peace with my plans for my future, I decided to fast rather than eat dinner. I went up to my bedroom, closed the door, and opened my Bible and my Scripture Union notes. The reading for that particular day was from Revelation 3:8, ‘I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.

I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.’

I felt God was telling me that he was opening this door for me, and was also acknowledging my excuse that I was too weak to be a missionary.

But, I was still doubtful, so I prayed that if it was God’s will, and that I wasn’t just reading into Scripture, that I would hear something about a Bible college within 24 hours.

Every morning after breakfast, we went to the pigeon holes to see if there were any letters from home. And, sure enough, there was a letter. I thought it would be from my mother – she was very faithful in writing to me. But it wasn’t from her, it was a syllabus about a Bible college in Glasgow called the Bible Training Institute (BTI). Well, wasn’t that exactly what I’d prayed for?! It seemed as though the Lord was saying, “Now do you believe me? I’m calling you into full-time work.”

I continued to pray and ask which college he wanted me to go to. After a month of applying to other colleges, I realised that I had to decide which to attend. I remember putting the leaflets out on my bed and asking the Lord to clearly guide me. I was directed towards one: the Worldwide Evangelisation Crusade (WEC) Missionary Training College (MTC) in Glasgow.

I couldn’t even recall how I had received their information, but I really felt the Holy Spirit guiding me towards it. In fact, God so directed my application to WEC, that there was a missionary place available for me in the January, and I was finishing midwifery in the December. His timing was perfect.

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L I F E S TOR I E S

“I already had the desire for Africa, my heart was already prepared, and I knew to trust God and not myself.”

There were two elderly ladies who opened their home in Edinburgh to Christian nurses, particularly ones who had come from overseas, and they had great spiritual input into the Christian nurses. When I was about to go off to missionary college, the older of the two asked me, “Where did you get that leaflet from?” I said, “I have absolutely no idea.” She said, “It was me who gave it to you.”

She had worked in the youth association of WEC for a time, and so always had an interest in it. She was a great influence and it was through her that God had been at work to guide me towards WEC. Having learned about the history of WEC, I developed a desire to go to Africa. I always thought it would be wonderful to be called there. I went home to Ireland the year after the 1964 revolution in Congo, and attended a memorial service being held in Belfast for missionaries who had been martyred in the violence; WEC missionaries were among those who had been killed. The particular Bible reading delivered on the night was from Revelation 7:17, which was the reading from the Bible study notes I had read that morning in my quiet time. “That’s a coincidence,” I thought. But, by the time whoever was leading the service was making an appeal for any young person who would be willing to go out to replace those who had been martyred, I knew God was calling me. I already had the desire for Africa, my heart was already prepared, and I knew to trust God and not myself.

I always remember that when I went back to MTC and told my teachers that I felt God was calling me to Congo, they said I should think of another country because the door to Congo was closed. I prayed for guidance, but God didn’t show me any other country. By the time I had finished my two years at MTC, completed a candidates’ course in London for five months, and a nine month tropical diseases and language study in Belgium, the door was, of course, wide open to Congo again, just as God had promised.

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Jean Gibson was involved in theological education in Kenya for a number of years, and later became Northern Ireland representative for Care for the Family. She now enjoys her role as a grandparent alongside writing and speaking. Here, she shares how her fourth book, An Open Door, came about.

“Hi Maud! Delighted that you’re back in Ireland again. What about meeting up for a coffee somewhere between Cookstown and Donaghadee? Great. See you then!”

I ended the call and took a deep breath. Over the previous couple of years, I had been in touch with Maud by phone and email; our contact rendered sporadic by her regular return trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This time we were actually going to meet and we could return to the discussion of her possible biography in more definite terms. Up to this point, she had been too busy to think about it and reluctant to have her story put in writing. Her concern was always that God, not herself, should be glorified in anything accomplished in the DRC, but friends were now convincing her that God could still be glorified through a book.

That first meeting was a disaster in terms of any fruitful book discussion. A Presbyterian Women’s Group, for whom Maud had spoken the previous month, descended on the coffee shop and on Maud. Delighted to meet her again, they came one after the other to tell her how much they had enjoyed her talk, how challenged they had been and how much they wanted to keep in touch. She received them with her usual charm and enthusiasm. I watched and listened with interest, and decided that I would plan our future meetings in a more private venue!

My desire to write Maud’s story had grown out of my own personal call to mission as a teenager. Having worked in Africa myself, I knew that, through writing, I could spread the story of what God was doing, on a wider platform.

God’s call on my own life, and my continuing involvement in Africa, allowed me to identify with Maud’s feelings and experiences, and would, perhaps, enable me to share those experiences with others.

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Using almost fifty years’ worth of prayer letters as a springboard, Maud recalled the many exciting incidents that lay behind brief summaries sent out to supporters. Anyone who knows Maud will not be surprised that the first draft was 20,000 words over the word count! Editing had to be ruthless, but we both wanted to keep the message at the heart of the “Her concern story: if God can use a shy, fearful, young nurse, then he can use anyone. was always that We all need great role models to encourage and inspire us God, not herself, in our walk with God. Maud’s story shows us what God can do in a life surrendered to him. Maud loves to quote, ‘God chose the should be glorified lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may in anything boast before him.’ (1 Corinthians 1:28-29) accomplished Aware of her own shortcomings, she knew that anything she accomplished was in God’s strength. Time has not diminished in the DRC, but her zeal for God and her trust in his providing power. My desire friends were now is that younger women will grasp what God can do in their lives, and how he can use everybody. God was able to call Maud convincing her that and use her in such an amazing way because she was determined God could still be to follow him. Regardless of how glorified through a we feel about ourselves, he can use all of us for his Kingdom. book.”

It is my prayer that An Open Door will point us all to a greater openness to God’s work in our lives and inspire us to follow the example of a life that has counted. The book demonstrates the continuing need for those willing to share the message of God’s love today.

Doubtless, Maud’s legacy will impact many generations to come in DRC. The challenge remains for each of us: what will I allow God to accomplish through my life?

An Open Door is available to purchase now in all Christian bookshops and via www.10ofthose.com

Jean’s first books, Seasons of Womanhood and Joyful in Hope, have just been republished by Authentic in an omnibus edition (visit: www.authenticmedia.co.uk). Journey of Hope, published by Monarch and available to purchase on Amazon, gives an insight into the lives of local Christians in Malawi and Kenya.

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GROWING STRONG

Ministry Teams The impact of a God-focused, well-equipped, purpose-driven ministry team cannot be underestimated – but how can we grow them, lead them or participate in them within our church contexts?

Sandy Galea, Children’s Minister at the Multicultural Bible Ministry in Rooty Hill, New South Wales, helps us explore what is required to allow ministry teams to thrive as we look closer at how the Bible offers models of team ministry.

Having spent over 28 years working as a volunteer in her home church in Australia, Sandy Galea has gained a wealth of experience in creating and developing ministry teams, and knows the importance of creating sustainable and healthy team ministries within a church. Sandy explains that, in order for a ‘team’ to really be successful, “they need to be working side by side, with a leader, for a significant amount of time.

Because one of the things that makes a good team is that they actually build community and work as one.”

When we read of Jesus calling his first disciples in Matthew 4:18-21, he chooses two sets of brothers who all share the same employment: ‘for they were fishermen.’ He calls men who already work together, know one another deeply, and are part of the same community around Galilee. Sandy’s view of team ministry helps to unpack the purpose behind Jesus’ choice of disciples. “For me, team ministry is when you gather a group of people together who have a common mind and a common purpose: they want to see God at work.”

Jesus’ calling of his first disciples can seem highly unusual to those of us who have put teams together in the past or are currently running one. We tend to recruit through announcements or by approaching people who we know have a proven record in the area of the team ministry that we need to fill. What was it about these untried, untested and uneducated men that drew Jesus to them? Was it perhaps that the employment they all shared had provided them with the qualities Jesus needed for his disciples? Discernment.

Determination. Patience. Strength.

When we come to recruit our ministry teams, Sandy suggests exploring people’s interests, their profession or what they’re studying, to give us more of an idea of how God has ‘wired’ them so we can plant them in a role that best suits their gifting and their heart: “Asking a person what they like to do is the first step to identifying their gifts.”

M I N I S T RY Communication is key. Jesus tells his first disciples what his desire for their lives is and what he is going to use them to do: ‘Come follow me…and I will send you out to fish for people.’ “Talk to potential team members about the ministry in terms of what you hope to see God do through it,” Sandy explains, “because you want people’s hearts to be stirred by a calling. They will stay in a ministry if it’s their heart ministry.”

Peter, Andrew, James and John leave their nets ‘at once’ when they hear Jesus’ offer. Their hearts have been made ready for this ministry. If we talk to others about the ministry in which we’re involved in terms of what we hope to see God do through it, the right people will be drawn in.

When we reach Matthew 10, we find that Jesus has called twelve disciples who are named in verses 2-4 before being sent out in authority ‘to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and illness.’ Creating a sustainable and healthy ministry team means relying on more than one person to do all the work. Jesus could easily have done all the things he gives the disciples authority to do, but he doesn’t because he knows that his time on earth is limited and this will be a significant time of teaching and learning before the disciples receive the great commission that we read of in Matthew 28:16-20.

In order for the leaders of our team ministries to reflect the pattern Jesus has modelled here, Sandy is clear that we must recognise that an individual doing a ministry role is not a team. “If we revolve a ministry around a particular person rather than a team of people, a number of things can happen. There is the potential for the individual to define themselves by the role, rather than who they are in Christ. There is also the potential for physical, emotional and spiritual burnout.” Jesus doesn’t enter into ministry alone, so neither should we.

Recruiting the right people and raising a healthy team is key because, “The leader should want that ministry to flourish beyond their capacity, and also beyond their lifetime.

If the ministry is limited to one person then it can only grow to the capacity of that one person. Some people have big capacities but we all have a limit.”

Moving beyond the great commission and into the early church, we read in Paul’s letters about the need for, and importance of, unity and diversity within the Body of Christ.

So it is with our ministry teams within that Body. In Sandy’s experience, she has found that, “Ministries flourish when people with many gifts come together in a team, because no person has every gift. We need the Body of Christ.” As Paul explains to the church in Corinth, ‘the body is not made up of one part but of many.’ In 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11, he outlines the ‘different kinds of gifts’ given to believers by the Holy Spirit. These include, ‘wisdom’, ‘knowledge’ and ‘faith’.

What Paul makes clear to both the Corinthians and us is that ‘God has put the body together…so that there should be no division in the body…’ Sandy affirms this as how she approaches the gifting of members of her own ministry teams: “I want them to celebrate what God is doing through us in the ministry by affirming the gifts that God has given us, not promoting ourselves.”

Paul also surrounded himself with a ministry team, as we learn from his letters. The most personally significant member of that team seems to have been a young man named Timothy. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul instructs Timothy, ‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.’ Later in the letter, Paul refers to Timothy as ‘man of God’ (6:11) – he clearly recognised Timothy’s deep faith and potential for him to do great things in God’s name and for his glory. Yet, his age appears to have been a stumbling block for some in the church in Ephesus. This can be the same in our churches today. Ministry teams often pay lip-service to younger members without actually giving them the space to lead and use their gifts to their full potential. Paul understands that age has no bearing on our ‘godliness’ and Sandy agrees, “[when building a strong ministry team] you want to think in terms of the right people being godly. You might see someone who is gifted but they need time to grow in their faith before you invite them to be on your team.”

“Ministries flourish when people with many gifts come together in a team, because no person has every gift. We need the Body of Christ.”

So when it comes to creating a strong, vital, flourishing ministry team, Sandy concludes with this advice, “Teams flourish when they know they are loved. They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. But most importantly, we have to ask ourselves: is my identity in my ministry team role or is it in Christ? Because we must always remember that the ministry we are leading isn’t for us, it’s for God.”

You can read more from Sandy by visiting her blog at www.kidswise.com.au/about/blog 13

Both Lives Matter is a collaborative movement of individuals and organisations that seeks to re-frame the abortion debate in Northern Ireland and beyond; advocate for better care in pregnancy crisis; create a life-affirming culture that values each woman and her unborn child; and safe-guard the current law which protects both women and unborn children.

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here’s a saying; it takes a village to raise a child. Whether mum, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, teachers or neighbours. None of us can parent completely on our own.

Pregnancy crises happen for many reasons, yet, regardless of the unique circumstances, the common emotion involved is fear. In a pregnancy crisis, it’s often not just the pregnant woman who feels fear. It is the man involved in bringing this new life into existence, as well as parents, friends and even employers. Fear can affect anyone unexpectedly impacted by this pregnancy.

The pregnant woman is, of course, immediately and undeniably affected. Physically and mentally she cannot escape the changes happening to her body, and to her life - in the present, for the foreseeable future and beyond, in more ways than she can even imagine.

It’s hard to articulate how you’re feeling, assuming that you even know yourself. As for making decisions when life has just been turned on its head, it’s difficult to know where to start. Often, if not always, you need your family and friends to help.

At Both Lives Matter, the stories we hear on a daily basis paint a stark picture. The woman told by her partner that she’s on her own. The young couple told they’re too young to cope and that their parents won’t support them having the baby, but will help arrange for an abortion. The wanted baby who tragically receives a fetal medical diagnosis of disability or illness and the devastated parents made to feel abortion is the expected course of action. The woman told not to throw her education or career away and that she has plenty of time to have another baby - but never does.

14 World Autumn 14 || Wider Wider World Spring 1919

Pro-abortion campaigners who tell us that women simply need to be trusted, ignore the painful reality that many women need much more than trust. They require practical, emotional and material support. The ‘Trust Women’ campaign to decriminalise abortion across the UK implies those who choose abortion are freely making a genuine choice. But are they? Both Lives Matter shares stories from women who’ve felt pressured into abortion, oftentimes by people who claim to love them and have their best interests at heart. So, if the support she needs to continue in her pregnancy is severely lacking in her circumstances, does she really have a choice?

What does abortion really offer women? It is a permanent solution to what is often a temporary crisis. The termination of a life cannot be undone. The reality of preborn development and exactly how that life is ended, is either denied or hidden. When those truths are acknowledged, the subsequent pain and regret is felt by many women and families for years.

Just over fifty years ago, in 1967, abortion was legalised in Great Britain, but not in Northern Ireland. Since then, in Great Britain, there have been nearly 9 million abortions; revealing that when abortion is easy to obtain then, sadly, it’s seen by many as the quick, obvious solution.

One in three women there will have an abortion by the age of 45. For every four live births there is one abortion. Nearly 40% of women will have repeat abortions. 98% of abortions are carried out on healthy babies up to 24 weeks of pregnancy for what are largely socio-economic reasons. Disabled babies are routinely aborted at any stage, right up to birth.

M I S SION Compare that to the 100,000 people who are alive today in Northern Ireland directly because of our life-affirming law. In line with medical science, the law recognises that at least two lives are in existence in every pregnancy, and it protects both. In effect, it says that Both Lives Matter.

Fifty years ago abortion was ‘sold’ as a tragic necessity to the British public, at a time when society was reacting to a culture which wrongly shamed women; stigmatising them and their children. Abortion was made legal in a poor attempt to redress that wrong. In those fifty years, the pro-abortion laws and policies enacted have created what we now see in 2019 - a culture of abortion.

Today, abortion is no longer seen as a tragic necessity: it is celebrated. It is demanded. We in Northern Ireland are told that women in Great Britain are better off because they can choose abortion. This is supposedly ‘progress’. It is hard to comprehend the dehumanisation of our preborn children as justice, compassion and humane care for women. In reality, abortion also dehumanises us as women. It tells us that our human bodies and our ability to procreate is a social problem to be fixed.

As culture challenges what it means to be human, and even attempts to redefine who has human rights, how should we respond?

You don’t have to have a faith to defend preborn life medical science and lived experience tell us that pregnancy involves two lives. While Both Lives Matter is not a religious campaign per se, two of our founding organisations are Christian advocacy groups (Evangelical Alliance NI and Care NI) and many of our supporters are people who hold to the Christian faith.

The Bible, and not culture, is the Christian’s moral compass.

It reveals that, as human beings, we are made in God’s image. We all have inherent dignity and worth from the womb to natural death, simply because we are human. Even before birth, we are given value, purpose and place through a rich network of relationships with family, community and God. The Bible shows us that both lives matter to God: women and the babies being formed in their bodies. God chose to enter the world as an embryo and to be borne by a young, vulnerable woman. Jesus showed love and brought freedom and new life to a woman who was condemned by the religious culture of the day (John 8:1-11). The church, his body, is charged with following his example by caring for the most vulnerable (James 1:27).

Society still tells us we must choose between our life and our child’s life. There must be a better way than this perpetual tug of war between mother and child, which inevitably means one will lose. One day, all things will be made new and abortion will be no more. In the meantime, a truly just, humane and compassionate society would enable both lives.

In law and policy, we must say yes to life. A trinity of life affirming and life enabling law, services and culture enables preborn life to be chosen. Government can protect us in law and provide statutory services to enable life, but we can also all help to play our part. Churches and charities can provide practical, material, emotional and spiritual support to those experiencing pregnancy crisis. Most importantly, family and friends can draw alongside a woman in crisis, remind her that it’s going to be okay, and journey with her in her pregnancy and motherhood, because both lives always matter.

It takes a village to raise a child.

As we were preparing to go to print, significant events took place in Westminster which caused us to change our plans for this article in order to include the following from Both Lives Matter: 18 July was the final parliamentary stage of the amendments to the NI Executive and Formation Bill which open the door to a radical change to the law on abortion here. Tragically those extreme pro-abortion amendments passed in the Commons by a vote of 328 to 65.

If an Executive is not formed by 21 October then on 22 October 2019, abortion will be decriminalised in Northern Ireland. Please understand, this is not a good thing for women or for our unborn children. From that date most of the legal protections preborn babies currently enjoy in law, will be removed. Abortion will be permitted for any reason, without any restriction, up to 28 weeks into a pregnancy.

Some consultation will be required by the government (lasting for 8-12 weeks), but the government is clear that this will not be on whether changes will happen or not, but how changes will be implemented. Those regulations will then come into force on 31 March 2020. So, for five months, there will be no legislation and neither will there be any regulation.

There is no doubt that the railroading of this legislation through parliament in a week and a half, may well have profound consequences for years and years to come. However, if a power-sharing executive is restored by 21 October then what has been voted for at Westminster will fall. Abortion legislation and regulation will come back within the remit of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Until 21 October, the law in Northern Ireland still says that both lives matter. There is one sure way to continue to protect our unborn babies. The restoration of Stormont.

We firmly believe that what has happened in Westminster is not what the people of Northern Ireland want. In just forty-eight hours over 19,000 people from NI signed their name to a letter asking the government to respect devolution and consult with the people of NI. As Baroness O’Loan said, “This is the truest cross-community co-operation from all sectors of our community, from all sides, all places, in our beautiful country.”

As political talks continue, it is vital that people contact their local MLAs to communicate to them just how important a priority the protection of women and their unborn children is among all the other issues. And, in the middle of everything, take heart and be emboldened: this battle is not over. Please continue to stand with us and with women and their unborn children because both lives matter.

For more information on the work of Both Lives Matter, including pro-both stories, statistics and news, visit www.bothlivesmatter.org Both Lives Matter has also established an online services directory profiling what is currently available to women, their partners and families across Northern Ireland.

Go to www.bothlivesmatter.org/services for more information.

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The God W HO S EES

Open Doors works in over 60 countries, supplying Bibles, training church leaders, providing practical support and emergency relief, and supporting Christians who suffer for their faith. In the UK and Ireland, Open Doors works to raise awareness of global persecution; mobilising prayer, support and action among Christians.

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G L OBA L

‘She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”’

Genesis 16:13

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hen we see God, we change. Hagar realised that. She was a slave, living as the servant of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Her relationship to Abraham and Sarah was complex - she became pregnant with Abraham’s first son, fell out with Sarah and was badly mistreated, so ran away. At this point, sitting in the desert, she meets God. Abused, driven out and alone, she encounters ‘El Roi’: ‘the God who sees’ her.

God saw the mess of Hagar’s situation and brought comfort and hope. And, he does the same today. When we look to him, when we encounter his love and grace, we are changed.

Many Christian women and girls around the world can relate to Hagar’s story. New global research, conducted by Open Doors, reveals the shocking truth that women are twice as vulnerable to persecution as men. Even more shocking is that their suffering is largely unseen and ignored by the world around them: they are invisible.

This has to change.

Open Doors’ vision is that every woman and girl who is persecuted for her faith and gender is seen, valued and empowered to reach her God-given potential.

Our ‘See. Change.’ campaign, aims to restore the hope, dignity and identity of women who face violent persecution both because of their faith and because of their gender.

When Boko Haram militants attacked Esther’s village in Borno state, Nigeria, she desperately hoped that they would not see her. But they did.

Along with other women from her community, Esther was forced into three long years of captivity. At their camp, Boko Haram separated the Christians from the Muslims, and told the Christians (including Esther) that they had to make a choice: marry or become a slave. Esther chose slavery, but was eventually married off to a man who already had three wives. Terrible intimidation and sexual abuse followed.

“Each passing day, I hated myself more and more,” Esther says. “I felt that God had forsaken me.”

In sub-Saharan Africa, Islamic militants are using sexual violence as a weapon against courageous Christian women, stripping them of their security, identity and self-worth, and challenging the notion of God as their protector and good Father.

Since the start of their insurgency in northern Nigeria, Boko Haram has abducted thousands of women, holding them captive for years on end, subjecting them to sexual violence, forced Islamisation and forced marriage.

Even in the midst of the horror, Esther found she could not let go of her faith. “There were times when I was so angry with God, but I still could not get myself to renounce him. I found myself remembering his promise to never leave me or forsake me.”

Esther eventually escaped with three other women but her trials were not over. She left Boko Haram pregnant, with no idea who the father was. Although she was reunited with her family, it was not the happy reunion she’d hoped for.

“At first, my grandparents were very happy to have me.

Then a lot of people poisoned their minds, asking them, “How can you allow her to enter your house? She is pregnant, and the baby belongs to Boko Haram.” My grandfather supported me, but not my grandmother.”

Esther gave birth to a baby girl, Rebecca. After she was born, people in Esther’s community would not call Rebecca by her name – they referred to her as ‘Baby Boko’, which upset Esther greatly. “Anytime Rebecca cried, they would say that she was trouble, just like Boko Haram, and they say many other cruel things about her.”

Yet today, Esther is a confident 20-year-old, and Rebecca is a beautiful, healthy baby.

Esther was one of several women invited to join a trauma care programme run by Open Doors local church partners for women who have experienced severe trauma and persecution. There, Esther received compassion, trauma counselling and Bible teaching. “The first programme I attended I received a lot of teaching, and the teaching encouraged my heart. Those things that used to pain my heart suddenly stopped meaning anything to me. And when I went home I was able to encourage others who couldn’t come.”

Before the programme, Esther struggled to deal with people’s animosity towards her daughter. “How people treat her really made my heart ache. Before I came to this programme, if you called my daughter ‘Boko Haram baby’ it hurt a lot, and I saw myself fighting.” Now she says, “Even if they make fun of my daughter, I just see that I don’t feel pain anymore because I know that’s not who my baby is.”

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SEE CHANGE Esther now knows that she is seen, heard and loved by her heavenly Father, but there are hundreds of thousands of Christian women around the world who are doubly at risk of persecution, unseen by the world and unable to see their true value. Will you see these women, and commit today to change their reality?

I SEE YOU.

I see your suffering. You are my sister.

We, the global church, cannot allow the suffering of our sisters to be ignored. You can help us with your long term support. Trauma-care worker Patience says, “We really need more hands for the trauma needs. We need more volunteers and, if possible, more paid workers.”

I’M WITH YOU. I will stand with you and speak out.

It’s vital that women like Esther are visible, so that people in power can effectively tackle the persecution faced by women who are doubly vulnerable because of their faith and gender.

Show Esther and other persecuted women that you see them and stand with them – visit www.opendoorsuk.org/seechange to be part of a huge, hand-made petition.

I HEAR YOU. Please pray: • For protection for Christian women who are doubly vulnerable to persecution • For healing and restoration for those who have experienced violence and trauma • For wisdom and strength for those who are caring for persecuted women If you would like more information about Open Doors, please contact the Belfast office via email on odireland@opendoorsuk.org or call +44 (0)28 9075 1080 Autumn 1919 18 | Wider World Spring

Inspirations Restored from Brokenness

Jacque McNeill graduated from University of Ulster, Belfast, with a Bachelor of Design and began teaching at North Regional College. She is a member of the Ulster Watercolour Society, and has been invited to put on solo exhibitions in the Braid Arts Centre.

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had been wanting to use my art and crafts in ministry in some way for some time, and was waiting for the Lord to direct me. Friends had prayed this over me, but I used to think that they’d done this because they all knew me – they all knew I was an artist! I then found out that Heidi Singleton, the founder of Peaced Together, was coming to Northern Ireland for an information evening. This is a creative arts course for women designed to teach that good can come from negative and difficult experiences. The course uses five themed craft projects to encourage the women involved to reflect on their lives and set out on a personal journey from brokenness to hope. I decided I would go and find out more about it, and I immediately loved the vision. From there, I went on the training course to become a facilitator, and that’s how I got started.

Peaced Together is all about women going on a journey from brokenness to beauty; to finding treasures in the storm; to thankfulness for life’s choices; and being at peace with the past. It’s more about the journey than the craft that’s created, but the craft is excellent. In every session, it relates to the issues being dealt with. The first one that we do has the women breaking china and making a mosaic out of the pieces. So, we look at the history of the object, what it was, how it became broken and what we are going to do with it now. During this time, the women often begin to open up about why they have come on the course and it is just lovely to hear their stories: conversation comes very naturally over the craft. The five craft projects are completed over ten weeks. Each project helps the group explore topics such as beauty, peace with the past and positive choices.

Because Peaced Together is Cinnamon Trust affiliated, it is a ‘community ready’ course; that’s the beauty of it. It is also really encouraging that, even though the course is Christian, secular organisations are open to it. Women of varying ages and backgrounds are being recommended by organisations including Women’s Aid and Christians Against Poverty – both organisations were very keen to get involved.

As the connection with ladies in difficult live circumstances has grown, I felt led to begin an art ministry which uses art in different ways and so Tracing Rainbows began. Tracing Rainbows Arts and Crafts Ministry aims to help people to find hope even in the middle of the storm, and is named after a line from a classic hymn. Tracing Rainbows uses art as a positive guide to heal, restore and encourage, with spirit led art pieces and themed crafts as part of discipleship courses and other creative small sessions which happen weekly with women in crisis. To find out more about Tracing Rainbows check out Facebook Tracing Rainbows.

You will find examples of Restore-themed crafts, kindly created by Jacque McNeill, in Inspirations 2019-20, a resource for women’s ministry.

This is available to purchase from our website: www.presbyterianireland.org/inspirations

READ: Mark 1:16-22; John 1:35-42

Together with family Andrew & Peter

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DE VOT IONA L Catherine Campbell, author of Journey with Me, Broken Works Best and other titles, has spent many years involved in Bible ministry to women. In this issue, she begins a new series of devotionals exploring four relationships from the Bible that display the life-changing impact of discipleship side by side; beginning with brothers, Andrew and Peter.

It’s said that you get to be like the people you live with. Along with comments such as, “She looks so like...”, personality traits and mannerisms are often easily spotted when you spend time with more than one person from the same family. However, it’s also true that there can be huge disparities in the personalities of siblings, each wanting to be seen as an individual, distinct from the other. Yet, in spite of the natural desire to be different, there is something wonderful when we share our Christian walk with another family member or loved one.

Discipleship is not merely teacher/pupil learning. Jesus taught his disciples by what he did, said, prayed, touched, and transformed. They saw God’s heart in this ‘teacher’ as he reacted to the cynical Pharisees and tenderly interacted with the outcast. Andrew and Peter didn’t only witness discipleship in proximity; they lived it and learned from it for three years. Among the Twelve were two sets of siblings from the same town of Bethsaida, sharing the same employment: fishing. Not the type you’d expect to be disciples of any Rabbi.

But, there was something different about Andrew.

Fishing may have been the family business but, for some time, Andrew’s mind had been on other things. I wonder if Andrew’s father despaired as he joined Simon Peter to fish, along with Zebedee and his sons, while Andrew went off yet again searching for truth. Was Andrew full of stories about John the Baptist, and rumours that the Messiah would soon be walking Galilee’s shores, every time he came home?

Andrew, the fisherman, was already John’s disciple when Jesus came along. He was already a seeker before he knew who he was seeking. Therefore, his heart was ready to follow the Master on the day John the Baptist declared, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36) That’s all it took for Andrew to leave John and follow Jesus. Imagine how his heart raced when Jesus paused on the road and invited Andrew and his friend to spend the rest of the day with him. It ignited a fire in the fisherman that was unquenchable, and he couldn’t keep to himself. He immediately headed for home to tell his brother Simon Peter that they had found the Messiah, ‘And he brought Him to Jesus.’ (John 1:42). Andrew, the truth searcher; the Messiah seeker; the bringer to Jesus.

• Who introduced you to Jesus? Take time to thank God for that person.

• Which, if any, of Andrew’s characteristics describes you best? Which would you pray for in your own life?

• Family can often be the most difficult place to witness. Take time now to pray that God will make you brave in order that you might bring a loved one to Jesus.

Remarkably, Simon Peter’s reaction to his brother’s declaration of faith produced an instant response in the man who Jesus renamed, Peter. Their relationship as brothers was obviously close, but little did they know then what lay ahead as they spent the next three years with Jesus. They had a lot to learn from the Master, and from each other, as they shared this remarkable experience together.

Andrew continued to be a bringer. Peter was only the first. It was Andrew who would bring the little boy with his lunch to Jesus, eventually feeding the five thousand (John 6:8-9). It was Andrew, along with Philip, who brought some Greeks to Jesus, displaying the spiritual insight that Jesus’ message was for more than the Jews (John 12:21-22). What a gift!

Yet, the brothers were very different. While Andrew worked quietly in the background, Peter exploded onto the scene! There’s nothing discreet about Peter. Peter the impulsive. Peter the outspoken. Peter the passionate. Peter the courageous. Peter the confessor. Peter the denier. Peter the repentant. Peter the servant. Peter the Rock.

From this point on, Andrew would be in Peter’s shadow, but I perceive that was not a problem for him. Wouldn’t you have loved to listen in on their conversation as they journeyed with Jesus? These young men had already endured storms on Galilee together; learned the importance of working together to defeat a common enemy; experienced the joys of landing a catch together; shared together the sorrow of disappointment. Now, as siblings, they were learning to pray together; trust God together; share in Jesus’ teaching together; experience the pleasure of true fellowship together. They understood each other as none of the other disciples could – they were brothers after all!

• Family know us best – our weaknesses and strengths – yet often fellowship and prayer is reserved for others outside the family. Why do you think that is?

• Think about your close relationships. Could you start or develop the practice of praying together over a difficulty rather than merely discussing it?

• Choose to share a scriptural blessing first with a loved one before turning to the public forum of Facebook.

It’s never too late to walk together with family or loved ones on life’s most important journey, confident in the knowledge that it’s Jesus who leads the way.

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Breaking Ground O N S O CIAL M EDIA

Through their Instagram page, Beautiful Daughters, Sarah McCullough, a secondary school teacher, and Amy Moore, children’s worker in Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church, Bangor, are pushing into exciting new evangelism and discipleship opportunities opening up on this social media platform.

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recent report produced by the Royal Society for Public Health, an independent charity that works to improve the health and wellbeing of the public, and the Young Health Movement, stated that ‘91% of 16-24-year-olds in the UK use the internet and other social networking sites regularly.’ They found that, ‘Although social media can connect people from all over the world to provide a strong sense of community, rates of anxiety and depression in young people have increased by 70% over the last 25 years.’ How then, as Christians, do we speak into this public space that is coming to dominate more and more of our young people’s lives?

“We were painfully aware of the negative influence that social media can have on teenage girls,” says Amy. “However, as we chatted with them we discovered that, while they were aware of the impact being overexposed to certain lifestyles or body images would have, they still enjoyed using Instagram to chat with friends, express their creativity and convey their individuality, so didn’t want to completely boycott those social media platforms.” As a result of those conversations with teenage girls, Amy and Sarah decided that they wanted to find a way to connect with, and encourage, a wider teenage audience, as they began and progressed in their faith journey, using Instagram.

“It became clear to us that we could use this platform, not only to be a positive female presence,” explains Sarah, “but also a positive Christian presence.” So, in October 2018, Beautiful Daughters posted their first devotional based on 2 Corinthians 6:18, ‘And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’

“We plan either monthly or seasonal topics, then between us alternate writing a weekly devotional posted every Wednesday evening. We also thought it was important to celebrate significant seasons in the Christian calendar, by doing something different and posting more content. For example, during Advent we posted a series of devotionals entitled, ‘Hope, Peace, Joy and Love’, and during Lent, we encouraged our followers to use that time to focus on building and forming holy habits, including praying, reading the Bible, having fellowship and praising God.” It is clear from their Beautiful Daughters page that Amy and Sarah understand the need for their posts to be visually distinctive enough to catch the eye of a teenage girl scrolling through Instagram. Their designs are contemporary, but always ensure that the scriptural focus of that week’s devotional is the centre point of the image. “Our intention is that this wouldn’t be our followers only devotional connection throughout the week but that they would be inspired to turn to the Bible to learn more about God.” Jesus calls us to be ‘the light of the world’ in all places and to all people; so, almost a year on from their first post, I ask them how successful they feel this mission into that populous public square of social media has been? Amy continues, “To our delight, we’ve not only had positive feedback from teenage girls but also from their mums and youth leaders. We love that young girls are interacting with our devotionals as part of their faith journey, and it’s an extra blessing to us that Beautiful Daughters has been a useful tool and resource for those intentionally walking that path beside them.”

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Beautif inspiring y come t

If you w Daughte @beautifu devotio

M I N I S T RY

“It became clear to us that we could use this platform, not only to be a positive female presence,” explains Sarah, “but also a positive Christian presence.”

Beautiful Daughters Ministry Beautiful Daughters is a ministry dedicated to inspiring young girls to root themselves in Christ & come to full bloom in his calling on their lives.

If you want to find out more about Beautiful Daughters you can follow their Instagram page @beautiful_ _daughters and check out their weekly devotionals posted Wednesday nights at 8pm.

“Mums have come to us excited that they can use the devotionals as a base to do further studies with their teenage daughters, allowing them to engage with their growing faith in a new and relevant way. Some mums have been showing our devotionals to younger daughters, sharing those biblical truths early on in the hope of preparing them for when they reach their teenage years. This is a side to the ministry that we didn’t plan for, but it’s become clear to us that God can ‘do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…’ (Ephesians 3:20). We are so aware this form of social media wasn’t even possible when we were teenagers, and we love the opportunities to engage with teenage girls that God has provided us through Instagram.”

Amy and Sarah are both twenty-five years old, and yet, as Sarah has shared, technology has progressed at such a pace within their lifetime that even Instagram wasn’t available when they were teenagers; and soon it will be replaced with the next social media giant. So, where do they see Beautiful Daughters in 5 years’ time? “We have our own ideas, but we are holding on to God’s guidance and ultimately seeking His will in this ministry. We have been able to reach girls beyond our own communities and even countries through Instagram, so our focus right now is to increase our engagement with teenage girls, mums and youth leaders through it,” shares Amy. “We also want to continue exploring our potential to influence, reach and encourage this group of young women as they grow in their faith, come to know the Lord even more and root themselves in the truth of their identity as his beautiful daughters.”

31% of self-identified Christians use digital communications when sharing their faith with a non-Christian (email, links, videos, Facebook etc).

58% of non-Christians say someone has shared their faith with them through Facebook, 14% through other social media.

Barna Group ‘Evangelism in a Digital Age’, 26 June, 2018

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Special Overseas Project 2019-20

Dar Manhal al Hayat In January 2018, representatives from Presbyterian Women and the Council for Global Mission met leaders from PCI’s partner church, the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon.

Challenged by witnessing the movement of God in the war-torn lives of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and moved by the stories of how God is changing lives through Christian literature, it was decided that PW’s Special Overseas Project for 2019-20 would support the translation into Arabic of a devotional book for young Christian girls by Dar Manhal al Hayat.

Colin Gibson, Programme Officer for DMAH, takes up the story of the Christian publishing house seeking to bring God’s peace amidst the many challenges of lives in this region.

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or over 50 years, Dar Manhal al Hayat’s vision has been to see the Arab world transformed through a holistic understanding of the gospel. Our mission is to ‘Equip the Church, Proclaim Christ and Encourage Gospel-shaped living’ amongst Arabic communities through Christian resources. We are located a few kilometers outside Beirut, and we give thanks to God for the many freedoms, including the freedom to worship, we have in Lebanon compared to some other countries in the region. As a result, many consider Lebanon as the gateway to the Middle East and many countries in North Africa (MENA).

We are passionate about meeting the need of the Arabic Church for culturally relevant Christian resources, in the Arabic language. With only a small team of nine people, we publish between 15 and 20 new books a year and, through our The DMAH team partnership with other publishing houses and distributors, these are made available Rev Georous Dalli, Chief Editor and to our main markets in Egypt and Jordan, Frances Fuller, Director (1970s) Syria and Iraq, as well as Lebanon. We also supply small quantities to Arabic speaking communities worldwide. We publish books translated from English as well as encouraging gifted Arab writers and scholars; about 40% of our books are currently written by local authors. The need to produce context-relevant resources that can further enrich the Arab Church, and world, is huge, and we have to be strategic in the selection of books to publish.

Gateway Bookshop

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SP E C IA L OV E R SE AS P ROJ E C T 2 0 1 9 - 2 0

Let me share some examples to give you a better idea of the work we are completing. Issues affecting women is a very present concern, and we hope to give a voice to women in the MENA to help address some of the injustices they face.

Women and children are the most vulnerable groups in the region and we believe it is right that they are heard, so we are in the early stages of planning three books, each consisting of 10-12 essays written by local women about their experiences.

Through an open competition, we hope to attract new authors who can provide a fresh perspective on these issues and, as part of the project, we will provide training for new authors to help them improve their skills.

Another project is helping to develop the next generation of church leaders by providing textbooks for seminaries across the region. Surprisingly perhaps, for the birthplace of Christianity, there are relatively few Arab authored theological textbooks in Arabic. As a result, many seminaries have to teach courses in English and rely on books in English.

While these are often excellent books, they mostly reflect a Western mindset and may not address contemporary Middle Eastern issues. This can lead to the Church becoming disconnected from its community as it will have little to say to the society around it.

Of course, we also want to help children find Jesus as their friend and Saviour, and help them grow spiritually as they grow physically. Whether this is through our first puzzle Bible for very young children, or story books about the Bible, or devotional books for boys and girls. We want to thank you for generously choosing to support the publication and distribution of a devotional for teenage girls. We are also currently producing a series of six storybooks for 6-10 year olds that provides a Biblical perspective on topics that children deal with day to day. We believe these will be well received across many communities, and we hope that a new generation will arise, free from some of the suspicions and divisions between sectarian and ethnic groups.

We try to support churches through the provision of free Bibles and other Christian literature. We wish to proclaim that God cares for and loves all peoples, and to counter the messages of violence and hatred from extremist groups. We also want to give hope to people traumatised by war, and we have a number of books looking at why a God of love allows such suffering that can help in this respect. Our most popular book has been our Arabic translation of The Picture Bible, originally published by David C. Cook. We have distributed over 50,000 copies of this Bible!

“We wish to proclaim that God cares for and loves all peoples and to counter the messages of violence and hatred from extremist groups.”

So many stories could be told of the blessings that The Picture Bible has brought to the children of Syria. Take, for example, five year old Joseph. Due to the war he had been displaced from his home. Life was very hard for his family and things got even worse when his dad, whom Joseph adored, abandoned the family home and married a Muslim woman. Joseph, however, was given a copy of the ‘Red Book’, as The Picture Bible is known and, although too young to read or understand the text, he poured over the pictures every day until one day someone overheard him saying, “I’ve lost my dad, but I have found a friend in this book!”

Then there was six year old Ramah from a Christian family but, like Joseph, her father had abandoned the home and her family were really struggling to cope with daily life.

Ramah was walking to school one day when fighting broke out and rockets rained down all around her. Her mother ran after her to find out if Ramah had managed to survive the shelling. Mercifully, Ramah was found to be safe although her mother was certain that she would be traumatised by what she had been through. Ramah’s response to her mother was remarkable. She reassured her that she was okay because a tall, handsome guy surrounded by light had come up to her in the middle of the shelling, put his arm around her and told her not to be afraid. Ramah’s mother wondered who would be so considerate to her daughter in the midst of the mayhem, but thought little more about it until about a week later. Ramah was invited to attend a special Bible Club that had been set up in the local church. The teacher was reading to the younger children from the ‘Red Book’, showing them the pictures, when suddenly Ramah got very excited and exclaimed, “There he is, there is the man who came to me during the shelling, the one who told me not to be afraid!”

Ramah was pointing to a picture of Jesus in the ‘Red Book’!

Although aimed at children, we know it has been very helpful to many adults too who find the simpler message easier to understand and has been a wonderful tool for churches to use in their ministry to both adults and children.

Despite terrible hardship due to the recent wars in the region, many churches have responded magnificently to the physical and spiritual needs of those around them.

Our mission is to help the Arabic Church in its mission to reach out to share the love of Jesus and the good news of the salvation through Christ. We can only do this through the many partners who generously contribute towards the publishing costs of our books, and we are most grateful for this support.

You can learn more about Presbyterian Women’s Special Projects for 2019-20 by visiting www.presbyterianireland.org/pw/specialprojects

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Serving God the Church AND THEIR COMMUNITY

At the end of June 2019, two of the longest serving deaconesses in PCI retired: Evelyn Whyte, a deaconess for 41 years, working in First Lisburn Presbyterian Church since 1997, and Phyllis Linton, a deaconess in West Presbyterian Church, Ballymena for 31 years. Here, they reflect on their years of service and share with us moments of calling, breakthrough and presence that shaped their time in ministry.

How did you know God was calling you to become a deaconess?

When I was still at school, my mother went to a PWA meeting and heard a deaconess speak. She came home and told me about what was shared. Immediately, a seed was sown. I followed this through and it was confirmed to me that being a deaconess was God’s plan for my life. Even with the ups and downs, I have never regretted it. God is faithful.

As you look back on your time as a deaconess, can you share an experience that has stayed with you because of its personal and spiritual significance?

As a young deaconess, I was visiting a mother and her two small daughters in Glencairn Estate, at the top of the Shankill Road in Belfast. I had been trying all sorts of things to help them and nothing was working. As I got out of my black Mini, John 15:5 came to mind strongly: “…apart from me you can do nothing.” I quickly realised that God was showing me that I was trying to fix this family in my own strength, and I could not do it. I went into that home knowing the close presence of Jesus and journeyed with that family for a good number of years. The Passion translation of this verse in John 15:5 reads, ‘As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you - but when you live separated from me you are powerless.’

During your time as a deaconess, has there been a particular time when you have known God was speaking to you?

Just before I returned to work after going through breast cancer treatment, I felt him speak to me very clearly through Matthew 11:29, from The Message: ‘Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.’ God clearly showed me that I needed to go completely under his direction: it is his church and his work. I’m still learning to keep surrendering everything into God’s hands and work to his agenda, not mine.

Why does the role of a deaconess continue to be important to churches and communities today?

It is a very important role within the church and community, as deaconesses work alongside others to encourage and walk with them in the challenges of life.

What is your favourite verse in the Bible and why?

God powerfully spoke Psalm 16:8 into my life at a difficult time. I believed it to be true and I still do: ‘I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.’

What are your plans for retirement?

I have been given lots of good advice about retirement, but I will definitely be doing some part-time work. Also, I want to keep putting into practice what I have said in earlier answers, and take time to hear what God is saying to me.

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Evelyn

DE AC ON E S SE S

How did you know God was calling you to be a deaconess?

I knew in two major ways. He had spoken to me through both my Bible reading and through sermons with the following verse: ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.’ (Luke 10:2) which resonated in and out of my life for about four years. Secondly, I went on holiday the year before applying to be a deaconess and took with me Keith Green’s album, ‘Jesus Commands Us to Go’. The title track, in which he sings, ‘Jesus commands us to go. It should be the exception if we stay,’ burned in my heart for a fortnight. When I came home someone said I should apply to be a deaconess and the rest is history!

Phyllis

As you look back on your time as a deaconess, can you share an experience that has stayed with you because of its personal and spiritual significance?

I remember participating at the funeral of a man who I wasn’t certain knew the Lord as his Saviour. I felt I had not properly shared the gospel clearly with him, so I promised God that day I would not stand in that place again without knowing each person had clearly heard the gospel. I felt I had failed God, and that man. It lay heavily on my heart. Since then, I have shared the gospel much more readily and, as a result, watched the Lord save many.

During your time as a deaconess, has there been a particular time when you have known God was guiding you?

While I was visiting a patient in a psychiatric hospital, I noticed a person from my congregation in the next ward. As I spoke to them, they shared what was wrong, but I had the question constantly going around in my head: What happened to them as a child? I was afraid to ask because, as far as I could see, it bore no relevance to what they were telling me. When I eventually got the courage to ask the question, it immediately took us to the root of this person’s problem, which was sexual abuse.

This taught me to listen to the Holy Spirit and to pray as I listened to people. Many times God gave me a word of insight I could not have known and it changed how I did pastoral work in the years ahead.

Why does the role of a deaconess continue to be important to churches and communities today?

It is a clear calling in Scripture, and God’s Word is as relevant today as the day it was given. So the office of deaconess should be utilised to the full. Because of demands on ministers’ time, and with more people than ever in need of someone to listen, it is vital to have deaconesses building pastoral and discipling relationships effectively.

Deaconesses can bring different gifts to a ministry team, and help create a holistic approach to serving God in our church and community.

What is your favourite book in the Bible?

I love the books of Esther and Nehemiah. Both are about people who demonstrate utter obedience in the face of adversity, and a determination to do what God wants whatever the cost. I have always tried to be that person. Sometimes I have failed, but I won’t stop trying!

What are your plans for retirement?

I have no idea, other than a little more time with my lovely husband and family, and catching up with reading and housework. However, I am sure God has more than that planned for me in the next chapter of my life, and that excites me. If it is half as good as the last 31 years, then bring it on! I am only retiring to do something different!

Give thanks to God for his guidance and direction throughout the ministries of Evelyn and Phyllis Pray that they will continue to grow to know Jesus more and more, and always seek God’s way forward for their lives

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Website: www.margaretfeinberg.com featuring her popular podcast, The Joycast.

Instagram: @margfeinberg

Taste and See Margaret Feinberg is a speaker at churches and conferences, whose books have sold more than one million copies and received critical acclaim. She lives in Utah with her husband, Leif, who pastors a local campus, and their dog, Hershey. In part two of her exclusive interview, she shares more discoveries from her new book, Taste and See: Discovering God Among Butchers, Bakers, and Fresh Food Makers.

How has writing Taste and See impacted your own life?

I will never pull up a chair to a table the same way again. I ache for readers to understand the richness of Scripture that comes from understanding the science, agricultural and ancient customs, and meaningful language surrounding food in the Bible.

None of those foods were created or crafted in a vacuum. They were plucked and winnowed and ground and kneaded and crushed. In all these steps, in all these transitions, we catch glimpses of God and the work God is doing in us. That’s also why Taste and See has delicious recipes and fun around-thetable activities, so families can taste and see God’s goodness together.

Can you share one of the stand out discoveries you made through your exploration of food in Scripture?

I learned so many things, it’s hard to choose! One of my favourite chapters dives deep into the mention of olives in the Bible. Not only are there incredible lessons which come from the olive, its leaves and the ancient trees themselves, but sometimes the discoveries are also in the process of harvesting.

RECIPES

My husband and I travelled to a remote island off Croatia, and drove for an hour on gravel roads before we approached the olive grove we had come to visit. When I looked up the rugged mountainside, I thought we were going to have to pick all the olive trees. Thankfully, our host explained that it was just two trees over in one direction and a single tree the opposite way. That was all their family owned in that area, as the trees had been bartered, sold and passed down over generations.

Fig Tart You’ll be glad to know you won’t have to rise at dawn to make this simple, but delicious, fig tart inspired by Margaret’s exploration of this powerful biblical ingredient.

Crumbling rock walls divided the olive trees and the result was a land fractured into a maze of rocky separations.

Studying the miles of these labyrinths, I remembered the ancient Proverb: ‘Don’t cheat your neighbour by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.’ (Proverbs 22:28) It turns out no one in this community would dare pick another person’s tree or claim another tree as their own. Such actions would wound relationships and fracture the community. The unmoved stones served as living reminders of the importance of respecting, remembering and honouring the past, as well as ensuring the future. I spent much of the day considering what ancient boundaries I’d been trying to move, instead of honouring and trusting them.

Tell us a little about what you learned from your visit to a fig farmer in California?

Figs are one of the prominent fruits in the Bible, popping up repeatedly in both the Old and New Testament. God is inviting us to consider the meaning of this metaphor. A closer look reveals that figs in the scriptures are often used as a symbol of divine satisfaction: ‘Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has made this promise!’ (Micah 4:4) Unlike most fruit trees, figs are multicropping, which means they are harvested numerous times each year. The Hebrew word for harvesting figs, oreh, means ‘light of dawn’. Because ripe figs spoil quickly, farmers rise with the morning dawn hoping to see ripe fruit hanging from the branches. Just as those who harvest figs learn to live expectant, how would your life look different if you rose each morning expecting God to show up and satisfy you in your home, work, and everyday life?

Hands-on time: 1hr 45min Ingredients • Ready-made sweet shortcrust pastry case • 250g dried figs, trimmed • 3 eggs • 250ml double cream • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste • 2-3 Pink Lady apples, peeled and thinly sliced Method 1. Place figs in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water and set aside for 1 hour to soften.

2. Pre-heat oven to 180°C or 160°C for a fan oven.

3. Drain figs well and blend in a food processor until they form a paste.

4. Whisk the eggs, cream and vanilla in a medium bowl until combined.

5. Gently spread the fig paste so that it covers the base of the pastry case and arrange apple slices on top, then pour over the egg mixture.

6 Bake for 45 minutes or until golden and set.

7. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Sharing Fellowship with THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF EAST AFRICA’S WOMEN’S GUILD During the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, members of Presbyterian Women’s Panel had the opportunity to meet with Rev Elizabeth Kimani, director of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa’s (PCEA) Women’s Guild, to discover more about her work developing women’s ministry across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

PCEA’s Women’s Guild aims to… …unite women and girls in worship, fellowship and service.

We frequently offer training on what it means to have true fellowship, what it is to worship and what it is to serve. At the National Meeting in April, when we launched our new theme, we had a speaker who was talking to us about worship.

This fellowship was originally begun by girls, but it has been overtaken with older women and the girls have become fewer and fewer. So, we aim to bridge this gap between the women and girls through a mentorship programme which will help older women learn how to walk with girls until they are able to integrate with the Guild. We know that if we don’t have girls joining, there is no future for the Guild.

A flourishing Women’s Guild group is… …filled with women who are maturing spiritually and making strides in their Christian growth. Also, that the women are financially stable; many women don’t really have an income, so they depend on their husbands to give them money. To help with this, we will bring them a financial advisor to tell them how to begin small enterprises that can begin to help them find financial freedom. We want Women’s Guild groups to help women become optimistic about their future. I also want our groups to help women be physically healthy. A lot of women face challenges with their health; breast cancer and cervical cancer are killing our women, so every time we bring them together we want to bring a health specialist to tell them how to deal with those health issues.

We encourage our women to go for checkups because that is something they’re very slow in doing because it costs money to go to clinics, so if it’s not painful, they won’t go. We tell them that if they’re not healthy they won’t be able to serve the Lord well!

30 | Wider World Autumn 19

Rev Elizabeth Kimani with representatives of PW Panel

Even in terms of letting women know it is important for them to know their rights: when they can say no and prevent themselves from being coerced into doing something by the many enemies that women have. We have a psychologist who comes and helps women in times of stress. Women may be in a marriage that is violent, and we support them through that.

A flourishing Women’s Guild group is filled with women who are wholly taken care of, in terms of their spiritual, physical and emotional needs.

Women’s Guild is involved in much practical mission, including… …‘The Least Coin’. For this, women gather small change that will be put towards the charity work. The genesis of ‘The Least Coin’ is that, during a time of war, when women were praying for peace they would put in a coin, the least coin, in a little container, and we have continued this tradition.

Designing a Followers Curriculum Naomi Leremore serves in the Theological Education by Extension (TEE) department of the PCEA. TEE is a ministry-oriented model of church leadership training whose primary purpose is to provide Christian training for people who are already serving in church leadership positions.

I began working with Rev. Elizabeth Kimani, and her team of writers, in May this year. We met with the purpose of developing a programme specifically to cater for the followers of the Women’s Guild. These are ladies aged between 20 and 55, who are wishing to join the organisation and go through a two year period of attendance before becoming Guild members.

By the end of the year, we bring our money to church and half of the money stays within that particular community and half of it goes to head office to be used in a range of ways.

The money that Women’s Guild collected last year allowed us to educate 48 girls, and we are trusting that what has been collected this year will be enough to continue the girls’ education. We have faith that we will be able to see the girls through their secondary education, which lasts four years.

We also run two rescue centres – one in Maasailand and one in Rumuruti, where we have the Hadassah Presbyterian Girls High School for girls who have run away from home to escape early marriages. It is a small school but we hope it will grow and we hope to mentor these girls and bring them to the light.

How can we prayerfully support the work of Women’s Guild?

• Pray that the women would become stronger and stronger in terms of fellowship and their relationship with God • Pray that the work they have begun with Naomi Leremore would be completed in time and be of great value to our women • Pray for God’s justice to rule over the issues that are affecting women, in terms of health, poverty, family issues, violence and sexual abuse

Previously, their experiences have varied greatly depending on the congregation they attend. So the purpose of designing a curriculum is to ensure that all followers receive similar training and guidance in key areas, such as life skills and deepening faith. We hope this will help in preparing them for their future ministry within their home, their church and their community.

The curriculum is divided into eight half-day seminars that are spread over the two years. During each seminar there will be time to listen to an expert in a life skills area, and a second person will cover one aspect of spiritual growth which ties in.

For example: • Healthy living will be explored along with inner healing and emotional intelligence.

• Stewardship of resources is in focus, coupled with worship.

• Mediation in families goes together with exploring the spiritual role of women in the home.

• Mentoring others and making an impact is connected to spiritual maturity.

After drawing up the skeleton outline, our work is to put some meat on the bare bones now! We needed to think of practical activities to make it an interactive day, ensuring the women get the maximum benefit from participating. The first seminar, focusing on prayer, provides a great opportunity for the followers to deepen their bonds as they join together – praying with and for each other as sisters in Christ.

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G RO U P N E WS

Carrickfergus Presbytery PW LINK On Saturday morning, 30 March, the women of Carrickfergus Presbytery PW LINK met for their annual Spring Event entitled, ‘Beautiful Inside and Out’ hosted by Greenisland’s PW Group.

Keeping with the 2018-19 theme of ‘Beautiful’, the speaker for the morning was Sarah Farling from the ‘Beautiful Project’ at Big House. Sarah shared how this project is aimed at girls aged between 14 and 18, providing them with a fun filled weekend with the team from Big House helping the girls to find out through fun, music, craft and laughter what it means to be beautiful in God’s eyes.

New Row Coleraine PW Balmoral Show The sun was shining and throngs of people from all parts of Ireland and beyond visited this year’s Royal Ulster Agricultural Society’s Balmoral Show.

For the fifth year in a row, volunteers from Presbyterian Women provided hospitality on the PCI Dromore Presbytery Stand in the Eikon Exhibition Centre. PW Groups in the Presbytery generously donated biscuits for the four days of the show which were served, along with tea and coffee, to the many visitors to the stand. People, of all faiths and none, received a warm welcome, a chance to ‘rest their weary legs’ and just chat. Other volunteers from the Presbytery provided a pastoral ministry, including a compassionate listening ear.

Christian literature was distributed and free face-painting was also available for children.

The Presbyterian Women volunteers were delighted and very enthusiastic to be part of this very worthwhile outreach of our Church which presents a positive gospel presence at the show.

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New Row Coleraine PW Group has celebrated its 120th anniversary. Pictured are Florence Allen, Christine McMullan, and special guest, Karen Craig.

The women also enjoyed an uplifting time of praise, led by the PW LINK Choir, under the direction of Linda Beattie, and were treated to tea, coffee, fresh scones with jam and cream and homemade traybakes, while they made a ‘Beautiful’ card to take away and give or send to someone they care about.

Macosquin PW First Monaghan and Smithborough PW First Monaghan and Smithborough PW Group has produced a recipe book using the tried and tasted recipes (seasoned with love!) shared at their ‘Bake Off ’ evening held during the 2018 season. Proceeds from the sale of the recipe book will be divided equally between Brain Tumour Ireland and Action for M.E.

Macosquin PW Group recently celebrated 110 years in support of PCI missionaries and women workers - and also those who have gone out from their church in service with other agencies.

An evening with Judith Hill in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian St. Andrew’s PW Group welcomed friends from around Bangor on Tuesday 12th March 2019 for their Visitors Evening with special guest Judith Hill, UTV Reporter. Judith’s focus for the evening was ‘Light’.

Baby News Sylvia Santos Bryce, Student Deaconess, and her husband John are delighted to welcome their daughter Chloe Elisa Bryce, who was born on 14 July 2019, weighing 7lbs 1oz.

The tables were turned on Judith as the reporter was interviewed by St. Andrew’s Minister, Rev. Mark Johnson. Mark has known Judith since childhood, but he didn’t bring up any embarrassing moments and didn’t ask anything too awkward! Judith then spoke about her work and the inspirational people, and stories of courage and faith she has been privileged to hear and witness as part of her work and through mission trips world-wide.

She spoke of her meeting with a teenage girl called Hope from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Abducted and gang-raped, Hope knew her rescue lay with God and was amazingly able to share this message with her captors. Hear the full story: www.presbyterianireland.org/Blog/February-2018/Discovering-the-DRC-Part-Two.aspx Judith also met a remarkable lady, Evelyn McCullough, from the north coast of Antrim who faced terminal cancer with (literally) amazing grace. She got strength and inspiration from the scenery around her, taking dramatic pictures against the backdrop of beautiful beaches and cliffs and reflecting how these depicted the various aspects of her life. Evelyn poignantly documented her own journey in a photography journal which was subsequently sold to raise vital funds for cancer treatment. www.tellitincolour.com/shadows-light Judith spoke passionately about young people she has met and worked with in North Belfast.

One particular group has been going to known suicide locations and leaving messages of love and hope for anyone who may be desperate enough to consider taking their own lives.

Judith is a founding member of a community storytelling project called Tell It In Colour www.tellitincolour.com. It exists to provide spaces where people can come together and share their stories.

Cladymore PW A great morning of fellowship was had by the women of Cladymore Presbyterian Church at their Ladies’ Sunday breakfast before their church service, served to them by the elders of Cladymore.

Myroe PW Myroe Presbyterian Women’s Group recently celebrated 120 years of women’s ministry, holding a dinner in the church hall with special guests from Coleraine and Limavady PW LINK to mark the occasion.

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G L OBA L

Global Mission Mission Department, Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, 2 – 10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW Tel: 028 9041 7263 Email: global@presbyterianireland.org Website: www.presbyterianireland.org/mission

Information included in Global Mission News is supplied by the PCI Mission Department. While it is correct at the time of writing, which is normally some weeks before publication, readers should be aware that some details may subsequently change.

Up-to-date news and information are available online at: www.presbyterianireland.org/mission.

Prayer Diary

Edwin & Anne Kibathi

Naomi Keefe

Location: London Mission: Pastoral Ministry & Church Planting

Location: Recife/Olinda Mission: Student Ministry

• Give thanks for the vital and growing ministry of PCEA UK Outreach among Kenyans and other East African expatriates in London.

•

Give praise to God for the hunger and enthusiasm to learn that is evident in the congregations where Naomi is involved in church-based and Bible-based community development and outreach.

•

Give thanks for the success of the training sessions that were run during July and August with the congregation in Beberibe, where they plan to set up a similar Reading Room to the one found in Peixinhos. Pray for patience, guidance and direction from God in all the training sessions that Naomi undertakes with the various congregations.

•

Pray that the actions and lives of believers within these congregations would truly be based on God’s Word and that they would be willing to reach out with the good news of Jesus to their surrounding communities.

•

Pray for daily wisdom and strength for Edwin and Anne, and those working with them, as they seek to reach out and share the love of Jesus Christ with the many who are facing hardship or difficulties.

•

Lift up their youth ministry, praying that the children and young people they reach out to will grow in their understanding of the Christian faith, and find spiritual guidance and encouragement through the various programmes being run.

•

Pray for God’s blessing on all the work in whcih the Kibathis are engaged, and for time to relax. Pray that as their children continue their education, they are able to cope with all that is different in UK culture.

34 | Wider World Autumn 19

• Pray too for good health and safety for Naomi.

Overseas News Personnel News

Eukumindo Conference

Gary and Mary Reid and family were on home assignment from Kenya in July and August and involved in deputation speaking in a number of churches.

PCI is a member of Eukumindo - an organisation which brings together European churches and mission organisations actively engaged in Indonesia, together with leaders from the Council of Churches in Indonesia. This September Eukumindo’s annual conference will be coming to Northern Ireland for the first time in 18 years. The conference, which includes Eukumindo’s 69th General Assembly and a Study Day, will take place in Assembly Buildings, Belfast from 12 to 14 September. The Study Day will be entitled “Journey to Peace: Taking steps to reconciliation in Northern Ireland and Indonesia”.

Peter and Jayne Fleming are on home assignment from Nepal and are undertaking deputation from 1 September to 22 October.

Peter Lockwood is due to return to Ireland from Nepal on home assignment in mid-September and will be engaged in deputation from 15 September to 6 October.

Mozambique Visit

Stephen Cowan is due to return to Ireland from Kenya on home assignment in early October and will be engaged in deputation speaking from 13 October to 10 November.

Looking for a Speaker on Global Mission?

A number of PCI global mission workers will be available for deputation in 2019/20. For information on who is available, contact Beverley in the Mission Department, Assembly Buildings. Tel +44 (0)28 9032 2284 or email mission@presbyterianireland.org.

Rev Uel Marrs (Secretary, Council for Global Mission) travelled to Mozambique in August to visit a Tearfund project which will be supported by PCI’s next World Development Appeal which is due to be launched in October.

Presbyterian Women Overseas Visit It is hoped that the PW President will travel to Nepal in mid-November, with CGM representatives, to attend United Mission to Nepal’s General Assembly. She will also visit projects and Global Mission personnel, the Flemings and Lockwoods, over a period of approximately 10 days.

Global Mission Workers Naomi Keefe Da Caixa Postal 73 Codigo da agencia 32300018 AC Central Recife Avenida Guararapes 250 CEP 50010970 Brazil

Volker & JinHyeog Glissmann PO Box 30048 Chichiri Blantyre 3 Malawi

Stephen & Angelina Cowan PCEA Tuum PO Box 13 Baragoi via Maralal 20601 Kenya

Peter & Valerie Lockwood c/o UMN PO Box 126 Kathmandu Nepal

BRAZIL

KENYA Naomi & Thomas Leremore PO Box 23450-00100 Nairobi (GPO) Kenya

KENYA Gary & Mary Reid PO Box 846-20500 Narok Kenya

KENYA Johnny & Lyn Dowds c/o Mission Department Presbyterian Church in Ireland Assembly Buildings 2-10 Fisherwick Place Belfast BT1 6DW

MALAWI

MALAWI

NEPAL Peter & Jayne Fleming 18 Knocklynn Grove Coleraine BT52 1WR

NEPAL James & Heather Cochrane Rua Monte da Mina, 4466 3 Dto. Leça do Balio 4465-693 Matosinhos Portugal

PORTUGAL

Chris & Rachel Humphries Rua da Mainça, 85, 2 Esq. São Mamede Infesta Matosinhos Porto 4465-197 Portugal

PORTUGAL

Csaba & Ilona Veres Str Intre Lacuri 43 Cluj Napoca Jud Cluj

ROMANIA Derek & Jane French Calle Mendibile Ostekoa 12, 2-A 48940 Leioa Spain

SPAIN Diane Cusick The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) PO Box 320261 Woodlands Lusaka 10101 Zambia

ZAMBIA

Edwin & Anne Kibathi Partner Church Mission Workers 167 Wickhay Basildon Essex SS15 5AQ

ENGLAND

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Through your generosity and

over 43,000 children in over

giving the Society has helped

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over 43,000 children in over

years.

17,500 families for over 153 years.

You can help us make a positive

difference tomake the lives of many You can help us a positive children, people and difference toyoung the lives of many children, young people their families withinand our their families within our in Ireland.

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