SEPTEMBER 2018
Ask. Seek. Knock.
Stand Together
g An evenin nd a c si u m of song for a se! great cau
A benefit concert for Christian Aid Featuring: Downshire Brass, Belfast Operatic Company, Ireland Salvation Army children’s choir, The Victory Rollers and Joyful Sounds choir
Saturday 27 October 2018 Ulster Hall, Belfast | 7.30pm
Book today! caid.ie/concert
Your Legacy Of Hope And Care
- a gift in your Will to Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke
A gift in your Will to NICHS could not only help your loved ones, but leave a legacy of hope for generations to come. In Northern Ireland almost half of all adult deaths are caused by chest, heart and stroke illnesses. NICHS are working to change this through funding research and caring for those who are affected by devastating health conditions every day. A gift to us in your Will could be invested in critical local
research that will change the future for families at risk from our biggest killers. The smallest investment can lead to the biggest breakthrough.
For a leaflet or further information on leaving a legacy to NICHS, please call us on: 028 9032 0184, or write to NICHS Gifts in Wills, 21 Dublin Road, Belfast, BT2 7HB
Please visit our website to see how our Medical Research Programme has already supported groundbreaking projects and is committed to many more over the coming years. www.nichs.org.uk
Charity Reg No. NIC103593 NICHS_legacy AD_Pres Herald.indd 1
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CONTENTS | SEPTEMBER 2018
FEATURES 14 Youth ministry… at your convenience!
New PCI resource for leaders of young people
15 A time to talk
The importance of speaking up about abuse
18 Who says people don’t read anymore? The story of Newmills’ community library
20 Hitting the road running The Moderator’s first few months
22 Reassessing children’s ministry
The challenge of Sunday mornings
33 A different kind of ministry
Reassessing children’s ministry p22
PCI’s first two auxiliary ministers
36 Rebuilding hope in Nepal
United Appeal supports the Lockwoods
38 Televising God’s love The ministry of SAT-7
REGULARS 4 6 8 9 16 17 24 25 40 42 47 48 49
Letters News In this month… My Story As I see it Life lessons Talking Points Mission Connect Reviews Life in PCI Arthur Clarke Crossword Betsy Cameron
Rebuilding hope in Nepal p36
CONTRIBUTORS
Front cover: From the ASK prayer resource (p12). Illustration by Barry Falls. September 2018 No. 814 £1.00 (€1.20) Published by: The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Assembly Buildings, Belfast BT1 6DW. T: +44 (0)28 9032 2284 E: herald@presbyterianireland.org W: www.presbyterianireland.org
Televising God’s love p38
two children.
Editor: Sarah Harding Subscriptions and Advertising: Phil Alcorn; Lisa Skinner; Suzanne Hamilton Design and Layout: Edward Connolly Printing: Nicholson and Bass Ltd.
Ruth Bromley is PCI’s Children’s Development Officer. She is married to Brendan, mum to Bess and is a member of First Holywood Presbyterian.
Suzanne Hamilton is Senior Communications Assistant for the Herald. She attends Ballyholme Presbyterian in Bangor, is married to Steven and mum to twin boys.
Graeme Thompson is PCI’s Youth Development Officer and a member of First Holywood Presbyterian. He is married to Caroline and they have
Lisa Skinner is a Senior Communications Assistant within PCI. She lives in Belfast with her husband Stephen and their three daughters and worships at Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian.
The views expressed in the features, news reports, letters and book reviews of this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. Editorial comment and signed articles do not necessarily contain the official views of the Church, which can be laid down only by the General Assembly. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply endorsement of the goods or services. The Editor reserves the right to decline any advertisement or letter without assigning any reason. Letters may be edited for publication. No correspondence can be entered into regarding non-publication of advertisements or letters.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is a Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104483); Registered Charity in Republic of Ireland (20015695).
Herald September 2018
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NEWS | PCI
News MAD Crew MAD will be celebrating a special landmark this year with the 20th anniversary of the event, in the Ulster University, Coleraine, from 26-28 October. To run the event, we need a large number of volunteers who love Jesus and want to help see young people meet with him. So, if you are 18 or over and available that weekend, why not consider joining our Crew?
Youth and Children’s Project 2018/19
Further information can be found at www.presbyterianireland. org/Events/MAD
Donation deadline The closing date for donations to ‘What is Church?’, the Youth and Children’s Project for 2017/18, is 30 September 2018. Cheques should be made payable to ‘PCI’ and returned to the CCLW office, Assembly Buildings, 2-10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW.
Junior BB Project 2018/19 The Presbyterian Church in Ireland Boys’ Brigade World Mission Committee is running an appeal this year entitled, ‘A Place to Play – Jordan’. The project aims to raise enough funds to pay for the building and equipping of a playground at a Christian school for refugee children in Jordan. A small percentage of funds raised will be given to the BB Global Fellowship to support the worldwide work of the Boys’ Brigade. ‘A Place to Play – Jordan’ project packs, including ‘collecting sheets’ have been sent to each Presbyterian Junior BB Section. Information on the project is also available at www.presbyterianireland.org/juniorbbappeal
The Youth and Children’s Project for 2018/19 is called ‘Foundations’. It will focus on the work of the United Bible Training Centre in Pakistan and Kilmount Presbyterian Church in the Monaghan Presbytery. The Project will be equipping these places to build the foundations of our faith in children and young people through evangelism and discipleship training. The new Project resource packs will be available for collection at presbytery from the beginning of September.
Malawian visitor
Overseas visits
Mphatso Nguluwe, Director of the CCAP Livingstonia Synod Health Department, which includes oversight of the Synod’s hospitals in Malawi, is due to be in Ireland for the month of October. Mphatso was previously the Director of Livingstonia Synod Aids Programme and is well known to many in our Church. She is looking forward to a number of speaking engagements during her visit.
The Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, and his wife Barbara visited the Middle East in midAugust. They spent time with PCI global mission workers, our partner JETS and visited a number of projects. Rev Uel Marrs visited Kenya, South Africa and Zambia in August, meeting with partner church leaders and PCI’s global mission workers.
Moderator visits River House
Personnel news Naomi Keefe returned to Ireland on home assignment in late July. In September she will be engaged in deputation, speaking at church services and other meetings about the work she is involved with in Brazil. Diane Cusick is returning to Ireland at the beginning of September and will be engaged in deputation from mid-September to early December. Csaba and Ilona Veres are due to complete their three-month sabbatical in mid-September and will be returning to their work in Romania. James and Heather Cochrane are due to return to Ireland in late September and will be doing an intensive two-week period of speaking engagements until mid-October. Their colleagues from the church plant in Senhora da Hora, Pedro and Amada, will be joining them on deputation for a portion of this time. David and Pamela McCullagh are due to complete their assignment with Scripture Union in Malawi at the end of September and the family will be travelling back to Ireland. David has accepted a call to ministry in Annalong Presbyterian Church and is due to be installed there in November. Volker and JinHyeog Glissmann have been delayed in taking up a call to serve with Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC) located in Johannesburg, South Africa, until appropriate visas can be obtained. The Glissmann family have relocated to Blantyre and Volker will continue in a course writing and consultancy role with Theological Education by Extension in Malawi (TEEM) at least until mid-2019.
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After leading morning worship at Newcastle Presbyterian recently, the Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, and his wife, Barbara, spent the afternoon with residents of River House Residential Home. Dr McMullen also gave a short address during his visit to the Co Down home. Photographed are Rev Robin Quinn, Rev Andrew Mullan, Dr Charles McMullen, Mrs McMullen with flowers presented to her by Stephanie Moore Archer (Deputy Home Manager) and Ina Wilson (member of the local support committee).
Find out more on www.presbyterianireland.org
News
DIARY DATES
Junior BB Boys raise £7,500 Each year Junior Sections of the Boys’ Brigade in Presbyterian congregations are challenged to support a project to benefit children and young people overseas. During the past year they have been raising funds to pay for the refurbishment of dormitories at the Reformed Church in Romania’s campsite at Algyogy, where many Christian camps for children and young people are held each year. Fourth Newtownabbey Company (Carnmoney Presbyterian Church) raised more than any other group – £1,576.40. Four boys from the Company presented a cheque for the total amount raised for the project to two volunteers who work at Algyogy campsite and PCI global mission workers Csaba and Ilona Veres when they were in Belfast this summer.
Taking Care refresher training
Back row: Csaba Veres, Ilona Veres, Jim Campbell (chairman of PCI BB World Mission Committee), Noah Gordon and Patricia Scullin (Carnmoney Junior BB leader). Front row: Rebeka Solomon, Timi Balais, Joshua Ashe, Peter Hanna and Daniel Grills.
Events Road Trip
Africa in focus PCI is holding a special evening focusing on mission in Africa on Friday 26 October. The event will be held in Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church, Belfast, commencing at 7.30pm. Speakers will include Diane Cusick (Zambia) and Mphatso Nguluwe (Malawi). Everyone is welcome to attend the event, which will include prayer and light refreshments. Come and join us for this special evening focusing on Africa.
September
Road Trip has been bringing training to youth and children’s leaders throughout the Presbyterian Church in Ireland for several years. These events are designed for Sunday school teachers, children’s leaders, youth leaders, elders, ministers, parents, or anyone who wants to understand or work with those aged 0-25 in their local congregation. Road Trip will be in Edengrove Presbyterian Church, Ballynahinch on Wednesday 17 October and in Hill Street Presbyterian Church, Lurgan on Tuesday 13 November. More details to follow.
Killead – Monday 3 Second Randalstown – Wednesday 5 Raloo – Wednesday 5 Immanuel – Thursday 6 Elmwood – Thursday 6 Lissara – Monday 10 Trinity, Ballymoney – Monday 10 Rathcoole – Tuesday 11 Upper Clonaneese – Wednesday 12 Downshire Road, Newry – Monday 17 First Limavady – Wednesday 26 Second Castlederg – Thursday 27 Trinity, Boardmills – Thursday 27
Taking Care foundation training Ballyclare – Tuesday 4 Dunmurry – Wednesday 12 Dundonald – Friday 14
Proximity
Assembly Buildings, Belfast – Tuesday 18 Ballygawley – Thursday 20 First Ballymoney – Monday 24 Ballydown – Thursday 27
Handling the Word
Deadline for registration – Friday 21
Youth Ministry course starts Druminnis Presbyterian Church will host Little Day Out on Tuesday 16 October, from 10am to 12noon. Little Day Out is an event for 0-4 year olds, and further information is available by emailing clw@presbyterianireland.org or calling +44 (0)28 9032 2284.
Certificate courses The Youth and Children’s Ministry Certificate courses provide an excellent opportunity for networking with others while being resourced, envisioned, trained and refreshed. The classes will be led by a team of experienced lecturers who will deliver a mix of practical and informative sessions. Commencing on 17 September, the Children’s Ministry course lasts for 10 weeks and the cost is £80. The Youth Ministry course lasts for 17 weeks, commencing on 24 September, and the cost is £150, which includes a residential weekend. Both courses are being held in Union Theological College. For further information please see the website www.presbyterianireland.org or email clw@presbyterianireland.org
Union Theological College – Monday 24
October Handling the Word
Union Theological College, Belfast – starts Thursday 4
Proximity
Lucan Centre, Dublin – Friday 5
MAD weekend
Ulster University, Coleraine – Friday 26 to Sunday 28
Africa in focus
Saintfield Road, Belfast – Friday 26
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CONGREGATIONAL STORY
Who says people don’t read anymore?
The Herald chats to Harry and Valerie Douglas from Newmills Presbyterian, to find out more about their library project, which is helping the congregation reach out to the local community.
N
ewmills Presbyterian Church in Co Tyrone has embarked on a new venture with a missional aim. Seeking to provide a valuable service to the local community, the congregation is also committed to build relationships and sow the seeds of God’s love in a simple and practical way. Newmills member Harry Douglas says, “The Great Commission identified by Jesus in Mark 16:15 commands believers to ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation’. We in Newmills, like so many others, realise that ‘the world’ begins where we have been placed.” The Newmills in question is in rural Tyrone (not to be confused with the ‘other’ Newmills which is near Gilford!). Situated four miles from Dungannon, six miles from Cookstown and six miles from the M1 (near Coalisland), its population
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has grown steadily over the past 20 years. Having recently celebrated its 180th birthday, it was built in the first half of the 19th century when the village grew up. As its name suggests, there were a number of mills on the banks of the aptly named River Torrent which flows through the area. Up until a decade ago, the church premises consisted of the original stone church with an adjoining hall. Harry explains, “The hall, as the saying goes, had had its day so the congregation took a tremendous step of faith and commissioned a new hall with a suite of accessible multi-purpose rooms, kitchen
…even though it is still early days, the library is a firmly established local service.
and toilets which were joined up to the existing church. This new build was a labour of love with costs being kept down by much of the work being undertaken by the congregation. “Newmills, like many rural churches, is blessed with having men and women who have a strong bond with their church, who are not afraid of hard work and who have a range of construction and labouring skills. During the many months of toil, strong relationships were developed, some between people who up to that time barely knew each other.” The outcome is a modern, bright suite of rooms, which was opened in 2012 with the desire that it would be a resource, not only for the congregation itself but also for the local community. The library is one such resource. Newmills Presbyterian Church Lending Library is in its infancy having
begun its life in the autumn of 2017. It is the brainchild of Harry’s wife, Valerie, who has lived in the vicinity of Newmills most of her life. “One of my highlights as a young child was when the mobile library came. I loved seeing all the books and getting to choose a few I particularly liked. When I married Harry in 2017 and we were amalgamating the contents of two houses into one, I thought, ‘Why not start a library’. Harry had a vast array of books; increasingly charity shops won’t take them and many were too good to throw away.” Valerie was mindful that new ventures often have a better chance of success if they have a solid foundation. About two years ago, Newmills PW launched a Saturday morning ‘Coffee and Chat’ initiative meeting twice a month. Valerie thought maybe the library could join with it and after much prayer, she approached the PW. The response was overwhelmingly positive and with that vital support harnessed, the task of building up a varied stock of books and DVDs began in earnest. One year on, and even though it is still early days, the library is a firmly established local service. Some of its best customers are pre-school children who are brought by book-loving grandparents. Most, but by no means all, of the folk who come in and browse are members of Newmills congregation. Valerie highlights how deeper relationships have been forged through new conversations. “It has been interesting to get to know people through
We need, as evangelical believers, to reach out to our local community, to build up relationships… their reading tastes – I could sit beside someone in church and never know they were a sci-fi buff or that they devoured historical romances!”
Harry and Valerie Douglas
The first year has certainly not been easy. Harry says, “Especially on those wintery Saturday mornings when business was slow, we were sometimes on the verge of packing it in, but like the church in Ephesus described in Revelation chapter 2, we recognised the need to persevere. We have also been greatly encouraged by the PW here in Newmills and friends in other churches who think the idea is a great one.” Harry and Valerie attest to the fact that starting a library from scratch is not for the fainthearted. After learning some valuable lessons the hard way, they have
identified the following practical advice for any congregation thinking of doing the same: • Build up a large, varied stock before opening. • Be prepared to recycle! Well-meaning contributors will donate some books which you may feel you cannot use. • Cater for all age groups. The age range using Newmills’ library is pre-school to 80+. • Avoid sets of encyclopaedias. They take up too much room and much of the information is dated. • Books are heavy and prone to damp. Storage and moving the library requires careful consideration. • Updating, especially of popular categories is essential. There is no doubt that although the topics of the books in the library may not all be spiritual or missional, its purpose certainly is. “Increasingly in our towns, villages and countryside, people are not familiar with church,” says Harry. “We need, as evangelical believers, to reach out to our local community, to build up relationships and demonstrate through Christ and inspired Holy Spirit-driven living, that God is relevant in the 21st century; letting people know he cares about them and can make a profound difference in their lives.” Newmills Presbyterian Church Lending Library is just one example among many of modern, local outreach. Harry says, “We would encourage progressive thinking – after all who doesn’t like a good story?”
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