NEWS BRIEFS

Photo above – Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol will be in conversation at 4cornersbelfast – see brief, three below

4cornersbelfast broadcast service

All are invited to 4cornersbelfast broadcast service on BBC Radio Ulster on Feb.2. Morning Service will be broadcast from Cliftonville Moravian Church, Belfast. The Preacher will be Prisoner Ombudsman, Rev Lesley Carroll, took part in this year’s festival launch. Please register at –
[ http://4cornersfestival.com ]

Student challenge to reimagine Belfast

4CornersBelfast. January 31, 2020, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Sixth form students from across Belfast will gather at the Ulster University Belfast campus to explore what makes a city a positive place to live as individuals and a community. Participants will be invited to consider the impact of architecture on a city’s inhabitants in practical and aesthetic terms. Workshops will encourage students to reconstruct their vision of the Belfast of the future, harnessing its potential and giving young people a voice in shaping the development of their city. Facilitators include Arthur Parke, architect with FCB Studios who designed the new UU campus, and the published poet, educator and community arts worker Shelley Tracey.
This is an invitation only event delivered in partnership with the Ulster University.
Teachers can email info@4cornersfestival.com for further information

Gary Lightbody in conversation

4CornersBelfast. January 31, 2020, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, 77 University Street, Belfast BT7 1HL

Exploring grace in music, speech and song

Snow Patrol have just celebrated 25 years as a band. Their 2018 Wildness record and the 25th Anniversary Reworked album have put them back in the Premier League of rock bands. Their founder and chief songwriter Gary Lightbody was born in Bangor but has grown to see Belfast as his spiritual home. In this intimate evening, in conversation with Steve Stockman, Gary will talk about his upbringing, the impact of the Troubles, writing about Belfast as well as his weighty contributions to building Belfast into a city of grace. Some songs too we hope!
Tickets – £11.37 at –
[[] https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gary-lightbody-in-conversation-tickets-85470543697 ]

Methodist 365 Training

The Office 365 Team are delivering training at Edgehill House on Thursday 23rd 10.30am-12.30pm.
The team will be providing step-by-step guidance to help you access & use your Church email account (Outlook) & cloud storage (OneDrive for Business).
Ministers and Lay Leaders within the Methodist Church are encouraged to attend this training if support is needed when accessing Microsoft Office account to use email and complete general tasks within One Drive. You will need to bring your own device such as a laptop for this workshop. (Fully charged)
The training will be from 10.30am-12.30pm on Thursday 23rd January at Edgehill House, Belfast. (Tea / Coffee available from 10am)
Sign up: [buff.ly/389AxvG]

Farewell from Willowfield

On Sunday 19 January, the folks at Willowfield Church said farewell to David and Hilary McClay after almost 19 years of their leadership.

They watched a film together at all their services. In it they chat with Alan, Robert, Lynn and Jasper who share what it was like before David and Hilary arrived, and how their vision and dedication has helped bring the church to where it is today. You can view the file at –
[[] https://www.downanddromore.org/news/2020/01/willowfield-church-says-farewell-to-the-mcclays ]

Ahoghill centenarian

The Moderator wished “Happy 100th birthday” to Mrs Gladys Hood of 1st Ahoghill who organised and sorted the guest list for her party! He is photographed with Mrs Hood and her minister, the Rev Mark Neilly

Methodist President’s Week

Sun 19th- Sunday off
Mon/Tues- Days off
Wed- Appointments & Admin
Thurs- Preparation articles for publication
Fri- Church Leaders Group Meeting Belfast
Sat- Ordination & Consecration of Venerable David McClay in St Anne’s Belfast
Sun 26th- Holywood, am. Queen’s Parade Bangor, pm

BBC Ni service for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Morning Worship on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Ulster came from Loughinisland Parish Church, Seaforde in the Lecale Area Mission Partnership (LAMP) on Sunday 19 January. The service marked the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and reconciliation was its central theme.

Unity is an important theme for the Church in Seaforde Village, which marks its 300th Anniversary in 2020. Strong and long–lasting links were forged between the Church of Ireland Parish of Loughinisland and their Roman Catholic neighbours in St Macartan’s Church in Loughinisland Village after the tragic shooting which took place in a bar in the village in June 1994. Since then an annual carol service has been the symbol of a shared relationship between the two churches. Link to BBC Sounds –
[[] https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000dgj1 ]

Rev. William McMillan MBE

The death has taken place of the most senior minister of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, the Rev. William McMillan MBE of Dunmurry. An initial comment from the church states, “Mac was a truly remarkable man who will forever be remembered in our denomination. Our prayers are with Sheila, David, Jane, Alastair, Andrew and the wider family circle at this very sad time. We also send our condolences to the congregation in Dunmurry. There will be an official statement from the moderator in due course. -“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4