NEWS BRIEFS

Photo above – Queuing for pancakes.

400 enjoy free pancakes in Ballyclare

On Shrove Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent, parishioners of St John’s, Ballyclare, stepped out early in the morning to offer freshly cooked pancakes to families and children on their way to school.

The Rev Jonny Campbell-Smyth helps serve the Shrove Tuesday pancakes.

This initiative is now in its third year, but the rector, the Rev Jonny Campbell-Smyth, said he was amazed at the number of people who turned up to enjoy their free pancakes.

“We were expecting maybe 100-150 people this morning, and so we were astonished that by 9am we had given out pancakes with all their toppings to approximately 400 people,” Jonny said.

“At one point, there was a queue down the Doagh Road. It is wonderful to bless our community. As a church, one of our core values is ‘Reaching out, Welcoming in’ and so we want to express God’s generous love in all kinds of ways, including giving away free pancakes. I’d like to thank all those that made this morning so special.”

 Presbyterian Herald podcast

In this month’s Herald-extra podcast Sarah Harding is joined by Professor Stephen Williams and Dr Norman Hamilton to talk about artificial intelligence and the importance of holding our politicians to account, drawing on their articles in the March edition. Professor Stephen Williams and Dr Norman Hamilton contributed articles to the March 2020 edition of the Presbyterian Herald.
[[] https://audioboom.com/posts/7501412-005-herald-extra-march-2020 ]

Briggs’ Farewell Service

Around 100 family, friends and supporters gathered recently at St Jude’s, Ballynafeigh to give thanks and pray for Ronnie and Maggie Briggs as they come to the end of over 40 years of service with CMSI, mostly in the Diocese of Kajiado, Kenya.

The evening was hosted by Revd David Palmer, with uplifting music provided by the Kerygma choir, conducted by Mrs Lorna Palmer. Greetings from Bishop Gaddiel Lenini were passed on and other contributors included CMSI Mission Director Jenny Smyth, former Mission Director Canon Cecil Wilson, CMSI Chairperson Revd Adrian Dorrian and former Kajiado Team members Rev David and Mrs Lesley McComb.

Adrian interviewed Ronnie and Maggie who said they were very moved by the cross section of people in the congregation, representing groups who have been involved right across their lifetime’s ministry in Kenya and in Ireland.

Canon John McCammon gave a reflection highlighting the far-reaching “ripples” that have radiated out as a result of Ronnie and Maggie’s service. These include the deep relationships forged in Kenya, the support given to the church in Kajiado through the Development Department (with a whole range of buildings, projects, women’s training and other practical help) and the huge number of people (around 500) who have visited Kajiado on CMSI teams over the years.

The evening ended with a time of prayer for the Briggs as they explore the next steps of their journey. We are grateful to Revd Peter Bourke for welcoming us to St Jude’s, and to all who attended.

QUB Chaplaincy Choir trip

On Sunday past the Catholic Chaplaincy Choir visited Dublin’s historic University Church on St Stephen’s Green, founded by St John Henry Newman. QUB students and alumni joined Steve Warner, from Notre Dame University Folk Choir, for a choral workshop with a difference!

Considering Grace: Unpacking the impact

Principal Stafford Carson will be speaking at a conference on 20 March 2020 dealing with the issues arising from the book Considering Grace: Presbyterians and the Troubles (2019). This book tells the stories of 120 Presbyterians and their experience of the conflict. His lecture will address the challenges which arise for ministry and witness within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

The other speaker on the day will be Canon David Porter, Chief of Staff to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who will address the impact of the book for wider society.

There will also be a panel including both speakers along with author Dr Gladys Ganiel, and Dr Nicola Brady (General Secretary, Irish Council of Churches).

For more information on Considering Grace please go here.
[[] https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Resources/General-Resources-and-Publications/Considering-Grace.aspx ]

The event is free to attend but registration is required – available here.
[[] https://www.presbyterianireland.org/consideringgrace ]

God in creation

Glenshane Pass, County Londonderry, yesterday morning