THE MAGAZINE OF THE LISBURN AND DROMORE METHODIST CIRCUIT

TheLightIssue 204: March 2014

SeymourStreet

PANTO!

Contents:02Around the Circuit04Team on Mission 25 @ Trinity05The President at Broomhedge06A date with the President07The Message of Global Vision 201409Stepping out in faith in Belize11Dromore's Youth Training12What does the Secretary ofConference do?15What Lent means to me16Hearing a cry from the poor17Christians against poverty17From the Registers18Seymour Street Pantomime

Editor: Lindsay EassonSend material to: thelight@seymourstreet.orgIf you have material or photos for the next edition ofThe Light please send them to the address above orgive them to your church representative by Sunday4th May 2014

Contact Information:

Rev Brian Anderson9266230307736715602anderson662@btinternet.com

Shirley Carrington - 92607881shirley.carrington@talk21.com

DAMASK Youth OfficerPeter Waugh - 07731487873pete@damasklisburn.org

www.seymourstreet.org

Rev David Turtle 92621282David.turtle@irishmethodist.org

www.trinitylisburn.com

Rev Colin Gracey- 92693929c_a_gracie@hotmail.com

Billy Bryson - 97532147www.priesthill-zion-methodist.com

Rev Peter Mercer- 90826920peter.mercer@irishmethodist.org

Rev Edmund Mawhinney - 92617433edmund.mawhinney@irishmethodist.org

Dromore & Priesthill

Front cover:Little Red Riding Hood by SeymourStreet

Magheragall and Broomhedge

March 2014 02

In memory of FredJacksonMusic copies of the new Methodisthymn book ‘Singing the Faith’ havebeen purchased by SeymourStreet Choir in memory of FredJackson who was a faithfulmember of the choir for manyyears. The Church has alsopurchased a digital version of thewords.

Fred Jackson was a well knownface for many years to anyone whofrequented Seymour Street. Hewas devoted to the church andwas a stalwart of the choir in thetrue sense of its meaning, rarelymissing either the weekly rehearsal or a Sundayservice.

Fred was quiet and unassuming - a man who reallydid not like the limelight. He was astute, generouswith his words and in his deeds, had a wonderfully

dry sense of humour and, mostimportantly to him, had a deeppersonal faith.

He was a son of the manse, anddue to his father, Rev WilliamJackson, being stationed for a timein the South, he boarded atMethody for a number of years.

Fred had many interests and waswell travelled. He had a hugevideo and DVD collection; heenjoyed photography (withpictures from many foreignholidays); and he was a greatphilatelist with a large collection ofstamps.

Although Fred sang gustily on more than oneoccasion he seemed to have nodded off in thestalls. Paul Good, Music Director at Seymour Streetcommented ‘I don't believe for one minute that Fredwas sleeping - rather, he was enjoying the presenceof God, listening intently and basking in the glory ofthe Saviour who meant so much to him.‘

Service of Thanksgiving for the life of GwenKennedyGwen was brought up in Coventry, but lived her married life inBelfast. When her husband died in 2002 she moved to Lisburn andjoined Trinity. Due to a measles infection when she was only 8months old Gwen totally lost her sight. However she never let thisget her down! She was a wonderful pianist and was organist atAlexander Presbyterian Church for many years.

At the Service the former minister of Alexander Presbyterian spokewarmly of her unique contribution to the life of the church and herremarkably positive approach to life. She often said that ‘Disabilitydoes not mean ‘inability’! Her two daughters also described howGwen would tackle anything - including wiring a plug or even sawingbranches off a tree in the garden! Perhaps the most moving part ofthe Service was to hear a recording of Gwen telling the story of howshe became a Christian.

She loved to have the opportunity to play the piano at services across the Circuit. Those of us who knewGwen will always treasure the memory of her warm personality and living faith.

The president Visits Seymour StreetThe President of the Methodist Church in Ireland was welcomed to morning worship in SeymourStreet Methodist Church on Sunday 15 December the Rev Brian Anderson. Brian said Dr Morrishas made a significant contribution to the life of the Methodist Church across Ireland and spoke warmly

Gwen with Heidi,her guide dog

of the impact she had made in many areas ofChurch life including working with the other ChurchLeaders

In her address the President challenged membersof the Congregation to focus on the true Christmasmessage and to reach out practically to help thosefor whom the Christmas season had the potentialof being a lonely and painful time

Rev Brian Anderson to move toBangorFollowing a number of meetings of the ConnexionalStationing Committee it has been confirmed thatRev Brian Anderson is to leave the Lisburn andDromore Circuit at the beginning of July this year.

Brian will move to the Bangor and Holywood Circuitand Rev Mervyn Ewing, now serving on the BelfastJennymount Circuit will join the Ministerial Staff onthis Circuit. All appointments are subject to finalapproval at Conference in Dublin in June of this year

Second Annual BroomhedgeYouth ServiceBroomhedge Methodist Church has had asuccessful Youth Club running on a Saturday nightfor many decades, under the loving leadership ofMaudie Boal. However, most of the childrenattending either are members of other churches orhave no church connection. It was suggested by

Society Steward, Terry Lilley, in 2013, that we havea Youth Service in the church to make the YouthClub feel more a part of the main fellowship. Thisfirst service was very successful and it was thereforedecided that we would have a follow-up service thisyear. This took place on the morning of 2ndFebruary with a good size congregation ofencouraging parents and relatives. The wholeservice was well conducted by the ever-youthfulguest speaker, Shirley Carrington from Seymour St.Shirley had spent a lot of time rehearsing thechildren, many of whom took part, and she herselfdelivered a simple message "See I have written yourname in the palms of my hands" illustrating themessage with signed pictures and the music ofvarious bands and singers such as One Direction,Hugo Duncan, and of course (as his no. 1 fan)Daniel O'Donnell. A most enjoyable service, which,I'm sure, will have a successor.

New appointmentsDeborah Kinghan was recently appointed SocietySteward at Seymour Street and David AndersonProperty Steward. Harold Baird has been appointedChairman of Damask and Wilson Stewart steps intoHarold’s previous role as Treasurer of Damask.

The President lets Faith Fergusontry on her special stole

Deborah Kinghan Harold Baird

03 March 2014

So after an amazing 2013 with TOM 24 at Trinitywe had the arrival of TOM 25 with an extra member!Olwyn, John, Natasha, Jordan and Bethany joinedus for a full week activities! The team had chosenGalatians 5:22-23 as their theme for the week soin Church we had a ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ smoothiebefore the team led Trinity Zone on their first day.

On Sunday evening the team shared in the CircuitService with the President, Rev. Dr Heather Morris,through a drama and a song followed by questionsin the Church Hall.

During the week theteam did not just getinvolved in the youthorganisations but allaspects of theChurch such as Girls’Brigade, Craft Club,Luncheon Club,Evergreens (whichthey nearly started awar withScattegories), ShellClub and Toddlers.They also gotinvolved in leading

assemblies, leading Scripture Union, RE Classesin the local schools and a service in Lillie Court.

The Team led two special events, the first being aPizza Praise Evening on Friday 7th which wasattended by over 60 primary school children whomade crafts, sang, danced, played games and had

Pizza. This was a fantastic night which the childrenall enjoyed.

Next up for the team was Saturday Night:Live anopportunity for the boys and girls from our BB, GBand YPod came together for a night of activitiesincluding games, worship and a workshop onPrayer.

As the young people headed home from SaturdayNight:Live the team finished final preparations forSunday morning worship. Unlike TOM 24 this teamdidn’t finish with the morning service – they had aquick lunch and then back to the church for MessyChurch and a final see you later at Soul Mates!!

Trinity was blessed by the visit of Olwyn, John,Natasha, Jordan and Bethany and we will beremembering them in our prayers as they continueto serve Christ throughout Ireland over the next fewmonths.

Team on Mission 25 @ Trinity 2014March 2014 04

The President Rev Dr HeatherMorris had a busy weekendaround Lisburn at thebeginning of February. Froma workshop with MagheragallMethodist on the Saturdayshe was then the mainspeaker at a Circuit Service inBroomhedge Methodist on the Sunday evening(and she had managed to preach at BranielMethodist in the morning!) BroomhedgeChurch was packed for the service, which was

led by the local minister Rev Peter Mercer, andwas a very “busy” one. Not only was thePresident speaking, but the Team on Missionalso took part and there was a short service ofwelcome to Mrs Daphne Hanna of SeymourStreet as a fully qualified local preacher. Thispart of the service was presided over by theDistrict Superintendent Rev Brian Anderson.Jesus’ invitation to follow him, and all theobjections put forward as to why that invitationcouldn’t be readily accepted, formed the basisof a challenging drama by the Team on Mission– what does it really mean to be a true disciple?The Team also sang a very moving piece“Desert Song”. President Heather Morris used

the passage from Micah 6: 1- 8 to againemphasise the need for true discipleship:He has showed you, O man, what is good.And what does the LORD require of you?To act justly and to love mercyand to walk humbly with your God

After the service there was the traditional cupof tea and a good supper provided by the ladiesof Broomhedge. Following the tea, there wasalso a question and answer session, chairedby Rev Brian Anderson, at which both Heatherand the Team on Mission fielded questionsfrom those assembled, questions such as “Doyou think the Methodist Church is still aConnexion?” and “Do you think the Presidentialterm should be continued beyond the traditionalone year?” Good discussion followed and itwas a fitting end to what had been a greatcouple of days of fellowship and challenge.

The President at BroomhedgeRev Peter Mercer

05 March 2014

The President presents Daphne Hannahwith her Local Preacher Certificate

The President preaching atBroomhedge

On Saturday 2nd February over 30 peoplearrived at Magheragall Methodist Church tobe welcomed with cups of coffee/ tea andscones provided by Magheragall ParishChurch. But this wasn't just a socialoccasion; those attending had come to listento and to be challenged by our President, theRev Dr Heather Morris.

Heather took as her theme words from Mark3: 14: “Jesus appointed twelve-designatingthem apostles-that they might be with him andthat he might send them out to preach.”

There are two parts to the text:

● that they might be with him

● that he might send them out

In other words, when the twelve were withJesus they were receiving instruction,practical advice and encouragement for theproclamation of the Gospel, but without thesending out there would have been no pointin being with him in the first place. Heatherused the illustration of a poster she had in herroom when she was growing up. The postershowed a ship in a harbour and underneathwere the words:

A ship is safe in harbour, but that's notwhat ships are built for.

Heather made the point that the church is notjust about having followers, but about makingdisciples so that they in turn may make moredisciples. We are to be sent out, even thoughthat may be a daunting process for many - to

whom shouldwe go, what ifpeople don'tlisten, whatwould wehave to say?

Heather developed her message through talk,discussion groups and group activities. Inone of the latter we were invited to stand inareas approximating to the countries of theworld To begin with we were to stand in thecountry where we were born, then where wewere aged 21 and finally where we werewhen we heard God speaking to us in ameaningful way.

The whole morning passed in the twinkling ofan eye and before we knew it we were havingour lunch, again provided by MaghergallParish.

It was a great morning and we hope and praythat many of the ideas encountered there willbe used in the days, weeks and months tocome to make our church more of a missionalorganisation.

A date with the PresidentRev Peter Mercer

March 2014 06

If your image of missionarymeetings is a bit stuffy, then maybelike me you need to go along toGlobal Vision to have the cobwebs

blown away! Yes, it did startwith us singing ‘ToGod be the Glory’to a slightly out oftune piano, but the mainspeaker, Brian Heasley, gavea captivating and challenging

address, the seminarswere diverse andinteresting and by theend of the day we wereworshipping to moremodern praise ably ledby young musiciansdrawing us into a timeof prayer andreflection.

The Keynote AddressBrian Heasley, founded the 24/7 prayermovement when he was called to Ibiza where heworked for 7 years praying for and ministering tothe young people flocking there to party. He wasborn in East Belfast, went to school in Craigavonbut when at the age of 11 his mother died he went

off the rails, later being expelled from school andending up in prison four times!

He was converted when in prison in England andwent on to become a Baptist Pastor before beingcalled to begin the new work in Ibiza.

Brian shared vital insights into place of prayer inthe Church’s life of mission which for him beganwith an appreciation of prayer in the life of CountZinzendorf and the early Moravians who had suchan influence on John Wesley. With a backdropof the famous Michaelangelo painting of God

stretching out with every sinew to impart the giftof speech to man, Brian challengedus to use this special gift to pass onthe message A leader who forgets topray has not realised its significance(Spurgeon), and a missional churchneeds to be a praying church.

We cannot live unless we bothbreathe IN and breathe OUT, so it iswith the Christian life, unless webreathe out God’s message in ourlives we are not functioning asChristians.

The clearest message from Brian wasthat we need to reject the‘Judgemental’ ethos that pervades

07 March 2014

There’s no point in

being light in the light

Trinity members enjoying Lunch together at Global Vision

society today (eg X Factor and The Apprentice),and stop being so ‘Risk Averse’, ‘Don’t beconformed to this world’, as Paul says. We needto take risks in order to reach out for Jesus. Thereis no point in being light in the light, we need tobe light in the darkness.

Responsive SensitivityIn Ibiza a group were praying in a room at 3amwhen there was knock at the door - ‘Sorry tointerrupt your meeting, but someone out hereneeds your help!’ the man said. Is that not whatJesus is saying to us - ‘Sorry to interrupt your cosymeeting - there’s somebody out in the real worldwho needs your help!’ We need to positionourselves among the needy, offering to pray forpeople and give them practical help. The churchneeds to concentrate on blessing - not selling!

In our mission we need to be sensitive, sensitiveto the question BEHIND the question of the

person we meet, and to the gentleprompting of the Holy Spirit so that ourwitness becomes one of responsivesensitivity.

Vision for Evangelism inGermanyParked outside the front door of theconference venue was a big yellow bus!In fact it was The Big Yellow Bus of theMethodist Church in Germany, whichhas travelled round Europe as part ofthe outreach of the Church. Equipped

with acinema andcoffee bar,the bus stopsin publicp l a c e s ,villages anda range ofv e n u e swhere theteam with thebus performdrama, andpraise andshare theg o s p e lmessage.

Barry Sloan,one of ourmissionary partners, is Director of Evangelism forthe Methodist Church in Germany and he shareda little of his vision for the work. As well as theyellow bus he brought a ‘Pop-up Church’ which ismuch like a bouncy castle except you can worshipin it!

During the week after Global Vision the Big YellowBus was being used for mission work in Coleraine.

Mission is partnershipAfter the opportunity to attend two from a widerange of seminars the General Secretary of theMMS (Ireland), Rev Laurence Graham shared thatthe Methodist Church is increasingly seeing allmission, whether home or overseas, as one,whether it is in a local church in Belfast orGermany, the Surf Project in Cork or a school inBelize. Today we work in partnership withChristians across the world and the prayer is thatit will bless both those who send and those whoreceive, those who go and those who return.

March 2014 08

Rev Austin Hassard & Tom Millar

We need to beblessing not selling

Barry Sloan, missionpartner and Director ofEvangelism in Germany

The ‘Pop-up’ Church

The ‘Big Yellow Bus’ used for outreach acrossEurope

Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a smallEnglish speaking state in Central Americabetween Guatamla and Mexico. The principalindustry is tourism as it is a beautiful country,boasting the 2nd longest coral reef in the world,tropical beaches, diverse wildlife and amazingscenery. It is similar in size to Wales and has a

population of about 1/3 million, but even thatrelatively small population includes many diverseethnic groups - Creole, European, Maya andMennonites for example. Half the population areunder 18, over 43% live in real poverty and 46%of 16-24 year olds are unemployed. The countryhas no national health service and the first

specialist cancer unit was only opened in 2011.For many years Belize has been a traffickingroute for drugs from South America to Mexico,although during 2013 progress was made inreducing this. Perhaps due to the drugs tradethere is a very high homicide rate with an annualrate of 39 deaths per 100,000 compared withonly 1 per 100,000 in the UK.

In the midst of this struggling society localChristians have been stepping out in faith. In2011 three ladies from a Methodist congregationstarted to build a new church. First they providedfood and clean water to people in need then andsoon they were able to form a congregation andbuild a new church.

The Methodist Church runs a number of Schools,including Wesley College in Belize City, which isvery highly regarded and many parents want tosend their children there and to the other

M e t h o d i s tSchools. As theMethodist Churchin Belize has nof i n a n c i a lresources theC o n t a i n e r

Stepping out in Faithin Belize

09 March 2014

New Church recently opened afteroutreach work by three Methodist ladies

First phase of Belmopan High School which opened in September 2013

Primary pupils may do caretaking duties ifthey cannot afford the fees

Based on a talk by Maggie Patchettat Global Vision

Ministry from Northern Ireland has suppliedresources which are greatly appreciated. During2014 JMA in Northern Ireland is also supportingWesley College in Belize and money raised willbe used to improve the facilities and security ofa playground next to the school.

Although the government pays 100% of thesalaries of primary school teachers parents stillhave to contribute to cover the running costs ofthe schools, and often this is done in kind forexample by children carrying out the caretakingwork or by donations of food. Sadly over 16% or

primary ages children do not attend school.During the holidays repair work and repainting iscarried out by the teachers themselves, andPrimary Schools are very poorly supplied withresources such as books.

Over 60% of secondary school age children donot attend school as there are not enough places.In 2012 the Belize Government therefore askedthe Methodist Church to build a new High Schoolin Belmopan. Through missionary giving fromthe UK building work commenced in March 2013and the first phase was completed ready for the96 1st year pupils in September 2013. However,the building needs a 2nd story built onto it, readyfor September 2014, otherwise there will benowhere for the 2nd intake of pupils! As theGovernment only pays 75% of the teacher'ssalaries in secondary school there are schoolfees of about £500/year. Through our missionarygiving the school is able to offer somescholarships to allow more children to attend.

In 2012 Methodist Church in Ireland MissionPartners Andrew and Julie Cunningham, andtheir family, took up the work in Belize, Andrewwith responsibility for five churches and Julieworking to support the development plans for thefour Methodist Schools. Unfortunately due to aserious health issue the Cunninghams haverecently had to return to Australia, where Julie isfrom, and will not be able to return to Belize.Nevertheless the Methodist Church in Irelandremains committed to supporting the church inBelize in whatever way it can and it is likely thatthe incoming Methodist President for 2014/15,Rev Peter Murray, will visit the Church in Belizeduring his year in office.

March 2014 10

The Cunningham family who haverecently had to return to Australia

Belize has beautiful beaches

11 March 2014

The June 2013 edition of the Light reported on anew venture taking place with Dromore Youth Clubin partnership with the Southern Education & LibraryBoard Youth Service. The first year was spentdelivering a Leadership in Youth Work Programme.Since then the work has been expanding anddeveloping in new and exciting ways. So it wasabout time you had an update….

There are now over 20 people in the 14-17 age range registered on the course this year. PaddyHughes of the SELB Youth Service is the course leader and now, in his second year deliveringthe course here, has got to know the young people well. There is a mixture of backgrounds ofthose attending: urban, rural, church and non-church but the various exercises have turned theminto a formidable team!

The 30 hour programme has been designed for those who have been involved in youth work inthe past and who are now seeking to develop leadership skills. The course is split into 3 areas:Leadership, Communication and Planning & Delivering Youth Activities. As the course is underthe overall supervision of the Youth Work Training Board for Northern Ireland, it is hoped that theyoung people will work towards two OCN qualifications during the course of the year. As part ofthis, the young people have organised a grotto for Santa which the young children of JuniorYouth Club really enjoyed! Their current project is setting up a Youth Forum which includespreparing and delivering presentations. At a later date they will travel to Newry to be part of aregional forum with 100 other young people. Currently, they are the only Youth Forum in thewhole Banbridge district.

Alongside this there has been a similar development using the Duke of Edinburgh's Awardscheme again with the help of the SELB. Fifteen of the young people are registered in the Bronzeor Gold levels and in common with other D of E programmes they will do voluntary work, skillstraining, physical programmes and of course the famous "Expedition"! Youth club leader FionaMcCullough has been appointed coordinator and assessor for the group and is currently helpingand preparing the young people and answering such questions as: "What are gaiters?" whichcome her way! The first expeditionary walk will take place in the Mourne Mountains in earlyMarch and the young people are "very excited about it." New members to the training and Dukeof Edinburgh Awards are very welcome and anyone interested just needs to contact Betty orFiona for more details.

The leaders of the Youth Club have worked hard to make sure that these projects are will be ableto provide great opportunities for the young people from within the congregation and without.Most recently, they had to appeal against threatened budget cuts that would have withdrawn theSELB support. For the moment, their plans are secure and the future is looking good. Whoknows what the young people of Dromore will be doing next!

Our thanks to Fiona, Betty, Mark and Paddy for taking time out to tell us about these recentdevelopments.

What does the Secretary ofConference do?

While we are all familiar with the prominent roleof the President of the Methodist Church inIreland, much of the day to day organisationand administration of the Church is under thedirection of the Secretary of Conference, RevDonald Ker. I met with Donald at 1Fountainville Avenue, Belfast, the ratherunassuming administrative HQ of the MethodistChurch, merely indicated by the sign 'Trusteesof the Methodist Church in Ireland', which is thelegal body owning much of the property andadministrating the finances of the MethodistChurch. The modest office suite is indicativeof the 'tight ship' which Donald assures me theChurch runs when it comes to financingadministration, allowing the maximumresources to be deployed back to support thewider work of the church.When Donald was ordained and took up hisfirst charge in 1976 in Bray, DunLaoghaire andBlackrock he envisaged himself remaining inthe pastoral ministry, but that was not to be.Soon he was called to be Methodist Chaplainto the Dublin Universities and then to Queen'sUniversity where he also started to teach NewTestament Theology. He was a full timelecturer from 1991 to 2003, then becamesuperintendent of the Belfast Central Mission

until his appointment as Secretary ofConference in 2007.

An influential RoleThe annual Methodist Conference is thedecision making body of the Church and one ofDonald's key roles is to ensure that eachConference runs smoothly, with all thenecessary reports duly published in the 'BlueBook', received by Conference, debated whereappropriate and decisions voted on. In recentyears in order to clear the way to allow for morestrategic thinking and reflection many of thereports have been received 'en bloc' withoutbeing considered individually. The 2013Conference in particular saw its main aim asseeking God's guidance and leading for thefuture direction of the Church.The Secretary of Conference, however, is notjust an administrator, he is a key member of thesmall 'Purpose and Leadership' group alongwith the President, past President, PresidentElect, Home Mission Secretary and others that

March 2014 12

The Secretary of Conferencesurrounded by paper-work!

The ‘Top Table’ considering serious business at the 2013 Methodist Conference

The Secretary of Conference

sets the goals of Conference and indeed overseveral years has been moving the Church tostreamline its structures and seek a new visionfor how God wants it to take forward its witnessand worship. Already the plans are in placefor the 2014 Conference, which will be Donald'spenultimate as secretary before he retires in2015, and following on from 2013 the aim willbe to think and pray about how Methodists inthe community can become more faithful andeffective disciples through 'Warm hearts','Tough hands', and 'Wet Feet'.

Representing the MethodistChurchHowever, Conference is only one facet of thework of the Secretary of Conference.Throughout the year he is called to representthe Methodist Church in Ireland on manycommittees, public bodies and representativegroups. For example he is co-chair of theEuropean Methodist Council and attends the

World Methodist Council. He meets regularlywith other church leaders in the Irish Council ofChurches, the Irish Inter-Church Committeeand the Conference of European Churches. Onthe day I met Donald he was about to head offto represent the Methodist Church indiscussions with the Girl Guides about therewording of their Promise, and in his diarywere also meetings with the Department ofEducation and Learning about teacher trainingand a meeting about a review of Prison ServiceChaplaincies.By virtue of his office Donald is a key memberof many of the committees of the MethodistChurch, such as Home Missions, Faith andOrder, General Committee, CommunicationsCommittee, and the Council on SocialResponsibility. He is able to contribute a uniqueoverview of the life of the Church and thusguide the decisions of the various committeestowards the greater good, avoidingunnecessary conflicts along the way. Aparticularly important role is that of theStationing Committee which recommends theministers who will move to a new church or roleeach year.

Key Pastoral RoleWhen asked what is his more important role,however, Donald replied that it is his 'pastoral'role. As church members we turn to ourMinister in times of need, but who does ourMinister turn to? Illness, family problems, thestress of dealing with difficult situations in thelife of a church, or a crisis of personal faith canall lead ministers, Church leaders and laymembers of the Church, to turn to theSecretary of Conference for help. Donald hasto provide wise council in many differentsituations, judging when it is necessary to takesteps to protect the well being of a minister, thespiritual well being of a church and thereputation and interests of the MethodistChurch.

13 March 2014

Rev Donald Ker representing the MethodistChurch at a meeting between Church

Leaders and Matt Baggott

March 2014 14

As if all of the functions already discussed donot already fill more than 100% of theSecretary of Conference's time, he also actsas Secretary to the Board of Trustees of theMethodist Church in Ireland. This body of 36clergy and lay members handles mattersassociated with the legal status of theMethodist Church in Ireland such as itscharitable status and gift aid. The Trusteesalso hold ownership of much of the propertyand administer the finances including thecomprehensive assessment through whicheach Society contributes to the central costsof the Church. An important issue currentlyunder consideration, for example, is how theEdgehill College premises could be used moreeffectively to benefit the Church as a whole.

Part of a TeamAsked if he has more power that thePresident, the Secretary of Conference gavean emphatic NO! But he does feel privilegedto be part of the team working with thePresident to bring about change. The worldwe are living in is changing rapidly and so toois the Church. Donald observed that peopleare becoming less conscious ofdenominations and this together with the

welcoming in of people from a wide range ofbackgrounds and nationalities can lead tofriction, and a loss of a Methodist identity.Although by far the smallest of the big fourchurches in Ireland, the Methodist Churchmore than pulls its weight, and often has adistinctive message of moderation andhealing. Also changing, from Donald'sperspective, is the expectation of ourmembers that the church should have a fullerinvolvement in the community.

Moving onDonald's time as Secretary of Conference willdraw to close when he retires after the 2015Conference and he and Sandra will move toEngland to live near their son and his family.Since coming to Lisburn at the start of histerm he and Sandra have appreciated thewarm welcome and support of the people ofSeymour Street, and we too have appreciatedtheir fellowship. While the name of hissuccessor has yet to be announced we lookforward to welcoming them to our Circuit whenthey in their turn move into the 'Manse' of theSecretary of Conference on Belsize Lane!

Nineteen young people were received into full membership at aservice in Seymour Street on 19th January.

15 March 2014

What Lent means to meRev Colin Gracie

“We don’t really go in for that sort of thing”. That seems to sum up the reactionthat I felt for most of my life when the topic of Lent was raised. It all seemed a bittoo much like saying that we had to give up good things in order to keep God happy.So it was that on Ash Wednesday during my student years, I and the Muslim medicalstudents were the only ones queuing for the beef pie in the student canteen, insteadjoining the long line queuing for the fish dinner.

During my years on Circuit things have changed a bit. As I work through sermons,week by week. I came to realise that Easter was a wonderful celebration that justsimply didn’t pop up in the beginning of April. Through the Gospels, particularlyMark and Luke’s accounts, we see Jesus and his disciples journeying towards thePassover celebrations in Jerusalem. The stories of miracles, parables and teachingbuild up the tension and excitement that something significant is going to happen.In a sense, I wanted to journey with him too. By the time Holy week comes around,I feel as if the special services are simply the next stage in this progression.

It’s not just with Lectionary readings and Sunday sermons that I find my self beingdrawn in to the Gospel events. Part of my personal devotions usually includes aLenten type book. Adrian Plass’s “The Unlocking” has been used for more than oneyear. Each day’s reading is short and to the point, and of course, couched in hisown style of humour. Even our own Superintendent has posted a Lenten blog onthe wonders of the internet.

There are those I know who still insist on “giving something up for Lent” – chocolate,sweets or whatever, only to binge on Easter Sunday. To be honest, it still doesn’tgrab me. Perhaps I’m too fond of creature comforts to forgo chocolate digestivesor perhaps I prefer to think of Lent as “preparation time”. I’d love to say that everyyear I adopt some deeply spiritual habit for forty days and forty nights but I thinkit would be more truthful to say that for forty days and nights I try to be a bit morespiritual in the hope that when Easter arrives it has become a habit too worthwhileto want to return to the old ways.

God’s escape plan forfrightened people

Lent as “Hearing a cry from the Poor”A reflection in Lent reprinted from the online ministry of Creighton University

March 2014 16

Each year Lent is offered to us as a time of personalrenewal in terms of our relationship with the Lord.Our renewal becomes concrete when it comesdown to self-denial which allows us to live our faithmore authentically. The alms we give helps usexpress our gratitude and allows us to exercisegenerosity. However, Lent can also be a time tofocus beyond ourselves. It can be a time of renewalthat is offered us to hear the cry of the poor andgrow in solidarity with them. Ultimately, this isspiritual renewal as well and helps us grow closerto the Lord who tells us that if we wish to love him,we must express that love as love for the least ofour brothers and sisters.

How can I make this Lent a time to hear the cryof the poor? If we recognize a desire to be moreattentive to the poor and to grow in affection for andsolidarity with them, then it is likely that this is a giftwe have received. Many things may havehappened to open us to this gift, but it is importantto name it and welcome it. Perhaps God has beenoffering us this gift for some time and preparing usto receive it this Lent.

Who are the poor? Who are most in need? Whoare most pushed to the margins of neglect andpowerlessness? It doesn't take a great socialanalysis to come up with some immediate answers.Listening to the news - locally, nationally, globally -is a beginning. Who appears to be suffering? Whoseems to be tremendously burdened? Not all thepoor are in the news, but a sensitive scan of thenews is a place to start.

The misery of the poor seems almost inescapable.Many are trapped in poverty. So limited are theiropportunities, their poverty has become structurallyentrenched. Their lives are severely diminished;their hopes are crushed by a persistent andoppressive poverty that denies to all but the boldestthe basics of human dignity and the opportunity tolive happy and fulfilled lives. Perhaps the mostpressing and painful examples are forced migrants(refugees, migrant workers, the undocumented);inner city populations (racial minorities, the elderly,the homeless, the persistently poor); indigenouspeoples at home and abroad; and the globallydestitute, more than 800 million people who go tobed hungry each night."

What do I do when I begin to hear the cry of thepoor? We tend to not think of the poor very much

because to do so can render ussad or feeling "unable to help."But, if we use a time like Lent totry to reflect upon the situation ofthe poor near us and around theworld, then the poor will help uscome to know God's special lovefor them. In this reflection we willdiscover God's love for usbecause we will experience asolidarity with the poor. We canbecome aware of how narrow ourconcerns are or how self-centeredwe have become. Reflection uponthe situation of the poor will drawus closer to them, helping usunderstand the mystery of radicaldependence on God. Ultimately,our closeness with the poor duringLent will make us more "Christ-like" for he is the one who becamecompletely one with us.

How will my prayers bedifferent during Lent? If wespend Lent reflecting upon thesituation of the poor, we will beginto pray differently. We will see notonly see their radical dependenceupon God but we will findourselves turning to God on theirbehalf, before we ask anything ofGod for ourselves. This kind ofprayer purifies our prayer. It helpsus pray with a renewed spirit. Itfrees us from so many of thedemands we can place on God,especially for things like comfortor success or just getting thingsmy way. With the poor as ourprayer companions, we can surrender more easily andask God for what really matters - first on their behalf andthen for ourselves. Our prayer for ourselves will morefreely become a prayer that we might be transformed tobe better servants for others, especially conscious ofthose on the margins of Society. It will ultimately lead usto ask the Lord to help us make our lifestyle more simple.It can lead us to ask to be freed from our dependenceupon so many of the benefits of the unjust socialstructures of our world. Finally, it might lead me to askfor the courage to act against those unjust socialstructures, even to dismantle them.

Lent spent hearing thecry of the poor startswith awareness, is spentin growing solidarity andleads to deepercompassion andtransformative prayer.

BAPTISMHarvey Alexander, son of Paul Dorritt and Adele GrayColin Gary Mason, son of Sharon Mason andFoster-son of Brian and Lesley Anderson

WEDDINGSMichael Graham Bridge and Caroline Louise Baird

DEATHSMrs Joan Kernohan, 30 Llewellyn AvenueMr Gerald Hanna, 5 Ruskin ParkMrs Heather McCullagh, 8 Woodland GardensMrs Gwen Kennedy, Parklands

WEDDINGSJonny Hill and Leanne Anderson

BAPTISMSDylan Ray SofleyJoshua Zak SofleyTyler Jon SofleyGrace Eva Elizabeth Montgomery

DEATHMrs Gwen Lilley, 8 Knockmore Park

DEATH - Dora Greer,

DEATH - Muriel Pierson

From the registers..

17 March 2014

TCI (Trinity CommunityInitiatives) recently heldthree successful sessionson home moneymanagement and theyproved so popular that weare planning to hold anothersoon.

The CAP Money Course, devised by ChristiansAgainst Poverty, is a revolutionary money man-agement course that aims to show people budget-ing skills and a simple, cash-based system thatreally works. As many as 10000 took the coursethrough local church’s just like Trinity last year.

It challenges people to live without relying on creditcards, tackle existing financial problems and savefor a stable future. The system is very flexible andcan help people debt proof their lives.

There’s no cost, there’s no need to share any ofyour finance details, it’s open to everyone and wewould love to see people from outside the churchfamily. Most of those at our first course had noconnection with the circuit at all. There is a fantasticopportunity for evangelism during a course, sowould ask especially ask everyone to pray for livesto be changed.

It’s a useful for all times of life from the newly retired,students, families, anyone planning saving forsomething special and people with loans and debtsthey want to straighten out. We even have somespecial extra elements covering for examplecouples, young families, retired persons and aspiritual module.

TCI will be looking at expanding the course to holdworkshops for 14 - 16 year olds. It will try to teachyoung people how to build a balanced budget sothat they can live within their means. This course isthe first step towards giving our young people thetools they need to avoid many of the problems ofmanaging their money.

Hebrews 13:5Keep your lives free from the love of money and becontent with what you have, because God hassaid, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsakeyou."

If anyone would like to know more about CAPMoney or the work by TCI at Trinity, please emailus at capmoney@trinitylisburn.com or phone theTrinity office at 02892605335.

For more about CAP see www.capuk.org

While some church activities might be described asbeing a 'bit of a Pantomine!' Seymour Street’s LittleRed Riding Hood was the real thing - oh yes it was!Directed by the experienced Lynne Trainor - of thetalented McCalister family - and with her husbandBrian Trainor as the lead Dame Dumpty the rest of theroles were filled by 33 Seymour Street members whomorphed into their stage roles remarkably easily -Steven McCrea as the evil Jack Frost, ShirleyCarrington as Lily the Cleaner, Simon Kinghan asDanny Dumpty and Beth Parkinson as Little RedRiding Hood spring to mind!

While the plot was as convoluted as all pantomimeplots are, based on a script written in the distant pastby Lynn's father, the humour was brought bangup-to-date with many references to Seymour Streetpersonalities such as Rev Winston Good - 'That weeman who likes to think he can preach!' said Lily andTerry Lily (no connection) who would no doubt havea difficult job to clean up the mess left untouched bythe lazy cleaner Marigold (Deborah Kinghan - she willhave to do better as Society Steward!) who spent mostof the time with her feet up. Lily spent more time

hugging her mop as though it was Daniel O'Donnellthan with it on the floor!

Beth Parkinson was a delightful Little Red Riding Hoodably assisted by Vida, Maid Marian, Robin Hood andWill Scarlet played by Susy Good, Caitlyn McCrea,Emelia Wright and Alyson Clarke. After the evil JackFrost assisted by the deceptively cuddly wolf (RichardWiseman) captured Little Red Riding Hood it took theextra-terrestrial interception of Dr Who (Paul Good) torescue her. Meanwhile the love-struck Danny Dumpty(Simon Kinghan) was having no success in impressingMillie Muffet (Wendy Piper).

After carefully trying to follow the plot I am really notsure who married who in the end - but everyone washappy ever after - except the evil Jack Frost who wasbetrayed by the wolf - 'He's behind you!' and bonked

Little Red Riding HoodMarch 2014 18

Little Red Riding Hood

on the head. Thebiggest round ofapplause of theevening went to thechildren playing theForest Creatures whoperformed a dancethrough the forest.

I have been careful toavoid saying anythingabout Brian Trainor asour Pantomime Damein case Equity sends me a bill, because he is theconsummate professional who loves to ad lib as hegoes along, probably necessary with this sort of ashow! Brian has indeed played many leading roles inNorthern Ireland shows, most recently as 'Teyve' inFiddler on the Roof in the Belfast Opera House, andso Seymour Street is indeed fortunate to be able todraw upon his musical and acting abilities.

Have you heard the story of the Minister of Religion,two Hospital Consultants and the Bank Manager? If

anyone thoughtthe pantomimeplot was dragginga bit then therewas light relief inthe form of thecast justmentioned (aliasthe AndersonS i s t e r s )performing live onstage! WilsonStewart on thetrumpet usuallyturns a bit redwhen he plays in

church, but this time he was playing so hard his facewas scarlet (in spite of being only miming!) andRichard, Brian and Paul only needed to have shavedtheir legs to be unmistakable from the real thing!

Supported by an equally large cast of musicians, andteams doing make up, sound, lights, stagemanagement, props, costumes, etc. everyone put ona tremendous show - well done. Perhaps it won't beingso long before the next Seymour Street Pantomime!

The TIMES arts critic