I know that many will want to join me in expressing my sadness on learning of the death, after a period of illness, of Mr. Derick Bingham. Derick has touched the lives of many in Northern Ireland and far beyond. Both as a preacher and a writer he helped many to hear the voice of God through the Scriptures, and encouraged them to deeper commitment and richer faith. As a pastor and friend he came alongside people, particularly those who were going through difficult times. His own faithful and graciously honest approach to his recent illness has been an inspiration. On behalf of the Methodist people I want to convey our deepest sympathy to Margaret and the family circle. Of Derick we say ‘Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master'.

Rev Donald P Ker

The theme for the Conference was ‘A time for everything-Past, Present and Future'.

The Clonakilty ladies provided a welcoming cup of coffee in Clonakilty Church hall before we commenced our Conference with morning service in the Church. Members of Cork, Clonakilty and Bandon branches took part in the Service.

Phyllis commenced her talk by giving us the Oxford Dictionary definition of time.
There is a time for everything - it is important to make time to spend with family and friends, time to spend in worship and in service to our communities. God's perspective on time is very different from ours. In the Bible we have references to God's timing - ‘when the time was fully come God sent his Son born of a woman'.

John Wesley emphasised punctuality - ‘be punctual, do everything exactly at the time'.
The service closed with singing the hymn ‘O God, our help in ages past'

During the afternoon session Phyllis commenced by using the illustration of the sound of a grandfather clock as time ticks on, we all live by time and she encouraged us to think of words we relate to time and listed them on a flip chart. We each spent some time reflecting quietly on time past - childhood, family, happy /sad memories. Are there things we would change if we got a second chance? We can't change the past, in the present we can make choices!

Phyllis read a meditation - ‘Each Day' Each day is the PRESENT so take time each morning to quietly reflect on the day that is to unfold.

Each person was then asked to do another exercise noting how they feel about themselves in the present and then looking to the future for ourselves /our families, the Church, the world.
We drew the conference to an end by singing John Eddison's hymn -
Father, although I cannot see the future.................

Our sincere thanks to Phyllis for leading our Conference and stimulating us to reflect on how we use our ‘time'!

Jennifer Wood

WHAT? Preventing Mother (parent) to Child Transmission of HIV & Aids
WHERE? Chikwawa - Southern Malawi
WHY? To reduce the number of children (700,000 annually) who
become infected through parent transmission.
HOW? With inexpensive drugs given during birth, education and advice to men and women.

MWI Branches in Ireland have been active in raising money for this very worthwhile Project. Here are ideas from three Branches in the Down District.

Carnalea held a concert given by the Bangor Ladies Choir in partnership with the N I Fire and Rescue Service Band, with a very enjoyable supper, half the proceeds went to World Federation.

Donaghadee continued to save the weekly fees they contribute right through the summer when they did not meet and with more to come later, sent their donation to help kickstart the Project.

Ballynahinch held a "pampered evening" with a pink theme consisting of candles, roses, etc, when Beauticians, Manicurists etc gave of their time and skills in helping to raise vital cash. There was of course the lovely supper with a chocolate fountain and sale of goodies to round off the occasion. Everyone was a winner, including hopefully, the children of Malawi!
What can you do to help?

Sandra Steed
Down District World Federation Representative

Well done, so far you have raised over £4.000 towards Project 4 - Preventing Mother (parent ) to Child Transmission of HIV and AIDS which supports the UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 - Improve Maternal Health and UN MDG 6 - Combat HIV and AIDS.

This Project is part of the Tearfund and Eagles Relief and Development Programme in the Chikwawa District of Southern Malawi. Tearfund needs £3,300 to start the programme for one village before March and your generosity, support and caring for your sisters and brothers has made this possible.

Please continue to make a difference as we want to help provide this Programme for as many villages as possible before the Project closes in June.

If you would like the Project flyer please contact Sheelagh by email or telephone: 02890 287566

Donations to be made payable to ‘WFMUCW - Ireland Unit' and forwarded to the Unit Treasurer:

Mrs Jean Moreland
1B Woodland House
Rushpark
Newtownabbey
BT37 9SG

Tree of Life Newsletter:

12th World Assembly logo designed by Miriam Murray, North West Representative

This is a quarterly international newsletter distributed electronically to MWI Districts and Branches by the 8 WF District Representatives for MWI. The Editor is Dorothy Sampath Kumar the Area President for South East Asia and lives in India.

12th World Assembly will take place at the Indaba Hotel & Conference Centre in Johannesburg from 10-15 August 2011. The Theme is ‘Bambelela (never give up) Christ is our Hope'.
This was the inspiration of Miriam Murray, the North West District WF Representative. The Assembly Logo was designed by Miriam and we give thanks for her many talents

More details about the Assembly will follow soon. I do hope you can join us there.
As we journey together to serve and obey God, to work for the MDG's and to make a difference may we remember Christ's words from Mathew 25 v40 - ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family you did it unto me.'
Sheelagh Wonnacott

Rev Mark Forsyth welcomes the MWI Forum to Carlow.
Photo by Laura Griffith

This year at the invitation of the Midlands and Southern Executive, 25 delegates met on Saturday 30^th January in Carlow Methodist Church.  On a white, frosty morning the members from the north set out  on a bus and headed down to Carlow where we were given a warm welcome by our friends from the Dublin and Midlands and Southern Districts (when we eventually arrived!).  Rev Mark Forsyth welcomed us to Carlow.

Opening devotions were led by our President Joy, who welcomed those attending MWI Forum for the first time.  It was a delight to see some new faces and to know that there are women prepared to carry on the work of MWI in the various districts.

Morning business centred mainly round finance.  World Mission Secretary Phyllis presented a proposal from Ruth Wilson concerning the building of a rice mill in Marakissa in The Gambia.  This project has been initiated by the Women's Auxiliary Group (equivalent to MWI) who have seen the need for the women of the village to have a milling machine to reduce the burden   of manually pounding rice in order to feed their families.  It was agreed to allocate the 20^th Century Fund to this project. It was agreed to use the interest from our legacy fund this year to help women at home.  Two projects were suggested; the decision was deferred to Central Committee when we will have more information on both projects. We also agreed to donate £1,000 and €1,000 to the Methodist Church's Fund for the Haiti disaster.

MWI President Joy Graham with District Presidents L to R: Elizabeth McKnight (Down), Barbara Fennell (Midlands & Southern), Doreen McGrath (North East), Maureen Blevins (Portadown), Charlotte Maye (North West) and Rev Brenda Weatherill, (Belfast). Photo by Laura Griffith

After a delicious lunch in a local hotel, business resumed and a nomination for All-Ireland President was brought by the Down District. After the nominee's personal statement had been read out, it was unanimously agreed that Maureen Weir should be our next President Designate.  We were then very encouraged by the reports that were given from all 8 Districts.

In her closing remarks Joy challenged us to be "ready for a big adventure" and be "women  making a difference", and she thanked the Midlands and Southern ladies for their hospitality.

Newry Bomb Attack

We wish to express our absolute condemnation of the bombing attack which was carried out in Newry on Monday evening.

The bombing can only be regarded as an indiscriminate attack on the whole community and on Newry's continued development as a progressive and social and economic entity.

We pray that our community will stand together against such actions and in the continued pursuit of a lasting peace for all.

We pray that those who perpetrated the attack will come to fully understand the tragedy and futility of violence and they will find Christian renewal through repentance.

Finally we pray in thanks that no lives were lost in this incident.

Most Revd John McAreavey
Revd Kingsley Sutton
Revd Michael Barry
Revd Norman Hutton
Revd Brian Colvin
Revd Norman Cardwell

Exodus is seeking to appoint a full-time Youth Ministry Co-ordinator, based in its Lisburn centre, to help develop the mininstry in Lisburn and the surrounding area.

This is an exciting role for someone enthused about the ministry of Exodus with strong relational and organisational skills.

The individual will be responsible for co-ordinating the venue programmes, supporting the management and development of the small group and mentoring ministries, training leaders and volunteers and building partnerships with the local churches and agencies.

"I warmly welcome the news that proposals regarding the devolution of justice and policing powers have now reached the stage where they can be placed before the Assembly. The lengthy negotiations have demanded substantial commitment of time and energy from all involved. I join with those who hope that this investment will result in agreement which will stand the test of time and command the confidence and respect of the entire community.

 

Throughout this period many have expressed the wish that our Executive and Assembly can deliver good and effective government for all the people of Northern Ireland. We face considerable challenges, not least in our economic life. There are also important decisions to be taken in the areas of education, health and public administration. We will best be served as all those elected to office are committed courageously to work together for the common good."

 

Issued by: Rev. Roy Cooper - 07710945104

Communications Officer, Methodist Church in Ireland

Miss Lucy Rowe cuts the birthday cake

Sunday 6th December 2009 marked a very special evening in Darling Street Methodist Church. The Lakelands District Praise Band gave a wonderful lead in the singing of familiar and ‘not so familiar’ carols. We were delighted to have had Miss Lucy Rowe from Pettigo, to cut the beautiful celebratory cake to mark 125 years of women’s work throughout the Methodist Church. Miss Rowe is a wonderful lady who plans to celebrate her 102nd birthday in February of this year!!

Our President, Mrs Eileen Corrigan welcomed everyone to the service. She extended a special welcome to Past Presidents of MWI, Rev Eleanor Hayden, Mrs Olive Rowe and Mrs Joy Graham.

Eleanor gave an inspirational talk on how the baby Jesus was missing from a nativity scene when it was purchased. The message being that we need Jesus in our every day lives.

A time of Fellowship followed shortbread, cake and seasonal punch, with thanks for the message of hope and the continued challenge to “Know Christ and To Make Him Known”.

At this time of year we see the shops festooned with hearts, cuddly toys, balloons and all sorts of trinkets especially for Valentine's Day - the day we are supposed to tell our loved ones how much we love them!

This is very superficial when we think of Gods constant love for us. Our love for others blows hot and cold, such is our humanity, we need a reason for loving others - looks, personality, interests and so on.

In 1 John ch4 v16 we read `God is Love`. God's love has nothing to do with us; we cannot influence His love for us in any way no more than we can change the direction of the wind! We are God's chosen ones, He has chosen us.

He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to earth to die to redeem us and now He intercedes for us `before the Throne of Grace` on our behalf. A life truly committed to Him will receive a personal blessing as we read in 1 Corinthians ch4 v5"God will praise each one of them" - not the best of them nor some of them, nor the achievers among them but God will praise each one of them. None of us will be left out. God will see to that, He himself will give the praise and not delegate this responsibility to others! God Himself will praise His children; His praise is personal to each one of us who believe. I once read this lovely verse:

The light of God surrounds me,
The love of God enfolds me
The Power of God protects me,
The Presence of God watches over me
Wherever I am, God is.

So when we embrace His Power each day then we are ready to share His Love - real love with others as we go about our daily duties. Gods perfect Love remains constant: we are Gods special people- truly loved!
Joy Graham.