"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

We wish to put on record our admiration for the comittment of all parties engaged in the talks to resolve the issues surrounding the devolution of policing and justice powers to the NI Assembly. We are particularly grateful to the Prime Minster, Gordon Brown and An Taoiseach, Brian Cowan for the intensity, time and energy they have invested in helping to complete the work of devolution. The Prime Minister and An Taoiseach have indicated their conviction that much progress has been made and the parameters set for broad agreement. In leaving the local political representatives to resolve outstanding difficulties they have shown their confidence in the determination of local politicians to complete the work.

We urge the delegations of all the political parties to redouble their efforts to reach a settlement. We believe that the people of Northern Ireland expect their representatives to ensure that agreement is reached and that the institutions of partnership government are sustained. We have come a very long way as a society since the dark days of the troubles. There is an overwhelming desire throughout Northern Ireland for continued political progress and for the peace process to be sustained. No-one wishes to return to the tragic patterns of the past and we believe that responsibility of the politicians is to ensure that there is no return to dysfunctional division. We continue to pray for all participants in the talks and seek especially the grace of God in support of their deliberations.

Exodus is seeking to appoint a part-time fundraising co-ordinator, based in its Lisburn centre, to oversee and pursue fundraising for the work of the organisation.

Exodus is a Christian youth discipleship organisation. With a full time staff of 7 and 250 plus volunteers, it works to provide opportunities for young people through venues, mentoring, small groups and short term teams.
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 devising and implementing a fundraising strategy for Exodus and seeking to raise funds for the delivery and development of the ministry.

Those wishing to apply should send a CV with 2 referees to:

Jose Cummings, Exodus, 29 Railway Street, Lisburn, BT28 1XP or email

Closing date: 5th February 2010
Interviews: Including a presentation to be held on 16th February 2010
Further information is available at this link

The Methodist Church in Ireland has launched an emergency appeal after a catastrophic earthquake rocked the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Donations from the appeal will be channeled through our Methodist Missionary Society (Ireland) to the Methodist Church in Haiti which is the largest District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas with 12,000 members.

For how to donate through the MCI Appeal, please see below .

Our Irish Methodist World Development and Relief Committee will also be responding with an immediate £5,000 / €5,500 donation.

Reports revealed that the 7.0-magnitude quake, the worst to hit the country in two centuries, tore down the HQ of the UN Mission, the presidential palace and thousands of homes in the space of a minute on January 12th. Survivors used the micro-blogging site Twitter to report on the unfolding tragedy.

Revd Marcus Torchon, a Haitian Methodist minister serving in the Liverpool District on an exchange programme, said: "I am still waiting for news from family members who are missing. I managed to speak to my nephew after the quake happened, but since that phone call there were more than 10 after-shocks. Now the line is dead because the major phone networks are down.

"It is really destabilising emotionally. Practically, I would like to be of service to them. I feel that at some point I may have to go there when the airport is open. At the end of the day, we have nothing but our faith in God."

Tom Osbeck from aviation ministry Air Calvary said: "The buildings, homes, businesses and hospitals of Port-au-Prince are flattened. We stand outside and weep as we hear thousands of crying people. Thousands have died - many, many around our house."

Donations can be made:

1. Making cheques payable to ‘Methodist Missionary Society (Ireland)' and sending to Mrs Audrey Dickson (Treasurer), 15a Mullaghboy Road, Islandmagee, Co. Antrim, BT40 3TT. An accompanying note should specify that the sum is for the Haiti Appeal.

2. Online at the Just Giving webpage through our partner the Methodist Church in Britain

All of us who have heard the news and seen pictures from Haiti have been deeply distressed by the suffering of the Haitian people following the Earthquake on Tuesday last. The Methodist Church in Ireland has had strong links with the Methodist Church in Haiti over the years, and we pay tribute to all those who have sought to serve Christ through Education, Agricultural and Community Development and Healthcare, as well as building up the Church.

I know that all of us will want to remember the people of Haiti in our prayers.

A coordinated appeal will be through our Methodist Missionary Society (Ireland) who can channel funds to the Methodist Church in Haiti and support their emergency response in their communities. This can be done by the sending of cheques to the MMS(I) treasurer or online.

Christian Aid offers us the following prayer:

Loving God of creation, at this time of devastation we hold before you the people of Haiti. When the damage is unimaginable, and the suffering seems overwhelming, remind us that every person affected is loved, honoured and precious in your sight. We remember all those who have been hurt; all who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones. Work through us to bring healing to broken and distorted lives, peace to those who have been thrown into despair, light to those in darkness, and hope to those who fear. We ask this in the name of Jesus in whom all life and grace is found.

Amen.

Rev Donald P Ker
President
The Methodist Church in Ireland

 

"With many others I warmly welcome the announcement and independent confirmation of the decommissioning of arms by the U.D.A.

I sincerely hope that this move will open the way for the pressing needs of loyalist communities to be more fully addressed. Such needs are best met when all those involved in local community life are able to come together in partnership with the welfare of all in their locality as their chief motivation.

While the removal of weapons reduces the threat of armed violence we must recognise that the ongoing divisions in our society damage us all. Northern Ireland needs more people, at every level, who are prepared to build bridges of understanding and trust."

Contact: Rev. Donald P. Ker (028) 90324554

Issued by: Rev. Roy Cooper (07710945104)

We may have already made plans and our lives may seem busier than ever! Can I suggest that we ‘give ourselves away` and find joy in service at the same time? Many complain that there is simply not enough time to do everything and we cannot bear adding one more activity; however worthy, to our already crowded lives, but that depends on how we use our time and what our priorities are. If we love and serve the Lord as Paul tells the Galatians ch 5 v 13 "We have been called to live in freedom, but freedom to serve one another".

For busy women, Virginia O`Leary writes "The more roles women have the better off they are, and the less likely they are to be depressed or discouraged about their lives. When we have a lot to do we complain that it is driving us crazy - but in fact that`s what keeps us sane!"
It`s ironic that one of the best remedies for impending gloom is to `give yourself away` to the service of others. Why not make time on a regular basis to reach out your hands in service to others and find pure joy in doing so?

As John writes in 1 John ch 3 v 16-18 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in them?".

Why not at the beginning of this uncertain New Year go forward with confidence embracing God's Power and sharing His love with others.

May God bless you and those whom you love with His peace this New Year.

The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev. Donald P Ker has issued the following statement on hearing of the death of Cardinal Cahal Daly:

Cardinal Daly was a man of strong principles coupled with a gentle Christian spirit.

Among the many things which he accomplished during his long ministry were the steps he undertook to improve understanding between the Christian Churches on this Island.

Issued by:
Rev. Donal P Ker, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland
9267 4796

Shaken Foundations

For many people in Ireland 2009 has been a testing year. Foundations have been shaken in church and state. There are still forces and tensions in our society which could drive us apart if we, through design or negligence, allow them. At times it has seemed that we in Ireland have lost our way. The old Advent hymn, which calls on God to ‘cheer our spirits' and ‘disperse the gloomy clouds of night', rings especially true.

How shall we use this crisis? Where our struggles have forced us to take an honest look at our lives, values and culture, and to ask for a fresh sense of God's direction for us, the crisis will not have been wasted. The good news of Christmas is that God has not abandoned us to our confusion and shame.

If we pretend that we are all right as we are then Christmas may disappoint, as a routine mid-winter festivity. If we recognise our need of help we may then discover help close at hand - a light shining in the darkness. God comes among us, one with us, to help us redirect our lives and discover new purpose and joy.

My hope and prayer is that you will discover Christ afresh this Christmas, and so experience peace and goodwill in unexpected ways.

The Council on Social Responsibility of the Methodist Church in Ireland expresses its serious concern at the severe financial restrictions and cuts being proposed to health and social care services in NI. We recognise that in the present economic situation many difficult decisions have to be made about priorities in public services.

We are aware that historically, health and social care has been underfunded and that since 2007 Trusts have had to make significant efficiencies over a three-year period that has left all of them with huge financial deficits. Now with the deficit in the N Ireland budget there is a real possibility of yet further cuts in the overall allocation to health and social care.

The Council is extremely concerned at the serious cumulative effect that underfunding, imposed efficiencies and proposed cuts will have on services and particularly on patient care and safety, on the variety of services being offered and on staff morale. We are also concerned about the speed with which some cuts are being proposed.

As a church we very warmly commend all health and social care staff for the service they render, often beyond the call of duty and in very difficult circumstances. We want to assure them of our support and prayers through these challenging and changing times.

We are alarmed by the news that an additional £30Bn - £40Bn has been injected into the UK banking system whist at the same time bank bonuses for 2009 are expected to be of the order of £6Bn - some 18 times the total saving required of the N Ireland budget. We recognise that a strong banking system is essential to the economic well being of society. We also take the view that social services (i.e. health and education) must be fully and properly resourced if we are to have a strong civic society.

We therefore urge the Stormont Executive and indeed the Chancellor of the Exchequer to find fair and equitable ways to address the present difficulties, while, at the same time ensuring those who need healthcare can access it easily and without delay and those who provide it are properly resourced to carry it out. In particular we would urge the Executive to address with the utmost urgency the issue of health service under-funding and make every effort to redress this imbalance.

Contact:
Rev. Dr. Wesley Blair (028) 906 55719 or 07769697700
Joint Chairperson of the Council

Issued by:
Rev. Roy Cooper (07710945104
Communications Officer