March 2014

Sunday Morning at Sandy Row

24 March 2014
Sandy Row Methodist Church

A lovely morning (Sunday 23 March) at Sandy Row Methodist Church in Belfast, commissioning Stuart Crawford as a Community Outreach worker and gearing about all that is happening through Shine, Reflect, the Men's Breakfast and Women's Group...lots of wet feet!

A Young People Wet Feet Story

21 March 2014

Here is a great "wet feet" story. I am grateful to Michael Anderson who told me about it. Michael writes..

Wonderful St Patrick's Day

18 March 2014

Yesterday was a wonderful St Patrick's Day. Inspiring service at Saul in which Hadden Wilson challenged us "do you really believe in the Holy Spirit?" Then a Pilgrimage with stops for prayer led by Tash Creaney and then powerful, anointed preaching by Alain Emerson in the Cathedral, all graciously and generously hosted by Bishop Harold and Dean Henry. Now off to see the exhibition in Downpatrick Methodist.

Happy St Patrick's Day

17 March 2014

"With Columba, Patrick, Brigid,
faithful servants, saints of God.
Give us grace to rise and follow
where your saints and martyrs trod,
grace to serve, or leave this Island,
in the steps of saints of old,
serve the Shepherd, who had led us,
feed his sheep and guard his fold "

MY Visits to Doagh, Antrim and Ballymena

14 March 2014

The folk on the North East District are hosting me thIs week and every day is interesting and encouraging. Wednesday was spent with Ed on the Ballyclare circuit, starting with Assembly in the lovely Primary School in Doagh, then popping into the play group in Ballynure, lunch and a meeting with the Friendship Club in Ballyclare and then a Bible Study in Doagh at night followed by inspiring conversations over supper.

On the Newtownabbey Circuit

12 March 2014
Visit to Newtownabbey

Great time yesterday on Newtownabbey circuit. Wonderful to hear of work being done by Storehouse run by Methodist and Presbyterian churches in Whiteabbey and St Patricks in Jordanstown, and to see some of the work of Newtownabbey Methodist Mission

My visit to Larne

12 March 2014
Larne Food Bank

I spent yesterday on the Larne circuit. It was varied, interesting and encouraging.

Some of the day was spent with the volunteers who run the Larne Foodbank. I was struck by the care that is taken both in the stewardship of the food which has been donated and in its distribution.

Visit to Antrim Methodist Church

10 March 2014

I am spending this week on the North East District and began the week worshipping with Antrim Methodist (Sunday 9 March). A lovely morning with a congregation who are committed to God and their community.

Soul Mates Weekend

10 March 2014

Home after a great day (March 8) at Soul Mates. I am inspired by the clarity of Leah McKibben, the speaker, the leadership of IMYC and SMOG, the dedication of the leaders and the example of the children and young people, and so very thankful to God.

"Let no-one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct , in love, in faith and in purity" 1 Timothy4:12

East Belfast Mission and North West Mission visits

3 March 2014

Yesterday  I had the opportunity of visiting two Methodist Missions. East Belfast Mission in the morning and  North West Methodist Mission in the evening.