Northern Ireland hits the global headlines

How Depressing!

European Nationals being forced out of homes by thugs across Belfast. These stories have hit headlines around the world.

As Christians we are called to love our neighbour. Something needs to be done.

Some headlines

Police defend Romanian response

BBC News - ‎29 minutes ago‎

Police have defended their response to a spate of attacks on Romanians living in Belfast. In the latest incident, the bathroom window of a Romanian family's home, on the Upper Newtownards Road, was smashed at about 2300 BST on Wednesday. ...

Belfast Romanians moved to secret location after more attacks

guardian.co.uk - ‎38 minutes ago‎

Romanians leave a Belfast leisure centre to spend the night at an undisclosed location. Photograph: Cathal Mcnaughton/Reuters Racist attacks against Romanians in Northern Ireland have shifted from south to east Belfast, after the bathroom of a Romanian ...

Romanians flee 'racist' N. Ireland attacks

CNN International - ‎17 hours ago‎

LONDON, England (CNN) -- More than 100 Romanians fled their homes Tuesday night in Belfast, Northern Ireland, following what politicians called "racist attacks and intimidation." A Romanian woman and her child are escorted by police in Belfast on ...

Romanians hit by racist attacks in Northern Ireland 'want to go home'

Times Online - ‎17 hours ago‎

More than 100 Romanians were moved to emergency accommodation in Belfast last night after a racist gang attacked homes in the university area of the city. One of the attackers was said to be brandishing a gun. The immigrants had to be moved after a ...

Racist attacks force over 100 Romanians to take shelter in church

Times Online - ‎18 hours ago‎

More than 100 Romanians were sheltering in a church hall today after fleeing their homes in Belfast because of racist attacks. Around 20 families were helped by police to evacuate their homes in the Lisburn Road area of south Belfast and seek safety ...

further racist attack against Romanians in Belfast

Telegraph.co.uk - ‎2 hours ago‎

A group of Romanians has again been attacked in Northern Ireland as politicians are due to meet to discuss racist offences against immigrants. In the latest incident, the home of a Romanian family came under attack in east Belfast at about 11pm on ...

Romanian Gypsies attacked in NIreland

The Associated Press - ‎15 hours ago‎

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — The thugs used bricks and bottles to drive more than 100 Romanian Gypsies from their homes in a wave of attacks. On Wednesday, the victims were sheltering in a community center after a church plucked them off a Belfast ...

Racist attacks in Belfast send Roma fleeing homes

The Associated Press - ‎18 hours ago‎

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Racist thugs armed with bricks and bottles forced more than 100 Romanian Gypsies from their Belfast homes in a wave of attacks that sent them fleeing to the safety of a nearby church. Community leaders in Belfast on ...

Romanians driven from home in Northern Ireland

ABC Online - ‎9 hours ago‎

More than 100 Romanian immigrants have been driven from their homes in Northern Ireland by what police have labelled racist attacks and intimidation. Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has called it a shameful episode for ...

Community condemns 'racist thugs'

BBC News - ‎20 hours ago‎

Politicians and community leaders have been reacting to the racist attacks in Belfast which led Romanian families to flee their homes. I hope the authorities are able to take all the action necessary to protect them. We need a collective effort to face ...

Racist attacks 'not orchestrated'

BBC News - ‎Jun 16, 2009‎

There is no evidence to suggest a series of attacks on Romanian families in south Belfast was orchestrated, police have said. PSNI Chief Inspector Robert Murdie was speaking after youths attacked an anti-racist demonstration on Monday. ...

Racist gang attack family's home

BBC News - ‎Jun 15, 2009‎

A Romanian family has been targeted in a series of racist attacks in south Belfast. A gang smashed windows and terrorised pregnant women and children in attacks on two houses on Belgravia and Wellesley avenues. Police have said they are investigating ...

Racist attacks drive Roma out of their Belfast homes

Financial Times - ‎38 minutes ago‎

By John Murray Brown in Dublin Romanian gypsy families in Northern Ireland have been forced to leave their homes after racist attacks that are being blamed on rightwing elements of the pro-British loyalist community. About 100 people, who local ...

PM condemns Romanian hate attacks

BBC News - ‎Jun 16, 2009‎

More than 100 Romanian people who fled their homes in south Belfast have been moved to a leisure centre. The group of about 20 families spent Tuesday night in a church hall after a spate of racist attacks on their homes. Police have said they do not ...

Fear of an uncertain future for Romanian immigrants

Belfast Telegraph - ‎9 hours ago‎

Yesterday, on what was a surreal day, the 115 Romanians forced from their homes in south Belfast by racists first sought sanctuary in a church hall, then a leisure centre, before finally being taken by bus to a refuge in the Queen's University area. ...

Belfast Romanians rehoused after race attacks

guardian.co.uk - ‎14 hours ago‎

Romanian people arrive at a Belfast city leisure centre, Northern Ireland. Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP Romanian families forced to flee their homes in Belfast because of racist attacks have been temporarily rehoused, but many said they wanted to ...

Shameful scenes as Romanians flee homes

Belfast Telegraph - ‎9 hours ago‎

By Lesley-Anne Henry and Lisa Smyth More than 100 Romanian immigrants who fled their south Belfast homes have been moved to temporary accommodation following a violent hate campaign which has shamed Northern Ireland. Shortly before 6pm last night, ...

Romanian immigrants were left in trauma

Belfast Telegraph - ‎9 hours ago‎

But now dozens of Romanian families who set up home in Belfast are desperate to flee those new lives. At the City Church on University Avenue where they had spent the night sleeping in a hall, there were chaotic scenes as the 115 people packed up their ...

Romanians get sanctuary in Belfast church

United Press International - ‎Jun 16, 2009‎

BELFAST, Northern Ireland, June 16 (UPI) -- A group of Romanian families received shelter in a Belfast church Tuesday after a series of attacks and said they want to leave Northern Ireland. The families, more than 100 people, first tried turning one ...

Romanian families find sanctuary from Belfast race hate – for now

Scotsman - ‎9 hours ago‎

By Stephen mcginty THEY were stoned, menaced by gunmen and faced the threat of a child's throat being cut. The Romanians of Belfast – forced to flee their homes in the wake of racist attacks that shocked Britain – were temporarily rehoused by the ...

Belfast racists force Romanians to hide in church

AFP - ‎19 hours ago‎

BELFAST (AFP) — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Wednesday condemned a wave of racist attacks in Northern Ireland which forced more than 100 Romanians to flee their homes and shelter in a church hall. The families, including one with a ...

NIreland church harbors victims of racist attacks

The Associated Press - ‎Jun 17, 2009‎

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — More than a 100 Romanian immigrants were taking refuge Wednesday after fleeing their Belfast homes and spending the night in a church following racist attacks. Northern Ireland police helped around 20 families leave ...

Romanians want to "go home" after racist attacks (News Feature)

Monsters and Critics.com - ‎16 hours ago‎

By Anna Tomforde Jun 17, 2009, 15:45 GMT London - 'I don't feel safe here any more. I just want to go home now,' said Maria, a young Romanian mother, clutching her child in a blanket, outside Belfast City church where she had found sanctuary from ...

Racist Attacks on Romanian Gypsies in Belfast

Romani in UK - ‎1 hour ago‎

Newspapers in The United Kingdom and all over Europe have recently written about the terrified people who fled their homes in Belfast and been

The next stage of the service... Congregation participation

once we have promised By the help of God to do those things which are stipulated in the service The bishop then presents us ..."The candidates" to the people gathered then asks

Is it therefore your will that they should be ordained?

Will you uphold them in this ministry?

This is a crucial part of the service of ordination ... as we recognise the church as the whole body of Christ. As ordinands, soon to be deacons we cannot do ministry by ourselves it without the upholding of those around us. It has to be the prayer of all of us to pray for each other. When we look at the epistles Paul is continually thanking God for those who were supporting him in his ministry.

The Bishop then goes on to say

"Because none of us can bear the weight of this ministry in our own strength, but only by the grace and power of God, let us pray earnestly for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on these persons. Let us pray also that God will each day enlarge and enlighten their understanding of the Scriptures, so that they may grow stronger and more mature in their ministry, as they fashion their lives and the lives of the people they serve on the word of God."

As the old saying goes ... "never was a truer word spoken"

By ourselves, its all just good intentions, in my own strength ... mmm... nah.

It has to be by the power of the Holy Spirit, right from day one, whatever I do, whatever I say needs to be guided by God's word ... to be perfectly honest without it ... I mightest well pack bags and go home. Does that mean I'll always get it right? no way hozay. But it does mean I will try, I will learn. It is recognised in the ordination service that we do not know it all - it is a growing thing. Experiences, conversations, encounters with people, sunday mornings ... All contribute to growing stronger and more mature in ministry.

As we come to this section in the service .... Let's pray for the church, pray for the deacons that we would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the things for which we are commissioned. This has to be the work of the whole church.

A Bit more on the ordination promises

Below is a continuation on my wee series of blog entries on the run up to ordination on Sunday 21st June. I realise that there are people who are not sure what happens at a church of Ireland ordination so I thought as I think about these things I would put them up for all to read.

The bishop asks those to be ordained

Do you believe and accept the holy Scriptures as revealing all things necessary

for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ?

Answer I do.

Do you believe and accept the doctrine of the Christian faith as the

Church of Ireland has received it?

Answer I do.

In your ministry will you expound the Scriptures and teach that doctrine?

Answer By the help of God, I will.

Will you accept the discipline of this Church and give due respect to

those set over you in the Lord?

Answer By the help of God, I will

.

Will you be diligent in prayer, in reading holy Scripture, and in all studies

that will deepen your faith and fit you to uphold the truth of the Gospel?

Answer By the help of God, I will.

Will you strive to fashion your own life and your family relationships

according to the way of Christ?

Answer By the help of God, I will.

Will you be faithful in visiting the sick, in caring for the poor and needy,

and in helping the oppressed?

Answer By the help of God, I will.

Will you promote unity, peace, and love among all Christian people, and

especially among those whom you serve?

Answer By the help of God, I will.

Will you then, in the strength of the Holy Spirit, continually stir up the

gift of God that is in you, to make Christ known to all people?

Answer By the help of God, I will.

These questions and answers form the basis of the commitment which deacons make, which also are the basic issues for all Christian ministry to which all Christians are called to.

I suppose at the minute for me the challenge is how do I/we who are being ordained hold these things together with the other influences which come from societial norms - TV, Internet, Political Correctness advocates. How are we to be ambassadors for Christ in a culture which too quickly underminds and forgets the things of the Gospel.

The putting into place of daily prayer times, times of study the Bible and reading books, times of building relationships, pastoral visiting all have to be important as we begin this new phase of life. Alongside this is the times of meetings, of admin, of emails, telephone calls, of diaries and of filing.

Ordination in Killyshandra

Last night,

Mum & Dad and I headed in the car from Belfast down the M1 through lots of wee towns and Villages to Cavan and then to Kilmore Cathedral. It was for Ali's Ordination. Sitting in the Cathedral of Kilmore one got a sense the vows we are going to be taking in just over a weeks time. A couple of the worship songs and readings last night really struck me as so appropriate to what ordination is all about

Take for example the solo which Simon sang

THIS IS GOING TO TAKE THE WHOLE OF MY LIFE
This is going to take my every breath
But i know it’s true:
there’s nothing to fear
In what You’ve called me to

To live a life that honors You
Humble, obedient and true
Holy in all I say and do
This is what You’ve called me to

To faithfully follow in Your ways
Living this life with eyes of faith
In every moment bringing praise
This is what You’ve called me to

You are with me, in each step that I take
You are close, You never let me go
I have seen it’s true, there’s nothing to fear
In what You’ve called me to

You will be my strength
As I live this life all for Your glory
You will be everything I need

Eoghan Heaslip & Neil Bennetts Copyright
© 2008 Thankyou Music/Trinity Publishing/kingswaysongs.com

May God Bless Ali (Killyshandra) & Ruth W (Waterford) as they begin their ministry in the south. Prayers with them at this time.

RF

Ordination Season

In writting this blog, I am doing so in order simply to record what has happened in the last week - I have said my farewell's in Seapatrick Parish
- Took a trip down with some others to waterford for Ruth's Ordindation
- Headed up to Coleraine for a trainning event
- Back down to Kilmore for Alison's Ordination.

These Ordinations are getting a bit close to home now. I think something which might be of use on the blog is to explain a little about the ordination service as we have it in the Book of Common Prayer and about the vows I will be taking sunday week.

Over the next couple of days I hope to be able to look at the Declarations & The ordination prayer which basically boil down to the outline of the job description of a Deacon in the church of God.

The service is similar in structure to the other services in the prayer book

• The gathering of God's People
• Proclaiming and Recieving the Word
• - The Rite of Ordination
• Celebrating at the Lord's Table
• Going out as God's People

The role of the deacon is outlined by the bishop

"Deacons in the Church of God serve in the name of Christ, and so remind the whole chruch that serving others is at the heart of all ministry".

Special responsiblity

• Those who are in need are cared for with compassion and humility
• Strengthen the faithful
• search out the careless and indifferent
• Minister to the sick, the needy, the poor and those in trouble

When called upon deacons may

• Baptize
• preach
• Give instruction in the faith

Deacons assist the bishop and priest under whom they serve

When people are gathered for worship

• Deacons are authorized to read the Gospel
• Lead the people in intercession
• Distribute the bread and wine of Holy Communion

So that's the basic job description of a deacon ... quite a lot to keep me busy then in the years which lie ahead. More on ordination in the next while!

Prayer for Europe 24/7 Prayer

Stuff

Final Blog from the institute ... and the room is totally bare literally only bed and desk in. Everything else is outside in the van. Its now 6am and I have been woken by the wild life in the garden. Magpies having  a fight outside my window! could they not have taken it somewhere else. 

But as I have been sitting in bed thinking about today, the amount of running about our van has to do today I was drawn to some familiar passages from the gospels. 

When the disciples were heading out on their first assignment, did they get removals in, pack their van and head off?? ... mmm... NO! 

Luke 9 Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

 ¹When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ²and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. ⁴Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. ⁵If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." ⁶So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

mmm... what is essential? 

24

I don't know if you have ever watched the cult TV series - 24 basically it is an show which follows the adventures of a counter terrorism unit who are trying to defend the US from terrorist intent on blowing up cities, whilst the hero Jack Bower tries to twart their attack. I still have to watch a lot of the show.

Anyway just a quick wee thought of what is going to happen in the next 24 hours ... nothing as exciting as all the hi tech stuff with Jack Bower, but it will undoubtably be a roller coaster ... Finishing of revision for exams, finding out what I know, don't know, then its up early, trinity library for the morn, lunch, tension before exam (my very last exam at TCD DV!) then its a sprint back to college for our last Communion service as a commuinty... and then its ... well CITI is over. How very bizarre ... very strange ... mmm ... 24 little hours

But better get back to the studying now and stop blogging.

Boxes - Nearly Time to move

It has been interesting over the last while to be slowly packing my room up here in college into cardboard boxes ready for the move from Dublin and Banbridge to East Belfast. The big move comes next week as the van comes to pick all the stuff up and deliver it to the curatage.

In week 2 of college (2006) I wrote on the blog
I am writing this in the second week of college.

"Over the last week and a bit a group of individuals left home and came down to a strange place in the heart of Dublin. This blog hopefully chart my way through the rigours, ups and down of college life as well as simply trying to reflect on what is happening down here

Now that we've got wireless Internet in the study rooms in college, updates might be more regular than previous experience has shown!

Okey Dokey - so last week...
It all started on Saturday with the packing of the car - squashing mum into the back seat and bringing all the essentials and much more besides and navigating our way through the dublin streets eventually arriving at our destination of CITC in Braemor Park.

After unpacking and generally moving in- it was up for lunch and the icebreakers which caused a bit of amusement for all, a chat with the other students.

Mum and dad stayed overnight as in the morning we were off for Sunday worship in RTE Studios with CMSI where I was reading various parts of the service and Simon was being interviewed.

Monday saw the whole class sitting down around a table for the first few sessions, running around trying to open banks without much success to be honest and an "interesting" table quiz which our team won - i think!

Tuesday Alan came down to lead sessions entitled "Spirituality for ministry" which was extremely thought provoking which included - Struggle with call, spirituality, ministry and mission - all of which I really need to sit down and look again at the handouts.

Wedensday was another quite amazing day when I think most of us would say we were challenged by actually taking time out just to be with God and to think about our own thoughts and how we could keep close to God - again a lot of stuff to take in!

Thursday looked at various ways ministry was played out in real life - the challenges and reality in parishes looking particularly at a team ministry situation

The first week proved to be very challenging, it definitely had its ups and downs! but it was a time when we saw prayers answered soooo quickly and effectively. For me it has really confirmed the call and the idea that I am where I feel called to!"

Now in one weeks time I am going to be unpacking boxes again - ready for a new challenge, a new set of people, a new area but what is constant is God and his love, his call, his faithfulness and generally everything the Bible says about him.

Please do continue to pray for all of us in CITI at the moment 2 more exams to go Wed and Thurs, farewell HC on Thursday night, BBQ and then a breakfast on Friday morn and then it is tearful goodbyes but it is great that we all know that we are going to where God has called us to be - so it is fantastic that as a year group we are going the length and breadth of Ireland with the Gospel - the good news of Christ - It is such an amazing privilege - what could be better?


(photo courtesy of Karen & May)

Between now and the not yet

At the moment it seems like just another academic year ... lots to do with exams and revision. Reality is also setting in that in three sundays I will have moved my little room in college into a big house in Belfast - how strange is that!

At the moment it is simply rumours of what is to come but reality is setting in that things need to be organised
- House insurance
- TV licenece and the like

It is bizarre but good.

Congrats to St. Columba's for their award at synod this year ... 2nd Prize in the parish magazine competition ... it is an excellent publication! (available online as a PDF)

Please do continue to pray for all of us as we study for these few weeks.

RF

A quick blog from Dublin

It is 16:48 - 12 minutes before Chapel is about to start.

At the moment I am in full revision mode ... Anglicanism, OT, NT, Systematic Theology and Ethics all need to be done. We are half way through the revision and it seems to be going Ok at the moment.

A couple of things struck me today. All of which appeared through the computer today.

In our study of anglicanism we have been looking at the proposed anglican consultative council and the new covenant which is being proposed. Maurice Elliott (the Director of CITI) is over at the meeting in Jamica at the moment - I have been following with interest the debates

Whilst studying I do have google talk open and up popped an old friend from Zambia - the Rev. David Nixon who with his wife Rhoda and kids are in Choma and we had a wee conversation there. Also on my google homepage is a feed from CMSI and one of the volunteer mission partners in Nepal is having to ask for prayer for the political situation there.

It is amazing once again how small this world is getting that we can be in touch with global events such as the ACC meeting, talk directly to people on the mission field in africa and asia as well as chatting to other ordinands back in the north about revision and also find time to revise with pen and paper.

Please do pray for ACC, for Nepal and for David in Zambia - ahhh there we go a quick blog ... off now to pray & worship ...!

Belfast Marathon

Yesterday, whilst I was down in dublin working hard, the rest of my family, Mum, Dad and Claire were out for a nice wee stroll ... sorry no that's right they were participating with the rest of the Seapatrick Parish Team completing between the the 26 odd mile course. Mum and Dad were doing the final stretch ... from Corporation St to the End round in Ormeau Park. Martin uploaded these photos onto his facebook page which I stole... so all credits to him!

Well done you guys!

Keep er lit

The end is in sight

Yeah a united finish!

Hey Claire!

Team Seapatrick!

Last week of teaching term - Day 1

It is amazing to think that there is only 4 days left of term ... but there is a huge amount packed into that time.

This morning, I have managed to get 4 essays in - Only one more to go

This afternoon after class was the medical which went grand - praise God!

and this evening I handed over my position of sen Student to Mr Paul Bogle which is great - Just took him on a tour of the Institute - what to lock up and what to turn off ... it really doesn't seem like a year since Gary took me on the same journey...

At the house meeting it is my responsibility to give opening remarks below is roughly what I said.

Bible reading Ephesians 4:4-8

^4-6You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. ^7-13But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.

Opening Remarks

This year has seen unprecedented change –

• We have morphed from a college to an institute
• We have said goodbye as a community to Adrian & June and Tom
• We have welcomed Maurice & Kirsten, and the kids, Katie and …

That change is an on-going feature of life, nothing stands still … It is very difficult to sumarise a year here but here is my attempt…

• essays completed,
• sermons prepared,
• services taken,
• houses visited
• seminars presented,
• cars and beds have been found on lawns,
• garden tours have been organised,
• dinners eaten,
• books read
• biscuits ate,
• drinks drunk,
• veda toasted,
• coffee made,
• paper photo copied,
• facebook updated,
• cats fed,
• broth enjoyed
• luas’ & bus caught
• preachers preached
• cards signed
• blogs written
• twitters tweeted
• birds sang
• choristers hummed
• guitars strummed
• tears shed
• laughter heard
• alarms sounded
• cat …
• cassocks worn
• Curacy round
• Canadians left to busses
• Airport security alerted
• Photos shot
• Hair cut
• RTE broadcasted
• Irish Times Reported
• Paintings created
• Videos watched
• God worshipped
• Prayers prayed
• Friday Afternoon – heads scratched
• Laundry washed
• Rooms tidied
• Internet … yes / no
• Pianos played
• Bins went out
• Cosmology … what?
• Newspapers came in
• Post delivered
• Beds Made
• Walls painted
• Bibles stolen
• Projects Handed in
• Eucharist celebrated
• Birthdays commemorated
• Classes attended
• Sermons listened
• Money Collected
• Prayer Room Decorated
• Chapel Changed
• Medicals had
• Now what??

This place, these walls at times can be a bitter sweet symphony – with workload, with pressures at home, friends down here, frustrations with things, community life can be great one minute and then something kicks of an reaction. But all in all this is and has been a great place to be for three years.

As senior student this year I would like to thank all those who make this place what it is

Firstly on behalf of the whole house I would like to thank …

Paul Bogle as Treasurer and Ruth West as Secretary

The whole of the kitchen staff … Kathleen, Johnathan and the team

Jacqui, Karen and May for their work on the domestic side of things

The teaching staff – Lindsey, Patrick, Tom and most lately Katie

The office staff – Lynda and Daphne

And Maurice – who on a personal note has been great answering queries each time myself and Ali has been in to see him on curacy and final year issues.

Again on a personal note – from my own heart – the people who I have met in this place I will keep in touch with – facebook will be great for that so will starbucks– It is my prayer that as a new era begins whilst the old is seen out – that God will continue to bless the fellowship and friendship of this place – Yes differences of opinion will occur – we are a very diverse community but we all do hold Christ in common – second years - please be assured of our prayers as you continue in this place next year.

It also has been a privilege to get to know the wider family of CITI – the landscape architects, Vets, choral students, organ scholars, computer scientists, musicians, engineers, theologians, linguists, English students. All of which provide a great variety to the community life

We look forward to hearing about the new facilities which will be in this place next year – ensuites etc.

As we come to the business part of this meeting – let us remember as Christians we are called into relationship with God and with one another and that each and every member has a part to play in making this place work.

Who is Jesus?

Dr SM Lockridge, and I wish I had said it! You can read it below, but trust me its well worth the listen (here).

My King was born King.
The Bible says He's a Seven Way King.
He's the King of the Jews - that's a racial King.
He's the King of Israel - that's a National King.
He's the King of righteousness.
He's the King of the ages.
He's the King of Heaven.
He's the King of glory.
He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords.
Now that's my King.

Well I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don't try to mislead me. Do you know my King?

David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament show His handiwork.

My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love.
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies.
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

Well, well, He's enduringly strong.
He's entirely sincere.
He's eternally steadfast.
He's immortally graceful.
He's imperially powerful.
He's impartially merciful.
That's my King.

He's God's Son.
He's the sinner's saviour.
He's the centrepiece of civilization.
He stands alone in Himself.
He's honest.
He's unique.
He's unparalleled.
He's unprecedented.
He's supreme.
He's pre-eminent.

Well, He's the grandest idea in literature.
He's the highest personality in philosophy.
He's the supreme problem in high criticism.
He's the fundamental doctrine of proved theology.
He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion.
That's my King.

He's the miracle of the age.
He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.

Well, He's the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He's strong God and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharged debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.

Do you know Him?

Well, my King is a King of knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom.
He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace.
He's the roadway of righteousness.
He's the highway of holiness.
He's the gateway of glory.
He's the master of the mighty.
He's the captain of the conquerors.
He's the head of the heroes.
He's the leader of the legislatures.
He's the overseer of the overcomers.
He's the governor of governors.
He's the prince of princes.
He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords.

That's my King. Yeah. Yeah.
That's my King. My King, yeah.

His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Well. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable. He's indescribable.

Yes. He's incomprehensible.
He's invincible.
He's irresistible.
I'm coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him.
You can't get Him out of your mind.
You can't get Him off of your hands.
You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him.

Well, Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him.
Pilot couldn't find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree.
Herod couldn't kill Him.
Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him.
That's my King. Yeah.

He always has been and He always will be.
I'm talking about He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor.
There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him.
You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign.
That's my King! That's my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory.
Well, all the power belongs to my King.
We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but it's God's power.
Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory.
We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His.
Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the evers, then,

Amen.

Ember Cards Designed and ordered

updates from down here

Well the ideas of the Timothy online bible stuff really didn't happen ... but there is still time!

College/ Institute time is running out quite quickly ... only 3 weeks left of academic term and then it is off for 3 weeks revision, 2 weeks exams and then ... off to other things.

So what have we been up to ...? well projects were handed in last week and it was on to essays, essays and more essays.

Ethics
Anglicanism
Old Testament
Exegesis sermons
New Testament
Cosmology
Theological reflection
College stuff including - weekend, house meeting
Viva's

All still to be handed in ... so time is short but it is all good.

It is quite a strange feeling at the moment as things happen. Ali described it well at the moment ... marathon, at the minute it is uphill always so much to do - one thing after another to concentrate on but then we are always looking ahead as there are things which need to be put in place for the future ... stuff to go into the diocesan office, stuff to get measured for in terms of robes etc.

Then there are ember cards to get printed.

Barcelona!

Barcelona

Downloading from YouTube

To dowload from youtube

You need firefox internetbrowser

Go to http://www.downloadhelper.net/ and follow the instructions

This will put a wee button in the toolbar - when you go to the youtube page it will rotate - click on the button and it will download!

Then you need to download something to play the video in ... I recommend http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html

Happy Golden Wedding Anniversary Nanny & Granda Joe!

Serious #9 2 Tim 2:11-13

11Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.

This passage really does speak for itself ... The prayer of us all has to be that we are to die with him, endure and remain faithful

Purple Ribbon

At a press conference today, Thursday 12 March 2009, the leaders of the Church of Ireland, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, together with the Irish Council of Churches and Evangelical Alliance, asked churches this weekend to offer special prayers for 'our land and our people' and encouraged people to wear a purple ribbon as sign of commitment to working together for good.

Aware that people want to show their opposition to what has happened over the last few days and send a clear unambiguous message that we are one united community, the Church Leaders in a pastoral letter (full copy below) ask 'all our churches to offer special prayers for our land and people', recognising that every church and community will naturally find a different way of doing this.

As a more practical sign of expressing revulsion towards violence and the determination of our community to speak with one voice, the leaders are encouraging everyone to wear a purple ribbon or other item of purple clothing. 'Purple is associated with Lenten reflection and is a strong outward symbol of people's commitment to working together for good,' concludes the letter

Sensible Series #8 2 Timothy 2:8-10

 ⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. ¹⁰Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Paul here doesn't paint a very rosy picture of Christian Discipleship ... the gospel he has been preaching has got him into trouble ... to the point of being chained like a criminal although he is prepared to undergo that suffering for the sake of the Gospel why? so that the hearers may obtain salvation. 

It is an amazing thought that through our study, through our faithfulness God can speak, can work in the lives of those listening ... mmm...It really has to be down to God tho. This stuff is certainly not light reading but when you do think about it is in serving Him that true freedom and purpose is found.

Awesome Privilege but equally the responsibility to take the job of preparing prayerfully and faithfully studying God's word as well as living it out is ours. "this is what you've called me to" 

"Will you then, in the strength of the Holy Spirit, continually stir up the gift of God that is in you, to make Christ known to all people. By the help of God I will."

Sensible #7 - 2 Timothy 2:2-7

²And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. ³Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. ⁵Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

It is interesting in this passage Paul mention three occupations all of which you don't pick up immediately, all of them require a lot of patience, a lot of hard work and a lot of time.

A soldier has to undergo an immense amount of trainning, of disciple, of commanding officers shouting at them to get them into shape, to respond to command, to be ready for fighting as well as doing duty in peace time as well. They are solely focused upon what they are called to do. This reminds me of an experience with the RAF over the summer and the amount of work that goes into keeping the body fit. They are ready to put themselves on the line for their friends, ready to go wherever they are called to be.

The athlete ... just think about the amount of trainning that goes into the race, cold days spent on the track runninng, jumping whatever, keeping the body at its peak ready for the race.

Then the farmer, the dedication need to nurture animals and crops, using knoweldge handed down, ready at all time to do what it takes to get the best from the land.

All three take work, hard excruciating work, back breaking work to get the best. They all demand time and determination. Surely as we think upon this all of this we as ordinands have to struggle with these metaphors, it is what we are being called to. The nurture of those to whom we have been called, running the race, putting ourselves on the line for others, putting ourselves under God's command ready to respond whenever he calls and be ready to do and say what he commands.

The passage today speaks of Timothy having to entrust others with what he has been entrusted with. The whole idea of entrusting and encouraging others to share the gospel is essential. No clergy person can do this task themselves we need to be empowering the body to do what it has been called to do. We need to identify those within our congregations who have the gifts and encourage them to use them to the glory of God.

This is part of my "sensible series" stepping through the pastoral in preparation for ordination - these are purely my own random thoughts.

silly series # 6 - day in nut shell

Church this morning ... mystery tour 

up, wash, dress, 1130, 11, Breakfast at cafe, liberties, lost,11 luas, late1130 1030, 1130 on-time,1200 early,hoodies, great drama, single, prayer, circles, college, work, hello, byebye, chinese, ipod, sensible, silly, beddy byes .  

Sensible #6 - only by grace

2 Timothy 2

¹You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Quite a simple message tonight ... be strong.
It is quite nice to get a simple message, strength from what ? the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Grace is a beautiful word, truly a great Bible truth is resident in this word. In fact, it is a word and concept without which salvation would be impossible. Grace is derived from the Greek charis. Thayer comments thus on charis: "…the New Testament writers used charis pre-eminently of that kindness by which God bestows favors even upon the ill-deserving, and grants to sinners the pardon of their offences, and bids them accept of eternal salvation through Christ…" (Greek-English Lexicon, pg. 666).

Some biblical facts regarding God's grace. The gospel (good news) is a result of God's grace (Gal. 1: 6-9). Grace is presented as sufficient and Christians are called by grace (2 Cor. 12: 7-10, Gal. 1: 15). Humanity is saved by grace, the heart is established by grace, and we are justified by grace (Eph. 2: 5, 8, Heb. 13: 9, Tit. 3: 7). Moreover, we render acceptable service by grace and grace imparts everlasting consolation (Heb. 12: 28, 29, 2 Thes. 2: 16). God's grace also makes us better people and helps us in time of need (I Cor. 15: 9, 10, Heb. 4: 16).

Sourced from http://www.bibletruths.net/Great%20Truths/GT09.htm

A couple of things I suppose to remember from this ... Our work, our ministry is totally and utterly powered by God's grace, we can't do it on our own ... It all has to come from Him who called us. I don't want to do anything apart from him.

We can work under our own strength for a while but it will eventually run out.

Silly #5 - My album cover!

1 - Go to Wikipedia. Hit “random... Read more”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to Quotations Page and select "random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to Flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop or similar to put it all together.

5 - Post the results to Facebook with these instructions in the "caption" or "comment" box, and tag the friends you want to join in.

Sensible #5 - 2 Timothy 1:15-18 - Difficulties come

¹⁵You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

¹⁶May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. ¹⁷On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. ¹⁸May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

---

Today was spent in Bray at the Church's Ministry of healing "Quiet Day" it is quite interesting as what I have written for todays reflection on the reading was written before the day started ...over a cuppa in the rectory but has some relation to what happened during it

I don't know about you but there are times and seasons - times of real growth and vitality in ministry, in relationships, in kingdom of God business and then thre are seasons where things are not going well at all. In this passage we see the extreme nature of this "you know that ... deserted me."

Paul does not claim anywhere that ministry, or the christian life in general is a bed of roses, that there would be nothing concern us, that it will be great the whole way through but rather there will be times of desert, times when friends will foresake us, times when we will throw up our hands and say "is it worth the hassle".

It is in such times when the difficulties come, when the barreness hits us that we have to hang in there, when we have to look to others as Paul did for the encouragement of believers who can strengthen and "refresh us".

There was many things which struck home with me on the quiet day today

firstly the need to listen to God - this may seem such a simple thing to say, especially for someone who is planning to spend His life working for him, but it is sooo important ... if we loose that closeness with the father all the rest of ministry may as well be lost.

Secondly, as this was the ministry of healing quiet day ... the need for healing is HUGE I was really struck by lots of things Baden had to say about his own self ... what he has struggled with and what God has been saying to him about the past and the things that make him him and me me and you you. There are things which are holding us back, things which are deeply programmed into us which are not healthy, memories from school days, things growing up, experiences we have had with relationships which are completely sub-conscious but which rise to the surface time and again which God really really wants to heal, wants to sort them out.

These are huge things, these things which are unnecessarily upon us but which we hide and we put on a facade, a mask to cover over but which in turn buries what is really going on ... mask over mask until we believe that we are who is being portayed rather than being real and open and honest.

Difficulties do and will come, who will be able to help us through them prayerfully and sensitively?

What sort of things are we masking?

Who do we know that needs refreshing today / this week ... how can we be there for them?

Sensible #4 - 2 Timothy 2:13-14 (The prayer of all preachers)

¹³What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Surely this has to be the prayer of all preachers - for our hearers - keep what they have heard from us. But with that there is a impetus upon us - to keep our teaching sound - i.e. free from error. There is within this passage a huge responsibility - guard the good deposit that is entrusted to us.

How?

Prayer, trusted friends & colleagues to give us feedback, good reading materials which will keep us in check, and also what it says in the passage ... the help of the Holy Spirit.

speaking personally, I am constantly reminded of the systematic nature of theology, once you pull at one string of doctrine lots of things rest upon it, so keeping our theology in check, of discussing ideas with others really helps cement what "sound teaching" actually entails. Does that make sense ...?

Then if we reverse this statement and become the hearers of the sound teaching there is a lesson to actually keep what we have heard and and guard it. This certainly is a challenge ... I wonder what I have done with the last piece of sound teaching ... have I let it grow or has it fallen on the rocky soil ...mmmm....

This stuff links directly into our ordination vows

Do you believe and accept the Holy Scriptures as revealing all things necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ?

Do you believe and accept the doctrine of the Christian faith as the Church of Ireland has received it?

In ministry will you expound the Scriptures and teach that Doctrine?

We do need to keep our doctrine sound, we are called to expound the scriptures. It is my prayer for myself and all being ordained that we will hold to sound doctrine so that the truth of the Gospel may be proclaimed.

Silly #4

Oh dear

... its just after 9am and the guards and dublin airport security have been called (i'll not say anything else ..let your mind wander for a while on that!)

you just never know what could happen in college!

What else can happen today ... who knows??? !!!

Update 12 noon - Coffee all over the table ... free coffee ... thanks enki!

Update 6pm - woman in the book shop .... RE :-)

Silly #3 Reminders

Not too much silly nonsense today in college  .... nah 

Just a couple of reminders 

... Firstly to back up essays and final yr projects 

... To take a day off each week! 

Oh yes and to tidy rooms  .... Always a good Idea! 

This time tomorrow TERM WILL BE OVER ... SCHOOLS OUT FOR ... easter! (or nearly easter!) 

Unfortunately with the amount of work that still needs to be done there is little time for partying  

2 weeks of work on assignments and then its off to Barcelona ... YEAH! 

Sensible #3 - 2 Tim 1:8b-12 - Gospel in a nut shell

But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, ⁹who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. ¹²That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Take a look at verse 9 - if you were looking for the gospel in the nutshell ...here it is 

God has saved us and has called us to a holy life ... not because of anything we have done but simply because of who he is ... which is truly amazing ... free grace ...on offer

What has Jesus done, he has destroyed death and brought us eternal life ... That's it, that's what we are proclaiming, that is what we are called to proclaim, to teach and to live out. 

But it is also costly grace in the sense that it cost Jesus his life, it costs us our lives in the form of our total surrender of our wills to his but the irony is that the thing that we give up, we also gain because the life which he promises is life in all its fullness. 

Why bother about ministry at all ...??

see what paul says in verse 12 I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 

I am not ashamed, why? because I know whom I believed... Absolutely ... the Jesus in the gospels, the God of the covenant is the same God... he is a faithful God who knit me together and who has a plan for my day... he's the one who I worship, he's the one who has promised eternal life for me, he's the one who I can trust through the darkest hour and the brightest day ... he is the one! 

I am not ashamed and pray that I never will be ashamed of him or the good news to which I am called to proclaim. 

---

This posting is part of a series of Bible Readings which I am doing on the run up to ordination in the church of ireland. They are my own personal ramblings.

Silly #2 - RTE and Veda!

Well, there ye go ... RTE were in college today looking for a bit of banter about the head shave some of us will be appearing on TV on the 22nd March.

A wee bit more publicity for the hospital in Zambia

remember you can still send cheques to CITI, Braemor Park D14 payable to USPG

or if you prefer you can donate to USPG directly www.justgiving.com/robertferris

The funny thing today was as I was working on project, mike was in the room, the man from RTE came in and recognised Mike as the "man in the purple shirt" from a prior broadcast ... one wonders if it is a prophecy! :-)

Oh Yes ... did you know that you can send veda on facebook???

Image courtesy of Garrett Casey D&G Press Office

Sensible No. 2 - 2 Timothy 1: 1-8

Well, this morning we are looking at the text of 2 Tim 1:1-8 which states

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
2To Timothy, my dear son:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Encouragement to Be Faithful
3I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God

Being the opening of the letter there are a couple of things to note here, firstly who is writing this letter, Paul (Look how he describes himself - an apostle of Christ Jesus) by the will of God according to the promise of Christ Jesus. 

On this first point we should not be surprised to see Paul saying that it is by God's will that he is an apostle - Let us remember that Paul was living as the infamous Saul before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. Some people today have dramatic conversion stories, stories which tell what they were before they met Jesus and what they were like after they did. an encounter with the living God. Many would shirk away from using such terminology as they are "just normal", they have gone to church, grown up in sunday school etc etc. But those are just as important. The important thing is that as Christians we understand that we are in a relationship with Jesus and that we are clinging to the promise of Christ Jesus. 

Isn't it great how this apostle Paul describes Timothy ... my dear son 

One of the things over the last year I have thoroughly appreciated in the chuches which I have been in is the encouragement from rectors and parishioners, their encouragement, their guidance and the love shown. There are some people who have as one of their natural gifts to encourage, to build up and to show concern for people. Paul displays it here as he sends his opening greeting to Timothy. 

Remember you Constantly in prayer 

One of the things which I am hoping to work on over the next few months as I complete this "sensible" series is constancy in prayer. it is crucial for survival as a christian. There is a book from Bill Hybels entitled "too busy not to pray" and I can think of many times when I have got this one the wrong way round thinking "too busy to pray". Who or what should we be praying for ... well anything / anyone really! - who needs our prayer today?, what circumstances need our prayer? 

I am reminded of your sincerce faith 

It is amazing the amount of times I, like Paul am reminded of instances of people's faith in certain circumstances, of conversations I have had with people who are inspiring people, people who are normal but express a deep love of the Lord. I wonder is there anyone you know who you have had that sort of thing with?, people who you know have a sincere faith?

fan into flame the gift of God 

Discipleship is hard work! I don't know if you have ever tried to light a campfire, when I think about this I am reminded of my old scouting days of trying to light a fire in the middle of the countryside. Sod dug, dry leaves dry kindle then the wind comes. It is difficult but it is possible, you just need to keep working at it, fan the flame... work at it ... this image when you think about it logically the spark, turns into a flame, the flame into a fire which is useful and which is blazing. 

Not timidity 

At our core, many of us are shy, quiet people not wanting to upset people rather wanting to please and keep all on our side. We are not called to be timid but rather we have through God a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline. This links to what we call the fruit of the spirit 

"love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" If this is the "stuff" which God is producing in us then we need to be displaying it in our christian walk. In situations where we feel out of our depth, let us remember that it is not us but Christ working through us. 

Do not be ashamed to testify about our lord 

I have come across a couple of good friends who live out this verse to its full. People who are not called to be clergy but who are not ashamed to testify about Jesus but who "acknolwedge Him" in everything they do. How am I / you testifying to the Lord today? 

A couple of Questions picked from the BST Study notes for you to think about

1. What does it really mean to wish someone grace mercy and peace? 
2. What are the 4 major influences on Timothy's life and are you aware of similar factors on your own?

Silly side of college life - No. 1

Sitting this evening in the dinning room over veda we were reminissing about childhood songs and one came up which we couldn't get all the lyrics to ... Post Man Pat 

Postman Pat, Postman Pat 

Postman Pat and his black and white cat 

Early in the morning just as day is dawning 

... and that is as far as we got. 

so here is the whole thing ...

Postman Pat.  Postman Pat.  Postman Pat and his black and white cat.
Early in the morning, just as day is dawning, he picks up all the post bags in his van.

Postman Pat.  Postman Pat.  Postman Pat and his black and white cat.
All the birds are singing, and the day is just beginning.  Pat feels he's a really happy man.

Everybody knows his bright red van, all his friends will smile as he waves to greet them,
Maybe, you can never be sure, there'll be knock (knock knock)
Ring (ring ring).  Letters through your door.  (Hee Hee).

Postman Pat.  Postman Pat.  Postman Pat and his black and white cat.
All the birds are singing, and the day is just beginning.  Pat feels he's a really happy man

And heres the You Tube video for it! 

Pastoral Epistle Series No. 1 - 2 Timothy

Why start with 2 Timothy? Well its quite simple really, I am using a couple of commentaries and only have 2 Timothy at the minute here in college ... so no deeper theological reasoning than that! 

A bit of background to this ... 

1 & 2 Timothy are books full of good advice for someone starting out on ministry, they are full of warnings, encouragements and love from an established leader (Paul) to someone starting out on oversight of a local church community. It would be my aim over the next few weeks to work through these and blog the things that I discover which are bloggable and journal the things which I need to remember for myself. I hope that as readers of the blog you may join me in looking at the passage. Who knows we may all learn something about the Gospel to which we are called to proclaim either in a up-front ministry capacity or in our everyday lives as we live out the gospel. 

More Regular Blogger ...

Right, I have decided that on the run up to finishing college that I will be a more regular blogger, simply to catch the essence of what is going on in the life of the bottom floor corridor as well as random thoughts and insights from the bible. With under 5 weeks of semester time left ...time is running short, but it is also getting exciting. 

Inspired tonight in college fellowship I am thinking of tucking into a feast of the pastoral epistles, looking at what they have to say for the random ordinand who will shortly becoming the random curate at knock.down! 

In the midst of projects and essays ... spending a little time looking at these may be just what the Dr ordered!!! (Literally) :-) 

Hospitals in Mission

When I was at church today, some people have been asking me about our hair cutting and about what we were rasising money for.

Well it is for St. Francis hospital in SE Zambia.

A freind who knows the hospital well commented on a recent email

| St. Francis is the largest and best Mission Hospital in Zambia, and
| > often takes both Irish and British medical students on their electives
| > as well as one or two who have already qualified. We met one delightful
| > young lady from Galway on our way through Lusaka who was on her way for
| > a second stint at the hospital having served a short elective there and
| > now returning as a qualified doctor. It serves a *huge* area, and
| > provides a reliable and effective emergency take in service as well as a
| > wide variety of routine health services for what is, even for Zambia, a
| > remote rural area. James Cairns, a Third Order Franciscan, was surgeon
| > there for many years together with his wife Faith, and I had the honour
| > of meeting them last year. Right now the hospital is run by a very nice
| > English couple whose kids were at school with our two. The hospital also
| > acts as a teaching base for nurses, building skills and capacity for
| > Zambia's desperately needy health service and there is a CMS sponsored
| > nurse-midwife tutor.

Details on St. Francis Hospital can be found ...
http://www.saintfrancishospital.net/ (Their website)
http://www.uspg.org.uk/article.php?article_id=367 (The USPG project we are supporting)

Also this question got me thinking about CMS Ireland and the hospital I have seen as part of my trips out there ... Kiwoko Hospital in Luwerro Diocese which is doing some absolutely amazing work with the community.

Details of that hospital can be found here

For those who are interested in helping our appeal cheques (made payable to USPG Ireland) for the hair cutting can be sent to me - Robert Ferris, CITI, Braemor Park Dublin 14.