Presbyterian church takes its mission across Ireland with 'Declare and Display' evenings

Rick Hill, Council for Mission secretary, encourages those with a genuine interest in mission at home and the work of the Presbyterian Church across the island to come along to the evenings.

“Over the years, our Mission in Ireland evenings have become a much looked forward to series of events. Taking place throughout March, church members and members of the public have a great opportunity to discover more about the work of the Church, as we give a flavour of the missional activity that takes place on our own doorstep," he says.

Mr Hill adds: “While they take place at a time of challenge for the Church, we want to continue pointing to the need to reach out. Each of the meetings will have a mix of speakers, who are engaged in different aspects of work.

"Those attending will also see a specially commissioned video that highlights the work being done by our congregation in Galway city. The theme ‘Declare and Display’ runs throughout the evenings and is taken from First Thessalonians 2:8, when the Apostle Paul tells the church, ‘we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you, not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well'.

"The evenings will emphasise how mission work involves both public proclamation and practically demonstrating the love of Christ through what we do.”

The Mission in Ireland evenings began this week with the first in Downshire Road Presbyterian church, Newry, when the Rev David Curran, who leads Presbyterian church development project in Wexford, spoke about the work there, while Rev Colin Dickson also highlighted work of the church’s 'International Meeting Point' (IMP) as it serves those who come to make a new home in Belfast.

Council for Mission in Ireland convenor Rev Ben Walker welcomed everyone who is interested in mission at home to go along: “In many ways, this is not about us, it is about stories of God at work from Wexford to Belfast and beyond; what is happening through our prison, universities and rural chaplaincies, the work of our mission pioneers, home mission congregations and the work of projects like the IMP. I was delighted to hear there were about 100 people at our first evening in Newry.

“Most people think of mission as something that happens overseas, and much good work is being done by our global mission workers in different countries, but I hope that those who come are encouraged by what is happening here at home.

"In the video that we show at all of the events, we hear from Rev Helen Freeburn in our United Church Galway. She talks of a church that is diverse, as people from dozens of countries attend, as they build a community and family together."

Rev Walker adds: “I think Helen speaks for all of us, when she says in the video, ‘Declaring and displaying the love of Christ is really important for us as a church as we seek to come along side people who are in particular need, and as we seek to be a light in the city and country to declare and display God’s goodness and the good news of the Kingdom.’”

* The last in the 'Mission in Ireland' series takes place in Molesworth Presbyterian Church, Cookstown, in Tyrone presbytery of Tyrone on Sunday evening March 29. Attendees will hear from two of PCI’s chaplains and their work: Rev Kenny Hanna, PCI’s rural chaplain, and Rev Nigel Craig, Queen’s University, Belfast chaplain, as well as Union Theological College, and Stranmillis College, Belfast.

Full list of 'Mission in Ireland' venues are found at: www.presbyterianireland.org/events