Presbyterian moderator set to embark on tour of Mid Ulster

In what has been a very busy year, the Rev Dr Richard Murray has already completed three successful tours in the presbyteries of Carrickfergus, South Belfast and Ballymena, as well as an overseas visit to the Protestant church in Poland.

“Having the opportunity to see first-hand the work being carried out on the ground, bringing encouragement to those that work within our denomination and reaching out to the wider community on behalf of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has been a highlight of my year in office,” said Dr Murray.

“During this year my theme has been ‘Mighty to Save’, and, with this in mind, I am excited to be involved in a 'Mission in Ireland' evening at the start of next week and when I will speak at the opening night of a mission in Magherafelt at the close of the week.”

Alongside a number of church-based activities, during the week, Dr Murray will have a wide range of other engagements. These include a visit to CEMCOR, a local employer, for a tour of their factory, a meeting with councillors on Mid Ulster District Council, a visit to Benbradagh care home in Maghera and an informal gathering with local farmers.

During his presbytery tours, the moderator has taken a keen interest in schools and the education of young people, and this week is no exception.

On Thursday morning, Dr Murray will take time to meet the young people of Kilronan special school in Magherafelt. He will also visit Café Revive which is operated in conjunction with First Magherafelt Presbyterian church and children from Kilronan special school.

“I am very much looking forward to meeting the young people from Kilronan school. Moreover, it is wonderful that our church is able to provide opportunities for work experience, whereby skills can be learned, confidence built and relationships formed.

“Schools and churches play such key roles in the community, and when they can work together it is a blessing to all. I know that I personally will gain so much from this visit,” said Dr Murray.

Rev Dr Jonathan Curry, minister of First Magherafelt church, said: “We have been running Café Revive for a number of years, and it has been a delight to witness first-hand the growing confidence of the students from Kilronan special school who work in the café.

"They are gaining skills and qualities which we hope they will continue to use as they reach their full potential. It is particularly lovely to see them interacting with other members from the community, and vice versa.”

Moygashel and Dungannon Presbyterian churches will be the moderator’s first port of call tomorrow morning (Sunday). In the evening, he will speak on the theme of church planting, both at home and abroad, at Tyrone Presbytery’s Mission in Ireland evening to First Cookstown congregation.

“When I visited Kraków in December it was a great pleasure for me to see the work of our brothers and sisters in Poland as they sought to plant and grow new evangelical churches. On Sunday evening, I hope to encourage our people about how the work is growing across the world, whilst at the same time celebrating the new church plants within our own denomination, particularly in the Republic of Ireland. My theme for the year has been ‘Mighty to Save’ and the growth of the church that I have witnessed during my year in office, underlines that our Saviour, Jesus Christ remains mighty to save,” said Dr Murray.

On the final night of the moderator’s tour of Tyrone presbytery, Sunday March 9, he will have the opportunity to share his own testimony at a special mission being held in Magherafelt. In anticipation of the mission, Dr Murray said: “It will be a privilege to have the opportunity to share my own story, of the people and experiences which eventually led to me committing my life to Christ – of God’s mighty power to save – even me.”