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Weekly announcements

2008-05-14T10:30:00Z

Help Needed with 10am and 11.30am Crèche We urgently need two or three additional helpers to assist on a monthly rota basis at the 10am crèche. We need to have 2 people on duty each week and would ask those who feel that they could help to speak to the Minister or Heather Smyth as soon as possible. Help is also urgently required for the crèche for the 11.30am service. Please speak to Ruth Bell as soon as possible (028 93322850 . Thank you.

Norma & Hill Cowan Wish to thank everyone for their prayerful support for them and their family circle in their recent bereavement, and to those who sent cards, telephoned, visited their home and attended the funeral service. Your thoughts and prayers have been greatly appreciated and a source of comfort to us and the family.

Fishing Trip Saturday 17th May 2008. We will be meeting at the church at 9.00am. Anyone interested in attending please contact Andy Morrow 90849392.

Friendship Club Outing This coming Saturday 17th May. Meeting at the church 9.15am to leave at 9.30am sharp, as we plan to go to Bethlehem, visit the Moravians, mystery stop, lunch and finally the barn in the Glens. Singing, eating sweets and unruly behaviour will not be tolerated on the bus!

Wesley Choir – Sunday 18th May @ 7pm Supper in main hall after the evening service.

Variety Concert for Senior Citizens On Wednesday 21st May @ 7.00pm. Free Tickets + Supper. Speak to - Anna Torrens, Hill Cowan or Drusilla Cunningham.

Young At Heart – Retirement Exhibition Wednesday 21st & Thursday 22nd May 10am – 4pm in The King’s Hall, Belfast - Free Shuttle Bus. There will be more than 80 exhibitors – Financial Advice, Health and Fitness, Holidays, John Cushnie’s Gardening World….. and much more! (For further information please see the leaflet in the Link Area.

Second Half – A seminar for 35 and older On Thursday 22 May @ 7.00pm in Elim Christian Centre, 120 Alexandra Park Ave, Belfast. The Speaker will be Dr Michael Lindquist. Make sense out of the 1st half of your life and maximize your 2nd half. (For further information see the leaflet in the Link Area)

A Special Praise Weekend Saturday 24th May & Sunday 25th May 2008 - Several members of 'Worship Academy' are joining us for a special weekend at the end of May. A worship seminare is planned for the Saturday afternoon 24th May followed by a Praise evening. Our visitors will also take part in Sunday Worship on 25th May, when we are also having a fund-raising lunch with the Youth Choir. Look out for the flyers.

GMYC Texas Tour 2008 Love Chinese food and want to help support the Youth Choir to go to Texas? Then this is for you: The Bambou Chinese Restaurant, Ballyclare on Wednesday 18th June 2008. Top class 5 x course banquet meal, £25 per person. £10 of the £25 will be returned to the Youth Choir (yes that’s £10 back!!!). If we get 110 people we have the place to ourselves. There are tables of 8 - 10. Book your place or even book a table ASAP. You can book by contacting any member of the youth choir or email the church office. £10 non-refundable deposit to be paid at time or within 1 x week of booking your place.

Praise in the Park - Combined Glengormley Churches - Sunday 22nd June 2008 in Glengormley Park The Picnic & Praise will be suitable for all age groups. This is a great opportunity for church members to invite along friends & family, some who may not otherwise attend a church service. This event will also appeal to church organisations i.e. Sunday school, bible class, mum & toddlers group etc. Schedule for the event: - Picnic & Gathering Songs 1.00pm, Praise Service 2.30pm Finish (approx) 4.00pm.

Worship Academy - 24th and 25th May

2008-05-12T11:39:00Z

On Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of May several members of 'Worship Academy' are joining us for a special weekend of teaching and worship. A worship seminar is planned for the Saturday afternoon (2pm to 5pm) followed by a concert at 7:30pm. The concert will also include Glengormley Methodist Worship Band and Glengormley Methodist Youth Choir.

Our visitors will also take part in Sunday worship on 25th May, when we are also having a fund-raising lunch with the Youth Choir.

The seminar and concert are free and a warm invitation is extended to all.

A bit more about Andy Bromley

Based in the Midlands this outstanding worship leader and singer songwriter has led worship since he was 15 years old. Andy has been involved in leading worship at various events around the UK including, Spring Harvest, A.o.G. National Conference, and Grapevine, which are among some of the most significant conferences held in the UK each year.

In 2004 Andy signed a recording deal with Kinsway Music UK, which now takes his songs to the worshipping church across the world. His first album release with Kingsway called ‘Love Mercy’ has been well received in the church and songs such as, ‘Your Name’, ‘Love Mercy’ and Glorious King’ are sung across many nations.

His heart is to see lives transformed through corporate worship.

GMYC Texas 2008 fundraising - Bambou

2008-04-26T10:46:00Z

GMYC Texas Tour 2008

Love Chinese food and want to help support the Youth Choir to go to Texas? Then this is for you:

The Bambou Chinese Restaurant Ballyclare
Wednesday 18th June 2008
Top class 5 x course banquet meal.
£25 per person.

£10 of the £25 will be returned to the Youth Choir (yes that’s £10 back!!!)
If we get 110 people we have the place to ourselves. There are tables of 8 – 10. Book your place or even book a table ASAP.

Contact any member of the choir or email the church office to book your place. £10 non-refundable deposit to be paid at time or within 1 x week of booking your place.

Report from church council - April 2008

2008-04-24T08:55:00Z

Introduction

This report is an attempt to give a little insight to the matters currently under consideration and the main points addressed at the last Council meeting. It is always our prayer that we will be led by the Holy Spirit in all of our decision-making as we seek His way forward for us as a church family.

Finance and Property

This team is currently obtaining quotes for work to be completed in the Manse kitchen and to improve the lighting in both the Chapel and Main Hall areas. We are also planning to create a more secure sound area at the back of the church sanctuary. It is hoped that all this necessary work will be carried out during the summer months.

Sound and Projection

The need for greater assistance with this area of ministry, including the recording of services and training for new operators was highlighted, and attempts will continue to be made to address these matters. The projector in the sanctuary needs to be repaired and this will also be addressed.

Vision Team

At our March meeting the Vision Team presented their report to Council and identified a large number of items which received unanimous council approval. (There was not a congregational summary distributed on this March meeting as a very detailed CoV congregational report will be distributed to our entire membership before the summer.)

Youth Team

It was agreed that donations from the youth funds be made to assist both the Youth Choir on their summer tour to USA and the Youth team in facilitating opportunities to bring greater cohesion amongst our youth organisations. It was also agreed to help meet the costs of putting on “At the Cross” at Easter. Proposals were brought to address the provision for the children during the summer Sunday services. “Walk the Walk” outreach campaign has been postponed for the short term but it is hoped that the Youth Team will be able to link with an outreach team based at Glengormley Presbyterian who are doing a similar work.

Training and Action Team

This team reported on the success of the Network Gifts course and associated follow-up. There are a number of ongoing matters that the team are addressing but are not yet ready to bring to council for approval.

Fellowship Team

The members of this team were thanked for their provision of supper during Holy Week. They shared their plans for a Senior Citizens’ Variety Show in May and identified additional fellowship opportunities later in the year. The need to ensure that our food preparation meets current Health and Safety requirements was discussed and will be addressed.

Celebration and Evangelism Team

One of the recommendations from Clearing our Vision was to split this team into two distinct teams – a Worship team and an Evangelism team - which will shortly be established. The C&E team’s final report addressed the following areas: Praise in the Park – all churches in Glengormley are planning to hold a joint praise service in Glengormley Park on Sunday 22nd June between 2.30 and 4pm. It is hoped that many will come early with a picnic lunch before the service starts. Worship Academy – this is a Saturday seminar and evening of worship due to be held in our church on 24th May.

Some additional items of business

• The church has agreed to host a community carol service next December.
• Consideration was given to reviewing contracts and recording procedures for church employees.
• The Stewards are considering a Health of the Ministers Report from conference to ascertain how it impacts on GMC to ensure that we are looking after the pastoral needs of our minister.
• Additional help with the 10am crèche is required and the congregation will be asked to help with this need.
• Council discussed how we are addressing the outreach opportunities on a Sunday evening with younger teenagers who have been attending services and some suggestions were made that will be considered further by Council members.

I'd rather talk about cheesecake

2008-04-16T09:24:00Z

I’m getting tired thinking about the global warming debate which goes on and on. Honestly. Perhaps, for a change, I might just share a few cheesecake recipes I've been trying out. A recipe seems a lot simpler to follow than climate change science.

I wonder though if my move towards a 'greener' lifestyle, which promises harmony, love and world peace ;-), is having a knock on effect on the world's poor ('we drive, they starve'). Maybe not my individual choices (yet), but government policy influenced in part by my opinions. As the powerful exert their will the weak and powerless are at their mercy. The quest for a carbon neutral world means the poor pay the price, including rising food costs. It makes me wonder if I should stay we’ll clear of biofuels.

It has been argued that the gospel is primarily a message for the poor, that the Bible should be read and experienced from their perspective. I don’t really agree with that argument; the gospel is a message for all (All need to be saved; All can be saved; All can know they are saved, and All can be saved completely). But the gospel, and a heart of love, has implications for the poor. Take Deuteronomy 15 v 7-8:

7 If there is a poor man among your brothers…, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.

I wonder if governments are being tightfisted for the ‘sake of the planet’. I just don’t like the long term argument, ‘you’ll thank us in 30 years when world temperature hasn’t raised 30 degrees – in the meantime you’ll need to learn to cope.’ Aren’t governments ignoring real needs now for a ‘possible’ future. Whatever my opinion, as always, the poor get the raw end of the deal. I can tighten my belt, take a few less holidays, or get the bus. I wonder, for those who have nothing, not even a belt, what hope is left when global markets force up the price of basic foodstuffs?

Kiss me.

2008-04-15T10:29:00Z

“Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight Lead me, out on the moonlit floor Lift your open hand, Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance Silver moon’s sparkling, So kiss me.”

I’ve never been kissed beneath the milky twilight, that is not why I bring this song up. It’s not because I spent many a Saturday morning watching Dawson’s Creek and therefore heard the vocal stylings of Leigh Nash play in the background as Joey and Pacey embraced on screen; the reason I bring this song up is because of the singer/songwriter and the chosen name of her band.

For all of you still in the dark the lyrics are from the song ‘Kiss me’ by sixpence-none-the-richer. Strange name for a band that? It’s a name that hails from the following passage in Mere Christianity:

“Then comes another discovery. Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already. So that when we talk of a man doing anything for God or giving anything to God, I will tell you what it is really like. It is like a small child going to its father and saying, ‘Daddy, give me sixpence to buy you a birthday present.’ Of course, the father does, and he is pleased with the child’s present. It is all very nice and proper, but only an idiot would think that the father is sixpence to the good on the transaction. When a man has made these two discoveries God can really get to work. It is after this that real life begins.”

In using or talents to glorify God we are not really giving Him anything which isn’t already His, the miracle of Gods’ love is that even though He gains nothing, He is pleased with our efforts. This is the foundation on which all Christian servitude should be built – if we start off thinking that our gifts and talent are our possession, then we’ve lost out before we have even started. The truth is we can only give to God the life that He has given us.

All of this is by way of introduction; Gareth has asked me to share my experiences of training to be a local preacher and I couldn’t begin without laying this foundation. From this first step I will try to take you with me on the journey of my training and preaching, hopefully in the retelling you will be inspired and maybe even consider becoming a lay preacher also.

Christian Aid week 11 - 17 May

2008-04-08T09:27:00Z

Christian Aid Week 11 -17 May. WE NEED YOU!

Christian Aid works with the world’s poorest people in more than 50 countries, regardless of race or faith. They tackle the causes and consequences of poverty and injustice.

Every year Christian Aid dedicates a week to fundraising, campaigning and worship activities. 300,000 people unite in the UK’s biggest house to house collection. Glengormley Methodist plays its part by sending a team of people to visit houses in the area around our church. Last year we raised £1,694.65 for Christian Aid through the collection.

Could you help? We give you a partner, a bag of envelopes and a few streets to cover any evening that suits you during Christian Aid week. You just need a good pair of walking shoes, probably a raincoat and your best smile! It’s a great way to get to know the neighbourhood and meet some of the people that live there! And most importantly, you’ll be helping people in poor communities around the world change their lives.

If you’d like to know more contact Liz Lyttle 028 9084 2894 or contact the church office.

The Golden Compass - book reviews

2008-04-08T09:00:00Z

Following the media attention around the film, ‘The Golden Compass’, Michael Spence takes a closer look at ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy and its author , Philip Pullman.

Philip Pullman
He took the golden compasses, prepared
In God’s eternal store, to circumscribe
This universe, and all created things:
— Paradise Lost VII

Philip Pullman should be pleased at all the free publicity his work received when a number of Christian groups in the US called for the movie The Golden Compass to be banned. For the uninitiated, The Golden Compass is an adaptation of Northern Lights the first book in Pullman’s epic trilogy His Dark Materials. This controversy is quite different from the noise made about Harry Potter. In this case the author takes a veraciously anti-Church stance and openly proselytises for Atheism.

The books follow the story of Lyra Belaqua, a twelve-year-old orphan girl raised by scholars in the fictional Jordan College, Oxford in a world parallel to our own. In Lyra’s world, human souls exist outside the body as animal spirits called dæmons. Lyra comes into possession of a precious golden device, the alethiometer- a truth-measure, which becomes both a physical and moral guide.

Viewers and readers may find themselves in familiar surroundings in the world of His Dark Materials. In the opening chapter we accompany a young girl as she hides in a wardrobe, learns of the existence of parallel worlds and takes counsel from talking animals. This borrowing of C.S. Lewis’ motifs signals Pullman’s intentions- what Narnia did for Christianity, His Dark Materials does for Atheism. Indeed, it is Pullman’s harsh criticism of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series - “one of the most ugly and poisonous things I’ve ever read,”- which helped him earn his infamy.

THEOLOGY
His Dark Materials is full of theological references. In Lyra’s world science is called ‘experimental theology’; in the second book she travels with angels; in the third she travels to the world of the dead to free them from captivity. Most significantly, Pullman’s villains are an oppressive, bureaucratic regime- the Church. The battle-lines are very clearly drawn. The Church are evil, malicious dogmatic and controlling. Everyone outside the Church is eminently reasonable, helpful and friendly, and this is somewhat to the detriment of Pullman’s otherwise subtle characterisations.

Some readers will notice that Pullman is retelling Paradise Lost, Milton’s 1667 epic poem of Satan’s War on Heaven and The Fall of Adam and Eve. In the third book Lyra’s uncle, Lord Asriel, calls freethinking creatures from every world to overthrow the tyrant God and build the Republic of Heaven. Lyra and friend Will take the Adam and Eve roll, apparently giving into temptation and re-enacting The Fall. While Paradise Lost raises many interesting questions His Dark Materials is only interested in conclusions- or rather one conclusion- that God is oppressive.

RESPONSE
“My books are about killing God”
-Philip Pullman

Pullman’s criticism of God and the Church centres around a single premise: That there are "those who want us to know more and be wiser and stronger, and those who want us to obey and be humble and submit.” We must choose between independent thought and blinkered servitude -the Republic and the Kingdom.

This idea that God wants man in ignorance is not new, but it is based on the misconception that the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden represents wisdom. In the Bible, the command not to eat of the ‘Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil’ is not about ignorance, but innocence. Eating the fruit introduces nothing but guilt and shame into the lives of the man and woman.

Pullman takes full advantage of another common misconception that The Fall is somehow connected to sexuality- that sex is forbidden by God. A quick glance at God’s command to ‘multiply’ in Genesis 1 shows that this is not the case. Pullman missed his mark if he intended to level a charge of intellectual and sexual oppression at the God of the Bible.

THOUGHTS
The books tested my anti-censorship position. I asked myself how comfortable I would be reading to a child about the nefarious acts of “The Society for the Work of the Holy Spirit” for example. In the end though, Christian parents should always be interested in what their children are reading and His Dark Materials could provide for some honest discussion about those opposed to God and the Church.

One short article cannot do justice to the story, draw out the theology and offer a robust response. Personally, I am engaged by his prose and his theology because I love both a good story and a good argument. I hope I have highlighted some of the issues and that the quotations may begin to give you the measure of the man.

Michael Spence

(A note from Rev. Mervyn Kilpatrick
This book review by Michael Spence, a young Methodist from our Carnalea Society who has just completed a Theology degree at Queen's University, Belfast, helps us to be aware of the many ways in which the enemy tries to introduce his lies about God. We don't want to be a people who see a devil around every corner but it is good to know what is anti-God and against the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ especially when it is wrapped up as a children's story.)

Current council members

2008-04-08T06:53:00Z

Glengormley Methodist: Current Council Members

Following is a list of current members of Glengormley Methodist church council and how long they have left to serve on the council.

Minister:
Rev Mervyn Kilpatrick,
Rev Bill Scott (1 year left)

Mr John Montgomery (1 year left)

Society Stewards:
Mr Stephen Orr (1 year left)
Mrs Linda McGowan (1 year left)

Property Steward:
Mr Raymond Caldwell (2 years left)

Church Treasurer:
Mr John Armstrong ( 3 years left)

Building Fund Secretary:
Mr Desmond Johnston (1 year left)

Secretary to the Church Council:
Mrs Lorraine Blackadder (1 year left)

Remaining members
Mrs Yvonne Armstrong (3 years left)
Miss Cathy Bell (2 years left)
Mr Martin Blackadder (3 years left)
Miss Rea Blain (3 years left)
Mrs Karen Bruce ( 2 years left)
Mr Alan Conly (3 years left)
Mr Hill Cowan ( 1 year left)
Miss Drusilla Cunningham (1 year left)
Mrs Carole Harris (2 years left)
Mr Aaron McFaul (2 years left)
Mr Billy Nesbitt (1 year left)
Mr Adam Strong (2 years left)
Mr Orville Webb (3 years left)

Prayer ministry team - Q&A

2008-04-07T09:14:00Z

Some questions to the team from the congregation...

Why have a Prayer Ministry Team? Personally, I don’t need someone to pray with me.

When you come for prayer you are not coming to an individual “person” - but to JESUS - the one, who can change every heart, heal every hurt, bind up every wound and set you free. Prayer ministers are only vessels to be used by Him. He is able.

Could you give me some background about the team?

The Lord laid it on the heart of one of our congregation to approach the Rev. Peter Murray with regard to starting a prayer ministry. After praying about it he agreed there was a need.
He asked the congregation to pray and seek God if they felt they were being led to serve in this way and after a period of seeking God a number of people came forward. Extensive training began, which continued over several months and is further developed as necessary. An evening service was held for the commissioning of prayer ministers. They were each anointed with oil and prayed over before they commenced the work on Sunday 26th January 2003.

There are times when I need prayer. Who do I speak to?

The team is headed up by Carole Harris and Linda Dickson and consists of 14 men and women who are accountable to our present minister Rev. Mervyn Kilpatrick. The team can be identified by the badge they wear and you can approach anyone of them in church at any time. They are available after the 10 am and 11.30 am services to pray with you or just to listen if you have a burden you might like to share in confidence.
Also, there is a notice board just inside the prayer room if you would like to leave a note or a prayer request.

Will my prayer request be kept strictly confidential?

You can be absolutely confident when you come for ministry, that those who will minister to you do not have to know your need, only what you wish to share. However, if you wish to share specific details the team will treat what you tell them with the utmost confidence.

Could you tell me a bit more about the prayer room? Can I only use it at set times?

In April 2007 a room was made available at the Glencairn entrance as a permanent prayer room. This room is to be used exclusively for prayer and ministry and was recently dedicated for this purpose. It is available for you to use for personal prayer any time the church is open and is not being used by members of the team.

We know that these times may not suit everyone and if you would like prayer, members of the team would be willing to meet you in the prayer room, in your own home or arrange another meeting place at a time that would be convenient for you.

The Prayer room is quite small – if someone is in the room when I want to pray can I go in? I wouldn’t want to intrude.

The room is divided into two sections so if there is someone in for ministry the outer part of the room can be used.

I would like to join the team? Who do I speak to?

Talk to Carole Harris or Linda Dickson for more details about how you can get involved. However this is a sensitive role, and ultimately, the Rev. Mervyn Kilpatrick’s decides who is on the team.

MMS Prayer points - April 2008

2008-04-07T07:56:00Z

David & Sarah Hall, Rebecca (2) and Reuben (1) in Bangladesh.
Give Thanks…
• Praise God that over 10,000 Christians were able to gather outside the parliament building in Dhaka for an Easter sunrise service.
• We are thankful that Rebecca and Reuben seem to be much happier when we are both working.
• The workshop on combating trafficking was very successful and enjoyable.

Please pray for...
• David, who has a busy month ahead, visiting 3 different project sites as well as meeting a donor who is coming here.
• Wisdom and guidance in planning future anti-trafficking work, as part of the Bangladesh Stopthetraffik coalition.

David & Rhoda Nixon, Samuel (11), Christopher (9), in Zambia.
Give thanks…
• Continue to pray for David, Rhoda and the boys as they continue here in Ireland.
• Pray for David as he continues with his studies in Dublin.
• Pray for the work which continues in Zambia.
• Pray especially for Mr. Subi Thomas and Mr. Mwango as they continue the work in David and Rhoda’s absence.

Barry & Gillian Sloan, Michael (14) & Megan (12), in Germany.
Please pray for:
• A new Alpha marriage course starting in our Chemnitz Church on 10th April.
• Gill's English classes on the circuit.
• For a young boy and his family in Augustusburg church. Simon (10) has been fighting cancer for 5 years.

Alan & Margaret McIlhenny in Ireland & South Africa.
Give thanks:
• For safety as Alan and Richard traveled extensively in South Africa in March to orientate and train Richard in his new role as Director. We were greatly encouraged by the commitment of the staff and volunteers we met.
• We have recruited a new manager for Cape Town. Dorian had been leading the Open School project in Pietermaritzburg but is moving home to Cape Town because of his wife’s health problems.
• Two teachers have offered to take over Dorian’s former role in the Christian school in Pietermaritzburg.
Please pray:
• For Dorian starting in Cape Town, that he will find a suitable place to live and quickly develop trust and good relationships with the team of volunteers there. Pray also that the move home to Cape Town will bring an improvement in health for Dorian’s wife, Claudine.
• For Vivian and Richard as they train new groups of volunteers in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Swaziland.
• For Alan and Margaret as they travel to the Philippines (16th April to 2nd May) to introduce the Open School work there. Alan will be speaking at two conferences for Christian school.

Helen Moorehead, in Marimanti school for the deaf, Kenya.
Please Pray for…
• Continue to pray for Helen in Kenya, pray for her safety and that she will continue to have the health, enthusiasm and motivation needed to carry out the various tasks.
• Pray for the staff and students in the school that God would bless the work that they do to enable the children to learn more effectively.

Ruth Watt in Tonga
Praise God for:
• An American work team who came in March from Alaska. They worked at Tupou High School improving the staff room, including replacing many of the corrugated iron sheets on the roof.
• Cooler weather!!
• Friendships, life would be much more difficult and very lonely without friends to share and laugh with.
Pray for:
• Tonga's elections. They will be held in April without the promised changes in the numbers elected by the people. Tensions are rising and there are fears that more demonstrations may lead to violence again.
• The Industrial Arts teachers. We are having workshops weekly to improve knowledge and standards, however a lot of the teachers do not turn up even though they are often ask for help!!
• My work as I try to finish the computer units before I leave at the beginning of May.

Tibet - petition

2008-03-31T07:51:00Z

(From Tim Dunwoody - World Mission and Development Officer)

I am sending this to all those who I feel may be interested and feel prompted to act.

I just signed an urgent petition calling on the Chinese government to respect human rights in Tibet and dialogue with the Dalai Lama. This is really important, and I thought you might want to take action.

After nearly 50 years of Chinese rule, the Tibetans are sending out a global cry for change. Violence is spreading across Tibet and neighbouring regions, and the Chinese regime is right now making a crucial choice between tougher crackdown or dialogue.

President Hu Jintao needs to hear that "Made in China " exports and the upcoming Olympics in Beijing will have the support of the world's people only if he chooses dialogue. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get his attention. Click below to sign the petition - in just 3 days, the campaign is almost half way to the goal of 1 million signatures!

Tibet end the violence - click here

Thank you so much for your help - forward this email to friends!

Tim

Tim Dunwoody
World Mission and Development Officer
Methodist Missionary Society/World Development and Relief Fund

Faithworks: An interview with Debbie Blair

2008-03-17T13:20:00Z

Many years ago, on a rainy November morning, surrounded by the paraphernalia of working life, Debbie Blair accepted Christ as her Saviour. From that moment, the young mother of two has spent her life proving that faith really does work. We got the chance to talk to the owner of Faithworks.

Why did you decide to open a Christian book and coffee shop in Glengormley?
I chose to open the bookshop/coffee shop because of my love of christian books and literature. It was always my dream to open something like that from when I was saved 10 years ago. However, that's all it was - a dream! Over the last couple of years the desire to do this got stronger and stronger and I truly believe God puts desires like this on our hearts. At the beginning of last year I started looking into the possibility of doing this and as I did every door just opened so very wide for me! Within months the dream became a reality.

Faithworks is an interesting name, why did you choose it?
We discussed the possibility of a few names with my family. My sister came up with this name and as soon as she said it we all knew this was it. Faith really does work. It is also based on the scripture.... faith without works is dead... James 2:17

What have you most enjoyed about running this shop?
The thing that I most enjoy about the shop is talking! I love to talk and meet new people. This has certainly given me an opportunity to do this. People come in for a coffee and end up staying for ages as conversations develop.

What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced with the business so far?
The biggest challenge so far has been financing the shop. As we knew from the beginning this was never going to be a 'money making' venture, it is a ministry. It has proven to be a real challenge for my husband and I to fund this ourselves.

What is the "bestseller" in your shop?
There have been a couple of best sellers in the shop over the last few months. Christian fiction always goes down well, in particular Francine Rivers - Redeeming Love. However, Brother Yun - Heavenly Man has been the best seller over all.

Which book would you most recommend?
My favourite at the moment is Frida Gashumbas book - Frida. This is the story of a young girl who miraculously escaped from the Rwandan genocide. Her experience of the genocide was horrific as she watched her family being slaughtered and was then left for dead in a mass grave. However, she then goes on to tell of her story of love and forgiveness for her family's murderers. Brilliant!!!!

Finally what is your recommendation from the coffee shop menu?
Recommendation from the menu - stew!!!! Our stew (served with fresh wheaten bread) is now 'famous' in Glengormley. Come early though, it's usually all gone by 12.45pm!!!!!

New Praise team rota

2008-03-04T15:46:00Z

Praise Team Rota: March – May 2008

Month<o:p></o:p>	Date<o:p></o:p>	<o:p> </o:p>	<o:p> </o:p>
March<o:p></o:p>	2^nd<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Jack, Marty N, <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:city w:st='on'>Claudette</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Lydia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Jonathan, Willie, Luke, Katy.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	2^nd<o:p></o:p>	PM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Martin, John, <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:city w:st='on'>Loraine</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Lydia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Chris T(drums), Paul.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	9^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Jack, Martin, Loraine, Michelle, Willie, Jonathan, Katy, Luke.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	16^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Martin, Marty N, <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:city w:st='on'>Loraine</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Lydia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Claudette, Willie, Jonathan, Luke, Katy.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	16^th<o:p></o:p>	PM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Marty N, <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:city w:st='on'>Martin</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Lydia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Claudette, Chris T (drums), Paul.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	23^rd<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Marty N, John, Claudette, Michelle, Chris T (drums), Paul, Katy, Luke.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	30^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Jack, Martin, John, Loraine, Michelle, Dean, Jonathan, Katy, Luke.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	<o:p> </o:p>	<o:p> </o:p>	<o:p> </o:p>
April<o:p></o:p>	6^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Jack, Marty N, John, Michelle, Jane, Jonathan, Willie, Katy, Luke.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	6^th<o:p></o:p>	PM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Martin, Marty N, <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:city w:st='on'>Loraine</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Lydia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Paul, Chris (drums).<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	13^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Jack, Martin, Alan, Loraine, <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:city w:st='on'>Michelle</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Lydia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Jonathan, Willie, Katy, Luke.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	20^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Jack, John, Martin, Loraine, Michelle, Jonathan, Willie, Katy, Luke.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	20^th<o:p></o:p>	PM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Martin, John, Claudette, Loraine, Paul, Chris T.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	27^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Jack, Alan, Marty N, Claudette, Michelle, Dean, Jonathan, Katy, Luke.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	<o:p> </o:p>	<o:p> </o:p>	<o:p> </o:p>
May<o:p></o:p>	4^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Jack, <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:city w:st='on'>John</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Lydia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Claudette, Jane, Jonathan, Willie, Katy, Luke.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	4^th<o:p></o:p>	PM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Martin, <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:city w:st='on'>John</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Lydia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Claudette, Paul, Chris T.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	11^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Marty N, Martin, Loraine, Michelle, Jane, Jonathan, Katy, Luke, Willie<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	18^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Jack, <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:city w:st='on'>Martin</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Lydia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Loraine, Jonathan, Willie, Katy, Luke.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	18^th<o:p></o:p>	PM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Martin, Marty N, <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:city w:st='on'>Loraine</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Lydia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, ChrisT<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>	25^th<o:p></o:p>	AM<o:p></o:p>	Alan, Marty, John, Claudette, Jane, Jonathan, Dean, Katy,Luke<o:p></o:p>

At the Cross: The Story of Easter

2008-02-26T09:53:00Z

Glengormley Methodist Youth choir present At the Cross, the Easter story in drama and music.

This takes place on Friday 14th and 15th of March at 8pm. Admission is free.

A warm welcome is extended to all. We would encourage the entire church family to come along to celebrate the Easter story. And invite your friends! Even if you are not a member of the church we would love to see you.