Presbyterian Notes

"Portadown's tarnished image as a town epitomising bigotry, division, intolerance and segregation was shown in an altogether …

"Portadown's tarnished image as a town epitomising bigotry, division, intolerance and segregation was shown in an altogether better light on last Palm Sunday," writes Niall Crozier of the Portadown Times.

He refers to the occasion when representatives of both sides of the political and religious divide - in what is regarded as the North's most divided trouble spot - attended a broadcast service by RTE in the Presbyterian church, Charles Street, Sligo.

The large congregation in the historic church comprised the mayor of Sligo, the town clerk, the chief superintendent of the Garda Sioch ana and a Sinn Fein representative on the corporation, Alderman Seamus McManus. Craigavon Borough Council was represented by former mayors, deputy mayors and councillors.

Two college headmasters, Mr Tom Flanagan (Portadown College) and Mr Seamus O'Neill (Drumcree College), which are attended by a number of children from Garvaghy Road, accompanied groups of students from the colleges, ensuring a thoroughly ecumenical student representation.

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It is understood Portadown Orangemen were asked to attend but made no response. The Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition had intended to attend but was unable to do so because of a Month's Mind Mass for the murdered Lurgan solicitor Rosemary Nelson.

Some members of the press and other media were chided, gently we hope, by the host minister, the Rev Alan Mitchell of Sligo, after the service. He remarked that some who were invited chose not to attend.

He added: "Had our visitors from the North rioted and broken a few windows in Sligo they would have been there in next to no time to cover the story."

He continued: "Like many another place where so much that is good goes unreported, Portadown has an image problem, and so suffers when it comes to getting a positive image across."

The Northern Ireland Office has shown great interest in this event. And their continued assistance has resulted in the emergence of local and cross-community relationships. Financial assistance by Co-Operation North helped make the event a success.

The gift of a Millennium Book of Devotions to each of its members is one of the ways the Presbyterian Women's Association (PWA) will greet the arrival of the year 2000.

The editor, Ms Alison McCaughan, writes: "This devotional booklet is the most personal of ideas for the celebration of the millennium." The book was launched on May 6th at the annual general meeting of the PWA in the Assembly Hall, Fisherwick Place, Belfast. There are over 500 branches of the PWA, with over 16,500 members.

Over 3,000 representatives attended afternoon and evening sessions when the principal guest speaker was Ms Ann Allen, convenor of the Church of Scotland's Board of Social Responsibility.

The recently elected PWA president, Ms Margaret Thompson of the Mall congregation in Armagh, succeeded Ms Phyllis Sleath, who has completed her two years in office.

Places are still to be had on the programme entitled "Route 66". This is described as "a brand new event" for older teenagers and young adults.

It is a Bible school for the 17-plus age group intended to help participants "encounter the full extent of the Scriptures and be challenged by them". Route 66 will "enable a better understanding of how to read the word of God and grow in faith".

The organisers have aimed at "slightly more up-market accommodation" than is usual for some youth activities. Loughrey College, Cookstown, is the venue. Delegates will have their own room. Consequently the cost will be greater.

The programme Route 66 will last from August 26th to August 30th and will cost £100 sterling. Churches are encouraged to fully or partially sponsor interested young people. Study projects include, "Old Testament Law and History"; "Prophets, Poetry and Wisdom", and "Epistles and early church".

A Youth Ministry Course will be held in the Union College, Botanic Avenue, Belfast from September 28th to December 7th at weekly intervals from 79 p.m. The fee for the course is £60 payable in two instalments. Those seeking to enrol should apply to the Presbyterian Youth Office, Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast.

This course is restricted to 25 places. The closing date for registration is September 17th. On completion of the course, a Youth Ministry Certificate may be awarded.

A Youth Development Officer is being sought for Donegal/Monaghan. Applicants must be communicant members of the Presbyterian church and have a third-level qualification, preferably youth-related like teaching, or community-based.

The salary scale is in the region £16,440 to £19,668. Application forms are obtainable from the Youth Office, Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast. The closing date for application is June 18th by noon.