The recent state of the Northern peace talks has been given the unwieldy description of "the paralysed implementation of the Good Friday agreement" by the General Board of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
The board sought to emphasise that the pursuit of peace in the North is one in which all need to be involved: involvement will mean reaching out to those of different persuasions, political or religious or otherwise, and seeking to meet their genuine concerns, as well as being aware of our own.
Presbyterians are called to seek deliverance from a legacy of past error and its attendant bitterness, and to treat all with such grace and generosity as will make possible going into the future together.
Referring to the Patten Report, the General Board recorded on behalf of the Presbyterian people the fullest, most sincere appreciation of the service and the supreme sacrifice (in cases) of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and their families. The British government is requested to see that in implementing any recommendations of the Patten Report, the sensitivities of both sections of the people of the North are borne in mind.
The board reminds all that the continuing need for adequate security still remains and must be considered together with the goal of developing a modern well-trained policing body. A campaign has been launched by the leaders of the four churches (Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist) in an attempt to remind all that Christianity is right at the centre of celebrations of the millennium. From December 13th for about three weeks, billboards around Ireland will be dressed with the number 2,000 with a copyright symbol alongside and the word Christianity emblazoned below.
All ministers of the church have been sent small posters as described. More information on how the centrality of Christianity may be affirmed is available from the Information Officer, Church House, Belfast. Where events have been planned in congregations for the celebration of the millennium locally, these may be submitted to the Information Officer for inclusion in a Millennium Diary in forthcoming Presbyterian Heralds.
Earlier this year the Social Issues and Resources Committee (SIRC) published two booklets, one on homosexuality and the other on childlessness. It is proposed to feature responses to these in the Presbyterian Herald during the next few months. The SIRC also plans to produce a pack of resource materials comprising the booklets, a new video on disability, and materials on domestic violence. Each minister will be sent the pack. A contribution of £6 towards the cost will be asked.
Living Well - A Year of Bible Discovery with the Christians of Ireland has been compiled by the Rev Frank Sellar, minister of Adelaide Road, Donore. The book is beautifully illustrated by R. G. Sellar, an artist and father of the compiler. Among the 77 contributors are Fanta Clarke, Derek Poots, John and Sandra Woodside and Derick Bingham. The book will be available from Family Books, Belfast, or directly from Rev Frank Sellar (01) 2694922. The cost is £8. All proceeds will go to the Road Ahead Project, Adelaide Road.
The Times Greatest Sermons of the last 2,000 years (Harper/Collins/Fount, 815pp, £19.99) will commend itself to clerics and to lay people. Included are the sermons of Augustine of Hippo, Gregory the Great, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C. S. Lewis, Paul Tillich, Karl Rahner, Karl Barth, Billy Graham, Desmond Tutu and many others.