Research commissioned by the Presbyterian Youth Board has led to the formation of a "Preparing Youth for Peace Project" (PYFP). Researchers found many clergy, youth groups and church members concerned about questions of reconciliation in a context of political change in Irish society today.
It must be at least asked, "What is our church doing to help the youth of divided communities in the North to "surmount the baggage and the misinformation of the past decades and understand one another better?" The hope of the researchers is that "churches will prayerfully use the resources and facilities they are offering in PYFP to lead the way in being lights in an often prevailing darkness, and to be ambassadors of a gospel of peace." Mr David Smith has been appointed Project Officer by the Presbyterian Youth Board in this connection. He is a Scot from Bishoptown, Renfrewshire. As a student at the American University, Washington DC, he studied Peace and Conflict Reconciliation. He was for some time a researcher in the House of Commons.
The Rev David Montgomery, Associate Minister in Knock Presbyterian Church, is the chairperson of the Youth Board's reconciliation working group.
In midsummer, the Rev George Alan Mitchell, Minister of Sligo and Boyle, was honoured by the people of Sligo. He received the Chairman's Award of Sligo County Council. Cllr Roddy McGuinn, the Chairman, presented him with a bronze plaque and a piece of crystal each suitably inscribed. Mr Mitchell was commended for his services to ecumenism, his initiative and varied efforts with his congregation in the interests of the whole community, and especially for his work in cross-Border efforts for peace.
Mr Mitchell was sometime superintendent of the Church Irish Mission; for the past 13 years he has been Minister of Sligo and Boyle.
It has been authoritatively commented that "for those interested in praying for the cause of Christ all around the world there is no resource to be compared with Operation World. This volume is so arranged that it focuses on the things which will help Christians understand the Church around the world, and therefore be able to pray faithfully, knowledgeably, intelligently and passionately.
This book is indubitably, as it claimed, the definitive prayer guide in 799 pages to nations, peoples and cities of the world. Only superlatives can convey the worth of this book, the sixth edition of Operation World prepared by Patrick J St G Johnstone, Robyn Johnstone and Jason Mandrake and published by Paternoster Life Style, Carlisle, Cumbria, at £12.99stg.
While this book is primarily intended as a resource for people praying for the world, we confidently write that no politician, journalist or student of world affairs should be without a copy.
It should be in every church, school, every house where there are students, newsrooms and politicians and other professional libraries.
The journalist and sometime university administrator, Mr Alf McCreary, has with Ms Joan Wilson written All Shall be Well, Canterbury Press.
The book was launched recently in the Assembly Buildings, Church House, Belfast, with a brief reception and signing of copies by the authors. It may be had from Family Books, Church House, Belfast.
Co-author Joan Wilson is a daughter of the late Gordon Wilson and sister of Marie Wilson, who received much unwanted notice of the kind as a result of the IRA bombing of Enniskillen on a recent Remembrance Day.
The loss of Marie Wilson was to be followed soon by the loss of a brother in an accident and the death of Gordon Wilson.
It is hoped this book might be a help to "all those facing personal loss through the bereavement of a loved one particularly in a situation of conflict".