Dear Friends,

Cantique de Jean Racine by Gabriel Faure

In June of 2022 while attending choir practice in ERC, I was captivated by a truly beautiful anthem, Cantique de Jean Racine composed by Gabriel Faure. It is a prayer of thanksgiving and set to a wonderful melody. It was obvious from their delight and enthusiasm that every choir member loved singing this masterpiece. When they discovered that I would be returning home before the Sunday when...

Dear Friends,

A favourite photo

My favourite photograph of our granddaughter was taken when she was just four. Her father snapped her from behind as they were strolling on the coastal path below our cottage. There she is, a carefree four-year-old, skipping along in the sunlight. On her left are the waves of Belfast Lough; on her right is rough grass. The stony path bends away...

Dear Friends,

My father’s best landscape

When he retired from business, my father took up painting as a hobby. His first efforts at landscapes were disastrous. His skies were too blue, his grass was too green and his daffodils too yellow. But in time he learned to tone down his colours. 

His best painting was of a rugged County Down coastline. It hung for years in our manse in Dublin. When people enquired about it, we said, ‘It’s pretty good except for the clouds. Dad never could paint clouds.’ One day a friend who is a professional artist visited our house. He enquired about the painting and we replied, ‘It’s a pity about the clouds.’ His response surprised us....

Dear Friends,

The Supper at Emmaus (1602) by Caravaggio

https://www.ulstermuseum.org/whats-on/national-treasures-caravaggio-belfast 

This summer Belfast’s Ulster Museum is exhibiting Caravaggio’s The Supper at Emmaus. The painting is on loan from the National Gallery in London..

Dear Friends,

It’s great to be back!

Hilary and I are delighted to be returning to the ERC. I was first introduced to the church in 2014 following my retirement from ministry in Dublin, Ireland.

This will be my fourth locumcy. Every time we come, we find the congregation looking forward in hope. In 2014 we witnessed the nomination of Lance Stone as your minister. In 2022 we observed your determination to leave behind the restrictions of the pandemic. In 2023 we rejoiced to hear…

Dear ERC Family,

One of the joys of life in the manse has been reading a book on the shelf in the study - a book by John Bell, Known Unknowns - new texts for familiar hymn tunes. I trust that you all know the familiar tune "Wondrous Love"; "what wondrous love is this, O my soul." John has written new words for that familiar tune. So hum that tune and think about these words…

Dear Friends,

Gratitude abounds from my heart – to God and to each of you - as we carry on. Ginger and I continue to enjoy so much our time in your midst at ERC. 

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby once used a helpful phrase: “GO-GO.”  GO-GO stands for “Go On, Going On!” This is sometimes all we can do – as individuals, as a church family, as God’s people. 

GO-GO. Some days, some seasons are very difficult for us – and we keep waking up each day and try to “go on.” Some chapters of life are dark and dreary, uncertain and full of fear; we can only “go on, going on.” Other times are full of joy and thanksgiving. Other moments, short or long periods, are full of goodness and grace. Yet we…

Dear Friends,

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding."

As people of faith, we keep on striving to trust God's loving presence and care and to serve God with our lives. Ginger and I continue to be inspired by the faithfulness and devotion of this church family. It was lovely to have partners from Mulanje Mission Hospital with us recently. 

In these coming weeks, as you may have noted, I am leading a time of study and reflection: “Sincere Questions, Sincere Faith.”  Faith is a journey – not an easy one. When we can ask questions, and learn and grow together….