I have just returned from a visit to Belfast, where I conducted a service, led a discussion at a meeting and attended another meeting. It was a full weekend, with warm hospitality, enthusiasm for worship and sharp, well-informed debate. The Sunday morning service in the hall of All Souls' Church (the church building itself is undergoing repair) was attended by about fifty people, including the minister, Chris Hudson, who in 1999 received an MBE for his work for peace in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Chris's enthusiastic giving of the notices during the service, at the end of a busy week in the All Souls' calendar (and including an interview with a UN official in the news lately) reminded me of another minister in another church some years ago. Surprisingly perhaps, that minister was Ian Paisley, not known in those days for being positive and upbeat. He is said to have enthused his congregation at the start of the notices in one service with the words ''Some wonderful things have been happening in this church this week." What a splendid way to begin!
The place of the notices and collection comes up for discussion from time to time among leaders of worship. There are those who think that the notices have no place in the worship, that they somehow interfere with the mood or progress of the worship. I, on the contrary, welcome this slot in the service, for a number of reasons. The congregation is informed and involved in what is going on, the life of the church or chapel is seen as more than a one day a week event and, for a few minutes, there is a relaxation of tension as well as an opportunity for others to speak. Handled sensitively, it is a good and welcome part of the service. And I am valuing it even more this GA Presidential year. Returning from absences on General Assembly business, I too learn about moments in congregational life that I might have missed. Let us keep sharing the news, especially the good news.
I have just returned from a visit to Belfast, where I conducted a service, led a discussion at a meeting and attended another meeting. It was a full weekend, with warm hospitality, enthusiasm for worship and sharp, well-informed debate. The Sunday morning service in the hall of All Souls' Church (the church building itself is undergoing repair) was attended by about fifty people, including the minister, Chris Hudson, who in 1999 received an MBE for his work for peace in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Chris's enthusiastic giving of the notices during the service, at the end of a busy week in the All Souls' calendar (and including an interview with a UN official in the news lately) reminded me of another minister in another church some years ago. Surprisingly perhaps, that minister was Ian Paisley, not known in those days for being positive and upbeat. He is said to have enthused his congregation at the start of the notices in one service with the words ''Some wonderful things have been happening in this church this week." What a splendid way to begin!