It is in February each year that the attention of Irish Methodists focuses particularly on overseas missions. There has always been a strong interest among Irish people in the world church, and Methodists are no exception, but a certain concentration during these weeks serves to re-energise the interest for the rest of the year.
On Saturday next, February 24th, the Dublin district of the church is holding JAMBO, an event with simultaneous programmes for adults, young people and children. The keynote address will be given by Mr Jothini Seenithamby. It will include workshops on developments in Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Haiti, and on the Church in Chains. These will be led by Mrs Gillian Kingston, the Rev Derek Poole and Mr Bert Van Embden. The programme will include an evening meal. JAMBO will take place in Wesley House, Leeson Park, and will commence at 3 p.m.
The Londonderry City Mission has been occupying Clooney Hall for over a century, but for some years has needed a building more suitable to the work of today. Last year the old building was demolished, and on Saturday, March 3rd, a new building will be opened and dedicated.
The new building is multi functional, and will provide offices for the child care unit of the Foyle Health and Services Trust as well as for the mission. itself. There are facilities for conferences and seminars, with Internet and e-mail connections. A worship centre on the third floor is the Christian heart of the building, and elsewhere the various church organisations associated with the mission will meet. A large meeting room on the ground floor will be used for cross-community events under the direction of the Derry City Council.
The opening ceremony on March 3rd is timed to begin at 2 p.m. and the building will be opened and dedicated by the president of the church, the Rev S. Kenneth Todd. The superintendent minister of the mission is the Rev Frederick Munce.
The Lydia International Prayer Fellowship Group is holding a breakfast for women in the parish church hall at Donaghadee, Co Down, on Saturday, February 24th, at 9.15 a.m. The local branch was formed about 20 years ago. The speaker will be Ms Carol Herron.
The president, Mr Todd, will be preaching tomorrow at the churches in Ballymoney, Co Antrim and Coleraine, Co Derry. In the evening he will preach at Dungannon, Co Tyrone. On Sunday and Monday, February 25th and 26th, he will be the preacher at the anniversary services of the Dublin Central Mission in Lower Abbey Street.
The World Methodist Conference will meet at Brighton between July 26th and July 31st, when delegates from 74 churches are expected to participate. More than 30 workshops and seminars will study various aspects of worship and mission, health, economic justice and social issues. The conference meets every five years.