Evangelical Contribution on Northern Ireland (ECONI) continues to challenge congregations seeking to respond biblically to the issues which face Christians in divided communities such as the North.
ECONI affirms that followers of Jesus are by definition peacemakers and must seek to resolve conflicts, rather than perpetuate them. They must witness to the reconciling love of God which is for the healing of the nations. They must form relationships of love and trust, especially where communities, full of fear, hostility and suspicion are found.
They must seek to live by and promote what are believed to be God's standards of justice and righteousness in every area of society. They are those who are able to look to the future in hope - a hope that is creative in God, and not totally or necessarily in cultural or political structures.
Last year's ECONI Sunday saw 60 congregations representing 10,000 people join in. The Sunday appointed this year is November 7th and the theme is "Eager to do Good", with the study materials based on the first epistle of Peter.
ECONI also organises an annual conference which will be held this year on November 6th with the Rev Prof Donald MacLeod, of the Faculty of Theology, Free Church of Scotland, as the keynote speaker. With other seminar speakers, he will explore the topic "Firm in the Faith - Christian Citizenship in Times of Change".
Those interested should contact ECONI, Howard House, 1 Brunswick Street, Belfast BT2 7GE.
Dun Laoghaire Presbyterian Church wishes to appoint a parttime youth leader. The hours may be negotiated. Someone with the capacity to originate, develop and implement programmes of activity for the young within the church and the locality is sought.
Those interested should send a CV with some details of experience, and indications of how they might meet this challenge to Mr James Malseed, Dun Laoghaire Presbyterian Church, York Road, Dun Laoghaire, as soon as possible.
In common with many other organisations, with the onset of the millennium, Family Books are updating their computer system. All Sunday-school orders have been cancelled and must be applied for anew on forms obtainable from Family Books, Fisherwick Place, Belfast BT1 6DW.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the start of the Presbyterian Residential Trust. In the first home for the elderly in Adelaide Park, Belfast, a caring ministry was begun, developed and maintained. Today there are six residential homes, one nursing home and two sheltered housing projects.
Nursing provision in a shared project with the Dublin Central Mission was quite recently added. Accommodation for 250 people is now provided in a Christian environment. The residential trust employs over 250 people, each with deep commitment and a wide variety of skills and experience.
Copies of Mr William Mc Caughey's story of the residential trust, Keeping the Flame Burning, are still available. The author was a convenor of the trust committee.
Mr James Douglas, whose skill as an editor resulted in the New International Dictionary of the Christian Church (Paternoster Press), has again excelled in Twentieth Century Dictionary of Christian Biography (Paternoster Press, Carlisle, 400 pp, £16.99 sterling). More than 130 experts from many parts of the world have contributed. There are 700 biographies of men and women whose lives have influenced the course of modern church history.Theologians, missionaries, pastors, musicians, and artists, are included.
Each contributor's remit was to provide biographical sketches, outline the individual's theological viewpoint, name and evaluate any major works published. Contributors have been faithful to the remit. No student should be without this valuable volume.