Protest at the Holy Cross Primary School, Ardoyne, must stop. This was the decided view of the General Board of the Presbyterian Church meeting recently. The board could not accept "rioting, verbal abuse, attacks on police and intimidation were legitimate forms of protest". While recognising that protests on both sides of the divide in the north may have "their roots in fear and bitterness over what has been happening to their parts of the community" the Board nevertheless calls on all to peacefully "seek a resolution to the disputes across the interfaces in Belfast".
The General Board also affirmed "the singular importance of the work of journalists in a free society" and forthrightly condemned the recent murder of Martin O'Hagan and expressed sympathy, especially to the journalists wife and family, and the National Union of Journalists.
The board expressed a widely held view in the north when it "regretted that the Government of the Republic of Ireland had planned the burial of 10 IRA men executed in 1921 as a State occasion without taking into account its possible impact on Northern Ireland".
The board expressed unqualified condemnation of the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11th and conveyed the sympathy of our people to the bereaved and injured of the US and other countries.
All are encouraged to pray for wisdom and courage for political leaders, appropriate to the complexity and great seriousness of the present unfolding crisis. Both Irish and British governments are encouraged to pursue policies that will overcome the evils of terrorism.
Led since 1979 by Mr Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Dr Billy Graham, Samaritan's Purse International (SPI) has sought through the collection of broken or disused mobile phones to make them the means of world-wide practical blessing.
Materials used in the making of mobile phones are recycled, with SPI receiving £3 sterling for each.
"It is astonishing that although the mobile phone is a relatively new invention, there are thousands already discarded for newer and better models," SPI's chief executive commented.
The charity makes the most of this. An old phone donated could result in a child in Eastern Europe being fed for a week.
SPI Mobile Recycle is contacted at: Freepost mid 23462, Burton on Trent, England DE 141BR. It will provide collection boxes for up to 100 hand sets, and cost of postage to and from the above address.
The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian is the largest Protestant denomination in Malawi. This Church has been called the "direct fruit" of the vision and hard work of the intrepid 19th century explorer, Dr David Livingstone (1813-73). It is a union of churches "planted" by the South African Dutch Reformed, the Church of Scotland, and the Free Church of Scotland. For many years the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has been supporting the work of Embangweni Mission Malawi, financially and with Irish personnel. The Robert Laws Secondary School and the Embangweni Hospital have been principal benefactors.
A choir from the staff and pupils of these is presently on tour here. Their repertoire includes local songs of Africa sung in the Timbuka dialect and in English. The Head of the Mission Station, Rev Mwale, is in the company and gives a short talk. Lisburn, Omagh, Derry and Donegal have already been visited.
The Board of Education has published new resources for use in the Sunday Schools. They are: Baptism - the Sacrament explained; Communion (The Lord's Supper) explained; Leadership; and Children and Young People. These are on offer at the introductory price of £2 sterling until December 31st, after which they will cost £3.
The Sunday School and Youth Project (2000-2001) focuses again on relief overseas. In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Gujarat recently, the project will help to rebuild and refurnish the Irish Presbyterian Mission Girl's School at Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
But with charity often beginning at home, the project will also support Willowbrook Housing Scheme at Coleraine for people with learning disability.
Funds disbursed from the Sky Project 2000-2001 have reached £67,500. A Childrens and Youth Centre in Kenya received £40,500 sterling, PHAB Play Club received £13,500 and the Loft Youth Centre, Ballybay, the remaining £13,500.