Cliftonville, Belfast - July 2025

A time has passed since our last update in the Messenger. I am very in awe and sad to be following in Sr Edna Coopers footsteps as correspondent for the Messenger.

Over the last year we have lost two stalwart members of Cliftonville, Sr Edna Cooper and Sr Sonya Anastasi (Pritchard) both lifelong members of the Moravian Church.

Last summer the start of collecting our annual shoebox appeal began, led by Srs Vyvienne Dickson and Lorraine Gill. Hand crocheted blankets, knitted jumpers and cardigans etc were given generously by members to fill boxes along with warm hats, gloves, socks and of course toys, toiletries and sweets suitable for a range of ages from babies to teenagers. This year a grand total of 116 shoeboxes were sent to eastern European countries including Ukraine via the Blythewood charity. A total of 1,110 were sent from Northern Ireland.

Our harvest service in October was well attended – we now bring foods requested by the Trussell Trust and boxes are filled and taken to the food bank. Preparations for Advent included a blue Christmas service initiated by Br Jared where there was personal space to sit, quietly pray and contemplate, and light candles as an escape from busy life. The Christingle service was well-attended with a colourful cartoon of ‘The Christmas Story’ on the large screen that captured the children’s interest and imagination. Christmas carols were sung with the lights off when the lit Christingles were brought in. Then old and young collected their Christingles, walking round the church whilst voices of ‘Silent Night’ filled the air bringing past and precious memories of our loved ones to mind but it was a happy and joyful reunion with families and friends.

After new year we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the Cliftonville golf club after church service – the food never disappoints and around 25 members and friends attended. Another outing in February was to watch the Belfast Giants ice hockey at the Ice Bowl. It was a new experience for many and again well attended and The Belfast Giants won.

During Holy week we met every night for the Passion week readings and on Maundy Thursday celebrated Passover communion with soup and bread provided by Br Jared. On Easter Saturday morning we started arranging the flowered cross with yellow roses edged with greenery, so it then stands tall in church on Easter Sunday for ‘Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed.’ After church the cross is placed outside, and it has become a huge community event. People ask when is the cross going up and take time to walk down or drive down to see it.

Sr Winnie Boreland