Page 9 - Moravian Messenger June 2019

Cliftonville
We met for the Passion Week and Eastertide readings each day in Holy Week, Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday at 10am was followed by a (homemade) soup and bread lunch, prepared by Sr Sonya Anastassi and Br Jared Stephens, a continuing time of fellowship.
The floral Cross of roses was again the
centrepiece in the church for Easter, and as
usual it was hung on the wall outside the
entrance at the end of the service. It was
still in place for the official district welcome
service for Br and Sr Stephens on Sunday
28th April. Many of their friends from
Groomsport and Ballymena attended, and
it was great to see the crowded church for the occasion.
To the Scottish tune, Highland Cathedral, the Introit and Recessional were presentations of 'Praise God in the Dance' by Demi and Leah. Niamh, a 16-year-old with a beautiful voice and a performer in the opera house, sang 'I watch the sunrise'. Br Mark Kernoghan, District Conference chairman, presided and
Ballinderry
A Very Special Occasion
Friday 12 April 2019 saw a packed church enjoy the 'welcome service' for our new minister at Ballinderry, the Rev Jared Stephens. He was welcomed as the 54th minister to serve the congregation, the oldest surviving church in the Irish District. Founded by Br John Cennick, our first minister was Br Symns, an Englishman while the second, Br Steinhauer was German, and we now have a pastor from North America. A good indication how our church has spread and witnessed over the centuries.
Br Stephens was not brought up in the Moravian tradition but was introduced to our church by some of the outreach work undertaken by the congregation. It has become a tradition for us to present each child in our local primary school at the p7 stage when they are about to leave and start their secondary education. On enquiring at a Bible shop in Belfast about the purchase of bibles Br Wilson also asked if the owner knew of anyone who might take a service for us. He kindly said the husband of a friend might help and gave us a contact number. Br Stephens on being contacted said he would certainly come and preach. Elaine and Jared had an instant rapport with us as he conducted the service and he was immediately re-booked! Br Wilson also met him on several occasions, once at QUB where they enjoyed coffee together and again when Br Stephens was going home on a train to Bangor. No opportunity was missed to ply the virtues of the Moravians to a captive audience. Sufficient to say this was 'fishing with a long rod' and it is wonderful that he has finally landed at Ballinderry and Cliftonville. The congregation, friends, former colleagues of Jarad and Elaine plus family members packed the church along with specially invited guests for the service conducted by Bishop Sarah Groves. Representatives from all our local denominations, ministers and lay people while Alderman Leathem represented the Mayor of our local Council. Especially welcome were the clergy who had helped with our services over the past few years. The church was beautifully decorated with flowers provided by Srs V Best and A Wilson and Br Brown had hung our new portrait of John Cennick specially for the occasion. We enjoyed the solos from
Floral Easter cross outside Cliftonville © Sr Edna Cooper
gave the address. A former colleague of Br Stephens in Ballymena, Rev Elwyn Jones, spoke for a short time before the welcomes by John Cooper on behalf of Cliftonville, Sr Sarah Groves on behalf of the Irish District, then local ministers (unexpectedly joined by four-year- old Gracie McKeown who decided to shake his hand too) greeted Br Stephens and he responded. It was a special joy to welcome a friend of Br Stephens, the Rev Emoke Rozgonyi, from Slovenia, who attended Princeton University with him and made a detour on her way to a conference in Scotland later in the week.
Most of those who attended the service met in the church hall afterwards where there was much chatting
between old and new friends over refreshments. We thank those who prepared and served the more than adequate supply of food, and we are glad The Simon Community was happy to accept the remaining sandwiches and cakes.
Sr Edna Cooper
Br William Sibbett, well known in NI musical circles who noted that the church in Ballinderry had been the first place he had sung in public. The singing of the hymns was tremendous and was ably led by Sr V Gibson at the organ. It's volume only faltered when the right hand of fellowship was offered, and the entire congregation mixed around the church. The splendid singing was finally resumed as the final verse restored order. Br Wilson welcomed Br Stephens on behalf of the congregation with Br John Cooper, from our sister congregation of Cliftonville giving a welcome from the Irish District. Br Livingstone Thompson acted for the Provincial Board while representatives of the local churches welcomed Br Stephens by offering the right hand of fellowship and speaking words of welcome. Canon Bell from the Church of Ireland led the welcomes and best wishes were received from all dominations ranging from Methodists to our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in the district. Alderman Leathem spoke in a personal capacity and brought good wishes from the Mayor and the Council. Bishop Groves inspiring sermon was based on Matthew 18 verses 1-7 and 10-14. The service ended with the Benediction: 'Go your way in peace, in love, and with Joy'. All attending then enjoyed a wonderful supper. John Wesley apparently was quite scathing in his comments on the hospitality he had received when visiting Moravian congregations. The minister representing our Methodist friends commented that John would certainly have had to eat his words such was the delightful supper provided by the ladies of the congregation and friends. Br Stephens thanked them all for their hard work. It took some time for the evening to finish as many stayed to enjoy the fellowship, make friends and renew old friendships. While it had been a formal occasion in the life of the congregation it was also full of fun and fellowship and the suppertime had quite a party atmosphere. A special thanks to all in the congregation who helped in any to make it such a memorable event not only for our members but for our visitors too.
Br Henry Wilson
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