Churches have now stopped all public worship services, to avoid the spread of the corona virus, so we're launching a new programme here on Manx Radio. Starting on Sunday 29 March, AT YOUR SERVICE will be an ecumenical act of worship - presented each week by at least two different denominations, blending music, a Bible reading, reflections, thoughts and a time of prayer - and maybe some folk will share stories of their faith journey too - In fact, all the elements of a church service - but in a radio programme! We'd love you to choose a hymn or some sacred music which is meaningful to you, and, as many people are now self-isolating, or practising social distancing, could you invite friends to listen 'together' and in that way be united by sharing the programme, each in your own home? AT YOUR SERVICE will be available as a podcast, to download or listen via our website - and on PRAISE today we preview the style and content of the new programme with help from two Methodist ministers - Rev'd Steve Ingrouille and Rev'd Andy Fishburne. There's plenty of music, too, and testimony, as Scripture Union Ministries Trust Schools Worker Hannah Grove takes a look at her own faith journey, and explains what really matters in her life now. The new programme will be at the later time of 9.30am, to bring it closer to the time when church services would normally be starting - we look forward to living faith together - AT YOUR SERVICE!

Rev Daniel Norris was born and educated on the Island before leaving to study modern foreign languages and theology first at Durham and then at Cambridge Universities. In 2015 he was ordained priest in the Church of England, and now serves in the Diocese of London, where he is part of the ministry team at St James's Church in Piccadilly. He is also Executive Head Teacher of St Jerome's Church of England Bilingual School in Harrow. He visited the Island at the invitation of the Island Spirituality Network, to lead a morning, reflecting upon what It might mean for us to 'live a Eucharistic life' - to be 'blessed, broken, and given' to the world. On PRAISE today, Daniel explains what that means, and we hear a response from leaders of other Christian denominations as they share thoughts on the difficult issues that have to be faced on the road to unity. Daniel also talks about the joys and challenges of leading a bilingual school, and why it's equally attractive to pupils, parents and teachers - PLUS - there's music too!

Today is International Women's Day so it's appropriate that PRAISE should feature two very different women, linked by their deep faith. The Rt Reverend Dr Emma Ineson, Bishop of Penrith, made history when she became the first woman to hold the position of Central Chaplain to the Mothers' Union, making her in charge of the spiritual care of Mothers' Union staff and members in the UK. She brings a wealth of experience, and her passion for Mothers' Union is evident as she talks about her new role within the largest single organisation in the world-wide Anglican Church. Angela Dudley lives on a ranch in Virginia, USA, with her husband and 5 children, and definitely does not need another job - but some experiences simply cannot be ignored! Find out how Angela discovered the Isle of Man - and became an author. And acceptance - we all long for it - but do we believe we can really be accepted, just as we are? Dylan's story explores these questions - and there's music, too!

On PRAISE today we're celebrating St David's Day with a great hymn - For All The Saints ....

Reverend Nigel Uden is the Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly - we find out why he's on the Island, and why he wants us to think differently about Christmas and Easter. He also chooses a favourite piece of music from JS Bach

Paul Moores is our link between The Leprosy Mission Isle of Man, and The Leprosy Mission world-wide - he joins us to talk about this year's big project - a bid to recruit more Hospital Heroes - doctors and nurses willing to work in the hospital in Myanmar (formerly Burma) to bring help, hope and rehabilitation to people affected by leprosy.

Russ Bravo and Patrick Woodward discuss Shrove Tuesday, pancakes, Ash Wednesday and the positive purpose of the church's season of Lent. They mention that Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. Have you ever felt you're in a 'wilderness' ? There are many reasons we can find ourselves feeling lost and alone - Lynne's story is one of going into - and coming out of - her own 'wilderness'. And PRAISE goes on pilgrimage again - Suzi Rosedale is the guide who led the Manx pilgrims when we were in Israel last November - in a rare quiet moment in our Jerusalem hotel, Suzi shares a little of her fascinating life. Suzi will be the guide on the pilgrimage from the Island which Rev'd Steve Ingrouille, his father Rev'd Rod Ingrouille and Rev'd Dawn Harrison from Lancashire will jointly lead in Spring 2021. If you'd like some information about it, have a word with Rev'd Steve (Minister in Onchan Methodist Church) on 01624 674 464

For the last 20 years, Ramsey based husband and wife Steve and Alison Taylor have been raising funds for projects, and delivering humanitarian aid, to help some of the world's poorest people, through their Drop Inn Ministries charity shops here on the Island.

Now their focus has slightly altered and as well as continuing to support global aid projects, they are also developing and supporting an important local outreach for anyone wanting a little gentle help with their mental or emotional wellbeing - Renew Wellbeing Spaces are places where it's OK to be not OK. Alison and Steve provide Renew3 in Ramsey (in Water Street opposite the War Memorial at the end of Parliament Street) and they are involved in the Renew Space open each Monday in the Community Centre in Jurby, too. There's also a Renew Well, next door to Broadway Baptist Church in Douglas.

Renew spaces are simple cafe-style places where hobbies, activities and often food is shared, and there's a quiet room or space where the inner practices of wellbeing can be shared. Renew Spaces have support from mental health professionals, to ensure that there is appropriate extra help available for those who need it. Listen as Alison and Steve explain how Renew Spaces work, and who can benefit.

Father Dennis Blackledge is a Roman Catholic Jesuit priest who rose to fame around 3 years ago when his church, St Francis Xavier in inner city Liverpool, was the setting for the acclaimed BBC TV drama 'Broken' and Fr Dennis was the religious advisor - helping actor Sean Bean to fully embrace his role as Father Michael Kerrigan. But today Fr Dennis talks about his own real-life priesthood - what it means to be a Jesuit, and, yes, he DOES tell the piranha story!

AND there's music too! From the St Michael Singers, and from Libera

To find out more about the Renew Spaces project, see their website www.renewwellbeing.org.uk

To find out more about local Renew Spaces, search for their Facebook pages

For Ramsey - search for Renew3 (meets from noon each Thursday and Friday)

For Jurby - search for Drop Inn's Renew Space at Jurby (meets in the Community Centre each Monday afternoon from 2pm - 4.30pm)

For Douglas - search for Renew Well (meets next door to Broadway Baptist Church each Wednesday from 11am to 3pm-ish!)

Hugh Stowell Brown was the older brother of our National Poet Thomas Edward (T.E.) Brown. At the age of only 23 he went to Liverpool to preach at Myrtle Street Baptist Church - and stayed there for the next 40 years! What he achieved was astounding, and has so inspired Baptist Minister Wayne Clarke that he has researched and written a biography of Hugh Stowell Brown, and joins me on the programme to tell the story of A READY MAN. A Ready Man is published by Instant Apostle and costs £8.99 - Churches Bookshop in Howard Street in Douglas have copies, some of which may be signed by the author, Wayne Clarke.

Valentines Day on Friday the 14th will be popular with florists, the postal service and restaurants, as it's THE day for romantic gestures - and maybe some marriage proposals, as this is a leap year!

But who was the REAL St Valentine? We have the story!

And finally something from the PRAISE archive. On Sunday 1st August 1999, a very special service was held at Trinity Methodist Church at Rosemount in Douglas. It was led by Revered Kenneth Elworthy, minister of Trinity at the time, and it was to celebrate the 100th birthday of Reverend Leonard Duchars. His daughter-in-law Pam Duchars played the organ and directed the choir, Reverend Leonard's sons and grandchildren gave the readings, and Reverend Leonard himself preached the sermon. We end this week's programme with the hymn which summed up Revered Leonard's long years in ministry - All For Jesus! - mixed with some inspiring words from the sermon - well worth a listen! Music this week is from Marilyn Baker, Margaret Rizza and the Choir of The King's School, Canterbury

Gemma Simmonds is a sister of the Congregation of Jesus - the religious order for women based on the spirituality of St Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits - but what does that really mean? We find out, in conversation with Sr Gemma, whose own ministry isn't just global - it even includes the world wide web! And PRAISE is on pilgrimage again this week, with interviews with two women, recorded in the Holy Land in late 2019. One is an ordained priest, the other a deacon in the Anglican Church - they share their challenges and their triumphs. And if you'd like to know more about the next pilgrimage to the Holy Land led by Rev'd Dawn Harrison and the Rev'ds Rod and Steve Ingrouille, have a word with Rev'd Steve on 01624 674464 or email steve.ingrouille@methodist,.org.uk

Holocaust Memorial Day invites us to stop and reflect upon the millions of people murdered in the Nazi holocaust, and the genocides in later years in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. On PRAISE this week, through listening to the stories of holocaust survivors, we are made to realise that genocide does not happen suddenly - it grows steadily when regimes deliberately fracture society by marginalising certain groups. But these tactics can be challenged by individuals standing together with their neighbours and speaking out against oppression. There is nothing more compelling that survivors telling their own story. There's also an interesting story from Gemma Simmonds CJ - a nun who recently spent time in Jerusalem, and found a man with an exceptional attitude to peace-making.

This is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the Christian churches in Malta have chosen the theme "Unusual Kindness" - inspired by the shipwreck of St Paul, as recorded in the Bible (Acts of the Apostles Chapter 27 vs 18 to end, and Chapter 28 up to vs 10) When Paul and his companions were washed up onto the shore of Malta, the people of the island immediately helped them - with food, shelter and even fresh supplies when they were able to set sail again - even though they had absolutely no idea who these unfortunate strangers were. The people who showed "unusual kindness" to Paul and the other victims of the shipwreck did not know Jesus Christ, yet, through their "unusual kindness" a divided people were drawn closer together.

Will our own Christian unity be discovered through loving encounters with those who do not share our language, culture or faith ?

On PRAISE today, I'm joined by Louise Whitelegg and Rev'd Alex Brown who each bring stories of "unusual kindness" and share their thoughts on how this could be a route to global unity - and ultimately - peace.

And there are some great 'unity' hymns in there, too!