Podcasts from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

By Presbyterian Church in IrelandSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity

Podcasts from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland episodes

May 20, 2014 TC2014 On The Sofa
On the morning of Saturday 12th April 300 Designated Persons, Ministers, youth leaders and parents all gathered at assembly buildings to enjoy fantastic cupcakes together but more importantly than that, to consider some difficult issues and learn from experts across various fields. Adjectives such as “Outstanding, On the Nail, Marvellous, Superb!” were used to describe the conference and one delegate commented that it was, “inspiring, educational and fresh”. Another wrote,” Invaluable – we live in a fast changing world and need to keep up to date and we need to be informed of all topics, especially the difficult ones covered today”.
Taking Care Coordinator, Deborah Webster, interviews Tom Clarke (Access NI), Olive Ring (National Youth Council Ireland) and Gary Proctor (The Oval Group Insurance Company) to find out the latest developments in the areas of vetting and risk assessment.
21 min
April 14, 2014 Good Relations Conference 2014 - Panel Discussion
On Saturday, 5th April Presbyterians gathered in Assembly Buildings for a morning conference entitled 'Dealing with the Past, Shaping the Future'.
The panel discussion elaborated on issues raised from the day. Taking part on the panel were Rev. Lesley Carroll, minister of Fortwilliam and McCrory; Prof. Peter McBride, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (NIAMH); and Rev. Michael Davidson, minister of Drumgooland and Kilkinamurry Presbyterian congregations.
47 min
April 14, 2014 Good Relations Conference 2014 - Address of Rev Norman Hamilton
On Saturday, 5th April Presbyterians gathered in Assembly Buildings for a morning conference entitled 'Dealing with the Past, Shaping the Future'.
Dr. Norman Hamilton spoke about the importance of engaging with politics, reminding delegates that the word politics means, “of, for, or relating to citizens”. Given that the issues raised by the recent Haass talks proved to be complex and controversial, Dr. Hamilton spoke about the need for wider society to help shape the way these issues are handled, with the Church playing its part in this.
35 min
April 14, 2014 Good Relations Conference 2014 - Address of Rev David Cupples
On Saturday, 5th April Presbyterians gathered in Assembly Buildings for a morning conference entitled 'Dealing with the Past, Shaping the Future'.
Rev. David Cupples addressed the need to recognize and affirm the sovereignty of God when we are dealing with issues of the past. In considering how we move forward, he asked delegates to consider not only our sectarian past but also our increasingly secular society at present.
52 min
February 14, 2014 Breaking the Silence - Closing address by Prof Peter McBride
On Saturday, 1st February, around 200 people gathered in Assembly Buildings to “break the silence” on adolescent mental health.
“Breaking the Silence” was the result of speeches that two young women made at the Presbyterian General Assembly in June 2013. They spoke about the rise in mental health issues that teenagers and young adults are facing, the personal experiences they have faced with their friends and asked the church to respond to this crucial issue. As a result of this, a resolution was passed to work with the SPUD Youth Assembly on a project to engage the church with these issues – the conference was part one of this project.
Professor Peter McBride reminded the delegates about the importance of taking what they have been challenged about and what they have learned and use it in their local context.
11 min
February 14, 2014 Breaking the Silence - Address of Dr Ken Yeow
On Saturday, 1st February, around 200 people gathered in Assembly Buildings to “break the silence” on adolescent mental health.
“Breaking the Silence” was the result of speeches that two young women made at the Presbyterian General Assembly in June 2013. They spoke about the rise in mental health issues that teenagers and young adults are facing, the personal experiences they have faced with their friends and asked the church to respond to this crucial issue. As a result of this, a resolution was passed to work with the SPUD Youth Assembly on a project to engage the church with these issues – the conference was part one of this project.
Dr. Ken Yeow then challenged the delegates about how the church should be responding to these issues and how they become mental health friendly places that support teenagers and walk alongside them as a loving community.
37 min
February 14, 2014 Breaking the Silence - Address of Dr Gavin Davidson
On Saturday, 1st February, around 200 people gathered in Assembly Buildings to “break the silence” on adolescent mental health.
“Breaking the Silence” was the result of speeches that two young women made at the Presbyterian General Assembly in June 2013. They spoke about the rise in mental health issues that teenagers and young adults are facing, the personal experiences they have faced with their friends and asked the church to respond to this crucial issue. As a result of this, a resolution was passed to work with the SPUD Youth Assembly on a project to engage the church with these issues – the conference was part one of this project.
Dr. Gavin Davidson’s address provided the delegates with a solid picture of adolescent mental health in Northern Ireland at the present time. He provided examples of what the statistics look like in reality and highlighted the challenges that we are facing with regards to the future of mental health.
28 min
February 14, 2014 Breaking the Silence - Opening remarks by Dr Rob Craig
On Saturday, 1st February, around 200 people gathered in Assembly Buildings to “break the silence” on adolescent mental health.
“Breaking the Silence” was the result of speeches that two young women made at the Presbyterian General Assembly in June 2013. They spoke about the rise in mental health issues that teenagers and young adults are facing, the personal experiences they have faced with their friends and asked the church to respond to this crucial issue. As a result of this, a resolution was passed to work with the SPUD Youth Assembly on a project to engage the church with these issues – the conference was part one of this project.
The Moderator, Rev. Dr. Rob. Craig, opened the conference and reminded delegates that the church needs to “break the silence” on the issues that affect us. He encouraged delegates to “be Christ” to the young people in their care, to give them a listening ear and share their time with them.
5 min
February 11, 2014 The Church in the Public Square - John Larkin QC
‘The Church in the Public Square?’ was the title for a major day conference held on Thursday, 30th January in Assembly Buildings, Belfast and organised jointly by Union Theological College and the Church and Society Committee of the Presbyterian Church. It was attended by 200 people including ministers, students and MLA’s and officials from the various political parties and the NI Assembly.
At a time when not only has the Christian voice become incomprehensible in many ears, but is often hated and opposed, the aim of the conference was to bring together a number of leading thinkers in the UK to consider the role which Christians and the Church can play in wider community life.
John Larkin QC is the Attorney General for Northern Ireland he addressed the questions, What about rights? Do Christians have rights? Can the competing and opposing rights of individuals and groups be reconciled?
43 min
February 11, 2014 The Church in the Public Square - Dr Jonathan Chaplain
‘The Church in the Public Square?’ was the title for a major day conference held on Thursday, 30th January in Assembly Buildings, Belfast and organised jointly by Union Theological College and the Church and Society Committee of the Presbyterian Church. It was attended by 200 people including ministers, students and MLA’s and officials from the various political parties and the NI Assembly.
At a time when not only has the Christian voice become incomprehensible in many ears, but is often hated and opposed, the aim of the conference was to bring together a number of leading thinkers in the UK to consider the role which Christians and the Church can play in wider community life.
Dr. Jonathan Chaplin is Director of the Kirby-Laing Centre for Christian Ethics in Cambridge and a specialist in Christian political thought. He dealt with the challenge that arises when a diversity of religious communities no longer accept the privatised role allotted to them by liberal secularism but demand public recognition and public influence. Many want public policy to reflect their distinctive religious identity. Can this be done and should we expect, or work for, some degree of practical agreement?
55 min