Marina Hassard, Local Coordinator, writes….

After many weeks of meeting together, praying and planning for our Lay Witness visit, the weekend was suddenly upon us.  

Having been involved in Lay Witness before, I personally was looking forward with anticipation to meeting the team and spending time with them.  I wasn't disappointed. Immediately, I and others felt at ease with the team, and as we talked with them on the first night in Derrygonnelly Church, I knew that we as a church were blessed to have them amongst us.

Derrygonnelly Team

Trevor Bristow, Chris Agnew, Oliver Hetherington, Terry Moore

Heather Boland, Karen Hetherington, Lorna Douglas, Marina Hassard

We were delighted at the turnout on Friday night and Gareth, our Pastor on circuit, cooked a heartsome meal for all.  The team was made up of seven people - Oliver and his wife Karen, Heather, Terry, Trevor and Chris, and each introduced themselves - Lorna was to arrive the next morning.  Heather easily held the attention of the people present as she shared with us about her family background, and her own walk with God through life’s struggles and her joy at God’s deliverance.  I know she touched many with her honest and witty account.  This particular evening was a blessing in many ways as the circuit had an opportunity to meet and sit down together, something which is very beneficial and there was a great sense of togetherness.  It also gave the team a first impression of us, and how we work as a team on circuit.  Different people expressed how much they enjoyed the time together.

Saturday morning 9am Men's breakfast had an impressive turnout of 22, from regular churchgoers to non-church attenders.  This was probably the most eagerly awaited meeting.  Part of the attraction was probably the Ulster fry, but the men gathered were also to receive great spiritual nourishment as Terry shared in an in depth way that most may never encountered before.  As the men are blessed both in gathering together and hearing how Christ changes lives, I believe the outflow will bless families and nourish the church family as men, women and children serve with joy and new purpose in Christ’s name. 

The coffee mornings in the three homes were also well attended.  Ooh! lovely tray bakes and of course chit-chat, but the purpose and real benefit was as we all huddled into one room with some of the team leading us in thought provoking meditations.  I think it is true to say that we are a reserved people when it comes to answering aloud the challenging questions put to us. However, some did openly express their thoughts and the three coffee mornings did have their own unique experiences that I pray will be a benefit to all.  Again this was another precious opportunity to meet with each other in a home environment.  We are grateful to the people who opened their homes to this important ministry.

As the team met up in one home on the Saturday evening before the service, I was privileged to be part of a tremendous prayer time and spiritual awareness of God in that meeting.  What a blessing to be part of something so exciting as we entrusted the night to our faithful God.  Later that evening in Springfield, though small in numbers, due to other events in the area, it was again a very personal time together.  Chris's leading of the praise time was thoughtful and inspirational for all.  We enjoyed the fellowship of song under the leading of this young enthusiastic man, full of life and hope, giving his all, aided by the young-at-heart Oliver, both guys strumming their hearts out!   Oliver shared with us, in his thoughtful and easy-listening fashion, some of his everyday life story, again an encouragement to us all.   Lorna was also a tremendous blessing as her spirit soared in song.  It took my breath away just listening to her singing to God. How wonderful for us to simply drink it in.  It was our prayer whilst enjoying supper afterwards that we would have fruitful conversation that would be of help and encouragement to others. We trust that this was so.

Sunday morning came quickly and it was with a tinge of sadness that we all met for the final time together.  The Sunday morning service, which was held in Church Hill Methodist church, was very well attended with a good mix of age groups.  We were especially delighted that the children were able to enjoy the meeting too, and Karen shared a wonderful story about sacrifice which touched the hearts of all there, and as with the previous evening meetings, she brought the children out and shared Christ with them through story and crafts.  The children expressed how much they enjoyed the times with Karen and it was evident on their faces that they too had been blessed over the weekend. 

As the service progressed I don't think any of us was prepared for the tremendous blessing of that time together.  Those gathered were touched as Trevor shared with such honesty the difficulties he and his family have had to overcome - as he faced many trials, and overcame! He gave all the Glory to God!  Chris also shared his difficulties experienced through school and how he found blessing through finding like-minded students at college to pray and be encouraged with.  As he trusts God for leading, he shared his hopes and dreams for the future and I am sure the young people present were inspired as were we all.

At the front of the church on the communion table was laid a basket with stones and beside it a cross.  We were invited to take a stone from the basket and lay it at the cross as a symbol of commitment to God.  It was very encouraging as one by one people got up and outwardly showed their intention to commit to a faithful God.  The Holy Spirit seemed to fill the church and afterwards one lady expressed how she felt she was going to ‘burst’, such was the working of the Spirit within her that morning.

That evening the congregation met together for a praise service to share what the weekend had meant to them.  This too was a wonderful time together, as Gareth invited people to come forward.  It was a great encouragement to listen to different thoughts at this time, and also after the service was over, hearing about something in particular which spoke to individuals.   One thought in particular which stood out in my mind was the question which was put forward during the weekend - do we want to serve or to be served?  During the weekend of events there was such unity as we not only served each other with food but as when coming together, we covered each other in prayer on circuit.  So as Christ Jesus came - not to be served but to serve, we will surely know the blessing when we do likewise with the same love.

Terry Moore, Team Member, writes….

Following an evening service at Glenburn, I was approached by Oliver Hetherington who asked me to be part of the Lay Witness Team to go to the circuit of Derrygonnelly, Springfield and Churchill, Co. Fermanagh.   After prayer and consideration, I said yes to Oliver’s invitation but my thoughts were of the commitment involved and the small fear of having to prepare and speak that weekend.

The preparation centred around Hosea Ch 10 v 12.  It is time to seek the Lord, the ground needs to be broken up and to sow righteousness.   The Team consisted of Oliver and Karen Hetherington, Heather Boland, Chris Agnew, Trevor Bristow, Lorna Douglas and myself.   From the outset there was a togetherness and connection with each other and that bond was strengthened through our team sessions. The strength and encouragement continued by knowing each member was upholding one another in prayer, that every member was committed to the task, that we were one in spirit and our motive was to honour Christ in all we did.

The warm welcome by our host families and the various congregations made us feel at home amongst friends, but we knew there was a reason God brought us together for this weekend and that focussed our mind during all the events.

The usual format of the lay witness weekend was a logistic challenge due to the three different locations of the churches however, everything worked out better than expected with each meeting being unique.   The previous month’s preparations of prayer broke up the ground so that the word of testimony from each member was used by God for those gathered, including the children’s work undertaken by Karen Hetherington.   Even though many members of the lay witness team were experienced in their own fields of work, there was a real sense of vulnerability at each meeting.  Ordinary people, even though apprehensive and nervous, made themselves open to God’s Spirit and ‘His’ leading, with total dependence on God.  This brought great blessing and at one particular team session on Saturday evening, when we were joined by Marina Hassard (our eighth member!), the ministry of the Holy Spirit was evident.

On Sunday morning at the culmination of the weekend meetings, Heather Boland led the service, Oliver gave the address from Hosea 10 v 12, Lorna ministered in song and Chris and Trevor gave an inspired word of testimony and witness.  The people at the service responded in a tangible manner, a harvest was reaped, a work of God has begun that will hopefully bear fruit in the lives of individuals and at their respective churches.

We were all touched in many ways and I was humbled by my dependence on God throughout the weekend, humbled by the hospitality of our hosts and the work and support of Gareth Hayden (Circuit Lay Pastoral Assistant).  It was our joy and privilege to witness for the Lord and to let our light shine before men so that all the honour and glory go to Him.