Oliver Hetherington, Team Leader writes...

The ‘motto’ of the Lay Witness Movement is taken from Acts Ch 1, when Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You shall be my witnesses…… to the ends of the earth’. Before the team left home, one member said, ‘Do you realise that we are going to the ends of the earth, (next stop America.)  Skibbereen was however at the very centre of the universe for a few days, when the presence of the Holy Spirit was very real during the weekend.

SKIBBEREEN TEAM

Leslie Moreland, Ken Turkington, Ken & Pauline Whan, Brenda Thompson, Oliver & Karen Hetherington

This Lay Witness Mission was perhaps a little different from the normal, the congregation being smaller in number than in the larger towns and in the midst of a farming community. Meeting times were arranged around the needs of the cows. It was encouraging to find that folks from other churches, particularly the church in Drimoleague came along to support, not just by attending but in assisting the work with the children.

The meetings proved to be a great blessing, both for the members of the congregation and the team. One slight departure from the norm was the decision to hold a coffee morning in the church premises on Saturday morning. This was advertised in the local press and on notice boards, inviting adults and children to coffee and a demonstration of Christmas crafts. Team members had an opportunity to talk informally to adults while the children worked on crafts. Towards the end, a team member brought a message to everyone about the Greatest Gift – Jesus. 

It’s quite amazing how Lay Witness Teams just seem to blend. People, who have never met before, very quickly become close friends. The words of Jesus in Luke 6 are very true. ‘Give to others and God will give to you. Indeed you will receive a full measure, a generous helping poured into your hands – all that you can hold.’ This indeed was the experience of the team members over the weekend. In giving, in serving, we received much more that we could have given.

The folks in Skibbereen all found great encouragement during the weekend from the team. Encouragement was found from the openness, sincerity and honesty of each member of the team. One member spoke of being encouraged by the witness speaking of their time of darkness and desert as they could really identify with it. One elderly member spoke of no longer feeling alone in grieving. Someone spoke of encouragement from team members, being able to pray any time, anywhere, as they had found that difficult.

It was a great encouragement for the members of the church to feel a real sense of God in the worship over the weekend. On Sunday evening those who had attended over the weekend had a great evening, a really positive evaluation of the weekend and time of prayer and worship. All who attended that service contributed and spoke of the blessing received over the weekend. The work among the children was really appreciated and one parent was touched that her daughter actually wanted to come to church as she has been trying to encourage her for some time.

Following the evaluation service, these are some of the comments:

‘We discussed how we need to be open with one another as we work together.’

‘We feel it will help us focus on our vision having had this weekend.’

‘We need to work together and build up in strength and encouragement as a fellowship.’

‘We realised we need to create a belonging for our children in worship.’

‘Believe, Belong and Behave is a reminder and challenge that in our vision we need to meet people where they are and be the church outside in the community to create a sense of belonging and then belief, as well as a reminder to accept anyone who they are and show Christ’s love in action.’

‘Having met together after the weekend we saw a positivity and openness that I have not seen before.’

‘It was a great encouragement for us as a church to feel a real sense of God in our worship over the weekend. We feel it will help us focus on our vision having had this weekend.’

God’s Holy Spirit was quite evident during the weekend. We continue to pray that the vision which was given will remain clear and that the church in Skibbereen, having received a blessing, will be a means of blessing to many in that community.

One very happy event was a birthday celebration of one of the team members. How many people would be prepared to spend their xxth birthday on mission? (Couldn’t possibly tell you her age, but if you can multiply the candles by 100 and divide by 2, you might be able to guess). The Lord bless you Pauline.