Common ground
Church leaders from Liverpool, Belfast and Glasgow have much in common, the cities they represent are similar in size and have similar needs. Clergy from the main denominations in the three cities have formed into a group, known as the North West Triangle, and they meet in rotation on an annual basis.
It was Belfast’s turn this year and the group met at the Irish School of Ecumenics on Belfast’s Antrim Road. The programme for the day included a presentation on the work of ISE and Partners in Transformation followed by a discussion facilitated by the Rev Dr Johnston McMaster. In the afternoon session John McClure from Irish Church Missions spoke about the issues surrounding suicide in North and West Belfast and the proposals for ICAP (Inter Church Addictions Project). Sister Valerie Thom (Church Army) brought the programme to a close with a vibrant presentation on how Liverpool Football Club had helped the local community to engage with the young people in Glencairn.
The 2006 North West Triangle participants
GLASGOW
Mrs Sheilah Steven (Church of Scotland - Moderator, Presbytery of Glasgow)
Rev David Lunan (Church of Scotland - Clerk, Presbytery of Glasgow)
Rev Alastair Cherry (Church of Scotland - Convenor of Presbyterian Council)
Rev Derek Bibb (Methodist Church - Glasgow Circuit)
Most Rev Mario Conti (Roman Catholic Church - Archbishop of Glasgow)
Rt Rev Idris Jones (Scottish Episcopal Church - Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway)
Rev J Humphreys (United Reformed Church - Moderator of Synod of Scotland)
LIVERPOOL
Rt Rev James Jones (Anglican Church - Bishop of Liverpool)
Rev Martin Abrams (Methodist Church - Deputy to Chairman of the Liverpool Methodist District)
The Most Rev P A Kelly (Roman Catholic Church - Archbishop of Liverpool)
Major Marion Drew (Salvation Army)
Rev Howard Sharp (United Reformed Church - Moderator of the Merseyside Province of the URC)
BELFAST
Rt Rev Harold Miller (Church of Ireland - Bishop of Down & Dromore)
Rt Rev A Harper (Church of Ireland - Bishop of Connor)
Rev W Graham (Methodist Church in Ireland - Secretary)
Rev Donald Ker (Methodist Church in Ireland - District Superintendent for Belfast Central Mission)
Rev Dr Donald Watts (Presbyterian Church in Ireland - General Secretary)
Rev Dr Ian Harte (Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Moderator of Belfast Synod)
The Most Rev Patrick Walsh (Roman Catholic Church - Bishop of Down & Connor)
The Most Rev Anthony Farquhar (Roman Catholic Church - Auxiliary Bishop of Down & Connor)
Major David Jackson (Salvation Army - Divisional Commander of Ireland)