Hundreds gather for New Wine Conference
The "Unstoppable plans and purposes of God for his church and for his world" was the theme of the New Wine Ireland summer conference held in Sligo in July. Between 700-800 people from churches from all over Ireland came together for six days of bible teaching, seminars, worship and fun.
Michael Cassidy, founder of Africa Enterprise in South Africa was the keynote Bible Reading speaker, teaching on prayers from the bible, which he illustrated with powerful stories from his experiences in the dramatic days of the emerging 'new' South Africa and the part played by the prayers of the Christian church .
Among others taking part were John Kirkby from Christians Against Poverty, John Hughes and his son Pete Hughes from England, Jeremy Gardiner from CARE, Caroline Bradley from Tearfund, Roland Heaney (Redcross Parish), John and Ruth Alderdice (Methodist Chaplaincy at Queen’s), Rev John Dickinson (Carnmoney Presbyterian Church) and Priscilla Reid (CFC Belfast). The conference was hosted by David and Hilary McClay from Willowfield Parish Belfast, together with Bishop Ken and Helen Clarke - and of course Sligo is situated within Bishop Ken’s diocese.
The New Wine Ireland summer conference caters for all ages, and there were creative and exciting programmes for teenagers (headed up by Lisburn Cathedral’s Keith Neill), children (with over 100 school aged children looked after by the large team of volunteers headed up by Gillian Millar from St Paul and St Barnabas Belfast) and a crèche for toddlers and babies. There was a programme for people with learning disabilities provided by Prospects, a specialist Christian charity, and a “Just looking” programme for those wanting to find out more about the Christian faith.
There was plenty of time during the week to explore the beautiful countryside around Sligo, to enjoy catching up with friends and making new friends in the Hub – a fair-trade cafe run by Tearfund volunteers, and a varied entertainment programme.
Plans are in place for New Wine Ireland to return to Sligo again in July 10-15 2011 and Rev Ian Coffey, who has spoken recently in Ireland at Church 21 events, will be the Bible Reading speaker. There will be a warm welcome for all who would like to come.
For further information please contact the New Wine Ireland office, 217 Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 2DH.
www.newwineireland.org. email: simon@newwineireland.org phone: 02890287011