These Three Remain ... from the Presbyterian Churc

In this episode of the Graciously Confident Podcast, Will Leitch sits down with Dr Andy Brown (Stranmillis University College) and Ian Bingham (CARE NI) to chat about the Supreme Court’s judgement in JR87. The aim of the conversation is simple: to help people understand what’s actually been said and decided – without misinformation, fear or panic. Together, they unpack the key points, clear up confusion, and encourage listeners to have informed, gracious conversations about what it all means moving forward. If you’ve been hearing a lot about JR87 and want a calm, clear discussion grounded in facts, this episode is for you.

In this third episode, presenter Will Leitch visits the Crockard family in Carrickfergus and explores with Jason, Hannah, Sophia and Noah what it’s like to be really present to God in their home life and in the wider family of their church.

After exploring the ethics, experiences, and realities around assisted suicide and euthanasia, the big question remains: what can we do now?  In this episode of the Graciously Confident Podcast, Will Leitch is joined by Rev Linda Keys, a volunteer with Hospice NI, and Dr Bex Stevenson, PCI Public Affairs Officer, to talk about practical next steps. They reflect on what it looks like to live out your faith by showing love in practical ways — whether that’s advocating with compassion, having honest conversations, or supporting hospice care through simple acts like meeting your MLA, writing to your MP, or hosting a coffee morning. This episode is about turning conviction into action and making a real difference where you are. You can find resources referred to in the podcast, here: https://presbyterianireland.org/resources/pastoral-care/living-and-dying-well

Hives of Hope // Working together for a better tomorrow Around the world, millions of people face obstacles that make it difficult for them to get out of poverty. In this podcast episode, listen as Pip Florit, PCI’s mission support officer, talks with Ruth Cooke from Christian Aid Ireland and Rev Liam Rutherford about their trip to Honduras where they learned how PCI through its partners is helping families and communities generate a sustainable income and build a better future through beekeeping.

In one of our most personal episodes yet, Will Leitch sits down with Rev Ian Harbinson and Dr Olwyn Mark to explore assisted suicide and euthanasia through the lens of lived experience. Ian shares honestly about life with cancer - the fears, the hopes, and the surprising moments of grace along the way, including his ministry with those also living with cancer. Olwyn reflects on walking with her father through his final days and how palliative care supported not just him but their whole family. Together, they offer a deeply human look at what real care can look like at the end of life, and why these stories matter in today’s debate.

What really happens when we gather for worship each week? In this episode, presenter Will Leitch joins the congregation at First Ballymena to reflect on the life-changing privilege of meeting with the Living God. This series is part of PCI’s Present initiative, which encourages us to be: Present in this season of life and witness Present to God as His people Present for one another in the church Present where God has placed us to be His witnesses 💬 Listen in, share with others, and rediscover the wonder of worship. 🔗 Learn more about the Present initiative and watch the introductory video here Present | Presbyterian Church Ireland

What if there’s a better way to approach the end of life than assisted suicide or euthanasia? In this episode, Will Leitch is joined by Professor Max Watson and Dr Matthew Dore to talk about the real power of palliative care - what it is, what it isn’t, and why it offers hope even in life’s hardest moments. They unpack the funding challenges facing palliative services, debunk common myths about this kind of care, and explore how it helps people live - and die - well without speeding up the process of death.

Building faith in our children is something that works well when the partnership between parents and churches works well. Faith in Kids, headed up by Ed Drew, long to see confident parents and thriving churches working together to raise children who trust in Jesus eternally. In this podcast, Ruth Bromley (PCI’s Children’s Development Officer) is joined by Ed Drew as they talk about what Faith in Kids aims to do and how parents and churches might work together to encourage children to have a lasting trust in Jesus. They also highlight the Starting Strong event this autumn, which Ed is coming to speak at, in High Street Holywood Presbyterian Church. Details of the event and how to book can be found at Starting Strong | Presbyterian Church Ireland

How do we stay attentive to God and one another in a world swirling with distractions? The Presbyterian Church in Ireland invites you to explore this question in their new podcast series: Really present… In the first episode, presenter Will Leitch sits down with Helen Thorne-Allenson to reflect on what it means to live fully present – to God, to others, and in the places we’re called to be his witnesses.

This is the first episode in a four part series in which Will Leitch will discuss the issue of assisted suicide and euthanasia with different guests. In this episode, Will sits down with Prof Max Watson, a leading palliative care specialist, and Rev Daniel Kane, Minister of West Presbyterian Church in Ballymena and Convenor of the Council for Public Affairs, to explore one of the most sensitive and significant ethical issues of our time — assisted suicide and euthanasia.  Together, they unpack what assisted suicide means in practice, examine the proposed legislative changes in the UK, and discuss why Christians should care deeply and engage thoughtfully with the debate. Whether you approach this topic from a faith perspective, a medical background, or simple human concern, you should be part of this conversation.

In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, David Thompson, Secretary of PCI’s Council for Congregational Life and Witness talks with Gary Millar, Principal of Queensland Theological College in Brisbane, Australia about his recent book called Both/And Ministry: Living and leading like Jesus’. Present is a denomination wide initiative inviting and encouraging congregations and their members to make themselves fully present to God who is ever present to us. Find out more and watch a video about the Present initiative here www.presbyterianireland.org/present

In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, Jonny McClune and David Thompson from PCI’s Council for Congregational Life and Witness are joined by missiologist David Smith to explore what it looks like for congregations to be present in today’s changing communities. Present is a denomination wide initiative inviting and encouraging congregations and their members to make themselves fully present to God who is ever present to us. Find out more and watch a video about the Present initiative here www.presbyterianireland.org/present

In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, David Thompson, Secretary to PCI's Council for Congregational Life & Witness, explores what it means to be an intergenerational Church family with Ruth Bromley, PCI Children’s Development Officer, and Graeme Thompson, PCI's Youth Development Officer.  This podcast is part of the denomination wide Present initiative, inviting and encouraging congregations and their members to make themselves fully present to God who is ever present to us.

In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, Andrew Dickson, PCI’s Congregational Life Development Officer, explores being present to God as we read the Bible with David McCullagh, Rosie Donaldson and Richard McChesney.  This podcast is part of the denomination wide Present initiative, inviting and encouraging congregations and their members to make themselves fully present to God who is ever present to us. Find out more and watch a video about the Present initiative here www.presbyterianireland.org/present

In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, Jonny McClune, PCI’s Congregational Witness Development Officer, explores with Darin and Joy Stevens from the organisation Start to Stir, why sharing our faith with our friends can be so challenging.  We can see examples in the Bible of people who struggled to speak up for God like Moses and Jonah but we take time to explore on the podcast the things that are holding us back today and how we can have more confidence to share Jesus with those around us. This podcast also highlights the Stirring Spiritual Curiosity event happening on the morning of Tuesday 28 January 2025 from 10.30am to 12.45pm in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, at which Darin and Joy will be opening up this theme further.  Further details and booking can be found here: www.presbyterianireland.org/stir This event is free but you do need to pre-register.

Food insecurity is an issue that's affecting many parts of the world – it is said one in ten people in the world live in food insecurity. To discuss this important issue and to introduce this year's World Development Appeal, Rev Richard Kerr, Convener of PCI's Global Development Committee, hosts the episode with guests - Ruth Cooke (Christian Aid Ireland’s Head of Fundraising and Supporter Engagement), Chris Thompson (Tearfund’s NI Director) and Rev Liam Rutherford, PCI’s World Development Agent and Convener of its World Development Appeal Task Group.  The 2024 World Development Appeal is entitled: “Hunger Pains: Scarcity to Abundance.” You can find more resources, including a promotional video, here: www.presbyterianireland.org/worlddevelopment

In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, Ruth Bromley, PCI’s Children’s Ministry Development Officer, hosts a conversation with Andy Frost, Director of Share Jesus International and contributor to the Kitchen Table Project, Caroline Bradley from Care for the Family and Andy Lamberton from Legacy, about sowing the seeds of a growing faith in the lives of our children.   This podcast also highlights the Starting Strong event happening on the evening of Thursday 14 November 2024 from 7.45pm to 9.15pm in High Street Presbyterian Church, Holywood at which Andy Frost is the keynote speaker. It will pick up and develop this theme, providing the opportunity to explore this territory further with others and be encouraged and envisioned in this crucial area of church life. Further details and booking can be found at www.presbyterianireland.org/startingstrong

This episode explores PCI’s vision for church planting across Ireland. It considers why we need more churches on this island, and how that can be an effective way to reach new people with the good news of Jesus Christ. Tom Gilliam, an elder in Maynooth, and Josh McCance, church plant leader in Balbriggan, share their experiences and insights into church planting along with ways everyone can be involved. PCI is holding a Church Planting Taster Day in Maynooth on 16 November 2024. For more information and to register visit: www.presbyterianireland.org/churchplanting

In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, Will Leitch interviews Rev David Thompson, Secretary of PCI’s Council for Congregational Life and Witness, on the thinking behind and hopes for Present - the new, denomination wide, initiative designed to encourage congregations in this season of life and witness, launched at this year’s General Assembly. The initiative will roll out over three successive church years, inviting and encouraging congregations and their members to make themselves fully present to God who is ever present to us. It offers a framework to encourage congregations to explore and express being present in four particular ways: Be present in this season of life and witness; Be present to God as his people; Be present for one another in God’s family of the church; Be present where God has placed us to be his witnesses. Find out more and watch the introductory video here www.presbyterianireland.org/present

Neil Hudson is Senior Leader of Salford Elim Church, but is better known to us in PCI for his work on the Imagine Church project for the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. That is the project that birthed the Frontlines small group material which many congregations have used and found helpful, along with two books authored by Neil, Imagine Church and Scattered and Gathered. David Thompson is Secretary of PCI’s Council for Congregational Life and Witness and brings extensive experience and qualifications in consultancy for ministry and mission.  This podcast also highlights the Leading for a change event happening on the morning of Thursday 17 October 2024 from 10.30am to 12.45pm in Assembly Buildings, Belfast. It will pick up and develop this theme, providing the opportunity to explore this territory further with others and be encouraged and envisioned in making space in our church life to adapt and respond to changing challenges and circumstances, new opportunities and options. Further details and booking can be found at www.presbyterianireland.org/leadingforachange