The sun continues to shine in Belfast!
The VIM team enjoyed a slower start to the morning, with some starting out with Cheryl leading in morning yoga, and others enjoying a relaxing tea watching the swans on the lake outside Farset.
With a pleasant walk, the VIM team arrived at Woodvale Methodist Church to share in the Sunday service. It was a joy to see old and new friends, including the Unity Pilgrims from Clonard. Laura read the Old Testament reading and Rod read the New Testament reading. The VIM team sang a round called "Building Bridges". Rev. Colin Duncan's sermon was very engaging, as he warned he was off on a tangent as he considered how ministers and leaders in the church are like the shepard's sheepdogs, where, with all their talent and instinct for managing the flock, the most important thing is obedience to the shepard. And, the ability to just stay in place when commanded - sometimes that is the most important thing to do. It was Communion Sunday and I enjoyed Rev. Colin giving the children three grapes instead of juice, and explaining that they represented the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It was so meaningful to share Communion with these wonderful people.
After church, several women of the church served us tea and toast, Irish soda bread, scones, jams like apple-clove - yum!
We were then off to Milltown Cemetery for a tour by Dara Barrett and his daughter Brona. Milltown Cemetery is a Catholic Cemetery across form Belfast City Cemetery which is ecumenical. Dara was a great historian providing wonderful background on the cemetery itself and numerous people buried there, famous and not so famous, but all interesting. The Belfast Man, WWII polish military, actors, and a 14 year old shipbuilding employee who drowned in sectarian violence at his work in about 1869.
The cemetery documents the ongoing sectarian violence for well over a century providing a strong background to the more recent Troubles. We went to the location of the hunger strikers graves, including Bobby Sands. It was very moving when Laura spotted the grave of Fr. Gerry Reynolds, who many of the VIM team knew personally and have missed greatly on our trips to Belfast since his passing. We all took a moment - memories of his warmth and strength of conviction in the peace for Belfast filling our minds and hearts.
We then returned to Woodvale Methodist Church for a wonderful dinner prepared for us. Cafe Church started at 6:30 led by Rev. Colin Duncan, and attended by members of Woodvale Methodist Church, Shankill Methodist Church and the VIM team. Great conversation and song started the evening. Members of the VIM team discussed ways they have volunteered and Pat and Mike explained how Volunteers in Mission started and how they have been involved. The evening ended in prayer. With a lovely walk home in the evening warmth back to Farset, another wonderful day in Belfast drew to a close.
Submitted by Deb Aldrich
Going through the Gates on Our Walk to Woodvale Methodist Church
At the Woodvale Methodist Church
Touring Milltown Cemetery led by Dara Barrett
At the Evening Church Cafe
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