Episodes
At the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey, music - chosen by the King - played a huge part in the ceremony. On today's programme we feature the new Coronation Anthem composed by Sir Andrew - Lord Lloyd-Webber - 'Make a Joyful Noise Unto The Lord' and 'Alleluia, O Sing Praises Unto Our God' also composed specially for the Coronation, by Debbie Wiseman, using words from Psalm 47 and sung by The Ascension Choir - the first Gospel Choir to sing at a Coronation ceremony.
And we have an Island 'first' - the Choir of King Williams College, Cast...
Aled Jones was on the Island earlier this week to record interviews for a forthcoming edition of BBC TV's Songs of Praise. Here he talks about his music, and his love of the Island. There's lots of music too - including the voice of young Aled, too.
And we have a class-winning performance from this year's Guild - Onchan Silver Band who won the Hymn Tune with 91 marks - congratulations!
Plus we've notice board items too - news for the notice board can be emailed : judithley@manxradio.com
Wigan-born Stephen Alker trained for the Roman Catholic priesthood at St Joseph's College, Upholland in the 1960's. After ordination, and work in a couple of parishes in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, he got the chance to become an Army Chaplain. It was only intended to be a 3-year ministry, but he stayed for nearly 30 years, loved the life and its challenges, and - now in retirement - misses the work still, to this day.
On today's programme he talks about just some of his experiences in places of conflict, as his 30 year ministry included time spent in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Bosin...
Gareth Moore is well known and respected across the Island as an organist, accompanist, teacher and church musician. But it was his work during the Covid pandemic, when churches were closed and public worship ceased, that brought his skill and dedication to the attention of others.
Gareth used his knowledge of both music and technology to prepare weekly music for on-line services, accompanying himself on piano, organ and harmonium and even multi-tracking harmonies, singing alongside himself.
Gareth's amazing efforts were noticed by the national administration of the Methodist Church in L...
HAPPY EASTER!! Today, we're celebrating the day that's at the very heart of the Christian faith - through words and music - Bible readings and prayers - plus an honest and inspiring life story from Rev'd Graham Thompson, President of the Methodist Conference - a position of leadership of the Methodist Church in Britain which he shares with Vice President Anthony Boateng.
There's a brand new Easter poem - The New Songs - from 8th Manx Bard Michael Manning, and music from Graham Kendrick, alongside some favourite Easter hymns from the St Michael Singers - and there's notice board news too.
It...
Today is Palm Sunday - the start of the week that the Christian church calls HOLY. It's a week that starts with rejoicing and celebrating, as Jesus rides into Jerusalem - just days later, those same crowds who greeted him so warmly, are shouting for his death - and this Holy Week ends with a sordid, agonising death by crucifixion.
So is this the end - or is it maybe just the beginning?
And what do these events say to our world, 2,000 years later?
We explore - in words and music, and in contributions from the 8th Manx Bard, Michael Manning, and from author, broadcaster and retired Baptist ...
MICHAEL HARDIE is the new Community Partnerships Manager for The Leprosy Mission, and when he visited the Island recently, to meet supporters of the Manx-registered charity Leprosy Mission Isle of Man, we chatted about Michael's childhood - some of which was spent living in a leprosy colony in Africa - and about the Leprosy Mission's work with the tea pickers of Bangladesh, where leprosy is rife (If you missed the programme, listen to the At Your Service podcast for 12 March 2023)
But we didn't have time to explore the amazing story of how Micael's father changed from being a sworn atheis...
By pure coincidence, two Archbishops are visiting the Isle of Man this weekend!
The Most Reverend and Rt Honourable Stephen Cottrell is the Archbishop of York - second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury in seniority in the Church of England. He's also the Bishop of the Province of York which gives him care of all the Anglican Churches in the North of England - including the Isle of Man - hence this - his first - visit to the Island. In a packed schedule, Archbishop Stephen has met with people representing not only the Island's churches, but also from other walks of Island life, includin...
Every 2 minutes, someone in the world is diagnosed with leprosy - if they don't get treatment, the results are devastating - paralysis, nerve damage and loss of limbs eventually mean that someone with leprosy becomes unable to work. This is a disease of poverty - thriving where there is malnutrition and poor sanitation, in communities where there is no support for those unable to support themselves.
MICHAEL HARDIE is the newly-appointed Community Partnership Manager for The Leprosy Mission, and during his recent visit to the Island he shared not only details of the current Leprosy Mission...
David Dorricott is - by any standards - a successful businessman - yet he and his wife Alison - Directors of Ramsey-based postcode software specialists AFD Software, choose to live simply, and regularly give away a huge proportion of the Company profits to local and global charities - benefitting people they don't know and will never meet.
They acknowledge that it's their staff who make the business successful, so it's they who nominate the charities who will each receive a substantial amount of money, to support their work.
On today's programme, David explains the origins of this philos...
Today's programme features three very different journeys -
a journey of sadness, as we reflect in words and music on the massive cost of 12 months of war in Ukraine;
a journey to a place where many of us may find ourselves at some stage in life - in the wilderness;
and finally - a journey of discovery - new places, new friendships and maybe a new view on life .....
Phil Craine and Rosemary Clarke are leaders of walking holidays in places linked with Celtic Christianity - Wales, Scotland, and - of course - the Isle of Man, are destinations popular with modern-day pilgrims. Rosemary and Phi...
This week, it's Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and the start of the six weeks of Lent, leading up to the great celebration of Easter - the feast at the very heart of the Christian faith ..... but what do these days, which have their origin in ancient times, have to say to us today? We'll offer some answers on the programme today.
And just how deeply do we love?
Amazing things have been achieved over the centuries, through the power of love ..... special guest Cheryl Cousins - a member of the Island's Environment Action Group - talks about the We Care campaign that's launched this month- an i...
Valentine's Day is just around the corner - and for some it will be a celebration of love, while others will reject it as materialistic and commercialised.
But who started it?
Today we explore some of the stories .... we'll see where Chaucer (of Canterbury Tales fame) fits into the picture, and reflect on whether Valentine's Day really has anything to do with long-lasting, loving relationships?
Much-loved actress Wendy Craig has a love story of her own to share, and there's a real mix of music too - a beautiful arrangement of a popular wedding hymn, new music from Graham Kendrick, and Sir...
Reverend Professor David Wilkinson is our special guest today, talking about his life, his work, and why we don't have to choose between science and religion - we need them both!
David is ordained in the Methodist Church, he's also a theologian and an astrophysicist. He's the current Principal of St John's College, Durham and a professor in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University. He's the author of several books on the relationship between science and religion and is a regular contributor to Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4. He's also a Fellow of the Royal Astron...
Friday 27 January was Holocaust Memorial Day - a day to specially remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions killed under Nazi persecution of other groups like Roma, Sinti, gay people and people with disabilities. It is also a day to remember all those killed in the more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Our world often feels fragile and vulnerable - we still live in a world scarred by genocide, and we cannot be complacent.
In today's programme, we reflect on this, in words and music - including heart-breaking words from sur...
Many churches see science as the enemy - a challenge to belief in God.
But what if science and religion were not opposites at all? Instead - what if they needed each other?
The man who asked THOSE questions is Revd Professor David Wilkinson - Theologian, Physicist and current Principal of St John's College, Durham, and he's coming to the Island next weekend.
In this programme, Rev'd Steve Ingrouille, Methodist Minister based in Onchan, who studied under Professor Wilkinson and invited him to the Island, shares some of his own thoughts and experiences regarding science and religion - and ...
Manx Language Development Officer Ruth Keggin Gell will be at our Retreat House, Thie Dy Vea (House of Life) in Peel next weekend to lead two events that are very different, but bonded together by the use of Manx Language.
On Friday 20 January, Ruth will lead GOW ARRANE - SING! an evening to learn and enjoy prayerful, peaceful chants from the Taize monastic community, translated (by Ruth) into Manx. The evening is in 3 parts - arrive at 6pm for a relaxed and informal workshop where we'll learn some of the most popular Taize chants - in Manx. Then we'll stop to share a simple tasty su...
In April 2003, Ruth and Chris Baker went to Romania, to spend a couple of weeks helping at an orphanage. They believed that it would be a one-off trip - but - in their own words, God had other plans for them - and those plans involved Ruth and Chris buying a home in North East Romania and devoting their lives to Hands of Hope - a charity registered in the Isle of Man and in Romania, where they live alongside vulnerable and disadvantaged people, and where they work in the community, offering one-to-one education, befriending families, distributing aid, and giving all kinds of practical help...
Blein vie noa! Happy New Year!
Welcome to a specially extended New Years Day edition of At Your Service - looking back at some of the guests, stories and music that featured on the programme during 2022.
Philip Longworth has never let his sight problems be an obstacle to serving others - and now he's living and working on the Island - with a mission that's church-based but aiming to benefit everyone!
We hear a moving story from Holocaust Memorial Day 2022, and love was very definitely in the air in the programme closest to Valentines Day! Listen again to a beautiful story of love, patien...
Celebrating the reason for the season - the birth of Jesus Christ - in words and music.
In this Christmas Day specially-extended programme, I'm joined by Richard Littledale - a recently-retired Baptist pastor, who is also a published author, and regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4. Richard shares stories from his ministry, his family life, and his work as an author - and explains why he stands alongside all those who cannot be merry and bright at this time.
The programme is packed full of carols and Christmas music - most of it from local churches and choirs, and includes ...
This is a special weekend in the life of a much-loved church in the North of the Island, as the Old Church in Ballaugh opens its doors once more. Caroline Devlin is the driving force - looking to find new ways for this historic church to serve the local community.
Author and broadcaster Richard Littledale is back, with something else from his collection of over 70 nativity sets from around the world. His choice this week is something a little different .....
And Tim Price is a thoughtful shepherd - reflecting on a night he'll never forget.
Plus there's music - from Matt Creer, and from Li...
Why are so many young people - from primary school age children to late teenagers - keen to join church and cathedral choirs?
What is the important anniversary being marked later this week in Malew?
When you want to buy something a little different for a special friend or relative, where do you look?
And which of his 50 nativity sets has Richard Littledale brought with him today??
On today's programme I'll offer some possible answers!
The Broughton Boys Choir with their Musical Director John Caterall will be there to help me - and there'll be music too - from the choir, and from the Iona C...
Welcome to AT YOUR SERVICE EXTRA - an occasional podcast that - as the name suggests - brings you interviews and stories that I just haven't had enough time to include in our regular weekly edition of AT YOUR SERVICE
This week I've been to QEII High School in Peel, to talk to four Year 12 students who have set themselves a real challenge! Listen as they tell you who they are and what they're doing.
If you'd like to find out more, you may find these websites/social media links helpful :
The International Refugee Trust - irt.org.uk
The team's Instagram is giveforgood.im - great for following...
Christmas is going 'live' again - at the request of the Douglas Town Centre Management, who have invited churches of all denominations to work together to present an outdoor re-telling of the Christmas story. It's going to be on one of the late night shopping nights - Thursday December 15th at 6.30pm and it's completely free - but to keep everyone safe and comfortable, we need to be careful about numbers so we must issue tickets - go to the website www.christmaslive.im and the link is there to claim free tickets.
This year's presentation has lots of different people involved, bringing the...
This is the first Sunday of Advent - four weeks to prepare ourselves for the great celebration of Christmas.
A chance to reach beyond the vague outline of the Christmas story, and ask ourselves 'What is really happening here?" If we don't think carefully about our answer to that question, then we risk missing the greatest love-gift of all - which is God, in human form.
Author, broadcaster, and recently-retired Baptist Pastor, Richard Littledale is back with us again, and using his book '37 Kings and a Budgerigar' offers a reflection based on his collection of nativity sets from around the...
Manx-born Ruth Rice founded the charity Renew Wellbeing following the breakdown of her own mental health, some 12 years ago. Renew Wellbeing helps churches to create safe spaces where basically it's OK to not be OK - all are welcome, no one is judged or labelled - but everyone is gently encouraged to find their own pathway to mental and emotional health - through hobbies and interests, relaxation and quiet time, professional help if its needed, and through making new friendships. Ruth has been sharing her personal A to Z of wellbeing - things that have helped her emotional health - and mi...
On this day of Remembrance, we use words and music for a time of reflection on the high price that others paid during two World Wars, for the freedom we enjoy today.
And - in conversation with Very Rev'd John Mann - we consider that we can learn from more recent conflicts.
John (who is married to Manx-born Helen and now lives in retirement in Laxey) has spent most of his adult life, and his ministry as a priest, in Northern Ireland - during some of its bleakest and bloodiest years.
He recently ended his ministry in Ireland as Dean of St Anne's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Belfast - th...
On 22nd October, Mrs Olive Dobson died peacefully, after a short stay in hospital. Olive was 92 and is probably one of the longest-serving church organists the Island has ever known. Olive was the organist at Abbeylands Chapel for 81 unbroken years, and for 47 of those years she was also organist at the Methodist Church on the Main Road in Onchan.
This programme is a celebration of Olive's dedicated service, using an interview she gave in 2016, to mark her 75th anniversary as organist at Abbeylands - It's a fascinating insight into her life, her music and the changing face of church ove...
John Boles had a good job, a steady girlfriend and a love of travel. But it was his deep Christian faith - and the unshakeable belief that God was calling him to some greater service - that changed the course of his life forever.
Today, Father John Boles is a Roman Catholic priest and the Director in Britain of the Columban Missionaries - an international order of missionary priests who go into some of the poorest and most deprived countries around the world, and work to establish peace with justice for some of the most marginalised and abused communities.
On this week's programme, Fr Joh...
If the name of today's special guest is familiar to you, it may well be that you have heard him sharing a Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 2 ore leading Sunday Service and Prayer for the Day on BBC Radio 4
He's Rev'd Richard Littledale and - to use his own description - he's been making good use of words for the past 35 years!
Richard has just retired as Pastor of Newbury Baptist Church in Berkshire, and recently made his first-ever visit to the Island, at the invitation of the Island Spirituality Network.
The talk he gave to that group was entitled "I don't believe in prayer" - but is th...