Episodes
After establishing Cafe Lingo 8 years ago based in the Promenade Methodist Church in Douglas - offering a relaxed and welcoming hub for anyone new to the Island, and for whom English is not their first language, Karen Norton and husband Tim are taking a well-earned retirement. But it'll be business as usual at Cafe Lingo - the Nortons join us today to tell us who is taking over - and they're inviting everyone to their farewell party at SPRINGFEST in the Promenade Methodist Church, Douglas on Saturday 23 March between 10am - 12.30pm - Cafe Lingo is celebrating Spring with music, dancing, f...
Jenny Sinclair is the founder director of the charity Together For The Common Good - but what is 'the common good' and why should we care about it? In this first of two programmes featuring conversations with Jenny, she sketches out her background as a teenager in Liverpool during the 1970's, when her Father, David Sheppard, was Anglican Bishop of Liverpool - and what she has learned by looking back on his 22-year-long partnership with Roman Catholic Archbishop Derek Worlock, and their work for social justice in Liverpool.
On next week's programme, Jenny will talk about the work she no...
Today has been chosen as a National Day of Reflection - a time to pause and remember all who died during the Covid pandemic, and those who still mourn their loss - we make a space to mark the day with words and music; Mike Hardie is the Community Partnerships Manager for The Leprosy Mission and he's back on the Island to meet supporters of the charity, make some new friends and share stories from his recent visit to India; and Rt Rev'd Mark Davies is back on the Island - he's the Bishop of Middleton in the Diocese of Manchester, and he's been appointed to take care of the Diocese of Sodor a...
Paul Keeys, Director of Walking Through the Bible will be back on the Island on 2nd March to lead a day walking through the New Testament in St John's Methodist Church from 10am - 4.30pm - he joins us to explain why this is such a valuable and entertaining day!
Jacko the dog achieved fame when Peter Shimmin introduced us to him on Thought for the Day almost ten years ago - Peter is back ..... with the end of the story.
There's a very special time capsule in the Cathedral in Peel - and everyone can be in it! We explain where it is and how you can get involved.
And we listen to worship leade...
Rev'd Jo Smart came to the Island in September 2022 and is a Methodist minister based in Peel with care of the churches in the West and in Douglas. But her early life suggested a very different career - as a dancer! In conversation today, we find out what it took to make that life-changing decision - and how her skills as a dancer shapes her ministry.
We also discuss the season of Lent - and explore some suggestions for making the most of the time of preapration for celebration of the great feast of Easter - the very heart of the Christian faith.
Rev'd Jo chooses our music today - and we...
This is the start of National Marriage Week - and Valentine's Day is just around the corner - but that's not what we're talking about, as I take author, broadcaster and Baptist Minister Richard Littledale out for a walk in Glen Mooar. As we explore St Patrick's Chapel - Cabbal Pherick - the site of an 8th century keeill, we talk about the great gift of FRIENDSHIP ..... and the ultimate friendship with God - which has nothing to do with cards and gifts!
There's poetry from Phil Craine, and music from Margaret Rizza
Plus our usual notice board
Items for inclusion on the notice board can be ...
On the programme this week, Rev'd Richard Littledale, Baptist Pastor, preacher, author, BBC broadcaster and expert storyteller joins us to talk about his new book LET IT GROW - written for children, it's a collection of garden projects and fun facts to help them learn how to care for God's planet.
Manx-born Very Rev'd Canon John Mann has recently retired as Dean of Belfast Cathedral, and so is back in his native Laxey and enjoying his new ministry as an author. He joins us to talk about his latest book, due to launch on the Island on 12 February at 7pm in the Cathedral Church of St Mary o...
27th January each year is Holocaust Memorial Day - a time to reflect on the 6 million Jews, and thousands of others who died in the Nazi persecution during World War 2, and the millions who have died in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Leonard Singer was a prominent member of the Isle of Man's Jewish community -and during his time as an MHK for Ramsey, around 20 years ago, established an annual National Holocaust Memorial Service, which involved not only the local Jewish community, but also visiting speakers, alongside secondary school students, and people re...
Poet, Anglican priest, academic, singer/songwriter, lecturer and biker, Rev'd Dr Malcolm Guite made his first visit to the Island at the end of last year - and loved everything he saw. In the first part of an interview recorded during his visit, he talks about his childhood in Nigeria, and the power of poetry - to change the course of a life, and to take on a life of its own.
The second part of the interview will be included in another episode of the programme in a few weeks' time.
Norman Barron was born in 1909 and in 1958 became a fully accredited Local Preacher, serving the Methodist C...
President of the Methodist Conference of Britain, Rev'd Gill Newton, and Vice President, Deacon Kerry Scarlett, are visiting the Island this weekend as part of their year of office, during which they will visit as many Methodist circuits as possible.
The Methodist Conference is the governing body of the Methodist Church in Britain, of which the Methodist Church on the Island forms a part - and a more appropriate title for Gill and Kerry would be The Presidency - as they are equals in their leadership duties.
In conversation with them both on this week's programme, we'll discover what their ...
One By One is an international charity dedicated to preventing the exploitation of vulnerable people - particularly children and young teenagers - and today in conversation with founder and CEO Becky Murray we find out how it all began - quite by accident - during a trip to Sierra Leone, with 50p and a pair of pink flip flops.
We were all deeply saddened to learn of the death of Marilyn Cannell BEM - a gifted musician, teacher, composer, and Methodist Local Preacher. Marilyn gave so much to music on the Island - but on today's programme we celebrate her deep faith by listening again to so...
Looking back over a year of weekly opportunities to be AT YOUR SERVICE - today's specially extended programme includes extracts from interviews with the Most Reverend and Rt Honorable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, actress Wendy Craig, singer and Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones, Academic and Scientist Rev'd Professor David Wilkinson, Baptist Minister Richard Littledale -and a feature about the spiritual side of Eurovision in Liverpool - plus lots of music too!
Items for the notice board can be emailed - judithley@manxradio.com
In 2024, the popular Broughton Boys Choir - or to give them their correct title - the choir of St John the Baptist church in Broughton, Lancashire - will make their 50th annual visit to the Isle of Man for their Choir School. Choirmaster John Catterall has accompanied the choir on every single one of those visits, and looks forward to a really special visit to mark the 50th anniversary. He's also looking forward to handing over leadership of the choir to a new young team, as he steps down as Choirmaster in early January.
To mark all these significant happenings in the life of the choir,...
In this special extended edition of At Your Service for Christmas Eve, my guest, country singer/songwriter CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH talks about family life, finding - losing - and finding his faith again, being a schoolteacher before finally breaking into show business - and lots more!
Charlie talks about his faith with honesty and simplicity - a properly down-to-earth story of one man's personal journey, a journey through good times, and bad ....
And between the chat, there's a selection of popular carols, played and sung by Charlie
And of course there's our notice board, too!
On At Your Service today, we've words and music from the recent Tynwald Carol Service recorded in St George's Church, Douglas, plus three folk tales based on the message of Christmas, from author and broadcaster Richard Littledale.
Carlos Philips and the Hon Clare Barber MHK give the Bible readings, there's music from the Tynwald Choir directed and accompanied by Dr Jonathan King (Shine, Star, Shine with words by Breesha Maddrell and music by Frank Woolley) and from The Government Choir conducted by Dr Mandy Griffin and accompanied by David Holland (A Wild Mid-Winter Carol by Liz Dilnot Jo...
On today's programme I talk with the Rt Reverend Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton in the Diocese of Manchester about his life and vocation to the priesthood. Bishop Mark is set to become a regular visitor to the Island, as he has been chosen to be Commissary Bishop, taking care of the Diocese of Sodor and Man until a permanent appointment is made.
Over the years, Bishop Mark has taken many young people on pilgrimage to the monastic community at Taize in Southern France - today we hear some thoughts from Brother Matthew who has just been announced as the new Prior of the Taize Community ...
Ramsey-based business AFD Software celebrated the Company's 40th Anniversary at their recent Annual Charity Event - and they marked the milestone by donating a total of £1million, divided between over 80 local and global charities, nominated by the staff of AFD - The Postcode People.
But there was more - a further £2.2million will be used to buy an aircraft for Mission Aviation Fellowship, the charity which works globally, transforming the lives of people living in remote and isolated communities in around 24 countries.
On the programme this week, we hear from Mission Aviation Fellowship...
The Anglican churches in Arbory and Castletown have a new Priest In Charge - he's Rev'd Simon Archer and he's recently moved to the Island with his wife Tasha and their four children. But many people - scattered all over the world - also know him as The Gaming Vicar.
On today's programme we discover how he moved from a pub to a pulpit, why he and Tasha chose to come to the Island, and of course we've got the story of The Gaming Vicar!
Music is from the St Michael Singers, and from Josh Garrels and the Porters Gate Project
And there's another packed notice board ...
items for inclusion o...
David Dorricott has commissioned possibly his most ambitious piece of Bible-inspired artwork to enhance the 25-acre site at Mountain View Innovation Centre, on Jurby Road, just outside Ramsey, where his business - AFD Software - has its headquarters. The work of artist James Sutton, the piece - which took some 3 years to create - was fully installed recently and on today's programme both James and David reflect on it. Visitors are welcome at Mountain View - walk in the grounds, or have a coffee or a snack in Babbage's Bistro, which is also on the site.
In October, twelve young people f...
This special programme for Remembrance Sunday includes spoken word contributions from Simeon Wood, David Suchet and Sean Bean, with reflections and poetry from poet, singer/songwriter, author and academic Rev'd Dr Malcolm Guite
Prayers are led By Rev'd David and Mrs Jacqueline Shirtliff
Music includes the Hymn for the Fallen, Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep; I vow to thee my country, and Let there be peace on earth
Plus notice board news for the coming week.
Items for the notice board can be emailed to judithley@manxradio.com
Today's programme brings you highlights of the service on Friday 3 November 2023 in which a Douglas parish church becomes the Cathedral Church of St Mary of the Isle, Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Liverpool - the first Co-Cathedral in the British Isles.
It was made possible by the award of city status to the town of Douglas as part of the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which led the City Council to approach the Roman Catholic Church on the Island, to see if it would be possible to have a Cathedral in the City of Douglas ....... the answer was YES - and all the d...
After 6 years as Bishop of Sodor and Man - the smallest but one of the very oldest Diocese in the Church of England - the Rt Reverend Peter Eagles is moving on. He and his wife Gail are leaving the Island to live in Walsingham, Norfolk.
As he retires from leadership of the Manx Diocese, he looks back over some 30 years in ordained ministry, and at the years on the Island in particular, and imagines what the future might hold for him, and for his successor.
Today's hymns are chosen by Bishop Peter, and we have our usual packed notice board!
Items for the notice board can be emailed - judi...
Scripture Union Ministries Trust has been active on the Island for some 40 years - helping young people to explore issues of faith for themselves. Now it's no longer in partnership with SU in England and Wales, but stands alone as part of Scripture Union International - and they have a new Chief Executive. She is KRISTINA REEVES, and on the programme today she explains not just her own role, but the work of SU on the Isle of Man, and the significance of now being an independent part of the bigger Scripture Union picture.
The Very Reverend JOHN MANN - former Dean of Belfast Cathedral, and ...
Christian Aid have been working in the Middle East since 1950 - so how are they responding to the current escalation in violence there? We have comments from our local Christian Aid representative, Louise Whitelegg along with thoughts from those in the area now.
The most likely date for the second reading of the Assisted Dying Bill is 31 October. In anticipation of this, a few days ago nearly 100 people from Christian churches of all denominations came together to pray and think deeply about the issues surrounding this proposed legislation. On the programme we hear the views of Pastor Bi...
When roads are impassable, terrain is treacherous and walking vast distances is your only option, a curable illness suddenly becomes deadly. Those who live in isolated areas around the world, are cut off from the things we take for granted - like healthcare and education.
MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP is a Christian aviation charity operating around 130 light aircraft in more than 25 of the world's poorest countries - bringing help, hope and healing to the most remote communities.
On this programme I talk with their newly appointed CEO Donovan Palmer
Find out more at www.maf-uk.org
Baptist ...
God and The Big Bang is a project that runs interactive workshop days with young people aged between 10 and 18 giving them the opportunity to discover, discuss and debate the compatibility between science and faith. The events equip young people with the tools they need in order to form their own opinions about the part science plays in God's world.
In this programme I talk with Project Leader Michael Harvey and two of his team - Francesca Blondell and Sarah Moring - during their recent visit to the Island, where they spent time with some local schools, youth groups and youth workers.
Th...
Another bit of Island history has been made this week, as Pope Francis has granted Cathedral status to the Roman Catholic church of St Mary of the Isle in Douglas. The church will be a Co-Cathedral to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, in Liverpool city centre.
Co-Cathedrals are very rare in the Roman Catholic Church, and this is the first-ever Co-Cathedral in the British Isles. Monsignor John Devine - parish priest of St Mary's and senior Catholic priest on the Island - explains in full why this has happened and what it means for the Island churches of other denominations.
...
Dr Naomi Graham is the founder and CEO of the Christian charity Growing Hope - providing free therapy for children with additional needs, and support for their families. She believes that churches are ideally placed to become truly inclusive and accessible places for everyone, and can help to meet the shortfall in mental health provision, which currently means children, young people and their families have to wait too long for the help they need.
Find out more as we talk with her on the programme this week.
Her website is https://growing hope.org.uk
And Rev'd Richard Littledale returns, w...
Jackie is Manx-born and retains a huge love and respect for the Isle of Man. Her husband Jay is American - a Lutheran pastor - and they met in Bangladesh but got married in Kirk Andreas! Hear their fascinating story on this week's programme, alongside music from Wallingford Parish Church choir, and Margaret Rizza. Plus there's our usual notice board
Items for the notice board can be emailed to : judithley@manxradio.com
Reverend Dawn Mather retired on 31st August after ten years in leadership of the United Reformed Churches in Ramsey and Douglas. On the programme this morning she reflects on those years, and talks about the years before she came to the Isle of Man - expect some surprises!!
We'll also hear from Reverend Geoff Felton, Moderator of the Mersey Synod of the United Reformed Church who came to the Island for Dawn's final service, and who will be directly involved in finding her successor.
Music this week is from the International Staff Songsters of the Salvation Army - tracks taken from a rec...