Episodes
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...
Reverend Doctor Janet Corlett is the first woman to become Chair of District - the leader of the Methodist Church on the Isle of Man - and we think she may also be the first Manx-born Chair of District in living memory!
This morning we have an in-depth conversation about Janet's life and ministry - a life that turned from science to ordination and which has taken her from 'the land of her birth' to places as diverse as The Philippines, India, Italy, Zimbabwe and Honduras - as well as Yorkshire and London!
Now the circle is - in a way - complete, as Janet returns to the Isle of Man to lead ...
The two words Spiritual and Abuse don't sit comfortably together - we don't want to think of our churches, places of prayer, or religious organisations as being places where people can feel uncomfortable or distressed - so exactly what is spiritual abuse - and how can we make sure this doesn't happen? Psychologist Dr Lisa Oakley shares the results of her extensive research and studies of this subject.
If you have been affected by any of the issues Lisa mentions, you are welcome to contact the Island's Safeguarding Advisor, Tony Connell, on 01624 829 353
Tommy and Brooke Harrison are a cou...
Scientist Dr Douglas Fox and his wife Carol - an ordained minister in the Methodist Church - divide their year between their home in the United States, and their home in Peel, where they can be found from Easter to October. But the Island is far, far more important to them than just an attractive holiday destination. It's become an essential part of their faith journey - and on this week's programme, Doug Fox tells his story - sharing some significant moments in his life as a scientist, which have challenged and energised his life as a Christian.
And Ruth Rice is back - with another lett...
The second of our At Your Service special programmes to give thanks for the remarkable life of dedicated service given by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the eve of her State Funeral.
In this programme, a time of prayer and reflection, based on the 23rd Psalm - The Lord Is My Shepherd - is led by the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and includes music by St Martin's Voices.
The voice of Her Late Majesty - reflecting in typically unselfish style - gives us insights into the many aspects of her life of true service, carried out with natural ...
A programme of words and music, celebrating the faith of the late Queen Elizabeth II - contributors include King Charles III; the Rt Reverend Peter Eagles, Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man; Monsignor John Devine; Rev'd Dr Janet Corlett; the UK Prime Minister Liz Truss and the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev'd Sarah Mullally
Music includes three hymns from the Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance held in St Paul's Cathedral; Taverner's Song for Athene, and the special Platinum Jubilee composition - In His Service
We were saddened to learn of the death of popular radio and television presenter BILL TURNBULL, at the age of just 66 - his life and career cut short by prostate cancer.
For some time, Bill was one of the team of presenters on BBC TV's Songs of Praise, and in 2014 the programme team came to the Island, to record an edition during our Island of Culture year.
We feature extracts from that programme, including some moving words from the late John Kennaugh, and part of an interview with Bill himself.
RICHARD LITTLEDALE is Pastor of Newbury Baptist Church in Berkshire.
He's also an author, ...
Earlier this month, St Paul's Church celebrated 200 years of service to ...
Dr Andrew Ollerton is a theologian, a preacher, a skilled communicator and a lover of the great outdoors! He loves God - and he loves The Bible, and works with The Bible Society to develop guides to help us explore the book that he believes is a limitless source of guidance and hope, in the face of so much uncertainty in our modern world.
In AT YOUR SERVICE today, Andrew takes us walking with him in the Brecon Beacons and as he crosses a lake and climbs a hill, he uses the first book of The Bible - Genesis - to answer some of life's biggest questions.
This talk is based on a part of Andrew...
St Paul's Church in Ramsey has been at the heart of the community for the last two hundred years. We talk to church members Martin Barrow and Viv Hare who are leading four days of celebration, starting with a hog roast and children's games in the church gardens from 2pm on Thursday 18 August. On Friday and Saturday 19th and 20th, St Paul's will be open each day from 10am to 5.30pm with a flower festival and displays of rare vintage photographs in the church, and refreshments in the Cafe San Paulo in the church lounge - the celebrations culminate in a Thanksgiving Service of Holy Communion ...
Myles MacBean is the National Director of Scripture Union England and Wales, and was on the Island this week to experience at first hand the Port St Mary Scripture Union Beach Mission.
Scripture Union works around the world to create opportunities for children and young people to explore the Bible, discover the message of Jesus for themselves, respond to that message if they wish, and then grow in their personal faith.
Scripture Union provides resources, trains volunteers, and supports churches and partner organisations who want to make that journey of discovery with young people.
As Myl...
Rev'd Tina Hodgett is an Anglican priest who is passionate about the power of pioneer ministry to change people's lives - she's got a wealth of experience in the challenges and joys of this particular type of outreach, and now teaches and supports not just Anglican but Methodist and United Reformed Churches too, as they find new and imaginative ways to form relationships with the many people who would never go inside a church. Tina is full of stories and practical advice - and she also has an impeccable Manx background!
And someone else with deep Manx roots is Ruth Rice - and today she's ba...