Episodes
Manx-born Baptist minister Ruth Rice knows at first-hand how it feels to completely burn out.
But from a personal crisis came a formula for wellbeing that's spread all over the UK.
On this week's AT YOUR SERVICE Ruth tells her inspirational and searingly honest story - including the birth of Renew Wellbeing - quiet shared spaces where its okay not to be okay.
There are two Renew Spaces developing on the Island, in Peel Methodist Church and at The Well at Broadway Baptist Church in Douglas. If you'd like more information or to contact Ruth herself, you can do so via the main websit...
Today is the start of Prisons Week - it's a call to pray for all those affected by crime and imprisonment - prisoners and their families, victims of crime, their families and their communities, those working in the criminal justice system, and the many people involved in caring for those affected by crime - inside and outside our prisons.
Today's guest is Reverend Helen Dearnley, an Anglican priest and an experienced Prison Chaplain based in Leicestershire, who shares some views on her present role and the opportunities it offers for ministry in places of fear, loneliness and conflict.
You...
Just a few weeks ago, Roman Catholic priest Canon Thomas Neylon was ordained bishop by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool. Warrington-born Bishop Tom is now an Auxiliary Bishop, ministering in the Archdiocese of Liverpool which covers a large area of the North West, and includes the Isle of Man.
Immediately after his episcopal ordination, Bishop Tom spent a few days on the Island, meeting the Catholic communities, our ecumenical partners, and members of Government. He also recorded a conversation, looking back over his priestly min...
The Annual Isle of Man Charity Challenge - sponsored by AFD Software of Ramsey - invites teams of 6th form students from the Island's secondary schools to select a Manx-registered charity, then learn about it, raise funds for it, engage in advocacy work to present its message to others, and then prepare an original presentation summarising its aims, achievements and objectives in the most compelling way possible.
The presentations are judged by an independent panel, and the one judged best is awarded £5,000 - to be given to advance the work of the featured charity.
The winning team thi...
Songwriters Noel Robinson, Andy Flannagan and Graham Hunter took a familiar hymn tune and added words to inspire us all to understand that, wherever we are, and whatever we're doing, we can see our daily tasks through God's eyes, and through our very presence bring His kingdom here on earth - as in Heaven.
Anne De Leyser believes we are all able to bless our community, our family, our colleagues and our friends, by allowing God to work through us - wherever we are. Anne travels the world, talking to people about establishing Local Houses of Prayer (you can do it with just 2 people!) an...
This year marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11 - a series of airline hijackings and suicide attacks on targets in the United States - over 3,000 people were killed in New York, when two planes were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Centre; 184 people died when another plane hit the Pentagon, and a further 40 people died in Pennsylvania, where another hijacked plane crashed in a field after passengers attempted to retake control - that plane was believed to be heading to the Capitol building in Washington DC. In New York, more than 400 police and firefighters were kil...
3Generate is the children's and youth assembly of the Methodist Church, and it aims to create an inclusive and diverse space for the voice of children and young people to emerge and be heard. It enables them to speak courageously, and listen to God and each other. Through 3Generate, children and young people are equipped to understand and handle change and growth, and so have a positive impact in their local Christian communities. 3Generate calls the Church to listen to, and form relationships with and amongst children and young people, so that change can happen together, as a flourishing ...
Manx-born Reverend Dr Janet Corlett is the new leader of the Methodist Church on the Island.
We bring a flavour of her Service of Welcome held in Trinity Methodist Church at Rosemount, Douglas, on Saturday 28th August, as she becomes Chair of District, Superintendent of the Circuit and Minister of Trinity and Promenade Methodist Churches.
Artist Anne House has been inspired to create a series of 34 silk paintings which tell the story of the Gospel from a fresh and unique perspective. The exhibition is opening in Onchan Methodist Church on 4th September, and it will be curated by Onch...
No one could fail to be moved by the pictures and reports coming from Afghanistan this week - but local Christian Aid representative Louise Whitelegg was determined to put the despair she felt, into positive action. So in a matter of days, she had organised, and advertised Island-wide, a 4-hour Prayer Vigil - last Thursday evening in Trinity Methodist Church at Rosemount in Douglas - praying for Afghanistan and for Haiti - one country devastated by violence, the other devastated by earthquakes, storms and political unrest which is hampering the delivery of essential aid.
On today's pr...
After an absence of two years due to the pandemic, Canon Philip Gillespie is back, spending summer on the Island, and taking care of the churches in Ramsey and Peel whilst resident Parish Priest Fr Brian O Mahony is on holiday. Canon Philip will be warmly remembered for his time on the Isle of Man as Parish Priest of St Mary of the Isle in Douglas, and as senior priest with oversight of all the Island's Catholic Churches. Now the Rector of the Pontifical Beda College in Rome, Canon Philip reflects on life during Italian lockdown, and shares some Scripture, prayers and hymns from the So...
On this exact weekend 15 years ago, a group of German visitors were enjoying exploring our Island and building strong bonds of friendship with their Manx hosts.
I joined them for a service of Celtic Evening Prayer when they were in Maughold, and today's programme features that recording, and the story behind the visit.
There's wonderful Manx music from Emma Christian, who entertained the group before and after the service, plus our usual notice board, and a word of warning if you like cooking with onions ...... !!
Information for the notice board, and requests for your favourite hymns t...
Reverend Dr Janet Corlett is the new Chair of District - leader of the Methodist Church on the Island - and will take up her post at the end of August. In an interview first broadcast in. 2018, when she came to the Island to visit her parents, we learn something of her background, and the extensive experience she will bring to her leadership role in ministry on the Island.
And Sheila Sutton joins us with some gentle thoughts with powerful messages!
Hymns today are from the Lincoln Minster School Chamber Choir
And there's notice board news, too.
If you'd like to choose a favourite hymn fo...
The Venerable Andi Brown will retire in a few days' time, having completed ten years as Archdeacon of Mann and Vicar of St George and All Saints Church in Douglas. On At Your Service today, he talks about the challenges and blessings of doing two demanding ministries at the same time, and reflects on the other experiences he's gained during 41 years as a priest in the Church of England.
It's been over four years in the making, but this weekend a dream came true for Jean Faragher, as her project to draw together willing volunteers from local Christian churches of all denominations, to ...
Research has shown that we fear dementia more than we fear cancer - and we find it such a hard subject to discuss - yet most of us know a friend or family member living with the illness.
On the programme this week, three very different but hugely positive and inspirational women share their message. Gina Shaw was diagnosed with dementia when she was in her early 50's but she refuses to be worried or miserable - Jackie Kline is a teacher in Liverpool and she's thrilled that all the children in her school are dementia-aware, and love their weekly visits to the local care home - and Profes...
New storyboards have appeared in St George's Churchyard in Douglas - Archdeacon, and Vicar of St George's, The Ven Andie Brown, explains why they're there, saints and sinners - and if you go to St George's (Upper Church St, Douglas) on Saturday 17 July at 2.30pm you can hear more, and enjoy a strawberry tea, too! Tours of St George's Bell Tower will be available - and it's all free (but donations to Graih would be appreciated!)
The Cathedral in Peel has been part of a Green Pilgrimage - encouraging us to be more eco-aware and live more sustainable lives - and their major exhibition is s...
When a Methodist Minister retires, tradition says that they are 'sitting down'. So, having completed 9 years as Chair of the Isle of Man District of the Methodist Church, Reverend Richard Hall is 'sitting down' and he and is wife Ruth will shortly be leaving the Island. On today's programme, Richard reflects on his life as an ordained minister, hints at some of the challenges facing the Methodist Church, and chooses some music which is particularly meaningful to him.
Mrs Olive Dobson first played the harmonium in Abbeylands Chapel on the first Sunday in July, 1941, for the Sunday School...
This week, we're in the bell tower in St Thomas's Church in Douglas, to talk to Tower Captain Edwin Creer as he makes the Island part of a little bit of bell ringing history.
Next, Pastor John Powell of the Elim Community Church explains why he's leading an hour of prayer for our Island on Tynwald Hill from 7pm - 8pm on Tuesday 6 July - and as the Isle of Man Flower Festival prepares to open at St John's Mill from 3th - 5th July, we get the details from organiser Judy Matthews, and also chat with Pat Jackson and Eileen Speers - founder members of the original Manx Heritage Flower Festival...
Dr Graham McCall could be enjoying a relaxing retirement in Patrick, following a varied career in medicine, as a general surgeon and a GP in inner city Sheffield. But instead, he's reinstated his medical qualifications and works on the Covid 111 Helpline. He's also deeply involved in the life and ministry of his local church - Kirk Patrick - and keeps his vibrant Christian faith at the very heart of all he does. On At Your Service this week, he tells his story - chooses a favourite Bible passage, and adds some uplifting music.
There's also a full Notice Board of events during the coming...
Agneash Chapel, in the hills above Laxey village, has been a place of prayer and worship for over 1,300 years - since a monk first lived in a keeill (a tiny chapel) built on the boundary wall of the current chapel, in AD690. The present chapel was built in 1857 after 17 years of services being held in nearby cottages. In the 1800's Agneash was in a mining and farming community and often there would be around 200 people at services and events in the tiny chapel.
Numbers are less now, but the chapel still has a dedicated congregation with a deep desire to preserve the 'specialness' of ...
The Port St Mary Beach Mission is a firm fixture on the Manx calendar - those two weeks of fun and faith-sharing, in August each year, began in 1901 - and the outreach has only ever been completely stopped by the two World Wars.
It attracts around 400 children and teenagers, and a team of adult volunteer leaders give up their own holiday time, to help with the mission. Even last year, when border restrictions meant that the UK leaders couldn't travel to the Island, the Beach Mission went ahead - on line - with videos, games, music, and resources to use at home.
But what makes the Beach...
Laxey resident Sheila Sutton is no stranger to suffering, having recently undergone major surgery to remove a cancerous tumour - yet she remains happy - and hugely hopeful! On today's programme, she explains where her hope really lies, with a reflection, a favourite poem and a few moments of prayer.
Rev'd Nicky Gumbel is an Anglican priest based in Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, London, and is known as the developer of the Alpha Course - an 11-session programme which gives a basic introduction to Christianity, and which is supported by churches of many different Christian traditions. Al...
Manxman Brendan O'Friel spent his entire working life in seven different penal institutions, including Strangeways Prison in Manchester before and during the riots of 1990. He's just published a fascinatingly detailed and informative book which has already been acclaimed as essential reading for anyone considering a career in the prison system, and joins us on the programme to explore how his Catholic faith has informed his choices, value systems and general approach to his working life.
Brendan's book - Prison Governor's Journal - is available from Lexicon Bookshop, 63, Strand Street, ...
WELCOME to an AT YOUR SERVICE special podcast-only programme.
This is the full service to celebrate the Centenary of the Royal British Legion, recorded in St George's Church, Douglas, the Civic Church of the Isle of Man's Capital Town, on Sunday 16 May 2021. The service is led by the Archdeacon of Mann, The Venerable Andi Brown, in the presence of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, and Lady Gozney.
The Lord Bishop, the Rt Reverend Peter Eagles, preaches the sermon, and there are musical items from a piper from the Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums, Women in Song Co...
For the past sixteen years, Praying the Keeills Week has offered eight days of varied walks, talks, coach tours and times of fellowship - all in the glorious Manx countryside - exploring, with the help of well-informed guides - our Island's ancient keeill sites. Keeills are Christian chapels built on the Isle of Man between the 8th and 12th centuries. The earliest ones were small, and built of earth. Later they were made of stone, and were larger. It's believed that there were around 200 keeills, of which visible remains of only about 35 can be seen today. They had a variety of uses - ...
Whereas our western 'wealth' affords us at least some certainty in difficult times, a combination of the pandemic and the effects of climate change have widened the gap between us, and our poorest global neighbours.
This year’s Christian Aid project will help young unemployed people in Burundi - still one of the world’s most poverty-stricken countries, with over 70% of the population who have no work at all, and as she launches the NO SMALL CHANGE appeal, Christian Aid’s local representative Louise Whitelegg wonders if she’s a lover? Or a fighter?
This year’s project will be life-chan...
Lockdown is easing, Spring has sprung and today is the final day of National Gardening Week!
Run annually by the Royal Horticultural Society, the focus this year has been on encouraging people to keep growing things and enjoying green spaces for their proven benefits to health and general wellbeing.
This morning we hear three stories of how churches are using gardens to serve their local communities.
And we meet Maggie - one of a number of people who took part in The Bible Society's quest to find our favourite Bible verse - but for Maggie, the words of the 23rd Psalm really did become ...
Do you remember the KB Krew?
If the answer is 'yes' you'll love today's programme - and if you've never heard of them, you'll enjoy meeting them for the first time.
On At Your Service this week, we're delving into the archives to listen to a service recorded in Kirk Braddan in 2007, entirely prepared and presented by members of the KB Krew - the parish youth group who met every Sunday night under the guidance of Lloyd and Carolyn Shipstone, and with the support of the Vicar of Kirk Braddan at that time, Canon Philip Frear.
The KB Krew enjoyed sports challenges, picnics, and BBQ's, a...
We begin this week's programme with edited highlights from the ceremonial funeral for His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, held yesterday in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, under strict Covid restrictions.
Every detail of the service was planned in advance by the Duke himself, to reflect personal elements of his life and his close military ties. There was no eulogy singing his praises, no sermon, and no family readings. Instead, the Duke chose Bible passages, prayers and sacred music which reflected his deep Christian faith.
In death, there is no rank or seniori...
Following the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, we reflect in words, music and prayers on 'a life well lived' for the benefit of others - and including not only the late Duke, but all who have died recently.
We also recall an exceptional man who, at the age of 90, died in March - Reverend Canon Dr John Polkinghorne - a distinguished academic, an expert in quantum physics, and an Anglican priest who was awarded the £1 million Templeton Prize for his use of science to explore life's deepest questions.
In this programme, we listen again to an interview he...
The Easter Halleluia is here! At Your Service on this most important day, comes from St German's Cathedral in Peel, and includes a welcome from the Dean, the Very Reverend Nigel Godfrey, a challenging message from Bishop Peter, and Reverend Ruth Walker, curate at the Cathedral, shares a very vivid Easter memory. The St German's Cathedral choristers also play a major part in today's programme, as we premier their brand new recording of the Easter Halleluia - words by Kelley Mooney to a very familiar tune! The Easter Halleluia music video has been produced to mark the 40th Anniversary of...