Bandon 18-20th October 2019
The leaders of Bandon Methodist Church invited a Lay Witness team to conduct a weekend mission in November 2004.
Bruce and Fern Mullen led the team.
Bruce and Fern Mullen led the team.
Weekend Reports and Photos
Joy Brookes, Bandon Methodist, writes....
Throughout the weekend I marvelled at their openness, honesty and deep faith. These people shared their ups and downs in life with an ease more akin to a friendly reminisce over coffee rather than a talk to a congregational gathering mostly unknown to them. A lay witness team visited my home town of Bandon, Co Cork from Friday 18th till Sunday 20th October. It consisted of 8 people from the length of the island of Ireland .Bruce and Fern Mullen led and were accompanied by Helen Little, David Brady and Linda Taylor from their home church in Dundrum ,Dublin. Simon Patterson and Raymond Ruttle represented our home circuit of West Cork, and finally Heather Boland made the journey down from Cavehill Methodist church, North Belfast. Our minister Rev Denis Maguire and Bandon Society Steward Mr Roy Kingston and their hard working wives Carol and Jennifer organised the weekend. In addition to the church family meals in a local restaurant on Friday and Saturday evenings the team spoke at the local Men's Breakfast on Saturday followed by coffee mornings in a few of our homes.That afternoon a relaxing walk was had on Long Strand,Rosscarberry to recharge the batteries! At the Sunday morning service in Bandon Methodist Church the local and Clonakilty congregations were encouraged by more personal testimonies and Heather's sermon. After the service there was a time of prayer with team members for anyone who wished. The team departed that afternoon and in the evening we came together for a time of worship and reflection. I was reminded that God doesn't promise us a life of ease after we become Christians .Individual team members shared how they faced hurdles such as job losses ,parenting difficulties, depression and serious illness but God was with them throughout and He poured out His love ,strength, peace and hope in the most wonderful ways . Many of the team mentioned the love of their own church families who met them at their deepest need in their darkest hour shining the love of Jesus into their lives in many practical ways. Some team members continue to endure hardship but trust in the Lord, sense His presence, and hold onto all His promises. We are so grateful to these wonderful Christian brothers and sisters who came to serve us in West Cork so selflessly and lovingly. They reminded us that God cherishes and uses all of us in our brokenness as it says in 2 Corinthians 4 v 7-10 the weekend's theme verses .To God be the glory. |
David Brady, Team Member, writes....
The venue for my first Lay Witness weekend was Bandon – the lush, beautiful gateway to West Cork, rich in Methodist heritage and tradition, and with a long-standing business and farming community. And home too, of a Ministerial team (in Denis and Carol Maguire), and a Methodist congregation, where we knew we would receive a warm, warm welcome - which we did, many times over. So, first impressions; one of the great things about Lay Witness was the meticulous planning process before the weekend itself. After the initial discussion process between the Lay Witness Team and local church, our team met in the team leader’s house (Bruce Mullen) for a chat and lunch, and several weeks later, travelled from Dublin to Bandon for a pre-event meeting. Of course, it helped enormously that prayers were being said throughout the country for a successful weekend on 18-20 October. Another positive impression was the jovial fellowship during the journey to and from the location – eventualities like getting lost, being a few minutes late, playing Russian roulette with the battery-life on our phones (vital for satnav) were all part of the fun and fellowship (isn't that right, Helen!). Side by side with this, was the wonderful learning, sharing and support that took place throughout. Then there's the food - plentiful and sumptuous. Good for the soul but maybe not the waistline! Our evening events took place in the Copper Grove, a local restaurant just outside the town. The food was amazing; and then there were the coffee mornings, men's breakfasts, lunchtime toasties (thank you Carol!) and food and social time with our host families. Bandon, you did us proud! Of course, as a member of the team, we were all slightly apprehensive about was giving our testimonies. However, there were several things which eased the nerves - firstly, the prayers of the Minister and congregation were a great reassurance. In addition, there was special team prayer times before each session (and prayer before getting up to speak). I had a slight cold and feeling slightly off form. But the fellowship and support I received, and we gave each other, was fantastic. To my surprise, I had been asked to share my story twice; first at the men's breakfast and then later that evening. Both times, I felt relieved at having done it, and it was nice to get some positive feedback and hear that people could relate to aspects of my story. My final positive impression was my experience of the event itself - very busy, emotional at times, but highly rewarding; and of course, the happy feeling that we were there to do the Lord's work and serve the Bandon and Clonakility congregations in whatever way we could. As such, active listening and responding through prayer were key elements of the team-member's toolkit. This was new for many of us, but we were willing to try our best and hopefully our experiences will be of benefit in the future. The process culminated in a lively, well-attended Sunday morning service in Bandon Methodist Church led by Heather Boland and Bruce Mullen and where two local people on our team, Raymond Ruttle and Linda Taylor gave their testimonies. Individual personal prayer was offered afterwards, and the team left Bandon with special prayers for the Ministerial team, the lay leadership team and congregation. Overall, I would heartily recommend the experience to others who may be invited on a lay witness team or congregations thinking of embarking on this journey. God has an individual plan for each us, occasionally mysterious, but always with our highest purpose and benefit assured. For me, and I am sure all involved, this weekend has now become an important part of our stories of becoming and being a Christian. |