Dundrum 9-11th March 2012
The leaders of Dundrum Methodist Church invited a Lay Witness team to conduct a weekend mission in March 2012.
Heather Boland and David Blevins led the team.
Heather Boland and David Blevins led the team.
Weekend Reports and Photos
YOU HAVE SAID “SEEK MY FACE”. MY HEART SAYS TO YOU “YOUR FACE LORD, DO I SEEK”.
These words that sounded the call to Worship for the Sunday Morning Service when the Lay Witness team visited Dundrum Church, Dublin, I feel epitomise both the prayerful desire of the team and that of the congregation. The team of twelve, under the leadership of David Blevins and Heather Boland, was due to arrive in Dublin for a team meeting at 18.30 on Friday. On arrival we were shocked and saddened to learn that two of our team, Stephen McCann and Ruth Laverty, had had a minor car accident on the journey and had returned to Belfast. It was a help to learn that the injuries were not too serious and we trust that, by the time they read this, Stephen and Ruth will both have completely recovered. This happened to be my first time on a lay witness team and as I write this, just shortly after returning home, I still feel uplifted and warmed by all the influences of the week-end - the wonderful welcome from the Minister and folk at Dundrum, the deep fellowship shared by members of the team, the privilege of being given the opportunity to pray with team members, as well as with those from the congregation, the making of new friends and the bonding again for me, after some years, with friends in the congregation. Such a lot to think about at the end of each day - getting to sleep easily each evening, just wasn’t part of the agenda! As a team, we feel so grateful to those at Dundrum for the prayer and careful planning that they had, so obviously, put into our visit and which contributed so much to all that took place over the week-end. Also, I feel I must mention the generous hospitality received by the team, which exceeded all that we could ever have expected. The Dundrum friends accompanied this with a lovely cheerful team spirit which bound everything together for us, into a very happy and memorable experience. Indeed, the whole week-end blossomed into one of those very special times in which we were particularly aware of God’s Presence and of His activity and active leading and I believe that, so much of it, will be an enduring joyful memory for us on the team. Our prayers continue to be with those in Dundrum, as we journey together on our quest to “seek His face” ever more clearly. Audrey Kingston, first time team member, |
Bruce Mullen, local co-ordinator in Dundrum, writes….
I was part of the organising team. In the run up to the weekend we had a number of prayer/praise meetings in the 6/8 weeks prior to the Lay Witness Weekend. These were so important in setting the foundation for the weekend. The theme of the weekend was Going Deeper into God, Fellowship, and the Community. I met David and Heather a couple of times prior to the weekend and I came away from those meetings with a nervous anticipation of what God might do during the weekend.
Unfortunately two of the team were involved in a minor car accident on the way to Dundrum and were unable to come. The weekend started on the Friday evening with a wonderful meal prepared by the ladies of the church – this was no mean feat as over 100 attended. From the start of the weekend the team were wonderfully open and vulnerable in the stories they told and shared with us, from their lives. They came not to preach but to share the love of Jesus and they did that in such a gentle Spirit-led way. It was a lovely gentle start to the weekend.
On Saturday morning we had a men’s breakfast at which 30 men attended and Stephen held us spellbound with his story of his time in the PSNI and how God became real in his life.
Then it was on the coffee mornings – these were special and they allowed people to open up in a safe place and talk about the issues that were on their minds. The team led a meditation on laying your burdens down and not taking them up again!
On Saturday evening another fine meal was prepared, eaten and enjoyed. The team once again shared their stories of life and through them all, the fact that God remains a constant, no matter what happens. Heather shared a word from the Lord specifically for Dundrum. This was powerful and you could hear a pin drop. This word was spot on! It was delivered with a conviction and boldness that can only have been Spirit-led. Dundrum people went home with a lot to think about.
On Sunday morning, once again the team shared from their lives, again with such honesty and love. David shared a message from Isaiah, and then requested a response from the congregation. The vast majority of the congregation came forward and responded. A lot of tears were shed that morning – God was at work by his Holy Spirit. There were prayer stations around the Church and a good number of people took the opportunity to be prayed with.
A soup lunch followed and then the time came to say goodbye to the team – the weekend had flown by, but it felt like we were saying goodbye to old friends. They had been true to what God had asked them to do, and by doing so had blessed us many times over.
On the Sunday evening we met without the team for a time of thanks to God for the weekend, and a time of sharing – it was lovely to hear how God had spoken to so many. As for the word that Heather had for us, as Church we are working through it and look forward to see what God has in store for us in Dundrum. My one concern at the start of the weekend was not on the organisational side, but would God turn up and would we hear his voice? I need not have been worried. God certainly turned up and His word was spoken. What a weekend!
With many thanks to David and Heather and the team for their sharing of their stories, for being willing to be vulnerable, obedient and doing it all in such a loving way. To God be the Glory!
I was part of the organising team. In the run up to the weekend we had a number of prayer/praise meetings in the 6/8 weeks prior to the Lay Witness Weekend. These were so important in setting the foundation for the weekend. The theme of the weekend was Going Deeper into God, Fellowship, and the Community. I met David and Heather a couple of times prior to the weekend and I came away from those meetings with a nervous anticipation of what God might do during the weekend.
Unfortunately two of the team were involved in a minor car accident on the way to Dundrum and were unable to come. The weekend started on the Friday evening with a wonderful meal prepared by the ladies of the church – this was no mean feat as over 100 attended. From the start of the weekend the team were wonderfully open and vulnerable in the stories they told and shared with us, from their lives. They came not to preach but to share the love of Jesus and they did that in such a gentle Spirit-led way. It was a lovely gentle start to the weekend.
On Saturday morning we had a men’s breakfast at which 30 men attended and Stephen held us spellbound with his story of his time in the PSNI and how God became real in his life.
Then it was on the coffee mornings – these were special and they allowed people to open up in a safe place and talk about the issues that were on their minds. The team led a meditation on laying your burdens down and not taking them up again!
On Saturday evening another fine meal was prepared, eaten and enjoyed. The team once again shared their stories of life and through them all, the fact that God remains a constant, no matter what happens. Heather shared a word from the Lord specifically for Dundrum. This was powerful and you could hear a pin drop. This word was spot on! It was delivered with a conviction and boldness that can only have been Spirit-led. Dundrum people went home with a lot to think about.
On Sunday morning, once again the team shared from their lives, again with such honesty and love. David shared a message from Isaiah, and then requested a response from the congregation. The vast majority of the congregation came forward and responded. A lot of tears were shed that morning – God was at work by his Holy Spirit. There were prayer stations around the Church and a good number of people took the opportunity to be prayed with.
A soup lunch followed and then the time came to say goodbye to the team – the weekend had flown by, but it felt like we were saying goodbye to old friends. They had been true to what God had asked them to do, and by doing so had blessed us many times over.
On the Sunday evening we met without the team for a time of thanks to God for the weekend, and a time of sharing – it was lovely to hear how God had spoken to so many. As for the word that Heather had for us, as Church we are working through it and look forward to see what God has in store for us in Dundrum. My one concern at the start of the weekend was not on the organisational side, but would God turn up and would we hear his voice? I need not have been worried. God certainly turned up and His word was spoken. What a weekend!
With many thanks to David and Heather and the team for their sharing of their stories, for being willing to be vulnerable, obedient and doing it all in such a loving way. To God be the Glory!