One of the most joyful lessons of my first few weeks in Belfast is in the recognition that there are goofy people everywhere. At least four days a week I spend some time at Whitehouse Presbyterian Church in Newtownabbey, a borough just north of Belfast. Without minimalizing the differences between life in PC(USA) and PCI (Presbyterian Church in Ireland), the people of Whitehouse are as silly and full of laughter as any church community I have been a part of. Some people are huggers; some fire off questions faster than I can answer them; and some just won't let me say no to a seventh cookie and another cup of tea. Invariably I offer a little giggle, and they apologize because they're probably scaring me, or because I'm probably like "these people are so weird," and I assure them that I am very much enjoying their company. In fact, while the accents and even the jokes are a bit different, the silliness is what makes me feel most welcome as I begin my work in partnership with Whitehouse.
Coupled with their silliness, the people at Whitehouse are commendable for their authentic concern for people both local and remote. Most of my involvement at Whitehouse is with their youth, through their Youth Fellowship, Girls' Brigade, and Boys' Brigade programs. It is evident that the congregation is committed to cultivating confidence and faithfulness in their young people. The church supports the Street Pastors of Northern Ireland, the Irish Churches Peace Project, Tearfund, and collaborates extensively with nearby Catholic churches (which seems to be somewhat scandalous). My point is this: the YAV program made no mistake in choosing Whitehouse Presbyterian as a partner in ministry.
It is worth mentioning that in 2002 a sectarian arson attack left the Whitehouse community without a building for three years. The legacy of this fire has become central, it seems, to the identity of the congregation. They are proud that their community and ministries endured the trauma, and they are even grateful because the attack became an opportunity to seek reconciliation with Catholic communities in Newtownabbey, who helped sponsor the reconstruction of Whitehouse. I have yet to worship with any other church in Northern Ireland, but I am convinced that Whitehouse is a special place.
Here is a link to Whitehouse's website:
http://www.whpci.org/index.html
Sometime soon I will post a blog about my other placement, PeacePlayers Northern Ireland. Here is a link to their site:
http://www.peaceplayersintl.org/our-programs/northern-Ireland
"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
