This month it has been great to return to Northern Ireland and enjoy the generosity of the Irish Baptist Network.  It was a wonderful privilege to preach in three of the Baptist churches there – Windsor, Belfast; Tobermore, Co. Londonderry; and Ballynahinch, Co. Down.  It was a joy to share in lively vibrant church communities who are reaching out to their wider neighbourhoods. 

For me, this was also opportunity to retrace my roots. I lived in County Down from the age of 4 to 12 – important years of my schooling - and, although I was born in England, my mother was from Northern Ireland and I was able to go back and visit the small hillside cottage where I had lived as a child.  From the house, there are magnificent views of the Irish Sea and the Mourne Mountains  - which were the inspiration for C.S. Lewis’ Kingdom of Narnia.  Memories flooded back and I recalled being asked one day on the bus going home from school: ‘Are you a Protestant or a Catholic?’ Memories, too, of being taken by my Mum to a local church and a meeting house amongst the hills where monthly services were held and I was first invited to read the Bible publicly.  Thanksgiving filled my heart for the ‘rock from which I was hewn’.

This was not, though, just a trip of nostalgia. Our early experiences shape us for good or ill. And this visit reminded me of the importance of a loving family environment and of solid early educational experiences.  I could then trace out where my own journey had taken me down the years. Being brought up aware of ‘living with difference’, and experiencing a tolerant upbringing made me aware how peace-making and bridge-building are fundamental parts of the Gospel. 

 

(Ernie has prepared a series of 6 Bible Studies ‘Like Stars in the Universe’ based on our Assembly 2013 theme: ‘Reclaiming Philippians for Today’s Church’. Copies of this are available from the online shop  – priced £3.)