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I had the privilege of leading Bible studies on Mark’s gospel to two groups during May as a follow up to the Alpha course run by all the churches in Athy. There were two Alpha courses, one on Thursday morning and one on Thursday evening. I was involved with the evening one. 35 people attended Alpha. Pray for the leaders as they consider running another Alpha in September and possibly a Bible study for those who have already done the Alpha course. About 20 came to the follow up Bible studies. Pray for all who attended that they will continue to read and study God’s Word.
The Children’s Meeting closed at the end of May. We have had an average of 10 children coming regularly and it has been a joy teaching them as they have continued to have an interest in God’s Word.
The Youth Club turned into a leaders club and we enjoyed a trip to Ballymoney at Easter with a small group. Thanks to Laura Murphy and all at Trinity who spent time with us and looked after us. We also spent a weekend in Courtown. Please continue to pray for Sarah, Rachel, Stacey and Martin.
The Book Stall in Athy market on Tuesday continues to be an opportunity to meet people and provide Bibles and Christian books to the people of Athy. It is mostly non nationals who purchase Bibles. Pray that there will be an increasing interest in God’s Word and that through the written Word people will come to know the living Word, Jesus Christ.
I started a ‘Time to Pray’ in Athy Presbyterian Church Hall at the beginning of the year. Once a month I open up the church hall from 2 to 6pm for a place for people to pray. Some people come just for a few minutes; others stay for an hour or more. It has been encouraging seeing people from the church, Athy town and further afield coming to spend time in prayer.
Trinity Praise Group from Trinity Church in Ballymoney spent a weekend in Athy in May. There was a special praise service in Athy on the
Saturday evening and they led the worship in Athy and Carlow at the church services on Sunday morning. Music is a great way to share the message of the Gospel. Thanks to Peter Crooks and the entire group who came to Athy and to all who helped with accommodation and meals.
I continue to visit and take the occasional church service as well as being involved in local community projects.
Plans for the Summer Outreach are well under way. Once again I will be working with Carlow Church to run a Holiday Bible club in Carlow from 4 to 8 July. We also hope to be out on the streets in Carlow and have special gospel meetings in the church in the evenings. I am looking forward once again to welcoming a team from Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They will be helping us with the outreach in Carlow and in Athy.
In Athy we plan to have a Holiday Bible Club and meetings for teenagers for two weeks from 11 to 22 July. The first week the American team will be helping but we are still looking for helpers for the second week from 18 to 22 July. If you would like to help or know of anyone who would be willing to help get in touch with me at the above address.
I have been granted a 6 week Sabbatical which I intend to spend in Uganda. I will be leaving for Uganda on 14 August and staying at Achuru, which is a Child Health Education and Rehabilitation Unit, supported and run by a Northern Ireland Charity called Africare. Check out their web site http://www.acheru.org. I may be helping out with some practical work while staying there but my main purpose is to learn about mission work in Uganda and to see how the church in Uganda reaches out with the gospel. As I learn about mission in a different context hopefully it will help me to be more effective in mission work in Ireland. Pray for me as I travel and learn from what others are doing and that God’s word will be a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers.
William Workman
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