At Your Service

This is the first Sunday of Advent - the four weeks which the Christian church encourages us to use to prepare for the great feast of Christmas - not in a frenzy of buying, but quietly reflecting on the birth of a baby, over two thousand years ago, who was God made man, and who died a hideous death,  so that we might have everlasting life with God in Heaven. It's a free gift and it's...

The Island has a lively Interfaith Group which meets regularly to develop friendships and promote understanding between people from different faith backgrounds.   Earlier this month, to mark Interfaith Week 2020, the local Interfaith Group took part in the Buddies project which involved two people from different faiths meeting regularly to discover - through informal conversation -  thei...

During his career,  multi-talented artist Archibald Knox designed everything from silver teapots to slate gravestones and grocer’s bank cheques.
His innovative designs were in the vanguard of the Art Nouveau movement and his work continues to influence many Manx artists to this day.  But it’s an ancient prayer which inspired what is regarded by many as Knox’s greatest w...

A special edition of AT YOUR SERVICE for Remembrance Sunday.   A selection of true stories reveal the impact of the two World Wars on the lives of ordinary people - there's a pause for reflection on some verses from the Bible, and a time of prayer for our world.   There's music, too - I Vow To Thee My Country, Let There be Peace on Earth, and a brand new version of a popular...

Exactly one year ago this week, a group of folk from the Island met up with a group from the UK, to make a ten-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land, led by Rev'd Steve Ingrouille (Onchan Methodist Church) his father Rev'd Rod Ingrouille from Weston-Super-Mare and Rev'd Dawn Harrison, and Anglican Priest in ministry on Merseyside. After a year of change and challenge, and at a time when no o...

This is BIBLE SUNDAY and Andrew Ollerton of The Bible Society believes that reading and understanding the Bible really has the power to change lives, as he explain how some verses from the Old Testament have a remarkably modern message.   Author Liz Babbs encourages us to make the message  come alive by  imagining  ourselves in stories from the Bible - and t...

As nationwide Prisons Week draws to a close, Rev'd Dr DeeDee Haines shares some thoughts from her experience as a prison chaplain; Cheryl Cousins, local minister for Dalby Village and St James' church finds interesting comparisons between plants and people in her call for a fairer world, and Rev'd Alex Brown, Pioneer Minister in Douglas, takes a fresh look at what St Matthew's gosp...

Reverend Richard Hall leads the Methodist Church on the Island; he joins us this morning to tell A Tale of Three Trees.   Reverend Jo Dudley is Vicar of Christ Church in Laxey, and the season of Harvest Thanksgiving always takes her back to schooldays and childhood memories, and Phil Craine brings us a prayer through poetry - this week his choice is from the works of R.S. Thomas - The Bright...

Another joyful celebration at the Cathedral yesterday, as Rev'd Ruth Walker was ordained priest by Bishop Peter -she will continue as a curate at the Cathedral, working with the Dean, The Very Rev'd Nigel Godfrey.   October 4th is the Feast of St Francis of Assisi - one of our best-loved Saints, known for his love and respect for all creation, and his desire to live a simple life...

It's Autumn - and the season of Harvest Thanksgiving services - we've a couple of favourite harvest hymns on today's programme, along with news of several harvest celebrations and other special events where you'll be made very welcome.   Rev'd Jon Barwood and Rev'd Steven Herron were ordained as Deacons in the Church of England by Bishop Peter in the Cathedral in...

Five years ago this weekend, the Island lost one of its finest Manx men - a respected farmer - a member of the Manx  Farmers Union for over 50 years and its longest serving President - a Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, Captain of his Parish for over 20 years - and a very popular presenter here on Manx Radio.  You’ve probably already guessed that description could only be  ...

The Bible tells us that, to build a truly loving community, we must be ready to forgive when we've been hurt by the actions of others - and that's everything from petty insults to the killing of someone we love. This week we tackle the big questions - is it really possible to truly forgive - and why should we even try? To find some answers  we have a look at the Bible, and then go bac...

Congratulations and all good wishes to Alison and Steve Taylor, and to Colin and Margaret Brown who each celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversaries this weekend.  Our first hymn on the programme has been chosen by Colin and Margaret, as it was sung on their wedding day.   Long marriages have inspired Rev'd John Powell, pastor of Onchan Elim, to reflect on Jesus' teaching a...

Described as "A gathering in prayer and reflection, as we mourn those who have died, weep with those who weep, and give thanks for those who labour faithfully for all our sakes" a special Service of Reflection, organised by the Isle of Man Government,  was held in St George's Church in Douglas on Friday 28th August, to reflect and give thanks for all that has been achieved in re...

An AT YOUR SERVICE special programme - the Isle of Man Government National Service of Reflection, recorded on Friday 28 August 2020 in St George's - the Civic Church of the capital town of Douglas. The service is described as "a time to gather in prayer and reflection, as we mourn those who have died, weep with those who weep, and give thanks for those who labour faithfully for all our sa...

Nineteen individual gardens, created in the grounds of the Cathedral in Peel, tell in wonderfully imaginative ways, the development of Christianity and culture on the Island from the 6th to the 21st century.   Gardeners, conservationists and lovers of wildlife will find endless interest here - there's history to explore, legends to learn  - and a labyrinth to walk - and for the child...

Nearly a hundred and fifty years ago, a vicar's wife in Hampshire started an organisation which she hoped would help local women, by supporting and strengthening their family life.  Today, that same  organisation - the Mothers' Union - has over 4 million members and operates in 84 countries world-wide.   In August each year,  the work of Mothers' Union founder Mary...

At the heart of   AT YOUR SERVICE today are two stories from the Gospel according to St Matthew - both involve miracles, but one of them involves taking a leap of faith - it's the story of Jesus walking on the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee, and disciple Peter trying to do the same.  For   Reverend Jo Dudley  (Vicar of Christ Church in Laxey) this story took on a whole...

AT YOUR SERVICE today is full of stories! Liz Babbs - who describes herself as a creative communicator - explains why it's so important for us to take time to stop and think - then invites us to be an active part of a very special story. If you'd like to discover more of Liz's Bible-based meditations, you'll find lots of information on her website - lizbabbs.com  Another set o...

The famous Port St Mary Beach Mission has been providing two weeks of fun, games, friendship and Bible teaching every year since 1901 - only missing the years of the two World Wars!  It's an impressive record, and still attracts around 400 local children and young people each summer.  It's organised by Scripture Union Ministries Trust, and the Beach Mission Headquarters are at Ma...

AT YOUR SERVICE goes out into the glorious Manx countryside his week, as we prepare to celebrate the Feast of St Maughold on 31 July.   We reflect on the life of this great Celtic saint and his place in our Island's Christian heritage, as we spend a little time in the keeills (remains of tiny chapels), in the nearby Cross House, and in Maughold Parish Church itself, in the company of &nbs...

Do we hear God prompting us to do something in His name? And if we do, how do we respond?   Everyone taking part in At Your Service this week has answered that call to serve God, in very different ways.  Over 4 million Mothers' Union members working in 84 different countries serve God by meeting the needs they find in their local communities - and during the Covid-19 pandemic those n...

On 29 June, the Christian church celebrates two great saints - Peter and Paul - who dedicated their life to serving God and serving God's people.   On today's programme, we reflect on these two very different men, and ask the question - what does it mean today - two thousand years later -  to dedicate your whole life to the service of God, and of the community?  Reverend Mar...

Peter Shimmin is a Reader in the Anglican Parish of the Northern Plain.  He often finds that life with his faithful dog Jacko has strong parallels with the words of Jesus - today he reflects (with Jacko's help!) on the  words of the much-loved 23rd Psalm - The Lord is my shepherd.   Bethan Cannell tells her own lockdown story that's brought her back to the Island and interru...

On AT YOUR SERVICE today we've a bit of nostalgia for Father's Day, then Rev'd Alex Brown reflects on some verses from St Matthew's Gospel that are really appropriate, now that the Island has achieved local elimination of Covid-19,  and we can now stop social distancing and move out of lockdown. But Alex's specially-written reflection called "Whispers" asks some...