At Your Service

Another bit of Island history has been made this week, as Pope Francis has granted Cathedral status to the Roman Catholic church of St Mary of the Isle in Douglas.  The church will be a Co-Cathedral to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, in Liverpool city centre.   Co-Cathedrals are very rare in the Roman Catholic Church, and this is the first-ever Co-Cathedral in the British...

Dr Naomi Graham is the founder and CEO of the Christian charity Growing Hope - providing free therapy for children with additional needs, and support for their families. She believes that churches are ideally placed to become truly inclusive and accessible places for everyone, and can help to meet the shortfall in mental health provision, which currently means children, young people and their fami...

Jackie is Manx-born and retains a huge love and respect for the Isle of Man.  Her husband Jay is American - a Lutheran pastor - and they met in Bangladesh but got married in Kirk Andreas! Hear their fascinating story on this week's programme, alongside music from Wallingford Parish Church choir, and Margaret Rizza.  Plus there's our usual notice board Items for the notice board c...

Reverend Dawn Mather retired on 31st August after ten years in leadership of the United Reformed Churches in Ramsey and Douglas. On the programme this morning she reflects on those years, and talks about the years before she came to the Isle of Man - expect some surprises!!   We'll also hear from Reverend Geoff Felton, Moderator of the Mersey Synod of the United Reformed Church who came t...

Recently retired Baptist minister Richard Littledale returns to the programme today, with questions on his mind.  Why are we so poor at talking about death?  Why do we shy away from questions about end of life? Based on his own experience of losing his beloved wife to cancer when she was in her early 50's, Richard  explains why the questions which are the hardest and most painfu...

On today's programme - Adam and Cathy Thomas complete their story (so far!) They explain what happened after they left the Isle of Harris, how Adam came at last to be ordained, why they came to Whalley Abbey - and where they're going now ....  If you missed part one of their story, last week's edition of At Your Service (13 August) is still available as a podcast. And we pay tribu...

Stephen Knott is the Archbishop of Canterbury's Appointments Secretary, and deeply involved in finding a successor to follow the Rt Reverend Peter Eagles as the next Bishop of Sodor and Man - he joins us on the programme today to explain his role, and the next stages in the selection process. And we meet Adam and Cathy Thomas - a couple with deep faith, a love of meeting and working with peopl...

The much-loved Peel Beach Mission is 60 years old this year. In conversation with Anglican Priest Rev'd Paul Lewis - a key member of the present team -  we reflect on this summer outreach which aims to offer something to  everyone of any age, and we celebrate the life of charismatic Michael Clarkson who led the mission from its start,  until 2021.  Sadly Michael passed away...

On Wednesday 2nd August 2023, the Island will remember the 50th anniversary of one of the darkest days in the Island's history - the Summerland tragedy which claimed 50 lives and injured 80 people.  On today's programme we honour the memory of those who died and pay tribute to all those who were involved and touched in any way by the dreadful events of that night - not with material f...

Bishop Peter is due to retire in October this year, and the process to choose his successor as Bishop of Sodor and Man has now begun.  It's a long and complicated procedure, designed to make sure the best possible person is appointed, to meet the needs of the Diocese now, and share a vision for its future.  On today's programme we join the Archdeacon, the Venerable Irene Cowell,...

On today's programme, Reverend Liz Hull, priest in charge of St Thomas's Church in Douglas explains how she got a Flower Tower; Paul Moores, well known on the Island for his representation of The Leprosy Mission here, talks about his  change of direction, and music includes the Choir of the Cathedral in Peel under the direction of Dr Peter Litman, with organist Stuart Corrie, and &#39...

Reverend Dr Andrew Walker is Parish Priest of the Anglican Church of St Mary Bourne Street, London - he's also a psychosynthesis Counsellor, the Founder of the London Centre for Spiritual Direction and Director of the London-based Ignatian Spirituality Course.  In spite of his busy life, he found time to come to the Island briefly and explains how the particular approach taken by Ignatius...

Rev'd Canon Brendan Alger will be remembered by many for his long and active ministry on the Island as Parish Priest of St Mary of the Isle, Douglas, and Dean (or leader) of the Roman Catholic Churches on the Isle of Man from his arrival in 1989 to his retirement in early 2011.   We mark his recent death - peacefully at his home in Onchan - with extracts from a service which he led, &nbsp...

It's a magazine programme today as Paul Keeys, Regional Director of Walk Through the Bible reflects on the day of teaching he led on the Island recently, and also talks about his second job - as Chair of the Trustees of The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem.   Linda Wildman is Schools Worker for Scripture Union Ministries Trust on the Island, and is trained to deliver the Walk Through The Bible co...

Reverend Rod Ingrouille and his son, Reverend Steve (Minister in Onchan Methodist Church) love leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land - taking pilgrims to walk in the footsteps of Jesus - and then seeing how God will work in and through them.   Their next pilgrimage will be in October 2024 and will be the first when Steve's sister, Reverend Ruth, a Baptist Minister, will join them not as a...

Rev'd Dr Tim Macquiban is a recently-retired Methodist minister, currently a chaplain at Chester Cathedral, and a volunteer at Englesea Brook Museum and Chapel - the 'home' of the Primitive Methodist Church, where, for the last years of his ministry, he was Research Officer, with a particular interest in the life and ministry of Hugh Bourne and William Clowes, founders of Primitive Met...

Andrew Haynes is a sidecar racer with driver Greg Lambert - his first TT was in 2018 (with John Shipley)  Yesterday (Saturday 3 June) Andy and Greg were 8th in Sidecar 1 race.  Andy is also  a Methodist Local Preacher in the Hull area, and he's passionate about being a Christian in a relevant way, in a modern world.                  ...

Rev'd Rod Ingrouille and his son, Rev'd Steve are both ordained ministers in the Methodist Church.  Rev'd Steve together with his wife Rev'd Rebecca, are based in Onchan and have care of the 7 Methodist churches in the East of the Island.  Rev'd Rod is becoming better known on the Island through his now-regular visits to work with those in training to be Methodist Loc...

Imagine Peace was a major outreach throughout the city of Liverpool during the week of Eurovision this year.  Supported by leaders of all the Christian denominations in the area, and led by the Evangelism and Growth Team of the Methodist Church in Britain, there were opportunities for meaningful conversations, and times of prayer throughout the week of Eurovision.  One of the main events...

Christian Aid Week starts today, and on the programme we're joined by Louise Whitelegg - the Island's Christian Aid go-to girl,  and Nick Georgiadis, who is Director of fundraising and supporter engagement based at Christian Aid HQ. Together they'll explain what the generosity of the people of the Isle of Man has already achieved in the world's poorest country - Burundi - and...

At the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey, music - chosen by the King - played a huge part in the ceremony.  On today's programme we feature the new Coronation Anthem composed by Sir Andrew - Lord Lloyd-Webber - 'Make a Joyful Noise Unto The Lord' and  'Alleluia, O Sing Praises Unto Our God' also composed specially fo...

Aled Jones was on the Island earlier this week to record interviews for a forthcoming edition of BBC TV's Songs of Praise.  Here he talks about his music, and his love of the Island.  There's lots of music too - including the voice of young Aled, too. And we have a class-winning performance from this year's Guild - Onchan Silver Band who won the Hymn Tune with 91 marks - cong...

Wigan-born Stephen Alker trained for the Roman Catholic priesthood at St Joseph's College, Upholland in the 1960's.  After ordination, and work in a couple of parishes in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, he got the chance to become an Army Chaplain.  It was only intended to be a 3-year ministry, but he stayed for nearly 30 years, loved the life and its challenges, and - now in retir...

Gareth Moore is well known and respected across the Island as an organist, accompanist, teacher and church musician. But it was his work during the Covid pandemic, when churches were closed and public worship ceased, that brought his skill and dedication to the attention of others. Gareth used his knowledge of both music and technology to prepare weekly music for on-line services, accompanying him...

HAPPY EASTER!! Today, we're celebrating the day that's at the very heart of the Christian faith - through words and music - Bible readings and prayers - plus an honest and inspiring life story from Rev'd Graham Thompson, President of the Methodist Conference - a position of leadership of the Methodist Church in Britain which he shares with Vice President Anthony Boateng. There's a...