At Your Service

Current COVID-19 precautions on the Island mean that we cannot hold our usual National Holocaust Memorial Service - due to be held in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Douglas, this afternoon (24 January) so we begin this week’s programme by reflecting on the 2021 theme, which is ‘Be the light in the darkness’. It encourages everyone to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to,...

Welcome to the programme that I hope will lift us up whilst we’re locked down and not able to be together in our churches, chapels and community groups.   This week, I’ve a mix of old and new!  At the start of every new year, Methodists celebrate a covenant service.  Established by the father of Methodism - John Wesley - it’s an important part of the Methodist Chur...

Our thoughts, prayers and music today come from our archive of church services recorded around the Island over the past 20 years.  This morning, we're going to St George's Church in Douglas, to hear extracts from two services  - a celebration of the 225th Anniversary of the Church (October 2006) and a Service of Re-Dedication following a major programme of refurbishment of the in...

They only appear in St Matthew's gospel, and we're not entirely sure exactly who they were ...... but we do know why they're important!   In this first edition of At Your Service for 2021, we explore the coming of the three Kings, or Wise Men, who followed a star, which led them to the child Jesus, with his parents Mary and Joseph.   Louise Whitelegg, a Methodist Local P...

In this final edition of At Your Service for 2020, Bishop Peter reflects on the unique challenges presented by the  impact of the COVID-19 pandemic - how did we make those early decisions? and what have we learned in the months that followed? And with so much uncertainty still around us, is it truly possible to wish each other a happy New Year? Clare Faulds has been on pilgrimage - durin...

Special guest author and broadcaster Pam Rhodes joins Judith for this Christmas Day edition of At Your Service.  We reflect on the Christmas story, and what it offers to you today - with Bible readings by David Suchet, lots of favourite carols, and conversation with Pam Rhodes, talking about her work on Premier Christian Radio, her devotion to The Leprosy Mission where she is Vice President,...

The Tynwald Carol Service has now become a popular fixture on the Manx calendar.   With a reputation for fine singing of popular carols, it attracts big audiences,  and this year it was hosted by St George's Church in Douglas, where the Archdeacon, the Venerable  Andie Brown, is not only the Vicar, but also Chaplain of the House of Keys. The Lord Bishop, the Rt Rev'd Pe...

Rev'd Sean Turner has had a long-delayed journey from his home in America, to his new home in Colby, where is has the care of nine Methodist churches around the south of the Island.  But in many ways, the waiting has given him a greater awareness of what this season of Advent is all really about.   He tells his story on At Your Service this week - and alongside Monsignor John De...

In this second week of Advent, Rev'd Alex Brown explores two Bible passages - one from the Old Testament, written by the prophet Isaiah, and one from the New Testament, from the start of Mark's gospel.  They were written over 700 years apart - but what - or who -  links them together?   And what might they mean for us - today?   And does that modern meaning have any con...

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...