In his first tweet as Moderator, Dr. McMullen summed up the first half of the weekend tweeting, ‘Speaking at a Commissioning Service for those involved in summer outreach teams and conducting a wedding in #Bangor - then on to Cregagh in #Belfast to dedicate new facilities. I'm excited, but just hope I get all these services in the right order.’ – and he did.
The commissioning service, which was held in Assembly Buildings on Saturday morning, saw around 90 young people come together to be prayed for and commissioned for what God has called them to over the summer months.
“This year we are sending out 10 Summer Outreach teams to be part of what God is doing in different congregations in their local communities in different parts of Ireland, and it was great to be able to take part in the commissioning service and pray for those involved,” Dr. McMullen said.
Gaining valuable experience in personal evangelism and growing in their own walk with Jesus, all those taking part applied to join this year’s Summer Teams in the spring and will be will be working with children, teenagers, adults and in the community showing and sharing the good news of Jesus with a needy world.
“I was so very taken by the level of enthusiasm and how upbeat everyone was. I also found it personally moving in that these teenagers and young people were giving up part of their summer for an adventure of faith, serving Christ and serving others as the Church in action.
“During the service I spoke about the little boy in John 6 who brought the loaves and fish and how he offered all that he had as Jesus had noticed the incredible potential in all that he had – just as He sees the potential in us, how He sees the potential in each team member as they do His work this summer,” Dr. McMullen said.
Following on from a wedding in his own congregation, the Moderator then went on to Cregagh Presbyterian Church in east Belfast to the reopening of the church and the dedication of new facilities.
Formed in the early 1900s, the current building on the Cregagh Road dates from 1928. After several years of planning and 15 months of building and construction work Dr. McMullen officially reopened the building and dedicated a new suite.
“A lot of planning and much work had resulted in a number of major improvements and innovations, which included a new welcome area, crèche and entrance hall to the facilities. The new welcome area was quite stunning and will make for an attractive hub for people to meet, greet and chat. I very much enjoyed the great hospitality of Cregagh and notched up a first – the unveiling of plaque number one!”
Dr. McMullen rounded off the weekend with the evening Café Church service in Kilbride Presbyterian, Doagh on the outskirts of Ballyclare. “It was wonderful to be there with so many people, a wonderful praise band – and last but by no means least – a free 99 from the ice cream van outside!” Dr. McMullen said.
“I was interviewed by Rev. Karen Campbell about my life’s journey and what brought me into a relationship with Christ, sharing some insights and some of the lessons I have learned on the way.
“Karen was a gentle interviewer and I was able to pay a special tribute to Kilbride’s multi-talented minister as she leaves and moves on to Grand Rapids in Michigan and a new church at the end of next month. I was glad to be able to acknowledge her outstanding leadership, her example and the many giftings that she has demonstrated in the congregation and wider church as a whole,” Dr. McMullen said.
Photos (1) Dr. McMullen with the the Abbey Monkstown summer team at Saturday's commissioning service (2) with Dennison Mahood, clerk of session of Cregagh Presbyterian at the reopening of the church and with Rev. Karen Campbell at Kilbride Presbyterain on Sunday evening.
Throughout his year in office you can follow Dr. McMullen on Twitter here @pcimoderator. You can also follow the Church on its other social media platforms @pciassembly and Facebook.