Boards and Agencies of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

The Board of Social Witness

Convener: Rev. Bobby Liddle Secretary: Mr. Lindsay Conway

Mission Statement: "To show the love of Christ through service in the Church and in the Community."

The Board is concerned with all questions affecting the social welfare of the members of the Church and the community, and all questions affecting Church and industry, and may undertake activities to further the Church's witness in these fields.

In pursuit of this broad remit handed down to it by the General Assembly the corporate Aims of the Board of Social Witness are:

To develop social concern throughout the church both fro those in congregations and in the wider community;
To provide support and rehabilitation for vulnerable people;
To offer informed comment to the church on complex and ethical issues;
To assist congregations in developing their social witness in the community by offering advice, education and by providing information about available resources.

Social Issues and Resources Committee Convener: Rev. R.A. Liddle
This committee provides authoritative guidance on complex social and ethical issues. Pamphlets, Bible study aids on social issues and videos are available. Topics include childlessness, homosexuality, domestic violence, abortion, euthanasia, eating disorders and suicide. May we think with the mind of Christ that we may be like Christ.

War Memorial Hostel Committee Convener: Rev. J.H. Martin
This committee is responsible for providing accommodation for 88 students at Derryvolgie Hall. During vacation periods accommodation is leased to non-students on a short-term basis.

Rev. Steve Stockman (Chaplain in Residence), Lynn Ferguson (Assistant Chaplain), Carol McMahon (Administrator) and Mark Drennan (Resident Volunteer).

Child Protection Monitoring Committee Convener: Rev. Norman Cameron
This Committee is responsible for producing and helping congregations to implement the Child Protection Guidelines. Every congregation should have a Child Protection Policy in place and the Committee offers advice, response to concerns and co-ordinates child protection training throughout PCI. The Thompson House Management Committee Thompson House is a hostel for men who need supported housing and rehabilitation after they leave prison.

Learning Disability Committee
This Committee is responsible for the setting up of a complex of nine flats in the Coleraine area for learning disabled adults. The committee has recently circulated an information leaflet on learning disability to all ministers and those in leadership roles in the church. A follow up resource pack is presently being prepared that will facilitate our church's ministry to people with learning disability.

Willow Brook in Coleraine continues its ministry in the provision of supported housing and consideration is presently being given to a possible extension of the project to include accommodation for people with physical disability.

Meanwhile, plans are progressing for the closer involvement of the Board of Social Witness in the work of Aaron House in Dundonald where people with more profound learning disability are cared for.

Addiction and Education Services Committee Co-conveners: Revs J.A. Beattie and J.J. Wilson
Addiction is a wide embracing word, covering a multitude of forms. People of all ages are suffering from many varied addictions. Addiction to: alcohol, drugs, solvents, gambling, pornography, sex, food, sport, TV, the list is endless.

Through education, support and treatment AES aim to promote a lifestyle free from addiction and a life transformed by the renewing power of Jesus Christ. Christ is able to set captives free, including captives to addiction.

This committee is responsible for the following:

Carlisle House which provides residential rehabilitation for persons addicted to alcohol or other drugs.
Gray's Court, a complex of flats for those without accommodation moving on from Carlisle House.
Alcohol and Drug Education Volunteering Scheme which trains volunteers to provide education in churches, youth groups and community groups on alcohol and drugs.
Insight Drop-in Centre - this is a shop in Belfast city centre where anyone can receive information or advice about alcohol or drugs.

Presbyterian Residential Trust Committee Convener: Rev. J.A. Noble Secretary: Mrs. Linda Wray
The Presbyterian Residential Trust provides 24 hour residential home care in Belfast, Bangor, Portrush, Londonderry and Newcastle; nursing home care in Omagh and sheltered housing in Dublin and Mallusk. Meeting the needs of some 220 older people requires a staff team of 250 men and women committed to meeting the diverse needs of older people within a high quality environment.

Kinghan Mission Committee Convener: Dr. Jean McClure Superintendent: Rev. S. Henning
This committee manages the Kinghan Church in Botanic Avenue which functions as a worshipping community of deaf and hearing impaired persons and others. In addition, other services are available in the form of individual and family support, expert interpretation at particular events and assistance to Ministers who require specialist help.

Marriage and the Family Committee Convener: Mrs. R. Simpson
The Marriage and Family Committee takes responsibility for all the counselling provided by our eight counsellors. The voluntary Christian counsellors receive regular supervision provided by two new supervisors who started in September 2004. They, with other outside bodies provide ongoing training for all the counsellors to ensure that all those involved receive the best service possible. The Committee also coordinates this important work.

Forces Committee Convener: Rev. P.P. Campbell
The Forces Committee provides a link with ministers serving as full time chaplains in the armed forces, and with those who serve part time in the Territorial Army and Army Cadet Force, supporting them practically and prayerfully.

Chaplains Committee Convener: Rev. J. Gordon
A number of our ministers and deaconesses serve as either full-time or part-time chaplains in our hospitals and prisons. They hold regular services of worship and are able to offer pastoral care to people in times of exceptional stress.

Presbyterian Old Age Fund, Women's Fund and Indigent Ladies Fund
These funds assist members of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland who are aged over sixty years, living at home and in financial need. The Directors are able to give quarterly grants, one-off donations and Christmas gifts. The funds are a practical demonstration of the love and concern of Jesus Christ.

More information can be obtained from the Boards home pages at www.pcibsw.org