Extending the Hand of Friendship

A great hero of mine died earlier this year back in March. His name was Charlie Bird, and he spent his working life as a journalist with RTE, the Irish broadcasting network. He became their chief news correspondent and his was the face and voice that accompanied major global and national events as I was growing up, until he retired in 2012.

In October 2021, he announced that he had developed Motor Neurone Disease and he fundraised and campaigned to support research and support for those who suffer from this terrible disease.

In June 2022, he spearheaded a national climb of Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo, raising almost 3 million euros for Motor Neurone Research and Pieta House, a charity dedicated to supporting those with mental health challenges. Thousands of people made the pilgrimage with him that day, including sports people and celebrities and the Irish public. Simultaneous climbs happened in the United States where he had worked as a correspondent, and in Spain, and other countries.

The footage from that memorable day was very moving as Charlie reached the summit. He lit candles to pray for peace for the people of Ukraine just months after the invasion of their country by Russia. He lit a candle for a great friend of his who was suffering from cancer and had hoped to climb with him but was too unwell. In the words of the singer, Daniel O’Donnell, who did the climb, we have one man uniting a country while another man is dividing the world.

Charlie, as a journalist, had a wonderful way with words and, even when his voice disappeared as part of his illness, he had a computer device which had recorded his voice and had a bank of vocabulary he had recorded. He spoke on the day of the climb about not knowing how long he had to live, but dedicating what was left of his life to extending the hand of friendship to others and encouraging people around the country to do the same.

This coming Sunday, our church has the opportunity to extend the hand of friendship to visitors for our Invitation Service. Bacon baps, or vegetarian alternatives, will be served in the hall from 10am, and parishioners have been encouraged to invite a couple of friends or neighbours.

What would make things easier for our friends and neighbours as they come? Could it be meeting them and walking in with them, sharing a pew, showing people where the food is being served, where the bathrooms are. Could it be standing around just to chat with visitors who might not know anyone but received one of the thousand invitations circulated in our neighbourhood?

Some people have asked me what would make the event a success in terms of numbers? Would it be seeing an extra 30 or 50 people in church, or more than that? What if the bacon runs out? What if we are left with enough bacon left over to feed a few football teams?

When we host an invitation service like this, there aren’t neat answers. My prayer is that all who come will have the hand of friendship extended to them. Whether they come early for breakfast, or come for the service, my prayer is that they will experience the presence and power of God as we gather for worship and conversation. May we all be aware of something bigger and greater than ourselves.

There will be a creche in the hall for small children and toddlers. There will be an opportunity for children to head out to our Sunday school. There will be a flier in the pews with details of some forthcoming services and events people might like to plug into, from activities for children, carers and toddlers, to services for healing, seminars on mental health, fundraising concerts and Harvest Services. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name,” said Jesus, “there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18 verse 20).

Don’t miss this week’s podcast episode (see link below) in which Niamh McAnally chats about her wonderful memoir about volunteering around the world. ‘Following Sunshine: A Voyage Around the Mind, Around the World, Around the Heart’ has just been published. It’s a terrific read.

Look forward to speaking again soon.

Much love to everyone.,

Jono.

Listen to the latest episode of ‘Bitesize Chunks of Faith’