An Inspiring Meeting on the Glider

Belfast was buzzing last week as it hosted the biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, the Fleadh from 2-9 August. It is estimated that 1.65 million visitors came to the city to sample the atmosphere and take part in the multiplicity of concerts and events around this special gathering over that period. There was something for everyone, from food trucks to live music and dancing, from poetry and storytelling events to pop up shops, and the chance to mingle with so many visitors.

The city centre became pedestrianised and closed off to traffic and, as I had to do some hospital visits in the Royal Victoria Hospital one afternoon, I opted for the glider bus to take me across town with the disruption to traffic.

I drove to a nearby stop and boarded the bus which was really busy. As I took my seat towards the back of the bus, the gentleman beside me struck up a conversation.

He asked me was I heading for the Fleadh and I explained I was actually going to a hospital. He had been in town the previous day to watch his granddaughter dancing at an event. He was loving the music and the atmosphere, and amazed at the crowds visiting from all over the world.

As we chatted on a bit, he asked me would I mind if he gave me something. I said not at all, and he gave me a little leaflet he had prepared on his computer. He was welcoming visitors to the city, pointing out some great local attractions, and some a little bit further afield that were well worth visiting. He went on to speak about the importance of faith to many people in Belfast and shared a little message of Christian hope. He told me he had designed these leaflets after his visit the previous day to see his granddaughter performing. He recognised what a special event this was and wanted to share some good news with all the visitors. He had a bag full of these leaflets, which he hoped to spend the afternoon distributing as he made his way around listening to music and getting into conversation with visitors.

I thought it was an amazing thing to be doing. He wasn’t pushy or aggressive in any way. He just established an easy conversation and dropped into it the fact that faith was important to him and, if people wanted to explore it more for themselves, this was a little leaflet to help them do so.

He was really easy to talk to and we shared stories about family and travel and music and discovered there were people we knew in common.

I was interested in the way he saw this festival as a vehicle to reach out to visitors and share, not only what is great about our city, but as an opportunity to speak about something that was deeply important to him, his Christian faith.

I was inspired the way he went home and designed this leaflet and had the desire to share it with the visitors he encountered. He treated people with grace and with respect. There was no obligation to take what he was offering, but he appreciated the openness of the conversation and thought I might appreciate the information.

I was inspired by his motivation and by his friendliness and willingness to engage people in conversation. So often, the world is a very isolated place for so many with very few interactions, and this was a very positive opportunity to engage without feeling threatened or bombarded in any way.

I wonder, if the Fleadh returns, could the churches learn from what this man was doing and reach out to the many visitors enjoying the best of what the city has to offer. Rather than see these events as threatening or disruptive, are they perhaps opportunities to gently encourage people to encounter Jesus and share a little of why he might be important in our lives?

The blog is taking a break for a couple of weeks, but look forward to speaking again soon.

Much love to everyone,

Jono.

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