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Pictured at the
annual service of thanksgiving for the work and
witness of the Leprosy Mission Northern Ireland held
in Lisburn Cathedral last Sunday afternoon are L to
R: (front row) Mark Noble - member of TLM Council,
Sam Smith - Development
Officer/Youth Worker TLM NI,
Colin Ferguson - National Director TLM NI,
Rev Canon Sam Wright, Rector of Lisburn Cathedral
and Dr Margaret Wallace - member of TLM Council.
(back row) Dr Gwyneth
Hinds - Chairman of TLM Council, Joy Jamieson -
PA to National Director, Daphne Kerry - Clerical
Officer and Andrew Skelly - Lisburn Cathedral
organist.
The annual service of thanksgiving for
the work and witness of the Leprosy Mission Northern Ireland
was held in Lisburn Cathedral last Sunday afternoon. The
Rev Canon Sam Wright, Rector of Lisburn Cathedral conducted
the service and the preacher was Mr Colin Ferguson, National
Director of The Leprosy Mission, Northern Ireland.
Mr Mark Noble, a member of Council read
the first Scripture reading from 1 Chronicles 16 and Dr
Margaret Wallace, also a member of Council, read the second
Scripture reading from St John 21. Mr Sam Smith, a member
of the Leprosy Mission staff, led the prayers of
Intercession.
Preaching from John Chapter 21, Colin
Ferguson spoke of the meal, which Jesus prepared for his
disciples after they had toiled all night without catching
anything. He said, 'It was as they obeyed his instruction
to try again on the other side of the boat that they
experienced his wonderful provision. The Leprosy Mission
has been labouring throughout the world for over 133 years.
Much has been achieved, but there is still a great deal of
work ahead of us. We need to re-commit ourselves to the
task until it is finished, and we make that commitment in
the knowledge that if we are faithful to our calling, then
we will never lack his power and his resources to get the
job done. Whilst we live in a world where every minute
another person is diagnosed with the curable disease of
leprosy then there is much work for His Leprosy Mission to
be involved in. The fact that leprosy can easily be cured
with modern medicines only highlights the tragedy that many
sufferers are still unwilling to come forward for
treatment'. Mr Ferguson concluded by saying that 'we
will only succeed in our aim of a world without leprosy as
we follow his instruction to continue to do what we have
been called to do '
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To pray for those with leprosy and for those who look
after them
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To love without counting the cost
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To give to enable his touch to be extended to those who
suffer
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To have compassion on those less blessed than we are'.
Andrew Skelly on organ and the Cathedral Choir led the
praise. The anthem was 'The Lord's My Shepherd' and the
hymns were: 'When morning gilds the skies', 'Safe in the
shadow of the Lord', 'Jesu, Jesu', 'Fill us with your love'
and 'Lord, you give the great commission'.
During
the service, an offering was taken to support the 'twin' Anandaban Leprosy Hospital Nepal.
29/01/2007
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