Monday 26th June 2023

Burnside Blog


Beside The Burn
A short  devotional video each day, this week we take a break from our series in Acts to explore the General Assembly which was held last week.


THE VIDEO WAS DELAYED THIS MORNING BUT IS NOW AVAILABLE.

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Let’s Pray For ModeratorThank God for his presence and sustaining help during the General Assembly. As Dr Samuel Mawhinney takes up office as Moderator this week, ask God that he might have many opportunities to speak of Jesus in the year ahead and for physical refreshment and spiritual vitality as he fulfils this vital role.  

Worship in the family of God   How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1. Give thanks that the local church is one of the few remaining places in our society in which people of different ages, backgrounds and perspectives come together as one and ask that this oneness in Christ might find expression in your worship today.


Naomi Leremore (global mission worker, Kenya) 
Pray for the TEE editorial team and their future plans for a Bible study guide book addressing the issue of cults and religious extremism in Kenya. Remember the current TEE writing project on Christian music and thank God for the addition of Peter Ng’ang’a to the team.

Pakistan   Pray for leaders and members of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, especially for unity as they live out their faith in Christ. Pray for strength and protection for Christians suffering persecution in Pakistan at this time.
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Word For Today
Read the Word For Today
https://www.ucbireland.ie/word-for-today/todays-word-for-today/

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New Director For CUI

New Director For CUI

As the Chair of the Board of Christian Unions Ireland, I am delighted to announce that, following our recent recruitment exercise, we have appointed a new Director – Chris McBurney.  Having been with CUI for a few years, many of you will already know Chris but for those who do not, I am happy to introduce our new Director.


Based just outside Belfast with his wife Katie and their two daughters, Orla and Ava, Chris is a member of House Church in Newtownards where he and Katie are involved in young adult ministry. Chris is also part of the teaching team.
 
Originally from Northern Ireland, Chris studied at Christ Church University in Canterbury, England. During his first year he accepted an invitation to attend an Alpha Course and over the course of a few months he had the opportunity to see and know the beauty of Jesus for himself.
 
He has been involved in Christian Unions ministry for the majority of the last 12 years through being on the CU committee at Christ Church and then as a Relay worker with Kent University. He joined staff with UCCF covering the Canterbury patch before moving to Ireland and, after a year, joining CUI as Queens Staff Worker and Northern Team Leader in 2019. Over the past years, he’s spent time becoming familiar with the movement across Ireland and serving students as they look to bring the gospel to their friends on campus.
 
Although Chris has been an integral member of the team for a number of years, following his appointment to the Director post he says:


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I can’t wait to get going. I’ve loved being a part of the CUI team over the last 4 years and I’m excited to have the opportunity to help shape the future of this organisation. We have an incredible vision in CUI in supporting students as they give their friends the opportunity to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
I’ve had the joy of watching Christian Unions across Ireland come through Covid in ways we couldn’t have imagined. The confidence and creativity students have shown has allowed the gospel to thrive and we now see the fruit of that. CUs across Ireland are currently seeing more people in them than pre pandemic and as the Northern Team Leader it’s been incredible to witness CUs taking more opportunities in a post pandemic world. One fantastic example of this is the Belfast City Wide Mission. A post covid, opportunity driven initiative that saw CUs across Belfast coming together, unified in their heart to see their friends reached with the gospel.”
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In addition to his work with CUI and at church, Chris sits on the board of the New Horizon conference. He has also become increasingly engaged in the work of IFES Europe through attendance at IFES events and conferences and has continued to foster relationships on behalf of CUI across Europe. In recognition of his impact, IFES World have asked him to join their Global Leadership Initiative, in which he will represent IFES Europe. This amazing opportunity will help Chris further grow in his global understanding of student mission and it is a great reflection on our standing as a movement that one of our staff was selected for this prestigious programme.
 
We are very thankful for the Lord’s leading over this last year without a Director.  The Board is particularly thankful to Chis, Alison Williams (Southern Team Leader) and Sally Patty (Head of Office) for taking on additional leadership responsibilities to help manage CUI in the interim.  We are also very grateful to all the staff, associate staff and Relay Workers who have once again worked tirelessly to support the work of gospel mission on campus. And not to forget the Board of CUI who have provided great support throughout the last year.
 
Finally – thank you to you, our supporters. We are so thankful for your partnership in student ministry – an increasingly strategic work on our island.


Martin Agnew
Chair, CUI Board

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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 12:19
Eddie 12:56
Derek 13:02
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​Play the "Magheracross Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2df718094e41