At Your Service - Manx Radio

On the programme today, Salvation Army Corps Officers Captains Dylan and Rachael Nieuwoudt are looking forward to the Official Opening of their magnificent new Church and Community Centre in Douglas - and to welcoming General Lyndon Buckingham to perform the ceremony - the first visit of a Salvation Army world-wide leader to the Isle of Man since the mid-1930's We go deeper into the earth art installation GAIA in conversation with Justin McMullin of Manx company ELS who has worked in partnership with Ben Osborne, representing the artist Luke Jerram, to put GAIA in place in St Thomas's Church in Douglas. And we pop into The Archive Room for some fascinating stories about the history of St Thomas's church - and some comments that are as fresh and relevant today as they were when first made, 40 years ago! Tickets and details of all special events in St Thomas's church during the time GAIA is there, can be found at sponsor Net Zero's website - netzero.im

Rev'd Liz Hull, Vicar of St Thomas's Church in Finch Road, in the Cultural Quarter of Douglas, joins us today to tell the whole GAIA story .... the giant illuminated 3-dimensional globe which will seem to float - framed inside St Thomas's magnificent archways, and its famed Nicholson Murals. A chance for us to see our Earth as never before ..... For details of tickets, special events, opening times etc., visit the website of one of GAIA's major sponsors on the Island - netzero.im ​​​​​​​GAIA at St Thomas's opens on 20 April 2024

Christian Aid Isle of Man Representative Louise Whitelegg is here with an invitation to a great party - to celebrate all the work that's been achieved in Burundi, thanks to the generosity of the Manx public and the IOM Government Overseas Aid - and to say goodbye to all those completed projects - because it's time now to turn our attention to Malawi - a country in the grip of serious poverty - but whose fortunes could be changed by the Pigeon Peas Project - expect to hear much more about this in Christian Aid week next month (May) Rev'd Leslie Newton is Methodist Chair of District of North and East Yorkshire - and joins us on the programme to talk about his new book - getting back to the basics of John Wesley's teaching as a basis for growth in our present age. REVIVE US AGAIN by Leslie Newton is available as a Kindle download or a printed book, via Amazon And we return to a conversation we had a few weeks ago, with Karen and Tim Norton - founders of the very successful Cafe Lingo - an place to learn English and all about Island life, specially for those who are new to the Island and for whom English is not their first language. When we met, Karen and Tim were about to hand over the reins of Cafe Lingo to their very able successors, and enjoy a well-earned retirement - but here's one last story from Karen - a real lesson in how a little idea turned into something much much bigger - and very special. CAFE LINGO resumes in the Promenade Methodist Church here in Douglas on Saturday 13 April at 10am No charge - all welcome - creche available during language classes, so children are welcome too

Easter Day celebrates events which took place over 2,000 years ago, but which still remain at the very heart of the Christian faith. In words and music, we explore the first Easter, and reflect on what it is saying to our world today. Includes music from the Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars of St German's Cathedral in Peel, conducted by the Cathedral's Director of Music, Dr Peter Litman, singing Tom Kirkland's setting of 'Thine Be The Glory' with organist Stuart Corrie and trumpets played by Ash Cole and Ryno Potgieter - and 'Christ The Lord Is Risen Today' by Maddie Prior and The Carnival Band. The spoken word includes thoughts and reflections from Rt Rev'd Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton and Commissary Bishop of Sodor and Man, the late John Kennaugh - and others with powerful stories to share. And there's our usual notice board - items for inclusion can be emailed to : judithley@manxradio.com

This is the week that the Christian Church calls HOLY - and although it recalls events that happened over two thousand years ago, its message is central to the Christian faith, and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, continues to offer hope to people exposed to almost unbearable suffering. Today, through the spoken word, music, conversations - and a tragically true story - we reflect on the power of Holy Week - and the promise of Easter. The programme features the Rt Rev'd Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton in Manchester, and Commissary Bishop for the Diocese of Sodor and Man Also includes a Notice Board - items for the notice board can be emailed to judithley@manxradio.com

After establishing Cafe Lingo 8 years ago based in the Promenade Methodist Church in Douglas - offering a relaxed and welcoming hub for anyone new to the Island, and for whom English is not their first language, Karen Norton and husband Tim are taking a well-earned retirement. But it'll be business as usual at Cafe Lingo - the Nortons join us today to tell us who is taking over - and they're inviting everyone to their farewell party at SPRINGFEST in the Promenade Methodist Church, Douglas on Saturday 23 March between 10am - 12.30pm - Cafe Lingo is celebrating Spring with music, dancing, food, games and much much more! And it's all FREE Jenny Sinclair joins us again to tell the second part of the story she began in last week's programme (see podcast - At Your Service for 10 March 2024) This week she finds her faith in a different Christian tradition, and despite it being the last thing she intended to do, has now discovered that being the Founder of the Christian charity Together For The Common Good is her all-consuming vocation in life. Plus there's music and notice board news too ..... Items for the notice board can be emailed to judithley@manxradio.com

Jenny Sinclair is the founder director of the charity Together For The Common Good - but what is 'the common good' and why should we care about it? In this first of two programmes featuring conversations with Jenny, she sketches out her background as a teenager in Liverpool during the 1970's, when her Father, David Sheppard, was Anglican Bishop of Liverpool - and what she has learned by looking back on his 22-year-long partnership with Roman Catholic Archbishop Derek Worlock, and their work for social justice in Liverpool. On next week's programme, Jenny will talk about the work she now regards as her vocation - promoting the common good through her own charity. Plus there's music - including a special song for this Mothering Sunday And another packed notice board! Items for the notice board can be emailed to judithley@manxradio.com

Today has been chosen as a National Day of Reflection - a time to pause and remember all who died during the Covid pandemic, and those who still mourn their loss - we make a space to mark the day with words and music; Mike Hardie is the Community Partnerships Manager for The Leprosy Mission and he's back on the Island to meet supporters of the charity, make some new friends and share stories from his recent visit to India; and Rt Rev'd Mark Davies is back on the Island - he's the Bishop of Middleton in the Diocese of Manchester, and he's been appointed to take care of the Diocese of Sodor and Man until a new Bishop is chosen. He's loving his 'dual role' and his time on the Island - and shares some thoughts on faith in young people - and the Bishop's vote in Tynwald Plus there's music and notice board information too Email items for inclusion to judithley@manxradio.com

Paul Keeys, Director of Walking Through the Bible will be back on the Island on 2nd March to lead a day walking through the New Testament in St John's Methodist Church from 10am - 4.30pm - he joins us to explain why this is such a valuable and entertaining day! Jacko the dog achieved fame when Peter Shimmin introduced us to him on Thought for the Day almost ten years ago - Peter is back ..... with the end of the story. There's a very special time capsule in the Cathedral in Peel - and everyone can be in it! We explain where it is and how you can get involved. And we listen to worship leader and songwriter Graham Kendrick chose the song for which he wants to be remembered. Plus there's music - and our usual packed notice board (including details of the famous Lent Lunches) Information for the notice board can be emailed to judithley@manxradio.com

Rev'd Jo Smart came to the Island in September 2022 and is a Methodist minister based in Peel with care of the churches in the West and in Douglas. But her early life suggested a very different career - as a dancer! In conversation today, we find out what it took to make that life-changing decision - and how her skills as a dancer shapes her ministry. We also discuss the season of Lent - and explore some suggestions for making the most of the time of preapration for celebration of the great feast of Easter - the very heart of the Christian faith. Rev'd Jo chooses our music today - and we've our usual notice board, with details of all the Lent Lunches starting this week. Notice board news is always welcome - email to judithley@manxradio.com

This is the start of National Marriage Week - and Valentine's Day is just around the corner - but that's not what we're talking about, as I take author, broadcaster and Baptist Minister Richard Littledale out for a walk in Glen Mooar. As we explore St Patrick's Chapel - Cabbal Pherick - the site of an 8th century keeill, we talk about the great gift of FRIENDSHIP ..... and the ultimate friendship with God - which has nothing to do with cards and gifts! There's poetry from Phil Craine, and music from Margaret Rizza Plus our usual notice board Items for inclusion on the notice board can be emailed to judithley@manxradio.com

On the programme this week, Rev'd Richard Littledale, Baptist Pastor, preacher, author, BBC broadcaster and expert storyteller joins us to talk about his new book LET IT GROW - written for children, it's a collection of garden projects and fun facts to help them learn how to care for God's planet. Manx-born Very Rev'd Canon John Mann has recently retired as Dean of Belfast Cathedral, and so is back in his native Laxey and enjoying his new ministry as an author. He joins us to talk about his latest book, due to launch on the Island on 12 February at 7pm in the Cathedral Church of St Mary of the Isle, Hill Street, Douglas. It's a Lent book, suitable for both individual and group use - it's called Christ's Seven Words from The Cross. HOW GREAT THOU ART is one of the nation's best loved hymns - it was written 75 years ago and to celebrate the anniversary, a new verse has been added - we have the new verse - and the full story - in the programme. Plus music from John Rutter, and our usual notice board. Items for the notice board can be emailed to judithley@manxradio.com

27th January each year is Holocaust Memorial Day - a time to reflect on the 6 million Jews, and thousands of others who died in the Nazi persecution during World War 2, and the millions who have died in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Leonard Singer was a prominent member of the Isle of Man's Jewish community -and during his time as an MHK for Ramsey, around 20 years ago, established an annual National Holocaust Memorial Service, which involved not only the local Jewish community, but also visiting speakers, alongside secondary school students, and people representing all walks of Island life. Leonard died exactly one month ago, and today's programme includes a poem and a prayer given by Leonard at one of the services we recorded several years ago. Today is also World Leprosy Sunday - and Mike Hardie - Community Partnerships Manager with The Leprosy Mission - urges us never to forget that leprosy is sadly not just a disease mentioned in a Bible story, but - over two thousand years later, it still remains a real threat to poor and vulnerable communities. Mike's reason for caring so deeply about people with leprosy goes right back to childhood days - find out how that happened - and what his more recent experience has been, on today's programme. Plus - there's quite a variety of music - and of course this week's notice board Items for inclusion on the notice board can be emailed to judithley@manxradio.com

Poet, Anglican priest, academic, singer/songwriter, lecturer and biker, Rev'd Dr Malcolm Guite made his first visit to the Island at the end of last year - and loved everything he saw. In the first part of an interview recorded during his visit, he talks about his childhood in Nigeria, and the power of poetry - to change the course of a life, and to take on a life of its own. The second part of the interview will be included in another episode of the programme in a few weeks' time. Norman Barron was born in 1909 and in 1958 became a fully accredited Local Preacher, serving the Methodist Church on the Island in a voluntary capacity for some 40 years. In a conversation recorded in 2000 when he was 91, Norman explains to David Callister how it all happened. Our music today is on the theme of Christian Unity, as this is the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and there's the usual notice board news too. Items for the Notice Board can be emailed to judithley@manxradio.com

President of the Methodist Conference of Britain, Rev'd Gill Newton, and Vice President Deacon Kerry Scarlett, are visiting the Island this weekend as part of their year of office, during which they will visit as many Methodist circuits as possible. The Methodist Conference is the governing body of the Methodist Church in Britain, of which the Methodist Church on the Island forms a part - and a more appropriate title for Gill and Kerry would be The Presidency - as they are equals in their leadership duties. In conversation with them both on this week's programme, we'll discover what their theme of Hidden Treasures really means - as well as discovering what led them both to ordination, and what they hope for the future of Methodism. Plus we have music in English and Manx - and our usual notice board. Items for the Notice Board can be emailed -judithley@manxradio.com

One By One is an international charity dedicated to preventing the exploitation of vulnerable people - particularly children and young teenagers - and today in conversation with founder and CEO Becky Murray we find out how it all began - quite by accident - during a trip to Sierra Leone, with 50p and a pair of pink flip flops. We were all deeply saddened to learn of the death of Marilyn Cannell BEM - a gifted musician, teacher, composer, and Methodist Local Preacher. Marilyn gave so much to music on the Island - but on today's programme we celebrate her deep faith by listening again to some of her contributions to Manx Radio's Thought for the Day, mixed with just one of her many musical compositions - The Celtic Cantata drew together words and music from the Celtic tradition, mixed with new music written by Marilyn. The singers are Mandy Griffin and Karen Elliott and the pianist is - of course - Marilyn herself. May she rest in peace - and rise in glory! And there's notice board news too - items for inclusion can be emailed to judithley@manxradio.com

Looking back over a year of weekly opportunities to be AT YOUR SERVICE - today's specially extended programme includes extracts from interviews with the Most Reverend and Rt Honorable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, actress Wendy Craig, singer and Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones, Academic and Scientist Rev'd Professor David Wilkinson, Baptist Minister Richard Littledale -and a feature about the spiritual side of Eurovision in Liverpool - plus lots of music too! Items for the notice board can be emailed - judithley@manxradio.com

In 2024, the popular Broughton Boys Choir - or to give them their correct title - the choir of St John the Baptist church in Broughton, Lancashire - will make their 50th annual visit to the Isle of Man for their Choir School. Choirmaster John Catterall has accompanied the choir on every single one of those visits, and looks forward to a really special visit to mark the 50th anniversary. He's also looking forward to handing over leadership of the choir to a new young team, as he steps down as Choirmaster in early January. To mark all these significant happenings in the life of the choir, we travel to Broughton for this one-hour Christmas Day special programme, to bring you interviews with the choristers, the staff team, clergy and accompanists - mixed with glorious singing of favourite Christmas carols by the choir.

In this special extended edition of At Your Service for Christmas Eve, my guest, country singer/songwriter CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH talks about family life, finding - losing - and finding his faith again, being a schoolteacher before finally breaking into show business - and lots more! Charlie talks about his faith with honesty and simplicity - a properly down-to-earth story of one man's personal journey, a journey through good times, and bad .... And between the chat, there's a selection of popular carols, played and sung by Charlie And of course there's our notice board, too!

On At Your Service today, we've words and music from the recent Tynwald Carol Service recorded in St George's Church, Douglas, plus three folk tales based on the message of Christmas, from author and broadcaster Richard Littledale. Carlos Philips and the Hon Clare Barber MHK give the Bible readings, there's music from the Tynwald Choir directed and accompanied by Dr Jonathan King (Shine, Star, Shine with words by Breesha Maddrell and music by Frank Woolley) and from The Government Choir conducted by Dr Mandy Griffin and accompanied by David Holland (A Wild Mid-Winter Carol by Liz Dilnot Johnson) Richard Littledale contributes three stories - Papa Panov, Babushka, and Pepita - the message of Christmas told through folk tales - and of course there's another giant notice board!! Items for inclusion can be sent via email - judithley@manxradio.com