Day Seven: County Mayo
Thursday 7 May
The annual VOX magazine Finding Faith Tour looks very different this year. Instead of a 7-day road trip around the island, this year VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams brings you highlights from all 32 counties (one per day plus one for each of the 31 days in May). Contact Ruth if you have a story to share.
Day Six: Lockdown Blessings
Heading over to Westport in County Mayo, I have the privilege of connecting with James McMaster, who had lived and ministered in the area with his wife Julia and family for the last 19 years.
“The little fellowship [Calvary Church] here in Westport is part of Calvary Mission and I’ve been involved in three main ministries - leading Bible studies, teaching and preaching in the church and also doing some work in schools,” James told me.
Along with a co-worker, James has developed a programme for schools called Bible Trekk - providing five one hour sessions looking at the Old Testament and five one-hour sessions looking at the New Testament. “We act out the main stories of the Bible. The kids really love that kind of stuff and really enjoy the programme,” James explained.
“It is very exciting to think that there is a whole generation growing up with a love for God’s word.”
Covid-19 arrived just months after the church had celebrated moving into its own building after years of renting space in the local leisure centre and other venues.
“Lockdown has been a big frustration and like every other church leader, we’ve had to learn the fine art of filmmaking. We’ve been putting up messages on our church facebook page and at first I found it difficult speaking to a camera,” James said. “You just wonder what the Lord is doing. But there are people watching our services online who would never have previously thought of walking through our doors.”
One experience highlighted for James the new opportunities that this season has brought about. “I had a phone call last week from someone who was asking for prayer for his brother who had been in a serious accident. He had not shown any interest in faith before but had been watching one of our services online and phoned to ask for prayer!”
Reflecting on the unexpected blessings of lockdown, James is grateful for opportunities for Bible study and prepare a new series giving and overview of the Bible.
“It has been lovely to have this incredibly wonderful weather and I think that is a wonderful example of the love of Jesus for us. He is always there and we’ve been so excited to know Him and to be a small part of what He is doing here in County Mayo,” James added.
