Email: Joel Pier-Fitzgerald

Greetings!

I have been in Belfast nearly four months. Overall, my ministry here has been challenging and fulfilling.

I work at the Vine Centre, a community organization in North Belfast that provides many services to the community. I help out with a homework club as well as a Bible class for children. It is fun to interact with the kids and see their improvement in their homework skills. I also enjoy watching them grow spiritually. While working with kids can be a challenge, I am finding that I enjoy the work immensely.

At the Vine, I also assist with the advice centre. In fact, I just helped my first client fill out a form. I find this work challenging: the forms are not designed to be easily filled out and it can be difficult to distil the client’s stories into bureaucracy-speak. I am also finding it difficult to navigate the UK’s sometimes labyrinthine social security system. However, my work at the advice centre is also very fulfilling. It is wonderful to see the client’s get the help that they need. Beyond giving physical help, I have also found that simply listening to someone’s story is the best thing I can do for them. Often, the client’s are suffering from depression; they often are yearning for someone to talk to. I have learned that being present is often more important than trying to “fix” their situation. If this is the only thing I take away from Belfast, I would consider the year a success.

My work at Cooke Centenary Presbyterian Church has also been challenging and fulfilling. Part of my work involves leading a Bible study for senior women. Going in, I did not think that I would enjoy this work, but I have since found it amazingly rewarding. I am constantly impressed with these women’s spiritual depth and willingness to engage with the Bible. Our consideration of the Sermon on the Mount led to some hard discussions, but also to some good insights. Their faithfulness is truly an inspiration. Their stories and banter are also an absolute delight. I always leave the Bible study with a smile on my face or ruefully shaking my head. Spending an hour a week with them has certainly been an education.

Along with the women’s Bible study, I also help lead the Sunday night youth group at Cooke. The youth group has around 6-15 youth every Sunday. We have done some fun activities and tried to engage the youth’s faith. It has been a challenge to figure out how to engage 14-year-old boys and 17-year-old girls with the same program. However, I have found the challenge good, and the youth seem to be responding. I have also learned the importance of working with a team. Betsy, the mother of one of the youth and the pastor’s wife, has been an absolute life-saver. Her tireless work and thoughtfulness has provided the leadership team with skills I could not provide. I am discovering that one person really cannot do everything; effective ministry usually requires using different people’s gifts effectively.

The other work I do at Cooke is assist with the Boy’s Brigade. Boy’s Brigade is a uniformed organization for boys in primary and secondary school. I have really enjoyed working with the boys. It has been fun to cheer them on at volleyball matches and to tag along to rugby games.

Overall, my work has been going well. I have also enjoyed living in Belfast. Whether it is navigating through a charged homecoming parade for British troops or an interesting office Christmas party, Belfast has been a fun place to be. While the cold and wet weather can be annoying, the city and the people make up for it. I have greatly enjoyed my time here and I appreciate the prayers and gifts of all those who have given me support.

Joel