Celebrating St Brigid's Feast Day in words and music, and theologian and social activist Dr Ruth Valerio explains WHY Christians should care about the environment.

When it re-opened after the time of Covid, and Island-wide church closures, the Promenade Methodist Church in Douglas formed a Working Party of church members, to forensically examine all aspects of church life - its purpose, its finances and most importantly its future - they asked some searching questions, and even considered whether the best stewardship would be to sell the site, re-invest the proceeds in other Methodist church ministries, and form a new worshipping community elsewhere.

But after much research, talking and listening it was agreed that the church on the Prom should remain - a beacon of hope - its illuminated cross visible from the ferries coming into Douglas harbour - but its outreach should now be re-shaped to meet the needs of today's local community.

And so The Prom Space was born - same church - but with a new purpose! And on today's programme, two members of that Working Party - Stephanie Gray and Amanda Walker - talk about the past, the present and the future - at The Prom Space!

There's also a mention of Holocaust Memorial Day on 28th January, commemorated by a special programme here on Manx Radio as part of our Island Life series of programmes, presented by Siobhan Fletcher at 5:30pm on 28/1/25 and available afterwards as a podcast.

On the programme this week .....

RICHARD GAMBLE explains how his passionate belief in the power of prayer has resulted in a 20-year quest to fulfil his dream of creating the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer - a stunning piece of architectural art, made up of a million bricks, and designed to provoke a conversation about prayer.

Richard was a guest on the programme a couple of years ago, when this project was just beginning - he's back this week, not just with an update - but with an invitation for each of us to be permanently involved- listen here for everything you need to know ..... and the website address is

www.eternalwall.org.uk

KEYSTONES was a series of programmes which formed part of our Sunday broadcasting on Manx Radio in the 1980's. Researched and presented by former Vicar of Marown, Rev'd David Bush, each episode told the story of a particular church or chapel on the Island - with David in conversation with the present minister or vicar, and with some members of the congregation.

Today we delve into the archives to listen again to the story of Bride Parish Church, dedicated to St Brigid - as Rev'd David Bush talks to Canon John Sheen, the Rector of Bride in the 1980's, and parishioner Mrs Mary Weller.

And together with our usual notice board, there's some very varied music this week!

The beautiful prayerful hymn 'O God you search me and you know me' - with words and music by Bernadette Farrell, and based on Psalm 139

A 'first' for the programme - the first time we've featured music for worship from Ed Sheeran -Jesus, lift my soul

And A Hymn to St Brigid - words by Mother Cecilia (1863-1902) and music by Jack Oades - Jack will be remembered as a former organ scholar at the Cathedral in Peel. He is now Master of Music at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh

Special guests this week are leaders at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity - Chief Executive Officer Paul Woolley, and Director of Church Relations, Ken Benjamin - they're asking - how might Jesus live your life? - or my life ?

The LICC exists to 'join the dots' between church life and life outside the church - to show that in a healthy and caring society, there really should be no divide between the two - all life belongs to God - which means that everything we do is sacred .....

And Anglican priest Rev'd Sharon Grenham Thompson returns to talk about St Francis of Assisi - and the power of a single sunbeam ....

Plus we have music - from the St Michael Singers, Graham Kendrick and Paul Baloche, and Katherine Jenkins - and our usual busy notice board!

Guests today are Ruth Keggin-Gell and Gareth Moore talking about the peaceful Taize style of worship - with an invitation to join Ruth to learn some beautiful prayerful chants translated into the Manx language, then go to a service in Ballagarey led by Gareth - and sing what you have learned!

A visit to newly re-opened St Catherine's Church in Port Erin gives Vicar of the parish of Rushen, Canon Joe Heaton, a chance to talk about the completion of the re-ordering of the 4 churches in his parish - and what they can now offer to their congregations and to the local community.

Plus - there's music for the Feast of the Epiphany, and a New Year Carol - as well as another well-filled notice board.

Looking back over 2024 with some of the guests and the stories they shared - and there's music too!

Guests featured in this review of 2024 are :

A tribute to the late Marilyn Cannell

Richard Littledale - author and broadcaster - on his book to help children discover the joys of gardening, growing things, and taking little steps towards saving the planet....

Bishop Mark Davies - Bishop of Middleton in Manchester and Commissary Bishop of Sodor and Man - until a new one comes along

What's in a name? A brief word from Bishop Tricia Hillas!

Jenny Sinclair - daughter of Anglican Bishop David Sheppard -looks back to the 1970's and 80's in Liverpool - and the legacy of her father's work with Roman Catholic Archbishop Derek Worlock. The charity she has now established is called Together For The Common Good (togetherforthecommongood.co.uk)

Chris Lane recalls moving to live on a notorious Salford housing estate in Greater Manchester - the early struggles, the little triumphs - and the church planted there, where he is still the co-pastor, after 25 years.

From the archives - Norman Barron from Kirk Michael looks back over his 40 years as a Methodist Local Preacher.

Lay Reader from Andreas, Peter Shimmin, remembers his dog, Jacko

And there's some notice board news too

Rt Reverend Tricia Hillas has just completed two months as a newly-consecrated Bishop, now in ministry here on the Isle of Man, as Bishop of Sodor and Man.

In this hour-long special programme, Tricia talks about her family and her life and work before (and after!) ordination, as well as sharing some thoughts about the deeper meaning of the Christmas season.

The programme includes a great spread of seasonal music across the genres - and a few surprises, too!

Three local church leaders reflect on the importance and the challenge of Christmas - Rev Dr Janet Corlett, Chair of District of the Methodist Church; Monsignor John Devine, Senior Roman Catholic Priest from the Cathedral Church of St Mary of the Isle, Douglas, and the Rt Rev'd Patricia Hillas, Bishop of Sodor and Man.

There's two contrasting pieces of Advent music, and a modern carol from Ballacottier School Choir conducted by Katie Lawrence and accompanied by Dave Holland.

And from the archives - a Christmas poem - The Gift - recited by Mrs Pat Corrin

Plus a HUGE notice board!!