At Your Service - Manx Radio

Stephanie Gray is a respected Methodist Local Preacher, an enthusiastic member of her church, and an accomplished actor - she's also got a daughter who stepped away from her profession as a midwife, to spend some months doing voluntary work in a hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone - and thanks to Mum Stephanie sharing daughter Pia's story, you too can listen to it here - plus another packed notice board - with all your Lent Lunch info!

Sam Stockill is a Community Relationship Manager with The Leprosy Mission. On today's programme he tells tragically true stories that explain the challenges faced by the charity that's been working for the last 150 years to eradicate this treatable disease that continues to wreck lives. And there's music - plus a thought for the start of Lent, and another packed notice board.

Current President of the Methodist Conference, Rev'd Richard Andrew - on a recent visit to the Isle of Man - shares some of the stories of people and places that have shaped his life as an ordained minister - and Rev'd Professor David Wilkinson has a very original way of showing how science and religion - far from opposing each other - actually help our understanding of both. Plus music from hymnwriter Fanny Crosby, and our usual notice board.

For 50 years, the Promenade Methodist Church in Douglas has been a beacon of light, with its distinctive illuminated cross visible even when out at sea. The Prom Church has always served the needs of the local community, and that's as true today as it was when it opened. Historian, architect and life-long Methodist, Frank Cowin shares some stories of the building of the present church - and in a second programme I'll be going to The Prom church to find out more about their plans and why it's now being called The Prom Space.

With the approach of Holocaust Memorial Day, Carol Jempson of the Jewish community on the Isle of Man, and Bishop Tricia, Bishop of Sodor and Man, explain why they will each be placing a lighted candle in their window, at 8pm on Tuesday 27 January. But there's a bigger story to reflect upon in this mix of words and music around. the theme of genocide.

The national charity Care for the Family works to support family life in all its forms and Starfish Asia works with the poorest children in Pakistan. They were two of over 80 charities who shared in £1.8m given away at the recent AFD Software annual charity night. Listen to their stories here - plus music from Lindisfarne and notice board news too.

Reflecting on the journey of the Magi from the East, to find the infant king (including words recorded in 2007 in Peel Methodist Church and music from Foxdale School, also 2007) and talking with Chris Wildman about the 30th Anniversary celebrations at the church in a pub - Sunday at Ten at The Cat With No Tail on Governors Hill, Douglas

As we begin to pack away the decorations and move into a New Year, Howard Thurman's poem The Work of Christmas reminds us of the real meaning of the season - and Baptist Pastor Richard Littledale explains why rest is not idleness - instead, it's being obedient.Programme includes music by Graham Kendrick, Balanced Voices and Macapella with the Wild Goose Collective.

A New Year hymn (and more good music too!) plus guests in this review of 2025 include the Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, Ruth Keggin-Gell, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Canon Philip Gillespie, Sam Stockhill, and Rev'd Dr Inderjit Sing Bhogul

Being a community at Christmas - in the village hub that is St James' church and schoolrooms - in conversation with Local Minister Cheryl Cousins, and Dalby residents Ann Quirk, John Mylchreest Corrin, Rosie Evans, Margie Killey, and Priscilla Mayle

Aifric O'Shea, Oliver Lenihan and Leo Fosdil have just returned from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Papua New Guinea - why did they go? and what did they learn there? Find out here - alongside the story of Village Carols told by Andrew Cole -with music from Kate Rusby. Plus there's another packed notice board!

Through Advent with Bishop Tricia - Week Four - Love that will not let go of us ....There's a short video, and a booklet containing a full transcript of this podcast plus some questions for thought and discussion, and suggestions for action. They can all be downloaded via this link :https://www.sodorandman.im/prayer/advent-study-2025/

Pioneer Minister Rev'd Alex Brown looks and the positives, the negatives and the bigger picture, following the cancellation of this year's Christmas Live - a casualty of the recent stormy weather - and Heather and Tim Price explain why they're preparing a festival of light in New Life Church(Ramsey Independent Methodists) - plus there's music and (another!) packed notice board

Through Advent with Bishop Tricia - Week Three - Joy, beyond all joys ....There's a short video, and a booklet containing a full transcript of this podcast plus some questions for thought and discussion, and suggestions for action. They can all be downloaded via this link :https://www.sodorandman.im/prayer/advent-study-2025/

Why would someone give away £1.8 million that they could keep for themselves?? And what's so different about this year's Christmas Live in Douglas? All the answers are here - plus music, another packed notice board and details of part 2 of Bishop Tricia's new 4-part series of Advent reflections - see the separate At Your Service podcast - THROUGH ADVENT with Bishop Tricia - and find more resources here https://www.sodorandman.im/prayer/advent-study-2025/

Through Advent with Bishop Tricia - Week Two - A different kind of peace ....There's a short video, and a booklet containing a full transcript of this podcast plus some questions for thought and discussion, and suggestions for action. They can all be downloaded via this link :https://www.sodorandman.im/prayer/advent-study-2025/

As Rev'd Catherine McFie begins her new ministry as the Island's first-ever Ecumenical Church Minister, we bring you the full story here - plus music, another packed notice board and details of Bishop Tricia's new 4-part series of Advent reflections - see the separate At Your Service podcast, and find more resources here https://www.sodorandman.im/prayer/advent-study-2025/

Through Advent with Bishop Tricia - Week One - Hope, even in times of darkness.There's a short video, and a booklet containing all the material from this podcast plus some questions for thought and discussion, and suggestions for action. They can all be downloaded via this link :https://www.sodorandman.im/prayer/advent-study-2025/

Recent visitor to the Island, Rev'd Cyprian Yobera, has dedicated his life to reaching out to those on the margins - finding hidden gems in the neglected children living on the streets in one of Africa's largest urban slums - and Peel Commissioner Katryna Baptist is creating some hidden gems for everyone to discover on a Live Nativity Trail - their stories are here - with music and another packed notice board!

Sarah Morris believes that when we say 'you're welcome here' we shouldn't exclude dogs and she, and her labrador Daisy, are on a pilgrimage to find all the dog-friendly Cathedrals in the UK - and the Isle of Man, of course! Listen to their story here - along with Ellen Blacker - an apprentice with the Anglican Church Building Support team. But it's not church buildings Ellen is talking about here - it's the quiet revival -and a unique way of living! Plus music - and another packed notice board.

A special programme first broadcast on Remembrance Sunday -a mix of music, thoughts and prayers for this time of reflection on those we have loved and lost from this life.

Just over a year ago, the Rt Rev'd Tricia Hillas was ordained and consecrated as the next Bishop of Sodor and Man, and moved to the Isle of Man with her husband Andrew, to begin what should have been a happy new phase of life on the Island they both knew and loved. But the reality was a year marred by Andrew's unexpected death. At this season of Remembrance and as she returns to full-time ministry after her period of compassionate leave, Bishop Tricia reflects with searing honesty on the events of the past few months, and considers how they are shaping her faith - and her future.

Caring for heritage buildings - a huge responsibility - or an opportunity to be imaginative and even adventurous ? Recent visitor ADRIAN FOX (Environmental and Sustainability Officer for Cathedrals and Church Buildings in the Church of England) and LOUISE WHITELEGG (Anglican Church Building Support Officer in the Isle of Man) discuss. Louise's contact number is 07624 474 275. Manx Language Development Officer Ruth Keggin-Gell has an invitation - and there's music and notice board news too.

Rev'd Liz Crumlish is a priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church, She is also an author, a poet and has a blog. She's going to be on the Island next Saturday to lead a day exploring a different way of church leadership. On today's programme she explains more. Details of. the day - 18th October - can be found on the Thie Dy Vea website - retreathouse.im

Neil Rees of The Bible Society talks about celebrating the 250th anniversary of the printing of the first complete Bible in Manx, with the creation of a brand new app which will put the complete Bible in Manx on any smart phone or suitable device - and a new printed edition of the Bible will follow next year. There's music - including a Canticle for the Feast of St Francis of Assisi - and a notice board packed with news of Harvest services.

Rev'd David Halliwell is the Team Rector of St Luke in the City and Priest in Charge of the church of St Margaret of Antioch in Liverpool - he's also blind. Rev'd Kate Jacobs is also an Anglican priest, caring for two very different churches near John Lennon Airport. Listen to their fascinating faith-filled stories here! Plus music and a packed notice board

Prayers and music for this - World Peace Day - plus a conversation with Stephen Hoyland, a spiritual director with the Jesuit Institute - about his work leading retreats and preparing on line resources - see jesuitinstitute.org for more details.

Retired Baptist Minister, author, teacher and regular contributor to the Daily Service on BBC Radio 4 Extra, and BBC Radio Wales, Richard Littledale is back today - talking about the power of podcasting, and his brand new book - What Happened Next? - exploring the ripple effects of stories from the Bible.

Rev'd Dr Janet Corlett - Chair of Isle of Man District of the Methodist Church, and Dr Tim Grass, academic and reader in the Anglican church, talk about the 250th anniversary of the Bible in Manx which will be celebrated through a variety of events later this year. There's Manx music from Caarjyn Cooidjagh, and David Winter shares a story about 7th Century Saint Cuthbert, whose feast was on 4 September.

Monsignor John Devine is preparing to retire to Liverpool, after 10 years as senior Roman Catholic priest on the Island. Retirement is his 'one last adventure' but on today's programme he reflects on some of the other adventures that have made up over 50 years of priestly ministry - and he chooses our hymns.

We're dipping into the archives again, to explore the history of Santan Parish Church in a recording made nearly 40 years ago - and featuring churchwarden Donald Gelling! And we've news of a new appointment to the Island's churches - not just a new face, but a completely new role too - we have all the details - plus music and our usual notice board.

We mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day with a poignant story from an 11-year old girl, and Anna Pitt, Executive Director of the Association of English Cathedrals, presents The Big Table team at Peel Cathedral with the Cathedral Volunteers of the Year Team Award, national recognition of their voluntary work producing a 3-course community lunch each Monday.

Kiran Wimberly is a Presbyterian minister living and working in Ireland where her husband leads the Corrymeela Community - Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation organisation. She's developed a valuable music ministry blending the Psalms with traditional Celtic tunes - assisted by The McGraths - and their story is here!

Why is Manx-born Robert Burdett living and working in Illinois ? What has drawn him and his wife Kathleen back to the Island ? What are the benefits of 'twinning' two churches? And why does Bishop Tom Demby from Sierra Leone believe he's found his spiritual home on the Isle of Man? All the answers are in this week's programme!

Rev'd Dr Inderjit Bhogal OBE is a minister in the Methodist church and a leading theologian and campaigner for peace and reconciliation. He was the first person from a minority ethnic background to be appointed President of the Methodist Conference and it was in that capacity he first visited the Isle of Man in 2000. 25 years later he's back on the Island with very definite views on the real path to peace.

26 July to 30 August is St Maughold's Week - with a huge programme of different events to celebrate the heritage of the Isle of Man's patron saint. Historian and Anglican Priest, Rev'd Dr Ian Faulds, explains why he's organising this - plus it's Beach Mission time in Peel and Port St Mary - and we've got the details!

An interview with Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, who visited the Island recently as part of his Lord's Prayer Tour - and the Alpha Course raises its game - to meet the needs of the quiet revival!

One church but two vicars for St Ninian's in Douglas; Scripture Union invite you to a family-friendly thanksgiving and we visit a major flower festival at St Andrew's United Reformed Church in Douglas.

AFD Software - the Ramsey-based Postcode People - are famous for their high level of support for local and global charities, including the purchase of an aircraft for Mission Aviation Fellowship, the world's largest humanitarian air operator. David Dorricott - Managing Director of AFD Software, talks about the new plane and the difference it will make to some of the world's most disadvantaged people.Matt and Katrina Baptist are based in Peel, and are planting a Vineyard Church on the Island - the full story is here! And there's music too - and another packed notice board.

Sam Stockhill is the Community Partnership Manager for The Leprosy Mission in the North of England, and the Isle of Man. The Leprosy Mission on the Isle of Man is a separate Manx-registered charity, but benefits from visits from Sam to support their fundraising projects. In this first conversation with Sam, be prepared for an amazing display of true faith in God - as well as moving stories about his work in Nepal.And two more people take a deeper look at some familiar words from The Lord's Prayer - anticipating the visit of the Archbishop of York to the Cathedral in Peel on 6 July at 6pm - all are welcome!Plus there's music - and another packed notice board

This week - we celebrate The Big Table community outreach, based in the Cathedral in Peel, winning a national award for Cathedral volunteeers; Roman Catholic Archbishop John Sherrington comes to take his seat in the Co-Cathedral of St Mary of the Isle in Douglas, and Rev'd Alex Brown looks again at the Lord's Prayer and finds a new message in its familiar words. Plus music - and the usual notice board

The Archbishop of York has launched a movement called Faith in the North, with The Lord's Prayer at its core - he explains more about it on today's programme. Plus - Very Rev'd John Mann talks about his new book "Be Still, Be Silent" about the priest and poet David Scott - and there's an invitation to meet Kiran Wimberly and The McGraths of the Corrymeela Community who will be visiting the Island on 14th June offering two sessions of conversation and music with a strong Celtic influence. And there's our regular notice board, too.