GREENWELL STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEWTOWNARDS

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Sharon has been working at the International Meeting Point since March 2015. She works with asylum seekers and refugees. For wisdom and discernment as we navigate the challengingand painful circumstances of people’s lives.

Rosemary previously served as a deaconess in First Antrim Presbyterian Church. Before training to become a deaconess, Rosemary worked at various jobs - activity co-ordinator at Faith House, N I Electricity sales and River House Newcastle. Rosemary’s home congregation is Newcastle Presbyterian Church. Pray for everyone who comes into the International Meeting Point and for the staff and volunteers who have opportunities daily to share the gospel.

Ards Presbytery Consultation Committee Report:

Pray for wisdom as Sharon and her colleagues reach out in situations where it can be difficult as they share with people from other countries and cultures. Pray for Sharon's personal walk with God that it will be protected and she will discipline herself as she strives in her walk towards holiness. Praise God for the opportunity to share about the Lord via books, our church magazine and tracts into the community of Newtownards.

gravestone photos try http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/down/photos/tombstones/markers.htm& http://www.northdownroots.co.uk/roots_gravestone.htmlDuring the late Queen's platinum celebrations, both First Ards and Greenwell Street gifted every child from Victoria Primary School the book called, Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen Who Chose to Serve. The principal of the school expressed her thanks, on a Facebook video clip, to the churches for the gorgeous book that explained about her faith and journey to the throne. At Greenwell Street we have many opportunities to spread the seed of his Word to young and old, into the community of Newtownards, praying that lives would serve the King of Kings. Rosemary has been serving in Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church in Newtownards, since September 2017. What an honour it is to help people and make a practical difference in their lives,” adds Sharon, “but it is an even greater honour to pray with people and share the good news of Jesus Christ with them. I remember the day a Muslim lady said to me, ‘Will you pray to your God for me and my family because we are in a desperate situation’. What an amazing opportunity for me to pray to my amazing God for this Muslim family.” Pray for strength, courage and perseverance as daily Sharon and the team come up against massive challenges as they deal with very broken lives.

Give thanks for our 'Fit for Life' event and fun day - praise God for those from the community who came along to these events and heard about the Saviour. Sharon is married to Sammy and they have two grown up children. She grew up in Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church in Newtownards under the ministry of Rev Dr Rodney Sterritt. She was commissioned in 1997 into Strand Presbyterian Church in East Belfast where she served for 19 years before moving to the International Meeting Point in 2015. Rosemary also goes along and encourages other women at the PW and ‘Fit For Life' meetings in Greenwell Street. She also befriends others at the Alpha, Christianity Explored courses and leads and encourages women and mums at morning Bible studies and other initiatives.Sharon's desire is to share God with many people who have come from other countries, who have never heard the gospel or understood anything of God's amazing love and offer of salvation. She wants to encourage women in their walk with God as they study God's Word together every week. She loves to help people practically by giving support and encouragement, as well as providing clothes, toiletries, household goods and food. There are many painful stories of trauma, death, abuse andtorture. People arrive and we try to navigate through the mess andturmoil that they have experienced to help practically, provide asafe place, a warm welcoming home and through it all to shareJesus. We value your prayer support so much and cry out to Godon their behalf that their wounds will be healed and their heartsdrawn to God.

Rosemary has opportunities to share from God’s Word at ‘Mums and Tots’ and ‘Chat and Hobby Huddle’, and also from time to time at the Sunday school and local school assembly. Thank God for the strength he has given us to be involved in hismission and for his incredible provision. After the families had finished 300 halal burgers, crisps anddrinks, many of the young families headed down towards thebeach to swim in the ‘ocean’. Although the water was freezing atthe end of May it was still a wonderful experience for our friends.There was a great buzz in the centre after the outing with manyso grateful for another happy memory made for many families asthey adjust to life in Belfast. Pray for friendships and conversation with women from the church and community at various ministries.For new converts – that they will grow and mature and we cancontinue to disciple them through teaching more of God’s Wordand get families settled into churches where they will grow. Rosemary engages with three weekly groups and seeks to build friendships with women at these ministries: ‘Chat and Hobby Huddle’ on a Tuesday morning; ‘Mums and Tots’ on a Wednesday morning; and ‘Women’s Meeting’ on Thursday evenings. During the week Rosemary also is engaged in pastoral visitation and befriending women, families and the elderly, at homes or over a cup of coffee! She also leads a GriefShare course with a committed team of helpers. Although Sharon's work varies every day, her main responsibilties are: offering care and support to those in great need; leading one to one Bible studies; organising a clothes ministry.She plays a key role giving pastoral care to many who have had traumatic experiences in their lives.