Latest news with #Gribben
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Moderator of Presbyterian Church to preach at mission's 150th anniversary celebrations in Malawi
The Right Rev Dr Trevor Gribben will address thousands at Mzuzu football stadium in the northern Malawian city of Mzuzu. It will mark the launch of three days of events hosted by the Synod of Livingstonia of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), one of PCI's global mission partners. During the weekend Dr Gribben will meet Malawi's President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera, who will attend the day's main celebration as the guest of honour. Speaking from Mzuzu, 220 miles north of the capital Lilongwe, before the celebrations began, Dr Gribben said the invitation was a great honour. 'I only found out recently that the Synod of Livingstonia had decided to do our church, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the great honour of inviting me as Moderator to preach at the opening of the celebration,' he said. 'That is a real privilege, and on behalf of PCI, I am very thankful for the opportunity to share God's word with so many brothers and sisters in Christ at this special time for the Synod and the CCAP. 'The theme of the celebration, 'Tell the people to move forward,' is taken from the Book of Exodus, and the Moderator of the Synod will preach on this tomorrow,' he said. 'I will be preaching on a wonderful passage in the Book of Joshua about moving forward with the Lord in the journey of faith as we travel together with our brothers and sisters in the Synod of Livingstonia.' PCI's relationship with CCAP began in the mid-1950s, and in 1958, Rev Bill Jackson became PCI's first missionary to Malawi. Since then, more than 90 men and women from PCI have served there. Dr Gribben is accompanied on the 10-day visit by Rev David McCullagh, minister of Annalong Presbyterian Church and convener of PCI's Global Mission Partnership Panel. Mr McCullagh, who served with Scripture Union in Malawi from 2013 to 2018, said that partnerships were an important part of local and corporate church life. 'In recent years, many individuals and teams from PCI congregations have made short mission trips to Malawi,' said Mr McCullagh. 'These celebrations will also afford the opportunity for the Moderator to deepen our ties with the country and Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in particular.' Dr McCullagh said that during the visit, they will meet Synod of Livingstonia leaders, tour Synod projects, hold talks with other CCAP leaders, and visit PCI-supported partners including Scripture Union, the Bible Society, and the Student Christian Organisation of Malawi. Reflecting on the trip, Dr Gribben spoke warmly about returning to the country. 'It is great to be back in Malawi, especially in the northern part of the country where I have not been before,' he said. He added: 'Our Church and CCAP have a tremendous heart for mission, and it is appropriate that we look back at what has been, celebrating and giving thanks to God for the missional contribution down the decades, as the Synod is doing. 'It is also a time to look forward, a time of strengthening our relationship with the church in Malawi, and the ministry and mission we share in the Lord, standing together in prayerful solidarity, as we bring hope and a future in Jesus.'
Belfast Telegraph
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
New Moderator of Presbyterian Church formally installed during General Assembly
The Right Reverend Dr Trevor Gribben succeeded the Very Reverend Dr Richard Murray as his term came to an end. The Moderator for the PCI is the most senior office-bearer in the organisation, each one serving a one-year term in the post. Originally from Tandragee, Rev Gribben had been serving his denomination as a clerk since 2014. At the event today, outgoing Moderator Dr Murray, led the service of worship in front of 18 former Moderators, ministers and elders from the PCI's 500-plus congregations from across Ireland. 'No matter how many times the church might be ridiculed, we have a hope and a future in Jesus Christ' - Dr Gribben Among the civic guests present were His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Paul Doherty, and the city's High Sheriff, Councillor Fiona McAteer, along with members of the public, and Dr Gribben's personal guests. During his address to those gathered, Dr Gribben talked about engaging 'in the public square' and 'in civil society' with God's message and also stressed the need to engage 'with other Christian churches' during his time. He also referenced the disorder over recent days in Ballymena during his speech, offering thanks to 'people in our police force who in these past days have had to stand in front of mindless thugs and racists'. 'No matter what the statistics look like, no matter what social media might say, no matter how many times the church might be ridiculed and ignored, we have a hope and a future in Jesus Christ," he added. "Today as a church, we have a responsibility to take that message to this island and through partner churches to the very ends of the earth.' Speaking as part of a wide ranging interview with the Belfast Telegraph last week, Rev Gribben – a Linfield supporter – revealed he would not attend a football match played on a Sunday, amid the ongoing debate among officials in the local league. During the interview he also said he believes there may be a 'female Moderator [for the church] in future'. News Catch Up - Thursday 12th June 'I don't think it is particularly great to have significant sporting games on a Sunday. If I was out for a walk and I saw people playing cricket on a Sunday afternoon, I may stop to look at that. 'The Irish Football Association, for the Premier League in particular, states that games can be played on a Sunday, but only if both teams agree. 'If one team says they don't want to play on Sunday, then they won't be forced to. 'I think that, as a church, we are content with that position. I want to live in a world where we didn't have that on a Sunday.' Regarding ordination, Rev Gribben said that within the PCI, both men and women 'have equal opportunity to be Moderator'. 'I believe if it is God's will, a female Moderator will be chosen. Women are open to be Moderator as much as men. The opportunity is there,' he added.
Belfast Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
‘I don't think it is great to have sporting games on a Sunday': Presbyterian Moderator shares view amid debate on changing NI football schedule
The incoming Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has confirmed he would not attend a football match on a Sunday, in reference to the ongoing debate about altering the Northern Irish soccer schedule. Speaking ahead of next week's General Assembly, when he will be formally installed as Moderator, Dr Rev Trevor Gribben (64) also said he believes there may be a 'female Moderator [for the church] in future'. The Moderator for the PCI is the most senior office-bearer in the organisation, each one serving a one-year term in the post. Originally from Tandragee, Rev Gribben had been serving his denomination as a clerk since 2014. The views of the new Moderator were shared at a briefing today, which was held in the lead-up to next week's General Assembly — the 38th he will attend. While in the past Moderators had the theme for their tenure chose by the church, in this case Rev Gribben was able to select his own. Rev Trevor Gribben believes it is 'not particularly great' to have significant matches on a Sunday Since ceasing his duties as an Assembly clerk on May 12 to take up his new role, the reverend announced that his theme will be 'Hope and Future in Jesus'. Rev Gribben was questioned on his view on Sunday matches, as well as female Moderators, the latter of which he believed will happen 'in the future' if it is 'God's will'. As a supporter of Belfast club Linfield, Rev Gribben believes it is 'not particularly great' to have significant matches played on the Sabbath. His take on the debate comes amid ongoing discussion between fans and authorities of the local game, this newspaper reporting last month that the Irish FA and NI Football League have joined forces in a concerted effort to push through a proposal on Sunday football at the IFA's Annual General Meeting later this month. Currently, league matches here can only be played on a Sunday if both participating teams agree to it. 'I would probably not go on Sunday myself. I have other things to do then,' said Rev Gribben. 'I don't think it is particularly great to have significant sporting games on a Sunday. If I was out for a walk and I saw people playing cricket on a Sunday afternoon, I may stop to look at that. 'The Irish Football Association, for the Premier League in particular, states that games can be played on a Sunday, but only if both teams agree. 'If one team says they don't want to play on Sunday, then they won't be forced to. 'I think that, as a church, we are content with that position. I want to live in a world where we didn't have that on a Sunday. 'But we do not feel that people should be forced to play on a Sunday. 'It is not just people who are coming from a church or religious backgrounds [saying this], it is also people who are part-time players. 'They have day jobs; they don't want to be playing on Saturday and Sundays. 'Sundays are an important day for them, for their family. It's not just for Christian perspectives.' Regarding ordination, Rev Gribben said at the briefing that, within the PCI, both men and women 'have equal opportunity to be Moderator'. 'I believe it is God's will that a female Moderator will be chosen. Women are open to be Moderator as much as men. The opportunity is there,' he added. 'Men and women are both eligible for ordination. In my time in the Assembly, 30-plus years, I have seen some really good women being nominated [to be Moderator]. 'And I have also seen, just because of the numbers, even more really good men be nominated… and not be elected. 'Do I think there will be a female Moderator in future? I think I got into a lot of trouble for this last year, but, yes, I think there will be.' At the General Assembly, made up of ministers and elders from more than 500 congregations, a number of church 'mergers' will be discussed in addition to their '10 plus 10 in 10' goal. Among churches set to be merged include First Portglenone Presbyterian Church and Town Hill. 'This is a strategy to plant 10 new congregations, plus 10 other missional enterprises, in the next 10 years,' said Rev Gribben. 'I am actually delighted that that is the first session I made since being the Moderator. 'We have planted new churches. There is one growing in Carlisle Circus. There is another about to be established in the old May Street buildings. 'This new vision of '10 plus 10 in 10' I think is very exciting. 'Listening to the global church, we have got delegates coming this year from Malawi, Indonesia, Greece and an official delegate from the Evangelical Church of USA. 'With the latter, we are trying to formalise our fraternal and confessional relations with them. 'General Assemblies are times when the PCI family comes together from across the island to pray, worship and be guided by God,' said Rev Gribben. 'It is also part of the democratic heart of our Presbyterian denomination.'
Scottish Sun
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Brit athletics champion, 81, is a MONK who took 70 YEARS to claim first gold after ‘nearly collapsing' on first run
SIGN OF THE CROSSFIT Brit athletics champion, 81, is a MONK who took 70 YEARS to claim first gold after 'nearly collapsing' on first run Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MARATHON monk has become a British athletics champion after SEVENTY YEARS despite 'nearly collapsing' on his first run. Father John Gribben is a sprightly 81 years old and can now claim to be top of his field after winning a gold medal at the British Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A sprightly elderly monk has become a gold medal British athletics champion Credit: Guzelian 2 Father John Gribben, 81, is known as the 'sprinting monk' Credit: Guzelian Known as the 'sprinting monk' among parishioners, he won the 400 metre dash in two minutes, three seconds and 190 milliseconds. Gribben also secured bronze medals in the 60 metre and 200 metre events in London. But it took him 70 long years to finally achieve running stardom, with Gribben's first attempt at the sport coming in the 1950s. That didn't exactly go to plan, with octogenarian admitting he could barely stand up straight after a half-mile effort. READ MORE IN ATHLETICS HURD MENTALITY Fans stunned at how sprinter finished race after falling over final hurdle He told The Times: 'I nearly collapsed after that first run. I said, 'I'm not a runner', but I never stopped after it.' Gribben started to master the art of running when he moved to Mirfield, West Yorkshire, in 1979 — where he remains to this day. And like any good athlete, Gribben dedicates himself to a gruelling mid-week training schedule. He explained: 'Three nights at least of a 5km run, most days I'll do a 60 metre sprint, and then the other things are an hour at the local gym a couple of days a week.' The Belfast native, who attended a theological college in Dublin, mainly gets his racing kicks at Greenhead Park's Parkrun in Huddersfield. He's since completed over 250 events, boasting an impressive 5km Personal Best of 26 minutes. I'm a parkrun fanatic - here are my top 10 tips for first-timers as the event turns 20 Gribben, who takes TWO buses to reach the course, started attending when he was nearly 70 years old. He now runs 5km in around 40 minutes, and those Saturday morning slogs finally paid dividends when he clinched gold at the Masters. Gribben also revealed the spiritual kick he gets from running, adding: 'There's something in the spring, you hit one point where it is ecstasy, you're outside yourself almost, when you hit that speed that carries you the last whatever you need to get to the line. 'Sometimes I just say to my saviour, 'Well I'll run if you run with me'. 'I don't know that I get an answer but… I start putting on my trainers and it feels good to do.'
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Charlie Brooker wants Black Mirror to be one of TV's longest-running shows
It's been 14 years since Black Mirror 's humble beginnings on Channel 4 – and if creator Charlie Brooker has his way, it'll become one of TV's longest-running shows. Brooker's dystopian anthology show, which returns this week on Netflix, ran for three series on terrestrial TV between 2011 and 2014. The streaming service gave it a new lease of life when it looked like new episodes would not be commissioned. That was in 2017 and, ever since, the show has increasingly attracted star names, ranging from Miley Cyrus to Josh Hartnett. The new series's A-list cast includes Paul Giamatti, Rashida Jones, Issa Rae and Emma Corrin, who stars in a feature-length episode titled 'Hotel Reverie'. New episodes, as ever, explore the worrying effects of technology on the world – and if there were any doubts over whether the show could continue (considering the real world has, thanks to AI, worryingly caught up with the science fiction since it first aired), Brooker is batting them away. Black Mirror 's debut episode 'Hated in the Nation' made headlines after showing Rory Kinnear's prime minister getting intimate with a pig on national TV to save his abducted daughter. When The Independent highlighted that this was 14 years ago, Brooker replied: 'Don't say that. I feel so old.' Aske if the show could continue for another 14 years, he said: 'I hope so,' revealing that was his plan. He corroborated this to the BBC, stating: 'Hopefully [it will run and run]. Selfishly, it's a fun job.' One of season seven's stars who was overjoyed to win a role is Lewis Gribben, the Somewhere Boy breakout who appears in an episode titled 'Plaything'. 'It's trippy,' he said. 'You watch it and you're like, 'It would be cool to be a part of that,' so being in it is like, 'Woah!''. Gribben said that Black Mirror 'represents where we're going wrong in humanity' and 'how we're getting further and further apart from people' – and pointed to the recent Studio Ghibli AI scandal as evidence. Last month, fans of famed Japanese animation studio behind Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle were left furious when a new version of ChatGPT let them transform popular internet memes or personal photos into the distinct style of Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki. 'Bad parts of technology are becoming more acceptable, like recently that whole AI Studio Ghibli rip-off art,' Gribben said. 'I love Ghibli movies and they're all hand drawn and then animated – it takes years to get it that way. Then people are like, 'Oh, I can make Ghibli art from a photo in two hours.' 'That people find that's OK when there are real artists who paint and draw, and you've just replicated it on a phone and are trying to sell it, is crazy to me. It's bad and soulless.'
