December 2005

Dear Friends,

As we look back over 2005, many of the most enjoyable moments have been when all five of us have managed to be together. That is something which happens less and less as the younger generation’s own lives become more independent and schedules more hectic.

The three photographs were taken at the wedding in September of the youth worker from our congregation in Belfast. I chaired the committee that hired him three years ago and ever since there has been a special relationship with our family. Gareth has had a big influence on Niall, Fiona, and Stephen developing their involvement in our congregation and in other activities where their faith has been both nurtured and challenged. So we were all thrilled when he and Lara asked Fiona to sing the solo at their wedding. The big smile on her face indicates that the photo was taken after the service when she—and we—could relax!

Niall, now into his second year of university in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, is studying politics. Having played one season of American football for the university, he decided this year to play field hockey in a local league: fewer practices, less travel to matches, and less expenses and pressure all around. Sharing a flat with five others has also been an education in coping with utility bills and messy friends.

Stephen, now 15, is playing rugby for the Medallion B team at school and enjoying being part of a team that has literally walked over virtually all of their opponents this season. Possibly the most satisfying victory was a 69-0 win over the team coached by one of his youth fellowship advisors! He has also taken up both electric and acoustic guitars and played for a couple of youth praise services recently.

Fiona, in her final year of school, continues to be involved in a wide range of music. So far this autumn the chapel and girl’s choirs from her school have performed in a number of local concerts, as well as in Cambridge, England. She also plays with a string quartet that has been fortunate in being paid to perform on enough occasions to keep her in spending money. Helping to coordinate music for the monthly youth praise service also keeps her busy. She has applied for speech and language therapy courses to begin in September at various universities in England, Wales, and Scotland and is now waiting for replies.

Elaine has had about as many requests for substitute teaching as she would like this year, while balancing needs of children and her mother, who is becoming increasingly dependent. She has gone back into leading the senior section of the Sunday school in our local congregation. She also accompanied a former teaching colleague who is undergoing treatment for cancer on a few days holiday in Donegal. Helping to host the Young Adult Volunteers and others associated with our ministry here also continues to be a positive and busy feature of life.

Doug continues to be involved in a variety of initiatives engaging churches in Ireland in peacebuilding, organizing conferences, and offering training. He continues to be responsible for overseeing Young Adult Volunteers from the PC(USA) in placements here. The Partners in Transformation project he co-directed on a part-time basis for the past four years drew to a close in mid-November. Rather than pick up responsibility for a new project, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has asked him to take on a slightly enlarged role as regional liaison for Ireland and the United Kingdom, strengthening connections with our partner churches and bodies on both islands, as and when possible, while continuing to oversee the YAVs in Northern Ireland and continuing, as requested, much of the peace-building consultation work with denominations here and training with theological students and others that has grown out of the Partners in Transformation work. So far it is working well and the requests continue to come!

During the summer Niall worked at the Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina while the rest of us did mission interpretation up and down the East Coast of the United States. We were greatly encouraged as we spoke at 16 churches and two conferences during July, then spent a week with other mission personnel and staff at the PC(USA) headquarters in Louisville. Each experience deepened our appreciation of the wonderful privilege we have of serving as part of the wider mission of our denomination with the support of caring brothers and sisters in Christ from scores of local congregations. We have already enjoyed having the opportunity to host in Belfast some people we met at churches during our itineration.

The political changes that have taken place in Northern Ireland over recent months are too complex to describe in a letter of this nature. However, you can check updates on our Web page.

Thank you for your continuing interest in and support for our ministry.

As you journey toward Christmas once again and into a new year, may the joy, hope and peace of Christ be with you.

Doug and Elaine Baker

The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 175