Diocesan News
Faith and hope shine at concert celebrating the Revd Liz McElhinney
Faith and hope shone brightly at a special concert in Shankill Church on Friday night to celebrate the life of the Revd Liz McElhinney, who died from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in June.
Over a thousand people made the journey to honour a remarkable woman, some from as far away as Sligo and Roscommon. It was a fitting tribute to Liz’s legacy as a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, colleague, minister and counsellor.
Compere, Bishop Ken Clarke, Mission Director of SAMS UK & Ireland and a close friend of the McElhinneys, spoke for many when he described Liz as: “Caring, compassionate and consistent – a joy to be with; a privilege to know. She was a joy carrier.”
The special concert shone a spotlight on Liz’s Christian faith, and especially her faith in the face of suffering.
A selection of her poems, read by the acclaimed actor, Ian McElhinney and his actor son Matthew (Liz’s godson), was at the heart of the evening. They were all written following Liz’s diagnosis two years ago, and resonated with her love for God, for people and for nature. She enjoyed life in all its fullness.
In a short film, Dr Sharon Heron, Liz’s creative writing mentor, said that Liz’s vision for the poems grew steadily as she wrote of her experience, hoping that “some glory might be brought to the Lord she loved.”
As well as the poetry, and a truly inspiring video testimony that Liz gave six months after her diagnosis, the concert featured musical performances from the cross–community Lurgan Musical Society, Shankill Parish Choir accompanied by Carl McCambley, soloist Nicola Brown and traditional Irish musicians led by Sean Hanily from Dublin. The music was uplifting but poignant as many remembered the vibrant presence they had lost in Liz.
Poetry collection
Twenty of the poems have been gathered into a printed collection entitled Solid Joys, Lasting Treasure illustrated by Liz’s son, David, and each ticket holder received a copy.
“The poems in this booklet are witness to Liz’s spirit swelling and her faith deepening, even in the darkest and most difficult and painful of times,” said Bishop Ken Clarke.
“She pressed on in the midst of pain and discomfort, the loss of independence and a raft of other challenges. But with her co–climber Christ beside her and within, she struggled to the summit.
“Liz had discovered in Christ not only a ‘bridge over troubled waters’, but the best thing we should all seek and find.”
A pledge of £10,700 raised on the night was made to MND Association (NI), represented by Chairman, Stephen Thompson.
The fundraising continues with further copies and a CD of the collection read by Ian McElhinney available to purchase at www.simplyorderit.com/mnd or on Kindle from www.amazon.com
A photo gallery from the evening is available here.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Down & Dromore
07840 006899
Mrs Annette McGrath
dco@downdromorediocese.org