Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - Frequently Asked Questions

• Prayerline
• Booking a Speaker
• Containers for Malawi

Prayerline

• What is Prayerline?

  Overseas Prayerline is a prayer information service that enables members of the Presbyterian Church
  in Ireland (PCI) to keep up to date with what's happening overseas, thereby ensuring that prayer
  support can be focused on the current needs and circumstances of PCI's overseas partners and our
  personnel serving in mission overseas.

• How often is Prayerline issued?

  An Overseas Prayerline bulletin is produced every week of the year, except in the extended holiday week between Christmas and the New Year. It is normally published on Wednesdays, and is usually available before the end of the working day.

• Where is Prayerline available?

  Overseas Prayerline is available via email (see below); from our web site (view current bulletin); in printed form from Church House Reception; or, in shortened form, as a recorded message – Tel: (028) 9041 7308. If calling from the Republic of Ireland, use the prefix (048) instead of (028).

• How can I get Prayerline sent to me by email?

  Overseas Prayerline is available direct via email, but ONLY to members of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) or authenticated members of PCI's overseas partners.

  To apply to have your name added to our Prayerline email circulation list, sign up here.

  Please be aware that it may take our office a little time to check your application; you won't receive Prayerline via email until this is done. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

• Why do I have to give personal details when signing up to receive Prayerline via email?

  Overseas Prayerline is only available by email to members of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland or authenticated members of PCI's overseas partners.

  We therefore need your personal details in order to confirm you are who you say you are; and in case we encounter difficulties sending emails and need to check the integrity of our records.

  We do not sell or distribute to outside sources any of the information you provide; and we delete personal details of anyone choosing to unsubscribe from our e-News services of which Prayerline is one.

• Prayerline often contains a lot of information, could it not be shorter or issued less often?

  We are very conscious that Prayerline is often quite lengthy, containing a lot of detailed information, and that some of our regular users find this hard to cope with. Hence the question: "Could it be shorter or issued less often."

  While we are sympathetic to the reasons why these alternatives might be preferrably to some, we feel that it is important to continue providing a means whereby our overseas partners, and those we have sent to serve alongside them, can share their news and prayer needs on a regular basis. Because it is produced weekly and reports in some detail, Prayerline enables us to keep right up to date with the needs and prayer requests of our partners and people serving overseas; while, in some cases, also hearing how our prayers have been answered.

  Recognising that different people have different areas of interest, and may want more or less information to aid them in their praying, we will keep this issue under close review. As our new web site develops, it may be possible to find other ways of 'spreading the load' and keeping members of PCI fully informed, but allowing individuals or groups to focus on what interests them without being overloaded with too much other detail.

• I used to receive Prayerline regularly by email each week but recently it hasn't been coming through. Why is this and can this problem be fixed?

  There could be a number of reasons why you are no longer receiving Prayerline:

  (1) If you have changed your email address and not informed us, we are probably still sending Prayerline to your old email address, which is presumably no longer operational. Please send us your new email address, along with your name, address, contact phone number, and a clear request for us to amend our Prayerline distribution list accordingly.

  (2) Your inbox is full and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has automatically barred receipt of all new emails. You need to do some 'house-keeping' on your email account, deleting old/unwanted emails. If you have problems with this, contact your ISP for help.

  (3) Most ISPs have sophisticated anti-spamming filters in place, and it may be that your ISP has 'black-listed' our email address, perceiving us to be senders of spam! You should check with your ISP to see if this is what's happened in your case, and ask them to 'unblock' our address, explaining that our emails are not spam and that you want to receive our weekly emailings. [For more about anti-spammimg, click here.]

• I no longer wish to receive Prayerline by email, how do I unsubscribe?

  Please contact us [by email, letter or phone], explaining that you no longer wish to receive Prayerline via email and want your personal details removed from our records. We will act upon your instructions as soon as it is practically possible to do so.

Booking a Speaker

• How do I book an overseas mission speaker?

  
  We prefer that a Deputation Booking Form be used. You can download a copy here. The completed form should be returned to the Mission Overseas Office.

  Alternatively, you can submit your request by email. Or, if you prefer, you can telephone our office and speak to a member of our staff to find out who is available and when, and make a booking there and then.

  For our postal address, telephone number, or to email us, go to Contact Us.

  All bookings are taken on a provisional basis and are normally only confirmed once the person(s) requested has (have) returned from overseas and are about to begin their home assignment.

  If you are expecting a couple to speak, we cannot guarantee that both husband and wife will be able to come to your meeting, especially if they have a young family.  If you have a preference for one or the other to speak, you can state this at the time of booking. However, it is up to the couple concerned to decide nearer the time which one of them will actually undertake the speaking engagement.

  Please note that for mission personnel on home assignment, bookings for Sunday morning services tend to be taken up very quickly.

  Mission Overseas Executive Staff members may be available on some Sundays but as they only undertake a limited number of speaking engagements, you are advised to book well ahead, if it's your desire to have one of them speak at a particular service or meeting.

• How can I find out what overseas mission speakers are available and when?

  Go to 'Who's available?' where you'll find a table setting out who of our overseas mission personnel are available, and when. The table also includes links back to the relevant 'People' page(s), so you can find out more about each potential speaker and the work they are engaged in.
  
  

• I have made a provisional booking for an overseas mission speaker. When can I expect this booking to be confirmed?

  Bookings are normally confirmed soon after the person concerned has returned home from overseas. You will be sent a Confirmation Form, either by post or email.

  This form will include the speaker's contact details, so you can get in touch with them to discuss the specific details of the meeting or service you've booked them to speak at, and to also give them directions, if needed. 

  The vast majority of provisional bookings are confirmed, as planned. Occasionally, however, our mission personnel may not be able to commit to some or all of their speaking engagements. This could be because of unexpected changes in their travel plans, resulting in their arrival home being delayed. Alternatively, it could be for personal, family or health reasons.

  If the speaker you've booked turns out not to be available for any reason, we will inform you at the earliest opportunity. Every effort will then be made to reschedule the booking. If this is not possible, or an alternative date isn't an option for you, we will endeavour, where possible, to find an alternative speaker to fulfil your booking. 

• I have now received confirmation that the overseas mission speaker I booked some time ago will be able to speak on the date requested. What do I need to do now?

  Once the provisional booking is confirmed, you should contact the speaker to confirm arrangements. This should be done at least two weeks before the date they are due to come to your service or meeting.

  When you speak to them, you should:

  (1) Confirm the date, time and place of the service or meeting.

  (2) Ensure the speaker knows how to get to the place where the meeting is taking place. Provide clear directions, if needed.

  (3) Outline the order of service or programme and make it clear exactly how and when they will be involved, including the length of time you expect them to speak for. If, for example, they are due to speak at a Sunday morning service, and there's a children's address, make it clear whether or not you expect them to look after this too. Also, will there be an opportunity for questions and answers?

  (4) Explain what facilities or equipment you can provide, or normally use, and find out what the speaker needs - eg data projector, laptop, screen, sound system, etc. Ensure that it's clear what is needed and who will be providing it. If the speaker is bringing their own equipment, discuss with them how they want to use it and confirm that this is or is not going to be possible, given the layout of the church or room they will be in. If you normally use a lapel radio microphone, and your speaker is a lady, make sure she knows ahead of time, so she can ensure her attire on the day provides some way of 'holding' the transmitter unit (remember many dresses do not have a convenient pocket or belt!).

  (5) Give the speaker some idea of the audience they will be addressing; the nature and extent of their overseas mission interests, knowledge and/or involvements; what they may be expecting to hear about or learrn from the meeting; and the approximate number of those expected to attend.

  REMEMBER - Don't assume the speaker knows what you are expecting from them. And don't forget to ask if they have any questions to ask you. Make sure that everything has been discussed or clearly explained. Leave no room for ambiguity!

  HOSPITALITY - If the speaker has some distance to travel, it may be good to offer to give them a meal (or meals) either before and/or after the service or meeting, depending on the timing and length of their journey. In some cases, it may even be appropriate to offer overnight accommodation. Think about what might be appropriate and don't hesitate to be hospitable!
  

• I wish to change or cancel a booking for a mission speaker. What should I do?

  If you wish to change or cancel, a provisional or confirmed booking, please contact the Mission Overseas Office as soon as possible, either by telephone or email. 

• Are there any special events coming up where I can hear more about the work of mission overseas? If so, when, where and who will be speaking?

  For details, go to Events. 

• I sometimes find it difficult to book an overseas mission speaker for the date of my choice.  How far in advance should I make a booking to ensure I can get the speaker I want for a particular service/meeting?

  Quite simply, demand often outstrips supply! Consequently, mission personnel due on home assignment often get booked up very quickly, particularly for Sunday morning services, which is the 'preferred' booking for many, as usually this is the church gathering with the largest attendance.

  Also many PWs hold their annual service on a Sunday morning and, as they are very supportive of our mission personnel, they understandbly often want one of them to speak at their service. 

  For a list of mission personnel who can be booked for a speaking engagement, go to 'Who's Available?'. You should check this page on a regular basis as people's situations and plans can change.  Normally, we can indicate 6 to 9 months in advance who is expected home and when, and take provisional bookings for them.

  If you would like to book a mission speaker for a particular date, you should complete a Deputation Booking Form and return it to the Mission Overseas Office at the earliest opportunity.  If the person you've requested becomes available on the date you've chosen, we will contact at the earliest opportunity to let you know, when we will ask you to confirm that you still want them to speak.

• I want a specific overseas mission speaker to address a particular service/meeting the next time they are on home assignment.  What do I need to do to book them in advance?

  If you would like to book a specific overseas mission speaker the next time they are on home assignment, you should complete and a Deputation Booking Form and return it to our office, where it will be kept on file.

  When we know when the mission speaker will be home, we will contact you to inform you of the dates they are available, and give you the opportunity to make a provisional booking.

• I have tried to book a mission speaker without success. But I would like the opportunity to possibly go somewhere else and hear one of our church's mission personnel. Is there anyway of finding out who is speaking, where and when?

  We are sorry that at times there can be disappointment at not being able to secure a booking for a mission speaker.

  For those who are willing to go to another venue to hear a speaker of their choice or learn more about a country they are interested in, the 'Who's Speaking, Where and When?' page on this web site (which is regularly updated) shows who is scheduled to speak over the next four to six weeks or so, where they will be speaking, and the nature and time of the gathering they are due to address.

  We hope that this information will enable at least some of the 'disappointed' to be able to find a suitable date and location where they can go to hear one of our mission personnel speak.

  If you have any queries or need help with directions to a particular location, please contact us and one of our staff will be glad to give you the help or information you need.

   

Containers for Malawi

• Can I designate an individual or an institution to receive the boxes I send by container?

  Boxes can be sent to any institution of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), if you so wish. However, please DO NOT put an individual's name on any item or box, as this will cause problems when clearing the goods through customs. Simply put the name of the institution or location on the address label(s).
  

• Can I send clothing to Malawi?

  Used adult clothing is readily available in Malawi, in markets throughout the country. The cost of shipping used clothing from Ireland means it is cheaper to buy them locally. So please DO NOT try to send adult clothes. However, we DO accept baby clothing, which must be packed in cardboard cartons and clearly labelled.

• Can I send items which are not on the lists of 'recommended items'?

  Yes, but it is important to ensure that the items are of high quality and that they cannot be purchased more cheaply in Malawi. Suitable items should be well packed into cardboard cartons, with a label of the contents attached and the carton sealed. The cost of sending a carton is £7 per cubic foot. Should you have any queries please email us.

• I can't find the Containers for Malawi web site. Does it still exist or has it moved?

  Yes, it's moved and is now part of this web site. Click here to go directly to 'Containers for Malawi'.

• I'm interested in sending health or education supplies to Malawi. Where can I get a supply of plasitc boxes to fill?

  See our list of Local Agents. One of these people should be able to help you. If you are still having problems, or your nearest agent is out of stock, then please email us and we will do our best to help you, and as quickly as possible.