Sunday, January 15, 2012

In conversation with ... John Kyle (17 January) and Colin Neill (21 February)

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Contemporary Christianity’s series of In Conversation events are back.

Tuesday 17 January at 7.30pm
In conversation with John Kyle: Where faith and loyalism collide

John Kyle is a General Practitioner in East Belfast. He was an elder in Christian Fellowship Church for several years with responsibility for building bridges with other churches and denominations. Since 2000 he has been a member of the Progressive Unionist Party, serving for a time as interim Leader. He is a Belfast City Councillor representing Pottinger Ward in inner East Belfast.

Tuesday 21 February at 7.30pm
In conversation with Colin Neill – Imaging a united Ireland: the novelist’s opportunity

Last year, I posted a review of Colin’s first novel turas – a story of strangers in a strange land in which he imagines a world in which many Ulster protestants feel uncomfortable.

It’s 2020 and the Irish unification that unionists and loyalists confidently predicted would never happen has become a reality. President Adams is ensconced in Phoenix Park. A group of men from a Lurgan church meet regularly for Bible study. The societal events around them are shaking their faith and challenging their identity. Irish for ‘journey’, Turas explores these men’s spiritual journey as they adapt to new norms.

This is a story of seven Christians and their spiritual journey together into the unknown. It is also a response to living in an often religious but always divided society, which asks a series of challenging questions, and offers direction as to where answers may be found.

Both events are free and will be held up on the third floor at 21 Ormeau Avenue. Everyone welcome.

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