Speaker for Tuesday 11th February 2014 - Mr. Ian Murray
12/02/14 12:33
Photo: President Gordon Ward greets Ian Murray, with club member (L) Des Moore and (R) Nigel Semple, Treasurer
Talk by Club Member Ian Murray on 'The Walk of 1000 Men'
Club President Gordon Ward welcomed members to the meeting and then introduced our speaker for the morning Club Member Ian Murray. Ian's talk was about taking part in 'The Walk of 1000 Men', which took place in Cornwall last summer.
Ian then somewhat took the members by surprise when he began by performing an impromptu 'striptease' - taking off his jacket and shirt to revile his walking 'Tee Shirt' and it's 'Trough Faith Missions' logo (TFM), which was central to the talk all the members went on to enjoy.
As a means of 'setting the scene', Ian then went on to show a short, enthusiastic and earnest video to an introduction to TFM and their 'Walk Missions', this one being filmed in Cumbria. Ian then went on to tell us about his involvement in the scheme, and how he had first come to Northern Ireland on the TFM 'Walk Ulster Mission' in 1995. So impressed was Ian with the reception he received on the walk, he decided then and there that when hoe retired from full time work, he would live in Northern Ireland, and in particular around Coleraine (where he had met, by chance, a lovely lady that would go on to become the future Mrs. Murray). Since that initial walk, Ian has been involved in eight further walks, and has enjoyed them greatly.
Ian then moved on to talk us through a PowerPoint presentation of photos taken on the Cornwall walk. One of the first things that became evident was that the '1000 men' now includes women, and the choice of walking areas is very diverse. There were many splendid views of Cornwall, as well as shots featuring the walkers discussion their 'walk mission' with local people in streets, pubs, cafes, church halls and on doorsteps.
The walkers day has an early (8.00am) start, normally with the group singing hymns in the streets - much to the surprise of passing motorists and people hurrying to work! Ian then explained his 'Tips on Door Knocking' and how to engage with people - a short questionnaire (sample below - How would YOU answer the questions?), as well as the various extra activities the walkers would be involved with - like a 'Family Fun Day' in Bodmin.
As the talk drew to a close, the club members were keen to ask questions about the walk. These included: "How do you get '1000 men (and women)'" - That's the combined daily number over the two weeks of the walk, sometimes it's a lot more than 1000. "There's a lot of pictures of people in Pubs, who pays" - We have pocket money of £2 a day, so we pay, but have to make the drinks last! "How do you cope with blisters" - The secret is good thick socks and good walking boots, I don't normally have any problems. "How far each day" - depends on the type of area, but we average about 10 miles a day.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Robin Semple, how said that he wasn't sure quite what to expect from the talk title, but he (and certainly all the other members) found it most interesting and a very novel and effective method of 'getting the good words across' to many people. The President passed on the thanks and the members showed their appreciation.
2. What do you believe happens at the end of our lives?
3. What do you believe about Jesus?
4. If you could ask God (or someone who believes in God) one question, what would it be?
Here are some possibilities:
5. If you could know God personally, would you be interested?
Talk by Club Member Ian Murray on 'The Walk of 1000 Men'
Club President Gordon Ward welcomed members to the meeting and then introduced our speaker for the morning Club Member Ian Murray. Ian's talk was about taking part in 'The Walk of 1000 Men', which took place in Cornwall last summer.
Ian then somewhat took the members by surprise when he began by performing an impromptu 'striptease' - taking off his jacket and shirt to revile his walking 'Tee Shirt' and it's 'Trough Faith Missions' logo (TFM), which was central to the talk all the members went on to enjoy.
As a means of 'setting the scene', Ian then went on to show a short, enthusiastic and earnest video to an introduction to TFM and their 'Walk Missions', this one being filmed in Cumbria. Ian then went on to tell us about his involvement in the scheme, and how he had first come to Northern Ireland on the TFM 'Walk Ulster Mission' in 1995. So impressed was Ian with the reception he received on the walk, he decided then and there that when hoe retired from full time work, he would live in Northern Ireland, and in particular around Coleraine (where he had met, by chance, a lovely lady that would go on to become the future Mrs. Murray). Since that initial walk, Ian has been involved in eight further walks, and has enjoyed them greatly.
Ian then moved on to talk us through a PowerPoint presentation of photos taken on the Cornwall walk. One of the first things that became evident was that the '1000 men' now includes women, and the choice of walking areas is very diverse. There were many splendid views of Cornwall, as well as shots featuring the walkers discussion their 'walk mission' with local people in streets, pubs, cafes, church halls and on doorsteps.
The walkers day has an early (8.00am) start, normally with the group singing hymns in the streets - much to the surprise of passing motorists and people hurrying to work! Ian then explained his 'Tips on Door Knocking' and how to engage with people - a short questionnaire (sample below - How would YOU answer the questions?), as well as the various extra activities the walkers would be involved with - like a 'Family Fun Day' in Bodmin.
As the talk drew to a close, the club members were keen to ask questions about the walk. These included: "How do you get '1000 men (and women)'" - That's the combined daily number over the two weeks of the walk, sometimes it's a lot more than 1000. "There's a lot of pictures of people in Pubs, who pays" - We have pocket money of £2 a day, so we pay, but have to make the drinks last! "How do you cope with blisters" - The secret is good thick socks and good walking boots, I don't normally have any problems. "How far each day" - depends on the type of area, but we average about 10 miles a day.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Robin Semple, how said that he wasn't sure quite what to expect from the talk title, but he (and certainly all the other members) found it most interesting and a very novel and effective method of 'getting the good words across' to many people. The President passed on the thanks and the members showed their appreciation.
(Secretary, Mike Turner)
For more info about 'TFM' click - http://www.throughfaithmissions.org
For a look at the Cornwall walk, 'click' the Tee Shirt:
Ian's "Personal Beliefs Survey"
1. Do you believe in some kind of God? Yes / No / Not sure
[If they answer "yes" l "not sure"] What do you think God is like?
- A force?
- Distant?
- Personal?
- Something else?...
2. What do you believe happens at the end of our lives?
- We die and that's it
- We return to earth in another form or as another person
- We all go to heaven
- Some people go to heaven but others to hell
- I'am not sure
- Something else…
3. What do you believe about Jesus?
- He didn't exist at all
- He was an ordinary man and nothing more
- He was a prophet or messenger from God
- He is the only Son of God
- Other…
4. If you could ask God (or someone who believes in God) one question, what would it be?
Here are some possibilities:
- Why don't you show yourself so everyone believes?
- Why am I on earth?
- Why is there so much suffering in the world?
- Why did you make the world in the first place?
- Something else …
5. If you could know God personally, would you be interested?
- No
- Yes
- Not sure
- Some other response…
