A commitment to live the gospel and a deep faith in Providence led to the purchase of property close to Ballycastle.This centre named Corrymeela has developed into a safe haven for many and engendered projects throughout the UK and further afield to witness the hope of healing in the midst of troubles.

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and Michael Longley, the well known Irish Poet who was born in Belfast  participated giving addresses at a gala reception in Belfast City Hall at a gathering of over 400 .

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby in his homily commended and encouraged the work of Corrymeela in his address at a beautiful ecumenical thanksgiving service in the packed St Anne’s Cathedral on Sunday 1 st November.

The collaboration over the years with Corrymeela and other ecumenical movements has been going ahead regularly over the past ten years with meetings to pray for and support one another. The event was a moment to realise and encourage those friendships in Christ as part of an ongoing journey.

The liturgy prepared by John Bell of the Iona community powerfully called participants to renew our calling from Jesus to offer hospitality and welcome to everyone whatever their background and be out going in embracing all. To see Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Eamonn Martin and other church leaders participating together witnessed the importance of taking steps together.