Rev Karen Sethuraman

REVEREND KAREN: Let’s keep speaking about the things that matter

IT has been over a year since we have had a functioning Executive. I think it is safe to say that the majority of us are feeling a sense of weariness.

REVEREND KAREN: Let's speak up about the things that matter

IT has been over a year since we have had a functioning Executive. I think it is safe to say that the majority of us are feeling a sense of weariness.

REVEREND KAREN: Room in our country and room in our hearts

RECENTLY a multi-storey barge arrived in the South of England in preparation for housing approximately 500 migrants. Most of us tend to switch off the television and think this isn't our problem. Closer to home, we have protesters claiming 'Ireland is full' and belongs only to Irish people.

REVEREND KAREN: Mothers' faces tell a story of pain and loss

IN the midst of all the recent events celebrating the Good Friday Agreement, the highlight for me was the invitation to attend (and write a blessing) for the 'It is Different for Mothers' event held in Botanic Gardens, Belfast.

REVEREND KAREN: That important place in between Good Friday and Easter

Holy Week provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the final days of Jesus' journey to the cross; his arrival in Jerusalem, washing the feet of his disciples, sharing a meal with a bunch of misfits; forgiving his enemies; and his death on the cross. That moment when he cries out: 'It is finished.'

REVEREND KAREN: In Holy Week, let light break into our dark places

PALM Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and for many Christians this is an extremely significant week as we take the time to reflect ON the journey to the cross.

REV KAREN SETHURAMAN: Church must not turn its back on our LGBT community

I WAS excited to learn about the recent launch of a new website for LGBT+ people of faith (you can check it out at www.inclusivefaith.lgbt). This new resource seeks to bring together stories, talks, courses, news and events, as well as signposting our LGBT+ Christians to inclusive faith groups.

REV KAREN: We all need someone who has our back

OVER twenty years in ministry life has taught me that there are some paths we feel we must walk alone, but the truth is, we are never alone.

REV KAREN: Dublin rally sends the true message of faith and compassion

I HAVE found it both astonishing and heartbreaking to read about the recent protests held across our island claiming 'Ireland is Full.'

REV KAREN: During Lent the wilderness can help you find yourself

AS we step into Lent, we are reminded that Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness before starting His ministry.

REV KAREN: A ministry doesn't have to be inside a church's walls

BY now, most of you guys will know that I feel called to minister outside of the church walls, particularly with people who feel they ‘don’t fit’ in church.

REV KAREN: Trans rights are human rights

I GREW up in the Church, and from an early age was sent to Church and Sunday School.

REV KAREN: You can't pour from an empty cup

I’VE been off work for the past eight weeks due to doctor’s orders. Thankfully, my doctor has told me that I can return to things next week. One of the big life-lessons that I learnt from my time off is that there are times our bodies simply say no. No to…

REV KAREN: Thoughts of home in a week that brought hope

Last autumn, I had the honour of delivering the invocation at our Belfast International Homecoming and speaking at the Ireland’s Future event in Dublin – ‘Together We Can’. For me, the thread that rang through both of the events I participated in was our sense of ‘Home’. I believe home is more than the bricks and roof over our heads; it is the place we belong and where we are with the people we feel most connected to. Yes, homes are messy and there are often many disagreements, but home is truly where our heart is. I admire the many people who day in and day out put their shoulder to the wheel to make our home better. Yes, we must work on improving our today, but we must also have our eye on the future. What is it we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren? Let’s together continue to make Belfast/Ireland a better place to live. I love our home and I love our people. Below is the invocation I read at the Belfast Homecoming: Our home… Where we are bigger than two communities.Our home… Where no-one is an addition.Our home… Where we all belong, whatever our background, our religion, our gender, our sexuality, whether we have faith or not – we all belong.Our home… Where our different stories make up the beautiful and messy tapestry of who we are and where we have been.Our home… Where we know pain and loss.Our home… Where we know what it is to hope and to heal.Our home… Where many peacemakers continue to pave the path of peace.Our home… Where our people are determined to better our today, with our eye on our future.Belfast/Ireland, is our home.To our global Irish family, our home is your home. Come home and make a difference. Come home and help us to build a brighter Belfast/Ireland.Work with us.Partner with us.Invest in us.Join in with us. Come home to make a difference. May we all MAKE a difference. May we all BE the difference.Welcome home.

REV KAREN: Why 'prayer' is my word for 2023

I DON’T make New Year resolutions simply because I can never keep them. However, a New Year can help kick-start new beginnings and a new season – and I’m always up for that.

NIFL Premiership: Cliftonville and Coleraine do battle again in bid for final spot

Gallery: Eggcitement at Lámh Dhearg Easter camp

Celtic and Manchester United legend Brian McClair enjoys West Belfast hospitality

Gaelic Games: Bohill rues another slow start as Antrim made to pay by Cats

MIKE TOMLINSON: The legacy of slavery bites back

IRISH MUSIC SCENE: Psychedelic sun-rays ahead of summer festivals

Soccer opinion: Domestic dominance continues for treble-bound Celtic

BOOK REVIEW: Belfast With Dinosaurs is a farcical metaphor for the conflict

Rev Karen Sethuraman

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