'Thank God for our farming community,' says Presbyterian moderator after visit to Balmoral Show

Dr Mawhinney said: “We thank God for our farming community, who make such a difference to the lives of so many, as they work the land for our benefit and care for it. I am sure they are so thankful for the good weather this week as it lifts people’s spirits and allows for the planting of the spring crops, silage to be cut for the winter feed, and for livestock to be put out in the fields again.

He appreciated that the latest good weather had come after "a really difficult spring.”

Accompanied by the Presbyterian Church's rural chaplain, the Rev Kenny Hanna, Dr Mawhinney was at Balmoral to affirm his church’s ministry to farmers, their families and rural communities across the country, alongside the various different rural agencies who also support them.

With so many Presbyterian congregations serving the needs of rural communities across Ireland, the church’s Dromore presbytery in Co Down has had a presence at the show for the past 10 years. One of PCI’s 19 local regional bodies, Dromore presbytery has 22 congregations in the north-east corner of Co Down and has run the stand on behalf of the wider Presbyterian church since 2014.

Dr Mawhinney said it was important for him to demonstrate his support for the work of Dromore presbytery over the past decade.

The moderator spent time on the presbytery stand talking to people, and meeting with various agencies involved in supporting farmers and rural communities. This included, Farm Family Health Checks, Ulster Farmers' Union, Rural Support, and Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland. He also attended the NI Agri-Food Health Forum, where he met Health Minister Robin Swann and Agricultural Minister Andrew Muir.

“While I am a Dublin city minister, my first congregations were small rural churches in counties Tipperary and Cork. The Irish Presbyterian Church is very much a rural church, with some large congregations located in farming communities. Over the generations they have become the spiritual home to many a farming family.”

The Moderator added: “The church is very conscious of the many challenges that farmers have faced, and continue to face. It was good to find out about the very real co-operation that exists between the different agencies, and how our rural chaplain and his team of volunteers work with them and have built positive relationships,".

At the Farm Family Health checks' programme mobile unit, which travels to local markets and rural events, offering on-the-spot health checks and lifestyle advice on health issues, Dr Mawhinney, a medical doctor before he became a minister, had his blood pressure taken and he encouraged others to use the service.

“There is a lot of inspiring co-operative work being done, especially on issues affecting the physical and mental health of farmers and farming families," he said.