I have been back in Ireland for nearly six months, and I am grateful for the work I get to do on behalf of our church and the wider Kingdom of God. As most of you know, I was in the U.S. for six months in 2025, where I got to spend lots of time with my family and friends, as well as travel to visit partnering churches. We also unexpectedly lost my dad while I was in California. He was a strong presence in our family’s life and a pillar of his church community. We continue to grieve the loss of our dad and grandpa. Thank you for your prayers for me and my family during that time of loss and grief.

I am writing to you from the warmth of my office in our church building at the Church of the Nazarene in Greystones, where I am blessed to serve as administrative pastor. As soon as I arrived back in Ireland, I was warmly welcomed by my church family here in Greystones. It has been such a blessing to have a strong support system here at “the Naz.” The holidays are typically a challenging time for me to be away from my family, especially considering how much time I was able to spend with them that year. We were blessed as a staff to have a Thanksgiving lunch made for us by a church member. We invited some other Americans you might recognize in the photo. I am honored to be on this pastoral staff and to serve alongside such gifted and talented leaders. Please pray with me and my colleagues as we lead our congregation in the New Year.

At the end of January, our congregation hosted an “All Island Gathering” of all the Nazarene churches on the island of Ireland. Currently, our congregation is the only Nazarene church in the Republic of Ireland, but there are twelve churches in Northern Ireland. Almost 150 people from those Northern churches traveled to Greystones at the end of January to join us as one unified body of believers in Ireland. It was an amazing time of fellowship, eating together and praising God for what He has done and will continue to do on the island of Ireland. Our church in Greystones was able to share our vision for a new building development that will further God’s mission in the Republic of Ireland alongside the churches in the North. We ended with a time of prayer over our Greystones church board and pastoral staff, led by the leadership of the churches from the North. It was a very sacred time. Please pray with all the churches on the island of Ireland as we continue to build His Kingdom here.

Just before Christmas, my family put my dad’s house in Corona, California, on the market. My brother, Mark, and sister-in-law, Nina, managed all the details, with a big assist from my sister, Amy. I am grateful for the strong bond my siblings and I share during this challenging time as we settle my dad’s affairs. We were able to secure a buyer for the house right before Christmas, and the keys were handed over by the middle of January 2026. It is a strange feeling to think that I will never go back to my dad’s house when I visit California. That house was a central physical touchstone for our family, and now we have moved on from it. Please pray with my family and me as we continue to navigate grief.

Please Pray…

• For myself as I continue to navigate grief thousands of miles away from my family that is also grieving. My dad’s death has awoken more grief about my mom’s death thirteen years ago. Pray that I can have grace with myself.
• For our church in Greystones as we are trying to raise the necessary funds to begin re-developing our building. Pray for the congregation to catch the vision and for God to provide.
• For favor with the Irish government as I endeavor to renew my visa.

There are four ways to partner with me financially:

• Online. Visit https://friendsmission.givevirtuous.org/donate/morton. You’ll be given the opportunity to indicate whether you are making a recurring or one-time gift.
• Credit Card. This may be given online (as stated above) or by calling the EFM office (303-421-8100) to give your information to a live person.
• Automatic Bank Transfer. Download the form here and email it to Debby McElroy (EFM Bookkeeper) at debby@friendsmission.com. Please note that ACH payments are processed on the 10th or 25th of the month.
• Check. Mail a check to EFM, P.O. Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277. Make sure to mark your check “Morton Support” and note if you will be giving on a recurring basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Pay to the order of “EFM”.

The post Thank You for Praying. An Update from Ireland first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Molly Morton | Preparing to Serve in Ireland

Suddenly, I looked at the calendar today and realized there are only a few weeks left in my furlough. It seems like time has flown by, while at the same time it feels like February and the beginning of my furlough were a million years ago. God has been gracious to me during the last five months as I have traveled, connected with partners, spent so much time with my family, visited different churches, rested well, met new people, reconnected with old friends, and grieved the unexpected loss of my father. I have so much gratitude for the EFM community of support while I have been in the U.S. I cannot imagine doing this without that support.

As I get ready to return to Ireland at the end of this month, I look back at a few exciting things that happened in July. My best friend, Becky, is also a cross-cultural worker. We had the blessing of being in California at the same time this month. We spent a few days together catching up, shopping, and eating. We also had the pleasure of meeting up with one of our childhood friends, Katherine. We got to meet her three boys and share a meal together. We have been in each other’s lives since preschool. It was a lovely time of reminiscing and learning about each other’s current lives.

Over the last couple of months, I have been visiting churches in my official capacity as a furloughed missionary. I am beyond thankful for the ways each of these churches partners with me prayerfully and financially. It is lovely to see each unique worshiping community and to share with them about my work in Ireland with the Nazarene church. One highlight of these church visits was visiting the Discover’s Class at Rose Drive Friends Church. Many of the men and women in that class taught Sunday school to me and my siblings as children at Rose Drive Friends Church (RDFC). It was so great to see these faithful co-laborers and to share with them.

As my furlough and deputation come to an end, I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your support. The prayer and financial support I receive from each of you is vital and important to my work in Ireland. Thank you so much.

All my love and gratitude,

Molly Morton

The post September 2025 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

As I get ready to return to Ireland at the end of this month, I look back at a few exciting things that happened in July. My best friend, Becky is also a cross-cultural worker. We had the blessing of being in California at the same time this month. We spent a few days together catching up, shopping and eating. We had the pleasure of meeting up with one of our childhood friends, Katherine. We got to meet her three boys and have a meal together. We have been in each other’s lives since we were in pre-school. It was a lovely time of reminiscing and learning about each other’s current lives.

Over the last couple of months I have been visiting churches in my official capacity as a furloughed missionary. I am beyond thankful for the ways each of these churches partner with me prayerfully and financially. It is lovely to see each unique worshipping community and share with them about my work in Ireland with the Nazarene church. One highlight of these church visits was visiting the Discover’s Class at Rose Drive Friends Church. Many of the men and women in that class taught  Sunday school to me and my siblings as children at RDFC. It was so great to see these faithful co-laborers and share with them.

Last week, my brother Mark and my sister-in-law, Nina went to Cozumel, Mexico to celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary.  I had the blessing and the privilege of staying with my niece, Julia, while they were away. We had a great time going to afternoon tea, getting our nails done, playing so much Uno, giggling at her big brother, mastering the art of the slip and slide and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. I am so fortunate to have family so nearby and do not know how I will handle not having them close by in only a few short weeks.

As my furlough and deputation come to an end, I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your support. The prayer and financial support I receive from each of you is vital and important to my work in Ireland. Thank you so much.

A few ways that you can be praying are:

• Praise that my sister, Amy has found a place of her own in Temecula. Please pray for her move at the end of this month as well as our packing up of my father’s house.
• Continue praying for my financial support to be completely raised by the time I return to Ireland.
• Please pray for my transition back to Ireland after 6 months away.
• Please pray for church family at Church of the Nazarene in Greystones as we look to the future together and how God will use our congregation in Greystones and the wider Wicklow community.

Currently, I am at 93% of my recurring monthly need and have 816 prayer partners. If you know anyone who would like to sign up to be a prayer partner, you can send them this link. I have a goal to raise my prayer partners to 1,000 and will return to Ireland when I am 100% of my recurring monthly need. If you would like to schedule a time with me, please use this form. I am grateful for your continued support and prayers.

All my love and gratitude,

Molly Morton

There are four ways to partner with me financially:

• Online. Visit https://friendsmission.givevirtuous.org/donate/morton. You’ll be given the opportunity to indicate whether you are making a recurring or one-time gift.
• Credit Card. This may be given online (as stated above) or by calling the EFM office (303-421-8100) to give your information to a live person.
• Automatic Bank Transfer. Download the form here and email it to Debby McElroy (EFM Bookkeeper) at debby@friendsmission.com. Please note that ACH payments are processed on the 10th or 25th of the month.
• Check. Mail a check to EFM, P.O. Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277. Make sure to mark your check “Morton Support” and note if you will be giving on a recurring basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Pay to the order of “EFM”.

The post Molly Morton August Deputation Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

In March, I got the best birthday present, a visit from one of my dearest friends in Ireland, Salome. We went to Disneyland, to my family’s ranch in Hemet where my sister works, to my nephew’s baseball games, ate good Mexican food, and went to an Anaheim Ducks game. It was so lovely to have her with me in California. I said “See ya later” to her because I would see her in Orlando soon with the rest of the Peace Haven group.

In April, I was blessed to attend a Debrief & Renewal training at MTI in Colorado. I am grateful for the time I was given to begin looking back at my first term and the tools to look forward to my second term with renewed vision. Some of the best times at DAR were the conversations over meals and the laughs over games after dinner.

In May, I met the residents from Peace Haven in Orlando for their Disney vacation. We spent two and a half weeks together visiting Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and the Kennedy Space Center. We had loads of fun with each other at the parks and during our down time as well. I am so grateful for the way I have been allowed to connect with these residents and a significant number of staff as well. I am looking forward to how God might be opening doors in this space in my future ministry.

At the beginning of June, my nephew, Ethan, graduated from high school, and I was so excited to be in California for all the festivities. He is a very humble, kind, responsible, and faithful young man. He will attend Cal Baptist University in the fall to become an elementary school teacher. I am so blessed and proud to be his auntie.

June has also brought the beginning of my official deputation period here in the US. I am looking forward to connecting with current partners and building new partnerships. I will remain in Southern California for my entire deputation in order to be near my family as we continue to grieve my dad.

I am so blessed by the ways each of you has come alongside me in my work in Ireland as well as in my furlough here in the US. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A few ways that you can be praying for me in the next few months:

• Please continue to pray for my family as we grieve the loss of my dad.
• Please pray for my deputation process in the midst of grief.
• Please pray for my transition back to Ireland at the end of August, as it will be hard to readjust to not having family and friends right nearby anymore.

Currently, I am at 90% of my recurring monthly need and have 786 prayer partners. If you know anyone who would like to sign up to be a prayer partner, you can send them this link. I have a goal to raise my prayer partners to 1,000 and will return to Ireland when I am 100% of my recurring monthly need. If you would like to schedule a time with me, please use this form. I am grateful for your continued support and prayers.

All my love and gratitude,

Molly Morton

There are four ways to partner with me financially:

• Online. Visit https://catalog.friendsmission.com/morton. You’ll be given the opportunity to indicate whether you are making a recurring or one-time gift.
• Credit Card. This may be given online (as stated above) or by calling the EFM office (303-421-8100) to give your information to a live person.
• Automatic Bank Transfer. Download the form here and email it to Debby McElroy (EFM Bookkeeper) at debby@friendsmission.com. Please note that ACH payments are processed on the 10th or 25th of the month.
• Check. Mail a check to EFM, P.O. Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277. Make sure to mark your check “Morton Support” and note if you will be giving on a recurring basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Pay to the order of “EFM.

The post Molly Morton July Deputation Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

After more than three years of on-field service with Evangelical Friends Mission, I am coming back to the US for my first deputation or furlough assignment beginning in March 2025. I am looking forward to reconnecting with family and friends all over the US. I am also really grateful to have the opportunity to meet with each of you and describe what God has been doing through me during my time in Ireland.

Often, I think about the absolute miracle it is to be able to live my life and work for the kingdom because of the generosity of so many. I am blown away by the sacrificial giving and intentional prayer that supports me each day I am on the field in Ireland. Many of you may know that it took me a very long time to finally come on field following my approval by EFM in 2015. I finally arrived for full-time on-the-field ministry at the end of 2021. Some of you have been supporting me since 2015, and I am so grateful for your steadfast support and ever-present prayers. Our growing congregation in Greystones is blessed with two full-time pastors, which is rare for an evangelical Christian church in Ireland. It is because of your generous giving and faithful praying that we get to serve our church full-time.

Beginning in March 2025, I will be traveling around mostly the Southwest region of the US to visit and update partner churches and individual partners. I will be in Mid America at the end of May, ending with EFM board meetings in Colorado. Currently, I am at 85% of my recurring monthly need and have 781 prayer partners. I have a goal to raise my prayer partners to 1,000 and will return to Ireland when I am 100% of my recurring monthly need. I look forward to catching up with each and every one of you while I am back in the States. If you would like to schedule a time with me, please use this form. I am grateful for your continued support and prayers.

All my love and gratitude,

Molly Morton

There are four ways to partner with me financially:

• Online. Visit https://catalog.friendsmission.com/morton. You’ll be given the opportunity to indicate whether you are making a recurring or one-time gift.
• Credit Card. This may be given online (as stated above) or by calling the EFM office (303-421-8100) to give your information to a live person.
• Automatic Bank Transfer. Download the form here and email it to Debby McElroy (EFM Bookkeeper) at debby@friendsmission.com. Please note that ACH payments are processed on the 10th or 25th of the month.
• Check. Mail a check to EFM, P.O. Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277. Make sure to mark your check “Morton Support” and note if you will be giving on a recurring basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Pay to the order of “EFM.

The post Morton Deputation Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

It’s Friday afternoon on a typical week for me in Greystones, Ireland. I am sitting in my office at the Church of the Nazarene Greystones, aka the Naz where I am finalizing Sunday morning plans like who is on projection and what am I teaching in Sunday school. I’ve just arrived back from a birthday lunch with a dear friend. I can hear my colleague and his sons playing pickleball in the hall beside my office. Surprisingly, this is not at all how I pictured my life in Ireland decades ago when I initially received my call. God planned this, and I could not have planned it better myself; believe me, I tried!

Almost three years ago, I came to Greystones to partner with the Naz as a member of their pastoral staff. The type of visa that I reside in Ireland through requires a local charity sponsor. The Nazarene Church in Greystones agreed to partner with EFM to sponsor my visa. It began a unique partnership between the local Nazarene church and EFM that allows me to serve the kingdom in Ireland.

I would have never imagined having a pastoral role in Ireland; however, I am blessed to serve as the administrative pastor at the Naz. I serve alongside two local men named Luke Carrig and Tim Bowen Evans. We work together with a faithful church board to lead and guide our congregation at the Naz. My role is wide-ranging from writing the weekly e-newsletter to compassionate care visits to sick church members, teaching Sunday school and facilitating a weekly playgroup, to managing the use of our facility for community groups, and even preaching on Sunday mornings.

 A special area of ministry that I could not anticipate was Peace Haven. Peace Haven Trust provides residential accommodation and support for adults with intellectual disabilities. Several of Peace Haven’s residents attend our church services at the Naz. I have been blessed to build precious friendships with these residents. One of the most precious things I get to do is accompany residents on their vacations.

One of the most fulfilling things I get to do at the Naz is facilitate short-term teams that visit us from the US. My co-pastor, Luke, has a similar partnership with a group of churches in Michigan as I do with Friends churches. We host a few visiting groups from our supporting churches each year. It’s a blessing and a privilege to show them Ireland and our little piece of it in Greystones. My experience leading teams with Azusa Pacific University for ten years is essential to the planning and coordination of these visiting teams. It reminds me of the timing of God being better than my own. If I hadn’t stayed so long in the States, I wouldn’t have the experience and knowledge I have to host our visiting teams so well at the Naz.

On a regular basis, I am thankful that God dreamed much bigger than I did and blessed me with a vibrant and growing congregation to serve and seasoned pastors to serve alongside in leadership.

In a few months, my typical week will start to look very different. After three years of on-field service with Evangelical Friends Mission, I am coming back to the US for my first deputation or furlough assignment beginning in January 2025. I am looking forward to reconnecting with family and friends all over the US. I am also really grateful to have the opportunity to meet with each of you and describe what God has been doing through me during my time in Ireland. If you’d like me to visit your church or meet up for coffee or a meal, please click here to schedule a time.

Often, I think about the absolute miracle it is to be able to live my life and work for the Kingdom because of the generosity of so many. I am blown away by the sacrificial giving and intentional prayer that supports me each day I am on field in Ireland. Many of you may know that it took me a very long time to finally come on the field following my approval by EFM in 2015. I finally arrived for full-time on-field ministry at the end of 2021. Some of you have been supporting me since 2015, and I am so grateful for your steadfast support and ever-present prayers. Our growing congregation in Greystones is blessed with two full-time pastors, which is rare for an evangelical Christian church in Ireland. It is because of your generous giving and faithful praying that we get to serve our church full-time.

Beginning in January 2025, I will be traveling around mostly the Southwest region of the US to visit and update partner churches and individual partners. I will be in Mid America the entire month of May ending with EFM board meetings in Colorado.  I will return to Ireland when I am 100% funded and have 1,000 prayer partners. I look forward to catching up with each and every one of you while I am back in the States. I am grateful for your continued support and prayers.

All my love and gratitude,

Molly Morton

I currently have 787 prayer partners and have a goal of raising it to 1,000. If you know anyone who would like to pray for my ministry, please forward this form to them.

I am currently at 87% of my ongoing monthly need. If you are a current monthly supporter, thank you. It is important to let EFM know that you plan to continue or increase your giving. If you are not currently giving, please prayerfully consider supporting my ministry in Ireland.

There are four ways to partner with me financially:

• Online. Visit https://catalog.friendsmission.com/morton. You’ll be given the opportunity to indicate whether you are making a recurring or one-time gift.
• Credit Card. This may be given online (as stated above) or by calling the EFM office (303-421-8100) to give your information to a live person.
• Automatic Bank Transfer. Download the form here and email it to Debby McElroy (EFM Bookkeeper) at debby@friendsmission.com. Please note that ACH payments are processed on the 10th or 25th of the month.
• Check. Mail a check to EFM, P.O. Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277. Make sure to mark your check “Morton Support” and note if you will be giving on a recurring basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Pay to the order of “EFM.

The post Molly Morton is Going on Deputation! first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Molly Morton | Serving in Ireland

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of preaching through the end of Ephesians 3, where Paul speaks about the power of the Holy Spirit that is hard to tangibly grasp. Paul ends the chapter like this:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” Ephesians 3:21

I am continually surprised with how, who, and where I am able to serve here in Ireland. The ways I get to be involved in our church community and the wider Greystones area are immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine. The ways I imagined I would serve and live in Ireland a dozen years ago are vastly and widely different from the ways God has allowed me to serve in Greystones. I am happy that God chose instead of me.

One of the surprising ways I have been able to serve our church community is through being a holiday helper with Peace Haven Trust. Peace Haven is a local Greystones charitable organization that provides residential accommodation and support for adults with intellectual disabilities. Some of you might remember that I was privileged and blessed to accompany Peace Haven as a holiday helper to Florida last summer. Last week, I got the opportunity to take Marion on her holiday “down the country” to Killarney in the Ring of Kerry, just the two of us.

Marion is quite possibly the most extroverted and joyful person I have ever met. She loves children, dogs, music, and shopping. She will stop in the street to say hello to children and dogs alike. She loves dancing to her favorite music and will not allow her arthritic leg to keep her from doing so. I am very introverted and found it challenging how much Marion does not care what other people think of her. However, I am learning from Marion about how important it is to share yourself openly and honestly and without fear. Marion’s joy disarms everyone around her. I have a lot to learn from my dear friend Marion.

Marion is 75 years old so she is the same age my mom would be. My mom’s birthday was last week. She was on my mind quite a bit in Killarney. Marion and I talked about our moms while we were away. We acknowledged that it is sad that they aren’t physically here with us but it’s helpful knowing they are with the Father instead. Being able to care for and support Marion during the week of my mom’s birthday was immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine. My time with Marion was a balm over what is usually a very sad week.

I am so grateful for the ways each one of you prays and financially supports my ministry in Ireland. It is immeasurably more than I could  ever ask for or imagine.

Blessings,

Molly

Download this month’s full prayer letter here…  

The post August 2024 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Dear Prayer Partners,

This afternoon, I am writing to you from a surprisingly snowy Ireland. Snow doesn’t come down very often here, so it was a shocking surprise to wake up to this morning.

Speaking of surprises, my siblings and I pulled off a rather good one for Christmas. I snuck home to California for Christmas on Christmas Eve eve. My niece, nephews, and dad had no idea I was coming. Julia my niece was so shocked at my arrival in her living room that she accidently wacked her brother Ethan in the face when we group hugged.

I can’t tell you how lovely and deliciously ordinary it was to be with my family in person for the holidays. We jam-packed tea parties, family photos, my sister Amy’s 40th birthday, and ordinary everyday stuff into 13 days. It was just what I needed for Christmas. Please pray for the homesickness that sets in after I come back from California.

When I arrived back home to Ireland, it was right back into the thick of church life and ministry. We started up all of our home groups and kids’ ministry after the holidays. It was so fun to have everything back up and running. I’ve begun meeting with an older lady in our church who needs some help with everyday errands and grocery shopping. She is full of personality but is in the early stages of memory loss. I am so honored to spend time with her and listen to her stories as we wander around town. Please pray for my time with this woman and the time I spend with my church family to be centered on the Holy Spirit.

My co-pastors, Luke and Tim and I traveled to Glasgow, Scotland at the beginning of February to participate in a Nazarene Pastoral Prayer Retreat. We had a wonderful time together as colleagues and friends as well as getting to know other pastors in our region. Our speaker talked about margin and rest which really resonated with me as an administrator and a pastor. Please pray for my willingness and ability to create margin and rest as a part of my daily life.

Last weekend, I was honored and humbled to be asked to speak at a camp for Mothers and Daughters hosted by Scripture Union. I was able to speak to the moms on Saturday evening about prayer and offer unique styles of prayer to these mothers. We ended up having a really vulnerable and open conversation about the difficulties of parenting and the necessity for community. Please pray for these moms as they go back to their ordinary lives and search for community with other moms.

At the beginning of this week, our church received planning permission approval from the local county council to begin rebuilding and renovating our existing church building into one that will serve and grow our church and community in the future. My co-pastors, church board, and many other helpers along the way have worked hard on this application and waited patiently for approval. We are excited to see what the Lord has for us as we begin to build. Please pray for this project that we pursue amid an already growing congregation and church family. Please pray for the fundraising process, that God would be in the details of that process.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your consistent and intentional prayers and support of my ministry in Greystones, Ireland.

All my love and prayers,

Molly

The post Molly Morton March 2024 Ministry Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

In 2019, I visited Ireland and more specifically Greystones with the purpose of finding a partnering charity. To make a long story short, the Church of the Nazarene Greystones agreed to be my partnering charity for my Minister of Religion visa. Currently, I live and serve in Greystones, Ireland. This town was not on my radar at all in 2018, only as the town my teammate Kathi lived in. She had suggested asking the church she attended. But now I live here. Now I am blessed to serve a rapidly growing and diversifying church family at “the Naz” as it is locally known.

As I thought about how different the reality of my life in Ireland is to the one, I imagined, I was struck by the creativity of our Heavenly Father. I would have never imagined that I would live in County Wicklow because all my connections were further north in County Louth. I would have never imagined that I would be in a pastoral position in a church.  But now I serve as the administrative pastor at the Naz. But God knew. He had it planned this way all along. I am so incredibly blessed to serve in this community. The one God designed for me.

Some of the ways I’ve been able to serve in this community in the last few months have been so fun. In August, I was privileged to accompany residents from Peace Haven, a local charity that provides housing and support for adults with intellectual disabilities, on their vacation to Orlando, Florida. All three residents, Rachel, Beverley, and Clara attend our church. We got to go to all the Disney parks, ride a fan boat in the Everglades, visit Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village, and swim with dolphins. It was so much fun to help provide a safe and relaxing holiday for these ladies. It also was really nice to be within driving distance of a Target for two weeks!

Right before Florida, a team from my home church of Gateway Friends in Diamond Bar, California came to Greystones to help us provide a craft and cookery camp for over 50 children. I loved having some of my favorite people from Gateway here with me in Ireland. It was immensely gratifying to be able to show them our ministry here. They loved meeting all the people I’ve been talking about and getting to serve our church family.

We as a church family are looking forward to the Advent season as we journey towards Christmas morning and the gift of the Son of God. We have lots of plans to engage our community. We are excited to host a carol service, men’s and women’s dinners, ecumenical gatherings, and children’s programs.

Thank you so much for your intentional and generous prayer and support of what God is doing in and through my ministry in Greystones, Ireland with the Church of the Nazarene. I am so grateful that those visa regulations were changed all those years ago.

All my love and prayers,

Molly Morton

The post Molly Morton November 2023 Ministry Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Molly Morton | Serving in Ireland

  Each day at lunch I try to open my Lectio 365 app and listen to the Scripture and thoughts offered there. I call it Lectio Lunch. Today the Scripture was Matthew 15:32-36, a shorter description of Jesus feeding the five thousand. At one point in the story, Jesus asked his disciples, “How many loaves do you have?” It struck me that Jesus was not only asking a practical question but also a relational one. He is asking, what do you have, what are your gifts, what are your skills, what do you bring to the table? Jesus asks because he wants to know what he’s working with, but I think he also asks because he wants the disciples and the thousands that have been following to act outside of their known capacities, to go outside their comfort zone.

In the last few weeks, God has been making evident to me that one of the loaves I have is presence. I work on a church staff with two married men who each have three children under the age of ten. I am not married, I do not have children, but I do have time and space to be present. As I’ve learned over the last few years, presence can be all I bring to the table. I don’t have to bring skills, gifts, and talents, even though I do have those, many times what a situation needs is presence. As an introvert and a chronic helper, just being with someone can seem like not enough to me. But I’ve realized that I get to be present. I have the time, the space, and the margin to be present in a way that my colleagues can’t be due to their own family obligations.

One of my favorite ways to do this is to host people in my home. I was blessed with my home in the center of Greystones, in a bustling neighborhood and within walking distance of the church. I have been making it a point to have more people in my home for dinner, coffee, etc. Yesterday morning, I hosted my Thursday morning Bible study ladies and their kids (see the photo above). We drank good coffee, ate good pastries, chatted, laughed, planned trips, prayed for each other, and were generally present for each other. It lasted for four hours! It was a dream for me. When I first viewed this home, this is what I envisioned. As some of you know, I have been praying specifically for friendships with other women, close and deep friendships. The women in this group are beginning to give me the answer to that prayer.

Thank you for praying with me and for my ministry here in Ireland.

Molly

Download this month’s prayer letter here…

The post August 2023 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.