Diocesan News25 May 11

First and Deputy First Minister Receive Invitation to Maize n' Grace

The First and Deputy First Minister have received an invitation to the Maize n' Grace event taking place at The Odyssey Arena on the evenings of 27 and 28 May. The invitation was presented to them on Tuesday 24th May at Stormont Castle by a number of the event organisers.

South African farmer and world-renown evangelist Angus Buchan will be the keynote speaker at Maize n' Grace. Buchan, who's life story is told in the book and film Faith Like Potatoes, has spoken to crowds as large as 350,000 and has addressed gatherings that have included Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa.

The Omagh - Waterford Peace Choir will also sing a number of pieces each evening. The choir was formed in the aftermath of the bomb that killed 31 people in Omagh in 1998. It has performed in many places including Parliament Buildings in Stormont.

Maize n' Grace will be one of the largest free nondenominational events to take place here in recent times. The organisers are giving a warm welcome to every part of the community and it is expected that people will travel from every part of the island to hear Angus Buchan. The organisers believe he has a message of how the Christian message is able to bring down walls not only between individuals and God, but also between people and communities.

In presenting the invitation to the First and Deputy First Minister Basil O'Malley said "We appreciated the opportunity to present this invitation to the First and Deputy First Minister We want every part of our community to feel warmly welcome to Maize n' Grace. Our only motivation is to share the good news of the Christian message with our neighbours so that is why we offer this invitation to all".

Also speaking for the organisers Alan Irvine said, "Maize n' Grace is an event for all parts of our community here. Angus Buchan comes with a very simple message about the power of God to transform our lives and our community. Our hope and prayer is that it will be an event that brings hope to many lives".

Maize n' Grace is a free event to which all members of the public are welcomed. It is taking place in The Odyssey Arena on the evenings of 27 and 28 May at 8pm. All tickets for Maize n' Grace are free and are available direct from The Odyssey box office.

For more information visit www.maizengrace.com.