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Activities

Getting Involved

The Day of Private Reflection provides a voluntary opportunity for everyone in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain to reflect upon the conflict in and about Northern Ireland and the future that is before us.

The Day of Private Reflection on 21 June is offered as a day for personal, private and individual reflection, for example, at home or at work, within a family, group or organisation.

While the emphasis is not upon events for the Day of Private Reflection, all groups can be involved by raising awareness among their members and/or offering a place where reflection could take place, facilitate reflection, or assist in developing materials which would aid and enable meaningful reflection.

If you or your organisation is interested in or planning to engage with and participate in the Day of Private Reflection, please let us know. You can either email info@dayofreflection.com the details of your planned activity or complete the form below.

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Ways of Reflecting

While the Day of Private Reflection is not intended to be prescriptive, the following are some suggestions, made by groups and individuals, of ways of reflecting that you may like to consider:

2010 Activities

• The Coleraine Churches Forum organised an afternoon for quiet reflection, prayer, and readings from Lost Lives at St. Patricks Parish Church in Coleraine. The Church was open from 11am to 4pm on the 21st of June.
• The RUC George Cross Memorial Garden was open between 10am and 4pm. Guides were available to meet visitors at the gate.
• TThe Community Relations Forum, Newtownabbey, held an open reflection session from 2pm to 7pm at the Barron Hall, 230 Antrim Road, Glengormley. Tea and coffee was available and all were welcome to attend.
• Oakgrove Integrated College in Derry/Londonderry once again marked the Day of Private Reflection with a special assembly and showing of selected images of Lost Lives. All students present in school were encouraged to reflect and to remember the people whose lives were lost who would have been alive had there not been conflict in Northern Ireland.
• TThe Old Library Trust, Derry/Londonderry, launched a stained glass window on the 21st June in memory of local people killed in Creggan during the conflict.
• Fírinne's premises (67 Chanterhill Road, Drumclay, Enniskillen) were open from 10am to 9pm for space to call in and reflect at Fírinne's Living Memorial. A Commemorative Candle-Tree was lit and the Lost Lives Book was present. A 6pm there was a Day of Private Reflection PowerPoint presentation given by Bernice Swift explaining the purpose/significance of 21st June. Day of Reflection Literature was given to all in attendance (postcards/bookmarks etc).
• WAVE Trauma Centre in Omagh held an ecumenical service at 2pm, at their offices at 18 Holmview Avenue, Omagh. Fr. Kevin Mullan and Rev. William Seale attended this event.
• Derry City Council marked the Day by visiting the Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast to allow individuals to reflect in a creative way on our past. There were 30 places on the trip, predominantly for Community and Voluntary Sector Groups.
• The Wesley Centenary Methodist Church, Hamilton Road, Bangor, was open for quiet reflection from 10am to 1pm on Monday 21 June.
• Lisburn City Council as a part of its Good Relations Programme showed We Carried Your Secrets on the 21st June at 7.00pm in Lisburn Civic Centre.
  
  The Columba Community organised several events as follows:
  • The newly refurbished oratory in Columba House at 11, Queen Street, Derry/Londonderry was open as usual from 9.30am to 5.00 pm for those who wished to spend time in quiet meditation.
  • The two acre Garden and Oratory at St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Upper Galliagh Road, Co.Donegal was open and available from 9.00pm to 7.30pm for all who wished to spend time in private reflection.
  • The six acre Prayer Garden at IOSAS Centre (adjacent to White Oaks Drug and Alcohol Centre on the Lenamore Road, Derryvane) was open and available from 9.00pm to 5.00 pm for all who wished to spend time in private reflection. This garden has many features to celebrate the lives of the Celtic saints of the 5th to the 12th Century, Ireland's Golden Age. Several additional features have been added to provide further stimulus to private reflection.
• Congregations in Ballynafeigh were invited to share a walk and a time of meditation together. The event began in Good Shepherd Church at 7:30pm, moved to St. Jude’s and finished in Ballynafeigh Methodist Church.
• Wave Trauma Centre, Armagh, iheld a tree planting ceremony on the 21st of June from 12 noon, at the Centenary Gardens, Palace Domain, Armagh. The Mayor hosted a function afterwards. All were welcome.
• ISE Belfast marked the Day of Reflection by making the Seminar Room available from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm for private reflection. CDs and books were available for those who wished to use them.
• Wave Trauma Centre, Belfast, launched a back patio/deck area which members had built. There was a small service and a light lunch served between 1pm and 2pm on the 21st.
• St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, kept the door open for people to come and sit and have space to reflect. There were also HTR reports out to peruse. Go to: http://stethelburgas.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=193 for more information.
• The Community Relations Council in Dungannon had a space for people to come and reflect between 1pm and 4pm on the 21st of June.
• Healing Through Remembering had a space in their office for people to come and reflect. There was also opportunity to read from various books and materials, or watch the film about the Day of Reflection. Tea and coffee was available.
• ISE Dublin set aside a quiet space in with meditative materials, information about HTR, and music.

2009 Activities

• The Wesley Centenary Methodist Church, Hamilton Road, Bangor, was open for quiet reflection on Sunday 21 June from 10am to 5pm.
• Fírinneacknowledged the Day of Private Reflection on 21st June 2009. Premises were open in the afternoon from 1-3pm. Fírinnelit their Ceremonial Candle-Tree, and the Lost Lives Book was available for further reflection also on the day.
• The Wave Trauma Centre in Belfast (5 Chichester Park South) marked the Day of Reflection on Wednesday the 24th of June with the launch of their latest piece of artwork: a wishing well in the garden of the centre. This was followed by tea and sandwiches.
• The Wave Trauma Centre in Omagh (18 Holmview Avenue) marked the Day on Friday the 19th of June with a service of reflection and music which included staff, volunteers and local clergy. It began with a light lunch at 1:00pm.
• The Wave Trauma Centre in Ballymoney (13 Castlecroft, Main Street) was open from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Monday the 22nd of June with a room set aside for quiet reflection.
• The Irish School of Ecumenics will hold a Day of Private Reflection walk to Cave Hill.
• Hillsborough Presbyterian Church (30 Ballymurphy Road, Hillsborough) provided a space for reflection from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
• The Community Relations Forum, Newtownabbey held an open reflection session from 11am to 3pm at the Barron Hall, 230 Antrim Road, Glengormley.
• The RUC George Cross Foundation opened the Garden for the Day of Private Reflection on request from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
• The Irish School of Ecumenics - (Dublin) set up a "Space of Quiet Reflection" in ISE Bea House, Milltown Park, Dublin from 12noon on Monday 22nd and throughout the afternoon and a DVD was shown.
• Carrickfergus Borough Church Forum held a 15 minute audio-visual presentation entitled COME, SEE, REFLECT. The event did not involve talks or group activities. This was shown from 2-30pm until 4-30pm at the Gateway Church, Governor’s Place and from 7pm until 8-30pm at St Nicholas' Catholic Church, Minorca Place in Carrickfergus.
• Oakgrove Integrated College in Londonderry/Derry - held an assembly to mark the Day of Reflection on Friday the 19th of June. The assembly included a minute's silence and an audiovisual presentation commemorating those who lost their lives in the conflict.
• St. Ethelburga's Centre for Peace and Reconciliation - 78 Bishopsgate, London kept the Centre open to the public on Friday 19 June to mark the Day of Reflection.
• St Patricks Parish Church in Coleraine - was open in the afternoon for quiet reflection and prayer.
• Re-think - Ann St, Belfast (details to be confirmed)
• The Bahai Community, Magherafelt area, celebrated the Day of Reflection by having a Devotional Day on 21 June from 2pm onwards. This involved an Open House with devotional time and reflection during the afternoon.
• The Columba Community: The 2 acre Garden and Oratory at St Anthonys Retreat Centre, Co.Donegal was open and available from 2.00pm to 5.00pm for all who wished to spend time in private reflection.
  The 6 acre Prayer Garden at IOSAS Centre was open and available from 2.00pm to 5.00 pm for all who wished to spend time in private reflection. This garden has many features to celebrate the lives of the Celtic saints of the 5th to the 12th Century, Ireland's Golden Age.
• The Hanson family, Bangor and Australian Artist, Krissee Oliver hosted The Linen Memorial, in digital format at The Canada Room, Queens University, Belfast from 1 - 7 pm. Parents of the artist Krissee Oliver, Robert and Maureen Trouton, hosted a gathering at the Canadian Memorial Centre for Peace in Vancouver Canada.
• The Fermanagh Churches Forum, in Curtain Room at The Clinton Centre, Enniskillen, held an event from 2p.m. to 5p.m.
• Philip Orr will be included a “Day of Reflection” segment in the Fitzroy Presbyterian Church service.

2008 Activities

• Corrymeela Community, Ballycastle - The Croí was open from 9:00am to 9:00pm and had on display the installation of the Linen Memorial to Lives Lost, a reading of the names of those who died listed in Lost Lives and memorialized on linen banners (www.linenmemorial.org), for viewing and reflection. Contact: Corrymeela Community, 028 2076 2626.
• Irish School of Ecumenics, Belfast - ISE observed the day by participating in activities at Corrymeela Community, Ballycastle.
• Irish School of Ecumenics, Dublin - A "Space for Reflection" was open on Thursday 19 June from lunchtime till 7pm.
• Cornerstone Community, 445 Springfield Road, Belfast - Reading, writing and quiet rooms were available for reflection from 10:30am to 12:00pm. Contact: Sam Bright, 028 9032 1649
• The Columba Community in Derry and Donegal - made two of their four premises available to facilitate the public for the Day. The premises available were The Oratory in Columba House, 11, Queen Street will be open from 9.30 pm to 5.00 pm on the Friday before (20 June) the Day of Reflection. The Oratory at St Anthony's Retreat Centre on the Upper Galliagh Road were open 9.30 to 6.30 and The Celtic Prayer Garden at IOSAS Centre, Lenamore Road, Derryvane, Muff were open 9.30 am to 5.00 pm on Saturday, 21 June
• Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, 30 Ballymurphy Road, Hillsborough - Space for reflection was provided from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
• Carrickfergus Civic Centre's Education Room – The Antrim Churches' Forum made available a space for reflection at the Carrickfergus Civic Centre's Education Room from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
• Florence Courthouse, Enniskillen - Ladies' Friendship Group had space available for reflection at the Florence Courthouse in Enniskillen from 3:45pm. Contact: Betty McKendry, 028 6632 3385
• St. Ethelburga's Centre for Peace and Reconciliation - Open from 11am to 3pm for people to come and reflect in private and stillness. The centre also be held a Centering Meditation from 1:15 - 1:45 pm on Friday June 20th that will be dedicated to the Day. HTR literature will be put out for people to find out more information.
• Barnardo's/NOVA - made a room available for their staff for quiet reflection.
• St Patrick's Parish Church in Coleraine - was open from 11am to 4pm for quiet reflection and prayer. All are welcome.
• Wesley Centenary Methodist Church, Hamilton Road, Bangor - was open for quiet reflection and personal prayer from 9am to 5pm. Everyone is welcome.
• Wave Trauma Centre, Dobbin St, Armagh - invited people to drop in and record their thoughts and hopes for the future in a book of reflection. Open all day.
• Restoration Ministries - held an interdenominational service on Monday June 16th, at Restoration House, 4 Thornhill Hill Road, Dunmurry at 8:00pm.
• Oakgrove Integrated College - held an assembly to mark the Day of Private Reflection to remember those lost in the conflict.
• RUC George Cross Foundation - opened the Garden for the Day of Private Reflection from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
• Wave Trauma Centre, Belfast - marked the Day of Private Reflection on Thursday 19th at 3pm by unveiling a hand carved wood sculpture that represents a symbol of remembrance to those lost in the conflict.
• The Community Relations Forum, Newtownabbey - - held an open reflection session from 1 - 4:30pm at the Barron Hall, 230 Antrim Road, Glengormley. For more information, contact Kathy Wolff at 07801989917

2007 Activities

Below are details of some activities which happened on the Day of Private Reflection on 21 June 2007:

• Larne Museum - A space was made available in the museum for reflection and a book to record individual's contributions, such as memories and hopes for the future, was provided.
• Corrymeela - The Linen Memorial installation was open to the public to view in the Croí Building, Corrymeela, Ballycastle.
• St. Anthony's Retreat Centre, Donegal - Quiet garden overlooking the border and a space for reflection was available.
• Fermanagh Churches Forum - A quiet space for private reflection was available in the Clinton Peace Centre, Enniskillen.
• Columba Community - The Columba Community Oratory was available in Queen Street in Derry/Londonderry city centre for quiet reflection from 9:30am to 7:30pm.
• IOSAS Centre - The Garden and Oratory at IOSAS Centre was available for quiet reflection at Lenamore Road, Derryvane, Muff, Co Donegal from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
• Cornerstone Community - The Cornerstone Community House in West Belfast was open for quiet reflection between 10am and 12 noon and again between 7pm and 9pm.
• Hamilton Road Methodist Church, Bangor - The Hamilton Road Methodist Church in Bangor was open for quiet reflection from 9:30am to 5:00pm.
• Iontas Centre, Castleblayney - Iontas Centre, Castleblayney had cards available for people to record their thoughts, comments and memories on. The cards will then be added to a collective art piece to form a gorse/whin bush. Groups, organisations and individuals are all welcome to contribute. Contact Teresa McCabe at Iontas for more details.
• Lisburn City Council - Lisburn City Council had a room available for quiet reflection in the Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
• Omagh Community Arts - Omagh Community Arts organised a labyrinth walk at the Tara Centre, Omagh from 7pm to 9pm. All are welcome to participate.
• Oakgrove Integrated College, Derry/Londonderry - Oakgrove Integrated College dedicated their Peace Garden to mark the Day of Private Reflection.
• St. Botolph's-without-Bishopsgate - St. Botolph's-without-Bishopsgate, beside Liverpool St Station (London), was open for silent reflection and prayer between 8am and 6pm.
• Corpus Christi Youth Centre - Corpus Christi Youth Centre held an event that celebrated the Summer Solstice and held a "minutes silence". They also had a session of reflection that enabled the young people to acknowledge the hurt and pain suffered by everyone and to openly discuss the future. The young people made a poster of statements of their suggestions about preventing it from ever happening again.
• City Church, Belfast - City Church, Belfast invited you to join them for the Day of Private Reflection from 6 to 9 pm. They used puppets as a tool to help reflection. There was space for everyone to contribute and share in the reflection.
• WAVE - A remembrance event for the families of the Disappeared and those whose bodies have been recovered was held on Thursday, 21 June 2007.
• WAVE Centre, Belfast - WAVE, Belfast had a tree planting event for all those who died in the 'Troubles' at WAVE House, Belfast at 2pm on Thursday 21 June. The event was facilitated by Fr Aidan Troy and Rev Norman Hamilton.
• WAVE Centre, Armagh - WAVE Trauma Centre, Dobbin Street, Armagh set aside a special room for private reflection from 10am to 12noon for people from the area. Those who drop-in were invited to record their thoughts and hopes for the future in a book of reflection which was available on the day. A short walk around the sensory gardens in the Palace Demesne was also facilitated.
  
• Irish School of Ecumenics, Belfast - On the morning of Thursday 21 June, from 10:00am, the Irish School of Ecumenics (ISE) on Antrim Road, Belfast made its garden and a quiet room available as spaces for private reflection. Resources for reflection were available and there was tea and coffee throughout the morning. In the afternoon there was a walk up Cave Hill left from ISE at 2:00pm.
• Joymount Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus - Joymount Presbyterian Church was open for quiet reflection on Thursday, 21 June from 8:00am - 1:00pm and from 7:00pm - 9:30pm. There were specific prayer times led by members of staff from 11:45am - 12:15pm and again between 8:30pm and 9:00pm.
• Peace Factory, Dungannon - Peace Factory offered a space at its premises at 32a Coalisland Road, Dungannon where reflection took place on the hurt and loss of the conflict. There was also an opportunity for people to hear about the work the Peace Factory is involved in. The building was open 10:00am to 4:00pm and in the evening by request.
• Old Library Trust, Healthy Living Centre - The Old Library Trust in Creggan set aside a room in Lis Linn Healthy Living Centre for people to use for private reflection.
• Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church, Castlereagh, Belfast - Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church was open for quiet reflection and prayer on Thursday 21 June from 12 noon - 2:00pm and again from 7:00pm - 8:00pm.
• Restoration Ministries - An interdenominational service was held at Restoration House, 4 Thornhill Road, Dunmurry at 8.00pm, entitled 'A New Beginning'. This was a time to remember the past, celebrate the present and pray for the future.
• The Junction, Bishop Street, Derry/Londonderry - From 10am - 4pm, The Junction was open as a space for reflection. All were welcome to drop in throughout the day for a moment of quiet, of stillness.
• Priory Integrated College - Priory Integrated College held an afternoon of reflection, where the students brought in photos of positive events that have happened to them and they presented/recorded them in a creative manner. As an integrated school they were trying to look at the positive events and move forward from there. Through learning to share together, understand each other better we can develop meaningful relationships.
• Barnardos - Barnardos made a room available for their staff for quiet reflection and also provided opportunities for their staff to engage in reflection through art and music.
• Eastern Health and Social Services Board - The Eastern Health and Social Services Board marked the Day of Private Reflection with a minute's silence. They invited all staff to pause for a short time in the busy working day to reflect on all hurts, bereavement and injury arising from the "Troubles" and to commit themselves to a different future.
• Victims and Survivors Trust - Victims and Survivors Trust members gathered together, opening with poem "Words of Comfort". Its okay to laugh, remembering the good times, and the happiness we once shared. "Story Telling", remembering all who were affected by the conflict, through silence and meditation, followed by lunch and a bit of craic.
• Irish School of Ecumenics, Dublin - The Irish School of Ecumenics in Dublin had a room available for staff and students for quiet reflection from 12 noon to 2:30pm.
• St. Ethelburga's Centre for Peace and Reconciliation - St Ethelburga's (Bishopsgate, London) was open for the Day of Reflection from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
• Hillsborough Presbyterian Church - Hillsborough Presbyterian Church was open for quiet reflection from 9:00am to 9:00pm.
• Healing Through Remembering - Healing Through Remembering had a space available for quiet reflection in their office from 9:00am to 5:30pm. Light refreshments were available. All were welcome.
• Aisling Centre, Enniskillen - The Aisling Centre, Enniskillen marked the Day of Private Reflection on the 21st June by providing a candle lit space for reflection with the opportunity for personal expression using creative writing and art materials. Jackie Stretch was the appointed member of the Counselling team who supports people who have experienced Trauma related to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. She was available all day offering staff support and responded to members of the local community who sought support or information on the day. Outside of this time people could refer themselves to the service by ringing the centre reception staff directly between 9.00am to 5.00pm daily (mon - fri) and requesting a referral form.
• Saver Naver - Saver Naver's peace garden in Markethill was open for private reflection on Thursday, 21 June from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
• Portstewart Presbyterian Church - Portstewart Presbyterian Church's Centenary Room was available for private reflection from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.

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The Day of Private Reflection is offered as an inclusive and positive experience that emphasises a commitment to a peaceful new society.

The Day of Private Reflection is offered as a day for personal, private and individual reflection, for example, at home, at work or within a family, group or organisation.

It is hoped that the Day of Private Reflection on 21 June will lead to an annual Day of Reflection, and continue to make a contribution to addressing the hurts of the past and moving forward as a society.