Ulster Project International Mission

The Ulster Project International, and participating city Projects, is an all-volunteer organization.

Many people in the United States share a strong Protestant or Catholic heritage. Our mission is to do something actively to help heal the wounds in Northern Ireland. The people there are both weary and isolated. There now seems to be a glimmer of hope, although the cease fires are fragile. We offer one idea which, with time, determination, faith, and God's providence, will work.

There are few times when an individual, a family, or a parish, can be a true agent for peace in a seemingly endless international conflict. In this instance, however, churches and people of this area, acting with good will, can make a difference in helping to convert the limited suspension of welfare to a real peace.

Our Purpose

To promote reconciliation between Northern Irish Catholics and Protestants by fostering tolerance, understanding, and friendship among teenage future leaders;
To present a program that brings Northern Irish teens of differing Christian faiths together in a strife-free atmosphere that emphasizes acceptance of all people, regardless of creed;
To educate and encourage persons, particularly supporters, committee members, and American Host Families, to appreciate their roles as peacemakers and mediators and to understand the purposes of Ulster Project;
To encourage Northern Irish leaders and clergy involved in the program to continue to foster the spirit of Ulster Project among the Northern Irish participants following each program;
To promote a spirit of community and commitment among American Ulster Project participants.

Derryloran and the Ulster Project

Derryloran, along with the First Cookstown Presbyterian Church and the Roman Catholic Chapel have been participating with the Ulster Project for a number of years, although this record starts only with the 2003 team. A special thanks should go out to Joy Greer, a Derryloran member, who has been instrumental in ensuring the smooth continuation of the project in the Cookstown area.

You can visit the Ulster Project's own website at www.ulsterproject.org for further information, see Joy in action at the 2004 Conference in New Orleans Opening Prayer Session at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and in the Derryloran News section, or in either of the following sections;

The 2003 Team

Photographs courtesy of Roger Greer

The 2004 Team

Back Row; Nicola Bell, Matthew Hanna, Tanya Thom, Richard Kerr (Leader)
Front Row; Nicola Rea, Cheryl Handte (Host Co-ordinator), Aislinn Mallon, Emma Regan (Leader), Caolan Quinn, Stephen Conway

Creator God, you have called us to live in harmony,
Give us unity in your Spirit to meet the challenges of this Ulster Project,
Instil in us peace and love, that we may live with one another, not by might, not by power, but by your spirit.
We dedicate this project to You, O Lord.
Amen

Hi, I'm Aislinn Mallon. I'm 15 years old and I'm the youngest of a family of 6; 2 adults, 4 children.

I'm really looking forward to my stay in Bellefonte and meeting Abigail.

I think I'll come to America with an open mind in the hope of building relationships with many people of all demonstrations.

My name is Nicola Rea. I go to First Cookstown Presbyterian Church. I applied for the Ulster Project because I had heard from friends, who went previous years, that it was a really good experience. This made me very keen to go. I hope that I have an enjoyable and memorable time staying with my host family in Bellefonte.

My names is Nicola Bell, I'm 15 and I go to the Integrated College in Dungannon. I have 1 sister Tracey.

In my spare time I like to play netball, go swimming, shopping, or to the cinema. When I'm older I want to be a vet and my favourite subjects at school are Irish and Science.

What do I think I can bring to America with me?

Well I think I can bring a better understanding of Irish culture and show that we can get along and that our country is not what it shows on TV, but in fact we are just ordinary people trying to get along.

Hi I'm Tanya Thom and I go to Derryloran Church in Cookstown. I heard about the Ulster Project through friends who went last year and really enjoyed it. I thought it would be brilliant opportunity to go to Pennsylvania and experience the American way of life, and their way of doing things.

I also like the idea of mixing with other teenagers of different dominations, as I have never really had the chance to do this before.

What I am most looking forward to in America is experiencing their ay of life and the warmth of the people there, and seeing the vastness of their country.

I will probably miss my family and friends the most, but I'm sure my American family's hospitality will make me feel right at home!

Hi! I'm Matthew Hanna and I am 1 of the teens going on the Ulster Project this year.

As part of my Church commitment I am also a member of the Youth Praise Group and we sometimes sing up-to-date hymns in Church. I go regularly to Bible Class and then on to the morning Church Service throughout the year.

I belong to the Christian Fellowship group in school for Year 11 students and above. We meet once a week after school and enjoyed a weekend of fellowship in Portrush last term.

I feel that I would gain a lot by living with an American family for a time. It would allow me to become more self-reliant and also learn about their culture and values. It would also give me an opportunity to make new, and hopefully lasting, friendships here in Cookstown with those who would be part of the group travelling to America. I feel that this is something that should be encouraged in Cookstown as it might help to a greater understanding and greater tolerance of other religions. This would ultimately lead to a better society to live in.

What I would like to gain from going to America:

Friendship: I look forward to meeting Igor and his family, I would like to think it could become a life long friendship. I also value the friendship between my fellow teens, and i hope it can be maintained on our return.

Tolerance: I would like to learn tolerance of other people, this is something that is not often offered here at home. I also look forward to living the American way,.

Hi I'm Stephen Conway, one of the boys selected to experience the Ulster Project. I hope to bring home a better sense of respect, and confidence. I also know that I will gain great new friends with life-long memories. I cannot wait to July to meet my host Greg and I hope I can maintain friendship with all my friends.