Celestial Fire: Live in the UKBand News
22nd June 2017
DONEGAL.....
A quick visit but no PEAKS to climb this time. And according to National Geographic, Donegal is the place to see ,worldwide ,in 2017!
Thankyou again to all of you who supported the 3 PEAKS IN 3 DAYS fundraiser for SyriAid 😄. A team of folk ( individually self funded) are heading out to camps this weekend for two weeks of aid work assisting various projects.
5th June 2017
THE THIRD AND FINAL PEAK!
Here are some pics from my final mountain hike. 23 hikers in total went up one or more of the mountains with 6 of us completing the 3 hikes. Thankyou so much to everyone who's donated towards SyriAid's effort to support refugees in crisis. Donations can still be made here
https://www.paypal.me/SyriAid
3rd June 2017
THE SECOND PEAK!
Here's today's story in pictures. Thankfully all 13 of today's team made it to the top and down safely despite the rain and treacherous conditions in places. Thankyou so much for your support.
https://www.paypal.me/SyriAid
3rd June 2017
THE FIRST PEAK.
SyriAid team set off last night to climb our first peak. It's a long hike up from sea level but everyone made it up and down with no falls or injuries. This morning we'll set off for Donegal to climb Mt Errigal.
Thankyou so much to all of you who are following and supporting this fundraising challenge.
https://www.paypal.me/SyriAid
( for donations)
2nd June 2017
TODAY WE START 3 PEAKS IN 3 DAYS fundraiser......
It has rained for 24 hours prior to us starting our first hike, but even if it's a bit muddy and we get a bit wet, we still won't be able to imagine what millions of refugees have been forced to experience.
Let's not forget them.
https://www.paypal.me/SyriAid
31st May 2017
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PATRICK ☘️earlier today!
In 48 hours we hope to be at the top of our first mountain in the SyriAid 3 PEAKS IN 3 DAYS challenge. Thankyou so much to all who've already supported our efforts to help Syrian refugees in crisis.
https://www.paypal.me/SyriAid
21st May 2017
GUESS WHERE??
I realise for most of you seeing this, you're a long way from here on our North Coast.
I just thought you'd like to see the pics 😄
This is the Giants Causeway and I've been coming here frequently in the last two weeks after a long absence, to get in some training for the SyriAid 3 PEAKS IN 3 DAYS challenge. If you are close and would like to join us for a hike on any of the days 2-4 th June, then go to https://www.facebook.com/even
t1566057200103522
If you'd like to support with a donation you can do that here
https://www.paypal.me/SyriAid
Thankyou 😁
17th May 2017
SCENES FROM THE GIANTS CAUSEWAY
Last night a few of us put in some step training for the SyriAid 3 PEAKS IN 3 DAYS challenge. What a beautiful evening. 🙏 we get such weather 2-4 th June !
If you'd like to support our effort you can here
https://www.paypal.me/SyriAid
Thanking you.
Jo.
13th May 2017
SCENES FROM CAMP....
Arrival at THESSALONIKI AIRPOT
Some scenes from one of the refugee camps. It's been one year since these folk were evacuated from a large camp at Idomeni near the Macedonian border. Some families have been refugees in camps for 4 years in total. Hundreds are still arriving on Greek islands every week.
12th May 2017
BACK TO GREECE....
Guitar on my back, camera in my bag, returning to Softex and Sinatex refugee camps in Thessaloniki. Just five of us for a short trip of 4 days to interview and film the stories of some of the families we've connected with for a media exhibition later this month. It's been one year since these families were evacuated by the military from their campsite near the Macedonian border at Idomeni and moved to smaller industrial sites in Thessaloniki. It's been a long time in limbo.....
7th May 2017
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST PATRICK......
Getting in some preparation hiking for the SyriAid 3 PEAKS IN 3 DAYS challenge June 2-4 th.
1. Slieve Donard Co. Down
2. Mount Errigal Donegal
3.Muckish Mountain Donegal
Join us if you're free. Or maybe contribute to the funding 😁
https://www.paypal.me/SyriAid
15th May 2017
SLEMISH MOUNTAIN🍀
The little mountain associated with St Patrick.
Getting ready for the SyriAid 3 PEAKS IN 3 DAYS challenge
2-4 th June.
What a beautiful evening. Video to follow.
30th April 2017
"🍀LET US CLIMB this hill in the footsteps of Patrick.....🎶.🍀."
Well, maybe not exactly in his footsteps....
But myself along with others will climb 3 Irish PEAKS IN 3 DAYS to raise awareness of the ongoing plight of Syrian refugees in camps in Greece, and also raise funds to support the efforts of SyriAid to help them. If you can't join us then please consider supporting us by donating to the SyriAid fund (https://paypal.me/syriaid). This short video will give you more info🙏😃
Please Donate Here: https://paypal.me/syriaid
Join the 3 Peaks Challenge Event Here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1566057200103522/
21st April 2017
Song of Songs.....
Ch 2:11-12
"..... come away with me. The winter is over. Flowers appear on the earth. The season of singing has come..."
A few moments from my time in Portugal.
Back home now to continue work on THE MAP PROJECT and..... get in training for our SyriAid fundraising project to climb 3 PEAKS IN 3 DAYS! 😳 at the start of July! I'll keep you posted.
17th April 2017
EASTER DAY.....
What a glorious day! Celebrating the greatest day in history....resurrection, death overcome , Jesus the saviour lives....makes me wanna sing my heart out, dance my socks off, climb mountains, do cartwheels( in my dreams), walk with Him, talk with Him, worship Him. The present may be challenging, troubling,confusing,exhilarating,bewildering,exhausting,...... but the future is His Kingdom coming, heaven on earth.....because Jesus is risen.
14th April 2017
GOOD FRIDAY.....
I walked this long dusty track today. No cross to carry, no jeering crowds, free from any fear of what lay ahead..... not so for Jesus Christ on his road to Golgotha.
13th April 2017
DIRTY FEET .......
On the night of His last meal with His friends, Jesus took on the role of the lowest servant and washed their feet, including those of the friend he knew would betray Him. It's a tough act to follow and it's not just for " Maundy Thursday ". Our saviour, the humble servant.
16th April 2017
Hi everyone,
we're looking to fill 14th/15th July with a couple of 'An Evening of Iona Music and More' Dave Bainbridge & Sally Minnear gigs in the north or midlands (England). If anyone would like to book us (house concert / small venue / church) message me (Dave Bainbridge)
!! Check my website for more info on the duo.
http://opensky121.wixsite.com/davebainbridge/blank
28th March 2017
Great news! Celestial Fire Live in London dvd/cd's are arriving on Friday! If you haven't already pre-ordered you can at www.iona.uk.com and watch the dvd promo at https://youtu.be/oB0qrvgGypA
12th April 2017
MORE MAPPING....
A great day tracking bass and drums with Terl Bryant and Phil Barker on the final MAP PROJECT song for the first EP release. This time another parable, The Good Samaritan. So good to be working with great friends who've been so much a part of my Iona journey.
16th March 2017
MAP PROJECT continues.....
Back in Zerohour studio to work on the next song called Hunger.... about the miracle feeding of thousands of people with just a lads picnic lunch to go round !
21st March 2017
MUSICAL MEMORIES...
When we don't speak the same language, it's great to have music🎶. My borrowed carbon fibre guitar from Irelands own Emerald guitar manufacturers, certainly helped to connect with folk of all ages among the refugee communities we were able to spend time with. Conditions have improved for some , having moved from tents inside cold, damp, dark factory warehouses to portacabins outside...... but 100's of people sharing a few portaloos and cold water taps , with no electricity..... things are still pretty desperate. 100's more refugees arrive in Greece every week but the rate of repatriation is much lower so the overall problem continues to escalate. The last image shows some of the hand knit blankets we took out getting an airing in the sunshine. Another couple of months and temperatures will be much higher, bringing new challenges .... mosquitoes, sanitation problems, water contamination..... makes me appreciate home so much more.
15th February 2017
WAITING.....
Still many thousands wait it out in camps like this, hoping for a phone call from the UN to process their asylum. The camp appears quiet but most folk stay in their tents to keep warm and because there is nothing to do outside. At least the electricity is working today. We prayed for a young guy waiting for essential surgery... he needs a miracle🙏. We hope to get into some other camps to distribute vitamins but currently we don't have official passes so we are going in "under the radar"..... praying for gates to open!
13th February 2017
GUITAR ON MY BACK😄
Returning to Thessaloniki for another week of refugee involvement. 🙏🎶 and hopefully no ❄️!
30th January 2017
Heading back in two weeks to bring the light of Christ into the darkness of the camps in Thessaloniki. 🙏
29th January 2017
MAP PROJECT update
In the absence of modern technology , three things are essential for navigation.
A map, a light and a compass!
Yesterday , Tre Sheppard was busy mixing the "compass" song for the MAP PROJECT. It's called Constant in My Chaos.
17th January 2017
Doing the pre-gig tourist dash around Gdansk. Snowmen on the beach, the longest pier in Europe, the tallest cathedral , the most colourful streets, frozen lakes and rivers.....just stunning ... and freezing ❄️⛄️.
17th January 2017
SNOW IN GDANSK, POLAND.
This is where I'll be gigging tomorrow evening , joined by Andy Rogers , and some local musicians. We had a lovely time this evening playing through some old Iona classics together, though I do miss my best Iona mates, Dave, Frank, Martin and Phil! Hope you're all enjoying your weekend wherever ya are. ⛄️🎶
13th January 2017
TAKING SONGS TO GDANSK , POLAND.
Songs from Iona, Uncountable Stars, The Cave Sessions, Raphael's Journey and The MAP project going to Gdansk Poland.
As for the earlier post of an Iona gig in London???? That's a mystery to me ! I'll definitely not be there!
21st March 2017
Hello fellow Ionians... Thought I'd share this blessing for the new year with you. It's still in demo stages, but I hope you enjoy it.
Be blessed in 2017 and we will continue to make beautiful music together in different combinations and collaborations. Be blessed!
https://soundcloud.com/frank-vanessen/celtic-blessing-demo-master
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