Bishop of Clogher response to incident in Rosslea; Children’s Ministry Resource Evenings in Clogher; Streetreach brings churches together on Cregagh Estate; Christian Aid & Trócaire Concert in Limerick Cathedral; Clogher Parish Spring Auction; Birr Summer Fête and Funday; Connor Chapter changes; Belfast Canons; Rector saddened by oil theft; Church now a maritime museum; Tourists likely to visit a church
Bishop of Clogher response to incident in Rosslea
Responding to news that a viable bomb was discovered along the laneway of Councillor Harold Andrews’ home in County Fermanagh, the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd John McDowell, commented that “it is appalling that such a destructive and life threatening plot could be hatched and carried out at any time but especially so in the very week when Christians from all traditions are recalling with real thanksgiving the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Across this island there is a desire to build a new sort of society where differences are settled through political debate. A tiny number of people think that it can be otherwise but I pray they will realise they are deluded and that there is no place for this sort of monstrous activity in our society. Mr Andrews and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Children’s Ministry Resource Evenings in Clogher
Jonny Phenix, Clogher Diocesan Youth Officer, comments “we are very happy to announce that Julie Currie, Children’s Development Officer with the diocese of Down and Dromore, will be visiting Clogher Diocese later this month.”
Julie will be bringing examples of children’s ministry resources with her and will be speaking about effective children’s work. It is intended that she will speak in both the north and south of the diocese.
For those in the Northern area of the diocese, Julie will deliver a workshop on Monday 23rd April in Enniskillen Cathedral Hall at 7:30pm in the minor hall. For those in the Southern section of the diocese, Julie will be delivering the same workshop in the YMCA building in Monaghan town at 7:30pm on Tuesday 24th April.
Wendy Houston, the newly appointed Children’s Ministry representative for Clogher Diocese, has also kindly agreed to speak about her studies on the new Children’s Ministry Certificate course which she and a number of others have been following this year.
Streetreach brings churches together on Cregagh Estate
‘Streetreach’ began on the Cregagh estate on Tuesday 3 April with 5 local churches of different denominations working together to reach out to the community and put their faith into action.
“We are building on the success of these local churches working together last Easter in running a similar initiative, “ said Mount Merrion’s Revd Adrian Green.
“Between Tuesday and Friday the team of mainly young people will be cleaning streets, doing gardens, cooking BBQ’s, putting on ‘Eggtastic’ kids events and family fun days, football competitions, pampering sessions and movie nights.”
A full list of the week’s programme has been provided free to the local community on the Cregagh estate.
The five churches involved are:
• Mount Merrion Parish Church
• St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
• Riverrock Church
• Orangefield Presbyterian Church
• Willowfield Parish Church
Christian Aid & Trócaire Concert in Limerick Cathedral
Chrsitan Aid and Trócaire present:
Colours of the World
A Musical Evening with a global perspective with:
”Voices Together” (Northern Ireland)
and Villiers School Choir
7.30pm,
Saturday 12th May
St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick
Donations for Christian Aid Ireland and Trocaire
Clogher Parish Spring Auction
Galloon Parish in Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh have established auctions as a means of fundraising for the parish and providing an occasion for the local community to get together and have an enjoyable day out.
It provides an opportunity for people to get rid of surplus items and also for buyers to get a bargain. Organisers of the auction said “we always appreciate those who faithfully come, bid and buy. We normally run two auctions each year, one on the first Saturday in September and one on the Saturday after Easter.”
The next Galloon Parish Auction will take place on Saturday 14th April at 12noon in Newtownbutler Church Hall, and a spokesperson said “we are looking forward to having plenty to sell and plenty of bidders. We have the usual array of lots including a vintage Singer Sewing Machine in good condition and the part contents of two local houses.”
There will be something for everyone. Entry is free, there is no VAT or fees on purchases and refreshments will be on sale. Everyone is welcome
Birr Summer Fête and Funday
The Summer Fête this year will have a new look, a new venue and a new name! The Summer Fete and Fun Day is being held in Oxmantown School, Birr on Sunday 27th May, from 1 – 5 p.m. There will be a wide variety of stalls, including some which have stood the test of time, plus others offering something different. Children will find lots to do! It promises to be an afternoon of fun and entertainment combined with the chance to check out the stalls.
Connor Chapter changes
A number of changes were made within the Chapter of St Saviour, Connor, during a service held in Lisburn Cathedral on Thursday March 29.
The rector of Lisburn Cathedral, the Rev Canon Sam Wright, was installed as Precentor of the Chapter, and the Rev Canon George Irwin, incumbent of Ballymacash, was installed as Treasurer.
The Rev William Taggart, rector of St Katharine, Belfast, was installed as Prebendary of Kilroot. The preacher at the service was the Rev Canon Kathleen Brown.
Belfast Canons
Two new Canons were installed in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on Palm Sunday, April 1 2012. They were the Revd Nigel Baylor, rector of Jordanstown in the Diocese of Connor and the Revd Jerome Munyangaju, rector of Killyleagh, Diocese of Dromore. The preacher at the Service was the Rt Rev Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Dromore.
Rector saddened by oil theft
Ballymoney and Moyle Times – A CHURCH of Ireland clergyman in Ballycastle has spoken of his sadness that oil thieves targeted church property. Rev David Ferguson was reacting to the theft of around 200 litres of oil from a tank at Holy Trinity Church in the centre of the town on …
http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/news/local/church-man-saddened-by-oil-theft-1-3692708
An Irishman’s Diary – Church now a maritime museum
Irish Times – Despite being an island nation, our relationship with the seas around us is, at best, fairly tenuous. However, in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, the Maritime Institute of Ireland is doing its best to change our lack of interest in salt-water. The institute has for some years had a Maritime Museum in a one-time church overlooking the town’s East Pier – it is, in its own way, quite a landmark for anyone at sea off Dún Laoghaire.
The church, which was at one time the main Church of Ireland church in Dún Laoghaire, was built in 1837: it could accommodate up to 1,400 people with, according to its deed of trust, one-third of the seats allocated to the families of those involved in seafaring, and the revenue and coastguard services. It also had a prisoners’ dock, where prisoners awaiting transportation could attend services. By 1971 the the congregation had dwindled, and the church closed. Several years later, after agreement between the Representative Church Body of the Church of Ireland and the Maritime Institute of Ireland, the church, suitably renovated, was reopened as the National Maritime Museum of Ireland. And what a mass of exhibits it has
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0403/1224314295967.html
Tourists likely to visit a church
Press Association – Holidaymakers from London, Scotland and Northern Ireland were most likely to visit a church or attend a religious service while on holiday abroad. Conversely, tourists from north west and eastern England as well as Yorkshire preferred the sun-and-sand …
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5g-KR57f06GkfAghsaFUAEO_7luig?docId=N0067191333361808651A