Rededication service at historic border church; Glynn church plaques to be dedicated to RUC and UDR; Holywood Parish explores movement in worship; Vacancy for a Youth Worker; Vacancy for Part–time Financial Administrator; Statement due on St Pat’s Centre; Review of teacher training to back ‘institutes of education’; Training teachers the Catholic way; Why the school patronage report is doomed to fail; Priest in eye of gay porn images storm goes on leave
Rededication service at historic border church
Belfast Newsletter – The tiny Church of Ireland congregation of Crossmaglen on Sunday rededicated their church building – with a third of guests coming from the Roman Catholic community.
“The Protestant community in this area is small in numbers but we are making a big impact,” said the secretary of Creggan Church of Ireland, Kenny Donaldson. The church itself is located about 1.5 miles north-east of Crossmaglen town.
“We have only about eight families, which means some 13-15 people at each service. But we are regularly being held up as an example of how to get things done, for larger parishes who feel they cannot achieve anything.”
And Kenny is not just making idle talk. Yesterday’s service marked the official rededication of the listed church building after a £90,000 restoration programme, funded by various grant sources.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/rededication-service-at-historic-border-church-1-3763182
Glynn church plaques to be dedicated to RUC and UDR
Larne Times – Memorial plaques commemorating all who served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Ulster Defence Regiment are to be dedicated at a special service in St John’s Church of Ireland at Glynn on Sunday, April 29. Former members of both organisations …
http://www.larnetimes.co.uk/news/local/glynn-church-plaques-to-be-dedicated-to-ruc-and-udr-1-3764615
Holywood Parish explores movement in worship
“Then the young women will dance for joy; the young and old men will join in. I will turn their mourning into laughter and their sadness into joy; I will comfort them.” Jeremiah 31:13 (CEB)
At St Philip and St James, Holywood Parish, a Movement in Worship evening, named ‘31:13’ after the quotation above from Jeremiah, has been running about once every three weeks since September 2011. It has been enjoying increasing attendance and the further development of faith, community and self–confidence for the many who’ve come along.
The vision was to create an informal space where worshippers are free to express their worship through movement and dance, as part of a loving community that develops a sense of worship rather than performance. The emphasis is on participation rather than audience, preferring to focus attention on the Lord of the dance, participants offering him their souls and bodies as a living sacrifice, as they move in response to scripture, worship songs, and the Father’s love for his children.
http://www.downanddromore.org/news/2012/04/Holywood-Parish-explores-movement-in-worship-#more
www.holywoodparishchurch.co.uk
Vacancy for a Youth Worker, Saintfield Parish
The Parish of Saintfield seeks a Youth Worker, based in the parish but willing to travel as necessary in connection with the duties of the post.
This is a full time post but a role of no less than 24 hours a week could be explored on a pro rata basis with the successful candidate.
Applications are invited from those who meet the experience and competence requirements contained in the application pack.
Application forms should be returned no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 9 May 2012 to:
Saintfield Parish Office
43 Main Street
Saintfield
BT24 7AB
marked “Confidential” and for the attention of Mr Niall Stevenson
Please download an application pack here.
http://www.downanddromore.org/news/2012/04/Vacancy-for-a-Youth-Worker-Saintfield-Parish#more
Vacancy for Part–time Financial Administrator
Willowfield Parish Community Association, Belfast requires a Part–time Financial Administrator with Office Duties (16 hours/week).
For further information please contact stephencuddy@wpcabelfast.co.uk or call 028 9045 3041.
Closing date for applications is 5.00pm 2 May, 2012.
Visit the WPCA website here.
http://www.wpcabelfast.co.uk/
Statement due on St Pat’s Centre
BBC – A statement is expected about the future of the St Patrick’s Heritage Centre in Downpatrick, which is under threat of closure.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17817721
Review of teacher training to back ‘institutes of education’
Irish Times – Sources say the international experts may also examine the governance of the five teacher-training colleges; four are controlled by the Catholic Church and one by the Church of Ireland. As Labour spokesman on education in opposition last year, …
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/0424/1224315105553.html
Training teachers the Catholic way
Irish Times – The president of Mary Immaculate College of Education, one of the largest primary-teacher training colleges in the State, the Rev Prof Michael Hayes gave a speech that had many of those present, Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn included, shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
A clear challenge to the increasing perception of the need for more secular education, Hayes’s speech referred to the college’s Mercy tradition as an “essential part of our identity”. He went on to say, “So if, as the president of this Catholic college, I call on us all to come to a sharper, more explicit awareness of the college’s Catholic identity, then, as a community, it will challenge all of us to look at our own preconceptions and take on the difficult work of exploring together what this college is.”
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/education/2012/0424/1224315097893.html
Why the school patronage report is doomed to fail
Irish Times – 10 per cent each support an Islamic school, a Church of Ireland school and an “other”. Suppose that in Roscommon, on the other hand, 80 per cent want a Catholic school, with the remaining 20 per cent divided proportionately across the other categories.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/education/2012/0424/1224315097949.html
Priest in eye of gay porn images storm goes on leave
Belfast Telegraph – A priest under investigation after accidentally displaying pornographic images of men during a school meeting has taken an immediate temporary leave of absence. Parishioners were told on Friday night that a summit with parents held to discuss the matter had been “inconclusive” and that another would be arranged.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/priest-in-eye-of-gay-porn-images-storm-goes-on-leave-16148758.html