The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide; Bishop’s Bible Week; Medieval Dublin Series Continues; Rise in NI domestic abuse; Joy abounds as prayers at Katie’s church are answered; Dublin Vacancy
The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide
The next lunchtime lecture to be given at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Stranmillis Road, Belfast will be given by the rector, Revd. Dr. Ron Elsdon.
Subtitled ‘Douglas Adams, atheism and The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’’, the lecture offers a somewhat light-hearted exploration of the world view of Adams’ most popular books. It looks especially at his fascination with technology, which he paints in both positive and negative lights, and at his prominent position in the world of militant atheism (‘I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting. But it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously’). Following his premature death at the age of 49, a memorial service was held on 17 September 2001 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London. The speaker was Professor Richard Dawkins. This became the first church service of any kind broadcast live on the web by the BBC.
Everyone is welcome at this lecture, which commences at 1.10 p.m. on Tuesday September 4. It will include a time for questions. Light refreshments will also be available.
Bishop’s Bible Week
This year’s Bishop’s Bible Week in Down & Dromore is in Willowfield Parish Church from 28–31 August and the title is, “Speaking Personally: Lateral thinking on the 7 letters to the Churches in Revelation 2 & 3”.
The speaker for 2012 is Bishop Harold Miller, who comments,“The Bishop’s Bible Week is now in its sixth year and until now I have not taken the opportunity to be the speaker. In 2012, however, I want to speak personally and out of a strong conviction that the seven letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 contain timely words for our diocese and the church at large. These are fascinating chapters which no doubt you will have heard sermons on before, but I intend to look at them in a different way – laterally – drawing out common themes in each.”
Medieval Dublin Series Continues
The Friends of Medieval Dublin present the next lecture in their Tales of Medieval Dublin 2012 series on Tuesday August 21 at 1.05 pm at the Wood Quay Venue of Dublin City Council. Poul Holm will deliver ‘The Slave’s Tale’ which will explore the fascinating lives of the many unfortunate men and women who were sold on the Dublin slave market in early medieval Ireland. Some were transported to serve as slaves in places as far away as Iceland, Scandinavia, Normandy and the Spanish Caliphate. Though slaves as a generic group appear in many medieval sources, documents that can tell us about their individual lives, personalities and experiences are rare. In Ireland, a few of these voices have survived and can illuminate for us what it would have been like to be a slave in early middle ages. Poul Holm is Professor of Humanities at the Trinity Long Room Hub, a prestigious research institute for the arts and humanities. He has been a Senior Curator at the Fisheries and Maritime Museum in Esbjerg, Denmark and a Professor at the University of Southern Denmark. He is also a former President of the European Society for Environmental History.
Rise in NI domestic abuse
Telegraph – The number of domestic abuse crimes committed in Northern Ireland has risen by more than 800 in the past year, figures show.
Most attacks were perpetrated against women – although a significant number were aimed at men, the Policing Board said.
The majority were carried out by partners or ex-partners but there was a notable number involving parents and children. An increase was detected in most parts of Northern Ireland.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/data-shows-rise-in-domestic-abuse-16197211.html
Joy abounds as prayers at Katie’s church are answered
Irish Independent – Shortly before Katie Taylor lifted the spirit of a nation, her own wholesome spirit was invoked in a church hall in south inner city Dublin on the night her dream came true. This was where her “family” in St Mark’s Pentecostal Church gathered to will her to victory by force of prayer.
There was a giant television screen where the altar should be and at the back were tables laden with flasks of tea and coffee and plates of Marietta biscuits and custard creams. Volunteers from the Pentecostal church — young men and women, stood at the door: “Welcome. You are all welcome,” they said, to the office workers, Katie fans and television cameras.
With minutes to go, Sean Mullarkey, the pastor, jumped on the stage, an Ireland scarf around his neck, to pray for Katie, and in Christian spirit, her Russian rival for Olympic gold, Sofya Ochigava: “We pray for her opponent. But oh Lord God, we would love her to bring a gold medal home to Ireland.”
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/maeve-sheehan-joy-abounds-as-prayers-at-katies-church-are-answered-3196982.html
Dublin Vacancy
The Parish of Kill O’ The Grange is now vacant.
Parish website: www.KOTG.ie
The rectory, situated close to the church, is in good repair and of a high standard.
To apply for this position and obtain a Parish Profile, please write to:
The Archbishop of Dublin’s Personal Assistant, The See House, 17 Temple Road, Milltown, Dublin 6
Email: archbishop@dublin.anglican.org
The Board of Nomination will not meet before 24th September 2012