Dean Swift at 300; Services and events; New rector of St Bartholomew’s Belfast; New Zealand MU visitor; Millisle’s 60th Anniversary; Church weave for City of Culture; Church under fire for failing to back priests; Slight dip in numbers
Dean Swift at 300
Next Thursday marks the 300th anniversary of the appointment of Jonathan Swift as Dean of St Patrick’s cathedral, Dublin.
While much has been written about Swift as a writer and a controversialist rather less attention has been paid to his role as dean. In fact he was a good dean. He managed the chapter assiduously and defended their rights and privileges, he cared for the fabric, and ensured that there was good plate, service books and music. Indeed such was the appreciation of his care for the cathedral that the now iconic portrait of him by Francis Bindon, which hangs in the deanery, was commissioned.
Swift’s role as dean will be celebrated next week by several events. An exhibition of Swiftiana is already open in Marsh’s Library. On Friday at 4pm there will be a free guided walk of the cathedral area, led by Pat Liddy, which will visit sites associated with Swift. At 6.30pm, ‘Swift in his own Words’ will be an evening of readings on Swift as dean and Swift in Dublin with guest readers. The readings will be punctuated by music from Swift’s time with an emphasis on the works of Carolan.
The celebrations will conclude on Sunday 16 July when the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Richard Clarke, will preach at Choral Evensong which will feature music from Swift’s time. More information available on www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/Swift-300.aspx
Services and events
Today (Saturday), the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, will preside at the Cork, Cloyne & Ross Diocesan Synod in Rochestown Park Hotel.
In St Coman’s church, Roscommon, at 8pm the Sperrin Choir will give a concert in aid of the National Council of the Blind and church funds.
Tomorrow (Sunday) Canon Horace McKinley, Rector of Whitechurch, will be the speaker at the Annual Ecumenical Service at St Colmcille’s Well, Ballycullen Road, Dublin 16. The service, with the theme ‘Gathering in Faith’, will begin at 3pm. At 4pm
The Church of Ireland parish of Gartan will celebrate the life of St Columba on St Columba’s Day, with the annual diocesan open air service at the ruined abbey in Gartan, where the saint started his ministry. The Britannia Brass Band from Derry who will lead the hymn singing, the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Rt Revd Ken Good, will celebrate Holy Communion and the Revd Paul Hoey, Diocesan Development Officer, will speak about the life of St Columba.
On Monday auditions begin in Dublin for the new Christ Church cathedral Voluntary Choir. It is intended that the choir will sing four services each year directed by the cathedral’s Assistant Organist, David Bremner. Rehearsals will be on Wednesdays from 7 to 9pm and the launch date for the new choir is 19 June. Details may be had from David Bremner at 01–6778099 or david.bremner@cccdub.ie See Music reports today on this site.
While the cathedrals have for long been at the centre of the church’s musical life there is also a marked increase in musical initiatives elsewhere. A new series of lunchtime recitals has begun on Wednesdays in St Peter’s church, Portlaoise, where the rector is the Revd Stanley Monkhouse, a former organist of St Ann’s church, Dublin. This Wednesday the recital will be given by Derek Verso who is Organist and Director of Music in St Paul’s church, Glenageary. On Thursday the lunchtime recital in St Paul’s church, Glenageary, will be given by music students from Rathdown School while on Friday the lunchtime recital in Sandford parish church will be by Sharon Carty (mezzo–soprano), Andrew Robinson (viola da gamba) and David O’Shea (harprsichord and organ). C of I news, Irish Times
New rector of St Bartholomew’s Belfast
The Rev Kevin Graham, rector of the Parish of Movilla, Diocese of Down, has been appointed rector of St Bartholomew’s, Stranmillis, Belfast.
Kevin was ordained in 2002 to serve his curacy for St Columba’s Knock in the diocese of Down and Dromore. Later he served as rector in Carrowdore and Millisle (2005–2009)and latterly at Movilla Abbey (2009). He has also been Area Dean of Ards since 2008.
A member of Down and Dromore Diocesan Council and General Synod, Kevin also serves on the Standing Committee of the Church of Ireland and is a board member of NIBSR. He is also an oblate of Holy Cross Monastery, Rostrevor.
Kevin is married to Cheryl and has two boys Jamie, 15, and Luke, 10.
Having gone to train for the ordained ministry sponsored by Connor Diocese he said he is excited to be returning to his ‘home’ diocese. No date has been set for the institution.
New Zealand MU visitor
Clogher Diocese Mothers’ Union welcomed Mrs Marjorie Nevin, Branch Leader of Mothers’ Union in Masterton Branch, Wellington Diocese, New Zealand as she was on a visit to County Fermanagh.
Masterton is 80 miles up from Wellington City. Clogher Diocese Mothers’ Union is linked with Wellington Diocese.
Marjorie was a member of Mothers’ Union in Kent and moved to New Zealand 9 years ago, after the death of her husband, to live with her daughter and son-in-law. During her visit, Marjorie met the Diocesan President Dr. Margaret Knox and the Diocesan Secretary Diane Whittaker, along with other members of the Trustee Body.
She was hosted by Laura Rogers in Inishmacsaint Mothers’ Union and Doreen Earls in Garrison, Slavin, Belleek Kiltyclogher Mothers’ Union . Marjorie attended a Service of Holy Communion in Slavin Church and was entertained to morning tea by the Mothers’ Union ladies. She was welcomed by the Branch Leader Elizabeth Ovens.
Millisle’s 60th Anniversary
In 1953 the church of St. Patrick’s, Millisle was set up by the Parish of Donaghadee and then in 1970 it was transferred to come under the Rector of Christ Church, Carrowdore. Since then the grouped parishes of Carrowdore and Millisle have served their respective communities both individually and jointly.
In order to give thanks for the past 60 years and to look forward to the future a service of thanksgiving and celebration was held on the evening of Trinity Sunday. Bishop Harold Miller preached.
Mrs Eleanor Patterson was present, the late Archdeacon Phiilip having been rector. Other previous incumbents were present including Canon John Bell, Ven Roderic West, Revd Denise Caddoo and Revd Kevin Graham. A variety of guests attended from the community and numerous parishioners – the church was full to bursting.
Praise was led by Jude Frame from Bangor Parish and the service was a real time of celebration and thanksgiving. The current rector is Revd Colin Davis . Several parishioners who were all founder members of the church back in 1953 including May Newell, Violet Stewart, Mary Hackworth and Anne Williamson.
Church weave for City of Culture
The rich tapestry of what makes Derry / Londonderry special is about to be celebrated by St Augustine’s Church.
Known affectionately as ‘the wee church on the walls’ the church is about to mark the UK City of Culture. Anyone walking the famous walls of the city will be able to see The Big Weave Project. The Big Weave is a worldwide community weaving project. It is taking place in Saint Augustine’s Halls from 10 to 29 June. It’s free and open to all. The project will give artists and the public an opportunity to learn new skills and participate in the creation of a unique piece of community artwork. The process of weaving is reduced to its simplest form so that anyone can have a go and enjoy the experience. Given Londonderry’s long history of garment making this is a particularly apt public art project. The project has many different threads. For anyone feeling peckish St Augustine’s will have The Big Eats – its very own ‘pop–up’ restaurant. Part of the project includes The Wandering Weave when, on Wednesdays, the looms travel to Ebrington Square. School children will also be regular visitors. The project will involve Foyle Disability Resource Centre and Foyle Multi–Cultural Forum. Ivan Taylor, one of the project organisers said,
“Why not drop in, weave a thread and help in the creation of legacy tapestries in celebration of COC2013. We love our city and the diversity that makes it special”. Revd Pat Storey, Rector of St Augustine’s says, “We want residents and visitors to the city during the UK City of Culture 2013 celebrations to be part of a creation of a series of woven tapestries.
These will be gifted to the city and be part of the legacy of a great year for the city. Sitting on the site of St Columba’s original monastery St Augustine’s shows it is both ancient and modern. Visitors can follow the Big Weave on Facebook (St Augustine’s – Weave), Twitter (@derryweave), or on the brand new St Augustine’s App.
Church under fire for failing to back priests
Irish Examiner – His solicitor Robert Dore said Fr O’Brien’s civil challenge did “great service” to the body of priests.
But Mr Dore said the Killorglin curate, very vulnerable at the time of the allegations, was “deeply, deeply, disappointed” at the lack of support …
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/church-under-fire-for-failing-to-back-priests-233500.html
Slight dip in numbers
Belfast Newsletter – The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has recorded a slight decrease in pew membership.
The general assembly was told that total church membership stands at 237,481, with the number of families at 102,273. This is a drop of one per cent which the Presbyterian Church has been experiencing for some years, in common with other established Irish churches.
However, it is reliably estimated that adherents to mainstream Irish Presbyterianism are well in excess of 300,000, with congregations only returning those who financially contribute or attend worship regularly.
In terms of Sunday-by-Sunday giving through freewill offerings, church income has increased by five per cent to £37million.