Historical Society – November Conference; Institution in St Bartholomew’s, Stranmillis; Installation of Vicar at Lisburn Cathedral; Wicklow Parishes Say Farewell to Rector; Chaplain to Kingston College installed; Welfare reforms ‘will cost NI £750m’; Two-thirds of Cork’s homeless have mental conditions – report
Historical Society – November Conference
The next meeting of the Church of Ireland Historical Society will be held in the Chapter Room, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on Saturday 2nd November
PROGRAMME
• 10.30am – Coffee and registration
• 11am – Dr Jason McElligott, ‘How John Hewson signed his name: or, how to spot a monster in an archive’
• 12pm – Mr Liam O’Rourke, ‘The chaplains of the Church of Ireland: paths to preferment 1660–1714’ [Research Paper]
• 12.45pm – Launch of the Church of Ireland Historical Society website
• 1pm – Lunch
• 2pm – Dr Sylvie Kleinman, ‘His Grace is rather occupied: Bishop Joseph Stock, Enlightenment diarist, eyewitness to war and chronicler of history, c. 1773–1800’
• 3pm – Dr Jacinta Prunty, ‘Battle plans and battle grounds: Protestant missions in the Dublin slums, 1840s to 1880s’
Speakers:
• Dr Jason McElligott is the head librarian and CEO of Marsh’s Library, Dublin. He obtained his PhD in history from the University of Cambridge. He has wide research interests in the field of early–modern print culture. His publications primarily focus on the history of the book; the history of reading; the growth of printed propaganda; and the theory and practice of censorship.
• Mr Liam O’Rourke holds an M.Litt from NUI Maynooth. He is currently studying for his PhD at the University of Kent. His research examines the social, economic, pastoral and political role of the eighty–two bishops that served in Ireland between 1660 and 1714.
• Dr Sylvie Kleinman is a member of the Centre for War Studies at Trinity College, Dublin. Her thesis is being revised for publication under the working title: ‘The War in Words Translating, Persuading, Invading: United Irishmen and French military strategy (1792–1805).’
• Dr Jacinta Prunty is senior lecturer in the department of history at NUI Maynooth. Her research and teaching interest encompass all aspects of urban, social and cartographic history, with a particular focus on the history of town mapping. She is a member of the editorial board of the Irish Historic Towns Atlas and has published widely on 19th and 20th century Irish history.
Launch of the Church of Ireland Historical Society website:
To mark the launch of our website there will be a brief demonstration of what people can expect. This includes a new online membership scheme, access to podcasts, discounts on books, and the latest news and events.
Registration:
The annual subscription was fixed last November at £35 or €40. Non–members are most welcome. They are asked to subscribe £7 or €10 to assist with conference expenses.
Queries may be either addressed to the honorary secretary, Dr Adrian Empey, by email at: secretary.coihs@gmail.com or visit the society’s website: www.churchofirelandhist.org The Church of Ireland Historical Society meets twice a year: in the Public Library, Armagh, in April, and in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, in November. It exists to promote scholarly interest in the history of the Church, and to facilitate publication.
Institution in St Bartholomew’s, Stranmillis
The Rev Kevin Graham was instituted as rector of St Bartholomew’s, Stranmillis, by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, on September 26.
Parishioners from both Kevin’s previous parish of Movilla Abbey, Newtownards, Diocese of Down, joined his family, friends and Stranmillis parishioners for the service.
Following the presentation of the incumbent–elect to the Bishop by the Archdeacon of Belfast, the Ven George Davison, the lessons were read by Prof Roddy Cowie, diocesan reader attached to St Bartholomew’s; the Rev Colin White, assistant priest at St Bartholomew’s; and the Rev Christopher Woods, a friend of Kevin’s who now ministers in England, but was a former curate–assistant of St Mark’s, Dundela, East Belfast.
After Bishop Abernethy preached and instituted Kevin as rector of the parish, members of the congregation brought forward symbols of the teaching, pastoral and sacramental ministry of an incumbent.
Following the service, the congregation shared in fellowship and refreshments in the Church Hall, where proceedings were chaired by the Rev Louise Stewart, deputising for the Rural Dean of South Belfast, Canon Robert Jones, who was officiating at a family wedding in the Republic of Ireland.
A member of Movilla Abbey paid a warm tribute to Kevin’s ministry there and thanked him for all that he had contributed to the parish’s life, worship and witness during his time as its rector. Prof Cowie, on behalf of St Bartholomew’s, welcomed Kevin, his wife Cheryl and sons Jamie and Luke to the parish and said how much everyone was looking forward to working with the new rector at what was the start of a new era of ministry in the life of the parish.
Installation of Vicar at Lisburn Cathedral The Rev Simon Genoe was installed as Vicar of Lisburn Cathedral at a service on Tuesday October 1.
Simon, who has been curate assistant at the Cathedral since 2009, was installed by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy. The Rev Mark Harvey also spoke at the service.
Simon grew up in Monaghan. After leaving school, he had a year out in Larne working for the Church of Ireland Youth Department, studied teacher training for four years at Stranmillis in Belfast and then went to Theological College in Dublin.
Simon is married to Zara
Wicklow Parishes Say Farewell to Rector
Parishioners of Wicklow and Killiskey bade a fond farewell to their Rector of 21 years on Sunday, September 30. Canon John Clarke is retiring and took his final service in a packed Wicklow Parish Church. The emotional service featured hymns, songs and prayers which Canon Clarke had selected and music was provided by organist Neville Cox, the Unity Gospel Choir and the Worship Warriors.
In his sermon, Canon Clarke said he was not going to pretend to anyone that he had become a saint during his 44 years of ordained ministry. However, he said he had had someone to follow, someone to love him and had the deepest conviction that a loving God was at the heart of everything.
He said that during the wonderful summer he had a glimpse of what retirement might be like and he hoped to be able to do some of the things he had always wanted to do. But he added he was going to miss being such a part of the community.
He paid tribute to his wife, Jessica, who he said showed him the emotional heart of a problem rather than the problem which had been presented.
Canon Clarke said that one of the joys he had experienced in Wicklow was the genuine sense of ecumenism and the ease in which the people moved in and out of each other’s churches.
“There are a lot of people to be thankful for and a lot to be hopeful about because God’s Spirit is working in the church. We are a group of ordinary people who are moving forward. We are a pilgrim church and the journey doesn’t stop here,” he concluded.
Following the service there was a party for John and Jessica in East Glendalough School. Master of Ceremonies was Norman Douglas. Rural Dean, the Revd Nigel Sherwood, outlined Canon Clarke’s history in ordained ministry and said that clergy in the Diocese of Glendalough identified him as a father figure. He said John had been involved in the Church of Ireland at parish, diocesan and national level. He also paid tribute to Jessica and the couple’s children Lucy, Andrew and Peter.
Former principal of Glebe National School, Hilda Heavener, thanked Canon Clarke for his 21 years of faithful ministry on behalf of the parishes. She said that 2013 was the year of The Gathering in Ireland and little did they know at the beginning of the year that they would be having their own gathering to say farewell to John. She said the large attendance showed the high esteem in which he was held in Wicklow and Killiskey.
Mrs Heavener said that Canon Clarke had always been very supportive of the Glebe and Nun’s Cross National Schools and his ministry was kind and compassionate. She thanked him for his loyalty, commitment and pastoral care.
Presentations were made to Canon Clarke by former principal of Nun’s Cross National School, Stephanie McDonald, honorary treasurers of Wicklow and Killiskey, Olwyn Bond and Amanda Mooney.
In reply Canon Clarke said it was wonderful to see so many people present and said it gave a wonderful warm sense of a family which was how he liked to think of the church. He said that liturgy was the work of the people and there were so many people who brought something to the service on Sunday and to every service. He thanked everyone who worked behind the scenes and those involved in the worship as well as everyone who was involved in catering for the farewell party. He also thanked the Revd Ken Rue, associate vicar of Wicklow and Killiskey, and his wife Lesley for their contribution to the parishes since their arrival in 2011.
Chaplain to Kingston College installed
The Reverend Canon Tom Sherlock was presented by the Trustees of Kingston College to the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, on Wednesday 2nd October and was installed as Chaplain of Kingston College.
The new chaplain then undertook his first duty as Chaplain by conducting Morning Prayer for the residents of the College who were joined for the occasion by guests from the wider community and local churches. Afterwards the trustees entertained everyone to lunch at the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown.
Welfare reforms ‘will cost NI £750m’
Reforms to the welfare system are expected to have a greater financial impact in Northern Ireland than in any other part of the UK, a report says.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-24372180
Two-thirds of Cork’s homeless have mental conditions – report
A new report by the Cork Simon Community says that early school leavers and those who encounter legal trouble are far more likely to end up homeless.
http://www.thejournal.ie/simon-report-shows-need-for-supports-1110796-Oct2013/