Archdeacon Announces Retirement; Launch of Braemor Studies; Eco Congregation Ireland response to IPCC Report on Climate Change; Events; Lough shore tribute to Amazing Grace author; Protests continue at Ballynahinch church; Graffiti daubed on church walls
Archdeacon Announces Retirement
The Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Venerable Robin Bantry White has announced that he intends to retire from stipendiary ministry on 1st March, 2014.
Within the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, as well as being Archdeacon, he fulfils a dual ministry as Incumbent of Moviddy Union and also half-time Assistant Hospital Chaplain (at Cork University Hospital/Cork University Maternity Hospital, Marymount Hospice and the Bon Secours Hospital, Cork).
The Archdeacon has served in the Diocese for 34 years, since 1979 when he was appointed to the Incumbency of Abbeystrewry Union (Skibbereen, C0. Cork). He was ordained deacon in 1972 and priest in 1973 and served first in two curacies in the Diocese of Dublin (Zion Parish, Rathgar, followed by Taney Parish, Dundrum). After ten years in West Cork he moved in 1989 to the large Cork suburban parish of Douglas Union, with Frankfield, before commencing in his current post in 2002. In 2009 he was elected to a canonry in the Church of Ireland’s National Cathedral, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin where he is Prebendary of Castleknock.
Robin Bantry White will not only be missed from the key role he fulfils in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, but also in the wider Church of Ireland in which he is energetically involved in key roles. He currently serves on the Representative Church Body (as well as its Executive Committee, and its Library and Archives Committee); on the General Synod and Standing Committee, to both of which he is a Clerical Honorary Secretary; on the Board of Education of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland; and on many other committees of the Church.
Hearing the news, the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton said:
The Archdeacon is a key role in the Diocese as well as in support of the ministry of and on behalf of the Bishop. I know him to be, and he is also widely recognised throughout the Church of Ireland as, ‘a great Archdeacon.’ More than that, he has been a faithful priest in every capacity in which he has been serving throughout his ministry. When the retirement does come he, together with Faith, his wife, will be greatly missed.
Launch of Braemor Studies
Next Wednesday evening in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute the Braemor Studies series of publications will be launched by Dr Christina Baxter, a former Principal of St John’s College, Nottingham, and currently an external examiner in CITI.
Braemor Studies will be a vehicle to publish the best of the final year dissertations by ordinands in CITI and to showcase the work of the Institute. The initial three titles are New Monasticism – a Catalyst for the Church of Ireland to Connect with Society (Revd Jonathan Campbell–Smyth, curate of Jordanstown)), The Place of Lament and the ‘Catharsis of the Complaint’ in Response to the Problem of Evil (Revd John Godfrey, curate of Galway) and The New Masculinity Movement: a Viable Model for Engaging Men with God and the Church? (Revd Alister Morrison, curate of Ballyholme).
Braemor Studies are edited by Dr Susan Hood, Publications Officer of the Church of Ireland, and published by Church of Ireland Publishing. They are available from the Good Bookshop in Belfast (sales@goodbookshop.com) and from the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin (library@ireland.anglican.org) at €7/£6 each or 3 for €17/£15.
Eco Congregation Ireland response to IPCC Report on Climate Change
Eco–Congregation Ireland’s new chairperson, the Revd Andrew Orr , has issued the statement below following the publication on Friday 27 September 2013 of the latest IPCC report on climate change: ‘The latest IPCC Report from the UN on Climate Change confirms what they had said before: the world is suffering climate disruption at a speed that is unprecedented, and they are now 95% confident that humans are causing it.
The levels of carbon in the atmosphere are already greater than any time in the last 800,000 years. The effects of this will get worse and will last for centuries, unless we take drastic action now. As US Secretary of State John Kerry says: “Those who deny the science or choose excuses over action are playing with fire”.
‘This is a wake–up call to governments, corporations and all of us to do what we can to limit destructive greenhouse gas emissions. The Churches should be taking a lead in modelling best practice among their congregations, and encouraging parishioners to put pressure on companies and our governments to take immediate and effective action to tackle climate disruption.’
The Revd Andrew Orr, Rector of Tullow Church of Ireland parish, Co Carlow, took over as chair of ECI on 23 September 2013. The previous chairman was Catherine Brennan SSL, who is the Roman Catholic representative and was in the chair for over five years.
Eco–Congregation Ireland was initiated by the Church in Society Forum – a standing committee of the Irish Inter–Church Meeting – in 2005. It is supported by the Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist churches and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Ireland. Its vision is to see churches throughout Ireland celebrate the gift of God’s creation, recognise the interdependence of all creation and care for the environment in their life and mission and through members’ personal lifestyles.
Web: http://ecocongregationireland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eco-Congregation-Ireland/142612159092325?fref=ts
Events
On Wednesday the lunchtime recital in St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick will be given by Susan O’Leary (flute), Michael Dooley (bassoon) and Colette Davis (piano) who will play music by Beethoven and Lalliet.
In the Armagh Public Library on Thursday evening at 7.30pm there will be a public lecture by Professor John Thompson, Director of the Institute for Collaborative Research in the Humanities in Queen’s University, Belfast, on ‘Anglican Book Collectors in Ireland’.
On Friday evening the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, will institute the Revd Paul Bogle as Rector of Trim. Mr Bogle has been curate of Dunboyne and Rathmoylon since his ordination in 2010.
Lough shore tribute to Amazing Grace author
A mosaic-tiled viewing platform has been unveiled to mark the spot where the author of Amazing Grace began his conversion to Christianity.
Opened yesterday by the DUP’s Jonathan Bell and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, the site commemorates anti-slavery advocate John Newton.
Sited on the edge of Lough Swilly, close to Castle Bridge, Co Donegal, it has been placed as near as possible to the site where he came ashore after surviving a near-shipwreck.
Thereafter he referred to it as the moment he began his spiritual journey.
Ruth Garvey-Williams, secretary of the Amazing Grace Initiative, said the whole idea began back in 2006 when member Mike Mullins read about Mr Newton’s remarkable story and raised it with the local council.
Speaking about Newton’s arrival on the lough’s shores, Mrs Garvey-Williams said: “It was at a very crucial point in his life.
“Up until that point he was self-described as a wretch. He was involved in the slave trade.
“He was travelling to Liverpool from Africa, and because of the trade winds they had a very circuitous route.
“He was caught in a violent storm, and found himself crying out for mercy. He thought: ‘what mercy can there be for me, a wretch?’”
In real danger of sinking, and with its crew in despair, the ship nonetheless managed to make it to safety.
According to Mrs Garvey-Williams, Newton “stepped ashore a changed man”, and even visited Londonderry’s St Columb’s Anglican Cathedral in Londonderry to take communion as the vessel underwent repairs.
She said he nonetheless remained actively involved in the slave trade for a further six years, although he later became a staunch opponent of the industry – and even mentored leading abolitionist William Wilberforce.
The platform project cost around E30,000 and was paid for by the Inishowen Development Partnership using European funding, and by Buncrana Town Council.
Its mosaic design incorporates the words “Amazing Grace” plus an image of the ship itself – The Greyhound.
Joining the Northern Ireland ministers at the launch were the Inishowen Gateway Singers.
Marking the occasion, Stormont junior minister Mr Bell said: “It is extraordinary to think that John Newton’s safe delivery to these shores at Buncrana on that fateful night of April 8, 1748 inspired him to write one of the most well-known and best-loved hymns in the world.”
Mr McGuinness said: “As one of the world’s best-known hymns, ‘Amazing Grace’ has worldwide appeal that will draw people to this beautiful part of Ireland, where John Newton started his spiritual journey.”
Protests continue at Ballynahinch church
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/protests-continue-at-ballynahinch-church-1-5560174
Graffiti daubed on church walls
Sectarian graffiti has been daubed on the walls of Ballyarnett Presbyterian Church in Londonderry.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-24419508