360 Miscellany

Pictured above is Sabrina Cooke, newly ordained Deacon with her children, Alexander and Helena Cooke Nivet, at The Ordination of Deacons by the Right Rev. Dr. Richard Clarke, at the request of The Bishop of Cork Cloyne and Ross, at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Church Army in print

The new Catalyst magazine and Prayer Diary are both out now.
View them online or sign up to get your free copy in the post from
Catalyst: [ churcharmy.org/catalyst ]
Prayer Diary: [ churcharmy.org/pray ]

St Anne’s Shandon

Protestant German Pastor remembered at Yad Vashem

On 30 August 1942, in his overflowing church, Protestant Pastor André Trocmé urged his congregants to “do the will of God, not of men.”

Stressing the importance of fulfilling the commandment of offering shelter to the persecuted, for years Trocmé urged his congregants to protect “the people of the bible.”

The village and its outlying areas were filled with hundreds of Jews in hiding. The entire community banded together to rescue Jews, viewing it as their Christian obligation.

As news spread of the community’s mass rescue activities, Trocmé was arrested and interned. While in the internment camp, the camp commander tried to pressure Trocmé to sign a commitment to obey all government orders, but he refused to comply.

Learn Pastor Trocmé’s fate on Yad Vashem’s online exhibition “I Am My Brother’s Keeper: A Tribute to the Righteous Among the Nations” [ https://bit.ly/3grEL5r ]

The exhibition contains a section labeled “Under the Wings of the Church” which examines stories of Christian church leaders and clergy who took great risks to save Jews during the Holocaust.

APCK bookshop corner of Howard Street and Donegall Square West.  Pre 1970.

Remembering a noted Belfast harpist

George Derek Fleetwood Bell, MBE (21 October 1935 – 17 October 2002)

Derek Bell was born in Belfast. Because he had been misdiagnosed at an early age as having a disease that would lead to blindness, his parents gave him a musical upbringing. He was something of a child prodigy, composing his first concerto at the age of 12.

He graduated from the Royal College of Music in 1957. While studying there, he became friends with the flautist James Galway. From 1958 to 1990 he composed several classical works, including three piano sonatas, two symphonies, Three Images of Ireland in Druid Times (in 1993) for harp, strings and timpani, Nocturne on an Icelandic Melody (1997) for oboe d’amore and piano and Three Transcendental Concert Studies (2000) for oboe and piano.

He joined the Chieftains in 1972 and soon became an integral part of its quest to reclaim the tradition of Irish sounds. He also pursued a successful solo career while working with the band

The Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Dr Houston McKelvey, who conducted his thanksgiving service said: “Derek Bell’s immense musical talent and his personality touched innumerable people around the world. He was an ambassador for Belfast and the entire island of Ireland.

Clerical vacancy

The Grouped Parishes of Arklow, Inch and Kilbride are now seeking to appoint an Incumbent. This parish, with three churches and a national school, is located in picturesque south east Wicklow. The rectory, situated close to St Saviour’s Parish Church, is in excellent repair.

To lodge an expression of interest, please write to: The Archbishop of Dublin’s Personal Assistant, Archbishop’s Office, Church House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Email: [ archbishop@dublin.anglican.org ]

Well said

Pointers to prayer

Today we pray for low-income families. Around 80% report to be worse off financially and this has taken a toll on the health and well-being of those worst affected. We pray for your provision and for compassionate, radical policymaking to eradicate poverty.

God in creation

Isle of Bute