360 Miscellany

News and views

Archbishop’s tribute to co-founder of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF)

Archbishop Justin Welby said, “I was saddened to hear of the death of Stuart King, co-founder of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF).

“I remember my visit to the MAF headquarters, in Folkestone in the Diocese of Canterbury, where I met Stuart and Ruth Whitaker, CEO of MAF UK. Caroline and I have had the privilege to fly with MAF in Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.

“Stuart’s tremendous contribution to the founding of MAF has had a profound impact on the ministry of many people across the world and in the Anglican Communion. I pray for Stuart’s family and the MAF staff at this time”.

Service of Consecration in Armagh today

Bishop-designate George Davison recorded a video message on the eve of his consecration as Bishop of Connor. It is on the Connor diocesan web site.

The Order of Service for the Service of Consecration taking place in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, at 4pm on September 3, can be downloaded on the Connor diocesan web site.

This is to enable more people to follow the service as it is live-streamed on the Connor website and Facebook. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only invited guests are permitted to attend the service.

In addition to the live-streaming, there will be photographs and a report of the service on the Connor website and next diocesan magazine.

Dublin’s RevoLectionary is back

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ What is often neglected when we quote this verse is that Jesus is specifically promising to be present in conflict and reconciliation. This is less about the times when we are bowing our heads and more about when we are butting heads.” – UCD Chaplain Scott Evans reflects on ‘Conflict & Confrontation’ in Matthew 16.
http://www.revolectionary.com/blog/proper-18-conflict-confrontation

Dublin City HistFest online

The HistFest is moving online for the first time in 2020. Running from Friday 11th September to Sunday 4th October, all events are free to attend! Check out the full programme here: dublinfestivalofhistory.ie/programme/

Book Spot – New titles just published

Creation and the environment, climate change — and Celtic Christianity, and Franciscan prayers are featured in new books recently published

A Time for Creation: Liturgical resources for creation and the environment, edited by Robert Atwell, Gill Ambrose, Christopher Irvine and Sue Moore (CHP, £9.99 (£8.99); 978-1-78140-185-9)

“A Time for Creation encourages us to praise God for his creation, take responsibility for our actions, repent of our misuse of natural resources and hear the voice of creation itself in our prayer.

“Drawing together texts from Common Worship with newly commissioned material, it offers liturgies for all times and occasions when there is a focus on creation — in daily prayer, services of the word, school assemblies, eucharistic celebrations and seasonal services to mark the agricultural year.

“It has been compiled by the Liturgical Commission of the Church of England and is designed to provide its parishes, schools and chaplaincies with a rich selection of resources for worship and prayer.”

Celtic Christianity and Climate Crisis: Twelve keys for the future of the church by Ray Simpson (Sacristy Press, £12.99 (£11.69); 978-1-78959-115-6)

“Faced with impending climate crisis and the significant and irreparable damage being done to the earth, Christians are looking for inspiration and potential sources of hope. In this book, Ray Simpson, Founding Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, explores some of the key concepts of the Celtic tradition — and some of the criticisms levelled against it. He shows how the Celtic affirmation of creation and of equality and love among human beings hold the key not only for the future of the Church but of the whole planet.”

Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace: The complete prayers of St Francis, St Clare and other early Franciscans, edited by Jon M. Sweeney (Paraclete Press, £22 (£19.80); 978-1-64060-146-8)

“The Complete Prayers of St Francis and St Clare, with Selections from Brother Juniper, St. Anthony of Padua, and Other Early Franciscans We do not immediately associate Francis and Clare with prayer and praying. St Francis, according to the most common legends, rarely sat still. St Clare did, more so, but that was probably mostly because of the convent and the grille and the conventions of the time: she couldn’t be a walkabout friar. However, they did sit still. And they stood. And they danced. And they fasted. And they sang. In all these ways, Francis and Clare prayed for hours each day, as did the brothers and sisters who came after them on the Franciscan way. This prayer book gathers the stories and words of the prayer life and prayers of these remarkable Christians.”

Well said

Pointers to prayer

Lord, don’t let us ever stop being open to learn – from circumstances, others and from you. We want to be those who have open hearts and minds, and are ready to learn the lessons we need to equip us for every stage of life.

Today we pray for education. The attainment gap between poor pupils and their wealthier peers has stopped closing. There are concerns it could widen due to Covid-19. We pray for schools responding to this and for compassionate policymaking to close this gap again.

From 1 September to 4 October, Christians around the world are praying and caring for creation. It’s the “Season of Creation”