News and views
59 years’ service in parish choir – Shortly before lockdown, Bassett Morwood decided to stand down from the choir of St Polycarp’s, Finaghy, after an incredible 59 years’ service.
When the church reopened, a presentation was made to him on behalf of the choir following a morning service. This was a ‘thank you’ for his remarkable record of dedication and loyalty to the choir and St Polycarp’s, for his contribution to the church’s music and worship, and for his friendship to all.
The Rev Louise Stewart, rector of Finaghy and Upper Malone, said: “Bassett’s melodic tenor voice will be greatly missed from the back row of the choir stalls and a mere ‘thank you’ seems so inadequate after such dedication and commitment.
“Happily, Bassett’s voice will now augment the congregational singing when that is permitted, so he and his wife, Angela – who has 40 years’ service in the choir – can still join us together in worship as we glorify God in St Polycarp’s.”
Register of the Cathedral Church of St Columb, Derry, 1732–1775 – Edited by Colin Thomas
Between 1906 and 1915 the Parish Register Society of Dublin published twelve volumes of Church of Ireland parish registers, mainly, but not exclusively, from the city and county of Dublin. This work was taken over, in 1920, by the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead which published extracts from parish registers in its Journal until 1934.
In 1994 the Representative Church Body Library, which is the Church of Ireland’s principal repository for its archives and manuscripts, began a new programme of publication. This register is the twelfth volume in this series.
Rector of attacked church hall responds – “We’ll get this cleaned up together and move on.” The Rev Linda Cronin, rector of Glenavy, says she has been overwhelmed by the support of the community following a graffiti attack on St Aidan’s Parish Hall earlier this week.
The slogans `Republicans Against Drugs’ and `RAD’ were dubbed on the wall of the building and also on the fence of the property overnight on Monday/Tuesday.
The incident was caught on CCTV and has been passed on to the police.
Linda was instituted as rector of Glenavy last February, just a few weeks before the Covid-19 lockdown. Services have been held online ever since, and plans to reopen for services last Sunday (September 13) were put back as Glenavy is one of the Northern Ireland areas currently under tighter coronavirus restrictions.
Linda, who moved to Connor Diocese from Telford in Shropshire, said the incident had been ‘most disappointing.’
“I’ve only been here for six months and this is my first negative experience,” she said. “But we as a community in Glenavy are pulling together as we have done throughout Covid, and we won’t be deterred. We’ll get this cleaned up together and move on.”
The attack was condemned by local Alliance councillor David Honeyford, who said: “I feel absolutely gutted for our local Church of Ireland family to have their hall abused by local thugs.
A new theological college in the north west of England – has appointed its first dean.
Rev Dr Michael Leyden will serve as the head of Emmanuel Theological College, which is due to welcome students in Autumn 2021.
“I am so very honoured to be asked to become the first Dean of Emmanuel Theological College: to help enact the vision to train and equip Christ-centred, mission-minded, and hope-filled leaders for our region is thrilling,” Leyden said upon news of his appointment.”
Leyden, who is currently Director of St Mellitus College, North West, will be supported by the Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Mark Tanner, as Chair-elect of the Emmanuel Theological College Board of Trustees.
Welcoming Michael, the Bishop of Penrith, the Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, said: “Michael has an impressive track record as a theologian and educator, and he is also deeply grounded in ministry in the region, all of which will make him an excellent Dean of Emmanuel Theological College.”
Alexa Book of Common Prayer – Report that a new Amazon Alexa Echo skill will recite from the Book of Common Prayer. [ https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/thy-will-be-done-alexa-read-me-the-prayer-book-23qv6pmv9 ] The Times view on Alexa and prayer: leading-edge liturgy [ https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-times-view-on-alexa-and-prayer-leading-edge-liturgy-x2nfs2pz3 ]
Songs of Praise – This Sunday Kate Bottley visits a unique Saddleworth farm, and new team member Katie Piper meets Christian farmers in Wales. Plus a special performance from Martin Smith
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As long as we continue living, we must continue praying’. (M. Henry). Pray for those in authority, making the biggest calls of their lives. Pray for the health & strength of our NHS workers. Pray for those who are sick. Our prayers are powerful so let’s commit to praying them
Today we pray for those working to deliver increased levels of testing as cases rise. Labs have reached a ‘critical pinch-point’ in processing as more people seek tests. We pray for well-resourced and well-managed testing and resilience for those delivering tests.
Well said
Pointers to Prayer
As long as we continue living, we must continue praying’. (M. Henry). Pray for those in authority, making the biggest calls of their lives. Pray for the health & strength of our NHS workers. Pray for those who are sick. Our prayers are powerful so let’s commit to praying them
Today we pray for those working to deliver increased levels of testing as cases rise. Labs have reached a ‘critical pinch-point’ in processing as more people seek tests. We pray for well-resourced and well-managed testing and resilience for those delivering tests.
Next Saturday (19th) CMSI are hosting Ignite, its annual conference, which this year will be online. Despite the change in format, pray that many can participate in the gathering and that the event will be a source of inspiration and encouragement.
From 1 September to 4 October, Christians around the world are praying and caring for creation. It’s the “Season of Creation”
God in creation
‘Deepen our awareness of your presence:
teach us reverence and love for all that you made.
– We adore you, our Lord and God.’
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