No stop for NI International Organ Competition
The organisers state – We are delighted to confirm that the Senior Category of the 10th anniversary NIIOC will run, with an associated Masterclass, on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October St Patricks C of I Cathedral, Armagh. References only required. Huge opportunities and learning experiences to be announced, as well as Individual recordings for personal use. (Pictured: Sophie Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, Chair of Jury)
Hector King sings for us this week. Hector has recently been appointed as Head Boy to MCB for the coming academic year after which he wishes to study Medicine at the University of Cambridge. Hector, who sings Tenor 2, performs Quilter’s ‘Come away” Again, thanks to Donal McCann for his accompaniment.
Resources for USPG Sunday
The Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) is offering recorded sermons as a Sunday resource for parishes. The next recorded sermon from USPG, for Sunday 9 August, has been recorded by the Canon Patrick Comerford of Rathkeale Group of Parishes, who is a Trustee of USPG, and marks the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki. This sermon can be ordered emailing Gwen Mtambirwa, USPG Mission Engagement Co-ordinator [ gwenm@uspg.org.uk ](
CND’s annual Hiroshima Day commemoration
Canon Comerford, who is President of the Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, is speaking at CND’s annual Hiroshima Day commemoration in Merrion Square, Dublin, next Thursday.
Christian politician Frank Field to sit in the Lords
The former Labour and then independent Member of Parliament represented Birkenhead from 1979-2019 and also chaired the Committee for Work and Pensions.
A passionate campaigner on poverty and social justice, he often pleaded with the Government to provide free schools meals to children in summer holidays who would normally get them in term time.
He was a supporter of Brexit and often took a different line from his fellow Labour MPs, resigning from the party – he said over anti-semitisim – in 2018 after losing a confidence vote in his constituency after he sided with the Conservative Government on a Brexit vote. His selection is not aligned with a particular party.
Ian Paisley’s prayers for Sinn Fein deputy First Minister
THE DUP’s Ian Paisley has revealed he prays for Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill every day, saying his faith is “more important to me than all of the political stuff”.
The North Antrim MP admitted to praying for both Ms O’Neill and his party colleague Arlene Foster, even suggesting that leading the DUP is a “lonely place”.
In a frank interview with the Human Nature podcast, Mr Paisley said he hoped praying for the Sinn Fein politician showed people “that I am a person of faith”.
Face coverings in English churches mandatory
Face coverings in places of worship in England will be mandatory from next week, it was announced on Friday by the Prime Minister.
Face coverings have been required in shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, and enclosed transport hubs since 24 July (News, 24 July).
Mr Johnson said on Friday: “We will also extend the requirement to wear a face covering to other indoor settings where you’re likely to come into contact with people you do not normally meet, such as museum, galleries, cinemas, and places of worship. We now recommend face coverings are worn in these settings, and this will become enforceable in law from 8 August.”
The Government had previously stated that from 24 July face coverings were only to be “encouraged” in places of worship (News, 17 July).
Guidance from the C of E, updated on Friday afternoon, said: “We will study detailed government regulations and guidance once they are available and will update our guidance accordingly.
“In the meantime, we continue to strongly advise that face coverings should be worn by all those attending a place of worship, including ministers, worshippers, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors, where there may be other people present; remembering that they are mainly intended to protect other people, not the wearer, from coronavirus and that they are not a replacement for physical distancing and regular hand washing.”
American bishops confront racism and virtual Eucharists
The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops concluded a two-day online meeting by voting July 29 on measures that commit it to confronting racism among its own members, as well as on a pastoral letter that raises concerns about the deployment of federal forces to quell local unrest in places like Portland, Oregon.
The bishops also spent much of the day’s session discussing ways the coronavirus pandemic has upended traditional liturgical practices, but several voiced opposition to opening the door to more controversial practices, such as virtual Eucharist. Many congregations have been unable to gather in person for Holy Eucharist since the initial widespread suspensions of in-person worship in mid-March to help slow the virus’ spread.
Skibbereen Graveyards video series
Bryan Smyth had an interesting item on Skibbereen Heritage videos – Aughadown Graveyard is one of the most beautiful medieval graveyards in West Cork. Located on the banks of the River Ilen, west of Skibbereen town, it contains burials from the Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland and Methodist communities from Lisheen and Aughadown parishes and other areas of West Cork. This short film looks at some of the more famous people buried there – including the soldier who fought with King William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 who is buried alongside a young IRA soldier who was shot in 1922; a doctor who risked his life daily during Ireland’s Great Famine and the man who is credited with saving the name ‘Skibbereen’.
Hymn choice dangers
A preacher was completing a temperance sermon. With great expression he said, “If I had all the beer in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river!” The congregation nodded their approval.
With even greater emphasis he added, “And if I had all the wine in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river, too!” The people clapped and were saying “Amen.”
And then finally, he concluded, “And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river!”
As he sat down, the song leader then stood up quite cautiously and announced, “For our closing song, let us sing Hymn 365: “Shall We Gather at the River.”
Food for thought
Pointers for prayer
There is a big difference in the spread of the virus in different countries, with some places seeing a reduction of cases and others an increase. Let’s pray for sensible measures to be adopted to curb #COVID19 in countries where it seems to be out of control. Mothers Union
Today we give thanks for speech therapists, treating coronavirus patients in ICUs, helping those with difficulty swallowing and those who’ve been on ventilators get their voice back. We thank you for their crucial role in fighting Covid-19 and pray keep them safe.
God in creation
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