360 Miscellany – News, views, resources, and online events

Globe-shaped candle stand focus for Covid prayer in Cork

Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork opened temporarily on Saturday past, 7th November, for personal prayer as permitted by current level 5 regulations, to allow members of the public to come in to light a candle in memory of those who have died as a result of Covid-19.

A specially chosen globe-shaped candle stand had been commissioned and manufactured in Sweden which was the focal point for candle lighting and prayer.

Bishop Paul Colton had originally sourced the stand for use in conjunction with a prayer area being developed in the Cathedral during the period of historic centenary commemorations.

However, with the onset of the pandemic, it was decided to bring it into use sooner to meet the more immediate need for Corkonians to remember those who have died from Covid-19 both here and across the world.

Bishop Paul Colton and Bishop Fintan Gavin dedicated the new candle stand in a private ceremony prior to the Cathedral opening to the public on Saturday morning.

The Dean of Cork, the Very Revd Nigel Dunne said, “Who would have thought that something planned for marking commemoration of past sufferings would have been so badly needed for present times? Our brief re-opening on Saturday during this important weekend is but a small but important opportunity for people to find somewhere to remember and pray, albeit briefly and in a controlled environment”.

My Family, the Holocaust & Me with Robert Rinder – TV Tonight

With the scourge of anti-Semitism still high on the news agenda, this distressing two-parter couldn’t come at a better time. It’s a Holocaust-focused version of Who Do You Think You Are? fronted by Robert Rinder.

Two years ago he appeared on the genealogy series to explore his maternal ancestry, and this time he delves into the tragic tale of his father’s. The show also follows other British Jews whose ancestors survived the Holocaust but who carried scars – literal and emotional – that infected generations.

“I feel like I was born into a state of bereavement,” psychologist Bernie Graham, whose mother arrived from Frankfurt on the Kindertransport, says. While, actress Louisa Clein and her sister, cellist Natalie, explore the mystery surrounding their maternal grandmother and her sister in Amsterdam.

The erudite Rinder gives an impromptu closing speech while standing over a mass grave in Belarus containing his murdered relatives. The aim of such harrowing investigations, he says, is “to name them and to the most limited extent give them back part of their humanity.”

BBC One, 9pm; Scotland, 10.45pm

A Grief Observed – online Book Discussion

Belfast’s Eastside Partnership is holding this event on Sunday 22 November 2020 at 7.30 pm exploring this work by local author CS Lewis.

In April 1956, C.S. Lewis married Joy Davidman, an American poet with two small children. After four intensely happy years, Davidman died of cancer and Lewis found himself alone again, and inconsolable. In response, he wrote ‘A Grief Observed’, freely confessing his pain, rage, and struggle to sustain his faith. In it he finds the way back to life.

Now a modern classic, ‘A Grief Observed’ has offered solace and insight to countless readers worldwide. Join us as we gather together to openly discuss this, his last book. Hosted by Richard Ryan- owner of The Book Well bookshop on the Belmont Road.

This event is open to all, regardless of whether you’ve previously read the book or not. Register your interest at –
[[] https://eastside.ticketsolve.com/shows/873622474 ]

You can purchase a special edition of ‘A Grief Observed’ at a special rate for the festival from the link below
[ https://thebookwell.co.uk/agriefobserved ]

Local suicide prevention charity had seen a 40 per cent rise in calls in a week

The chair of the Irish Bishops’ Council for Healthcare has said that religious faith can increase people’s personal resilience. Writing in the Sunday Independent, Bishop Michael Router noted how people have been consumed by the battle against Covid-19 over the past eight months. Referring to the recent deaths by suicide of two young men in the same small parish in Co Cavan, Bishop Router highlighted how a local suicide prevention charity had seen a 40 per cent rise in calls, mainly from young people, in one week alone. “It is incumbent on all of us to reverse this trend,” he said. Last Sunday week 26 cathedrals across Ireland held liturgies for all those who have died from Covid-19 and other causes, especially suicide.

Good Friday Agreement never foresaw Brexit, Professor Mary McAleese

Professor Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland, warned of the threat to peace in Northern Ireland posed by Brexit, in a podcast interview with Senior Times magazine. “The Good Friday Agreement never foresaw Brexit and did not have built into it a mechanism for dealing with such a phenomenon. So it hasn’t been road-tested against Brexit. Nor has it been road-tested against a referendum on partition,” she said in a reference to the question of a possible future poll on uniting both parts of Ireland.

Brand New Christmas Album from New Irish Arts

“Ireland in Christmas Praise LIVE” is launching 13th November.

14 great Christmas songs recorded in the Waterfront Hall by
the New Irish Choir and Orchestra and New Irish Youth Choir.
Featuring Paul Baloche, Sylvia Burnside, Dana Masters and Brian McAlea.

Includes In the Bleak Midwinter, Sing we the song of Emmanuel, Noel, Come Adore the Humble King and O Come All Ye Faithful (with audience).

Bring the atmosphere of “Ireland in Christmas Praise” into your home, car or headphones this Christmas!

For the first time ever New Irish are releasing these beautiful remixed and mastered live recordings from the Waterfront Hall, so you can experience Ireland in Christmas Praise whenever you like. You might even hear yourself singing along!

In this difficult year, many people have been asking how you can help New Irish Arts. Buying copies of their albums as gifts is a great way to help their ministry.

You won’t find this one on Spotify or iTunes, but you can pre-order physical copies now to receive on 13th November or buy digital copies from New Irish website from the release date –
[[] https://www.newirisharts.com/shop ]

New Irish also have a special offer on their website of any 4 of their CDs for £32 (including shipping). This deal will be available until 30th November.

Whitewell Tabernacle latest church to close after Covid outbreak

One of the largest churches in Northern Ireland – Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in north Belfast – has been forced to shut due to a coronavirus outbreak.

The pentecostal church said its services would go online from yesterday (Sunday 7) after some members of the congregation tested positive for Covid-19.

Several Protestant evangelical churches have had to close over the last few weeks due to coronavirus outbreaks.

Three Free Presbyterian churches – Hebron in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, and Hillsborough and Moneyslane in Co Down – closed temporarily from the end of last month.

In a statement, Whitewell’s pastors said: “Due to some of our congregation having tested positive for Covid-19 this week, and in the light of increasing infections in our community we think it only right to make the decision that our services will be online only for the next two weeks starting this Sunday the 8th of November.

“This is for the safety of all our members and the wider community”.

Well said

Pointers to Prayer

Pray for all oppressed people in our lands and around the world and for all in Church Army who seek to help people find freedom from all manner of circumstances.

God in creation

Castle grounds, Antrim by Justin McClean