Consecration of Bishop of Clogher, Stoneyford double, Ministry Fair, Baptism Festival, Hall re-dedicated for community use, College open day, Limerick music, Christ Church Past Choristers
Consecration of Bishop of Clogher
The Episcopal Ordination and Consecration of The Revd John McDowell, will take place today in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen at 7.00pm..
The president will be the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, The Most Revd Alan Harper. As is customary, he will be assisted by other bishops.
The preacher at the service will be The Rt Revd Suheil Dawani, Bishop of Jerusalem & the Middle East.
The Porvoo Communion of Churches will also be represented, by The Rt Revd Ingeborg Midttømme, Bishop of Møre, Church of Norway.
Stoneyford Parish – confirmation and induction
September 18 was a very special Sunday in Stoneyford Parish (Connor) as the Rev John Farr was formally introduced as priest–in–charge.
On top of this, 18 candidates were presented for confirmation, the largest number in the parish living memory!
The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy officiated at the service, supported by Canon Sam McComb and Diocesean Reader Jim Neill.
The church was filled almost to capacity with around 200 in attendance to support the candidates and to welcome John.
Ministry Fair at St John’s Parish, Lurgan
As part of a process of parish development the congregation of St John’s Lurgan had a ‘ministry fair’ on Sunday September 11th.
The Parish had set aside 21 days to focus on prayer, followed by a period of 70 days during which the members were encouraged to consider ‘having a go’ at getting involved in a ministry of the church. This would allow them to experiment and to explore areas of the church’s life and ministry to see if it is something that they may wish to commit to over a longer term.
The organisations and ministries of the church had done a super job of setting up displays, giving some background information and encouraging people to come and see what they do.
If you would like to find out more about this or indeed any aspect of parish development then do get in touch with Chris Hollies – 07788991267 or see www.leadershipfirst.co.uk
Baptismal festival attracts visitors from near and far
More than 300 visitors, some from as far away as Australia and America, visited Billy Parish Church (north Connor) for its Festival of Baptism.
The festival was held in the church, near Bushmills, on September 10 and 11 as part of European Heritage Open Days
On display were 30 christening gowns and beautiful floral exhibits. An old font, which had been found in the church grounds last year, has been restored and made the centrepiece of the festival.
Along with a travelling font belonging to the parish, currently on display in the Giants Causeway School Museum, there were three fonts in the church over the weekend.
Special services were held morning and evening when the congregation reaffirmed their baptismal vows and also recited the old catechism!
The old rectory gardens were also open to visitors and teas were served in the church hall. The rector, the Rev John Anderson, said: “Billy Church is 195–years–old and this festival weekend has given the parishioners some inspiration for how to mark the 200th anniversary in 2015!”
Completion of work on hall at All Saints’, Craigyhill
All Saints’, Craigyhill near Larne (Connor diocese), hosted a special event on Thursday September 22 to launch the completion of a £50,000 refurbishment of the church hall.
The building has had a complete facelift with a new larger kitchen, access ramp and toilet for the disabled plus new windows and doors and a complete repaint and polish inside.
The refurbishment was paid for with the help of a grant from the International Fund for Ireland administered by the Rural Development Council as part of the ‘Maximising Community Space Crossing Borders Programme’ and representatives from both organisations were present.
Other guests included members of local community groups and clergy from various denominations. Proceedings began in the church with a welcome from Deputy Mayor Councillor Michael Lynch, MBE, followed by choir performances from two local primary schools – Linn Primary and St Anthony’s, Antiville. Afterwards the congregation made their way down to the hall for a prayer of dedication led by the Stephen Forde, Archdeacon of Dalriada.
Roger Thompson, rector of St Patrick’s with All Saints’, said: “We are delighted with our renovated hall and are so grateful for the funding we received to make the work possible. We now look forward to seeing it being used by groups from all sections of our community. It will be great to have new life breathed into the hall through classes and clubs or parties and functions for all age groups. This development is a turning point for us as we strive to support local residents and hopefully draw in new members.”
Anyone interested in using the hall should contact Roger Thompson on 028 2858 3220 or email rqtfi@btinternet.com.
CMS Exhibition – a snapshot of mission work
CMS Ireland is inviting anyone who has taken part in mission work abroad or closer to home to contribute to a photographic exhibition.
Focal Point: Snapshots of Mission will be held in Belfast on September 29 and in Dublin on October 4.
CMSI say the event is aimed a celebrating those treasured experiences and images which come when individuals and groups engage in God’s mission.
To get involved please email your mission photo and caption or short story explaining where and when the photo was taken and why it means something to you to momentum@cmsireland.org.
All are welcome to come along to one of the two Focal Point photo exhibitions taking place on Thursday September 29 at 8pm CMS Ireland Dargan Road, Belfast and Tuesday October 4 at 8pm Holy Trinity Church, Rathmines, Dublin.
College of Education Open Day
The Church of Ireland College of Education is holding its annual Open Day on Saturday 22nd October 2011 from 11am – 2pm. Please contact the College on 01–4970033 for further information.
Limerick Music
In October in St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick there will be a Cathedral Choir Open afternoon, recitals, a lunchtime concert and a special performance for Leaving Certificate students. For details see Music this site.
Christ Church Past Choristers’ Evensong
On Saturday 8 October 2011 at 2.00pm all past choristers of Christ Church Cathedral Dublin are invited to participate in a rehearsal followed by choral evensong at 5.00pm. See Music this site.
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Click on each day at PRAY2DAY – on CNI for A Quote, A Bible Text and a Prayer or two.