Bishop of Connor to visit Korea for WCC Assembly; Polyester Protestants interview; Clogher MU activities; Music events; Protestant Aid post; Ireland to have Same-sex marriage referendum
Bishop of Connor to visit Korea for WCC Assembly
The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, flies to Busan, Republic of Korea, on October 29 for the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Bishop Alan will attend the Assembly representing the Church of Ireland. He will be one of 3,000 delegates and he will be entitled to vote. He was asked to attend by the Church of Ireland House of Bishops and by the Council for Faith and Unity.
It will be a busy 10 days for Bishop Alan, who flies from Dublin to Busan via Amsterdam and Seoul on October 29 and returns to Dublin via Japan, arriving home on November 9.
On the first Friday of the Assembly he will meet with Anglicans from all over Europe. The Bishop said he is very honoured to have been invited to preach in the Cathedral in Busan on Sunday November 3.
“The theme of this Assembly of the World Council of Churches is peace and justice and in Northern Ireland we have learned a few things about both of these,” Bishop Alan said. “I believe that coming from this wee island we have something to offer into this theme. It will also be fascinating to meet Christians from all over the world and engage with them on issues affecting our different churches and communities.”
See Feature on CNI today on WCC
Polyester Protestants interview
Wendy Austin interviews the Gazette editor, Canon Ian Ellis, on BBC Radio Ulster’s 22nd October 2013 Talkback programme, about the Dublin and Glendalough ‘sectarianism’ controversy. A link to this interview is given here.
Canon Ellis says the first question to ask is what is sectarianism which exists in some form all over the world. He had not heard the term ‘Polyester Protestant’ but the Archbishop had. Canon Ellis stressed that one had to be careful about both language and context. He responded that the address and the subsequent debate had indicated that the Archbishop wanted the matter considered and thought about. Indeed the Archbishop had raised the issue in a speech in Trinity College earlier this year. Before that the archbishop had raised his concern about racism and the church.
Click here to listen – http://www.gazette.ireland.anglican.org/audio/
Clogher MU activities
The Clogher MU Diocesan Autumn Council was held, this year, in Irvinestown. The meeting began with a Service of Holy Communion in Derryvullen Parish Church.
This Service was taken from the liturgy of the Anglican Church of Kenya, which was very interesting. Council then retired to the Parochial Hall where the Revd Canon Glenn West give an interesting and thought-provoking talk on his book “Reflections”. There was then a short business meeting followed by supper kindly provided by the members of Irvinestown Branch.
A Prayer Breakfast organised by the Faith and Policy Unit is to be held in the Killyhevlin Hotel on Saturday 15 February 2014. The speaker is Rev Kathy Trimble, All-Ireland Faith and Policy Co Ordinator for All Ireland. The cost of the Breakfast is £8.00/€10.00. If you would like more details please contact Valerie Stewart on 028 66 387236 or Email: stewartvalerie@hotmail.co.uk
A very successful evening was held on 26th September, in Maguiresbridge Parish Hall for the younger women in the branches of Derrybrusk, Derryvullen and Garvary, Lisbellaw and Maguiresbridge. Elma cheapest viagra on line Nelson, Branch Leader and three branch members provided the most wonderful Curry Supper: Beef Rendang, Chicken Bhuna-style Curry, Chicken Korma, Sides, Rice Naan Bread, Red Onion Orange and Pomegranate Salad, Cucumber Raita. Poppadums and Chutney! Followed by desserts to die for!! The evening concluded with Edel Greene, proprietor of Dolly Bird Beauty Studio, showing us how to look after ours nails. Barbara Clarke, Young Families Rep in the Diocese had her nails manicured and painted for the first time in her life! This was a follow-up to the evening in the Killyhevlin Hotel in April. On this occasion we had some young women who had not been able to attend the previous function. All agreed it was a wonderful evening and thanks was given to the members of Maguiresbridge for their hospitality.
The Ballybay Group held its opening meeting on Wednesday 11th September with a service of Holy Communion in St Maeloid’s Parish Church, Castleblayney. The service was conducted by Revd Margaret Pringle assisted by her husband, Mr Walter Pringle. The Diocesan President, Dr Margaret Knox, spoke on the theme “The Seeds We Sow”. Three ladies received long service certificates, Mrs Mabel Leathem, Mrs Christine Dickson and Mrs Jennifer Leathem. The Branches welcomed visitors from the local Presbyterian Church, including some men! Supper was served after the service and thanks was expressed to the Branch Leader, Mrs Ethel Coulter and the members of the Castleblayney Branch for their hospitality.
The first meeting of Enniskillen Cathedral Mothers’ Union after the summer break took place on Monday 9th September. The branch leader, Mrs Estelle Latimer, opened the meeting by welcoming the many new faces and visitors to the special opening meeting of a new season. She gave a particular welcome to the Rev. Rob Clements and his wife Julie, who were attending their first MU meeting in Enniskillen.
The theme of the evening was “Internet Safety” and was led by Constable Lesley Ward of the PSNI. Constable Ward has the role of educating young people in schools all across Fermanagh on the importance of keeping themselves safe while online on their computers and mobile phones. She highlighted the importance of parents and grandparents being aware of what their children and grandchildren were doing when online and of giving urgent consideration to not allowing children to hide themselves away in their rooms when on the internet. She laid particular emphasis on ensuring that privacy settings, especially on Facebook were checked regularly to ensure that only those who we wanted to see our information, could see it.
Music events
Due to an injury to his hand, Joshua Stevens was unable to give the organ recital yesterday afternoon in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh. A spokesperson said, “We wish Joshua a full recovery and send an apology to all those who had planned to attend the recital.
“We would like to remind you that the next organ recital in the Dean Herbert Cassidy Memorial Recital Series will be given by Revd Dr Peter Thompson on Sunday 24 November 2013 at 4.15pm in the Cathedral.”
Evensong yesterday was sung by the Choir of Christ Church, Lisburn with their Director of Music, Richard Yarr.
The lunchtime recital in St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick on Wednesday will be given by Una Barry (soprano) and Irina Dernova (piano). There will be a retiring collection in aid of the Companions of St Mary’s Cathedral Music.
On Saturday evening last the Gaudete Singers performed ‘An Evening of French Music’, including Faure’s Requiem, in St Bartholomew’s church, Dublin.
BBC Choral Evensong on Wednesday of this week is live from Paisley Abbey
(rpt Sun 3rd November)
Introit: Give us the wings of faith (Bullock)
Responses: George McPhee
Psalms: 147, 148, 149, 150 (Stanford, Stanford, Murrill, Stanford)
First Lesson: 1 Kings 3 vv6-15
Office Hymn : O Lord of heaven and earth and sea (Es ist kein Tag)
Canticles: Magdalen Service (Leighton)
Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 2 vv13-end
Anthem: The Fair Chivalry (Ashfield)
Final Hymn: Ye watchers and ye holy ones (Lasst uns erfreuen)
Organ Voluntary: Improvisation sur le ‘Te Deum’ (Tournemire, reconstructed Duruflé)
George McPhee (Director of Music)
Joseph Cullen (Organist)
Protestant Aid post
Protestant Aid is seeking a charitable services officer.
The post will be half time and paid and will suit an NSM, social worker or similar with pastoral skills and experience in working with people in distress. The charity handles about 1,100 cases annually, distributing about €3/4m. Applications to robin.george@protestantaid.org.
Ireland to have Same-sex marriage referendum
Gilmore: ‘Same-sex marriage referendum will be held before the end of the lifetime of this government’
The Tánaiste said that he hoped a referendum would be held next year, but it could be in the spring of 2015.
http://www.thejournal.ie/eamon-gilmore-labour-youth-same-sex-marriage-referendum-1148813-Oct2013/