Job losses in Larne a ‘severe blow’; Armagh farewell service; Ray Davey lecture series; Minister assaulted; Dublin Ordination; Team from Belvoir Parish in India; Clogher Children’s Ministry event; Bishop at Kilkenny Great War book launch
Job losses in Larne a ‘severe blow’
News of major job losses at FG Wilson is ‘a severe blow,’ the Bishop of Connor and the Archdeacon of Dalriada said yesterday in a statement.
The Bishop the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy and The Ven Stephen Forde, Archdeacon of Dalriada and rector of Larne and Inver, issued their statement in the wake of news that 760 jobs are to go at FG Wilson’s sites in Larne, Belfast, Springvale and Monkstown.
The statement reads: “News of the loss of 760 jobs from FG Wilson’s comes as a severe blow for the communities of Larne and Monkstown in East Antrim, and also the community in West Belfast.
“At this time of rising unemployment, the loss of any person’s job is devastating for individuals, families and the wider community.”
The statement continues: “Church of Ireland, ministering through its local parishes and the Diocese of Connor, and in co–operation with other churches, offers its support to every individual affected by this news.
“We also encourage local elected representatives and the Northern Ireland Executive to do everything within their powers to reduce the impact of these job losses, and create new job opportunities for this highly skilled workforce.”
Armagh farewell service
On Friday the retirement of the Archbishop of Armagh will be marked with a farewell service in St Patrick’s cathedral Armagh. Archbishop Harper was ordained in 1978, following an early career in archaeology. He has served in the dioceses of Derry, Connor and Armagh. He was consecrated as Bishop of Connor in March 2002 and was elected as Archbishop of Armagh in February 2007. The Archbishop will chair his final meetings of the Standing Committee of the General Synod and Representative Church Body on 18th September.
Ray Davey lecture series
Corrymeela will be hosting a series of lunchtime lectures over the course of the next year entitled the Ray Davey Lecture.
The inaugural lecture will take place on UN Peace Day 21st September 2012. The venue will be at The Mac in Belfast on the 4th floor in the ‘Hub’ room. The speaker will be Rebecca Dudley, Human Rights Policy consultant formerly of the Human Rights Commission. She will be speaking on Human Rights & Peace Building.
The lecture will take place from 1.30pm – 2.30pm with registration at 1.00pm and tea/coffee on arrival.
This is part of a new programme of Corrymeela activities in Belfast.
Minister assaulted
BBC – A minister has been assaulted by a gang in Strabane in County Tyrone.
The Rev Richard Bryant said he and his wife were just yards from the church with his wife when he was attacked in broad daylight.
He said he was hit on the head and fell to the ground.
Rev Bryant said he would recognise his attacker if he saw him again and would welcome him into his church.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-19596226
Dublin Ordination
Deacon Interns – Mrs Edna Wakely and Mr Rob Clements – will be ordained by Archbishop Michael Jackson tomorrow September 16 in Christ Church Cathedral at 3.30 pm. The preacher will be the Revd Canon Patrick Comerford.
Team from Belvoir Parish in India
In July, Revd Jeremy Mould, curate in Belvoir Parish, took a team of 20 young people and adults to Salem, India. The team, which included a doctor and a nurse, went to encourage the work of the Indian Christian Mission Centre (ICMC).
The ICMC supports 800 orphans on 3 sites, providing them with clothing, accommodation, meals and an education up to degree level (if academically capable.)
During their stay in Salem the team spent time with the children at the 3 orphanages, who performed a ‘Bollywood’ style dance for them. They visited St Basil’s school and St Patrick’s church, sang songs, did dramas and some Irish dancing and gave talks.
They met a large community of leprosy victims and also had the privilege of attending the wedding of the youngest son of Pastor Jay (who leads ICMC).
On the practical side, the team spent two whole days painting a large number of murals to brighten the buildings up. They gave out toothbrushes, class by class, and demonstrated how to use them properly.
They also held a general medical screening clinic for 600 children which included de–worming them all!
It wasn’t ‘all go’ however. The team shared devotions together every day and also found time for a little shopping. Happily they also fitted in a cooling visit to the local hill station as the temperature was in the mid to high 30s throughout their visit.
Clogher Children’s Ministry event
Bob Hartman will speak on “Bringing the Bible to Life” at Rossorry Hall on Monday 19th November at 8.00pm.
Bob Hartman is a renowned author and story teller who is the key speaker at Building Blocks Conference this November in Ballymena.
For further information contact Wendy Houston via Rossorry Parish Office
028 6632 9889
Bishop at Kilkenny Great War book launch
Irish Times Social Network – Dr Michael Burrows, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, travelled to Dublin from Kilkenny for the launch of Kilkenny Families of the Great War at the Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club on Thursday evening. He’s not long back from a trip to Austria. “I enjoyed walking in the mountains; it was all very Sound of Music,” he told me.
The book was written by Niall Brannigan and John Kirwan and identifies nearly 3,000 people from Kilkenny who served in the first World War. Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan said, “We’re only used to battles on the hurling field in Kilkenny. We don’t regard it as a war, except when we’re playing Tipperary.”
The O’Morchoe – Rtd Maj Gen David Nial Creagh – who is president of the British Legion in Ireland, enjoyed the launch. He showed Queen Elizabeth around the War Memorial Gardens when she visited last year.