Thank you Christ Church; Gift Aid Forms Online; New President of Irish Christian Endeavour; ‘Schools should decide on ethos v rights’
Thank you Christ Church
Christchurch New Zealand and Christ Church Cathedral Dublin may be at opposite corners of the globe but when 5 major earthquakes and over 10,000 aftershocks struck Christchurch New Zealand between September 2010 and December 2011, the people of Christ Church Cathedral Dublin responded with love and generosity.
Preaching at the Cathedral in Dublin while attending the meeting of the Inter Anglican Standing Commission on Unity Faith and Order (IASCUFO), Bishop Victoria Matthews thanked the cathedral community:
“Because you have been Jesus’ hands and heart for us, we have been able to continue in faith and in turn reach out to those who have lost homes and businesses.”
Reflecting on the demands of the Gospel, Bishop Matthews observed that Christian discipleship “Requires us to step up and become deeply involved in whatever confronts our neighbour.”
“If you are a disciple, the question remains whether you are prepared to get involved and get your hands dirty in ministry. In the words of Jesus “If anyone wants to follow me, he must forget himself, carry his cross and follow me.”
For the people of Christ Church New Zealand this experience had led to a deepened sense of Communion.
“With every step our relationship and communion with one another has deepened and we realised that we are members of the Body of Christ.” Bishop Matthews explained.
Gift Aid Forms Online
For many years, the RCB has offered a service to parishes across Northern Ireland to assist in the preparation and submission of Gift Aid claims to HM Revenue & Customs.
“We can continue to do this for your parish even if you are separately registered as a charity.
“HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Charities has updated the guidance on Gift Aid declarations for new donors and the RCB has created new model declarations to reflect these recent guidelines.The new declarations are available for download from: www.ireland.anglican.org/giftaid
Further information from
finance@rcbdub.org
New President of Irish Christian Endeavour
Newtown Abbey Times – A Ballyclare woman will be named the new president of the Irish Christian Endeavour at the organisation’s national convention on Friday, September 21. CE is an international and interdenominational organisation and Gwen said she thinks every church could benefit from having one. Gwen is looking forward to meeting and encouraging Endeavourers throughout Ireland during her year as Irish president.
http://www.newtownabbeytoday.co.uk/news/local/gwen-to-be-named-president-of-irish-christian-endeavour-1-4253474
‘Schools should decide on ethos v rights’
Irish Examiner – Schools should be allowed to decide on the right balance between their religious ethos and the rights of staff despite plans to give legal protection to gay or divorced teachers, a Catholic schools leader has said.
“Thus a Catholic parish, a Church of Ireland diocese, a synagogue, or mosque could not use religious belief as a criterion for selecting their employees,” he said. “Most people who criticise section 37 do so on the grounds of respect for sexual …
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/schools-should-decide-on-ethos-v-rights-207756.html