Irish Volunteers experience Swaziland with USPG; Music of Dean Swift’s Dublin; History in the air as Stranmillis bell marks Jubilee; Belfast Central CAP Centre trains 3 new debt coaches
Irish Volunteers experience Swaziland with USPG
One of the ways in which USPG Ireland tries to highlight the importance of Global Mission is through the Experience Exchange Programme. They send volunteers from local Irish communities to live and work with the church elsewhere in the world so that they can return home to share the insights they have gained with their local communities. Run jointly by USPG and the Methodist Church, EEP has been in existence for over 40 years and placed volunteers in over 60 countries.
Recent EEP volunteers are Linda Frost from the Church of Ireland Theological College who spent 3 weeks with the Diocese of Swaziland and Nola Nixon from Tandragee, also in Swaziland, working in several Anglican primary schools and pre–schools, during her stay from May until December.
EEP participants must be at least 18, but there is no upper age limit. No special skills are required, but if volunteers have skills they would like to use that is be taken into account. EEP volunteers have taught in schools, worked on agriculture, building or health programmes, helped in vocation and rehabilitation institutions, assisted in administration and children’s and youth work.
Placements can be anywhere, are for between six to 12 months, and are personally tailored for each volunteer based on their preferences, background, skills, and availability. Groups or teams are not normally sent, but occasionally couples have been placed. To date volunteers have gone to Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, South America and Europe.
http://www.uspg.org.uk/index.php
Music of Dean Swift’s Dublin
A lunchtime recital entitled ‘Music of Dean Swift’s Dublin’ with William Dowdall (flute) and David Adams (harpsichord) takes place in St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street on June 21 at 1.15 pm. The recital will include sonatas by Roseingrave, Geminiani and Mr. Fischer’s Variations along with other rare gems from the National Library such as Dubourg’s Variations and more… Admission is free. For information contact 01 – 6767727.
History in the air as Stranmillis bell marks Jubilee
Sixty years ago on the Accession of Her Majesty the Queen, the ancient bell in St Bartholomew’s Church, Stranmillis, rang out in celebration.
History will repeat itself when during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee visit to Northern Ireland, St Bartholomew’s will again sound its glorious bell to mark another historic milestone. The bell, which dates back to the 14th century, will be rung at 11.30am on Wednesday June 27, immediately after the morning service of Holy Communion. The bell in the tower of St Bartholomew’s was the fifth of the ancient ring of eight in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and dates from the 1300s.
After these were replaced by the present larger ring of 14, the Dean of Saint Patrick’s (1935–1950), the Very Reverend David F.Wilson was chiefly instrumental in having two of the bells transferred north, with one installed in Saint Bartholomew’s in 1938. The many historic occasions on which it has rung include the marriage of Queen Mary with Philip of Spain, the Accession of Queen Elizabeth I in 1558 and that of every successive British Sovereign down to Queen Victoria. It sounded forth in thanksgiving for the great victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588, and at the Victories of Derry (1689), the Boyne (1690) and Aughrim (1691). It tolled in honour of the deceased hero at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and to celebrate Wellington’s victory at Waterloo in 1815. It first rang in Stranmillis on November 11 1938, and in 1945 this bell proclaimed in Belfast the final victory of the Allied Forces in the Second World War immediately news was received. In 1952 it rang out once again, this time, in proclamation of the Accession of Queen Elizabeth II having fulfilled a like function in the tower of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, on the Accession of Queen Elizabeth I, almost four centuries earlier. So listen out for the ring of the St Barholomew bell at 11.30am on June 27. It will be the sound of history.
Belfast Central CAP Centre trains 3 new debt coaches
As the financial squeeze continues, the Belfast Central branch of a debt counselling charity is taking on extra staff to bring more free help to those in need. The centre, based at Willowfield Parish Church will from this month be welcoming three new debt coaches to their team resulting in more appointment slots for people suffering from out–of–control debts.
The centre, which opened in 2010, has seen a steady growth in the number of people getting in touch as word has spread of CAP’s uniquely in–depth, caring and face–to–face help.
Also, new at the helm will be former barrister Heather Purdy who has re–trained with CAP to become centre manager of the growing team.
“In my work as a barrister I have seen how money problems at home can create huge problems for the whole family. Now, following a career break, I have re–trained so I can tackle the issue in a new way and I’m really looking forward to making a difference.”
Typically most clients get in touch after personal recommendation while others are referred by local GPs, housing associations and local council offices.
Clients’ creditors are contacted by CAP, a workable budget is set for the household and the charity continues to give support and encouragement until they become debt free.
Heather added: “The centre here in Belfast has been booked up months in advance as we continue to cope with the fall–out from the economic downturn. Extra staff will mean that we have many more appointments available each week and will be able to see and help more people, with much shorter waiting times.”
Contrary to popular opinion debts are rarely caused by overspending alone. The most common reason is a change in circumstance, for example job loss, relationship breakdown, accident or illness in the family.
More than a third of clients say demanding calls from creditors, unbearable stress and feelings of despair mean they seriously considered suicide before getting help.
CAP’s debt counselling is a free service available to all regardless of age, gender, faith or background. It is a UK–wide charity which has partnered with 200 local churches to bring hope and a solution to people in debt.
Find out more about CAP by ringing 0800 328 000 or see:
www.capdebthelp.org