Connor parish team helps build new church in rural Kajiado; Children’s Leaders Resource Evenings planned; Lord Eames concerned over Forces’ chaplains cuts; Lunchtime Concert; One year on: What’s happened since Enda Kenny’s landmark Cloyne speech?; IMF proposal on child benefit will ‘victimise children’
Connor parish team helps build new church in rural Kajiado
A team of 15 from St Paul’s Parish in Lisburn spent more than two weeks in Kajiado Diocese in Kenya helping to complete the building of a church which the parish had part funded.
The parish had raised £15,000 towards the cost of a new church in a developing part of the Diocese, and the team was in Kajiado from June 16 until July 3.
The Rev Canon James Carson, rector of St Paul’s, reports:
The travel situation has improved within the Diocese with new tarmac roads; however the church site is four hours drive from Kajiado town and the Diocesan centre. The Diocese has a large site at Imberikani; the new church is the first of a series of new buildings that are planned to develop accommodation and education facilities.
The team stayed at Oltiasika in the Chulo Hills which was a further hour’s drive each day, there and back. The Church was officially opened on Friday June 29 by the Bishop, The Rt Rev Gaddiel Lenini and The Rev Canon Jim Carson who preached at the service.
When the team arrived at Imberikani the first day on their way through to Oltiasika the task was daunting as the church inside and out needed to be painted and twenty benches also had to be made. St Paul’s Lisburn has by tradition a strong work ethic so the team ‘got stuck in’ and within eight days the church was ready, painted, floor cleaned and benches made.
This team worked exceptionally hard so the task could be completed on time. St Paul’s parish also provided the furniture for the new church, pulpit, communion table and chairs in memory of family and friends from our parish. The cross on the church and name plaque was made from wood from old pews in St Paul’s Church in Lisburn.
The church is not just about a building in itself or just about St Paul’s own contribution, the church is about people and partnership.
The team also led three seminars, one for the clergy of the local Archdeaconry, one for the area Mothers Union and then one for Diocesan Lay–readers in Oloitokitok, as it is important to support the leaders and people who will use the church.
It is also about partnership, this project would not have been possible otherwise. The was built as a result of partnership and a growing relationship between Kajiado Diocese, St Paul’s Lisburn and the Church Mission Society Ireland.
On the church in Imberikani there are two plaques, one either side of the door, each has a separate text which is worthy of note. Psalm 127:1 ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain.’ And Philippians 1:4/5 ‘…I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel…’
Imberikani is an area of outstanding natural beauty but harsh semi–desert where the local people compete with wild animals and the shortage of water.
Children’s Leaders Resource Evenings planned
Following on from last year’s very successful Children’s Leaders Resource Evenings, Julie Currie of Down and Dromore has planned 4 more in 4 different venues this autumn.
She will share lots of practical ideas and innovative resources:
• prayer activites – to get children praying
• music workshop – for all abilities
• easy & simple crafts – for Halloween & Christmas
• family faith – that continues on into the home
September
Tues 25 Knocknagoney Parish Hall, Knocknagoney from 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Thurs 27 Magheradroll Parish Hall, Ballynahinch from 7:30pm – 9:30pm
October:
Mon 1 St Saviour Parish Hall, Dollingstown from 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Thurs 4 Seapatrick Parish Hall, Banbridge from 7:30pm – 9:30pm
http://www.downanddromore.org/news/2012/07/Four-Childrens-Leaders-Resource-Evenings-planned-for-the-autumn#more
Lord Eames concerned over Forces’ chaplains cuts
In response to an enquiry in the House of Lords, retired Archbishop of Armargh, Lord Eames, has been told that reductions to the Armed Forces announced by the Government in its 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review will lead to fewer chaplains.
Answering a question by Lord Eames as to what impact planned reductions in the future strenght of the Armed Forces would have on the number of chaplains, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence, Lord Astor of Hever, said it was planned to cut the number of chaplains in the Royal Air Force from 76 to 68 by 2018.
Lord Astor provided the information before the 5th July announcement by the Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond MP, that the Army would lose 20,000 regular soldiers by 2020 and that the Territorial Army would be doubled to 30,000.
It is understood that the number of Army chaplains will be reviewed in the light of these changes. In their joint-forward to the Strategic Defence and Security Review document, Prime Minister, David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was “vital” to bring “back to balance”.
Lunchtime Concert
A lunchtime recital featuring Damien Kelly on guitar will take place in St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street, Dublin on July 26. He will perform works for guitar by Ciaran Farrell, Francisco Tarrega, Leo Brouwer, Augusta Barrios Mongore, Andrew York and Roland Dyens.
One year on: What’s happened since Enda Kenny’s landmark Cloyne speech?
In his most significant speech to date, Enda Kenny was hugely critical of the Vatican following the publication of the Cloyne report. Yesterday marked the first anniversary of that speech.
http://www.thejournal.ie/cloyne-enda-kenny-state-catholic-church-vatican-524720-Jul2012/
IMF proposal on child benefit will ‘victimise children’
Over 200,000 children living in Irish households that are experiencing poverty, say latest figures.
http://www.thejournal.ie/imf-proposal-child-benefit-wvictimise-children-526995-Jul2012/
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/protect-children-and-elderly-from-imf-201373.html