Covenant Centenary Service at St Anne’s Cathedral; Exploration of eucharistic worship; Clogher GFS Coffee Morning; Ballymacash major Scouting anniversary; Meeting of Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland bishops; Clogher ordination; Press review – Children’s referendum; Male suicides; Loyalist parades discussions
Covenant Centenary Service at St Anne’s Cathedral
The Centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant will be marked at Evensong in St Anne’s Cathedral at 3.30 pm on Sunday 23rd September.
The service, which is to be attended by political, religious and civic representatives, is to include a time of reflection and the lighting of a candle of hope and celebration beneath the Spire of Hope. It will combine a looking back to the historical context of the signing of the Covenant, considering the path that we have taken over the past 100 years and looking to the future.
The preacher will be the Dean of Belfast, The Very Revd John Mann. Everyone is warmly welcomed to attend.
Exploration of eucharistic worship
Nigel Kirkpatrick, Rector of Gilnahirk, writes on an on going exchange in Belfast, “a group of clergy drawn from four major Christian traditions in the greater Belfast area has been promoting an initiative intended to encourage people, including clergy, to attend celebrations of Holy Communion together. We acknowledge the differences that exist in theological interpretation and liturgical practice, but feel that the joy of being present at the Eucharistic worship of another Christian tradition will deepen understanding of how the sacrament and liturgy is conducted in our respective Churches. Some time in the future, it may be possible to share totally in a common Eucharist.
“In May, we were invited to attend a celebration of Holy Communion in Fitzroy Presbyterian Church. The next celebration will be in St.Oliver Plunkett’s Roman Catholic Church, Lenadoon on Thursday 27th September 2012 at 8pm.”
Directions to St Oliver Plunkett’s Church, Lenadoon
Exit M1 for Stockmans Lane and follow roundabout leaving at exit for Kennedy Way
At next roundabout take 1st exit on to Andrestown Road
Drive through Anderstown passing Leisure Centre on your left
Pass Ballyowen Health Centre and St Genevieve’s School
Look for Greenways Newsagents on left
Turn right into Lenadoon Drive
At top of the hill turn left into Glenveagh Drvie
St Oliver Plunkett Church is 1/4 mile on left
Clogher GFS Coffee Morning
Revd Isobel Nixon, Diocesan Chaplain is hosting a Coffee Morning at her home, 59 Granshagh Road, Enniskillen on Saturday 6th October from 10.00am – 2.00pm. Proceeds are in aid of Girls Friendly Society ‘World Project – Solomon Islands’. Revd Isobel worked in the Solomon Islands for 10 years and has some interesting items from the islands in her home.
Solomon Islands, as a developing nation, has encountered problems which affect young people. There are many social issues within families and communities. Some of the social issues on the increase are teenage pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, teenage marriages, domestic violence, substance abuse and criminal activities.
School drop outs have very little or no opportunity regarding jobs, sewing, and craft, weaving and catering. Financial illiteracy is a very serious problem.
Objectives of the GFS Project:
• To equip women and girls with the skills necessary to carry out activities in leadership for community development.
• To enable women, girls and youth to participate in community affairs and development especially in decision making processes.
• To equip and empower young women with knowledge and skills enabling them to support the GFS programmes in the communities and churches.
• To raise awareness of social issues affecting families and communities.
Ballymacash major Scouting anniversary
An important Scouting anniversary will be marked over the weekend of September 21–23 at the Church of Ireland Parish of St Mark’s, Ballymacash.
It is 85 years since the Scout patrols meeting at Ballymacash were first registered as a separate Scout Troop.
On Friday September 21 this milestone will be celebrated with a tree–planting ceremony at 7.30pm in the grounds of St Mark’s. The trees will be planted by Mrs Iris Currie in memory of her late husband Ernest who served for many years as Chairman of the Scout Group Council, and by Mrs Audrey Gifford, a former Scout Group Leader, in memory of her late husband Bob Gifford who was leader of the Cub Pack from 1970 to 1983.
On Sunday September 23, following the 11.00am Youth Parade Service, the congregation will be invited to view a historical exhibition in the Parochial Hall. This traces the history of Scouting in Ballymacash and a comprehensive collection of artefacts, photographs, scrapbooks and reports will be on display. The exhibition will be open for viewing from noon to 4.00pm.
Scouting began in Ballymacash in 1911 when the Rev TJ Armstrong, Curate of Derriaghy, introduced a Scout Troop to the Parish with patrols meeting at the Schoolhouses in Derriaghy and Ballymacash. The first Scoutmaster was Lieutenant Edward (Eddie) Brown who was killed in action during the Great War of 1914–1918.
Meeting of Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland bishops
A second meeting of representatives of the Irish Episcopal Conference and of the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of Ireland took place in Dublin earlier this month. Presentations were offered on:
• The ecumenical and evangelistic possibilities provided by the recent International Eucharistic Congress
• The perspectives of the churches as partners in Irish education on current issues in that area
These joint meetings are held in the spirit of the recommendation of the International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission that Roman Catholic and Anglican bishops in individual countries should meet from time to time for prayer, fellowship and discussion of common concerns.
Clogher ordination
The Revd Caroline Mansley, who currently serves as Curate Assistant in Magheraculmoney Parish in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Clogher, was ordained to the Priesthood by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd John McDowell, at a service of ordination in St Mary’s Church, Ardess on Holy Cross Day, Friday 14th September.
Caroline was born in Northern Ireland but spent most of her life in England. She studied History at the University of Bristol and re–affirmed her faith at Christ Church, Clifton. She also met her husband Nigel there. They lived in Bristol, Devon and Hampshire before returniing to Nigel’s hometown of Bangor, Co. Down in 1997.
She recently served as Intern Deacon at Willowfield Parish in East Belfast as part of her Masters in Theology degree from Trinity College Dublin. The preacher at the service was the Revd Canon David McClay, Rector of Willowfield.
PRESS REVIEW
Children’s Referendum: New article gives State stronger intervention powers
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/childrens-referendum-new-article-gives-state-stronger-intervention-powers-3234393.html
Major report explores reasons behind male suicide
The Samaritans report says that when men don’t reach a ‘gold standard’ they can feel a sense of shame, which in turn can lead to suicidal thoughts.
http://www.thejournal.ie/male-suicide-ireland-601225-Sep2012/
Concerns mount over loyalist parade in Belfast
Irish Times – The order, which is organising the parade commemorating the centenary of the signing of the anti-Irish Home Rule covenant, said it will only play hymns when passing St Patrick’s Catholic church, but to date has not agreed to formally talk to the local …
NI Assembly rejects call over parades meeting
RTE.ie – A parade is due to pass by St Patrick’s Church on Donegall Street in Belfast later this month. It marks 100 years since the signing of the Ulster Covenant in opposition to Irish Home Rule. Last month, loyalist bands defied the Parades Commission and …