Secretary of State Paterson breaks ranks on gay marriage; Donegal clergy to hold protest at referendum; Clogher fund raiser; Day of Personal Renewal and Revival; Limerick Muslim Christian Dialogue; Leaders’ event with Keith Getty; Part-time Family and Pastoral Worker – Monkstown, Connor; C of I parish in Dublin’s city center ‘Camino’ marking Eucharistic Congress; New Wine Sligo Summer Conference 2012; Bishops would support a day of atonement
Secretary of State Paterson breaks ranks on gay marriage
Politics Home – Owen Paterson MP, the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, has become the first cabinet minister to come out in opposition to gay marriage.
In a letter to a constituent petitioning him to support the legislation, the Northern Ireland Secretary writes: “Having considered this matter carefully, I am afraid I have come to the decision not to support gay marriage…
“The Prime Minister has made clear that he supports equal civil marriage and the Government is rightly consulting widely on this issue before making any changes to the current position.”
He is the first cabinet minister to come out against the principle of the legislation. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has described it as “a distraction”, but his comments reflected concerns about the timing, rather than the content, of the bill.
Also:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/22/tory-minister-opposes-gay-marriage?newsfeed=true
Donegal clergy to hold protest at referendum
CIN – An outspoken County Donegal Catholic priest and his Church of Ireland counterpart have organised a number of vigils outside schools, many of which will be used as polling stations in the county on the day of the referendum on the EU Fiscal Treaty, which is scheduled for Thursday May 31st next. Fr John Joe Duffy and Church of Ireland rector John Dean have organised hour-long vigils outside schools in Donegal as a protest over education cuts in the county.
The two priests, who are both based on Arranmore Island, have stressed they are taking no part in the referendum and are holding the vigils to send a clear message out to the government that investment in education must be a priority.
In a statement, they said, “The objective would be to have a presence of parents, children, teachers and members of the general public, with placards outside the school gates reminding the government that they need to prioritise education investment now and protect education, protect the future of our children.”
http://www.cinews.ie/article.php?artid=10212
Clogher fund raiser
A fundraising coffee–tea morning extended into a soup lunch will be held in aid of Co. Monaghan Protestant Orphan Society on Friday the 25th of May between 10.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. The event will be held at Bishopscourt, Newbliss Road, Clones. This magnificent house is a former Episcopal residence for Bishops of Clogher as well as once being the rectory for Clones Parish. Mrs Miriam Moore, the present owner and a Vice–President of the Society, will host the morning.
At 12 noon, Mr George Knight, a renowned local historian, will speak on: ‘The Maddens of Springrove and the Hands of Bishopscourt‘. Mr Knight’s talks are always captivating and well–researched. His presentations are both vivid and informative.
Apart from enjoying one another’s company in the tranquil and beautiful ambience of Bishopscourt, there will also be an opportunity to buy cakes and plants, and thereby support the important work of the Society.
The Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd John McDowell, President of the Society will be present.
Day of Personal Renewal and Revival
A day for renewal and revival will be held in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast on Saturday 23 June 2012 from 10.30 – 3.30pm. This event is organised by Interdenominational Divine Healing Ministries.
Speaker programme
10.30 am Brother David Jardine, Director of Divine Healing Ministries
11.00 am; Rev. Dr. Heather Morris, Director of Ministry, Edgehill Theological College
11.30am; Rev. Charles McMullan, Minister of West Church, Bangor
12 noon; Canon David Brown, Rector of the Church of the Annunciation, Knocknagoney
12.30 pm; Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxilary Bishop of Down and Connor
1.00 pm; Rev. James Burnett, Minister of Lowe Memorial Presbyterian Church, Finaghy
1.30 pm; Rev. Oliver Crilly, Parish priest of Tamlaght O’Crilly and a regular contributor to Radio Ulster
2.00 pm; Bishop Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe
2.30 pm; Sister Eibhlin Hegarty, Sister of the Dominican Order, Falls Road
3.00 pm; Joan Weir, Member of the team of Divine Healing Ministries
3.30 pm; Closing word from Brother David Jardine.
Limerick Muslim Christian Dialogue
Today there are over 50,000 Muslims in Ireland. More than half the population of the entire world belong to either Islam or Christianity. Promoting dialogue and building peace between these two religious communities, which have built up centuries of mistrust and fear between them, is vital for the world and for Ireland.
Mid_west Interfaith Network is working with Cois Tine from Cork to promote Muslim Christian Dialogue in Limerick.
On Saturday 30th June
From 10:45 a.m.
at Limerick Enterprise Development, Roxboro Rd.
there will be day conference to work towards effective dialogue. Christians and Muslims will meet together to talk about their faith and ways in which good relationships can be built between us.
Booking is essential as space is limited and we need an idea of how many we will need to provide lunch for. You can register your intention to come here or by contacting Rev. Dr. Keith Scott at 061398647 or by e-mail.
Leaders’ event with Keith Getty
New Irish Arts invites church leaders, worship leaders and music directors to a special lunchtime event organised as part of their June concerts with Keith & Kristyn Getty.
Hosted by Gettymusic and with lunch provided, the event will give you an opportunity to hear Keith speak about his vision for vibrant, theologically rich congregational singing. There will be time for questions and informal chat over lunch.
It’s all happening in Holywood Baptist Church from 11.00am–1.00pm on Friday 1 June. Space is limited and registration is on a first come first served basis.
To book your place please email: joni@gettymusic.com
Part-time Family and Pastoral Worker – Monkstown, Connor
The post is a part time post (20 hours per week), and forms part of the leadership team of the church. The principle role of the post is to develop and lead the church’s ministry with families who already have a link to the church and also to develop links between the church and families from the wider community.
The post is a part time fixed term post for one year – renewable by the agreement of both parties.
The church is located at Cashel Drive Monkstown, Newtownabbey.
Job descriptions and application forms can be obtained from, Denise Anderson 13 Riverdale Park Ballyclare BT39 9DG or jdmanderson@yahoo.co.uk
Closing date is Friday 15th June 2012, Interviews will be held in last week of June.
C of I parish in Dublin’s city center ‘Camino’ marking Eucharistic Congress
CN – A new city center “Camino,” or pilgrim walk, has been launched in Dublin as part of the celebrations surrounding the International Eucharistic Congress set for June 10-17.
The walk, involving prayerful visits to seven of Dublin’s most historic Catholic and Anglican churches, is partly inspired by the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain and partly inspired by the traditional Dublin devotion of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday.
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1202114.htm
New Wine Sligo Summer Conference 2012
The New Wine Ireland Sligo Summer Conference 08 Jul 2012 — 13 Jul 2012 gives both individuals and churches the opportunity to be a part of a huge celebration of God’s goodness, generosity and grace.
New Wine is not just a week–long summer conference, it’s a movement of Christians and local churches working together, each playing their part in their own unique location but with one vision: to see the nation changed by our Lord Jesus. Find out more and book by visiting the New Wine Ireland website:
http://www.newwineireland.org/index.php/site/sligo/
Resources available to advertise the event in your church. Email the New Wine Ireland Office at: info@newwineireland.org
Bishops would support a day of atonement
Irish Examiner – The country’s bishops would support the holding of a national day of atonement where the Church, State, and citizens seek forgiveness for the legacy of abuse in industrial schools. A spokesman for the bishops this week said they would not be against the idea once it was “sensitively organised” and not a rushed exercise.
Standing at the altar of a Co Waterford church during Mass on Sunday, 67-year-old survivor Christopher Heaphy raised the idea of an annual day of atonement which he said would act as an “everlasting reminder for everyone that such disgraceful treatment of the weakest in our society must never again be allowed to happen”.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/bishops-would-support-a-day-of-atonement-194691.html