Vision Strategy meeting in north Connor; No Ceiling To Hope; Annual Religious Studies Lecture at QUB; General Assembly youth concern; Former judge to chair abuse inquiry
Vision Strategy meeting in north Connor
Ballymoney Parish Centre hosted the fifth in the series of Rural Deanery meetings taking place across Connor Diocese as part of the Vision Strategy process.
Parishioners and members of the Select Vestry from Agherton; Ballintoy and Dunseverick; Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin; Ballyrashane and Kildollagh; Ballywillan; Billy and Derrykeighan; Coleraine and Dunluce were all invited to attend.
The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, spoke about the background to the Vision Strategy and the reasons for it, in particular the need for churches to adapt to the changing culture and communities in which they minister.
The Archdeacon of Dalriada, the Ven Stephen Forde, presented a Powerpoint illustrating examples of Best Practice in the Diocese, and all parishes were given a copy of this. Later everyone then split into parish groups, and each group discussed a series of set issues relating to changes in the context around their parish, signs of a widening gap between the church and the community and their fears and hopes about engaging with the community. They were also asked to think about possible next steps for their parish. These discussions will continue within parishes as the strategy progresses. Following a break for refreshments, Bishop Alan addressed any questions and looked towards the next stage in the strategy before the meeting closed with a short act of worship. The next Vision Strategy Rural Deanery meeting takes place in Eglantine Parish Hall on Thursday June 7 beginning at 7.30pm and is for the Rural Deanery of Lisburn.
No Ceiling To Hope – A night of Worship and Inspiration
Youth workers, and those with an interest in church, community and issues of poverty, this event is for you!
Patrick Regan is the founder of an urban youth charity in London called “the excel project” or XLP as it is also known. The charity serves young people in schools and communities across seven inner-London boroughs. He has written a new book called ‘No Ceiling to Hope- Dangerous stories of grace in action’ which came about as a result of the recent riots in London. Here is some detail about the book’s content
‘Servants of Christ are in the transformation business. This kind of transformation will only happen if we refuse to be seduced by false idols like success, money, fame and security – to be the church we were called to be. We need to take ownership of the problems around us and work with people who are suffering in order to find solutions and offer lasting change. Patrick travels the globe to find examples. In Bolivia he reports how Christian backing for education projects is allowing families to find a way out of poverty. In London XLP is mentoring young people to turn aside from violence. In Los Angeles a new future is being offered to gang girls. In Belfast’s Shankill Road area a group of elderly ladies are cooking meals for men who sit all day in local pubs …the list is extensive, and inspiring. The common element is that in all circumstances the churches are offering hope.’
Patrick is returning to Belfast to promote the book, and to talk about the work he does with XLP. This will be a night of enormous importance for church, community, youth workers and to all Christians who want to do more for their fellow men, women and children. The event promises to be a source of inspiration for all those who attend. Copies of his book will be available to purchase on the night.
Saturday 23rd June : Willowfield Parish Church @ 8pm Admission Free
http://www.goodbookshop.com
Download a free sample chapter of the book here http://www.xlp.org.uk/noceilingtohope.php
Annual Religious Studies Lecture at QUB
Professor Mark Noll (Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame) will talk on the theme of ‘The Bible, Race, and Slavery as an Enduring American Problem’ on behalf of the Religious Studies Research Forum at QUB.
6 Jun 2012 2:00PM I Canada Room, Lanyon Building.
Further information on this interesting event can be found at the following web address: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/InstituteofTheology/ReligiousStudiesForum/Events/AnnualReligiousStudiesLecture/
Organiser Telephone : 9097 4170
Presbyterian concern over ‘missing generation’
Belfast Newsletter – The pressing question debated at the annual conference of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland yesterday was: “Where have all our young people gone?” Representatives of the church’s Youth Assembly were granted an exceptional amount of time to address …
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/presbyterian-concern-over-missing-generation-1-3908046
I want Presbyterians to be …
Slugger O’Toole – In the end, this year’s Presbyterian General Assembly was less headline-grabbing than the recent Church of Ireland Synod. However the outgoing and incoming moderators did tackle some good issues in their addresses on Monday evening. Last weekend I wrote a short opinion piece to accompany Thursday morning’s News Letter coverage of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. As a distraction from the referendum posts, I reproduce it here. Given that this is Slugger, …
http://sluggerotoole.com/2012/06/01/i-want-presbyterians-to-be/
Former judge to chair abuse inquiry
Press Association – They could include Catholic religious orders, state and voluntary groups. There will be an acknowledgement forum for victims to tell their stories and an inquisitorial investigation of evidence and questioning of witnesses. Northern Ireland First …
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5j-zxx3Exz9cD9AOedNx2B7vuFYLg?docId=N0020961338484018430A
Northern Ireland to launch inquiry into clerical child abuse
The Guardian – The late Father Brendan Smyth abused children in Belfast parishes, hospitals and church-owned properties across the border in the Irish Republic. Among the institutions to be examined will be the De La Salle boys’ home in Kircubbin, Co Down.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/may/31/northern-ireland-inquiry-child-abuse?newsfeed=true