Acheson book launch; CIPSMA Conference; Minister left overwhelmed by dignified farewell to Lady Thatcher; Celebrate Our Hospice!
Acheson book launch
A new book by Alan R Acheson entitled Bishop John Jebb and the Nineteenth–Century Anglican Renaissance is to be launched by The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson,
Archbishop of Dublin, at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast on Tuesday 30 April at 12.00 for 12.30pm. Published by Clements Academic Publishing, it is a critical and timely study of John Jebb which highlights the scholarly influence, sensitive spirituality, and personal charisma of a long–neglected, pivotal leader of the Anglican Renaissance. It shows, too, his relevance to contemporary Anglican ecclesiology and integrity through his perception of the need to hold Catholic and Reformed traditions in a creative and prophetic tension. As such it will be of interest to all those who desire to see the restoration and revival of Anglicanism today.
Bishop John Jebb (1775–1833), Fellow of the Royal Society, was a leader in the pre–Tractarian Anglican Church: as preacher, author, orator, and prolific correspondent. His works on liturgy, scripture, and biography were published in both London and America and influenced the fledgling Episcopal Church of the USA. As a Bishop of the United Church of England and Ireland — he was Bishop of Limerick — Jebb was close to William Howley, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1828. His correspondents included government ministers, theologians, English and American bishops, and above all his kindred Irish spirit Alexander Knox. Other close friends were William Wilberforce, Robert Southey, and Madame D’Arblay (Fanny Burney). Jebb engaged with both High Churchmen and Evangelicals: he preached at Clapham and Hackney, and in his last years influenced early leaders of the Catholic revival, notably Hugh James Rose and William Palmer (of Worcester College, Oxford)
The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh says, ‘Bishop Jebb’s churchmanship combined the very best of the high church and the evangelical, in a catholic view of the sacramental life of the Church, a warmth and directness in preaching, an intellectual rigour, and a concern for the pastoral care of all. He is richly deserving of a modern biography. In this series of essays, Alan Acheson brings to life both the complexity and vitality of a great bishop.’
The author, Dr Alan R. Acheson is a former Headmaster of Portora Royal School and The King’s School, Sydney. He is the author of A History of the Church of Ireland, 1691–2001, and has also taught church history in Trinity College, Dublin. He has served on the General Synod of the Church of Ireland and is a former member of the Anglican Consultative Council.
CIPSMA Conference
The third annual CIPSMA Conference will take place on Saturday April 27 in The Kings Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin 20.
The theme of the Conference is ‘Practical Governance of our Primary Schools in Contemporary Society’ and there will be a series of workshops throughout the day on the subjects of cyber bullying in primary schools, legal pitfalls and how to avoid them, RE in schools, special needs in the mainstream school, unforeseen risks and responding to the crisis in small schools. The day will begin with an act of worship in the Chapel at 10.30 am.
The Conference is for principals, chairpersons and all members of Boards of Management.
Minister left overwhelmed by dignified farewell to Lady Thatcher
Dr Stafford Carson, minister of First Portadown Presbyterian Church, represented the Presbyterian Church in Ireland at the funeral of Baroness Margaret Thatcher at St Paul’s Cathedral last week
With the Moderator, the Rt Rev Roy Patton, currently at a church conference in Jamaica, Dr Carson – who was Moderator in 2009 – was selected to attend the funeral where 2,000 guests, led by the Queen, paid tribute to the Iron Lady.
He was one of several representatives – mostly political – from Northern Ireland at the solemn occasion. They included DUP MPs Nigel Dodds, Jeffrey Donaldson and Gregory Campbell, as well as Alliance’s Naomi Long and Independent Lady Sylvia Hermon, while UUP leader Mike Nesbitt also attended. Former Upper Bann MP – and NI’s original First Minister – David Trimble was also there along with Lord Kilclooney.
Dr Carson, though, was most taken with the fact that the occasion was basically a funeral service, devoid of speeches and politics and concentrating on the Christian elements on Baroness Thatcher – especially her Methodist roots. A main participant was the Rev Ruth Gee, President Designate of the Methodist Conference, while the service included the traditional Methodist hymn ‘Love Divine all Love’s Excelling’ to the great Welsh tune Blaenwern.
Said Dr Carson, “It proved that the British and the Church of England can meticulously organise wonderful occasions like this. It was dignified, solemn and I learned that it had been organised months, even years, ahead with the co-operation of Baroness Thatcher. And we mustn’t forget that it was primarily an occasion for her grieving family.
“Of course, the presence of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh gave it that added edge, and it was wonderful to be there and to represent the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and to represent Portadown.”
He added, “The music was truly magnificent and inspiring, especially the soaring descant of the wonderful choir and the organ during the singing of Blaenwern. That brought a lump to the throat. Guests included people as diverse as the Prime Minister, Terry Wogan, Henry Kissinger, David Frost and the entire British Cabinet. Nobody does it better than the British.
“I was delighted, too, that there were no protest within earshot of St Paul’s. The crowd acted with great dignity and there was a respectful ripple of applause out in the street after the service. Whatever one thought of Margaret Thatcher, at least she was shown respect and that really struck me. It was indeed a hectic day in my schedule and a true honour to be part of it all at St Paul’s Cathedral.”
Celebrate Our Hospice!
The Northern Ireland Hospice warmly invites you to join them for a service of celebration at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast on 28 April at 3.30 pm. They write…
“Three decades ago we held a service at St Anne’s Cathedral to launch Northern Ireland’s first ever Hospice. Northern Ireland Hospice is now beginning a vital and exciting new chapter to rebuild Somerton House and make our vision for the future of hospice care a reality.
“In celebration and recognition of all that Northern Ireland Hospice has achieved, church leaders will join us and special guests for an uplifting and joyful occasion. We hope you, your family and friends, will join us to reflect and look forward to an exciting new future for Northern Ireland Hospice.
“If you would like to join us please RSVP to Laura Gray on 02890777123 or email: fundraising@nihospice.org