Black Santa starts Annual Christmas Sitout; Morning Call in Broughshane; Carols at Christ Church Cathedral; Scouts bring ‘Peace Light’ to Dublin church
Black Santa starts Annual Christmas Sitout
The Dean of Belfast begins his second Black Santa Christmas sitout for charity at St Anne’s Cathedral today Saturday 15 December . In the days leading up to Christmas Eve, the Very Rev John Mann will be joined on the cathedral steps by Cathedral clergy, the Bishops of Connor and Down and Dromore, and members of the Cathedral Chapter including its Ecumenical Canons. This will be the 36th Black Santa sitout, a tradition started in 1976 by Dean Sammy Crooks who, concerned at the emphasis being placed on necessary and costly building programmes at the Cathedral, decided to stand on Donegall Street in front of the Cathedral and beg for the poor and charitable causes. During the past year, Dean Mann has visited a number of local projects supported by funds raised by the 2011 sitout. The Dean said: “I saw at first hand the wonderful work local charities are doing and the huge number of volunteers giving up their time and energy to help others.” The Dean also saw how money donated outside St Anne’s is making a difference to lives of some of India’s poorest people when he visited various regions of India with Christian Aid in November. Fifteen per cent of the money raised by the Black Santa appeal goes abroad, mostly under the auspices of Christian Aid. The other 85 per cent is distributed to charities here in Northern Ireland. Dean Mann said he hoped this year’s sitout would raise close to £200,000. “I am very much aware that these are difficult times for everyone, but charities too are experiencing financial difficulties. Any donation, however small, is always very much appreciated. “Generosity is a source of our own inner peace and wellbeing as we celebrate God’s gift to us once again at Christmas.” The sitout takes place every day until Christmas Eve with the exception of Sundays.
Dean Mann is to be the guest on ‘My Kinda Music’ with Siobhan McGarry on Downtown Radio on Sunday 16 December from 10.00am.
Morning Call in Broughshane
More than 100 children, young people, mums and dads and Sunday School teachers came together for Morning Call, an informal act of worship in the church hall at St Patrick’s, Broughshane. This took place on Sunday December 9 from 10.15am–11am. The service was conducted by The Very Rev John Bond, Dean of Connor, who gave the address with interaction from the congregation. The Dean was assisted by Rev Dr Bob Cotter, Curate. The young people took the prayers and read the lesson. Ms Claire Williamson provided the music. The boys and girls brought gifts for NSPCC and a representative of the NSPCC thanked them on behalf of the charity. Tea, coffee, juice, toast and other eats followed. Dean Bond said: “It was an uplifting and joyful occasion.”
Carols at Christ Church Cathedral
A service of Five Lessons and Carols takes place in Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday December 16 at 3.30 pm. No tickets required.
The festival of Nine Lessons and Carols takes place in Christ Church Cathedral on Monday December 17 at 8.00 pm. Tickets are required for this service.
Scouts bring ‘Peace Light’ to Dublin church
‘It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness’ – A ‘Peace Light’ will be kindled by Arab and Israeli Scouts in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and carried to Europe, the light spreading ever wider and wider. Canon Mark Gardner has accepted the offer of the local Scouts to bring the light to the Church of St Catherine and St James on Sunday December 23, when they will attend the 11.30 am Service. Following the service they will bring the light to St Teresa’s Church on Donore Avenue for 12.30.