Presbyterians must embrace change urges new moderator; Ancient Church Launches App; Prayer Day for Revival; Birds of Paradise ministries; Honest punters boost novel cafe; New lay Catholic association set up to stem “crisis” within the Church
Presbyterians must embrace change urges new moderator
News Letter – The new moderator, turning to transformation outside the church, praised those who, he said, “are working hard to transform life within Ireland – seeking to make this island a better place for us all to live in”.
Addressing the General Assembly in Londonderry, he referred specifically to police officers, community workers, politicians, businessmen and women, teachers and not least parents raising their children.
Dr Craig said: “There are few, if any, who do not want Ireland, north and south, to be a better place for their children: a place where jobs and opportunities are being created, where sectarian hatred is being eroded and where a shared future has become a reality.”
Observing that within society there are “some people who share our Christian faith; others have walked away from their Christian heritage; and there are those who even are opposed to our Christian way of life,” Dr Craig suggested how the church could have a role of change in wider society.
One way, he thought, was for churches to partner with those who shared common ground working together to transform the lives of others, particularly the weak and marginalised.
The Presbyterian Church should be a place of transformation where people can be challenged and changed for the better, the church’s new Moderator the Rev Dr Rob Craig said last night.
Dr Craig, speaking at his installation at the Presbyterian General Assembly in Londonderry, said this can be done by Presbyterians “having encountered the living God” through the worship and in the lives of the people they meet within the church.
Dr Craig succeeds the Rev Dr Roy Patton as moderator for a year. This is the first time in 80 years that the annual general assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has met in Londonderry.
Dr Craig, minister of Kilfennan congregation on the city’s Waterside for the last 19 years, welcomed the 1,000 delegates and guests to the city.
He referred to the spotlight that is currently on Londonderry, its culture and the celebration of creative arts. And he asked Presbyterians to consider a view of culture that was wider and, he admitted, maybe more simplistic, thinking of it as “the way things are done around here”.
Dr Craig said: “We may not even be aware of our culture, see nothing wrong with our culture and can easily believe that if only others could see things our way and adopt our culture then the world would be a much better place.”
“Such an attitude posed a threat to the possibility of any transformation for the better,” he said. “If within the church we are to honour our calling to be a place of transformation then we dare not become prisoners of our own church culture,” he said.
Dr Craig paid tribute to founder members of his own congregation who had embraced change when reluctantly they had closed the Great James Street church in the Cityside due to falling numbers of worshippers to form the new Kilfennan congregation in the Waterside area.
He said: “More than 30 years ago, the Presbyterian congregation of Great James Street underwent its own kind of transformation leaving a lovely building to begin the new congregation of Kilfennan with no assurance of what the future would hold.
“Yet within a very short time, few within the new congregation of Kilfennan doubted the wisdom of the move; and those of us who have benefited have often saluted the courage of those who were willing to respond positively to what was happening around them; and who did not remain prisoners within their own culture.”
Ancient Church Launches App
A Church of Ireland church situated on the oldest Christian site in Derry / Londonderry has just launched its very own app. St Augustine’s, situated on the original site of St Columba’s first monastery, announced that the app has just gone live. It is one of the few churches in Ireland to have its very own app.
The growth of mobile computing has taken everyone by surprise. In the past year tablet computers in use has vastly increased. The number of people in Ireland who have a smart phone is now estimated to be almost 1.2million. An app is simply a software program that you use online or on mobile devices, such as a smart phone or tablet computer.
St Augustine’s is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, situated on the city walls and being on the newly opened Christian Heritage Trail. Last year it welcomed well over 18,000 visitors through its doors, from all parts of the world.
Ivan Taylor, who project managed the building and design of the app, had this to say about its launch. “In the age of mobile computing and the smart phone we wanted to find an attractive and easy to use communication tool that visitors, including our virtual visitors, can use to find out more about St Augustine’s Church”. He continued, “The app is easily downloaded from the app store on your mobile device. It will show you everything you will want to find out about the church, its history and what we are doing now.”
Revd Pat Storey, Rector of St Augustine’s, said “The church is now at your fingertips. Whether you are from the city or far away it is possible to ‘visit’ St Augustine’s at the click of a button. You can discover our roots, find out more about the beautiful old building and see what church life looks like today.” To download the app simply go to the AppStore on your mobile device, search for St Augustines Church, and download as normal. The development of the app was made possible by funding from Derry City Council, The Leah Project and St Augustine’s.
Prayer Day for Revival
Paul Clarke the well-known UTV presenter will address a Prayer Day for Revival in St Anne’s Cathedral on Saturday, 22 June 2013
The Prayer for Revival began in June 2009 with a commitment to seven years of prayer, it will now enter its 5th Year. The vision of the director of the Divine Healing Ministries the well-known Brother David Jardine, this event has the support of hundreds of people who pray every day for the renewal of Christian commitment; with all its out workings on the people of Ireland.
Paul Clarke, himself a committed Christian will share in the day to be held on Saturday 22 June at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Leaders from across the denominations will take part. Brother David Jardine explains, “While it is heartening to see the progress that has been made politically, our country remains blighted by division. Only a spiritual awakening can address the root causes of division and hatred.”
It is hoped as in other years that many people will attend.
For information please contact Brother David Jardine, Tel: 028 90311532
Birds of Paradise ministries
The Bishop of Down and Dromore recently conducted a service of dedication and commissioning for Bird of Paradise Ministries, Rwanda, in Knockbreda Parish Church.
The evening was also a celebration of the 2nd Anniversary of the ministry’s launch in the city of Kigali when Mary Munyangaju officially opened the country’s first ever care home.
It was in response to God’s call that Mary and her husband, Revd Canon Jerome, (rector of Killyleagh) gave over their family home in Kigali to four homeless elderly people and a carer. These first residents were among many on the streets and in the villages begging to survive.
He raises the poor out of dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap Psalm 113:7
“When we opened the door to our first four residents in April 2011, I knew that only God could restore these weak and fragile people to normal healthy senior citizens, said Mary. “And yes, He did it even quicker than I thought! The care they have received since last year has completely changed their miserable lives to life as it should be! It makes me overwhelmingly emotional to see them now healthy and happy as one strong family!”
These four residents are among so many older people who survived genocide in 1994 but lost their entire family. These were the fortunate ones to get a room in the house as it can only accommodate five people including their full time carer.
“We pray that God will inspire many more people to partner with us in this mission so that we may build a permanent home to accommodate at least 20 elderly who are on our waiting list before it’s too late for some of them,” continues Mary. “The current home is temporary, we urgently need a proper facility designed to suit the needs of older people. We have started looking for land which may be purchased for building the residential home. We will let you know of the developments in our next news update. In the meantime please keep this project in your thoughts and prayers.”
Honest punters boost novel cafe
Belfast Telegraph – Church of Ireland minister Reverend Chris Bennett, who helps run the cross-denominational cafe along with counterparts from other faiths in Northern Ireland, described it as a “community living room”. “Overseas visitors who may not know what a cup of …http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/honest-punters-boost-novel-cafe-29314258.html
New lay Catholic association set up to stem “crisis” within the Church
Irish Times – Some 150 people turned up to the launch of a new lay organisation for Irish Catholics. The Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI), a new group for Irish Catholics committed to reform and renewal in the Church, was formally launched …
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/new-lay-catholic-association-set-up-to-stem-crisis-within-the-church-1.1414774