Caring for Rural Communities in Times of Change; Commissioning of lay–readers for Connor; Bartsfest at St Bartholomew’s; Gathering to go – Countdown is on for Limerick diocese
Rural Affairs Conference
“Caring for Rural Communities in Times of Change: A Church of Ireland Response” organised by Cashel diocese, takes place on Saturday, 12th October 2013 at the Horse and Jockey, Co Tipperary.
A very strong line up of speakers will, it is hoped, inform and enable those who attend, and send them away with ideas for their own parishes. It is particularly hoped that Mothers’ Union branches, who have a special concern for families, homes, and communities, will be strongly represented. The conference timetable is: 10.30 Coffee Morning Session: Rural Challenges
10.50 Opening reflection 11.00 Matt Dempsey – Irish Farmers’ Journal 11.40 Kieran Stafford – National Vice–President, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul 12.20 Bernie Caroll/Louise Ryan – National Office for Suicide Prevention 13.00 Lunch Afternoon session: Rural Responses
13.45 Kathleen Lynch TD – Minister of State for Disability, Equalityand Mental Health 14.25 Charles Smith, Chief Executive, Farming Community Network UK 15.05 John Evoy, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Men’s Sheds Association 15.45 Closing reflections The conference is free for anyone who wishes to attend, but places must be booked to facilitate catering. Please contact Ian Poulton at: ianpoulton@gmail.com or Tel: 0 (0353) 57 873 2146, no later than Saturday, 5th October, if you wish to attend.
Commissioning of lay–readers for Connor
Beautiful Carnlough village was the setting on July 28 for the commissioning by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, of two lay–readers for service in the diocese.
Dougie Tyler, originally from Co Tyrone, has lived in Carnlough since 1981, and manages a Barnardo’s family support service for the Northern Trust. Married to Anne, they have three children. Dougie said he is very much looking forward to the challenges of being a lay–reader. Jonathan McFarland grew up in Willowfield Parish in East Belfast but now worships in Greenisland. He is married to Jacqueline and they have three children. He is looking forward to being part of the ministry team in Carrickfergus for his mentoring year. The large congregation heard the preacher, the Rev Canon Peter McDowell, remind them of the necessity to build good Samaritan communities in their churches, places where compassionate, practical and costly service is lived out. Jonathan will serve an initial training year in Carrickfergus, and Dougie in Ballymena.
Bartsfest at St Bartholomew’s
Saint Bartholomew’s and Christ Church Leeson Park will be hosting their second ever Summer Festival on Saturday August 24 from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm in the grounds of Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Clyde Road, Ballsbridge.
There will be plenty to do throughout the day with activities to suit all ages:
• The Director of Music, Tristan Russcher will be showcasing the organ and the choir. There will be 15 minute recitals at midday, at 1.00 pm and again at 2.00 pm in the church. Each performance will be different.
• Many people have started cooking for the Bartsfest and will be selling their cakes, jams etc. on the day.
• There will be an area where you can buy coffee, tea and cake, take a break and rest yourself and catch up with friends.
• The Vicar has offered to be the target for a sponge throwing episode; sponges will vary in price depending on the size.
• There will be a bric–a–brac stall – no sale is complete without one.
• They will be selling CD/DVDs and are gathering books for a super book stall.
• And when you are weary and need some sustenance there will be a barbecue where you can purchase a burger or hot dog to keep you going.
• Clothes Stall – organisers are looking for unwanted, unworn or ‘as–NEW’ items – Designer labels most welcome.
• They will have their own Antiques Roadshow – where you can bring antiques and collectables to be valued and assessed.
Gathering to go – Countdown is on for Limerick diocese
They are hoping for a beautiful sunny day, but don’t worry they have a ‘back–up’ plan in place for a rainy day. Come if you can and conclude your summer in a positive way.
“29th September 2013 promises to be a memorable day in our Diocesan life together as we have our very own ‘Gathering’ in Villiers School. The theme of the day is ‘Gathering to Go’ and we will be emphasising the need to go out into the world as active disciples of Christ. The day will run between 11am – 5pm and consist of a lively opening and closing worship where we gather as one family around the Lord’s table; a presentation of good news stories from every parish in the United Dioceses as well as an input from members of our companion diocese of Anhalt, Germany, who will be visiting Kerry that weekend; a long, leisurely lunch break and coffee breaks to allow plenty of time for chat and catching up with old friends; a variety of workshops in the afternoon for all ages from 5 up while a crèche will be in operation to look after the preschool children and babies.”
Some of the confirmed workshops include a men’s slot hosted by Rev. Michael Cavanagh, hymn singing and contemporary worship workshops led by our musicians Peter Barley and Eric Hughes respectively, a circus workshop and a puppet show for the children, a beauty demonstration for the ladies by beautician Serena Cooper, a teenage programme led by Ed Hardy and UDYC and a prayer workshop led by Archdeacon Wayne Carney. During the lunch break Kenneth Baker will host a Chill Zone to keep the teenagers while a bouncy castle will keep the younger people occupied.
Buses will run from all areas of the Dioceses to facilitate ease of transport (details will be in the next issue) and there will be no services in the parish churches that day, although Saturday evening services may be provided to accommodate anyone unable to travel.
In 2009 almost 600 people from around our United Dioceses gathered for our Celebrate Together event in St. Mary’s Cathedral – lets make this gathering even bigger and better!