Alf McCreary to speak at healing service; Bishop calls diocese to a ministry of prayer for peace; Installation of diocesan canon at St Anne’s Cathedral; Action shot as new Primate begins duties; Media review – expert calls for Facebook memorials; Priest expresses concern regarding teen suicides
Alf McCreary to speak at healing service
The well-known journalist, author and broadcaster, Alf McCreary, will speak at the healing service in St. Anne’s Cathedral on Monday, January 7 at 8 pm. Alf will launch a series of talks on Mondays in January on the theme of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not emphasised a great deal in the society in which we live. People are much quicker to complain than to give thanks, and in the story of the healing of the ten lepers the Bible recognises that this is what human nature is like.
Brother David Jardine, one of the organisers of the service, says ‘It often requires an effort to consistently look for what is good, and give thanks for that, but if we are prepared to make that effort it will lift us out of ourselves and we will feel a lot better.’
Worship will be led by Paul and Beulah Shields on January 7.
Personal prayer for healing and the anointing with oil will be available.
Divine Healing Ministries www.divinehealingministries.wordpress.com
Bishop calls diocese to a ministry of prayer for peace
Bishop Harold Miller of Down & Dromore has called upon parishes in his diocese to include a focused prayer for peace at every carol service and Christmas service this year.
Writing to clergy he said, “The last weeks have been very difficult indeed for all of us, with the recognition of how easy it would be for this province to be plunged again into sectarianism, violence and despair. “
“Like you, he continued, “I have wondered how we might best respond, and I am sure that a key part of the answer is prayer.
As we remember the birth of the Prince of Peace and read from Isaiah 9 that ‘of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end’, we have the privilege of leading thousands of people who are drawn to the peace of Christ at Christmas, and have the opportunity to focus their hearts and minds in prayer.
We desperately need the Peace of Christ to pervade our society and relationships at this time.”
Bishop Harold suggests a slow and deliberate praying of the old Prayer of St Francis, words suitable for both corporate and personal use
Derry institution
This evening the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe will institute the Revd Colin Welsh as Rector of Castledawson. Mr Welsh has been curate of Jordanstown in the Diocese of Connor since his ordination in 2009.
Installation of diocesan canon at St Anne’s Cathedral
The installation of the Reverend David Humphries, rector of Stormont, as a canon of Belfast Cathedral will take place at Evensong at 3.30 on Epiphany, January 6.
Action shot as new Primate begins duties
UTV Live News – When the Archbishop elect of Armagh carried out the custom of knocking one cathedral door, there was an unexpected result.
The episcopal staff split, but undaunted the new man showed he had a sure touch and carried on holding the split crozier together for the service. Worthy of a chapter in an Old Testament scenario?
http://www.u.tv/News/Staff-gaffe-as-new-Primate-begins-duties/25f6e28b-02c4-4b73-a35b-8b356ca6fe34
MEDIA REVIEW
Expert calls for ban on Facebook memorials
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/internet-expert-calls-for-ban-on-facebook-memorials-217091.html
Priest’s concern about teen suicide
A priest has expressed serious concern about the growing number of teen suicides in Ireland
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/priest-demands-action-over-suicides-16251061.html