Derry Moderator for Derry Assembly; Gerontologist to speak on Spirituality and Healthcare; MEP Diane Dodds hosts church funding seminars; Large Lion on the Loose in Bray This Saturday; Athy Messy Church Training Day; Watoto Children’s Choir in concert; Two NI MPs back gay marriage bill; Irish view on British vote on gay marriage; Magdalene nuns did their best; Sisters of Charity respond
Derry Moderator for Derry Assembly
A Londonderry-based minister has been chosen to lead the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in the year Derry hosts the UK City of Culture.
The Reverend Rob Craig was elected moderator of the church at a vote. The 58-year-old, who is currently Minister of Kilfennan Presbyterian Church in Co Londonderry, was nominated by 17 of 19 presbyteries which met on Tuesday night.
As moderator he will chair the church’s annual general assembly when it meets in Derry this summer for the first time in 80 years.
“Personally I am deeply humbled and honoured to be elected Moderator and am delighted for the congregations and members within the Presbytery of Derry and Strabane and west of the Bann in general for whom this a clear sign of support from the wider Presbyterian Church,” he said.
He will take up office on June 3 in succession to Dr Roy Patton who continues as Moderator until then.
Dr Craig will chair the 2013 General Assembly when it meets in his home city of Londonderry. It is the first time in 22 years that the Assembly has met outside of Belfast, and longer since it last met in Londonderry in 1933.
No detailed plans have been announced yet for the Assembly other than the opening and business sessions will be held in the Millennium Forum from Monday June 3 until Thursday June 6.
Rev John Dickinson, minister of the Carnmoney congregation in north Belfast, received the remaining two nominations in the selection process.
Dr Craig, who was born in Magherafelt, has been minister of the Kilfennan congregation since 1994.
“At Kilfennan we think of ourselves as a church in the community, Presbyterian in our practice, but where we hope to be salt and light to people from all backgrounds,” he said.
Dr Craig is married to Karen with two daughters Rachel and Hannah. See also –
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21345321
Gerontologist to speak on Spirituality and Healthcare
Des O’Neill, Professor of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin will deliver the 2013 TCD Ecumenical Chaplaincy Lecture on Tuesday 12 February.
The lecture, entitled ‘Raiding the Inarticulate: Religion, Spirituality and Healthcare’, will be given at 7.00pm in the College Chapel, Front Square TCD. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Professor O’Neill’s research interests are in neurosciences and ageing with a particular interest in the humanities and in the so-called ‘longevity dividend’ that which we have gained from ageing. He has been prominent in practical and academic development in both gerontology and geriatric medicine in Ireland and overseas, as well as public engagement through print and broadcast media. He is also Director of Aois agus Eolas, the Centre for Ageing, Neuroscience and the Humanities.
For further information contact the Revd Darren McCallig, Dean of Residence and Chaplain TCD, Tel: (01) 896 1402 or Email: mccalld@tcd.ie
MEP Diane Dodds hosts church funding seminars
A new publication on funding has been produced by Diane Dodds, MEP, entitled ‘Signposts to Funding for Churches and Faith–Based Organisations.’
It contains more than 30 sources of funding, the majority of which are Christian Trusts and Foundations. These funds offer assistance with projects for buildings, refurbishments, equipment, core costs, youth work and Christian education, whilst prioritising the most vulnerable groups in our society.
This directory also recognises the international dimension of the work carried out by churches and faith–based organisations that advances the Christian faith through mission, health and welfare, education, training and relief. Over 20 Trust and Foundations are included which support such initiatives.
For example, The Barleycorn Trust supports projects and activities that advance the Christian faith through mission, welfare and relief throughout the world. Grants range from £500 – £70,000. The Christian Response to Eastern Europe offers grants of between £1,000–£20,000 to support families, churches and medical organisations that work in Romania and Moldova.
The European Union’s Grundtvig Programme offers funding for between two and six people over the age of 50 from Northern Ireland to travel to another EU country to share their skills, knowledge and experience for a period of three – eight weeks. The grant covers hotel accommodation, food and travel.
Many churches and faith–based organisations need support for maintenance costs. The Owen Family Trust offers grants of between £100 and £1500 for this purpose. In addition, The Laing Family Foundations may assist with larger building projects.
Diane said: “It is my ultimate hope that this funding directory offers direction and encouragement to churches and faith based organisations in Northern Ireland in their endeavours to extend God’s Kingdom both at home and throughout the world.”
Representatives from several parishes in Down and Dromore recently attended a funding seminar hosted by MEP Diane Dodds. The event specifically highlighted funding opportunities available to local churches and faith–based organisations and was held in Lisburn area.
The parishes of Kilwarlin, Moira, Magheralin, Magheragall and Holy Trinity, Aghalee all sent representatives.
Representatives from over 50 Lisburn churches and faith based organisations attended one of Diane’s funding seminars which took place at House of Vic–Ryn, Lisburn, on Saturday February 2.
Church of Ireland representatives from St Paul’s, Derriaghy, Magheralin, Magheragall, St Hilda’s, Seymour Hill, St Matthew’s, Broomhedge, St John’s, Stoneyford, Holy Trinity, Aghalee, Lisburn Cathedral, St John’s, Kilwarlin and St John’s, Moira were in attendance.
The date and venues for the next two local seminars are as follows:
Friday 8th February at Banbridge Old Town Hall at 1.30pm
Saturday 9th February at Craigavon Civic Centre at 10.00am
Large Lion on the Loose in Bray This Saturday
Christ Church Bray will be taking a large Lion (Aslan) for a walk through Bray, County Wicklow, this Saturday, February 9, at 10.30 am.
Aslan will be leaving the church’s Narnia workshop (34 Ardee Street) at 10.30 am and making his way up Castle Street, Main Street, Killarney Rd and then Church Rd where he will join the Voyage of the Dawn Treader Exhibition at Christ Church Bray. Aslan is on loan from Wandsworth Community Centre in East Belfast.
The Revd Baden Stanley, Narnia Festival Coordinator, says: “we are looking forward to Aslan’s arrival at our exhibition, where he will join our large ship, waterfall and Dragon as we tell the story of Lent for new generations. With almost 2,000 children from all over the country already booking in, it promises to be a wonder–filled experience for all ages.”
The Narnia Festival opens on Ash Wednesday, February 13, at 11.00 am and will be open daily up until Easter Sunday, March 31. Further details are available on www.christchurchbray.org or by ringing Baden on (087) 9484407.
Athy Messy Church Training Day
The Athy Union of Parishes is hosting a Messy Church training and introduction day on February 23 from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, including lunch, in the Athy Church of Ireland Centre.
The day will be facilitated by BRF (Bible Reading Fellowship) and is aimed at clergy and lay people interested in finding out how Messy Church works. Messy Church is a resource for churches to reach children and families on the fringe who might want to meet Jesus, belong to their local church and bring their children up as Christians but for whom traditional Sunday morning services are a challenge.
Athy Union has been running a monthly Messy Church since October with great success. The next
Athy Messy Church takes place on Friday February 8 in the parish centre.
Those interested in attending the training day should contact Marie Kenny at Athy Church of Ireland Centre on (086) 3423186 or email mariekenny_1@hotmail.com.
Athy is only 40 minutes from the Red Cow Intersection on the M50. Those coming from Dublin should take the N7/M7 to the south from the Red Cow junction, turn off at the M9 junction to Waterford and take the second exit, signed N78 to Athy. From the South East travel north on the M9 to the Athy/N78 junction. Once there follow signs for Athy town centre. Turn left onto the Carlow Road at the third set of traffic lights. Drive 250 metres and turn right before the Church of Ireland Church. There is a car park on the left.
Watoto Children’s Choir in concert at St Nicholas
The African Watoto Children’s Choir will be in concert in St Nicholas’ Parish Church, 507 Lisburn Road, Belfast, on Tuesday February 12.
The Watoto Children’s Choir travel as advocates for the millions of vulnerable women and children across Africa and to share the vision of Watoto. Watoto was started as a response to the overwhelming number of orphaned children and vulnerable women whose lives had been ravaged by war and disease. Its mission is to rescue the vulnerable, raise each one as a leader so that they in turn will rebuild their nation. To see a short documentary about the work that Watoto is doing in Africa visit http://vimeo.com/22382931
The concert begins at 7.30pm. Entry is free but a freewill offering will be collected. Car parking is available at the Parish Halls on Cadogan behind the Fire Station.
MEDIA REVIEW
Two NI MPs back gay marriage bill
Out of the 13 local MPs eligible to vote on the gay marriage bill, two voted for it to be passed, nine voted against the bill and two did not vote.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21345322
Irish view on British vote on gay marriage
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2013/0206/1224329707241.html
Magdalene nuns did their best
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/magdalene-nuns-did-their-best-16270373.html
Sisters of Charity respond