IRISH NEWS BULLETIN

Photo above – Mervyn Douglas founder of the Beaver section of Scouting, centre front, his wife Vivienne to his RHS , with leaders from St John’s parish Scout Group

Founder of Beaver Scouts

Mervyn Douglas formerly of St John’s Parish, Malone, Belfast, who founded he Beaver section of Scouting, died in England last weekend following a fall from which he did not recover.

Mervyn and Vivienne, his wife, made a huge contribution to the Scouting organisation throughout Northern Ireland.

The couple are highly regarded for their work with 68th Belfast. Those who were in the 68th Beavers, Cubs ,Scouts and Venture Scouts in St. John’s learnt so much of true life values and many have continued to uphold these in their lives in society.

Many parents remember and are grateful for the huge and very positive impact Mervyn had on the boys in their families. For Mervyn and Vivienne Scouting was their life.

Even in recent years, before their move to England, they went back in to bolster the younger sections in St John’s.

Sincere sympathy is felt for Vivienne, their family Neill and Heather and to his sister Carol Mitchell.

BBC Morning Service from St Peter’s, Belfast

BBC Radio Ulster’s Morning Service on Palm Sunday, April 5, will be broadcast from St Peter’s Parish Church, Belfast, at 10.15am.

The service will be conducted by parish reader Mr David Cromie and the rector, the Rev Brian Lacey, will be preaching and intoning.

The service is being pre–recorded. As there will be no choir or congregation, the BBC will include music from other sources.

The service will be available after broadcast at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007cphq

St Peter’s will also be broadcasting a live service of Morning Prayer on Facebook on Palm Sunday, which will be slightly different.

Bishop’s outreach to online students

Church buildings may, of necessity, be closed at the moment, but the Church is well and truly doing what it usually does in worship, prayer, pastoral care, and even more so at this time of crisis. All over the country clergy, bishops, lay ministers, lay church workers, and members of the Church of Ireland are learning to use technology and apps that they’ve never used before.

Bishop Paul Colton recorded an address last week and sent it to schools in the Diocese for their online/virtual assemblies this week before schools break up (so to speak) for Holy Week and Easter.

Bishop Paul Colton says: I’d used Skype and Go-To Meeting before, but never ZOOM. Now I seem to spend half the day ZOOMing. This crisis is even inventing new words and verbs. For the first time last week I opened and used the iMovie app so that I could send a message to the school assemblies in Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School, and Midleton College, all of which were gathering as usual this week for the last assembly before the Easter holidays – but they were gathering online. Strange days indeed, but our ministry must continue.

C of I Guidance for Clergy: Self–care

Guidance from the Archbishop of Dublin and the Archbishop–elect of Armagh has been issued to all clergy (retired and serving) aged 70 and over and those with underlying health conditions:

1. In accordance with state guidance, all clergy, as with others, who are aged over 70 or who are living with an underlying condition, should be self–isolating/cocooning at home.

2. Retired clergy who have permission to officiate, serving clergy aged 70 and over, and clergy with underlying conditions should not be taking funerals at this time.

3. All normal services of public worship, in respect of all parishes, have already been suspended and there are therefore no public services to be taken until further notice.

4. All clergy, including those who are retired and have permission to officiate, may continue to (and are encouraged to) provide pastoral support to parishioners by telephone or online.

This guidance offers a general framework to parishes, subject to further approval or other advice that may be considered appropriate by the diocesan bishop. – The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin The Rt Revd John McDowell, Bishop of Clogher & Archbishop–elect of Armagh

Prayer points

As long as we continue living, we must continue praying’. (M. Henry).

Pray for those in authority, making the biggest calls of their lives. Pray for the health & strength of our NHS workers. Pray for those who are sick. Our prayers are powerful so let’s commit to praying them

We give thanks for the thousands who have volunteered to help the NHS at this time. We pray that they will be used in the most effective way and kept safe as they are deployed in their communities.

God in creation

Barn owl chicks