Irish news digest

Photo above – A lovely celebration for all of this years First Communicants in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh. Pupils sent in pictures for the celebration

Belfast Cathedral choir member joins renowned vocal ensemble

Congratulations to Adam Reaney, Deputy Lay Clerk in the Cathedral Choir on successfully auditioning to join the Genesis Sixteen.

Andrew Reaney has sung with Belfast Cathedral choir on many occasions under the direction of Mr Matthew Owens. He has also sung with the Ulster Consort. Recently Andrew succeeded in auditioning for a highly sought after place, singing with the renowned vocal ensemble “The Genesis Sixteen”. This choir comprises young singers from across the UK, and is led by founder and conductor of “The Sixteen”, Harry Christophers and associate conductor Eamonn Dougan.

Genesis Sixteen rehearse and perform a series of week-long and weekend courses based in the UK, during which the singers receive group tuition, individual mentoring and masterclasses run by top vocal experts funded by the Genesis Foundation.

Adam is a second year Podiatry student at the University of Ulster and a former pupil of The Royal School, Armagh. He is a former Lay Vicar Choral at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh and a member of the Charles Wood Singers under Dr David Hill. Adam was recently awarded the William Lauder Scholarship, and has performed on BBC Radio Ulster’s “Classical Connections”.

Adam says “I’m very much looking forward to the Genesis Sixteen scheme and especially performing along other singers from across the United Kingdom. This will give me a wonderful opportunity to further my musical education under leading vocal experts”.

Ahoghill clergy respond to attack on local catholic church

In a statement four local clergy condemned the attack. They write, “As ministers within Ahoghill we totally condemn without reservation the paint attack on St Mary’s Chapel in Ahoghill on Friday night. At the heart of Protestantism is the strong belief in civil and religious liberty for all. Those who carry out such an attack are not doing it for Protestantism or advancing Protestantism in any way. We want to assure our Catholic neighbours of our love and full support for them at this time. God is love and we repeat and encourage our people to obey the call of Jesus to love all your neighbours.
Yours sincerely,
Rev Dennis Christie (St Colmanell’s Church of Ireland)
Rev William Moody (Brookside Presbyterian)
Rev Mark Neilly (First Ahoghill Presbyterian)
Rev Brian Smyth (Trinity Presbyterian)”

Ascension insight from President of the Methodist Church

The President in his weekly message, writes, “I was to have been in Comber Methodist Church this weekend, helping the congregation celebrate 200 years of worship, witness and work. I have always found it useful and affirming to look back over a church’s life.

“As we experience the present and anticipate the future it helps to remember that The Lord has always been at work in his church and in his world in good times and in bad. He is working to his own agenda of course, not ours.

“This coming Thursday we will reach Ascension Day. On that memorable occasion recorded in Acts 1 the disciples asked ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’

“The answer Jesus gave was about God’s timing and plans, and of a spiritual and eternal purpose. We haven’t seen the culmination of those plans and purposes yet. We can be sure though that coronavirus will not thwart them. God’s agenda is comprehensive, continuous and nearing conclusion. It crosses congregations, circuits, church bodies, cultures, countries and continents. It is more subtle, sophisticated and splendid than you could ever envisage. It is bigger than you think, greater than you can imagine, and better than you could ever dream of.

“Be safe. Be positive. Be prayerful. #GodisourAdventure. Every blessing.”

You can find the President’s weekly online sermon on the Glengormley Methodist Church website.
[ https://www.glengormleymethodist.org/resource-hub/online-worship ]

Zoom Institution in Armagh

The Revd Naomi Quinn was Instituted as Rector via Zoom, to the Parishes of Errigle Keerogue, Ballygawley & Killeshill in the Diocese of Armagh

Thy Kingdom Come MU online service

Just one week to go till the Mothers Union broadcast of their “Thy Kingdom Come” service on Facebook – all are welcome to join together in praise!

For more information:
[ https://www.mothersunion.org/news/mothers-union-thy-kingdom-come-service-online ]

For the service sheet:
[ https://www.mothersunion.org/resources?nid=8356#views-exposed-form-resources-default ]

Points for Prayer

We pray for the many people across the world who will need courage to cope with what today brings, whether because of the nature of their work, instability in their community, or their personal and family circumstances.

Pray for hospital janitors and for city garbage collectors & sanitation workers. They are jobs no one sees, but they are necessary … May the Lord bless them and help them.

The cancellation of the Balmoral Show, usually held in the month of May and which showcases and celebrates the local food industry across Ireland, highlights the interruption to rural life and livelihoods.

Pray for the farming industry, asking God to protect and provide for farmers experiencing the financial strain of cash flow issues, diminishing returns and rising costs.

Pray that those involved in the food supply chain from farm gate to supermarket shelves, asking that God would keep them safe and continue to smooth this vital aspect of keeping the country fed at this time.

CMSI Teams & Mission Placements –
Pray for Lois Duncan from Ballyclare who had planned for her four-week medical elective at Kiwoko Hospital in Uganda. Pray that Lois would know God’s guidance during this disrupted period of her ongoing studies in Scotland.

Pray for Michael Kenning from Cork, who was due to undertake a short-term placement at Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda for three weeks in July. Pray that God would open up opportunities to undertake this placement at a later stage.

God in Creation