Irish news digest

Photo above – RNLI Volunteer – Derek from Cork, Cloyne and Ross. This is Cork Volunteer Week 2020 organised by the Cork Volunteer Centre.

Spirituality for Christian Discipleship – New online class from C of I Theological Institute

The C of I Theological Institute yesterday announced a new initiative aimed at offering resources for Christian discipleship to lay people.

Over four weeks in June, institute staff will offer a one–hour virtual class online.

This fcourse offers resources for your spiritual life and opportunities to learn new practices of Christian discipleship to resource your faith during social distancing.

Weekly meetings through Zoom led by members of CITI’s academic staff will include a presentation and interactive discussion about practices of Christian spirituality and will conclude with an exercise or activity for you to try at home. By gathering, praying and learning with the same group of Christians weekly, you will also receive encouragement and fellowship and offer these gifts to others.

Monday mornings
11.00am–12noon
Beginning 8 June

To sign up –
[ admin@theologicalinstitute.ie ]

When you sign up, you will be given an easy link to enter the online classroom. The class is free during Covid–19 restrictions but is limited to 25 participants.

8 June: Knowing God: An Invitation to the Journey of Discipleship
Revd Canon Dr Maurice Elliott

15 June: Spirituality in a time of abstinence: lockdown with Mary Magdalene
Dr Brigid Nichols

22 June: Spirituality and Failure: Seeing Ourselves in a New Light
Revd Dr Patrick McGlinchey

29 June: The Psalms: Biblical Company for the Journey of Faith
Dr Katie Heffelfinger

Please share this with friends, fellow parishioners and neighbours who may be interested.

 Preparing for Aldersgate Sunday

Methodists celebrate Aldersgate Sunday in May of each year to mark the day that the movement’s founder John Wesley experienced assurance of his salvation. It is a day for individuals to reflect on their own faith journeys and what it means to be a Christian.

“I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins…” John Wesley on his experience that took place at Aldersgate St.

Alpha Ireland’s new ‘Explore Series’ of webinars

Alpha Ireland in collaboration with Divine Renovation are running a new ‘Explore Series’ of webinars. The first installment takes place today, Wednesday June 20, from 1pm to 2pm and focuses on parish renewal in Ireland

The free webinar will take place on Zoom and you can register for the Zoom link at [ https://ireland.alpha.org/explore-series ]

Head of operations at Alpha Ireland, Tanya Olhausen, believes the content of the webinar will be of interest to many. “Ron was a speaker at our annual conference last year, as was Archbishop Michael Jackson, and, although this ministry came out of a Roman Catholic church in Canada, their principles of parish renewal are universal and were well received by all denominations present. It will be particularly of interest to parishes that are interested in how Alpha courses and similar initiatives may impact the whole parish,” she explains.

In addition, Alpha Ireland have created resources to enable churches to run Alpha, Alpha Youth, Marriage and Parenting Courses online. They have webinars to train people in all aspects of delivering this and coaching slots that are available to individuals. Further information and support is available on [ https://ireland.alpha.org/ ]or by emailing Tanya at [ info@alphaireland.org ]

Writer of Shine Jesus Shine shares his story

“I’m trying to take the ancient gospel and put it in songs, mixing experience, poetry and theology and putting in peoples mouths so that they can sing the truth” says Graham Kendrick.

Watch Graham talk about his songwriting and “Shine Jesus Shine” on BBC Songs of Praise – catch up on iPlayer: [ bbc.in/2yYJ3li ]

Charles Woods Festival preparation

The Armagh based Festival held its first ever Digital Committee Meeting. Lots of exciting plans for excellent choral and organ content during lockdown .

Points for Prayer

Pray for continued progress in expanding processes of testing, tracking and tracing the spread of coronavirus, asking that God would enable the development of systems that help combat pandemic and permit greater relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

Pray for those involved in delivering these services, asking that God would help them quickly get to grips with what is required and deliver an efficient and reliable service.

When we’re shown love, whether by someone dear to us or a comparative stranger, it’s precious and warms our heart, especially at the moment. We pray today that we’ll all be quick to show love and understanding to one another.

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

Thank you.
I dwell upon the goodness in my life.
Thank you.
I cherish in my heart Your gift to me.
Thank you.
I notice the blessings of life, breath, loving and sharing.
I am so very grateful.
Thank you, Lord.

God in Creation