Irish news digest

Webinar: Asylum and refugee issues in Britain and Ireland

The Churches’ Refugee Network – a programme of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland – is hosting a webinar on asylum and refugee issues in Britain and Ireland on 1 July, between 7.00pm and 8.00pm. The webinar is open to all and the theme will be: How has the Covid-19 crisis impacted the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum in Britain and Ireland?

To discuss this matter will be:
Emma Wilson – St Rollox Church of Scotland Community Outreach Project
Anne Hubbard –Wales Strategic Migration Partnership
Jessica Moser – Refugee Voices
Sarah Teather – Jesuit Refugee Service UK
David Moriarty – Jesuit Refugee Service in Ireland

More information is available here –
[[] https://ctbi.org.uk/webinar-1-july-2020/ ]
To register, please click here –
[[] https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3015928385478/WN_dvg4TzpzSbO-04T_xjdLrg ]

Shared by the Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue. The Commission’s European Affairs Working Group considers asylum and refugee issues as part of its remit.

Car radios will broadcast drive-in service in Ballyclare

The United Parish of Ballynure and Ballyclare, in conjunction with Ballyclare Presbyterian Church, will be holding a drive-in church service on Sunday, June 28, at 7pm in the Sixmile Leisure Centre carpark in Ballyclare.

The rector of the United Parish, the Rev Jonny Campbell-Smyth, will be leading the worship, with people from both churches leading the music and singing.

Johnny said: “Unlike other drive-in church services, this one is different in that the service is broadcast directly to people’s car radios. In light of social distancing, this makes for a very safe way for people to gather.”

Those arriving for worship at the carpark on Sunday will be given the FM frequency to tune their car radios to in order to listen in to the service which the churches are licensed to broadcast on for a specific period on Sunday.

The service will also be live-streamed on the United Parish Facebook page –
[[] https://www.facebook.com/theunitedparish/ ]

St Columb’s Cathedral to install its first female canon in its 400-year history

Rev Katie McAteer’s appointment to the Chapter of the Cathedral Church of St Columb is one of two announced this morning by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster. Rev Robert Boyd, the Rector of Glendermott and Newbuildings Parish has also been appointed a Canon.

By happy coincidence, today – the Feast Day of St John the Baptist – is the anniversary of both new canons’ ordinations. Rev Boyd and Rev McAteer will fill the positions left vacant following the departure of the Ferry brothers – Rev Canon David, who has retired, and Rev Malcolm, who has become the Rector of Agherton Parish in Portstewart.

Rev McAteer, who is the Pastoral Director of the Christ Church. Culmore, Muff and St Peter’s Group of Parishes, said she was humbled and honoured by the appointment, but also “sort of excited”.

“When Bishop Andrew first asked me, I was totally taken aback,” Rev McAteer said. “It was never on my radar, never in a million years – or even 400 years – would I have expected the Bishop to ask me to accept this appointment.

“St Columb’s Cathedral, probably more than any other cathedral, has been a history-maker – the first cathedral built in these islands after the Reformation, playing a leading role as a place of reconciliation – and now another brick is being laid in its rich history.

“I still keep thinking, ‘No, not me. It can’t be me.’ It’s exciting. It’s quite daunting. I’m humbled and honoured.”

Rev McAteer, whose father was a Canon of Chester Cathedral, evoked the words of the Ordination Service. “Throughout ministry, whatever God calls us to do, we pray that He will give us ‘the needful gifts of grace’ to fulfil that ministry. I’m hoping that this is at God’s direction; I can only do this in God’s strength.”

While this is new territory for Rev McAteer, the second new canon is on familiar ground. Rev Boyd, was a Canon of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh until three years ago, a position he relinquished when he was appointed incumbent of the Parish of Glendermott and Newbuildings. He has since taken up the role of Diocesan Director of Ordinands for Derry and Raphoe.

“I feel very privileged and very honoured by the appointment,” Rev Boyd said. “I’m extremely grateful to Bishop Andrew for having the confidence in me to appoint me to this role and for thinking me worthy of it. I think it’s an honour, too, for the Parish of Glendermott and Newbuildings, so I’m very pleased that our parishioners are also being acknowledged and recognised by the Bishop.”

The installation of a new canon is a significant and joyful occasion for any cathedral but given its uniqueness, the forthcoming Service of Installation in St Columb’s – with its historical first – will arouse considerable interest within the Church of Ireland and beyond. A date has yet to be fixed for the Service but it is hoped it will take place in the early autumn.

St Columb’s Cathedral, which was completed in 1633, was the first Anglican cathedral built in the British Isles after the Reformation in 1517.

Food for thought

A Franciscan Blessing from CAP

Points for Prayer

Today we pray for those experiencing economic hardship, over one million of whom have not been able to access the government’s income support systems. We pray for your provision and for compassionate policymaking that ensures all receive the support they need.

God in Creation