Irish news digest June 24

Dublin Lay Reader’s Prayers and Readings to Calm the Soul

A new booklet which is aimed at bringing comfort during anxious times has been published by a Dublin Lay Reader. Calm for the Soul – Readings and Prayers for Anxious Times has been compiled by Ruth Gyves (Photo above). It is an excellent resource for focusing hearts and minds on God in these days of uncertainty.

Ruth, who is a Diocesan Lay Reader and Lay Assistant Pastor with Holy Trinity, Rathmines, in Dublin, has taken scriptures and prayers and put them together in an accessible and appealing format. The booklet is easy to keep close and read throughout the day and has proved to be a great source of comfort and hope to many people of all ages. It is available for churches, care homes, groups or individuals.

Calm for the Soul is Ruth’s second booklet. She compiled a booklet in October 2018 called Food for the Soul – Prayers & Readings for Every Day. This was a more general booklet with Morning Prayers, Prayers for Family and Friends, Prayers of Thanksgiving, Help in times of trouble and Evening Prayers.

“I produced this mainly for the folk in Holy Trinity and it proved a very useful tool to help people in daily prayer and reading of scripture. It was always in my mind to do another and when COVID-19 hit, I realised that I was becoming anxious and found verses that really helped me. Of course, I quickly realised that if I was finding scriptures and prayers to help me, then surely they would be of help to others. Calm for the Soul was born from that time,” Ruth explains.

Initially, she did it with Holy Trinity in mind but then decided to have it printed to offer around other parishes and other denominations. It has gone to several different churches at this stage – and has proved so popular that she needed a second print run. Originally, she had the worrying time of the pandemic in mind but it’s useful in any time of anxiety.

“My motivation and my vision is to help people connect with God through a relationship with him and to find what they need in the Bible. For some it’s a daunting task and they don’t know where to start. Putting relevant verses together in one place helps. Also, many people don’t know how to pray or where to start, so giving them prayers that have survived for centuries or ones that are brand new, is really useful,” she says. “There are more in the offing – Peace for the Soul, Joy for the Soul, Psalms for the Soul etc etc. I’ve a sneaky suspicion that God has a plan!”

You can obtain copies of Calm for the Soul by contacting Ruth on 085 858 2939 or by email:[ ruthgyves@gmail.com ]

Day of prayer for Police, Ambulance and Fire Services

This Thursday, June 25, will be a day of prayer across many nations and continents for Police, Ambulance and Fire Services.

In Northern Ireland, the Christian Police Association (CPA) will be participating in International Zoom Prayer, sending prayer points to colleagues throughout the day, and joining with key workers in the Christian Ambulance Association and Firefighters for Christ.

Heather Flanigan of the CPA, who worships in Lisburn Cathedral, is organising the Northern Ireland input into this Day of Prayer. Heather said: “As Christians in the emergency services, it can sometimes be a lonely and secular place. The Day of Prayer helps us stay connected, and reminds the public that there are believers in all walks of life.”

Go to www.cpauk.net / ‘Prayer’ section or visit Christian Police Association YouTube channel to learn more about the CPA and the Day of Prayer.

30th anniversary of Derry rector’s ordination

The Rector of the Parish of Glendermott and Newbuildings, Rev Robert Boyd, was honoured by his Select Vestry on Monday evening at a physically-distanced celebration marking the 30th anniversary of his ordination.

Parish officers sat a couple of metres apart from one another as they listened to the Secretary, Albert Smallwoods, recall Rev Boyd’s move from what the Rector himself called “a real job” into a life of ministry.

“On the 24th June, 1990,” Mr Smallwoods said, “the Rector got out of bed as Mr Robert Boyd, and he went to bed that evening as the Reverend Robert Boyd.”

Social distancing guidelines meant that all those present – with the exception of the Rector and his wife, May – sat at tables spread around the main hall in the Parish Centre, across the street from Glendermott Church.

Rev Boyd told the gathering that whichever parish he had served in he had always enjoyed the experience, but it had always been a challenge. “It’s definitely been a challenge these last three months,” he joked. “It’s the first time I’ve ever closed down a church. But I’ve been here three years; the Bishop’s been here three months and he’s closed down the Diocese.”

Mrs Boyd also addressed the meeting. She said she had been nervous at the prospect of coming to the city initially because it had seemed so far out of her comfort zone. “But from the minute I arrived here I’ve just loved it. I’m so happy here – I hope he doesn’t mess it up.”

Vestry member Colin Lowry presented Mrs Boyd with a bouquet of flowers, in appreciation of her contribution to her husband’s ministry; Adrienne Edgar presented the couple with a gift on behalf of the parish. And Mr Smallwoods presented the Rector with an inscribed piece of crystal to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his ordination.

Tribute to Honorary Secretary of the General Synod

Archbishop John McDowell has paid tribute to Connor Bishop-designate George Davison who has stood down as Clerical Honorary Secretary of the General Synod.

Archdeacon Davison tendered his letter of resignation at the Standing Committee of the General Synod when it met online on June 16.

Archdeacon Davison, who has served as Clerical Honorary Secretary since 2011, was elected Bishop of Connor in February.

The Rev Canon Gillian Wharton, on behalf of the other Honorary Secretaries, expressed gratitude for Archdeacon Davison’s wisdom and measured approach.

Archbishop McDowell thanked Archdeacon Davison for giving himself with tremendous energy to the role, in addition to his other commitments.

An election for the new Clerical Honorary Secretary for the Province of Armagh will follow at the September meeting of Standing Committee.

Food for thought

Points for Prayer

Today we continue to pray for garment workers. There are fears their rights are being eroded as factory managers are using Covid-19 as an excuse to wrongly dismiss hundreds of workers. We pray for an end to this injustice and the protection of worker’s rights.

God in Creation