NEWS BRIEFS

Roof appeal

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has been at the epicentre of Dublin Life for 800 years. Help safeguard the fabric of this beloved Cathedral for future generations through the Making History 800 Roof Appeal : [https://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/support-us/]

Trócaire’s overall income falls

The Irish Church aid agency Trócaire’s overall income fell by 8 per cent last year from €75 million to €69m (£70m to £64m) despite one of the best Christmas fundraising campaigns in the agency’s history. Public donations totalled €23.2m of which the Lenten campaign generated €7.6m, while €2.3m was raised during the 2018 Christmas appeal, as people responded to the conflicts in Yemen and South Sudan. “This was one of our strongest Christmas campaigns in our history and reflects an increase of almost 10 per cent on 2017,” a statement from Trócaire said.

Choral Evensong theme –

‘A Legacy for a Secular Age, the Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland in 1869′

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, will hold a service of Choral Evensong on Sunday, 22nd September, at 3.15pm with the title ‘A Legacy for a Secular Age – the Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland in 1869’, to mark the 150th anniversary of Disestablishment. The preacher will be the Right Revd Gregory Cameron, Bishop of St Asaph, a diocese of the Church in Wales.

Sheep’s Head Hike for Christian Aid Ireland

At the Durrus Fête on Wednesday Iast Sandra Dukelow presented the Bishop of Cork with the Christian Aid Ireland calendar. The Sheep’s Head Hike this year is on 7 September. Why not join 100s of others in support of world development.[ https://www.christianaid.ie/fundraising/sheeps-head-hike]

NI Voiceless silent protest

A silent protest is being organised in Stormont estate on Friday 6 September at 7pm. Evangelical Alliance NI states – “This is a creative public response by a group of concerned citizens and is not publicly aligned to any political party or single campaign group. People of all faiths/political persuasions and none who are concerned about the planned changes to abortion law here. The event consists of a walk from the gates of Stormont up to Parliament buildings and a short silent demonstration at the top for 6 minutes. Participants are asked to wear dark colours and not to bring any banners or flyers. You can read more here.

“In addition, some Churches are bringing a bus-load of people to these events, some are releasing joint statements to local newspapers or arranging joint meetings with local political representatives. Some are already involved in practical pregnancy crisis care for women and others are now beginning this work together. Please get in touch with David at [d.smyth@eauk.org] to let us know what you are already doing or to enquire about how your church could respond.”

Getty Music conference on stream

Over 10,000 pastors, musicians and church leaders will gather in Nashville August 19-21 for three days of theology, artistry and vibrant singing as we look at how the life of Christ transforms families, individuals and churches. Now YOU can also join us from the comfort of your own computer or smartphone by registering for the FREE livestream. Plus, everyone who registers can download 20 free songs, courtesy of PraiseCharts!
[http://live.gettymusic.com]

Applications for Black Santa 2019 are now open

Completed forms must be returned no later than Friday 25th October 2019.

Please return by post to The Dean of Belfast Cathedral, Sitout Applications, c/o Chris Weir, Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2HB

This year the Dean especially welcomes applications from organisations with a focus on the refugee crisis, homelessness or mental health.

[https://www.belfastcathedral.org/news/black-santa-applications-now-open]

Irish Methodist World Development speakers

“We have a list of brilliant speakers who would love to lead your WDR church service!
“In this special 50th Year, why not invite one of them along and hear how your giving is impacting hundreds of thousands of lives across the world.”

More info:📧 [tim.dunwoody@irishmethodist.org]

Verger’s thank you

Children from the Kids’ Club in St Ann’s & St Stephen’s Churches, Dublin, thanked their caretaker, Fred Deane for his support at service on Sunday 18th. Mr Deane has been appointed Dean’s Verger in the Diocesan Cathedral, Christ Church. He will continue to fulfil his weekly responsibilities in St Ann’s but will be committed to Christ Church Cathedral on Sundays. We wish him well.

Tipperary Church link with Ned Kelly

Did you know that in St Mary’s, Tipperary, they have a connection to the outlaw Ned Kelly? The policeman who caught him John Sadlier was born in Tipperary Town and baptised in St Mary’s . There is an information board on display in the Church with more details of the capture. As part of heritage week they are open daily until Saturday 24th. Opening times are as follows – Wednesday / Saturday 3 pm to 5pm. Thursday and Friday 4 pm to 7 pm. Call in and discover some of Tipperary’s history and heritage. Johns father and other members of his family are buried in the Churchyard

War time heritage at Gartree Church at Langford Lodge Airfield

Call at Gartree church near Crumlin, on 14th and 15th September. See also Will Lindsay’s fantastic Wartime Heritage Collection as well as Military Vehicles and listen to Talks on each day. Open 10.00 until 16.00 Free Admission!

Food for thought

We are living in a culture that measures the value of the human person by degrees of success and productivity…Do we dare to look at weakness as an opportunity to become fruitful? Fruitfulness in the spiritual life is about love, and this fruitfulness is very different from success. Henri Nouwen