NEWS BRIEFS

Harvest – Clogher style

Two Photographs from Augher Parish Harvest Festival

Ards Churches Together condemn Westwind shooting

Church leaders from across the denominations and congregations in Newtownards have condemned the recent shooting in the Westwinds area of the town. They said in a statement:

“As a group of Church Leaders in Newtownards we wish to express our shock and sadness at the attack that took place on the evening of Friday 11th October in Sunderland Park, Westwinds.

“One of our colleagues in Westwinds has said, “We are appalled that this would happen so close to the homes of many of our members and beside a children’s play area, but moreover in this community at all…These attacks will continue to happen until communities speak out and say ‘enough’. Our prayer remains consistently for that to happen and for God to move in a powerful way.”

“Together, we urge those who plan and perpetrate attacks like these to realise the harm they cause to their own community, including their own family, friends and neighbours, when they engage in intimidation, fear and violence. This criminal activity has no place in any part of our town, which is known as a warm and welcoming place. Local church leaders are willing to talk confidentially to anyone who wants to turn their lives around.

“Anyone who has any relevant information can do their part for peace, safety and justice by passing it on to the police or by reporting it completely anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They will not ask for your name and the call will not appear on your bill.”

Card deck helps young worshippers in spades

The Church of England has released a deck of cards to help young people engage with the word of God.

‘LecDeck” is a deck of 52 cards, each containing a liturgical Bible reading, together with a focus for prayer, weekly challenge, and questions for contemplation and discussion.

The idea came from the Bristol Diocese Youth and Children’s Adviser, Dan Jones, after recognising a lack of youth-based resources focusing on the lectionary – a selection of scripture readings appointed for public worship in the Anglican Church.

The discipleship tool has been created for use at youth clubs, home groups, and Christian Unions as well as for personal study.

Jones said he hoped to celebrate the “glories of the Church of England’s liturgical worship” through the multi-functional resource and help young people find “depth and meaning in the lectionary readings”.

“As part of the rich Anglican heritage, the lectionary provides pre-selected Bible readings to use during worship or personal study throughout the year,” he added.

“Our hope is that LecDeck enables young people to grow deeper in their relationship with God.”

Date set for Lurgan Institution

The Revd Raymond Kettyle will be instituted as Incumbent of the Parish of St John, Lurgan on Tuesday 10 December at 8.00 pm.The preacher at the service will be Revd Canon Jono Pierce, The preacher at the service will be Revd Canon Jono Pierce, rector of St Finnian’s, Cregagh where Raymond is currently Curate Assistant.

Peter Corry and Festival Brass in concert

Food for thought