The deep split which has emerged at Ballynahinch Congregational church has echoes of damaging schisms that have scarred the fabric of Ulster Protestantism through the centuries, writes Billy Kennedy in the News Letter
Tonight I hope to be in Moylena, among the fields where linen used to bleach, Houston McKelvey writes in the News Letter
God of constant mercy, who sent your Son to save us: remind us of your goodness, increase your grace within us, that our thankfulness may grow, through Jesus Christ our Lord. www.itcertworld.com
Amen Common Worship Shorter Collect
Christian Aid Ireland - Syria Crisis Appeal; Clerical Manoeuvres; Interfaith Walk to Mark International Day of Peace; Clogher introduction; Ballynahinch Congregational row: Minister says no to mediation
First meeting of Women Bishops steering committee; Archbishop’s Little Acts Go A Long Way; Kirk hosts meals to raise funds for victims of crisis in Syria
WCC general secretary on challenges facing Arab Christians; Should U.S. Bomb Syria? Evangelical Leaders Take Surprising Vote; Breakaway parish mulls joining the Episcopalians
Christian Aid Ireland invites you to join in them to pray for the families and communities affected by the conflict in Syria. Prayers follow
Hillsborough Parish goes green; Suicide rate amongst young people in Ireland fourth highest in EU; Dublin MU Festival Service; RSCM - Meet the Director; Raising a Culture of Prayer; New Alpha Course Gets Underway in St Ann’s, Dawson Street; Cork institution
UK's first state-funded Greek Orthodox secondary school opens; Interfaith art brings message of peace; Surprise wedding tops off christening celebrations
The Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki in New Zealand has announced the election of the Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley as the next bishop of Waikato. She is the first woman ordained in the C of E to have been elected as a bishop.
O blessed Jesus, immortal and victorious, by the sorrow you suffered when all the powers of your heart failed you, have mercy on us and help us in our days of darkness and in our hours of weakness, that we do not lose hold of you either in this life, or in the life of the world to come; and this we ask for your own name's sake. Amen St Bridget of Sweden, 1303-1373
Two Derry homes to be focus of historical abuse hearings; Issues of Gender and Inter Faith Dialogue to be Explored at Limerick Seminar; TV presenter Lynda Bryans to speak on depression; New parish web site launched
Ten years of the Anglican-Methodist Covenant; Firing missiles at Syria is 'not the answer', says bishop; Moderator blows trumpet for 'monstrous regiment of women'
The BBC reports that “it has emerged” Richard Haass has written to the Northern Ireland Executive parties ahead of the up-coming talks on parades, and other matters. And the response has been fairly predictable.
O blessed Jesus, immortal and victorious, by the sorrow you suffered when all the powers of your heart failed you, have mercy on us and help us in our days of darkness and in our hours of weakness, that we do not lose hold of you either in this life, or in the life of the world to come; and this we ask for your own name's sake. Amen St Bridget of Sweden, 1303-1373
Frears urges pope to watch his movie; Dublin flag gift to French Cathedral; Commonplace Book of Alexander Lamiliere; Derry ordination; Belfast Street Pastors seek volunteers
Church supports petition for Government help on community energy; Charities voice concerns about welfare changes; New era of learning for Methodist Church; RSCM Leeds Choral festival
An article by Simon Doyle in The Irish News (2/9/13) highlights again the continuing decline in everyday interaction between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. A new taskforce set up the the Department of Employment and Learning has revealed that less than 1 per cent of students at universities south of the border are from Northern Ireland.
Anglicans around the world can now get a feel for what it was like to attend a sermon given on November 5 1622 by English poet, satirist, lawyer and a cleric in the Church of England John Donne.
Lord, teach us that your Son died to save us, not from suffering but from ourselves; not from injustice, but from being unjust; and not from dying but so that we might die to ourselves; and this we ask through the same Christ our Lord. Amen George Macdonald 1824-1905
Priest returns to duties after inquiry; Fears for pensioners’ health amid ongoing church feud; Ordinations; Archbishop in Serbia; CORE Celebrate 20th Anniversary
Service of peace and reconciliation to mark Flodden anniversary; 500th anniversary of birth of George Wishart marked; Archbishop of York offers TV presenter prayers for healing
Following a weekend of football transfer rumours and developments, it's probably useful to take note of the sports imagery in 1 Timothy —the notion of "training ourselves in godliness," comparing it to physical training. However, it wasn't football that captivated the public at the time the Epistles were written--it was track and field.
O God, you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble, Give us the humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
‘Just do it’ – Bishop Harold Miller’s Bible week plea; Installation of Canons and Archdeacons at Belfast Cathedral; New Cork ordinand; Clogher Institution
Ephraim Mirvis has been installed as the new chief rabbi of the UK and Commonwealth at a ceremony in London. The former chief rabbi of Ireland succeeds Lord Jonathan Sacks, who held the post for 22 years. The Prince of Wales joined Jewish and other faith leaders for the event at St John's Wood Synagogue.
The National Council of Churches USA issued its statement (30 August), the day after the UK parliament rejected involvement in a punitive attack on Syria. The President of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference has urged “careful analysis and consideration” of the current situation in Syria and Western considerations of military intervention.
In Northern Ireland we have many problems to contend with going into the future. We have sectarian tensions and a government that now seems to be in a permanent state of paralysis when it comes to dealing with issues like parades. However there is a wider problem that has not being given enough attention and that is the increasing number of our people that are choosing to leave Northern Ireland.
As we sit at our tables and eat, remind us of those who have little to eat. As we are tempted to exalt ourselves, remind us of the humility of Christ. As we are tempted to ignore those who are not like ourselves, remind us that Christ ignores no-one and all are invited to His heavenly banquet. Amen.
Primates' tributes to Seamus Heaney; New Sacred Space for Electric Picnic; Derry parish open day; Down Bible Certificate ‘graduates’; Ireland’s largest mosque gets planning permission