Irish news digest

A good news story from the West from before the lockdown

In Tralee this year’s season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday with an evening service in Kilgobbin and a morning service in Tralee. The service in Tralee was a joint service with St John’s National School and Kiltallagh National School from Castlemaine.

The Revd Jim Stephens, Rector of Tralee and Dingle Union, said, “The liturgy was a Service of the Word and it was led by the children. Both sets of pupils were well prepared by the teachers and the staff in the respective schools. Just before we left the church, the children had an impromptu sing–a–long led by Paula Ni Bhriain from Castlemaine. Someone suggested that it would be lovely if we could so something like a concert together again at some stage in the future (fingers crossed).

“The children returned to Teach an tSolais for some fun and games and meat–free pizza which was very kindly organised by David and Jackie Tough. It was a really enjoyable experience and it demonstrated and how good it is when small groups and schools come together.”

Virus hits Christian Aid Ireland effort

Until the crisis, Christian Aid Ireland supporters (pictured with staff seated 2nd & 3rd) ran a weekly lunch at First Lisburn Pres. which last year raised £4,750 to help tackle poverty. Today they are all on lockdown to protect themselves from the virus.

Confirmations postponed in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, has requested clergy in the Diocese this morning to bring the news to young people and their families, as well as to adult confirmands, that, with immense disappointment, he has reached the decision to postpone all the Services of Confirmation in the Diocese for 2020.

In Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Services of Confirmation are held mainly during the 50 days of Easter and on the Sundays after Easter into the summer months. This year all the Confirmation Services were planned for that period so that they could be completed before the Bishop travelled to the Lambeth Conference which has, itself, been postponed.

SVP Bulletin goes online

For the first time ever due to the Covid-19 virus The SVP Bulletin magazine will not be printed and only be available online. We hope in the coming months we will be able to have a small number printed. You can read the latest spring edition at https://svp.ie/bulletin

Post in ecumenical theological education for GB Methodist Vice-president

Professor Clive Marsh has been appointed as the new Principal of the Queen’s Foundation for ecumenical theological education in Birmingham from September 2020. He is succeeding the Revd Canon Dr David Hewlett who retires this summer.

The Revd Kenneth Howcroft, President of the Governing Body, says: “We are delighted and excited by Clive’s appointment. David will leave Queen’s in good heart. We believe that Clive is the person to take it on to the next stage in its development as it adapts to meet the challenges of God’s mission in a constantly and rapidly changing world.”

Clive has shown a lifelong commitment to adult theological education in a variety of settings, and brings to Queen’s significant ecumenical experience in a number of areas, including ministerial training. His academic research extends to work on the Historical Jesus, Christology and, most recently, the interface between theology and public culture, with publications including A Cultural Theology of Salvation (OUP, 2018) and So What’s the Story…?: A Resource Book for Christian Reflection and Practice (DLT, 2019), co-written with Barbara Glasson.
More at –
[[] http://www.queens.ac.uk/news/appointment-of-new-principal ]

Prayer points

Pray for those who are not able to attend the funerals of loved ones, and for anyone who will be mourning alone…

Pray for the church to be a light on a hill in hospitals, communities and cities where God has placed them…

Pray for an outpouring of love, compassion and service, in Jesus’ name…

Pray for all those volunteering in foodbanks around the country, and for everyone who currently depends upon them. Pray we continue donating and supporting them, and that people receive everything they need…

God in creation