Irish news digest

Without words in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Each day in Easter Week the diocese is publishing a photograph without words to illustrate Easter and Holy Week 2020.

Amazing Sunday School teachers

“I am so incredibly proud to work alongside the Sunday school leaders and volunteers and children’s workers around our diocese,” Down and Dromore’s Children’s Development Officer, Julie Currie, wrote on Easter Monday.

She continued: “I went online yesterday morning, Easter morning, and only got to watch 20 of our Sunday schools reaching out to their kids and families. There were many more and I hope to check in and see what they are up to too.

“The amazing ways in which they are so creatively reaching the kids is phenomenal, from games, memory verses, songs, dancing, quizzes, picture messages, prayers, Zoom meetings, YouTube videos and super, super Bible teaching.

“Thank you.

“We are blessed to have you and your hearts for Jesus to share the good news.”

Poem reflects on Covid-19

Retired rector of Ballymacash, the Rev George Irwin, has written this poem inspired by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus : Covid-19

Prior to the Ides of March in the year of Twenty Twenty
we gave meaning to our greetings with kiss and hug a plenty.
We shook each other by the hand and wished the best of days.
Now it’s down to nervous smiles or nods and namastes.

For we’ve been seized by mighty dread of a viral epidemic
whose spread throughout the planet is invasive and systemic.
‘Uncharted waters,’ people say, and what a dreadful thought;
such unprecedented gloom this evil plague has brought.

The streets are bare and desolate, with shutters firmly closed.
People are advised to stay within their homes enclosed.
We dare not venture outwards for fear of taking ill,
or maybe pass to others this virus that can kill.

Yet, we must hold our nerve, and steady one another,
for in that way of mutual love, we shan’t have cause to shudder.

Connor Children’s Ministry online sessions

Ripple Children’s Ministry is planning to run online sessions of the All Aboard programme beginning Sunday April 26. The sessions will include stories, quizzes, prayers, games and challenges.

There will be accompanying resources available in the All Aboard section of the Ripple website. Just click on the All Aboard tab at the top of the page to get there.

All Aboard online begins on Sunday April 26 with stories from the book of Daniel.
[[] https://www.rippleconnor.org.uk/all-aboard/ ]

Bishop of Derry & Raphoe urges support for Foodbanks

Bishop Andrew has encouraged parishioners throughout Derry and Raphoe to consider supporting local foodbanks as part of their Christian response to the hardship arising from the Covid-19 health crisis.

His call came during his now regular Sunday afternoon reflection, during a service of worship broadcast live from his home on the Facebook Live platform. For contacts and notes on the eight foodbanks throughout the diocese see –
[[] https://www.derryandraphoe.org/?p=3465 ]

Prayer points

Pray for wisdom for key decision makers within the health service who have to make careful choices about the allocation of resources. Pray for many in the healthcare system who have been redeployed, that they would quickly fit into their roles

Remember with thanks all key workers who have been working through the night to carry out maintenance and keep essential services going, that our newly restricted lives can run as smoothly as possible.

Pray that God will strengthen Church leaders as they do their best to keep in contact with their congregations and local communities.

Pray that Gods people will be equipped to do His work and build up our faith until we are all united as one in Christ our Saviour. Amen. (Psalm 115 v 12 &13 “The Lord remembers us and will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron, He will bless those who fear the Lord- small and great alike.”)

God in creation