Just when you thought the Presbyterian Church's handling of the same-sex issue could not get worse, it has humiliated one of its few female ministers by revealing her U-turn on the issue and by having its commission's ruling read out during her Sunday service - Alf McCreary writes.
The challenge of linking faith and life - Down and Connor programme; C of I Historical Society’s winter conference; Irish Harp Orchestra Belfast Concert by Candlelight; Presbyterian Church supports Hungarian partner's refugee aid work; Pope condemns abortion and hostility to migrants in speech to US Congress; Catholics demand female ordination during pope's visit; Media digest
The heads of the four main churches in Northern Ireland have come together to bless the new Stormont talks. Unfortunately, their 500-word statement only repeats the cliched liturgy undermining Stormont compromise - Newton Emerson writes in the Irish News.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin - contribution of Dublin parish pastoral councils “truly remarkable”; C of I bishops willing to help governments plan refugee support; International symposium on Jonathan Swift; Archbishop of Armagh maintains his Liverpool links; C of I lay training initiatives; Organ Scholarship Scheme Celebrates 25th Anniversary; Canadian Anglican commission makes theological case for marrying same-sex couples; Pope Francis arrives in Washington DC; Vatican flag to be raised at United Nations for the first time to mark Pope’s visit; Media digest
Stephen Shaw, the senior barrister who is one of three people appointed by the British government to assess the status of the Provisional IRA following the killing of Kevin McGuigan, is a born-again Christian with strong links to the evangelical wing of the DUP - Ed Moloney writes
Faith group dismay at Presbyterian Church action on minister’s welcome of Republic’s vote on same sex marriage; Merger of Limerick teacher training colleges abandoned; St Anne’s at the heart of Culture Night; New Honorary Secretary of C of I General Synod; Continuing popularity of annual West Cork bell ringing weekend; Most people in England are still Christian, says new study; Lay Reader leaves Church of England over his same-sex marriage; Vicar of Baghdad warns: Europe is ignoring the real refugees; Bishop Gene Robinson’s open letter to Pope Francis; Media digest
The headlines seem confused as to what Archbishop Welby has proposed last week. Dr Ian Paul looks at the history of the Anglican Church's homosexuality debates and explains what this latest announcement could actually mean.
‘Instability is erasing hope from people’s lives’ - Church leaders; Discovery Gospel Choir album launch; Trad for Trócaire launches 6th annual campaign; Paraguay mission has big impact on Flute Band Church members; Dedication Service at Derry food bank; MU President Elect for Clogher Diocese; RC and C of I bishops annual meeting; Clerical appointments and ceremonies; Padre Pio’s teaching still relevant - Archbishop Martin at Knock; Media digest
A review of responses to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s invitation to all of the Primates of the Anglican Communion.
Moira team abseil for South Sudan project; Major faith and life convention for Down and Connor; Irish Methodist children aid Ghana church scholarships; Lamb Festival honours rector’s role; Comedian from Cookstown is knighted by Pope; Protestant neighbours keep watch for Catholic friends; Melanesian brother murdered in Papua New Guinea; Media digest
The controversy over the Republic’s same-sex marriage vote is back in the spotlight with a declaration read out at Armagh Road Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning that their minister, the Rev Christina Bradley, “fully accepted that marriage is to be between one man and one woman and homosexual practice is sinful” - The Portadown Times
Pastoral focus by Presbyterian Church in meeting with farming reps; Overseas priests 'not answer' to vocations crisis in Church’; PCI cleric who hailed gay marriage ‘accepts homosexuality sinful’; Church in Wales shows support for same sex marriage; President pays tribute to Enniskillen clergy and churches; Review of parish pastoral councils in the archdiocese of Dublin published; ANOIS 2015 - C of I youth residential Risk Takers theme; Irish soprano is ‘’very excited’’ about performing for Pope in the US; Belfast chorister now Minor Canon of Westminster Cathedral; Media digest
TCD sells its only academic building in Belfast - Irish School of Ecumenics; Archbishop of Canterbury calls for Primates' Gathering; C of I should share experience on marriage at Anglican Primates' meeting - Changing Attitude; Bishop Chillingworth responds to Archbishop Welby’s initiative; Children’s Ministry Network attends conference on family in Liverpool; Dungannon church geared up for Rugby World Cup; ‘Gifted American Preacher' to Share Expertise with Derry and Raphoe Clergy and Parish Teams; Family scenario has changed - Dublin Mothers’ Union members festival service; Ten year high in Derry C of I ordinations; Couldn't Run the Length of Myself; Tullamore bicentenary lecture; Media digest
Belfast Celtic Cross goes gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness; Culture Night on the Hill of Armagh; “The Priests of 1916” – Archdiocese releases Rising records to mark Culture Night; Church of Ireland missionaries feature in new history collection; An evening with misionary Maud Kells; Making Holiness Attractive theme of Methodist Headway event; Restored organ rededicated in Blessington; Obituary : Lady Coralie Kinahan; Media digest
The archbishop of Canterbury is proposing to effectively dissolve the fractious and bitterly divided worldwide Anglican communion and replace it with a much looser grouping - writes Andrew Brown
EU refugee talks disappointing - fairness and vision needed - Christian Aid; Celebrating 20 years of PCI’s Aaron House; C of I’s new hymnbook is for both small congregations and large cathedrals; NI supply convoy is bound for refugees on Greek island of Kos; Son of executed Rising leader celebrates 102nd birthday; Global prayer wave planned for Rugby World Cup 2015; Vatican releases list of participants for synod on the family; For Pope’s visit, Obama invites a pro-abort nun, gay Episcopal bishop, and LGBT ‘Catholic’ activists; Media digest
Inspirational Mizen parents to speak at National Eucharistic Congress in Knock; All Ireland Methodist Women’s President installed in Enniskilen; Community boost at May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast; Bishop of Cork takes part in Harvard international conference on church law; Lough Derg is tough - Bishop of Derry; Youth Officer joins Connor staff team; Rector has surprise meeting with the President of Ireland on recent holiday; Re-hallowing of Christ Church, Strabane; First Minister praises Scottish inter faith work; Tributes paid to retired Anglican priest killed in Achill flash flood
The peace processors should stop running off to Dublin and London, says Ruth Dudley Edwards
Elvis has C of I roots; First Cork 5K Memorial Run for St Luke’s Home; Worldwide appeal to Pope on clustering of parishes - “it is a business model not a pastoral one”; New report to churches reveals changing shape of Britain’s families; Out Now: September’s edition of the Presbyterian Herald; St. Patrick’s, Millisle, gets a make-over; Cathedral talk focus on Famous Notorious Trial; New Year Begins at C of I Theological Institute; Schumann Quartet, Rathgar Methodist Church ; Belfast service for International Day of Peace; The Future of NI - Dr Duncan Morrow; Centering Prayer - Divine Therapy; Safer Social Networking Masterclass; Leading in the Local Methodist Church Seminar; Reconnecting the Disconnected; Media digest
MPs overwhelmingly reject Assisted Dying Bill; Derry Catholics direct mailed with invite back to Mass; NI Squad leave East Belfast Mission for for 2015 Homeless Word Cup; Trócaire welcomes Irish Government’s decision to receive 4,000 refugees; New Organ Recital Series in Armagh; Sistine Chapel Choir to release its first ever album in time for Christmas; History comes alive at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin; Jim Class focus for Connor youth weekend; Billy Parish Church Wedding Dress Festival; West Cork parish youth buy a cow for Ethiopia; Former Bishop Heather Cook to be jailed for 10 years following hit-and-run; Media digest
Cardinal Nichols thanks Queen for safeguarding the Christian faith; C of I Archbishops call for prayer, engagement and collections in response to refugee crisis; Newtownabbey churches respond to refugee crisis; Guide helps NI clergy support suicide families; Hungarian assignment for former Moderator and his wife; Armagh’s contribution to European Heritage Open Day; Divine Healing Ministries Youth Service; Clergy news and moves; Christian Aid launches refugee crisis appeal; Media digest
Launch of North Belfast Centre of Mission; PCI launches first digital prayer devotional; Collections of £4,200 for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon from Down and Dromore Bible Week; Syria: Moderator calls for prayer and encourages practical support; Powerscourt Parish School Collecting Hygiene Kits for Calais Refugees; Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church – ‘Unlovely and unloved’ no more; Archbishop of Armagh Conveys Good Wishes to Queen Elizabeth II; C of I Glen Community Church celebrates first anniversary; Concern at New Star Wars being filmed on historic Christian site in Ireland; Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training; CofE vicar wins Funeral Celebrant of the Year; Pope issues major marriage annulment reforms; New Dean for Christchurch, New Zealand to succeed Dromore woman cleric; Media digest
Launch of North Belfast Centre of Mission; PCI launches first digital prayer devotional; Collections of £4,200 for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon from Down and Dromore Bible Week; Syria: Moderator calls for prayer and encourages practical support; Powerscourt Parish School Collecting Hygiene Kits for Calais Refugees; Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church – ‘Unlovely and unloved’ no more; Archbishop of Armagh Conveys Good Wishes to Queen Elizabeth II; C of I Glen Community Church celebrates first anniversary; Concern at New Star Wars being filmed on historic Christian site in Ireland; Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training; CofE vicar wins Funeral Celebrant of the Year; Pope issues major marriage annulment reforms; New Dean for Christchurch, New Zealand to succeed Dromore woman cleric; Media digest
Methodist Church to Reflect on Human Sexuality Issues; Moderator pays tribute to ‘selfless and steadfast’ Queen; Former Moderator leads Sunnyside's weekend celebration; Waterfront finale for Bangor Worldwide 2015; Quaker economist on Faith Justice & Corporation Tax; Special Services at St Columb"s Cathedral, Londonderry; Theology of the Body Course; Bible Week 2016 speaker; Rural partnership begins innovative project tackling financial exclusion; New Anglican Communion secretary general commissioned; Nigerian bishop kidnapped; Media digest
Refugees in Northern Ireland face destitution, warns British Red Cross; 2,000 strong - Largest Irish Pilgrimage departs for Lourdes from Dublin diocese; Dana to address 30th anniversary of Cursillo movement in the Diocese of Derry; Sienna Miller spotted at Methodist College, Belfast; Choral Evensong in Belfast to mark Queen’s reign; Resource ideas to help enrich worship in Connor; Mozart in Limerick - A Leaving Cert Guide to Piano Concerto 23; Perth service to launch Scottish Episcopal Institute; New rector instituted in Derry parish; Church of England raises £100 million for clergy retirement homes; Media digest
Northern Ireland rallies to aid of refugees; Trócaire urges Dáil recall and immediate response from Government on European refugee crisis; Dublin parish prayer night for refugees; Archbishop Martin of Armagh writes to NI MPs about Assisted Dying Bill; Faith leaders join to oppose Assisted Dying Bill; Catholic and C of I bishops provide prayers for Stormont and community; Junior BB asked to help build schools in Nepal; Irish-born priest collects more than $500,000 for Berkeley victims; C of I bishop at consecration in Sweden; 95 year old Northern Ireland soccer fan Canon Edgar Turner, travelled to Faroe Islands; Britain’s Chief Rabbi praises Pope Francis as a “truly outstanding spiritual leader”; Mothers’ Union affirms its commitment to support refugees fleeing conflict; Former SNP leader Alex Salmond "prefers people of faith”; Media digest
Irish Church leaders want doors opened to save refugees; Irish Methodist Church statement on refugees; Statement from the Archbishop of Armagh on the Refugee Crisis; Urgency and solidarity needed on refugee crisis – Moderator; Belfast vigil to highlight refugee crisis; President of Ireland to visit Enniskillen churches; Anglican Provincial Secretaries strengthen bonds at Dublin meeting; Young Fermanagh singer returns to give a parish concert; New Ballycastle Parish Centre opened; Belfast Cathedral choir’s successful tour in France; Paradoxology at Electric Picnic; Christ Church Dublin clergy fundraising for charities; Sunshine and roses fundraiser for Donegal Parish; Media digest
The image of Aylan Kurdi’s lifeless body being carried from the beach where it was washed up has moved us in our millions. - writes Ken Good
Primus Chillingworth calls on UK government to act compassion to refugee situation; Bishop calls for church and Irish state to co-operate on refugees; Refugee crisis : Focus on the need, not the numbers - Christian Aid; Archbishop to establish Laudato Si prize for schools; Hundreds at court to support Pastor McConnell; Dungannon Methodist Cleric hikes to 15 churches in England on his first day; Top Salvation Army honour for actress Roma Downey; Derry & Raphoe Youth placement; Desmond Curran brother of murdered Patricia Curran reported dead in South Africa; Massive mural of Pope Francis to look out over New York; Media digest
Dublin launch of New C of I hymnal supplement ‘Thanks and Praise’; Renewal of Columbanus link with Bobbio; Ballintoy Parish Church in The Lost City of Z; St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir has returned; Heritage Day first for Belfast Parish; Ardoyne Parish Scouts re-open; Stormont Parish clean Greenway effort; Gay clergyman faces wait for ruling in discrimination case; Bishop of Carlisle opposes Assisted Dying Bill; New Bishop of Newcastle; Nigerian cardinal joins ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ campaigners to mark 500 days of captivity; Media digest