Presbyterian minister John Dunlop spoke on ‘Thought for the Day’ on BBC Radio Ulster on Friday 26th.
Service recalls those killed in farm accidents; Limavady’s singing priests; American Themed Organ Recital for Indepdence Day; “Bring one person to faith this year,” Methodist President urges; Indian missionary priests sent to rejuvenate ‘tired’ faith in Scotland; In prison, on the rails, fighting fit...CofE celebrates #newrevs; GAFCON criticism of Scotland, USA, and England; Episcopalians Against Gun Violence march in Salt Lake City
The independent statehood of the Vatican City allows Pope Francis to be a neutral voice of conscience for all of the peoples across the world, writes TP O’Mahony
Pope Francis to present palliums to two newest Irish archbishops; First African-American elected as Presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church; Summer Presbyterian Herald now available; Summer Issue of Search available; Capitalism must 'draw alongside the suffering', says Archbishop Welby; Archbishop Welby responds to attacks in Tunisia, France and Kuwait; Presiding Bishop on Supreme Court’s ruling for marriage equality; Edinburgh congregation votes for equality in new vacancy process; WCC, Roman Catholic joint group celebrates 50 years of ecumenical work; Media digest
Religion will always return because it is hard to live without meaning, writes Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Irish guests at US Episcopal General Convention, Chronic lack of social housing and accommodation - SVP, Atheist Ireland criticises RTÉ’s Angelus revamp, Down Synod rejects plea to stop increasing parochial levies, New Extension to Bandonbridge National School opened, Ancient Holy Well Rededicated at Drumcondra, ‘Kids Big Adventure’ days are back in October, Service of Thanksgiving for outcome of referendum, Launch of Kells Type Trail, Openly gay vocations officer for the Diocese of Bangor, Media digest
The recent 200th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo prompted John Dunlop to give this Thought for Today on BBC Radio Ulster.
Former President McAleese hails Orange Order museum; Family fun day in Downpatrick; Oireachtas members at Dublin service for Berkeley students; Border walkers pray for peace; Down and Dromore Theological Working Group membership; Prayers for peace for the 12th July; United Reformed Church General Assembly to discuss same-sex marriage; Christian Aid welcomes report on climate change health threats; Media digest
Fourteen hundred years ago on 23 November 615 a great Irishman, Saint Columbanus, died in Bobbio, Italy - writes Neill Collins, a Columban missionary
Papal honour for Portstewart woman; Dublin parish’s 1 million euro goal; £12,000 funding boost for Ballykelly Church; C of I Standing Committee changes; C of I Committee on Human Sexuality to launch study guide; Archbishop of York upholds right to have different views on sexuality; Church of Scotland welcomes 19 new recruits to ministry; Papal envoy visits displaced Christians in Iraq; Media digest
A leading Belfast journalist, Alex Kane, who makes no secret of his agnosticism, had a right good go in the Belfast News Letter this week at those Christians in Northern Ireland who claim they are being persecuted - writes Houston McKelvey.
Berkeley Tragedy - interdenominational service today in Dublin; Visitors Flock to See Transformed Cathedral for Dublin Garden Festival; St Patrick's High School in Keady wins TES award; Belfast Child Contact Centre appeals for volunteers; Praise on the lawn at Hillsborough; It's not about being gay or straight, but being human; Archbishop Welby joins thousands on Alban Pilgrimage; Methodists in Britain send message of solidarity to Charleston; Sister Nirmala, Mother Teresa’s successor, dies at 81; Media digest
Saint Columbanus 1400 anniversary celebrated; Connor Streetreach team commissioned at Belfast cathedral; Priest concerned for Croagh Patrick’s future; Parish worships in former church at Folk Museum; One year on - Edinburgh church recovering from congregational split over the ordination of gay ministers; Jazz sounds a note of hope – Archbishop of Wales; Media digest
The legacy - positive and negative - of the Ulster Revival still resonates in this part of the island where the Scots Irish and Presbyterianism predominate.
TV special today on Knock Shrine; Charges are move against Christian faith - Pastor; Visiting Anglican archbishop warns of ‘unacceptable compromise’ on gay marriage; Gay marriage would not harm Church, bishop says; Corrymeela chief declares his support for same-sex marriage; Making the transition into circuit ministry; Church of Scientology attempting to stop documentary's UK release - libel concerns in Northern Ireland; New library and cross for Bray school; St Mel’s wins 2015 RIAI Pubic Choice Award; 200 years of prayer and praise in County Cork church; Media digest
Ecumenical speakers at Clonard Novena; Fathers Day service in Old Kilmore Church at Folk Museum; St Andrew's College Dublin tribute to past pupil; Waterloo commemoration; Derry’s bishop quartet congratulate new priest; Church of Scotland welcomes Pope’s encyclical on climate; Joint call for action on climate change; Media Digest
No one can object to church planting. St Paul and his associates had a fair go at it and we are still coping with the advice which it is claimed he mailed to the elders or presbyters in various places. However...
Priest from Banbridge comforts friends of dead and injured in Berkeley tragedy; Special Mass in California for student victims; Blessing of Pets in Saint Peter’s Church, Bandon; Fanning the Flame of faith in Derry; Vestry in Knocknamuckley church split row is urged to resign; Clonard Novena gets under way; Pastor James McConnell vows not to be silenced by courts as he faces prosecution over 'Islam is satanic' sermon; Church Leaders In Derry condemn attempted murder of police; Church of England Welcomes Climate Encyclical; C of E Statement on Nottingham Employment Tribunal; Businesses should put human wellbeing first - Abp Sentamu; Pope says international community cares more about oil and weapons than persecuted Christians; WCC Executive Committee speaks out on migrant crises; Media digest
Evangelism can happen without a word being uttered. Evangelism mercifully is not the monopoly of protestantism.
Grief for students in Berkeley highlights impact of J-1 programme in Irish - US relationship; I lost my gay uncle to Aids... his death made me support same-sex marriage; Church’s novel approach sees thousands flock to novena in Limerick; Vatican summons Irish bishops to explain role in paedophile scandals; Archbishop joins faith leaders calling for action on climate change; African bishops meet, will ‘speak with one voice’ at Synod; Media digest
The report of a service at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, honouring the life of Old Portoran and Jesuit, Fr John Sullivan, both inspired me and rattled my memory banks*. Clongowes and Portora schools participated in this service honouring a man who had been elevated to ‘Venerable’ - a saint in the making - by Pope Francis. As Archbishop Michael Jackson stated, Fr Sullivan spent half of his life as an Anglican and a layperson, and half as a Roman Catholic and a Jesuit priest.
Pope Francis calls for change in people's lifestyles as his encyclical letter is leaked; Presbyterian minister’s daughter calls on church to back gay marriage; Archbishop’s sympathy to families following deaths of five students in USA; Dublin Garden Festival at Christ Church Cathedral this weekend; Parish presents £6,000 to NI Hospice; Lurgan parish summer football coaching; Ordination re-union; Bishop urges Travellers to respect homes in Hollyhill, Cork; Church can’t judge my same-sex wedding, says C of E priest in landmark case; New Orange Museum tells real story of the Glorious Revolution; Christian Aid #OurHands campaign to protect domestic workers internationally; Media digest
The Most Rev David Chillingworth writing in The Herald (Friday June, 12) before the Scottish Episcopal Church’s discussion of whether or not to make provision for same-sex marriage in the life of the church.
C of I service honours of life of Jesuit Fr John Sullivan; Campaign to save Dominican church continues; Dublin visit to Lebanon Aims to Build Solidarity With Syrian Refugees; Saint Anne’s Church features in Shandon Street Festival ; Former watchdog chief takes action against church; C of E statement in support of collective worship in schools; Catholic, Orthodox Christian and atheist to present Pope’s encyclical; Iraq one year on - Christian Aid response to refugees from Isil; Media digest
Methodist President Designate and Lay Leader Designate elected; Taoiseach hails new era in Irish education; Scottish Synod finds way forward for same-sex marriage; Westminster appointment for Irish cleric; Yeats’ Anniversary archive; Dublin Magna Carta link; Irish Methodists urged to build relationships and differ well; Belfast Cathedral’s volunteers’ taster; Family friendly Christian Aid Wicklow Way Hike for life changes in Ethiopia; 220 mile peace walk to follow border; Archbishop and Grand Imam meet with Prince Charles; 135,000 march in Hong Kong as victims of Tiananmen Square protest are remembered; Forgive but don't forget, Pope tells war survivors
I am concerned about the future of my church - The Church of Ireland... One does not need to be prophet or the son of a prophet to know that we are at a time in the history of this church that great care is needed in how we act and communicate
Irish priest in letter to Pope has called for bishops here to be handed P45s; C of I Bishop of Derry’s tribute to parents of Paul McCauley - sectarian attack victim; New Methodist President Condemns Homophobic Attack; Wide spectrum of issues at Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference; Summer recitals at St Patrick’s, Coleraine; St Brigid’s Way walking pilgrimage; Private Secretary to Prince of Wales to be Secretary General of C of E; Putin meets Pope over Ukraine and plight of Christians in Middle East; Media digest
James Galway gave himself a hostage to fortune in his recent interview on Northern Ireland.
RUC George Cross award is a vision of service for the good of others - Archbishop Clarke; Call to faith journeying at annual St Columba celebration; Scottish Episcopal Church to look at marriage canons at General Synod; Threat to separate church and civil ceremonies was a crude scare tactic; Catholic bishops to discuss result of same-sex marriage referendum; Rededication of Regimental Chapel in Belfast Cathedral; Calm returns to troubled Knocknamuckley church; Knocknamuckley breakaway church meets for first time; C of E bans lobby groups from interfering over women bishops; Female C of E clerics want to refer to God as 'She’; Pope didn't approve plan to allow divorced Catholics to receive holy Communion, says German cardinal; Media digest
A personal perspective from Rt Rev Dr Paul Colton