Prayers for the people of Newtown - statements from the Bishops of the diocese and from Washington National Cathedral
Black Santa starts Annual Christmas Sitout; Morning Call in Broughshane; Carols at Christ Church Cathedral; Scouts bring ‘Peace Light’ to Dublin church
Help us who wait
Tomorrow afternoon Bishop Richard Clarke will be enthroned as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. There should be little doubt that the House of Bishops, we believe under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has chosen well.
Families Enjoy Connor MU Christingle Service; Moira’s ‘Kids Big Breakfast Bonanza’; Messy Church a success in Kilkeel; Items stolen from church; Workshop on Inter Faith Engagement; Carol Singing at the Mansion House; Caring dogs at Carol Service in Christ Church Cathedral; SPAR and VIVO promotion helps 37,000; Media review - Ireland’s seat on UNHRC an ‘honour’, President Higgins; Barnardos highlights problem of ‘loverboys’ in child prostitution; Bishops get 6 months to respond on patronage
Rowan Williams becomes Christian Aid Chair; Bishop of Peterborough to chair Council for Christian Unity; Bishop unveils UKs largest Christmas ad; Episcopal Response to Scottish Government’s draft Bill on same sex marriage
A review of the comment in the media
Waiting teaches us to live life in increments, in small pieces rather than large chunks
The Coalition government's response in its proposals for same sex marriage in churches most definitely took the majority of people by surprise. Amongst the most surprised were the Tory backbenchers, the C of E, and the Church in Wales.
24/7 Prayer is organising ‘Prayer for Peace’ this Saturday, December 15, at 8.30 am
New book by rector takes readers on journeys to Africa; Dublin Black Santa Sit Out Gets Underway Next Week; Members sought for the Education and Skills Authority in Northern Ireland; Christmas With Discovery Gospel Choir; Civic Carol Service at St Ann’s; Media review - School survey for border pupils; Historic child abuse enquiry in NI will have jail powers; Dail suspended amid furious row between Kenny and Adams over IRA Disappeared; MP states gay marriage plans in England will not affect NI; Census reveals NI religious figures
Basically, patience is simple; it means waiting
Statement from House of Bishops; Campaigners who state attempts at compromise should be abandoned; Joint letter from four organisations supporting the Archbishops' Council's proposals for moves towards a recalling of General Synod
A review of church and press reaction
Broadcast Of Archbishop’s Enthronement; NI Protestant population continuing to decline; The Priests perfect their Christmas carols; St Nicholas’ Carrickfergus open for prayer at Christmas; 3Rock’s Essential Rocks Christ Church Cathedral; Community Gospel Choir Concert in Lisburn Cathedral; Mariners' Church featured in New Life for Churches in Ireland; NI pupils best in Europe at maths
Ed Curran, the award-winning former editor of the Belfast Telegraph, is one of the absolute top commentators on life in Northern Ireland. His weekly column in the Telegraph is a must-read for anyone attempting to be abreast of events. Yesterday he filed this comment.
Women bishops - House of Laity meeting confirmed - July might be too soon to return to fray, bishops; Gay marriage: Religious 'opt-in' offered, but not to CofE; Top Tories Launch Gay Marriage Campaign; Media review - Final service in gay split church; Churches could become police access points
Peace in the world begins with peace in our lives
MEP launches a fund directory for churches; New hall speaks of ‘new life’; Church and TCD in row over teacher training; Worship this week
Ruth Dudley-Edwards writing in The Daily Telegraph recently, commented - My past as an interpreter of Northern Irish loyalism caught up with me again this morning. What the Today Programme, the World Service and Sky News wanted to know was why loyalists were making so much fuss about the Union flag, which used to fly permanently over City Hall but henceforward will be there only on certain designated days.
Oh Come All Ye Tweeters; Women bishops: Apron protests held at churches; Don't fix just some of York Minster's problems, fix olive them; Church Urban Fund chair condemns cuts and backs Beveridge principle; Charities, church groups and unions criticise policies that punish the poor: Media review - Terry Waite meets his captors; Westminster Abbey TV review
Live from Birmingham Cathedral at 3.30pm. Music list follows
There will be signs in the sun
Republican slogans daubed on C of I church; Bishop condemns threat against MP; Archbishop Of Dublin at memorial service in China; Presbyterian elder wrangle; Down rector appointed to Dublin parish; Cashel & Ossory institution; Book launch; Media review
Church leaders use Twitter for Christmas messages; Church responses to UK autumn budget; Kirk takes action against breakaway group
Background; Responses from C of E, Reform, Changing attitude and media review
A willingness to wait in Advent
Advent and Christmas - Seasons of Waiting, Patience, Hope, and Joy
Flegs. That’s what they are called in the Belfast vernacular, and their display – or lack of it – still has the power to madden, provoke and inspire. For some people, flags remain the animating principle in their lives, and the more they feel their own identity is under threat, the closer they cling to them.
Bishops Lead Church Attack On Spending Cuts And Welfare Reform; Vicar wears Prada;Christian Aid welcomes UK climate finance support pledge; Coalition marks UN disability day with forced unpaid work for disabled people