The recent lawbreaking in various cities in England certainly filled the newspapers and media. There was no need for journalists to go searching for stories in what is customarily referred to as the silly season, writes Houston McKelvey, guest columnist of the Churches’ Pages in today’s Belfast published “Newsletter”.
As befits its responsibilities for a significant part of the national heritage the Church of Ireland will play a part in the celebration of National Heritage Week which begins today (Saturday) and continues until 28 August. The C of I Correspondent in today’s Irish Times presents this overview.
Training Opportunities for Children’s Leaders, Matters musical, Cork Institution
The Archbishop of Wales, Most Rev Barry Morgan this week warned that the British elite must put their own house in order as the country reels from the riots that shattered neighbourhoods across England.
The Down and Dromore Bishop’s Bible Week celebrates its fifth birthday this year with teaching by Canon John Hughes on the theme, ‘Leadership that Transforms’. The four nights of Bible exposition and worship will be held in the Jethro Centre, Lurgan, from 22-25 August.
Limerick youth visit to South Africa, Back to Church Sunday, Hall is a tribute to lifetime of service, Heritage Week @ St Doulagh’s Church Balgriffin, Farewell to ordinand. Cathedral Lecture on the Royal British Legion
The Northern Ireland Inter-Faith Forum has written to all MLAs seeking to highlight issues of faith diversity in Northern Ireland. In particular the Forum has asked the elected representatives to give consideration to a number of key points.
The Chapter of Truro Cathedral has announced that Alan Wallace who hails from Northern Ireland and who played a lead role in organising the last Lambeth Conference, has been appointed its new Chief Executive.
“Stained Glass and Bloodstained History” is the startling headline of a tour on St Bartholomew’s day!
The complete 'Handwritten Bible', created by tens of thousands of people across Britain and Northern Ireland, has now gone online, the Methodist Church in Britain has announced.
A new book telling tales of Irish missionaries the world over is to be published in September. The book includes a foreword by Irish President Mary McAleese, as well as special contributions from - amongst others – Archbishop Alan Harper, Cardinal Seán Brady, and the heads of several prominent Irish NGOs
Diocesan Communications officer sought, Disability Working Group appointments, Heritage Week Lecture, Change for Hillsborough rector.
The Archbishop of Armagh, Most Revered Alan Harper and a Dublin rector, the Reverend Alan Rufli have been appointed to the Steering Committee of the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation which met recently at the international Study Centre at Canterbury Cathedral. They will serve for two terms.
Like the city’s buses lecture series tend to come in twos. Details follow of the first lectures in St Bartholomew’s Parish Church and the Inter-Faith forum at Edgehill College.
Belfast-born Revd Dr Chris Wright, International Director of Langham Partnership, was the preacher at the recent funeral of the influential Anglican evangelical, Rev Dr John Stott.
Revd Chris Bennett, chaplain to The Titanic Quarter, Belfast, brings us the latest from The Dock:
The Choir of Derby Cathedral will give recitals and sing at a number of services in Armagh, Coleraine, Derry, and Belfast from Saturday August 20 - Sunday 28.
The Editor’s viewpoint in today’s Belfast Telegraph gives its support to views in a report in the newspaper yesterday of Rev Ian Ellis, Secretary to the General Synod Board of Education - N.Ireland, regarding the sharing of schools and especially in rural areas. The Editorial and the report follow here.
Services and events
Charity shops in Northern Ireland are reporting critically low stock levels, as donations dry up during the recession, the Newsletter reported yesterday.
Following the recall of the House of Lords yesterday in response to the events of recent days, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, expressed sympathy with those affected, paid tribute to police and volunteers, and called for a renewed commitment to the building of strong communities.
The Bishop of London in a statement to clergy and churches across the capital said, "The events of the past few days in London are appalling - but not wholly unexpected. Whatever the real motivations of those who have brought violence to our streets, there will be a proper time for sober analysis and an assessment of the role of gang culture in the capital.”
Billy Church, the ancient parish of the Giant’s Causeway, is to celebrate the joy of baptism in a festival taking place on the weekend of September 10 and 11, 2011.
The conversation which is a cornerstone of human relationships is crucial to achieving peace in a world of conflict and injustice, Bishop Brian Smith has said at Edinburgh Spirituality and Peace Festival.
A former Methodist Church minister who was a chaplain at Magilligan Jail is facing child pornography charges, the BBC has reported .
The Rev Tim Close, Canon Treasurer and Dean’s Vicar of Belfast Cathedral , has been appointed rector of All Saints, Eglantine which is near Lisburn.
In a letter to the Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin which is published in the current issue of Close News, the Chancellor, Canon Desmond Sinnamon writes -
Dundrum Methodist Church, Dublin, is the second Methodist church to receive an Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI) award which also recognised its membership of the Three Rock Churches' Environment Group - an ecumenical group of seven churches working together on environmental initiatives.
Christian Aid Ireland continues to respond to the East Africa food crisis and is helping people affected across the region. The Anglican Church holds a summit this week in Africa. The Church in Kenya has called upon its government to act.
Today, August 9, is Mary Sumner Day commemorating the founder of Mothers' Union. Mary established Mothers' Union at Old Aresford in Winchester Diocese, 135 years ago in 1876.
