Christian Aid Ireland – Syria Crisis Appeal; Clerical Manoeuvres; Interfaith Walk to Mark International Day of Peace; Clogher introduction; Ballynahinch Congregational row: Minister says no to mediation
Christian Aid Ireland – Syria Crisis Appeal
More than two million people have fled from Syria to neighbouring countries. Christian Aid’s partners are already doing all they can for some of the most vulnerable refugees who have lost so much, but they need your help.
Rosamond Bennett , Chief Executive of Christian Aid Ireland writes –
As the situation in Syria deteriorates, thousands of refugees are pouring into neighbouring Iraq.
Many are women and children fleeing the violence, in search of water, food and shelter. But there’s simply not enough to go around.
Many refugees are arriving on foot, exhausted and hungry, often having travelled for days with just the clothes on their backs. Many are without food or adequate shelter, making children especially vulnerable.
Christian Aid’s Partner REACH is working to provide hygiene and sanitation kits, food and emergency shelters to vulnerable refugees staying in makeshift camps.
The only official UN refugee camp, which was originally intended to provide sanctuary to 15,000 people, is already squeezing in more than 55,000.
There is still so much more to do to alleviate suffering. Nasrin, a mother of four, told us about the devastating destruction in Syria from which she escaped, only to face another desperate situation living in a refugee camp in northern Iraq.
Please make a donation today to help provide food, health and hygiene kits, and other basic essentials to some of the most vulnerable refugees.
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/secure/syria-crisis-2013.aspx?MC_approach=A018023&MC_fund=F010508&amount=
See prayers for the Syria crisis on CNI today
Clerical Manoeuvres
The coming week brings a concentration of clerical manoeuvres with ordinations to the diaconate and the priesthood, institutions and installations.
Tomorrow (Sunday) evening in St Donard’s church, Belfast, the Bishop of Down & Dromore will ordain Andrew Thompson and Graham Spence as deacon interns and in St Columb’s cathedral, Derry, the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe will similarly ordain Peter Jones. Meanwhile in St Macartin’s cathedral, Enniskillen, the Bishop of Clogher will raise the Revd Rob Clements to the priesthood to serve in Enniskillen parish. There will be further ordinations on Monday evening in Down Cathedral where the Revd Andrew Campbell, the Revd Colin Darling and the Revd Rosie Diffin will be raised to the priesthood by the Bishop of Down & Dromore to serve in the parishes of Bangor Abbey, Cregagh and Seapatrick respectively.
Tomorrow (Sunday) evening the Bishop of Cashel & Ossory will institute the Revd Victor Fitzpatrick to the Kilcooley union of parishes Co.Tipperary. Mr Fitzpatrick, who was ordained in 2003, has served curacies St Ann & St Stephen, Dublin, and in Castleknock. On Wednesday evening in St Anne’s cathedral, Belfast, the Rector of St John’s, Malone, the Revd Robert Jones, will be installed as a canon, and on Thursday evening in St Ninian’s church, Convoy, the Revd Dr William T. Long will be instituted to the Convoy group of parishes. On Friday evening the Bishop of Clogher will institute the Revd John McClenaghan to the Aghalurcher group of parishes in Co. Tyrone. Mr McClenaghan has been Rector of Keady in the Diocese of Armagh since 2008. The preacher at the service will be the former Archbishop of Armagh, the Rt Revd Alan Harpur. – Irish Times
Armagh Friends choral concert
The Friends of Armagh Cathedral will host a special 75th anniversary concert with the Lowry Singers in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Friday at 7.30pm.
Formed in 1938 the Friends of Armagh Cathedral exist to bring together all who care for the cathedral, and to assist the Dean and Chapter and the Board to maintain the cathedral for posterity.
Interfaith Walk to Mark International Day of Peace
The Dublin City Interfaith Forum is inviting people to participate in the Interfaith Walk of Peace 2013. Leaders and members of various religious communities, members of the Dublin City Interfaith Forum and others will gather at St Patrick’s Cathedral Park, on Sunday September 15 at 2.00 pm and walk together behind a peace banner to the Mansion House, where they will be welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Oisin Quinn at approximately 2.45 pm.
The International Day of Peace was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981. In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. This year’s Interfaith Walk of Peace is being held on the Sunday.
Dublin City Interfaith Forum (DCIF) is a network of people from the different Faith Communities in the City of Dublin. It aims to create awareness and dialogue through building relationships that nurture harmony, and deepen understanding and respect. The World Faiths currently present and active in Dublin City and represented on DCIF are: Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.
Clogher introduction
A large congregation gathered in Galloon Parish Church, Newtownbutler on the evening of Friday 30th August 2013, to mark an important milestone in the life of the Galloon, Sallaghy and Drummully group of parishes.
The group, which straddles the Fermanagh and Monaghan border, in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Clogher, welcomed their new diocesan curate, the Revd Anita Kerr, who was introduced by the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd John McDowell.
Prior to taking up her position in the Galloon Group, Revd Anita served in various capacities as a Non–Stipendiary Minister in the Diocese of Clogher, and prior to that she served in Sligo Cathedral in the Diocese of Elphin and Ardagh. The preacher at the service of institution was the Dean of Elphin and Ardagh, the Very Revd Arfon Williams.
Assisting the bishop at the service were the Archdeacon, the Venerable Cecil Pringle, the Revd Canon Helene T. Steed, Rural Dean of Clones, and the Diocesan Registrar, the Revd Canon John Stewart. The Bishop’s Chaplain was the Revd Sampson Ajuka, the organists were Mrs May Leech and Miss Joyce Clingan, and a combined choir from the group of parishes led the singing.
Ballynahinch Congregational row: Minister says no to mediation
The minister at the centre of a bitter dispute at Ballynahinch Congregational Church has rejected an offer of mediation to resolve the row.
News Letter – Speaking for the first time since police were called to last Sunday’s church services which saw protestors shout ‘Get Out’ at Rev George Speers as he gave his sermon, the minister said he is determined to carry on his work in the church.
Members of the congregation told the News Letter earlier this week that they have agreed to mediation on the issue a number of times.
Below is the statement in full.
“In 2003 I accepted a call to be the minister of Ballynahinch Congregational Church. Since that time I have fulfilled my calling in accordance with the teachings and doctrines of Scripture and have adhered to the principles and practices of Congregationalism.
“I will not be deterred from preaching the Gospel by the illegal actions of a group of protesters. By their actions they have violated all that Scripture teaches about worship and have denied others the fundamental liberty to worship without interference.
“I have attempted to bring about a resolution through the use of internal church structures.
“I have also engaged in joint talks facilitated by third parties. Sadly, a resolution accorded with biblical principles could not be found.
“The accusations which have been made against me are false. In accordance with the broad teachings of the Word of God however, I am unable and therefore unwilling to discuss the internal affairs of the Church in the public domain.
“I have been greatly encouraged by the messages of support given to me by members of my congregation, Ministers from various denominations and members of the general public.
“In obedience to God’s will and with His help I intend to continue to fulfil my calling as minister of Ballynahinch Congregational Church.” Reference –
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/ballynahinch-congregational-row-minister-says-no-to-mediation-1-5466953