NEWS BRIEFS

Bishop runs in Dublin marathon

Bishop Fintan Monahan ran the Dublin City Marathon in aid of Clare Crusaders special needs children. He commented, “Thanks to all for generous sponsorship for a very worthy cause!”

Cork choristers on sponsored walk

The choristers of the Choir of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork and their families embarked on an 8km walk around Mahon Point and Blackrock Village in Cork on Saturday 19th October. The rain threatened at one point, but for the most part the sun was out. Almost 40 people met at Mahon Point Shopping Centre and headed towards Blackrock Castle on the riverside walkway, a route that proved popular last year. After passing the Castle the next stop was The Natural Foods Bakery in Blackrock Village where a hot chocolate and a slice of delicious cake was picked up. It was well deserved! The break was limited though as the final destination was still someway down the old railway line back to Mahon Point. There were several tired faces in the choir stalls on the following Sunday morning after an invigorating afternoon of exercise.

Liam’s remarkable cross a lasting legacy

A cross sown into conifers near Derry and visible by air is an example of how people can leave a lasting legacy, the Church of Ireland Diocesan Synod has been told. The Bogay cross was planted by the late forester Liam Emmery before he died in 2010. Speaking at An Grianán Hotel, not 5km from the incredible monument, Archdeacon Robert Miller said: “As we grow older many of us wonder about our mark on the world. I saw a very striking photograph recently which showed how a Donegal forester had made his mark on the world. Fourteen years ago, the late Liam Emmery planted more than 3k trees not very far from here, at Killea. What was remarkable about the forest is that Liam designed it in such a way that in the autumn – when some trees change colour – a huge Celtic Cross is revealed, visible only from above. It is over 100 metres long and 70 metres wide, and Liam’s creation has rightly been hailed as a remarkable feat of horticultural engineering.”

Blessington Millennium Choir going strong

In 1999 an interfaith discussion led by Fr Tim Murphy and Rev Nigel Dunne concluded that the foundation of an ecumenical choir would be one appropriate way to celebrate the Christian Millennium in their parishes. Blessington Millennium Choir was born under the musical direction of Yvonne O’Connor with accompanist Ruarc Gahan.

On Sunday, December 8, the choir proudly celebrates its twentieth anniversary with a major concert in St Mary’s Church in Blessington. It will be a concert of famous and favourite pieces which have brought joy to choir members and audiences over the past 20 years. Tickets will cost (€10 adults, €5 children) and will be available from the parish office from November 1. In addition to this concert.

Harry Meyer has compiled a book of photographs, programmes and interviews tracing the history of the choir since its foundation. Supporters of the choir and former members may be interested in having a copy of this book. It runs to approximately 100 pages, in colour and will cost €40. It would make an ideal Christmas Present. If you would like to reserve a copy please contact a member of the choir or leave a note in the parish office for Harry’s attention.

Disability Awareness training in Clogher diocese

C of I Parishes have been invited to send representatives to a training session on Disability Awareness being held in the Hilliard Room, Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen on Wednesday, 30th October beginning at 7pm. The training event is being hosted by Clogher Diocesan Board of Social Theology in Action. The training will be delivered by Katherine-Alice Grasham, Disability Officer for the Anglican Diocese of Leeds. Katherine will give an overview of this subject and will focus on some relevant issues which will include topics like disability and theology, invisible disabilities, practical tips for inclusion, language and discrimination and children and families with additional needs. Anyone requiring further information should contact Revd Charlie Eames.

Youth work and mental health guide

A timely guide from Grovebooks examines how mental health can impact youth work, draws wisdom from the Bible and gives guidelines for dealing with the complex nature of mental illness. It urges those involved in caring for vulnerable young people to follow Jesus’ example by looking beyond the illness to the person beneath.
[ https://grovebooks.co.uk/products/y-56-mental-health-and-young-people-improving-mental-health-awareness-in-youth-wor ]

 C of I Historical Society Meeting

The next meeting of the Church of Ireland Historical Society will be held in the Henry Roe Room of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on Saturday 2 November beginning with registration at 10.30am.

In the morning session Dr Áine Hensey, well known as a presenter and producer with RTE Radio na Gaeltachta, will discuss ‘“Isolated enclaves”: the challenge of establishing Church of Ireland communities outside Dublin in the aftermath of the Reformation’. This will be followed by a research paper on ‘The political response of Guinness’s brewery to the First World War’ delivered by Ms Kiara Gregory who is a doctoral student in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.

After lunch Prof Kevin Cathcart, Emeritus Professsor of Near Eastern Languages in UCD, will talk on ‘Distinguished and amiable, conscientious and controversial: Edward Hincks, rector of Killyleagh, 1826–66’. The day will conclude with a presentation on “Keeping the head up”: how did southern Protestants come to terms with independent Ireland?’ by Dr Ida Milne and Dr Ian d’Alton who are the editors of the recently published book of essays, Protestant and Irish.

Queries may be addressed to the honorary secretary, Dr Adrian Empey, by email at secretary.coihs@gmail.com] or querists may visit the society’s website: http://churchofirelandhist.org