Irish news digest

Russian émigrés at Collon church

Collon Church of Ireland, County Louth – Dating from 1810, it is modelled on the chapel of King’s College, Cambridge. An unusual feature of the churchyard is the presence of three gravestones each in the form of an Orthodox cross marking the resting place of Russian émigrés.

Archbishop of York to preach in C of E national online service

The Archbishop of York is to preach as part of the national online service broadcast by the Church of England on Sunday 7th June at 9am. This will be the last day in his role as Archbishop of York. His wife the Revd. Margaret Sentamu, will lead a time of prayer in the service.

The Archbishop said, “I am pleased to have this opportunity for the second time to take part in this online service on what will be my last day in office. Like many of us, I too, am missing being able to worship alongside others. I hope that many will join us on 7th June as we continue this way of worshipping. We know that these times will pass and change will come, but our Lord and Saviour, King and Friend never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and for ever – and deserves our never-ending praise! ‘Come let us bow down, kneel and worship the Lord our Maker.’”

You will be able to watch the service live or on replay via the Church of England’s Facebook page or the Church of England website.

Cork, Cloyne and Ross youth ‘fridge video’ from lockdown launched

Hilda Connolly, Diocesan Youth Officer, and the young people of the Cork Diocesan Youth Council invited Bishop Paul Colton to launch their ‘Fridge Video’ – a product of their recent Zoom meetings held during the lockdown of the coronavirus, and edited by one of the younger leaders, Nathan.

Bishop Colton, launching the video said: ‘Hilda has been working hard with our young people and coming up with lots of creative ideas, and what a great idea this is!

‘I’m delighted to launch the video now but, more important, I am thrilled that young people in the Diocese are finding ways of keeping in touch with each other and working on fun projects such as this.

‘I’ve never seen the inside of so many fridges in the Diocese before this. I love it!’

Mothers’ Union hearts spread hope and love

Across the UK and Ireland production of knitted hearts by Mothers’ Union is giving hope and spreading love in hospitals, care homes and hospices.

The matching pairs of knitted hearts are given to the patient and their family, so that those receiving support can feel more connected with their relatives, knowing their loved one/family has the other of the pair.

This simple yet meaningful practice is helping residents, patients and their families get through these difficult times.

Archbishop McDowell on BBC Morning Service

This Sunday’s Morning Service on Radio Ulster will be led by the Most Revd John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. The service, which was recorded in Kiltermon Parish Church, Fivemiletown, will be broadcast at 10.15am and available afterwards on
[[] www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007cphq ]

Points for Prayer

Loving God, we thank you for shop workers as they serve our communities. We pray for safety for them as they deal with customers. Give them courage, wisdom and grace as they work. May they know your presence with them.

Pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, for a vaccine, and for healing for all those who are sick.

It’s wonderful that so many acts of kindness are emerging in our communities, some easily visible, others known only by the recipient. We thank God for each one and for how they bolster our faith in humanity.

Urgent prayer request for the Smyth family in Ballycastle , recently bereaved as the result of a tragic road accident. Ryan Smyth has lost his young wife and daughter Bethany & his daughter Hannah remains seriously ill in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

God in Creation