Philip Talbot retires, Children help Leprosy Mission, New Term Begins in CITI, Hilden Centre celebrates its 10th anniversary
Philip Talbot retires
On Friday Philip Talbot retires from his post as Head of Investments and from the staff of Church of Ireland House where he has served for over 44 years. No one could disagree with the C of I correspondent to the Irish Times, who stated – “A model of careful professionalism, unfailing politeness and understated dedication, Philip Talbot has embodied that spirit of service to the whole Church of Ireland which has been the hallmark of the staff of the Representative Church Body “.
Children help Leprosy Mission
The children of Potter’s House, Holy Trinity Parish, Woodburn, have raised £300 for the Leprosy Mission. During Lent, Potter’s House participated in the ‘Helping Hands Project’ – raising money for reconstructive surgery for leprosy sufferers. The children also learned about leprosy and the work of the leprosy mission in combating this curable disease. They recently handed a cheque for £300 over to Mr Peter Hilton from The Leprosy Mission. Mr Hilton also did a presentation to the adult congregation at Holy Trinity.
New Term Begins in CITI
Last Monday the lecture term began in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.
There are 17 ordinands in full time training in years one and two of a three year course and a further 13 ordinands are in part time training. The third year students, of whom there are 17, are being ordained as deacon interns and will spend a year dividing their time between working in a parish and continuing their studies in the Institute.
In addition to those who have been selected for ministerial training a further 30 students are involved in the Foundation Year programme, the successful completion of which is an essential prerequisite to selection for training.
The teaching staff of the Institute is unchanged although there has been some re–allocation of responsibilities. The Director is the Revd Dr Maurice Elliott and he is assisted by Canon Patrick Comerford who teaches Anglicanism and liturgy, Dr Katie Heffelfinger who lectures in biblical studies and hermeneutics, the Revd Patrick McGlinchey, part time lecturer in missology, and the Revd Ted Woods who is the part time MTh Internship Co–ordinator. In addition teaching is provided by staff from TCD and the ISE and by visiting lecturers.
Hilden Centre celebrates its 10th anniversary
A ‘Celebration Service’ was held at the Hilden Centre of Lambeg Parish near Lisburn (Connor Diocese) on Sunday September 25 to mark the 10th anniversary of this purpose built worship centre.
The service, held in a large marquee in the grounds of the centre, was conducted by the rector, the Rev Canon Ken McReynolds, assisted by Miss Mavis Gibbons. The guest speaker was Sister Myrtle Morrison (Church Army) who, as member of Lambeg Parish staff for seven years, had worked with the rector in pioneering the work in the Hilden area.
Also taking part was Mrs Pat Harvey who in May 2000 took over and continued Myrtle’s sterling work when she moved to St Saviour’s, Craigavon. Pat was on the staff as pastoral assistant for eight years and a key part of her role was the work of the Hilden Centre.
During the service, Hilary Shaw (Sunday School leader) led the prayers and Victor McDonald (Ministry Team member) read the Scripture lesson. Also during the service the Sunday School children were presented with commemorative anniversary medals.
Mrs Reta Dickson presided at the piano and led the celebratory praise that included, ‘Lord for the years your love has kept and guided.’
The Sunday School children led a special praise time when they sang a selection of choruses that included, ‘Faith as strong as a mustard seed.’ The words of this lovely chorus, a personal favourite of the rector’s, were the theme for a gospel message printed on a souvenir bookmark which was issued to all who attended the service. The message read, “If you have faith like a mustard seed, just a tiny little seed, God will make it grow and grow” – a fitting statement of the worship and outreach work which was planted and which continues to grow at the Hilden Centre.
After the service, the congregation and well wishers moved into the Hilden Centre filling it to capacity for a celebratory dinner; during which time Myrtle and Pat cut a 10th anniversary birthday cake marking this important milestone in the history of Lambeg Parish.
The Hilden Centre as it exists today was the culmination of several years work in the Hilden area, when it had been realised that although the area was within the geographical boundaries of the parish it was logistically detached from the parish church itself.
Activities initially took place in the EMB Hall which was bought in 1996 by Lambeg Parish for Church extension work. The building, which was in a poor state of repair, was demolished in early 2000 and 12 months later, on September 27 2001 the present worship centre was opened in its place. Today, the Hilden Centre runs a full programme of worship and teaching events, a parent and toddlers group, a ‘drop–in’ morning and other community based events.