Bishop of Egypt visits Northern Ireland, The challenge of engaging with children in Church, Christmas stamps launched in NI by Dean of Belfast,
St Patrick’s Past Choristers & Pupils’ Association Reunion, KJV@4:00 project on final stage, Bishop Good extends good wishes to Bishop Hegarty upon his retirement, Connor Canon appointed.
Bishop of Egypt visits Northern Ireland
The Most Rev Dr Mouneer Anis, President Bishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East and Bishop of the Diocese of Egypt, will be in Northern Ireland next week on a short visit hosted by the Church Mission Society, Ireland.
Dr Anis, who has served as Bishop of Egypt since 2000, is the guest speaker at a CMS Ireland Focus Event at St Mark’s Parish Halls, Newtownards, on Thursday 17th November. Dr Anis will offer his perspectives on the dramatic events that have unfolded this year in Egypt and will share something of how the Church has continued to be a source of love, hope and practical support in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty. The event, entitled ‘Revolution Road: The Church’s Response to the Arab Spring’, begins at 7:30pm and is open to all.
During his visit, Dr Anis will also meet with MLAs at Stormont and will spend time with friends and supporters from CMS Ireland Link Parishes. On Sunday 20th November, Dr Anis will preach at the morning service at Hillsborough Parish and in the evening, he is to be interviewed by UTV’s Paul Clark at Kilmore Parish, Crossgar.
The challenge of engaging with children in Church
Children’s talks in church or school are a regular part of parish ministry. Yet it can be a challenge to keep coming up with new ideas and ways of engaging children. A lunchtime talk to help refresh and inspire clergy in their engagement with children will be given by Nick Harding in the CITI on Friday 18 November 2011, 12.30pm – 2.00pm .
Nick Harding, Children’s Ministry Adviser for the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, has many years of practical experience doing children’s talks and all–age worship and has written many resources for assembly and church. He believes that communicating well to children is a skill that we can learn! This lunchtime talk will help refresh and inspire clergy in their engagement with children.
There will be a light lunch served at 12.30pm followed by the talk. The lunchtime talk is free but due to catering arrangements names of those planning to attend need to be with Anne Taylor or Sam Mawhinney by Wednesday 16th November. Parking available in the College grounds. For directions see –www.theologicalinstitute.ie/about/directions.php
For further information or booking contact –
Rev. Anne Taylor, Tel/Fax: 01–4905543, Email: dublin@buildingblocks.ie.
Christmas stamps launched in NI by Dean of Belfast
This year’s Royal Mail Christmas stamps, issued on 8 November, feature scenes inspired by the Nativity. The stamps are set to appear on millions of cards and letters sharing Christmas greetings between friends and family in the UK and overseas. The seven Christmas stamps are inspired by verses from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and recognise that 2011 is the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.
Officially launching the stamps, The Very Revd John Owen Mann, Dean of St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, said: ‘The Christmas Stamps this year are both beautiful and meaningful. The sense of communication between God and humanity, between the angel and Joseph and the Shepherds, is expressed in gesture as well as atmosphere.
‘The words of St Matthew and St Luke are brought to life as Mary beholds the baby Jesus and the wise men gaze with searching eyes at the star.
‘They are a glorious set of stamps and it will be a joy to use them!’
Barbara Roulston from Royal Mail said: ‘Christmas stamps help deliver festive messages of good cheer and celebration, not only in the UK but also around the world. This year’s stamps feature scenes from the Nativity, together with the gospel references from the King James Bible which inspired them.’
The 1st and 2nd Class stamps are available in two sizes: a standard version for regular letters and a ‘large letter’ version for larger cards and mail.
Three other Christmas stamps depict Jesus in the manger (68p stamp), the shepherds being visited by the Angel (£1.10) and the Wise Men and star (£1.65).
St Patrick’s Past Choristers & Pupils’ Association Reunion
The Reunion Evensong for the Association was held in the Cathedral on
Sunday 16 October. All past choristers, including past girl choristers were
invited to come and join with the Cathedral choir to sing Evensong. This annual event, which has proved to be very popular, is a marvellous opportunity to meet again with former colleagues and revive memories of past days as a member of the choir. The music was specially selected for the occasion and was familiar to many. There were refreshments served afterwards in the Hewson room where old friends met and enjoyed each others company. A big thank you was recorded to Stephen Burleigh, Stuart Nicholson and David Leigh for arranging this very special occasion in the choir year.
KJV@4:00 project on final stage
The Good Book Shop in Belfast is approaching the final stages of their Bible reading marathon and Paul Clark from UTV was the latest well known local personality to take part. Paul read four chapters from the book of Acts at 4.00pm on Friday last. ‘It’s nice to be reading some good news for a change!’ he said.
The KJV@4:00 project which has been running all year to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, has had nearly 200 people taking part from all over Ireland, England and America and from different denominations, faiths and beliefs. The event is now almost fully booked, but you can still pop in to the shop at 4.00pm every weekday afternoon to hear the passages for the day being read.
The event will finish on Friday 23rd December with the Archbishop of Dublin reading the final six chapters of Revelation. Organiser and Good Book Shop manager, Richard Ryan, said, “We’re planning to have a party that afternoon with the hope that those who have already taken part will come back for the final day to meet up with others who have made the event such a success.”
Bishop Good extends good wishes to Bishop Hegarty upon his retirement
Tributes have been paid to the Catholic Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, after he announced his retirement for health reasons. Dr Hegarty said he was being treated for an “irreversible and progressive” condition.
The Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, The Rt Revd Ken Good, has expressed his good wishes to Bishop Seamus Hegarty following the announcement of his imminent retirement on health grounds.
Bishop Good said: ‘On behalf of the Church of Ireland community in Derry and Raphoe Diocese we send our prayers and good wishes to Bishop Hegarty as he is shortly to begin retirement. It is obviously a matter of regret that his retirement has been necessitated by an ongoing medical condition. As Bishop Hegarty begins this new phase in his life, with its challenges, we wish him well.’
Dr Hegarty, who is 71, has been Bishop of Derry since 1994. He was ordained as a priest in 1966, and was consecrated Bishop of Raphoe in 1982. Dr Hegarty has said he will scale back his duties while the Pope considers his letter of resignation, but he hopes to maintain a pastoral ministry as long as he is able.
Connor Canon
The Reverend Jim Carson has been appointed to the Chapter of Connor in Lisburn Cathedral, by the Bishop of Connor, succeeding to the vacancy caused by the retirement of Canon Ernest Harris. Mr Carson is rector of St Paul’s Parish in Lisburn.