C of I and All Ireland conkers festival, Four new Readers commissioned in Connor, Awards ceremony for organ scholars, Institution
C of I and conkers festival
Momentum is building ahead of the Irish Conker Championship Festival in Freshford, a three-day-long programme of family-focused outdoor and indoor events this October Bank Holiday Weekend. The Irish Conker Championships is open to competitors of all ages from 8 upwards with competitions judged at under-12, under-14, under-17 and adult levels. Team events also run on the day. Last year’s champion, Peter Theloke, will be there to share tips and skills with novice and long-time competitors and the many who have supported the event over its 12-year history.
A basket-weaving programme is being held in Freshford t resent. The workshop is by basket maker Heike Khale, and all baskets woven will be on display at the exhibition by award-winning basket maker Joe Hogan. This exhibition opens on October 29 and runs right through the festival weekend in the Church of Ireland. The Church’s annex also hosts an art exhibition, which includes an extensive array of paintings and drawings done by local artists.
Saturday’s programme includes a gift-making demonstration at noon in the same building with Helen Dooley and Joanne Brennan entitled ‘Christmas treats: edible delights and Floral Arrangements’.
Four new Readers commissioned in Connor
The Commissioning Service took place in St Colman’s, Dunmurry, and a large congregation of family, friends and parishioners turned up to support the candidates.
The four were commissioned by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy. The rector of St Colman’s, the Rev Denise Acheson, preached the sermon.
Those commissioned were: Louise Bowes from Mallusk; Heather Cooke from Mallusk; Janet Spence from St Luke & St Stephen, Belfast; and John Williams from Dunmurry.
As part of their training, they will each spend a year in a parish other than their home parish, receiving further practical training – Louise in Mossley, Heather in Carrickfergus, Janet in Jordanstown and John in Magheragall.
Awards ceremony for organ scholars
The annual award ceremony for the Down and Dromore and Connor Organ Scholarships took place during a recent service of Choral Evensong in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.
New and completing scholars from parishes across the two dioceses attended, and certificates were presented to completing scholars by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, at the invitation of Management Board Chairman the Rev Canon Gregory Dunstan.
The service was conducted by the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev John Mann, who also sang the Office.
The new and completing scholars are: Jonathon Houston (Hillsborough); Thomas Cummings (Ahoghill); Catherine Olver (St Bartholomew, Stranmillis); Grace Trimble (Drumgath); Lisa Bartlett (Armoy); Catherine McCartney (Coleraine); Rachel McKinney (Dromore Cathedral); Karen McAneney (St Donard’s, Bloomfield); and Wesley McCartney (Coleraine);
Completing student Catherine Olver played the closing voluntary, and following the service all gathered in the Cathedral Hall for refreshments.
Institution in Eglantine
The Rev Canon Tim Close will be instituted as rector of All Saints’ Parish, Eglantine, tonight Monday October 24.
Originally from Carrickfergus, Canon Close is married to Amanda who is a teacher. He is a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast, the University of Leicester, and Trinity College Dublin.
He was ordained to serve as curate–assistant to the Venerable Archdeacon Gordon Linney in the Parish of Glenageary, Archdiocese of Dublin. He later returned to Northern Ireland to serve as Dean’s Vicar to the Very Rev Dr Houston McKelvey, former Dean of Belfast, who will be the preacher at tonight’s service which begins at 8pm.