Ballinderry farewell to Canon Harris, Think pink in October, ”Hope?” – Irish Inter Church Service, Changing Attitudes events.
Ballinderry farewell to Canon Harris
Ballinderry Parish Church Hall (Connor Diocese) was packed to capacity on Saturday October 1 for a farewell reception to mark the retirement of the rector of 21 years, the Rev Canon Ernest Harris.
Canon Harris was instituted in Ballinderry Parish Church in March 1990, and was installed as Prebendary of Cairncastle on the Chapter of St Saviour Connor in Lisburn Cathedral in February 2006.
Dr Andrew Sands, a member of the parish vestry, chaired a most enjoyable programme of entertainment including music, sketches and a video presentation giving a snapshot of some of the highlights of the rector’s ministry. There was also a video message for Ernest and his wife Ray from their son John, who now lives in America with his wife Megan.
The Sunday School children began the programme singing ‘Our God is a great big God’ and the packed programme concluded as the choir sang a farewell hymn ‘May God’s blessing surround you each day.’
Canon Harris and his wife were presented with several gifts on behalf of the parishioners including a framed print of the Middle Church. Prior to the presentations, rector’s churchwarden John Tuft who chaired the proceedings, spoke appreciatively of the exemplary service given by Canon Harris, whom he described as a ‘faithful servant of God.’
Lay Reader Dr Fred Ruddell, Andrew Clarke (people’s churchwarden) and vestry members Edith Haddock (secretary), Dr Andrew Sands and Sandra Megarry added their thanks and appreciation after which parishioners, guests and friends were invited to add their greetings. Canon Sam McComb, a former rector of Ballinderry was among the guests to take the opportunity to speak – he and Canon Harris trained together for the ministry and are former curates of Christ Church, Lisburn.
Canon Harris had preached his farewell sermon at Ballinderry on Sunday September 25, and both he and Ray have now settled into their new home in Moira.
Think pink in October
The united parish of St Peter and St James, Belfast, (Connor diocese) invites folk to two ‘Think Pink’ fundraising events taking place during October.
The Pink Jazz night on October 21 and the Pink Dander on October 23 will raise funds for Action Cancer and for the parish. The events are timely as October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Pink Jazz takes place in the McCollum Hall at St Peter’s and will be an evening of ‘pies, peas and pink puds’ set off by the Martello Jazz Band. A single ticket is £10 and a family ticket £25 and this includes food, soft drinks and a complimentary glass of wine. The evening gets underway at 7pm.
The Pink Dander, starting at St Peter’s at 1.30pm on Sunday October 23, is a sponsored walk passing some neighbouring places of worship. Walkers can complete a two mile route, or a 3.6 mile route, there is no charge to take part, all the family are welcome, and refreshments will be provided at the end.
For further information on either event, please contact the Parish Office 9077 7053 (weekday mornings).
”Hope?” – Irish Inter Church Service
The Irish Inter Church Meeting will be holding a public service of worship on 20th October 2011 at 7.30 pm in Fisherwick Presbyterian Church. The preacher is the renowned New Testament scholar, Prof NT Wright and the theme of the service is ‘Hope?’
The worship will be a culmination of a day of theological talks amongst church leaders, delegates and theological students, for whom the evening event will be an opportunity to gather together in worship as an outward expression of earlier reflections. All members of the public are warmly invited to attend.
Fisherwick Presbyterian Church is on the Malone Rd, Belfast at the corner with Chlorine Gardens
Changing Attitudes Ireland – Events
On Saturday 22nd October 2011, Dublin in St. Catherine & St. James Church, Donore Avenue, Dublin 8, CAI will be holding a lecture, its AGM and a celebration of Holy Communion.
2.00 – 3.00 pm. CAI Public Lecture: “Living as a sexual and spiritual being in contrasting cultures.” by Very Revd. Ian Corbett.
Dr Richard O’Leary commented, “Our invited speaker is Very Revd. Ian Corbett. Ian is the former Dean of Tuam. In 1998 Ian contributed a positive paper on homosexuality to the 1998 Anglican Lambeth conference. This drew local criticism at that time and led to him resigning as Dean the following year and leaving Ireland. Ian had a subsequent ministry in Africa and the USA, where his work has been highly commended. We are pleased to welcome him on his return.”
3.30-4.45 pm. AGM for CAI Members :
Following a 3.00 pm. tea break, the Annual General Meeting of Changing Attitude Ireland will be held.
5.00 – 5.30 pm. Holy Communion: Friends are invited to be present at a celebration of Holy Communion in the church.
Directions: Donore Avenue is just off the South Circular Road about a mile south of the city centre. Coming from the city centre along South Circular Road, pass Griffith College on your left hand side, continue until you see a right hand turn for Donore Avenue. There is limited parking in the church grounds.
On Sunday 23rd October at the 10.45 am Eucharist in Trinity College Dublin Very Revd Ian Corbett will be the preacher in “a series of addresses on “Questioning Belief: Is Christianity the only way?” Refreshments afterwards.