From Limerick, Down & Dromore, and Connor
€40,000: not a cent less
Earlier this year the Limerick Diocesan Board of Mission decided to make the Luyengo Farm Project supported by USPG Ireland the central focus of this year’s Mission Sunday efforts.
The challenge is to raise a portion of the money needed to kick start the project. The whole project will require an investment of over €300,000 with a commercial business partner already identified providing half the investment. USPG is seeking external support for the other half of the investment on behalf of the diocese of Swaziland. The project will bring profits to fund crucial care, outreach and development projects for the diocese of Swaziland for generations to come.
At the Board of Mission meeting on Wednesday 19th October those present, representing at least half the parishes in the diocese, undertook to make the maximum possible effort to raise €40,000 as our diocesan contribution to the project.
It sounds a lot of money, but really it is only €20.00 per active member of the diocese. It is therefore a challenge people in the diocese most certainly can meet, and meet in the coming year. The effort is already off to a good start with a fundraising “African Dinner” planned for the New Year in Tralee. The dinner will be cooked by Linda Chamber’s husband, Jan and both Linda and Jan will be present to talk about the project.
The publicity states, “The Board of Mission is sure that you too can think of something creative and exciting to raise funds for the project. Something which entices people into thinking and actively taking part in mission, something which draws not only the Church of Ireland people, but the whole of your community into the effort of helping Swazi Christians to stand proud in the future.
“This project will only be the success it deserves to be with your committed support. The Board of Mission is therefore encouraging all Rectors and Mission Co-ordinators to make the effort to raise €40,000 and not one cent less this year. Let’s get busy, let’s get creative, let’s rise to the challenge so that we can see faith working in the mission and outreach of our diocese.”
Christmas or Yuletide? BC or BCE?
This is the title of the next lunchtime lecture to be given at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Stranmillis Road, Belfast. The lecture is given by Peter Lynas, Evangelical Alliance Director for Northern Ireland.
Subtitled ‘Is Christianity really being marginalised in public life?’ the lecture will survey the way that Christianity seems to be vulnerable to forces of political correctness, a phenomenon given particular prominence recently by newspapers such as the Daily Mail. Questions which then arise include: is this shift real or imagined? If it is real, should Christians feel threatened, and what should the correct response be?
This lecture takes place at 1.10 pm on Tuesday November 8. The lecture originally advertised for this date is now rescheduled to take place in May 2012. Everyone is welcome. There will be time for questions and light refreshments will also be available.
Limerick diocesan interfaith study day
Like most of Ireland Limerick diocese has seen an influx of people of differing faiths and cultures. Today there are few towns, even in the most remote corners of the diocese, where one does not meet African or Asian residents. Around Limerick city, Shannon and Ennis there are Sikhs, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Baha’is as well as a wide range of African Christian communities. The question of how to engage with people of differing faiths in a positive and respectful manner without watering down our Christian faith and identity is one which is becoming increasingly important. The Church of Ireland is well placed to take a lead in this engagement for the sake of the whole Church.
On Thursday !0th November clergy and lay readers in the diocese will have an opportunity to explore this important issue at Glenstal Abbey. The day will be lead by Dr. Chris Hewer and there will be an opportunity for discussion and interaction as well as valuable input.
The diocese is fortunate to have Dr. Chris Hewer as a part-time resident and to have him available for this study day. Dr. Hewer is a well known and highly respected expert in the field of Muslim-Christian relations. He has taught in Birmingham, been the Bishop of Birmingham’s adviser on Interfaith dialogue and St. Ethelburga Fellow in Christian-Muslim relations in London. He has written a number of books on the subject. This will provide a unique opportunity to explore a subject of increasing importance to Irish Christianity and those invited are being asked to make the day a priority.
Down & Dromore Diocesan Poverty Forum
The Bishop has invited parishes to be represented at a “simple gathering” on Saturday 26 November in Dromore Parish Hall from 2.30 – 5.30pm.
Bishop Miller writes – “Following the publication of the Poverty Think Tank report in June, the question now is ‘What do we do about it?’
“Do you have an idea about how to approach a particular area of poverty, and a passion to do something? Have you already done something and would like to share your experience with others?
“This is not intended as a big event for a simple reason: most change comes about through one person with a passion in their hearts to change things. We have many examples of that in the diocese, and I would love to initiate even more.
“We will have people present who can help inspire and encourage, but it will be a conversation rather than a presentation, so, if something is stirring in your heart, please come.”
Limerick clergy retreat and conference
Each year the clergy of the diocese take a few days to refurbish their spiritual and intellectual lives. This year the retreat took place from Monday 10th October until Wednesday 12th October. The time apart was lead by Ray Simpson. Ray is the founding guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda.
The community is a dispersed community which maintains a centre, The Open Gate, on Holy Island, Lindisfarne, which offers accommodation both to visitors and community members. They also provide a programme of retreats and conferences around the UK and internationally.
Ray Simpson is well known and has been to Ireland a number of times and regularly leads retreats as part of the Community programme.
See also recent postings in Children & Youth, and Music areas of this site