Induction weekend at Theological Institute, Publication on Churches of St George and ECO congregation award
Induction weekend at Theological Institute
This is a busy weekend in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute (CITI) when twenty-nine candidates will attend introductory sessions for the fourth cycle of the Foundation Course. Entitled ‘Fit for the Purpose’ the weekend will explore the theme of personal vocation and discernment. The Director of CITI, the Revd Dr Maurice Elliott, together with the Revd Dr Christine Baxter and the Revd Dr David Firth from St John’s College, Nottingham, will lead the weekend and they will be joined by the Revd Will Murphy, Revd Denise Acheson and Mr Andrew McNeile, who will act as facilitators
Publication on churches of St George
Duncan Scarlett, a parishioner of St George’s, Belfast, has written a book on Churches of the Church of Ireland Dedicated to St George, and on a recent research visit to Dublin he presented a copy to the RCB Library where much of his research was conducted. The book chronicles fourteen churches and chapels of ease dedicated to St George and is illustrated with many of the author’s photographs.
Mr Scarlett, a retired secondary school headmaster, has previously published Church of Ireland Churches Dedicated to St Anne and is now working on a similar volume for churches dedicated to St Thomas.
Church of Ireland Churches dedicated to St George (ISBN 978-0-95666110-4) is available from the author (duncan.scarlett@dnet.co.uk) at €7/£6
Eco Award for Whitechurch Parish
Whitechurch, Co. Dublin, has joined St Molua’s, Belfast, as the only Church of Ireland parishes to receive an Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI) award.
Since its enrolment on the ecumenical environmental programme in 2007, Whitechurch has undertaken many eco-friendly initiatives, including erecting a bat box and a bird feeder, introducing recycling and compost bins and creating a contemplation corner in the graveyard. The Sunday School children helped create a Lenten/Easter garden by planting crocuses and daffodils in the shape of a cross, and the church grounds are also home to a unique bird-bath – an old disused font, which was discovered in the shrubbery. The parish also drew up an environmental policy, added Christian environmental books to its lending library and set up an Eco-Congregation noticeboard (made from recycled corks) to promote environmental awareness. Much of the work has been carried out by parishioners Pamela Sheil and Reg Richards while the rector, Canon Horace McKinley, includes environmental awareness in the ecumenical Emmaus course he has been running for several years. The parish has sponsored a number of projects in developing countries, including the installation of a water scheme in Rwanda.
http://ecocongregationireland.org/