Armagh Lay Canon installed; Belfast Series on Economic issues; Dublin Sikh memorial service; Hospital Fete; Carving out church restoration niche; Poor Clare Sisters quit monastery
Lay Canon installed
Mr Graham Richards was installed as a Lay Canon of Armagh at a special service of Evensong in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh on Sunday 26th August. The service was led by the Dean of Armagh, The Very Revd Gregory Dunstan, along with the Archbishop of Armagh, The Most Revd Alan Harper, OBE, who had appointed Mr Richards as a lay Canon of Armagh, succeeding to the stall formerly occupied by the late Canon J.L.B. Deane.
The installation was attended by a large number of Mr Richards’ friends, reflecting his wide range of interests. Archbishop Harper spoke of his great pleasure in having been able to appoint Mr Richards to the lay canonry, saying: ‘Mr Richards has given distinguished and varied service to the Church of Ireland for many years from his time as Chairman of the Youth Council to his deep involvement with the Representative Church Body Executive and its Committees and in the field of education. He continues to serve the Church of Ireland with great dedication as Chairman of the Allocations Committee. I am delighted that he now takes up this stall.’
Mr Graham Richards, who was educated at The High School, and Trinity College Dublin, is a Consultant with the law firm Matheson Ormsby Prentice in Dublin, where has was a partner for 31 years. He advises clients from all sections of the Irish and international community, including charities and trustees as well as individuals. A Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths and member of the Law Society of Ireland, in 2004 he was appointed by the Government of Ireland as a Commissioner for Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland.
Mr Richards, a parishioner of Sandford Parish all his life, is a member of the Dublin Diocesan and General Synods. He has been a member of several of the Church’s important central committees since the 1980s, having first been elected to the Representative Church Body in 1982. He is currently Chairman of the RB’s Allocations Committee, and is a member of its Executive Committee, having served for the past 25 years.
He was involved in Church youth work from 1966, culminating in his election as Chairman of the Church of Ireland Youth Council from 1979 to 1982. He served on the General Synod Board of Education for 15 years, and is Chairman of the Incorporated Society, which comprises Bandon Grammar School, Dundalk Grammar School, Kilkenny College and Sligo Grammar School. He has been a Governor of Wilson’s Hospital School since 1979. Mr Richards also plays a prominent part in the work of Protestant Aid and the Brabazon Trust, where has been Chairman since 1986.
Series on Economic issues
Contemporary Christianity is presenting a series this autumn in Belfast Economic issues continue to dominate the news stories and have a profound effect on each of our lives. This autumn the ‘In Conversation With …’ events will take a slightly different format and will aim to help apply faith to these issues. All these events will take place at 3rd Floor, 21 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.
On 18th September at 7.30pm the focus is – Very High Top Salaries: Necessary for Global Economics or Offensive to Biblical Justice?
Esmond Birnie and Allen Sleith both seek to apply their faith to all areas of life, including economics. However, on this issue they come to different conclusions.
This evening will not be a debate, to see ‘who wins’, but a conversation to explore and learn. It is conversation which all will be invited to join.
Esmond Birnie is Chief Economist for PWC in Northern Ireland.
Allen Sleith is minister of Regent Street Presbyterian Church.
Contemporary Christianity
Tel – 028 9032 5258
Dublin Sikh memorial service
The Sikh community in Ireland and Dublin City Interfaith Forum are organising a worship service in memory of those who died when six people were killed and three wounded by a gunman at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin, USA. While this service will honour the victims and pray for their families,it will also be an opportunity to learn about the Sikh community and promote interfaith and inter–community dialogue. People are invited to show support, stand together and express sympathy for the Sikh community, pray for those affected and speak against violence and hatred.
The service will take place on Thursday August 30 at 7.00 pm at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar, 78 Serpentine Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4. For directions, please note link: http://www.irishsikhcouncil.com/irelandgurdwara.aspx
Hospital Fete
Leopardstown Park Hospital will hold its annual garden fete on Sunday September 9 from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm. There will be stalls, children’s amusements and refreshments available. Admission is €2 and children enter for free. Parking is available.
Limavady business carving out church restoration niche
Derry Journal – A Limavady carpenter and his three sons are finding themselves in an interesting place of work after discovering a niche market in building and restoration. Leslie McCormick’s Wood Creations business specialises in professional restoration and the manufacture of quality bespoke products for churches.
St Patrick’s Church of Ireland in Coleraine, Bovevagh Church of Ireland in Burnfoot, Limavady and. St Columba’s Church in Doneyloop are among the churches Leslie and his three sons have worked in recent months. Presently they are restoring ‘Stations of …
http://www.derryjournal.com/news/business/limavady-business-carving-out-church-restoration-niche-1-4204389
Poor Clare Sisters quit monastery
BBC – An order of nuns leave their monastery in north Belfast after being based there for almost 90 years.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19402873