Church staff golf & Family service recalled in RB archive of the month; Education – Church of Ireland Schools in RoI; Horrors of human trafficking in Ireland revealed; There is no place for fear or prejudice over same-sex marriages; Missing out on real university challenge; Caledon Flower Festival – Through all the changing scenes of life
Church staff golf & Family service recalled in RB archive of the month
The poignant life story of a former Representative Church Body (RCB) staff member, Leslie Booker Butler (1916-41), and associated history of the staff golf outing – one of the oldest Irish golf society outings in existence having been held continuously since 1926 – is featured as May’s Archive of the Month at the RCB Library.
Leslie Butler was the younger son of George Booker Butler, Secretary (later Chief Officer and Secretary) of the RCB (the Church of Ireland’s civil service) from 1935 to his retirement in 1949, and his wife Annie Maud née Hamilton. The family lived in Ranelagh, Dublin, and were parishioners of Sandford and later Milltown parishes. The older son Arthur (1912-91) was to have a distinguished clerical career, as a military chaplain during the Second World War, and then successively as rector of Monkstown, Dublin, 1945-58, bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, 1958-69, and finally bishop of Connor, 1969-81.
At the age of 17 his younger brother Leslie, would follow their father into the service of the RCB, entering Church House at 52 St Stephen’s Green – the then headquarters of the organization – as a junior clerk on the 14 March 1934, just a month before his 18th birthday. Three years later life would take a more serious turn, when he made the decision to sign up for service in the Royal Air Force on the 12 August 1940 following the outbreak of the War. Initially he served as a wireless operator, then as an air gunner, also progressing to the rank of sergeant.
From the RAF base at Killfrana, Malta, Leslie kept in touch with his RCB colleagues at home, wishing them well in the 15th annual golf outing (initiated by his father some years before as a team-building effort) held in May 1941. His hopes that ‘1942 will see me in your midst once again’ were sadly not to be realised. Less than ten months after signing up, aged just 25 years, Butler was killed in a tragic air crash, on the 16 June 1941, within the context of fierce fighting and counter-offensive in the air war over the Mediterranean. After the accident, his body was recovered: a metal plate fixed to the wall at the entrance of Kalkara Naval Cemetery in Malta records that he was one of 1,500 servicemen from the Second World War to be buried there.
In his memory, colleagues on the staff of the RCB chose to remember him by presenting the Leslie Butler Trophy: ‘in proud and happy memory … for annual competition’ at the annual golf outing held every year at Delgany Golf Club since its inception in 1926. Fondly referred to in Church House as “Delgany Day”, to which staff members make monthly contributions from their salaries, it is normally timed in May at Ascension tide in and around the time of General Synod as just reward for the additional staff hours incurred in preparation for the Church’s general AGM. The Butler trophy is poignantly inscribed with the key dates of Leslie’s life, as well as the names of all the winning golfers of the trophy in the 70 years since it was first presented in his memory in 1942.
To view the trophy with related archival material, and read the full story see:
www.ireland.anglican.org/library/archive
Education – Church of Ireland Schools in RoI
At the recent meeting of the Standing Committee of General Synod, Dr Ken Fennelly, Secretary to the Board of Education (RoI), provided an overview of developments in Education in the Republic of Ireland and specifically with regard to the proposed cuts to small schools which will impact dramatically on denominational education and Church of Ireland schools in particular, especially in scattered rural areas. Cuts leading to single–teacher schools in some instances as well as issues relating to transportation provision may lead to concerns over sustainability over the longer term as well as questions over health and safety and good practice in child protection. The cuts pose very significant issues for school patrons, as articulated in a statement of principles by Episcopal patrons issued on 26 March (see: http://ireland.anglican.org/news/4017). There has been a considerable level of lobbying to the Department for Education as well as regional meetings held across the country, led by Dr Fennelly, which will continue in order to offer a coherent and credible Church of Ireland voice on these matters. After an extensive discussion – highlighting the importance of the issues and how they impact upon Church of Ireland identity and witness, as well as parental choices in education – Dr Fennelly was thanked warmly for his continuing efforts in these challenging circumstances.
Horrors of human trafficking in Ireland revealed
Irish Examiner – There were 57 alleged victims of human trafficking — including 13 children — reported to gardaí in 2011. Of those, 37 were victims of sexual exploitation, 13 of labour exploitation, two were victims of both labour and sexual exploitation and five were victims of “uncategorised exploitation”. The Annual Report of Trafficking in Human Beings in Ireland was compiled by the Department of Justice’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/horrors-of-human-trafficking-revealed-192499.html
There is no place for fear or prejudice over same-sex marriages
Irish Examiner – By Colette Browne. The virulent opposition to same-sex marriage, when one strips away all of the extraneous religious ideology, is, at its core, a battle to protect the last bastion of legitimised discrimination. In the UK, David Cameron’s support for …
http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/colette-browne/there-is-no-place-for-fear-or-prejudice-over-same-sex-marriages-192454.html
Missing out on real university challenge
Belfast Telegraph – In the past university was often the first time many people crossed the religious divide. However the increase in tuition fees in Britain up to £9000 has deterred many students from the province going to university there. Instead they will seek their …
ww.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/viewpoint/missing-out-on-real-university-challenge-16152872.html
Caledon Flower Festival
St John’s Parish Church, Caledon, Co Tyrone are holding a Flower Festival from 25 – 27 May 2012 the theme of which is ‘Through all the changing scenes of life’.
The village of Caledon, Co Tyrone, is the hub of rural life in the local community. Dominating the skyline is the impressive and ancient Parish Church of St John. The parishioners of the Church are enthusiastically working towards their Festival of Flowers based on the theme ‘Through All the Changing Scenes of Life’ to be held from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 May inclusive.
The church dates back to 1682 however soon after it was erected the shingle roof was destroyed. It was repaired with worship resuming in 1691. In 1768 it became necessary to rebuild the church on a larger scale and on Wednesday 19th April 1769 John Wesley, an Anglican minister and the founder of the Methodist Movement, was invited to open the Church.
At the Vestry Meeting in 1780 the name of James Alexander is recorded as Church Warden. This is the first time the new owner of the Caledon Estate appears in the records. He later became 1st Earl of Caledon. Since then, he and his successors have played an important role in the life of the parish.
In 1785 the present tower was built and in 1815 a slate and copper roof replaced the shingle roof. Many improvements to the fabric of this impressive building have taken place down the centuries and it is an inspirational place for the parishioners to meet and worship God.
The building is set on a hill overlooking the picturesque village and the estate of Lord Caledon where his unique herd of Red Deer roam majestically. This is, indeed, a beautiful setting in which the renowned floral artist Mr Alan Beatty and his team will use their skill to interpret Biblical references to the significant milestones within our lives.
Those visiting will also have the opportunity to appreciate the wonderful architecture and stained glass windows within the building. Directly opposite the Church is the quaint façade of Churchill Primary School which is a vibrant part of the community and has close links to the Church. Throughout the Flower Festival the school grounds will be used to provide interesting activities and fun for all ages.
The Programme of events is as follows :
Friday 25 May 2012
Open from 5.00 pm with an Official Opening Service at 7.00 pm by Lady Caledon
Saturday 26 May 2012
Open from 10.00 am
Additional attractions include :
Living History
WWII GI’s in Caledon exhibition
Cookery Demonstrations
Horticultural Demonstrations
Musical Dressage Displays and Pony Rides
Face Painting
Musical Items throughout the day
At 8.00 pm there will be ‘An Evening of Praise’ with Canon Noel Battye (Presenter of BBC Radio Ulster’s ‘Sounds Sacred’) and guests.
Sunday 27 May 2012
Open from 2.00 pm with a Closing Service at 7.30 pm at which the local Primary School children will take part.
All visitors will be made extremely welcome and the organisers will also be pleased to offer a range of catering facilities including morning coffee and afternoon tea.