New Chief Officer for RCB; Belfast lecture; Diocesan tour; Great Famine; Institution; Lay Ministers and Readers commissioned;
Creationism’s political support
New Chief Officer for RCB
Today Adrian Clements will take up the post of Chief Officer and Secretary of the Representative Church Body in succession to Denis Reardon who has retired.
A son and grandson of the rectory, Mr Clements was born when his father was rector in Bundoran, Co.Donegal, and he was brought up in Enniskillen, where his father, the Very Revd Tom Clements, was Dean of Clogher. Educated at Portora Royal School and TCD, he trained in the accountancy firm of Atkinson and Boyd in Belfast and is a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants. After working in senior roles in the printing and packaging industry, and latterly in financial services in Belfast, he joined the RCB as Head of Finance in 2002. He is a member of Kilternan parish where he sings in the choir.
Mr Clements has been succeeded as Head of Finance by Ms Kate Williams. A business graduate from Dundalk Institute of Technology she is a chartered certified accountant. For the past three years she has been working as a business consultant, prior to which she worked in the food industry, most recently with the Boyne Valley Group where she was Financial Controller and Finance Director.
Belfast lecture
Is 42 The Ultimate Answer? is the title of the lunchtime lecture to be given at St.Bartholomew’s Church, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, next Tuesday The lecture will given by the rector, the Revd. Dr. Ron Elsdon. Subtitled ‘Douglas Adams, atheism and The Hitch–Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’’, the lecture offers a somewhat light–hearted exploration of the world view of Adams’ most popular books. It looks especially at his fascination with technology, which he paints in both positive and negative lights, and at his prominent position in the world of militant atheism. Following his premature death at the age of 49, a memorial service was held on 17 September 2001 at St. Martin–in–the–Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London. The speaker was Professor Richard Dawkins. This became the first church service of any kind broadcast live on the web by the BBC.
Diocesan tour
On Wednesday the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd John McDowell, together with Canon Glenn West and Canon David Skuse, will commence leading an eight day diocesan tour of four English cathedrals – Salisbury, Winchester, Wells and Worcester.
Great Famine
A day of commemoration of the Great Famine, organized by the Ardress Community Association, will take place on Thursday. The day will end with a Service of Commemoration, in the context of a Late Evening Office, in St Mary’s church, Magheraculmoney. The service will be led by the rector, the Revd Henry Blair and will feature music from the Fermanagh Choral Society.
Institution
On Wednesday the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Revd Alan Abernethy, will institute the Revd Gary Millar as Rector of Aghogill and Portglenone in succession to the Revd Mark Loney. Mr Millar has been Rector of St Paul’s and St Barnabas’, Belfast since 2008.
Lay Ministers and Readers commissioned
Four new Diocesan Lay Ministers and two new Parish Readers were commissioned at a service in Christ Church Cathedral yesterday, September 2, at 3.30 pm. The four new Diocesan Lay Ministers are Gillian Dean, James Kilbey, Shona Rusk and Brendan Sheahan. The two new Parish Readers areHelen Gorman and David Reynolds. The service was sung by the Cathedral Consort.
Creationism’s political support
Belfast Telegraph reports on the Caleb Institution and the northern politicians supporting Creationism
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/creationist-bible-group-and-its-web-of-influence-at-stormont-16205034.html