Irish news digest

Photo above – TRC meets with Minister of Education. Pictured (left to right) are the Revd Dr Fred Munce, Dr Peter Hamill, Mr Peter Weir (Minister of Education), Miss Rosemary Rainey OBE (Chair of TRC), and Ms Karen Jardine.

Churches meet with NI Education Minister

A delegation from the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC) recently (but before lockdown) met with Peter Weir, Minister of Education, at Stormont. The delegation brought the views from the three transferor Churches – Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist – on a range of issues across education.

Issues raised included support for governors, the teaching of RE, and collective worship. They also talked about the pressures that principals and teachers are facing daily.

The TRC’s chair, Rosemary Rainey OBE, said: “We welcome the opportunity to speak personally to the Minister about education and the specific issues that concern the Churches. We appreciate how attentive he was to our issues and we welcomed the opportunity for the exchange and debate. He has already followed up on some of the issues we raised and we value his support.”

Dr Peter Hamill, the TRC secretary and Church of Ireland representative, said on behalf of the TRC: “Since our meeting, the world has changed dramatically and we wish to thank all the staff in schools and colleges for their amazing response in such difficult circumstances. We look forward to a time when things can return to normal and our children and young people feel safe and secure in their learning.”

Sunday worship on BBC TV

A service from Hereford Cathedral led by The Rt. Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover. Filmed before the closure of all church buildings, it features hymns recorded by BBC’s Songs of Praise in 2017. This Sunday at 10:45 on BBCOne

Moderator welcomes burial ground reopenings

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rt Rev Dr William Henry, has welcomed the Northern Ireland Executive decision today (24 April) to reopen Northern Ireland’s burial grounds.

Speaking on behalf of the denomination, Dr Henry said, “Yesterday, along with my fellow Church Leaders, I had a productive video conference call with the First Minister, deputy First Minister, and both Junior Ministers, during which this important pastoral issue was discussed. I welcome today’s announcement that the Executive will reopen Northern Ireland’s burial grounds.

“For many reasons this is a sensible and compassionate response to an important pastoral and human need, especially when not everyone who mourns a loved one has been able to attend their funeral as a result of current government restrictions. Visiting afterwards, therefore, may be the first occasion they are able to make a personal response at a time of bereavement. Opening graveyards makes this possible.

“Today’s decision will bring much comfort to many, not just those who are grieving the loss of a loved one who passed away recently, but also those who find comfort in being close to those they miss.

“We recognise that appropriate access to burial grounds must be done in a way that ensures appropriate social distancing, and which safeguards those who work there, along with those who have come to visit. As we continue to pray for those in authority who have to make these important decisions, we also pray for those who mourn that they will know the Lord’s comfort.”

Churchwarden makes scrubs with the Dundonald Darners

A retired nurse from Gilnahirk Parish has joined the army of volunteer seamstresses making hospital scrubs to help keep staff and patients safe during the coronavirus crisis.

Working as part of the Dundonald Darners group, Maggie Murphy’s first batch of scrubs is already in use at the Ulster Hospital, helping to protect high–risk, immuno–compromised cardiac and cancer patients, and the staff caring for them.

Scrubs are in big demand because hospital staff have to change and boil–wash their uniforms frequently to kill the virus.

Maggie, who worked as a MacMillan palliative care specialist nurse at the Ulster Hospital until her retirement, had wanted to return to nursing, in order to offer bereavement support to families affected by the pandemic but at 73, her family felt it was too dangerous, so she has been making scrubs instead – her contribution to the effort.

And as warden of St Dorothea’s Church, Gilnahirk, Maggie has been ringing the church bell at 8.00 pm on Thursdays to show gratitude for frontline workers.

But Maggie’s kindness reaches beyond Northern Ireland. By helping marshal Christian Aid’s sponsored walking and cycling events over many years, she has raised funds to end poverty in some of the poorest countries in the world.

Christian Aid Ireland Chief Executive Rosamond Bennett can’t speak highly enough of Maggie: “Whether nursing those at the end of life, making scrubs to reduce infection risk to patients and their carers, or bringing hope to the world’s poorest, we think you’ll agree that this very special lady is just sew, sew kind.”

Prayer points

Pray for governments in Dublin and London asking God for wisdom and clarity as they continue to manage the crisis caused by #Coronavirus and take advice on the continuation or relaxation of lockdown measures.

Pray for the church’s message of the gospel, asking that in conversation members may provide comfort to those in crisis, counter fear with faith and speak hope in a time of much hysteria.

Pray for ministers as they face the challenges of conducting funerals in a different way, asking that God would provide them with both sensitivity and creativity as they manage the expectations of family and offer love in a time of social distancing.

We pray today that foodbanks will be able to remain open and operate safely, with enough food and volunteers to continue to meet the needs of their clients, who are even more vulnerable in these challenging days.

God in creation