Irish news digest

Missing General Synod?

The General Synod of the Church of Ireland was to have been held in Croke Park in Dublin from 7th to 9th May. It has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus.

Photo above – Cork, Cloyne and Ross are posting memories of General Synod in recent decades. Keep in touch [[] www.corkchurchofireland.com ]

58 Connor clergy connect in virtual conference

Connor clergy came together for a virtual meeting on May 7, with 58 people taking part in a Zoom conference chaired by the Archdeacon of Dalriada, the Ven Paul Dundas.

The conference was really to touch base with clergy because we are apart at this time,” said Paul. “We had hoped that 30 or 40 people might take part, so to have 58 online together was superb.”

Paul introduced the meeting, and all the participants had the opportunity to say hello before Paul did a reading and shared a reflection. He reminded clergy that the Connor Development Team is available to support them and their parishes.

The conference focused on two areas, pastoral care and online service provision during the Covid–19 lockdown.

The Rev Linda Cronin, Glenavy Parish, who was just three weeks into her role as rector before the lockdown, spoke about the challenges of ringing people she had yet to get to know, commenting that everyone made a point of asking how she was and enjoyed the opportunity to chat.

The Rev Canon Jim Carson, St Stephen’s and St Michael’s, talked about ministry in a Belfast context, highlighting how his parishes have compiled lists of those who are online and who are not to best tailor ministry to parishioners.

On the subject of online service provision, Derek Harrington, curate at Christ Church, Lisburn, talked about sharing services online, and the new phone number which allows those who are not online to listen in to a service for the cost of a local call.

The Rev Stu Reid, curate in Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin, spoke from his own professional background in production. Stu has circulated a resource to clergy looking at practical ministry online, managing expectations etc.

“We are encouraging people to share what they are doing. If someone is on their own in a parish, they can request someone else to do a recording for them to share. We want to encourage anyone who is struggling with online ministry to get help from someone who has more expertise,” Paul said.

Connor Bishop–designate George Davison drew the meeting to a close, finishing with the Grace.

“This was a great opportunity for clergy to connect and really good use of modern technology,” said Paul. “Today many of us would have been travelling to Dublin for General Synod, so coming together was very worthwhile.”

 Online Bible studies by Archbishop McDowell

A series of four Bible Studies by Archbishop McDowell on St Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is now available on the Armagh Diocesan web site. See –
[[] http://armagh.anglican.org/News/ArchbishopJohnBibleStudies.html ]

Guidance for online services updated

The Church of Ireland Press Office has published updated guidance for planning and setting up online services (and similar audio–visual content). To find out more, please visit –
[ www.ireland.anglican.org/online–services– ]

New information has been added on safeguarding, avoiding advertising and external videos, data protection, and copyright. This includes safeguarding advice on video conferencing with young people.

A one–page live streaming and recording checklist takes clergy and others who lead worship through the steps that would be needed to organise an online service when a congregation can gather again, which can therefore help people who may still be self–isolating at that time. The guidance will continue to be reviewed as the Covid–19 crisis develops.

Invitation to record music for Ecumenical Bible Week

Ecumenical Bible Week, which traditionally takes place from Pentecost Sunday to Trinity Sunday (31 May–7 June), has been suspended until later in the year due to restrictions around Covid–19.

The theme for 2020 is ‘Faith in the Public Square’. Ecumenical Bible Week’s organisers are inviting musicians and singers from all Christian traditions to record and share a hymn, song, piece of music or an original piece that speaks to the theme and to people’s current experience of faith in this most different of public squares.

It is hoped to share these as reflections throughout this week to inspire, support, comfort, encourage, give hope and emphasise that we are connected in prayer and hope as a Christian family of faith, even in these most difficult of times.

Recordings should be shared in Mp3 or Mp4 format by email to [ frank.brown@dublindiocese.ie ] before the close of Monday 25th May.

There will be a few online interactions during Ecumenical Bible Week the details of which will be announced shortly.

Points for Prayer

O most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
( 1928 BCP, 45).

O Almighty and merciful God, with whom are the issues of life and death: Grant us, we beseech thee, help and deliverance in this time of grievous sickness and mortality, and sanctify to us this affliction, that in our sore distress we may turn our hearts unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(1929 Scottish BCP, 42).

O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom you have given a fervent desire to pray, may, by your mighty aid, be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 3rd ed., 37).

God in creation