Irish news digest June 10

Unconventional farewell to Bangor Abbey Curate

With church buildings still closed for worship, the parishioners of Bangor Abbey said farewell to their curate at a special drive–in church service on Sunday morning 7 June.

It was an unconventional farewell, but the affection for Revd Mark Gallagher was clearly demonstrated by the 70 plus cars that filled the Abbey car park.

Parishioners joined in the hymns, which were led by three bagpipers, from their cars, and followed the service on a service sheet.

Mark will this week will be instituted as rector of the Grouped Parishes of Trory and Killadeas in Clogher Diocese via the ‘Zoom’ platform.

Eco–Congregation Ireland’s latest newsletter

Eco–Congregation Ireland’s latest newsletter is now available, highlighting examples of environmental projects undertaken by churches across the island of Ireland.

This covers its new website and several Church of Ireland and inter–church initiatives, including practical actions to reduce Rathfarnham Parish Church’s environmental footprint, a town hall event in Westport (organised by the local Catholic and Church of Ireland parishes), and the Church’s stand at the recent National Ploughing Championships.

Eco–Congregation Ireland is an initiative of the Irish Inter Church Meeting, and includes members from the Roman Catholic Church, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church and Religious Society of Friends.
[ info@ecocongregationireland.com ]
[ www.ecocongregationireland.com ]

Ballyholme parish launches ‘Car Park Family Church’

With church buildings still closed for worship, St Columbanus, Ballyholme, held their first ever drive–in service in the church car park on Sunday 7 June.

“It all came together quite quickly, says the rector, Canon Simon Doogan. “Our carpark isn’t that big and it’s also on a slope, so having initially dismissed the drive–in church idea, once a trailer and PA system became available we thought well let’s try it…”

The parish did all the preparatory work – phone calls to their insurance company and the local police, door–to–door invitations to their very gracious neighbours and a thoroughgoing risk assessment.

Social media and emails got the word out and before they knew it they had 20 plus cars for a 30 minute service billed as ‘Car Park Family Church’.

“It was Trinity Sunday in the church calendar, but we had tied everything down in anticipation of the Pentecostal winds which had been forecast,” said Simon. “Sure enough, they gave our helium–filled prayer balloons the necessary uplift!”

The parish is still preparing recorded Sunday services along with Children’s Church lessons for YouTube each week, but it was definitely the young people they had uppermost in mind and they are certainly planning to do it again.

Simon continues: “The hope is that when Coronavirus is over and St Columbanus is open again, everyone present will remember the time when they said their prayers, sang their songs and saw their friends in the church carpark.”

On line

Clogher Magazine – The June edition of the Clogher Diocesan Magazine is now available to read online. This month’s magazine is filled with contributions from parishes throughout the diocese as well as coverage of the institution of Revd Elaine Dunne, as incumbent of the Grouped Parishes of Ballybay, Clontibret and Muckno in Co. Monaghan. It also carries features on the RCB Library in Dublin and news from the Church of Ireland, Anglican Communion and community. The magazine can be read by clicking on the magazine tab at the top of the diocesan website.
[[] http://clogher.anglican.org/Magazine/ ]

Down & Dromore Bible Week 2020 – new plans to be announced.
Because of the Covid–19 pandemic, diocesan plans for the annual Bible Week are currently in transition. More details will follow but please pencil in 1–4 September for starters!

Food for thought

“If God were small enough to be understood, he would not be big enough to be worshipped!”
Evelyn Underhill

Points for Prayer

Pray for leaders in government charged with taking massive decisions while facing many unknowns, asking that God would lead, guide, reassure, rule and overrule for the good of those under their care

Pray for retailers who provide us with essential items for everyday living, asking that God would help them overcome financial and staffing challenges caused by the pandemic’s interruption of the service they provide and begin to resume trading.

God in Creation