Irish news digest June 17

 Couple tie the knot in Ahoghill church grounds

Ben and Kiri who were married on June 11 in the grounds of St Colmanell’s Parish Church, Ahoghill. The couple were due to tie the knot on March 24, but had to postpone the wedding at the last minute following Prime Minister Boris Johnston’s announcement the previous evening that all social events, including weddings, were no longer permitted due to the cornonavirus pandemic.

Thursday’s ceremony last week was able to go ahead after special permission was given for conducting the marriage outside of the church, but within the church grounds and with appropriate restrictions in place.

The rector, the Rev Dennis Christie, said: “We wish Ben and Kiri God’s richest blessings as they begin their married life together.”

COVID19 Charities Fund is now open

Funding is available for charities who have lost income due to the impact of COVID19 and are facing imminent closure. The COVID-19 Charities Fund has been made available by a grant from the Northern Ireland Department for Communities. This funding programme will provide financial support to charities who have lost income due to the impact of COVID-19 and are not able to cover unavoidable costs until 30 September 2020.
Area – Northern Ireland
Suitable for – Local charities facing severe financial difficulty
Funding size – Up to £75,000
Total available -m £15.5 million
Application deadline – Friday 10 July, 4pm
See –
[[] https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/covid-19-charities-fund ]

Belfast Bible College MA Theology

Belfast Bible College asked several of the students on its MA Theology : Bible & Ministry in the Contemporary World to share some of what they have been learning either through the intensive teaching weeks, the online learning or as they have researched and written their assignments.
To find out more about this course go to:
[ https://www.belfastbiblecollege.com/ma_theology ]
Applications are still open for commencing study at the end of August 2020.

Food for thought

Points for Prayer

Whatever awaits us in the week ahead, whether challenging or enjoyable, isolating or with a measure of company, we pray that God will fill us with peace and hope through all – his hope that never disappoints. Thanks MU.

God in Creation

There are places of beautiful mystery in the natural world. I bet you’ve found one at some point in your life. Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to find many of them. In the Celtic tradition these places are called Thin Places. This is because the veil which separates Heaven from Earth is thin. You feel like you could almost touch Heaven, or even taste it.