Irish news digest June 5

On the web

Dublin & Glendalough Kids is a new Facebook page which brings together children’s ministry resources for use at home at this time. The page is a hub for prayers, crafts and videos, often linking directly to the weekly Gospel readings. It is aims to support clergy, children’s ministry leaders and families in the dioceses at a time when we are doing church at home.

The page is curated by the Revd Cathy Hallissey who is the diocesan representative on the Children’s Ministry Network and Lynn Storey of the Sunday School Society. It gathers resources from well known and respected sources such as ROOTS and Diddy Disciples and makes them easily accessible in one place.

A welcome regular guest on the page is Cathy’s friend Copperpot, an orangutan from the Amazon. Together they provide simple, calming messages for children (and adults) to help them interpret what they might be feeling. These include reflections on why we need to stay apart to stay safe and understanding that we all need a bit of personal space from time to time. Each video concludes in prayer.

You can find the Dublin & Glendalough Kids Facebook page on the diocesan web site

Churches unite in anti scam effort

Churches and organisations, is working to prevent scams through the Scamwise NI campaign and sharing information from the Gardaí.

By liking and following Scamwise NI or An Garda Síochána on Facebook, you can find out about the latest examples of scams – and help your family, friends and neighbours to know how criminals are seeking to exploit people, especially when we ‘re feeling more vulnerable at this time:
[[] www.facebook.com/scamwiseni ]
[[] www.facebook.com/angardasiochana ]

To report a scam, call the PSNI on 101 in Northern Ireland or contact your local Garda station in the Republic. If you’re not on Facebook, each of the following websites will be able to provide similar advice and help:
[ www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwise ]
[ www.garda.ie/en/crime/fraud ]

Remember: If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Ireland’s four largest Churches and the Irish Council of Churches are supporting Scamwise NI through the Church Leaders Group.

Celebrating Northern Ireland’s nurses and midwives

The Ulster Museum is celebrating Northern Ireland’s nurses and midwives to mark 200 years since the birth of Florence Nightingale.

A special exhibition exploring their work was installed at the Ulster Museum, just before the Museum had to close due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Click the link below to join our tour to explore Nightingale’s impact here and the contribution nurses and midwives make to our health and well-being today.

https://smartify.org/tour/florence-nightingale-200

New Dean of Bristol Announcement and Welcome

People from across the City and Diocese of Bristol welcome the announcement of the new Dean of Bristol.
[[] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3JunV3C_JQ&feature=youtu.be ]

Virtual St Giles

If you can’t make it to St Giles’, or you just fancy refreshing your memory, then this is the page for you! Below is a tour of St Giles’ via 360o pictures. Enjoy! Welcome to St Gi… stgilescathedral.org.uk]

Songs of Praise

The Reverend Canon Leigh Richardson, Sub Dean and Precentor, leads the service for Trinity Sunday from StDavids Cathedral with hymns recorded by BBC Songs of Praise in 2019 and was filmed before the closure of all church buildings was announced. Sun 10:45

Points for Prayer

Pray for carers. They’re vital in looking after our population during Covid-19. Many are overworked and underpaid. There have been reports of some needing food aid. Thank God for them and pray policymakers will prioritise increased social care funding.

God in Creation