NEWS BRIEFS

Wise men assess new bishop?

One week after his consecration in Armagh, Rt Rev Andrew Forster chose the Parishes of Derg and Termonamongan in County Tyrone as the location for his first Sunday Services as Bishop of Derry and Raphoe.

The parishioners of St Bestius’ Church in Killeter made the Bishop feel right at home as he was greeted by a banner bearing the legend ‘Welcome Bishop Andrew’ hanging across the top of the churchyard gate. After worship in Killeter, Bishop Forster enjoyed some post-Service refreshments and fellowship with the congregation before heading on to nearby Castlederg.

In Derg Parish Church, the Bishop enjoyed what the Rector described as “the chaos of our Nativity Service”. Rev Peter Ferguson said Bishop Andrew, who donned a paper crown for the occasion, fitted right in and made an immediate impact with the congregation in Derg.

President presented to parish

The Irish Countrywomen’s Association, Dublin Federation, presented examples of craftwork at their annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols in St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street on Sunday afternoon and this Michael D tea cosy was left in The Vicar’s stall.

SVP window display competition

The winner of this year’s North regional Vincent’s Christmas window display competition is (long pause in the style of X Factor presenters)…. Vincent’s Portadown! In 2nd place, Vincent’s Derry and in 3rd place Mill St, Newry .Congrats to the winners and participants!

Events this week

On Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, there will be a ‘Quiet Christmas’ This will take the form of a Taizé Eucharist with Prayers for Wholeness and Healing.

Limerick City Parish’s series of talks leading up to Christmas concludes on Friday in St Michael’s church, Pery Square, at 1pm when the speaker will be Fr Peter McVerry. These talks are aimed at all who experience overwhelming circumstances and difficulties within their lives. Each session will offer hope encouragement and perhaps a way forward. Within the talk there will be time for questions interaction and refreshments.

Music in Calary has taken over responsibility for the Annual Candlelight Carol Service in Calary parish church, Co. Wicklow. The Carol Service will take place on Friday at 7.30 pm, followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the Church Room. No booking is required and there will be a voluntary collection for Simon, which helps young people tackle homelessness, and Tiglin, which assists people to deal with different forms of addiction. The service is a collection of seasonal readings and well known carols for everyone to join in. There will also be a carol sung by Calary’s own Pop Up Choir.

On Saturday 21 December there will be ‘Carols by Candlelight’ in St John’s church, Park Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4, featuring traditional Christmas music and readings. Admission is free and there will be a voluntary collection for the Capuchin Day Centre.

P is for … Portsmouth

Yesterday, 16 December, Friends’ of Cathedral Music were on the south cost, in Portsmouth, at the Cathedral of the Sea.

The choir is having a very busy Advent. They have just sung on board HMS Victory for the Second Sea Lord’s Carol Service, and now their focus is on the four carol services they have coming up from 21st December (one a day till Christmas eve) as well as Midnight Eucharist and Eucharist on Christmas Day.

The choristers are looking forward to going to see Star Wars Episode 9 at the Cinema as a well-earned Christmas treat.

There are several choirs: the Cathedral Choir of men and boys, a close harmony group formed of the Choral Scholars, a Cathedral Consort (mixed adults) and the mixed youth choir Cantate. David Price is the Organist and Master of the Choristers and Sachin Gunga is the Sub-Organist.

FCM was delighted to award a grant to Portsmouth Cathedral to help support a 3-year outreach programme, Cathedral Sing. Last month saw the final event with an Evensong for St Cecilia when 187 school children joined our Cathedral Choir to sing the music of Vaughan Williams, Rizza and Howells Hymn to St Cecilia.

FCM relies on subscriptions from and donations from members and supporters to fund our grant-giving programme. Donations to FCM help choristers like these at Portsmouth.

[https://fcm.org.uk/news/p-is-for-portsmouth/])

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:

– advance notice of a talk on being created in the image of God – ‘Saying Yes to Life’ – by Dr Ruth Valerio, Tearfund’s Advocacy and Influencing Director, at Belfast Cathedral on Tuesday, 25th February 2020.

– the Church of Ireland Youth Department’s new resource pack on caring for creation (produced by assistance from Tearfund and Christian Aid);

– an update on environment work in Carnalea (Down and Dromore) by Canon Michael Parker;

– a biodiversity garden set up by the Boys’ Brigade in Tralee (Limerick and Killaloe).

– a Christian Aid campaign training day for the UK general election at Orangefield (Down and Dromore);

– the formation of Eco–Congregation Cloughjordan (Limerick and Killaloe); and

– the Climate Justice Candle’s visit to Carnalea and Glaslough (Clogher);

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.