NEWS BRIEFS

Mary McAleese set to succeed Mary Robinson as chancellor of Trinity

The former president is to be nominated for the post held by her predecessor at the Áras, according to the Irish Times. (Photo above) Former president Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the All-Ireland senior hurling final between Kilkenny and Tipperary at Croke Park earlier this month.

SAMS Ireland Gala Ball

South American Mission Society (SAMS), Ireland, is holding a special Gala Ball ‘Friday Night Jive’ in the La Mon Hotel, Belfast, on Friday November 1 at 7.30pm. This unique evening will allow the wider SAMS support network to spend time in each other’s company while enjoying some excellent food. The gathered wider SAMS family community will hear inspiring stories of the work in South American Church. There will be the opportunity to join the continuing SAMS work which started more than 150 years ago, as well as be encouraged in ongoing prayerfulness for the many individuals and churches who are witnessing to the Gospel in word and action in South American countries. The evening will continue with live music. Some tickets are still available from the SAMS Office, 1 Irwin Crescent, Lurgan, Craigavon, BT66 7EZ. Tel: 028 38310144

Outcry over a church tribute to a paedophile priest on front pages

On yesterday’s front pages The Belfast Telegraph led with news that a tribute to Brendan Smyth, the notorious abuser priest, found its way into a memorial book. The daily listings at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Newcastle included “Fr Brendan Smyth 1997”. Fr Jim Crudden told the newspaper he did not know how it got there. Smyth was at the centre of one of the first paedophile priest scandals to rock the Catholic Church. The Northern Ireland-born cleric was eventually convicted of more than 140 offences against children over a 40-year period. Although allegations about him were investigated by church officials, including Cardinal Brady, as far back as 1975, it was almost 20 years before the priest was jailed.

Methodist Church President to return to Glengormley

The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Rev Sam McGuffin, is set to return to Glengormley Methodist this week. Rev McGuffin, who is minister at Glengormley Methodist, was installed as church President on June 12. A spokesperson for the Glencairn Drive church said: “We are looking forward to our minister Rev Sam McGuffin joining us on Sunday, September 1 at our 10.45am service in his current role as President of the Methodist Church in Ireland. Please plan to attend if you can.” McGuffin will also attend a service at the church during next year’s Easter celebrations.

Kids gallop into Calamity Creek in Ballyclare

There was something a bit rowdy howdy going on at St John’s Parish Hall in Ballyclare last week when more than 100 kids galloped into town for the Calamity Creek Bible Club! A visit to the Creek revealed dozens of cowboys, Indians, pirates, and squaws all out for a fantastic week of fun in the Wild West!
Leading the charge was Dianne Hamilton, the parish’s family associate, supported by a large number of suitably attired assistant leaders, including the rector himself, the Rev Jonny Campbell-Smyth. In total there were 41 leaders involved, and that doesn’t include those who built the fantastic Calamity Creek set. Each day from Tuesday to Friday there was singing, aerobics, crafts, snacks, a talk, worship, small group questions, memory verses, and the two big draws – a daily comedy drama telling the story of creation, fall and the need for Jesus to come to the rescue – and the great balloon sacrifice. Every morning, a balloon filled with water got bigger and bigger, and each day one ‘lucky???’ leader was selected to be drenched when the balloon was burst. The kids just loved that! So, in the words of that old cowboy himself, John Wayne – ‘Get off your horse and drink your milk’ and step into Calamity Creek. (Maybe don’t worry about the milk). See photo gallery at –
[[] https://connor.anglican.org/2019/08/28/kids-gallop-into-calamity-creek-in-ballyclare/ ]

Good wishes to a successor

The Rt Rev’d Ken Good, retired Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, issued these remarks sefollowing the election of Ven. Andrew Forster as Bishop of Derry and Raphoe.

“I offer my warmest congratulations to Ven. Andrew Forster on his election as my successor and wish him every blessing as the next Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. I have known Andrew for many years – both from our work together on the South American Mission Society (SAMS) and on various Church of Ireland committees – and I know that the Diocese is getting an outstanding new leader.

“I hope that Andrew will enjoy many years as Bishop and that he will find his time in Derry and Raphoe as happy and as fulfilling as I did. I am confident, too, that he will enjoy the wholehearted support of the clergy and laity of the Diocese.

“I assure Andrew that he and Heather are in my prayers as he steps out in this new phase in his ministry and they embark on this exciting new chapter in their lives together.”

Food for thought

“We have to take seriously the fact that the majority voted Leave. We may not like it, but that is democracy; and that means we have to stop whingeing about it and do something about reuniting the country.” – Justin Welby