Parish gives Family Time Books to local Primary Schools; Refreshing Worship; Luther Oratorio; Connor clergy conference; Media review – Death of well respected Belfast ecumenist
Parish gives Family Time Books to local Primary Schools
On Wednesday 7 November, Julie Currie (Down & Dromore Diocesan Children’s Worker) and the Revd Bryan Martin (Rector of Donaghcloney Parish) travelled to Waringstown Primary School and Donaghcloney Primary School to give out Family Time Books to every child in each school.
Julie was able to share the story of Bassets Jelly Babies – did you know that each one has a special symbol on it, telling the story of the Bible? The kids loved the books and so did the teachers, (some of the devotions might reappear as Assembly lessons).
Read more about the Family Time books at –
www.familyfaith.co.uk
‘Refreshing Worship’
Church Music Dublin is going local by offering to resource clergy and organists/musicians in the local setting. A pilot meeting is planned for the West Glendalough Rural Deanery area in Timolin Parish Hall on Thursday November 15 at 8.00 pm. This will be a social gathering for local clergy and parish musicians, choir members etc. and will include some liturgical input by the Archdeacon of Glendalough and music resources for Advent & Christmas by Jacqueline Mullen and Derek Verso. This is planned as a fun evening with some useful resources for parish worship. Timolin parish is hosting the event and providing refreshments.
Luther Oratorio in Christ Church Cathedral
In the run up to the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses and the start of the Reformation, a series of events is taking place in Dublin to celebrate and review the work of Martin Luther. As part of this, the Munich Cantata Choir will perform the Irish premier of the Luther Oratorio in Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday November 17 at 8.00 pm. Tickets cost €20 and will be available on the door on the night.
http://dublin.anglican.org/news/events/2012/11/Luther-Oratorio-in-Christ-Church-Cathedral.php
Connor clergy conference
The Slieve Russell Hotel, Co Cavan, was the venue for the Diocese of Connor Clergy Conference from November 6–9.Around 90 clergy from across the diocese were in attendance, and the guest speakers were the Rev Canon Dr Heather Morris, President Elect of the Methodist Church of Ireland, and the Rt Rev Paul Butler, Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham.
Both presented stimulating and challenging addresses over the course of the three days. Delegates also enjoyed wonderful worship, music, fellowship and the chance to relax and enjoy a little free time.
Conference opened with a Eucharist Service led by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy. Bishop Alan welcomed the guest speakers as well as some special guests from the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Dean Dermot Dunne and Mr Michael Webb.
Following the service Bishop Paul introduced the first of three sessions on children’s ministry, linking in with the diocesan vision strategy themes by focusing on engaging with children in our culture, enabling change for children and empowering children’s ministry.
The Bishop outlined his own background, which included 20 years in ministry in different parts of London, including several years as an Inner London Evangelist with the Scripture Union. He was also chair of CMS for three years.
“There are two threads to my ministry,” said the Bishop “One is work with children and the second is a deep conviction of being part of the world’s church.”
In his first session, Bishop Paul painted a picture of the culture in which our children are growing up. He followed this up in his next session with an examination of faith development and the spirituality of children. His third talk looked at empowering children, in this, he said relationships were absolutely key.
“We can run the best programmes in the world, but if we don’t work on relationships, they will fail,” he said.
Other key things when empowering children’s ministry were prayer, committed leadership and finance, the Bishop said. “Most of the children work in our churches is done on a shoestring and relies on people’s generosity.”
During the conference Bishop Paul also had a chance to welcome the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of Durham Justin Welby, whose appointment was officially announced on the Friday morning. He urged clergy to pray for the Archbishop–Elect.
In her very engaging, and often amusing, manner, The Rev Canon Dr Heather Morris introduced her Bible Study by telling how Bishop Alan had invited her to simply speak about Jesus. Heather stressed the importance of the old old story, and in her second address spoke of the pattern of ‘dying and rising’ in the life of Jesus. “Jesus makes it clear that at the heart of faith is the pattern of dying and rising,” she said. “There is a cost of discipleship, we have reason to be nervous.”
…..Heather concluded her three Bible study sessions with a look at how Jesus ministered and how he found the time to do all the things that he did.
“Remember that it is not all about us. It is not all about our effort. That you are not on your own. Jesus is Lord. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He lives forever to intercede for us,” she said.
On the second evening of conference Bishop Alan took time to update clergy on diocesan issues. But first he told them: “I am only too aware of how lonely and difficult parish life can be. How much time you give to people in pain.
“I value you and I pray for you and I pray that in all you give you also have time to receive.
I pay tribute to you in your tireless work and devotion to what can be difficult tasks.”
Bishop Alan spoke about the background to the diocesan vision strategy, how the disconnections he saw in parish and community became the positive word – connections – and how that has formed the basis for this strategy.
“I am convinced that the theological issue that we need to rediscover again is the need to incarnate,” Bishop Alan said. “Incarnation does connect. It helps people realise that this God we love came into the mess of Bethlehem, lived in that mess and has lived in it since.”
He said parishes must look at changing the way they do church, and this must be a ministry of all God’s people, not just ordained clergy. ……
The role of a Bishop, he said, was to be a permission giver. “I am giving you permission to do this. I will be there to help you and fight your corner,” the Bishop told clergy.
He introduced Trevor Douglas, who took up the new post of Parish Development Officer in August. “I am the dreamer. This man is the detail, he makes things happen,” Bishop Alan said.
Trevor said he had been focusing on connections. “Some parishes are looking at new things and for the first time some of them are looking inwards as well as looking outwards,” he said.
He spoke about encouraging conversations with local government on church in the community, and about his negotiations with the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister in relation to the proposed peace and reconciliation centre at the Maze / Long Kesh site.
…“They have given us sacred space in the centre and we are looking at a shared chaplaincy. What a joy it is to know that the Diocese of Connor is at the centre of this,” Trevor said.
The Rev Barry Forde, chair of Connor Training Council, said that the three strands of the vision strategy – engaging culture, effecting change, empowering ministry – would be integral to whatever training the diocese offers.
Three diocesan training days, each involving all clergy, have been organised to look at these three areas, Barry said. The first will take place on April 11 next year when the facilitator with be the Rt Rev Stephen Croft, Bishop of Sheffield.
Worshipping together was an important part of conference. Proceedings opened on the Wednesday afternoon with Holy Communion. On the first evening there was an atmospherice Taize service, and on the Thursday evening a service of sung Compline.
Music at all services was led by Richard Ryan on piano accompanied by musicians Jonny Campbell–Smith (on a variety of instruments) and Dean John Mann, violin. A number of singers were persuaded to form an impromptu singing group for the Compline!
The liturgy at each service was prepared by the Rev Canon Peter McDowell.
MEDIA REVIEW
Death of well respected Belfast ecumenist
The death has taken place of Monsignor Tom Toner who as Administrator of St Peter’s Cathedral,formed the Belfast Cathedrals’ Partnership with the late Dean Jack Shearer of St Anne’s.
http://www.irishnews.com/news/priest-who-was-chaplain-for-hunger-strikers-dies-1205633
Irish bishop plans to take leave of absence
Bishop John McAreavey of Dromore diocese is taking a leave of absence to study in the Holy Land. He is the uncle of John McAreavey whose wife was murdered on their honeymoon in Mauritius.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/bishop-mcareavey-to-take-a-break-16236913.html
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=16220