360 Miscellany

News and views

Magazine mailing day for Church Missionary Society Ireland

It’s magazine mailing day in CMSI’s Belfast Office. “Normally, we’re joined by our team of 10-15 volunteers for this task. Today (because of C-19), it’s just the three of us. We miss our volunteers!” comments a hard-pressed staff member. Photo above.

Bishop Paul has had a fall

Prayers and Christian concern for Rt Rev Dr Paul Colton – He has tweeted: “Although I’m laid low since an accident on Mount Gabriel on 7th Aug and the replacement of my broken shoulder last Saturday, I do want all in schools of C of Ireland Cork and further afield to know how much you are in my thoughts and prayers as you reopen. I’ve plenty of time to pray!”

Wave Trauma Centre urges no delay in implementing victims’ pension

The Centre commenting on recent developments states, “For 10 yrs we have worked on the injured pension. The figures quoted today of £800million bears no resemblance to projections to date or the experience of the levels of service uptake. This scheme is about those severely and permanently injured. We need it implemented without delay.”

On the web

“Martina Anderson writes off the lives of the majority of NI victims as somehow complicit in “Britain’s dirty war”…” Slugger O’Toole blog https://sluggerotoole.com/2020/08/26/martina-anderson-writes-off-the-lives-of-the-majority-of-ni-victims-as-somehow-complicit-in-britains-dirty-war/

Web observed – Back to school time

World Scout Moot will take place in Ireland

Great news!  The 16th World Scout Moot will take place in Ireland from July 18-28 in 2022. Ireland will welcome the world and provide meaningful, challenging & fun experiences for Scouts aged 18 to 26 years old. Learn more at http://www.worldscoutmoot.ie

New resource to support youth ministry in Connor parishes

Connor Youth Officer Christina Baillie has developed a new resource for anyone involved in youth ministry the diocese.

“For many of us across the diocese, youth ministry continues to be a priority, yet with so much uncertainty, it is hard to know where to start,” Christina said.

“We might have made plans to move programmes online or pause them altogether and with a new term starting, it is an opportunity to look at our ministry with a fresh perspective. “

Christina said the resource is for anyone involved in youth ministry in Connor parishes. “It provides an opportunity to consider what could happen for young people this term, without any pressure or expectation,” she explained. “While so much remains difficult, I would love to see parishes continue to connect with young people in whatever way possible.”

There is also a more specific version for those employed in youth ministry in the diocese and individuals can contact Christina on christinabaillie@connordiocese.org  to access this.

 SEFF – God’s Healing for Us – upcoming series

SEFF – a group which supports victims is presenting a series on its Facebook page, Upcoming contributors on their page:

Friday 28th August 2020 @ 11am – Rev Nick Cooper of Ballygowan Presbyterian Church. Rev Cooper formerly facilitated SEFF’s 2018 Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving when he was Rector of Ballygawley Presbyterian Church.

Friday 4th September 2020 @ 11am – Rev William Newell of Dungannon Methodist Church (North Western District). Rev Newell formerly facilitated SEFF’s 2017 Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving when he was Rector of Fivemiletown Methodist Church.

Killyleagh notable at centre of protests

Protesters intend to target a statue of Sir Hans Sloane after his connections to slavery were highlighted by the British Museum.

The philanthropist’s collection was partly funded by plantation profits and laid the foundations for the museum in 1753. Curators removed Sloane’s statue from its pedestal due to his profiteering from slavery, and campaigners now want his likeness purged from Duke of York Square in Chelsea.

But private landowners will not agree to getting rid of the monument.

The statue stands at the centre of the upmarket shopping area ringed by streets bearing his name, such as Sloane Square, which will be the site of a protest on Friday.

Cadogan Estates owns the land on which the statue stands, and while the property company has acknowledged that Sloane’s fortune came from imperialistic profiteering, it has also cited the good he achieved. A spokesman for Cadogan said: “Sir Hans Sloane achieved many great things in his life.”

Well said

Pointers to prayer

Today we pray for rough sleepers. Despite the success of the Everybody In scheme, numbers of rough sleepers in London has increased during Covid-19. We pray for continued resources and policymaking that work to end homelessness and keep rough sleepers safe.

God in creation

Wicklow