NEWS BRIEFS

Clogher Clergy Christmas collection

The Archdeacon of Clogher Diocese, the Venerable Brian Harper, who is Rector of Magheracross Parish and his neighbouring Minister, Revd John Beacom from Ballinamallard Methodist Church, will be spending Thursday, 19th December outdoors all for a good cause. Both clerics will be helping to raise money for charities from their 12-hour sit-out beside Magheracross Parish Church on Main Street, Ballinamallard from 8am until 8pm. Donations this year will be divided between youth activities in Ballinamallard and Prostate Cancer UK. Both ministers will be hoping that the weather will be kind to them although they will be well wrapped up and hopefully well supplied with hot food and snacks throughout the day.

Ecumenical Carols by Candlelight in Ardmore, County Waterford

Ancient diocesan and county boundaries in Ireland create interesting patterns of connection. The only part of the Church of Ireland United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross not in County Cork, is Ardmore, the seaside and fishing village in County Waterford, not far from Youghal in County Cork. Part of the neighbouring Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore includes a small part of County Cork.

Ardmore is one of the oldest Christian settlements in Ireland; Saint Declan lived there some time between 350 and 450.

The Church of Ireland Church of Saint Paul is mainly open in the summer for visitors and tourists. A harvest thanksgiving is also held. The church is really full, however, standing room only and people out in the porch and on the stairs to the gallery, for the ecumenical village Carol Service. The whole–time resident population of the Village is around 430 and on Sunday, 15th December, it felt as if nearly every family must have been represented together with some visitors. One woman from Waterford city said that she came across the Service by accident some years ago and has made it a firm date in her calendar ever since.

The Service of Lessons and Carols, with poetry and music also, was by candelight. The Rector, the Reverend Andrew Orr, welcomed everyone, including one of his predecessors, Canon Peter Rhys Thomas, and the Very Reverend Milo Guiry, P.P.

Bishop Paul Colton together with Mrs Susan Colton also attended this year. The church was seasonally decorated and the singing was led by the Ardmore Community Choir, and children from Saint Declan’s National School. A collection was taken in aid of the West Waterford Hospice. At the end of the Service, Santa made a surprise visit with gifts, after which there were some warming drinks and mince pies.

Choral excursion : P is for … Portsmouth

Friends of Cathedral Music is 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/](https://fcm.org.uk/news/p-is-for-portsmouth/)

RTÉ Christmas Day Service with Sligo Grammar School

RTÉ Christmas Day Service with Sligo Grammar School: On Christmas Day, a service will be broadcast – at 11.25am – on RTÉ 1 television and Radio 1 Extra with Sligo Grammar School. The chaplain is Canon Patrick Bamber and the headmaster is Michael Hall. Pupils from Sligo Grammar School at the recording of the Christmas Day Service.

Web site on marriage

The C of I’s Council fr Marriage has been working hard to provide more information and support to couples through its new-look website. There are 3 sections :
– to guide couples who are considering marriage
– to support married couples in their marriage
– to resource church leaders

The Council invites you to have a look and let it know what you think. See [http://marriage.ireland.anglican.org]