NEWS BRIEFS

Disestablishment of C of I marked in Armagh

A Service was held in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh on Sunday last to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Irish Church Disestablishment Act.

Photo above – The Monks of Holy Cross Abbey, Rostrevor with Very Rev. Dean Gregory Dunstan, Rev. Suzanne Cousins, Most Rev. Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh. Photo below – Clergy assembling

‪ Stories from the Street by well known Methodist minister

Rev Jim Rea signs the first copy of his book ’Stories from the Street’ for MCI President Rev Sam McGuffin. The book which will be launched next month tells real life stories from Jim’s twenty one years working on the Newtownards Road, Belfast. Details of the launch will be announced later this week. Also in the picture are Tom Millar – Chairman Skainos (left) and Publisher Cedric Wilson (right)‬

USPG annual London reunion

Over 50 were present at All Saints Margaret Street for the annual reunion. Bishop Michael Burrows inspired them to celebrate USPG’s unique place in mission, and presentations showed how this is being lived out through engagement with church partners in many contexts globally.

Also present was Rosemary Kempsell (left), former Worldwide President of the Mothers’ Union.

New rectory planned for Birr

An Offaly church is set to build a new rectory after planning permission was granted by Offaly County Council.

The Select Vestry of St Brendan’s Church of Ireland in Birr applied to Offaly County Council for planning permission for a new rectory and garage.

The church plans to construct a storey and a half rectory and a single-storey domestic garage at Glebe Lands, Glebe Street, Birr, Co Offaly.

The project will form new entrance walls and piers to existing and proposed rectories and all associated site works.

## Funeral of retired bishop of Derry

Recently retired Church of Ireland bishop Ken Good of Derry and Raphoe attended the funeral of retired bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry on Monday. A MESSAGE of condolence from Pope Francis was relayed to mourners yesterday at Requiem Mass for retired bishop of Derry Séamus Hegarty.

His successor, Bishop Donal McKeown told mourners at St Eugene’s Cathdral that the late church leader’s ‘tough exterior’ belied a kindness and generosity which were the “hallmarks of his nature”.

He also relayed Pope Francis’s message of sympathy to the clergy and laity on bishop Hegarty’s death and the Holy Father’s gratitude for the late bishop’s ministry.

Bishop Hegarty (79), who died after an eight-year struggle with dementia on Friday, was laid to rest by the doors of St Eugene’s beside his immediate two predecessors, Bishop Neil Farren and Bishop Edward Daly.

Canon Billy Gibbons

It is with sadness that we note the death of Canon Billy Gibbons who was Rector of Kill O’ the Grange for over 20 years until his retirement in 1995. He had also been a Curate at St Ann’s and St Stephen’s and was a Canon of Christ Church Cathedral.

Canon Gibbons died on Saturday September 21 2019 at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin. He was predeceased by his wife Isobel and is missed by his children Catherine, Mary and Michael, son–in–law Jim, daughter–in–law Rosemary, grandchildren Michael, Jenny, Sam and Mark, brothers–in–law, extended family and friends.

Funeral Service on Thursday September 26 at 11am in Kill o’ the Grange Parish Church, Deansgrange, followed by cremation at Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, D.6w. Family flowers only.

Bishop Roy Williamson

The death has taken place of Belfast-born C of E Bishop, Rt Rev Roy Williamson.

Food for thought

As Parliament returns to work today following the ruling of the UK Supreme Court, please pray that MPs continue to consider the poorest and most marginalised in society as they try to find a way to resolve the conflicts surrounding Brexit.

Rt Rev Mark Strange