NEWS BRIEFS

RTÉ service with Christ Church Girls’ Choir

On Sunday, 6th October, at 11am, on RTÉ1 television and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, a service will be broadcast with the Girls’ Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. The service will be led by the Dean of Christ Church, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne. RTÉ services are available to watch and listen after broadcast here –
[[] https://www.rte.ie/player/series/service-on-sunday/SI0000002989?epguid=IH000378876%5D ]

Alpha is coming to Ballyclare

Alpha is coming to Ballyclare based at Pots Coffee Shop. Commencing 29th Sept, each Sunday at 6.30pm until Christmas. Each evening consists of light refreshments, a video, and some discussion. If interested, let them know you might be coming alphaballyclare.eventbrite.com

A Cry for Mercy

Fergus McMorrow the Director of Divine Healing Ministries writes “We are joining with many Christians and with the Church across Northern Ireland in a fresh call to unite in prayer. As we swiftly approach 21st October, Northern Ireland could have the most liberal abortion regime in Europe if Stormont has not reconvened.

“We would love if every Church congregation in Northern Ireland would open their doors all day (even if in between services in the afternoon) on Sunday13th October so people can drop in and pray about these matters. The day has been entitled ‘ACry for Mercy’.

“A prayer has been carefully formatted which you can use in your Church. A handout will be made available in a short while to give prayer guidelines. Please spread the word among Christians and Churches you know.” [[] divinehealing@live.co.uk ]

Connect Day: Equipping and supporting young people experiencing self–harm

This full–day training programme on Thursday October 3 at Willowfield Parish Halls, begins by giving you a clear understanding of self–harm and young people: the causes, types of harm and triggers. You’ll gain insights into the prevalence of self–harm across the UK and what kinds of interventions are being most effective. Building on this knowledge, this practical session will teach you how to work one–to–one with a young person.
You’ll learn how respond to their disclosure of harming, how to work with them to understand their feelings and what’s causing their behaviour, and how to help them find alternative ways of coping to self–harm. The session also includes detailed guidance on how to develop a policy on self–harm that meets current legislation and good practice.

Learning outcomes

– An understanding of the causes and types of self–harm, including triggers

– An overview of the latest research on self–harm in young people

– How to respond to a disclosure from a young person

– Alternative coping strategies for young people to deal with overwhelming emotions

– How to support a young person who is self–harming and where to get further help

– An opportunity to develop self–harm policy for your work

– Practical recovery tools and resources to use with young people in a one–to–one and group setting

All delegates receive a training pack containing a range of ready–to–use resources. a certificate of attendance and 10% off all Youthscape resources purchased on the day.

Hosted by the Church of Ireland Youth Department and the Irish Methodist Youth & Children’s Department. Thursday, 3rd October 2019
10am–4pm. Willowfield Parish Church Halls. 290–296 Woodstock Road, BT6 9DN, Belfast [[] admin@ciyd.org ]

Ireland in Christmas Praise 2019

Join the New Irish Choir and Orchestra and the New Irish Youth Choir for a beautiful and vibrant celebration of Christmas. This is now one of Belfast’s largest and most eclectic Christmas events, with over 200 people on stage and an opportunity for the audience to join in singing traditional Christmas Carols. Directed by Jonathan Rea. Tickets available from [www.waterfront.co.uk ]  or call 028 9033 4455

Bishop Denis Brennan welcomes Pope Francis’ message for migrants

“We are all urged to ‘welcome, protect, promote and integrate’” – Bishop Brennan

Ahead of the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated globally this Sunday, 29 September, Bishop Denis Brennan, chair of the Bishops’ Council for Immigrants, said, “Our first thoughts and prayers are with our migrant brothers and sisters who live here among us in Ireland, in our dioceses, our parishes and most especially those in direct provision centres in our country.

“I am glad to announce that a parish resource pack has been distributed to every parish in Ireland in preparation for World Day of Migrants on Sunday. The pack contains resources – liturgical, spiritual and news – for use locally before and during, the Sunday Masses this weekend. I hope this resource pack will assist in raising awareness of the challenges facing our migrants and refugees in Ireland, and throughout the world. I encourage everyone to make use of these resources to reach out meaningfully and warmly in their parishes.

“Pope Francis has chosen the theme ‘It is not just about migrants’, for this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees. In his message, Pope Francis reminds us that migrants and refugees do not only represent a problem to be solved, but are brothers and sisters to be welcomed, respected and loved.

“We are all urged to adopt a decided stance and course of action summed up in four simple verbs: ‘welcome, protect, promote and integrate.’

“Pope Francis’ theme, ‘it is not just about migrants’, speaks to ‘all of us, and about the present and future of the human family’”, Bishop Brennan said.