| Friday 11th April, 2008 You are here: Home - 11th April 2008 Index Page |
African archbishops endorse work of CMS Ireland
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Ian Smith, CMS Ireland’s Director of Mission (right), is pictured with Archbishop Henry Orombi. (Photo: Carol Smith) |
During a recent brief tour of places and people in Africa connected with CMS Ireland(CMSI ), Ian Smith, CMSI ’s Director of Mission, met with senior clergy in both Uganda and Sudan. Archbishop Henry Orombi of Uganda expressed his delight at meeting Mr Smith and stressed to him the importance of the work of CMSI in his country. He also made suggestions as to new places where CMSI might join local Christians in working out the mission imperative.
Editorial
AHERN STANDS DOWN
Bertie Ahern is to retire as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil on 6th May, when he will be succeeded in both positions by the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen. With Mr Ahern’s departure, the Republic is losing a Taoiseach who may not have initiated the recent phase of unrivalled economic prosperity, but who certainly managed the boom carefully, and Northern Ireland is losing a genuine friend. Full Text
Church’s Ministry of Healing launches new websites
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The Revd Dr Pat Mollan, deputy director of the Church’s Ministry of Healing, confers with Daniel Williams, from Comber parish, Diocese of Down, on the content of the websites. Mr Williams compiled and authored the websites, prior to revising for his GCSE examinations. |
The Church’s Ministry of Healing (CMH) has launched two new websites to inform people of its mission and ministry, to provide a site for those in trouble, and to encourage prayer and financial support from the Church of Ireland.
Connor rector trains African teachers in Bible studies
By Karen Bushby
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The Revd Alan McCann (sitting, 2nd right) with some of the leaders he trained during his visit to Uganda. Also included are Lisa McIlwaine and Karen Mulligan. |
Lunchtime lecture series planned for Belfast church
Prompted by continued interest in the annual theological lectures in Queen’s University Belfast, the nearby church of St Bartholomew on the Stranmillis Road is organising a series of Tuesday lunchtime lectures. The first lecture took place on Tuesday 8th April, when Prof. Stephen Williams, of Union Theological College, Belfast, spoke on ‘Behind Dawkins and The God Delusion’.
At home away from home
Writing in the recent issue of the Meath and Kildare Diocesan Magazine, Olatunji Olaleye (or ‘TJ’, as he is generally known), who moved to Athboy, Co. Meath, from Nigeria in April 2006, contrasted the nature of the worship which he has experienced in Athboy with that in his homeland.
Foundations laid for new school in Co. Meath parish
The parochial school in Kells, Co. Meath, commonly called ‘the Carrick School’, was founded about 170 years ago. The present building, situated on Carrick Street, Kells, Co. Meath, is a three-teacher school, with 62 pupils on the roll and several ancillary staff. As well as those from the catchment area of the Kells union of parishes, Diocese of Meath, some pupils travel from neighbouring parishes to the school.
Armagh Presbyterian minister to be ICC President
The 85th annual meeting of the Irish Council of Churches (ICC) took place recently in the Methodist church, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Belfast church’s spring concert to feature two eminent young singers
Two distinguished and internationally renowned young singers will perform at a spring concert to be held in St George’s church, High Street, Belfast, on Saturday 26th April, at 7.30pm.
Parish Profile
Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla, Diocese of Dublin
By Gazette journalist, Harry Allen
The parish of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla consists of three churches in a fast-growing Dublin suburban setting, with many new industries; it has grown from 380 households in 2000 to 520 (1,500 people) by this year.
World News
Southern Africa primate enthroned in Cape Town
Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion (right), greets the new Archbishop of Capetown, the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, during the four-hour ceremony in St George’s Cathedral. (Photo ACNS/Jim Rosenthal)
The Most Revd Thabo Makgoba was enthroned as primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) on 30th March in a fourhour service in St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town.
Filipino church leaders pray and pay tribute to ailing Aquino
Church leaders in the Philippines are paying tribute to the historical role of ailing former president, Corazon Aquino, in helping to restore democracy in their country in the 1980s after nearly 20 years of martial law rule under Ferdinand Marcos.
Polish Church faces accusations of child sex abuse cover-up
The head of the Roman Catholic Dominican order in Poland has publicly rebuked one of his country’s archbishops after he criticised a member of the order for helping expose allegations of sexual abuse by a priest.
Relief organizations in western Darfur face fresh threats
Relief organizations in Sudan’s western Darfur region face fresh threats from roaming armed militias belonging to new rebel groups without a known political agenda, who target vehicles in which humanitarian workers are sometimes killed in the hijackings.
Letters to the Editor
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A Good Anglican Stance Full Text
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Ministry Formation Project Full Text
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Information request Full Text
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Maundy Thursday service Full Text
Divine Healing Ministries - Drugs, violence, love and openness
Eric Lewis gives a personal account of a recent healing and prayer mission undertaken by members of Divine Healing Ministries to the city of Cali in Colombia, South America.
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Members of the team - (from left) Eric Lewis, Don McCartney, Paul Shields and Ronnie Orr - pray with a young ‘biker’ in the mountainous region of Cali close to the huge statue of Christ, whilst Brother David Jardine was being interviewed for a forthcoming BBC Northern Ireland television programme on the work of the healing ministry. |
On 14th February, a five-man team from Divine Healing Ministries, led by Brother David Jardine, set off at the start of a 13-day teaching, healing and prayer visit to Cali in Colombia at the invitation of Pastor Hendrik Hoere, whose church is in the city. In addition to Canon Jardine, the other team members were Don McCartney, Ronnie Orr, Paul Shields and myself. We shared with our Colombian hosts our own experiences of the ministry of divine healing, which offers prayer and the layingon of hands to those seeking this ministry. Brother David taught in fluent Spanish, whilst Pastor Hendrik translated for the benefit of those of us less accomplished in this language.
Soap
"Let’s do shifts. I’m nearly asleep on my feet", sighed Steve to Jonathan. "I know we thought this would be a good idea, but at onethirty in the morning, I’m not so sure." The good idea was a Confirmation class night away at an outdoor pursuits centre. They had hired a minibus - Steve had the necessary licence qualification to drive one - and had set off late on Friday afternoon for the one-anda- half-hour’s drive to the centre.
By the Book
Real freedom
(Galatians 5: 19-26)
Recently, while driving, I was listening to the radio in the car. The subject was sexuality in Ireland. A television journalist who had made a documentary about the changes in attitudes to sex in this country was being interviewed. There was quite a bit of hilarity, as tales of sexual repression in old Ireland were recounted - and quite a bit of joy, as the sexual freedom of new Ireland was celebrated.
Musings
Hands
Strong hands, young hands, frail hands, smooth hands, weathered hands, gloved hands. Hands outstretched in welcome; hands open to receive - these are the Maundy memories which I shall never forget.
Archbishops pay tribute to Bertie Ahern on forthcoming resignation
Bertie Ahern TD Following the announcement last week that An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD, is to resign on 6th May, both Church of Ireland archbishops issued statements praising his work in office and highlighting in particular the part he played in the Good Friday Agreement. The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd John Neill, said that the resignation would "bring to an end a long and distinguished ministerial career in Irish public life" and added that he had "always found him most supportive and courteous in my dealings with him ... "
Bishop of Cork attends law conference
The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Rt Revd Paul Colton (above, 8th right) recently attended a conference – ‘Law, Religion and the Family’ – to mark the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Cardiff University Centre for Law and Religion, of which the bishop is a Research Associate.
‘FXC’ - the second stage
The second stage of ‘FXC’ - a journey of discovery about new ways of doing Church today - will take place on Saturday 26th April, at the Jethro Centre, Lurgan. The Revd Dr Steven Croft, who leads the Fresh Expressions initiative shared by the Church of England and the Methodist Church in England, will be the speaker and facilitator for the day.
‘Consensus support’ necessary for Bill of Rights proposals - Canon Walter Lewis
Proposals for Northern Ireland’s draft Bill of Rights - the first in the United Kingdom - were recently presented to the Human Rights Commission. The proposals were compiled by the Bill of Rights Forum, set up 14 months ago, which comprised the five main political parties - the DUP, Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionists, the SDLP and the Alliance Party - along with representatives of the Churches and community organisations.
New Testament scholar to give Belfast public lecture on Paul
Prof. Francis Watson, recognised as one of the world’s foremostNew Testament scholars, will give a public lecture entitled‘What did Paul mean byRighteousness?’ in Room 212 of the Peter Froggatt Centreof Queen’s University Belfaston Tuesday 22nd April, at 6.00pm.
Appointments and Death