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Remembering the Past – Saint Patrick’s Cathedral begins 1916 Commemoration Programme

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Nigel BiggarAs Ireland prepares to mark the momentous centenaries that 2016 will bear witness to, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin is reflecting on what it means to remember and celebrate the past. On Saturday, 23 January the Cathedral’s 2016 programme kicks off with a one–day symposium exploring how Christians should honour the past. The symposium, which is open to all, will see contributions from four distinguished speakers who will stimulate discussion about remembering the past with integrity.

The Revd Prof. Nigel Biggar, Professor of Moral Theology at Oxford (pictured right), will explore the ethics of commemoration, while Prof. Mary Daly, who is President of the Royal Irish Academy (pictured below), will address the differences between the history of the past and the memory of it. Dr Brad Anderson from Mater Dei will offer some insights on what scripture teaches about commemoration, and finally Dr Wolfgang Marx from UCD will consider how music can be used to stimulate debate about the past. The symposium will also include a performance of music from 1916 by students from the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama.

Dr Eimhin Walsh, Civic Engagement & Outreach Officer at the Cathedral, commented that “as the National Cathedral we feel it is very important that we pause to consider the issues that undergird the commemorations that are happening on our island this year”. He continued, “History is never black and white, and the symposium is designed to help us to reflect, as Christian people, on the difficult questions about how we use the past today”.

The symposium runs from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm on Saturday 23 January and will take place in the Lady Chapel of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. There is a cover charge of Mary Daly€10, which includes lunch (free for students & unwaged). Early booking is advised and places can be reserved online at www.bitly.com/history_memory_23_1  or by emailing community@stpatrickscathedral.ie or telephoning 01 453 9472.

 

 


Living Worship 2016 and Gerard Brooks Organ Class

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Church Music DublinChurch Music Dublin is running its popular short course in music, liturgy and worship again this year. Living Worship 2016 takes place on three consecutive Saturdays beginning on January 16. The venues for the course are The Mageough Hall, Cowper Road, Rathmines and Sandford Parish Church, Ranelagh and sessions run from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. 

Living Worship aims to help church musicians see their role in a wider context than just playing an instrument or directing a choir. The course has something for everyone – musicians, worship leaders, clergy and others with pastoral responsibility – all who have an interest in the music of worship. Practical music skills are not required to take part.

On Saturday January 16 in the Mageough, Bishop Harold Miller will discuss ways of using music appropriately in the parish church during Holy Week and on Easter Day. He will use material from his worship guide Week of All Weeks, published early in 2015. 

On Saturday January 23 in the Mageough Archdeacon Ricky Rountree will look at options for the use of music at the Eucharist when it includes the liturgy of Holy Baptism.

On Saturday January 30 in Sandford Church international concert organist, Gerard Brooks will direct a practical workshop (partly at the organ console) on service accompaniment, particularly showing how to accompany worship songs.  He will use examples from the hymnal supplement Thanks & Praise. 

The course costs €10 per session(payable on the day).  To book, send an email to info@churchmusicdublin.org 

From Earth to Heaven – How to lift your music off the page’ – An organ class given by Gerard Brooks 

Separate from Living Worship, on the afternoon of Saturday 30 January, Gerard Brooks will give a class on simple improvisation – for example, demonstrating how to fill unexpected gaps in a service or to extend hymns while a collection is taken up. No prior knowledge of organ improvisation is required.

Numbers at this class will be limited, so advance booking is essential. The fee is €25. To reserve a place, contact Jacqueline Mullen by email at honsec@churchmusicdublin.org not later than January 16.

Delegation from Dublin and Glendalough Visit Diocese of Jerusalem

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JerusalemArchbishop Michael Jackson is currently leading a delegation from Dublin and Glendalough on a visit to the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East. The Archbishop is travelling with the Revd Ken Rue, chairperson of the Diocesan Council for Mission and Linda Chambers and Jan de Bruijn of the United Society.

Dublin and Glendalough is entering into a partnership with the Diocese of Jerusalem which spans Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria and Lebanon. An accord document will be signed by Archbishop Jackson and Archbishop Suheil Dawani during the visit.

This week the delegation will meet clergy and people of the Diocese of Jerusalem and visit churches, hospitals and schools. In particular they will visit Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza for which over €110,000 was raised in our United Dioceses in Advent 2014.

They also hope to learn more about the impact of the Syrian crisis throughout the region and to discuss how our schools and churches can link up with their counterparts there and how there could be pilgrimages to each others’ dioceses. The Archbishop will also outline to them the Come&C project and work with them in doing a similar exercise around the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion.

This morning (Wednesday January 6) Archbishop Jackson preached in St George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Epiphany. He spoke of the importance of geography, place, history and presence.

“Those of us who come from afar to mark and celebrate The Epiphany with you in The Land of the Holy One are very conscious of our rootedness in, our dependence on you and on your faith in often impossibly hard times and circumstances in this place and in this lived and living history. Your witness inspires and embodies the witness of millions of Christian people worldwide; and for it we are profoundly grateful,” he said.

He continued, “You rightly describe yourselves as Living Stones: Living Stones, as the hymn writer expresses it, by God appointed : appointed to watch and pray and live and respond. Each one of you is part of the building, the edifice, of witness and salvation. Both witness and salvation are chiselled out in the story of faith that all of you share with all of us: a story of God becoming human in order that we might, through his self–emptying and self–giving in love and service here in The Galilee and in Jerusalem, share in his divinity”.

The Archbishop also spoke of those who had been forced to flee the region and the Anglican diocese in the Middle East, particularly Syria and said that Europe was not coping very well.

“Western society has become very individualised, very compartmentalised and very fond of its own space. It has also lost touch with the sense that God infuses our public spaces for the common good. Many people simply do not want neighbours; they want privacy. This makes it terribly difficult to do anything that makes a difference in love for the people who are in greatest need. It has also made us unsure of ourselves as we relate suddenly to a ‘them’ who are now an ‘us’,” he stated.

In 2016 the people of Ireland would need to develop a compassionate approach and a sustained response to those who come in fear and trauma, he suggested. Those people who come here would also long for human acceptance and recognition of their identity that takes on board who they are and who they will become in Ireland.

“This is a grace we need to accept and to re–discover. Our hope is that, as an island people, we might do this with good grace and that, as a nation of people who have emigrated time and again, we might somehow understand and be sensitive to the fears in arriving somewhere new together with the bereavement of leaving all we ever knew behind,” he said.

You can read Archbishop Jackson’s sermon in full by clicking here.

Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of Ireland Launch Flood Relief Appeal

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Cork FloodingExtensive hardship is being experienced in many places across the island of Ireland as a result of recent floods. The Archbishops and Bishops are leading a Church of Ireland response to this crisis to raise funds to provide small grants to help people with immediate needs in Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland. 

People have been left without food, shelter, warmth and clothing as a result of flooding and water damage. The Archbishops and Bishops ask you to respond with generosity.

Clergy are being asked to draw this appeal to the attention of members of their parishes and the means of making donations is set out below. 

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing hardship as a result of flooding, you can apply for assistance on a form that has been made available to your rector, or the rural dean or diocesan office (if you have a vacancy).

The Church is being assisted by Protestant Aid, a charitable body with experience in the provision of welfare assistance in the allocation of funds. Where appropriate, parishes or other local and charitable agencies will also be used to channel funds. 

Individual donations may be made in the following ways:

  • On line: www.ireland.anglican.org/flood
  • Or by € or £ cheque to: The Representative Church Body: Bishops’ Flood Appeal, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6
  • Parishes may also provide an option of a special collection at Sunday services over the next two weeks.

Yours sincerely,

+ Richard Armagh

+ Michael Dublin

Photo from the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

 

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2016 in Dublin and Glendalough

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Salt of the EarthThe 2016 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place from January 18 to 25 and this year’s theme, which will be used worldwide, is Salt of the Earth. The week will be marked in Dublin and Glendalough with a wide variety of ecumenical events. Dublin Council of Churches has compiled a leaflet of these events which can be downloaded by clicking here.

The inaugural service will take place in St Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, Arran Quay, Dublin, on Monday January 18 at 8.00 pm. The preacher will be the Very Revd Kenneth Newell, former Moderator of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, Belfast. All are very welcome to attend.

The 2016 material was prepared for worldwide use by the Christians of Latvia, and adapted by the Britain and Ireland writers group, based around the verses 1 Peter 2:9–10. Peter’s first letter is an encouragement to the newly baptised to live holy lives and to answer the calling shared by all the baptised to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord. 

Today, Latvia is a crossroads where Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox regions meet. Because of this unique location, it is home to Christians of many different traditions, but no single one of them is dominant. Gathered together by the Archbishop of R?ga, members of a variety of church communities and projects in Latvia were asked to reflect on the chosen theme and the experience of their work.

Black Santa Sit Out Brings in Record Sum for Charities

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Black Santa Launch 2015The 2015 Black Santa Sit Out at St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street, has yielded a record breaking sum for charity. A total of €41,400, the largest amount in the Dublin appeal’s 15 year history, was collected during the sit out which took place on the street outside the Dublin city centre church in the days running up to Christmas.

Every cent donated goes directly to the charities involved. Cheques will be distributed at a special service in St Ann’s on Sunday February 7 at 11.00 am. The preacher will be the Archdeacon of Dublin, the Ven David Pierpoint.

The Vicar of St Ann’s, Canon David Gillespie, has paid tribute to all who donated, collected, counted and offered hospitality during the appeal.

Canon Gillespie and his team of volunteers from the parish as well as other clergy were joined each day by a number of choirs including Castleknock National School, St James Primary School, Francis Street CBS, St Stephens Church Choir, Catholic University School, Taney Parish Junior School, Alexandra College, Kildare Place National School, Cornucopia Brass Group, Irish Life Choir, Revenue Choir, AIB Choral Society, Permanent TSB Staff Choir, John Scottus School, Loretto College, Seafield Singers, Dublin Male Voice Choir, the Line Up Choir, Steadfast Band and the Brook Singers.

Among the charities that will benefit from the appeal are Trust, the Salvation Army, the Simon Community , the Peter McVerry Trust, Protestant Aid, Barnardos, St Vincent De Paul, the Laura Lynn Foundation and Solas Project.

The Black Santa sit out is modeled on a similar appeal, which has been run by successive Deans of St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast for many years. It became known as the Black Santa appeal because of the long heavy black cloaks worn by the clergy to keep out the cold.

Photo caption – Vicar of St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street, Canon David Gillespie; the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Críona Ní Dhálaigh; and the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson at the launch of the 2015 Black Santa Sit Out at St Ann’s Church with the choir of Kildare Place School. 

 

Epiphany Agreement Sees Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and Jerusalem Start Journey Together

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Signing of the Epiphany AgreementThe Archbishop of Dublin and the Archbishop of Jerusalem have signed an accord which will see the people of the dioceses journey together as brothers and sisters in Christ on a common pilgrimage of faith and discipleship. The Epiphany Agreement was signed in St George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem yesterday (Sunday January 10) and officially establishes the link which has been growing between the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East for the last year.

The Epiphany Agreement commits to developing a link relationship of equal partners between the two dioceses which is sustainable, practical, effective, mutually supportive and mutually enriching.

The stated aim of the link is to strengthen mission and evangelism in the church communities in both dioceses, to increase awareness between the dioceses of their solidarity in the cause of Christ, to respect and learn of and from each other’s cultural heritage and to enable the world to recognize more clearly God’s mission.

The agreement was signed during a visit by a delegation from the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East. The delegation is led by Archbishop Michael Jackson who is accompanied by the Revd Ken Rue, chairperson of the Diocesan Council for Mission and Linda Chambers and Jan de Bruijn of the United Society.

Following the signing, Archbishop Jackson said the agreement signified mutual respect between the people of both dioceses. “The signing of this Epiphany Agreement not only cements the friendship between the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, it also gives a very strong sense of the mutual respect in which the people and the clergy of both diocesan families hold one another,” he said. “Having had the opportunity since Epiphany to visit institutions and parishes in the Jerusalem Diocese, I have formed a strong sense of the ministry of healing and teaching carried out by the people of the diocese in partnership with their neighbours of other World Faiths. The motivation always is service of other and especially of those in need. This can be a stimulus and an example to us in our own dioceses as the link and partnership develop and grow.”

Archbishop Suheil Dawani hoped the relationship would blossom in the coming years. “We in Jerusalem are delighted to sign formally the Epiphany Agreement with Dublin and Glendalough Dioceses. We in the Land of the Holy One see our ministry as your ministry and we welcome you into sharing this ministry with us. Already you have been so generous to us in the support you have given to the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We deeply appreciate your generosity. Our prayer is that the new relationship of friendship, solidarity and hospitality will flourish in the years ahead,” he stated.

The Diocese of Jerusalem spans Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria and Lebanon. The link is to last for an initial period of five years. It will see the establishment of structures in each diocese to foster ways of expressing the relationship at diocesan and parochial levels and will encourage an interchange of people and skills. The relationship will be reviewed and evaluated towards the end of the five year period.

Photo by Linda Chambers shows Archbishop Jackson and Archbishop Dawani in St George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem, at the signing of the agreement.

Exciting Developments Unveiled for St Mary’s Home

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Sr Verity Ann and Archdeacon Gordon LinneyThe Trustees of St Mary’s Home in Dublin have announced exciting new developments for the long established home. At meetings with residents and their families as well as with staff members the Trustees launched an exciting new plan for the future of St Mary’s.

The much loved building on Pembroke Park in Ballsbridge in Dublin was constructed in 1891 by

Canon Richard Travers Smith, Vicar of St Bartholomew’s Church. Ever increasing standards set by HIQA and expected by residents and their families are more and more difficult to meet in such an old building originally built as a school.

The Trustees have therefore decided to combine with St Johns Home to build a new state of the art nursing home on the St Johns site on Merrion Road. The new home will accommodate 56 residents drawn from St Mary’s and St John’s Homes. One floor will be dedicated to St Mary’s.

It is hoped that all the current residents and nursing staff will move together to the new home.

The new home will include state of the art bed sitting rooms with en suite bathrooms. The existing building at St John’s will be retained as communal space with sitting rooms, dining rooms and quiet rooms including the chapel.

For over a century St Mary’s was run by Anglican nuns from the order of St John the Evangelist.

First as a school and then as a home for retired ladies from the Church of Ireland or those in communion with the Anglican Church.

More recently the sisters retired and handed over the running of the home to Trustees on their behalf. Two sisters still live in the home and take an active part in the life of the home. Until recently Sister Verity Ann assisted the Vicar of St Bartholomew’s in the celebration of Holy Communion in the chapel each week.

Construction work on the new building will commence in the shortly and it is planned that St Mary’s will move to the new site in two years time.

The Trustees are pleased that the tradition of loving and caring service developed by the sisters will continue in new premises that will meet the needs of future generations

Photo caption: Sr Verity Ann and Archdeacon Gordon Linney in St Mary’s Home.


Christ Church to Hold Social Justice Film Series

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Christ Church Social Justice Film SeriesIn a new departure this February, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin will screen a series of films based on a social justice theme.

The showings will take place in the recently refurbished music room, entered via the dean’s gate at the top of Lord Edward Street. Admission is free and all are most welcome. Wine and refreshments will also be available.

Four films will be shown in all, on each Monday in February at 7.30pm. The series will open with a classic; ’12 Angry Men’, the 1957 film concerning the jury of a homicide trial. Appropriately, it will be introduced on Monday 1 February by barrister and film buff, Dermot Manning.

The second film, ‘CItizenfour’, to be shown on Monday 8 February, is a topical documentary made in 2014 concerning Edward Snowden’s revelations of the abuse of power and trampling of privacy rights by intelligence agencies all over the world. It will be introduced by Dr TJ McIntyre, a lecturer in law at University College Dublin and the chairman of Digital Rights Ireland.

The third Monday, 15 February, will see the screening of ’Persepolis’ , a 2007 film based on Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel about her life in pre and post–revolutionary Iran and then in Europe. It will be introduced by a cathedral canon, the Revd Patrick Comerford, who is a former Foreign Desk editor at the Irish Times.

The series will conclude on Monday 22 February with the iconic 1966 film, ‘Cathy Come Home’, concerning homelessness. Directed by Ken Loach in a gritty documentary style, it will be introduced by Mike Allen, Director of Advocacy at Focus Ireland.

For any queries about the series, please contact the cathedral education officer, Ruth Kenny at ruth@christchurch.ie

Details of the series will be available online at www.christchurchcathedral.ie

Come&C What’s Happening in Tallaght and Clontarf

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Come&C LogoTallaght and Clontarf will be the locations for the next two Come&C diocesan services. The occasional Songs of Praise type services will take place throughout Dublin and Glendalough this year as part of the Year of Come&C. Each service will highlight one of the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion.

The next service will take place on Saturday February 6 at 3.00 pm in St Maelruain’s Church, Tallaght. The theme will be ‘To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom’.

The Church of St John the Baptist in Clontarf will host the service on Saturday February 6 at 6.30 pm. The theme then will be ‘To teach, baptise and nurture new believers’.

The services provide people from all over the dioceses to engage with different aspects of the Five Marks of Mission through music, worship and prayer. Each service will bear the unique mark of the host community. Everyone is warmly invited to Come&C.

The Graveyard Shift Podcast – Challenging the Status Quo, One Milkshake at a Time

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The Graveyard ShiftBy Greg Fromholz

The Graveyard Shift Podcast began as a continued conversation among friends about faith and life and frustration and joy. It was the result of sharing life with one another in what some have called, “a missionary graveyard”…Ireland. Yet, Alan (Breen), Scott (Evans) and I, though finding it tough at times, also and mostly found it exhilarating. Then, around the country and beyond people were asking us our opinions – yes, we were all equally shocked – about not only living a life of faith but about church culture, societal impact and the issues of the day.

Fifty–four one hour podcasts later and here we sit at the top of the iTunes Religion/Spirituality charts in Ireland and in the top 100 of all podcasts in the country, all from a series of simple, intentional and consistent conversations run from the boot of a car. 

Our “life verse” Luke 9:46 sets the tone of the podcast, “An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.” It was meant as a tongue firmly planted in the cheek choice, but, if we are honest, the wrestle is in all of us and how we even practice our churchmanship. Ultimately, the podcast is three practitioners vulnerably wrestling amidst challenging conversation and humour with our very vocations.

The Stats: 

We have an average of 250 weekly listeners, 8,700 listens since we signed up for stats (which means at least 9000 listens but probably 10,000). Our biggest listenership is Ireland with 34%, 30% in the US and 19% in Canada though we have listeners from unexpected places like China, Brazil, Australia, Israel, Jamaica, Turkey, Kenya, Fiji, Puerto Rico and the Palestinian territories.

The Crew: 

“Being part of the Graveyard Shift has been a huge privilege. Greg, Scott and I have known each other for close to two decades and our interactions have been real, honest and raw. The conversations that we have on the podcast are fun, insightful and coming from our own personal experiences. Questions are a wonderful thing. One of my desires in being part of the podcast is to give people food for thought and also permission to not always go straight to the answer and to remain in the question. To remain in the question is a great way to ‘work out our salvation in fear and trembling’.” – Alan (Breen)

“It’s fair to say that the podcast has been a highlight of my life over the last 18 months. I’ve spent my entire adult life in church work of one kind or another so it’s crucial for me to have people around me who are as passionate about faith and give me permission to be honest. Whether it was being recorded or not, these conversations are life–giving and cathartic. What’s even more amazing is that we have had people from around the world listen, consciously choose to listen to them … over nine thousand times! It’s encouraging and exciting to know that a small project like this could gain such traction in one of the fastest growing mediums on the planet.” – Scott (Evans) 

For me, Greg, my favourite part is the break in between the recordings when I can grab an Oreo milkshake…that and the camaraderie of journeying with good friends, of course. (insert wink emoticon)

The Details:

Listen by going to iTunes and typing in The Graveyard Shift or you can find us online at www.thegraveyardshift.rocks or on Twitter @gyardshift

Get online and join us weekly as we challenge the status quo, one milkshake at a time.

Greg Fromholz is an author, filmmaker and Dublin and Glendalough Young Adults’ Ministry Officer. 

Pictured from left to right are: Greg Fromholz, Alan Breen and Scott Evans.

Donoughmore, Donard and Dunlavin Set Sail on New Journey With New Rector

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Institution of the Revd Neal O'RawParishioners in the West Glendalough group of parishes of Donoughmore and Donard with Dunlavin have welcomed a new dawn with the arrival of their new Rector. Archbishop Michael Jackson presided at the institution of the Revd Neal O’Raw in Donoughmore Church last night (Friday 15 January).

Despite the freezing conditions the welcome was warm for Neal and his wife Siobhan and their family as parishioners filled the little church to greet their new Rector. Neal, a keen sailor who hails from the north side of Dublin and comes to Glendalough via the west of Ireland, pledged to sail with his new parishioners whether the waters are stormy or calm.

The sermon was preached by the Dean of Tuam, the Very Revd Alistair Grimason, who began with a line from a Nina Simone song: “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me. And I’m feelin’ good”. This was true, he said, for Neal and Siobhán and their sons Árainn, Alan and Eoin; for Donoughmore and Donard with Dunlavin; and for the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.

Outlining Neal’s career to date, Dean Grimason said he had cut his teeth in ministry on the far side of the River Shannon. He brought with him vast experience of working in a rural area and knowledge of the workings of a diocese. Being a ‘Northsider’, the Dean said that Neal brought with him a directness and honesty as well as a depth of generosity, empathy and compassion that was often missing in today’s individualistic world.

Addressing the parishioners he asked what kind of people they were. He said ministry was a collaborative mission and not something to be done by the Rector alone. He said it was right and proper to celebrate Neal’s arrival and it was wonderful to see a full church as everyone came out to “get a look at the new man”. But he said Sunday was special.

“Don’t stop coming to church just because you’ve satisfied your curiosity this evening. Weekly Sunday worship is the heart and soul of each parish. It is where relationships are formed, morale is lifted and friendships are made… Sunday worship is fundamental to the life of Christians,” the Dean said. 

Institution of the Revd Neal O'RawHe suggested that the Church today faced challenges but that it had done since the very beginning and throughout its history. “[The Church] has flourished on a grand scale or it has struggled. But it is still here. And that is through the resolve of people who have stood firm in their faith,” he stated adding that that faith was founded on the rock of Jesus Christ.

Speaking after the service Edward Allan addressed the congregation on behalf of the parishes. He thanked everyone who had helped keep the parish going during the vacancy. Echoing Dean Grimason’s sermon he said that the Rector was not in sole charge of the parish but must equip and empower the laity to reach out to others. He pledged the support of the vestries and urged parishioners to ensure that he and his family felt they were part of the parish community.

The Rural Dean and Rector of Blessington, the Revd Leonard Ruddock, had been in charge of the parish during the vacancy. He paid tribute to the people of the parish and all who had worked hard and diligently over the last 18 months to ensure that the parish thrived.  

Neal said that he and Siobhán had been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people since their arrival. He thanked the Archbishop and the Archdeacon for having faith in him and all who had worked tirelessly to prepare for his arrival and for the service. “I have an ocean going boat. While the boat is large the tiller is small and I hang on to it like mad. I intend to hang on to you like mad. With Jesus as our rock we will go through the waters together whether they are stormy or calm,” he said.

Institution of the Revd Neal O'RawArchbishop Jackson thanked all the members of the parish who had been faithful and patient while there was no Rector. He said that during the vacancy their faith had strengthened and it was something they could now give back to God and share with their new Rector. He thanked all who had tended to the witness of the parishes. He also expressed gratitude to the previous Rector, the Revd Olive Henderson for all the love and dedication she had shown the parish and wished her and her husband Ernest well. He told Neal that the people of the parish would quickly become friends and said they wished him a fair wind.

Photo captions:

Top – Archbishop Michael Jackson congratulates the Revd Neal O’Raw following his institution as Rector of Donoughmore and Donard with Dunlavin.

Middle – Clergy and church wardens in Donoughmore Church for the institution.

Bottom – The Revd Neal O’Raw and his wife Siobhán with two of their sons and their partners.

Guide to the Conversation on Human Sexuality Launched

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Launch of the Guide to the ConversationThe Church of Ireland’s Select Committee on Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief has launched its Guide to the Conversation – a new resource designed to assist members of the Church in the ongoing process of listening, learning and dialogue on the issue. The Guide outlines the process to date along with contextual essays and contributions from different viewpoints.

The Guide was launched in Church of Ireland House, Dublin, by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke. A Belfast launch took place the following day.

The Archbishop warmly commended the Guide saying: “It contains an absolute wealth of material on a huge variety of issues. We are encouraged to use the Scriptures reverently and humbly, and helped in finding ways in which we may do this. We are given practical guidance on how to approach dialogue with those who hold different viewpoints from ours”.

The Very Revd John Mann, Chairman of the Select Committee, explained that its members initially considered taking a broad approach to human sexuality before deciding to concentrate on same–sex issues, in the light of current debates and recent legislation. 

“Following a number of meetings and residential sessions, the Select Committee sought theological and biblical guidance, as well as beginning a wide–ranging listening process whereby organisations and individuals were given the opportunity to express their views and experiences in a safe and confidential manner,” he said.

Dean Mann continued: “The Select Committee has not sought to present the Guide as a solution to difficult issues arising from sexuality in the life of the Church. There are conflicting views voiced in the Guide but there is plenty of material to make the thinking person reflect, challenge preconceived notions, and give them a voice for their concerns or the confidence to search out further guidance”.

Study modules will also be available to encourage discussion and personal reflection.  “These will help all who sincerely seek to engage with the issues and to understand all whose relationship with the Church is affected by their sexual orientation,” Dean Mann concluded.

The Select Committee on Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief was established in May 2013 following a resolution of the 2012 General Synod. The Select Committee’s remit is to enable a listening, dialogue and learning process within the Church of Ireland to continue on all issues concerning human sexuality in the context of Christian belief.

The full text of what Archbishop Clarke and Dean Mann said at the launch can be read  here: http://ireland.anglican.org/news/6137

Photo caption: Chairperson of the Select Committee on Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief, the Very Revd John Mann; the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke; and the vice chairperson of the Select Committee, Helen McClenaghan at the launch of the Guide to the Conversation.

 

Ireland’s Transformations Since 1916 Are Like Rockets of Hope – Inaugural Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service Hears

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WPCU Inaugural Service“As we commemorate the Easter Rising of April 1916, what lessons can we learn, what progress can we celebrate, and what vision do we need to embrace for the future?” This was the question asked by the Very Reverend Dr Kenneth Newell OBE, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Minister of the Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, Belfast, at the inaugural service of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2016 in St Paul’s Church, Arran Quay, Dublin 7, last night (Monday January 18).

The service was organised by the Dublin Council of Churches and brought together the leaders of 14 different Christian traditions. It marked the beginning a week of special services and events which, as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Diarmuid Martin put it, highlight the many things that unite us. This year’s theme is ‘Salt of the Earth’ and materials have been put together but the Christian Churches in Latvia. 

As the centenary of the 1916 Rising approaches, Dr Newell asked what vision could be embraced that would shape an Ireland that could be confidently inclusive, peaceful, just, compassionate and prosperous. He suggested that the Easter Rising was a reminder of the danger of deafness – from the time of the Great Famine certain sections of the Irish population felt that their complaints and grievances were not listened to.

“Part of me wants to scribble across the pages of carnage within Ireland North and South over the last one hundred years two words – ‘Never Again’. But that is much too easy. The challenge is to listen carefully and respectfully to those sections of our community that today are in pain and groan for understanding, acceptance and hope. Our lives begin to disintegrate morally, spiritually, socially and politically when we become silent about the things that really matter to ordinary people. Pray for ears to pick up the cries of distress today within our country and together work to transform the lives of those who feel excluded and in pain. Revolution is much more than smashing something; it is bringing something beautiful to birth and watching it grow for the benefit of all, not just the few,” he said.

WPCU Inaugural ServiceDr Newell spoke about the huge changes that had happened since Ireland won the freedom to determine its own future. He referred to Vatican II in 1962, the IRA and Loyalist ceasefires in 1994, the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 and all that followed from that, and the State visit of the Queen to Ireland in 2011. 

“All of these luminous moments inspire us as Christians to reach out and work for an Ireland that is inclusive, compassionate, just, reconciled, peaceful and prosperous. They act like rockets of hope exploding in the night sky into shards of colourful light and dropping into a thousand lives. They are the glimpse that God gives us of a brighter future for all, and he always promises to guide us along the route to it; grace–nav is the Gospel’s equivalent to sat–nav,” he stated.

You can read Dr Newell’s sermon in full by clicking here.

You can check out other events happening during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity by clicking here.

Photo captions:

Top – Clergy and representatives of 14 Christian Churches in St Paul’s Church, Arran Quay for the Inaugural Service of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2016. In the centre are Archbishop Michael Jackson, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and the Very Revd Dr Kenneth Newell (preacher).

Bottom – Candles being lit during the Inaugural Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Investing in People Key Element of Leadership – Joe Schmidt Tells Theological Institute Gathering

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Joe Schmidt at CITIAll eyes were on Irish rugby head coach, Joe Schmidt, yesterday (Wednesday January 20). There was the significant matter of the announcement of his squad for the forthcoming Six Nations campaign but he also appeared at a special event in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute yesterday evening.

The successful rugby coach and former teacher had been invited along to address ordinands, staff, friends and neighbours of CITI on the subject of leadership. He had the packed Hartin Room entranced as he shared his wisdom and generously gave his time to answer numerous questions from the audience.

Welcoming Joe and the huge crowd of people, CITI director, Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, explained that they were used to welcoming a wide range of guests to the Institute but they were normally from ecclesiastical or academic backgrounds.

Outlining the qualities of good leadership, Joe Schmidt said that leadership is a lifelong learning process. “You don’t suddenly learn how to lead or identify leaders,” he stated. “In the time that I’ve been involved I’ve been incredibly lucky. People say I’ve led teams to trophies. But the reality is that teams have led themselves. If the leadership comes from the team then all they need is guidance.”

A key element of leadership is investing in people, he said. He explained that earlier in the day he had named a 35 man squad but they had also spent a lot of time listing the qualities of the other professional players and identifying their strong points and what they needed to work on in order to keep their faith in playing international rugby.

“The more investment in the team, the stronger the leadership is within the team and the easier it is to lead because the team will inevitably adopt some of the traits you portray. It’s very much ‘do as I do’. You can’t say one thing and then do another,” he explained stating that this was equally true of his career in education. 

Joe said he had never set himself a goal of getting anywhere explaining that it is not a matter of going anywhere but of working hard and investing in the people you have. “If they see you using them as a springboard to get somewhere, you won’t go anywhere,” he said.

In answer to a question on how he communicates his vision to the team, Joe said it is the players who have the vision and he works on identifying their strengths and how they can be worked into the game. He also said that when they are looking for players, they seek to get the right person and then build on the player – obviously given that the person can play rugby.

Photo caption: Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, Joe Schmidt and Archbishop Michael Jackson in CITI yesterday evening.

For more photos see: https://www.facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough/posts/951391648230213



Pioneering the Education of Women – Alexandra College Begins 150th Anniversary Celebrations

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Alex150A year of celebration marking the 150th anniversary of Alexandra College, Dublin, began yesterday evening (January 21) with a special service in Christ Church Cathedral. The cathedral was filled with past and present students, staff, parents and friends of the Milltown school. The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson presided while the Bishop of Copenhagen, the Right Revd Peter Skov–Jackobsen preached.

Alexandra College was founded in 1866 by educationalist Anne Jellicoe and was the first college in Ireland to provide a university type education for women. It was named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

Introducing the service the principal of Alexandra College, Barbara Ennis, said they were celebrating the 150th anniversary of an institution that paved the way for the education of women in Ireland. She paid tribute to the bravery of Anne Jellicoe in setting up an educational facility for women at a time when it was considered that bonnets and brains were not compatible.

“She was an enabler of women. She afforded them the opportunity to move forward and the opportunity of education. What began on 11 October 1866 was the beginning of a movement that we cannot forget today,” Ms Ennis stated.

The present day school has an incredible atmosphere, the principal stated. She said it has a great energy, a sense of fun and of enjoying learning. Innovation is at the core of the school’s teaching and the students do well academically. But the focus is also on the person and she praised the relationships between students and their teachers.

“We encourage the students to be free, to have a voice, to lead. We provide opportunities for them to be the best that they can be and make their contribution to society in whatever way that may turn out to be. We want them to know that their lives matter and what they do counts,” Ms Ennis said.

Haili Alex 150ng from the birthplace of Princess Alexandra, Bishop Skov–Jackobsen, observed that they were celebrating the education of women. He said that in founding Alexandra College, Anne Jellicoe was ensuring that women could be part of future society but also sought to focus on the whole human being. 

He related Alexandra College’s pioneering education of women to the story of Mary Magdalene who arriving at Jesus’ tomb found his body missing. The angel told her to go and tell the disciples and she was confused and uncertain. “It is this love, uncertainty, doubt, confusion in which Christianity has its roots. We have had 2,000 years in which to get used to this. We frame the events with words but the words don’t always express the mystery,” he said. “In 1866 I am sure that that the founding mothers of Alexandra College had an idea of what happened 2,000 years ago. They will have known the story of Mary Magdalene. They were aware of the scandal of the Gospel of John in which a woman brought the news of Jesus’ resurrection to the disciples.”

The Bishop encouraged the congregation to do as Mary Magdalene did – to be baffled and to weep and laugh in exaltation. He said this was important as we live in worrying times, scared of terror and war, hatred and politics, extremists with no compassion.

Past pupil and chairperson of the London branch of the alumnae, Eva Bangle, spoke of her days in Alexandra College in the 1960s and the educational and personal opportunities that she grasped with both hands. Current head girl, Julie Ryan, spoke of today’s school community which allows each student to flourish. She said that the ethos of the school remained the same as when it was founded by Anne Jellicoe.

Archbishop Jackson brought the service to a close saying that in a world of flux, the sense of stability at the heart of the story of Alexandra College was a gift. He thanked the principal for drawing the community together to mark the start of the 150th anniversary year and the pupils who contributed to the evening. He also thanked the cathedral for accommodating the service, the Precentor, Canon Neil McEndoo, and Bishop Skov–Jackobsen for preaching and giving a tangible connection with Copenhagen and the Royal family in Denmark.

Christian Unity Ecumenical Clergy Lunch in East Glendalough

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Ecumenical Clergy Lunch

Clergy from many Christian Churches in East Glendalough met in the Bel Air Hotel in Ashford today (Friday January 22) for the ecumenical lunch which takes place each year during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It was a time to meet up with friends and colleagues from the East Glendalough area with parishes from Arklow to Rathmichael represented.

Hidden Pages From the 1916 Rising – Seminar to Explore Little Known Archival Sources on Events at Easter 1916

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Hidden Pages PosterThe Irish Society for Archives in conjunction with An Post will host a novel seminar Hidden Pages From the 1916 Rising, at which five archival curators will engage with the public to explore some of the little–known archival sources about this momentous event.

The seminar takes place at the Church of St George and St Thomas, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1 on Tuesday the 2nd of February 2016 with refreshments from 6pm and talks commencing at 6.45pm approximately. This Church of Ireland church (located alongside the Gresham Hotel) was rebuilt in the 1930s following the destruction of an older church (originally located in Marlborough Street) during the Revolutionary period in 1922.

At Hidden Pages, five short illustrated presentations will be delivered, after which the audience will be invited to engage in dialogue in a question and answer session.  Colum O’Riordan, General Manager of the Irish Architectural Archive will visually illustrate the ‘Architectural legacies of 1916’; Ellen Murphy, Senior Archivist at Dublin City Library and Archives, will reveal ‘Reactions to the Easter Rising in the Monica Roberts Collection at Dublin City Library and Archive’ under the heading: “It was grand to see our Tommies”.

Moving beyond Dublin to the Rising in provincial Ireland, Wexford County Archivist, Grainne Doran will examine ‘The collective effort of the men and women in County Wexford, Easter 1916’. The emergency medical response to events will be discussed by Pádraig Allen, through the archives of the St John Ambulance Ireland, and finally Stephen Ferguson, Assistant Secretary at An Post will explore the experiences of ‘The staff of the GPO during Easter Week, 1916.

The 1916 seminar follows a similar event organised by the Society last year on Hidden Pages of the First World War, in collaboration with St Patrick’s Cathedral – see http://dublin.anglican.org/news/2015/02/Archivists-Research-Brings-Stories-of-Individuals-Involved-in-War-to-Life

The overall aim of this year’s 1916 commemorative event is to “to encourage discriminating and nuanced debate on the complex events of 1916.” The seminar and dialogue will be introduced and chaired by Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent of The Irish Times. This is a free public event and all are welcome. The talks will be preceded by refreshments, from 6pm.

Vacancy – Organist and Choir Director – Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes

Church Music Dublin’s Living Worship Series Has Something for Everyone

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Living WorshipChurch Music Dublin’s Living Worship series continued at the weekend (Saturday January 23) in the Mageough with a session by Archdeacon Ricky Rountree who looked at options for the use of music at the Eucharist when it includes the liturgy of Holy Baptism. During the previous weekend, Bishop Harold Miller, opened the series with a discussion on ways of using music in the parish church during Holy Week an on Easter Day.

Living Worship, which runs over three Saturdays in January, aims to help church musicians see their role in a wider context than just playing an instrument or directing a choir. The course has something for everyone – musicians, worship leaders, clergy and others with pastoral responsibility – all who have an interest in the music of worship. Practical music skills are not required to take part.

The final session takes place next weekend, on Saturday January 30 in Sandford Church, Ranelagh, when international concert organist, Gerard Brooks will direct a practical workshop (partly at the organ console) on service accompaniment, particularly showing how to accompany worship songs. He will use examples from the hymnal supplement Thanks & Praise. 

The session costs €10 (payable on the day).

 To book, send an email to info@churchmusicdublin.org.

From Earth to Heaven – How to lift your music off the page’ – An organ class given by Gerard Brooks 

Separate from Living Worship, on the afternoon of Saturday 30 January, Gerard Brooks will give a class on simple improvisation – for example, demonstrating how to fill unexpected gaps in a service or to extend hymns while a collection is taken up. No prior knowledge of organ improvisation is required.

Numbers at this class will be limited, so advance booking is essential. The fee is €25. To reserve a place, contact Jacqueline Mullen by email at honsec@churchmusicdublin.org. 

Church Music Dublin is an agency of the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.

Photo caption: Archdeacon Ricky Rountree leads Saturday’s Living Worship session in the Mageough.

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