Irish Times Notes05 Dec 20

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Bishops’ Appeal for Advent

This Advent the Bishops’ Appeal, which is the Church of Ireland’s principal agency for supporting the developing world, is seeking contributions for its Mother and Child Appeal. This will support projects working with families and children in Nepal, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone using established agencies such as CMS Ireland, Tearfund Ireland and Christian Aid.

In 2020, during Advent, more women than ever will wait to give birth alone and away from health clinics and supports. This is because Covid–19 has tested the limits of medical centres around the world that were already over–stretched and under–funded. In 2020, during Advent, more pregnant and lactating women will have limited access to nutritious food to keep them and their babies strong and healthy, because restrictions prevented planting, harvesting, and casual work as day labourers, all of which they depend upon to grow and buy the food they need. In 2020, during Advent, more mothers and children who are fleeing war and civil unrest will wait in crowded shelters and camps without adequate sanitation or social distancing. This Advent, the Bishops’ Appeal is highlighting unfunded or partially funded projects that support mothers and children to stay safe, stay healthy and stay together.

To donate, please go to www.bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/give or send to: Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal (Mother & Child Appeal), Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6.

This year’s Black Santa Appeal at Belfast Cathedral will be a digital event. With the practical support of financial services giant PwC, a new website has been created – www.belfastblacksanta.org – supporting this year’s Black Santa appeal across the country and across the internet. The website will feature video reports from charities which have benefited from the Black Santa Appeal. Well–known celebrities will add their encouragement to give generously. The Dean, the Very Revd Stephen Forde, will post a daily video for the ‘17 Sleeps to Black Santa,’ when Santa Live takes up position on the steps of the cathedral. Most importantly, people will be able to make their donations, large or small, via the website to support of this year’s Black Santa Appeal, with a focus on charities supporting people with mental health issues in the face of the current pandemic, in addition to a wide range of other needs.

In Dublin, the Black Santa Sit Out will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. The appeal, which has raised well over €700,000 for local good causes so far, takes place outside St Ann’s church on Dawson Street, every December. In normal times, the Vicar, Canon David Gillespie, and caretaker, Fred Deane, are a familiar sight outside the city centre church joined by a host of volunteers bearing buckets and accompanied by numerous choirs who bring festive cheer. It is hoped to be able to collect on the street as usual but it is unlikely that the many choirs, who bring so much festive cheer to Dawson Street, will be able to be present, although it may be possible to have small groups of socially distanced singers.

Every year many people make a special visit to Black Santa to make their annual donation but, for some, this will not be possible this Christmas. For those who can’t make it to the city centre, donations can be made by cheque payable to St Ann’s Church Black Santa Appeal c/o St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street, Dublin 2, or using a new online donate button facility in the outreach section of the church website: www.stann.dublin.anglican.org