Irish Times Notes29 May 21

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Trinity Sunday

Tomorrow (Sunday) is Trinity Sunday and the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, commonly called Christ Church, Dublin will celebrate its patronal festival by re–opening for public worship. The preacher at the 11am Patronal Festival Eucharist will be the Revd Dr Sahr Yambasu, President Designate of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

There is space for a maximum of 46 persons in the congregation and so attendance will be confined to those who have reserved a place.  Services will continue to be streamed via the cathedral’s webcam for those unable to be present in person.

From 2 June onwards, the cathedral’s doors will be opened 30 minutes prior to the services on a ‘first come, first seated’ basis, with a maximum of 46 persons in the congregation. The normal pattern of choral services for the month of June will be 6pm Choral Evensong (doors open at 5.30 pm) on Thursdays and on Sundays 11am Sung Eucharist (doors open at 10.30) and 3.30pm Choral Evensong (doors open at 15.00).

Of course, Christ Church, Dublin, is not the only Irish cathedral dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The cathedrals in Downpatrick, Lisburn and Waterford all share this dedication as do many parish churches, all of which will have cause to celebrate tomorrow (Sunday) as the whole of the Church of Ireland can welcome back worshippers.

On Tuesday in St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick, the fourth in a series of free lunchtime online talks on the theme of ‘2021 Anniversaries’ will be held at 1.15pm. The poet, Vivienne McKechnie, will talk about John Keats marking the 200th anniversary of his death.

The Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) is sharing advice for youth leaders and workers for returning to youth work activities now that lockdowns across the island are continuing to ease.  An 11–page guide covers planning ahead, programmes, practicalities for indoor and outdoor gatherings, and loads of ideas for activities to bring youth people back together. All guidance is indicative and subject to ongoing public health advice and a step–by–step risk assessment which should be carried out on an ongoing basis by each organisation or group, in line with the ‘Return to In–Church Worship Protocols‘ resource. Youth leaders and workers are encouraged to come back to CIYD or their local diocesan office for help and advice or to ask anything more specific regarding youth ministry.

The Council for Mission will host a webinar on ‘Online Church – Practical Lessons from the Frontline’ on Thursday, 3 June,  from 2.00pm to 3.30pm. Bookings should be made by next Monday, 31 May, to the Revd Colin McConaghie at councilformission@ireland.anglican.org

The keynote speaker will be Nick Shepherd, from the Church of England Digital Lab, and the webinar contributors will be the Revd Andrew Quill (Rector of Dromore in the Diocese of Clogher), the Revd Nicola Halford (Rector of Enniscorthy) and the Revd Cliff Jeffers (Rector of Fanlobbus, Dunmanway). The webinar will be an opportunity to reflect on missional opportunities, to hear how parishes have remained online post lockdown, and to discuss practical questions.

The Revd Judi McGaffin, from Fahan parish, Buncrana, has made history after being appointed the first female canon of St Eunan’s cathedral,  Raphoe. She had been chosen to succeed Canon Bill Long who retired in March. Canon McGaffin is the second woman appointed as a canon by the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe, the Rt Rev Andrew Forster. Last June, Canon Katie McAteer became the first female canon in the 400 year history of St Columb’s cathedral, Derry.