Diocesan News
News from around the Church of Ireland
Welcome to our weekly round–up of news from around the Church of Ireland’s dioceses and parishes. Please click on the links in each report to read the full story – and also keep an eye out for longer, more occasional, features on major appointments and other significant initiatives.
This week’s selection of stories comes from:
Annual Table Quiz for Cork Diocesan Youth
Cork Diocesan Youth Council (CDYC) were able to hold their Annual Table Quiz in the Carraig Centre in Ballincollig back in November. On the night there were two different groups, one with young people from first to third year and the other from fourth to sixth year. It was CDYC’s first indoor event since before the Covid–19 pandemic. As it was a table quiz, the teens could sit in small groups and keep within their pods, adhering to current health guidelines.
The 2021 Dublin Council of Churches Walk of Light returned to a semi–normal format this year. Participants in the 17th annual inter–church journey prayed for light in dark times and while not everyone could walk from church to church, a small group of walkers travelled between three city centre churches where congregations waited to meet them. A video of the walk and the stations has been produced and is now available to watch on the Dublin Council of Churches YouTube channel.
Advent Quilts exhibition in Larne
The Parish Piecemakers of St Cedma’s, Larne, are once again running their wonderful exhibition of Advent Quilts. This unique collection of handcrafted quilts depicts the Christmas story as revealed in the nine lessons of the traditional carol service.
A Day in Templebreedy Group of Parishes
‘People and Places’ is back this week with a video from Templebreedy Group of Parishes. The Revd Isobel Jackson shows us around Holy Trinity Church and the famine graveyard in Crosshaven.
‘An outstanding performance’ from chorister Rebekah in competition final
What a wonderful performance by a 16–year–old All Saints’, Belfast, parishioner in the final of the BBC Songs of Praise and Radio 2 ‘Young Chorister of the Year’ competition, broadcast on December 5th.
A new Dean of Cashel has been appointed in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory – Canon James Mulhall is currently priest–in–charge of Kells Union with Inistioge. He will be instituted on February 13th.
St John’s, Orangefield, reopens after refurbishment
St John’s, Orangefield, in East Belfast, has reopened for worship after an extensive refurbishment and upgrade to the facilities. Parishioners had a preview of the work on Saturday, 4th December, and the first service took place the following day.
Celebrating 100th Baby Basics delivery in Ballyclare
The United Parish of Christ Church and St John in Ballyclare, Diocese of Connor, hosted a special celebration on November 25 to mark the 100th delivery in its Baby Basics ministry. All the agencies which partner with the parish for Baby Basics were invited to attend, and at the celebration, Frances Wilson, Parish Compassion Co–ordinator, handed over a Moses basket and baby bath with all the essentials to Mindwise, a local mental health charity.
Artists celebrate Columba’s 1500th anniversary
Knock Parish Art Club recently staged a special exhibition to mark the 1500th anniversary of the birth of their patronal saint, Columba. Columba’s anniversary was yesterday, 7th December, but on Sunday 5th, parishioners enjoyed an inspirational exhibition set up in the west end of the church.
Fun on the Advent Panto Trail in Ballymena!
The children – and adults – who came along to St Patrick’s, Ballymena, for the first Connor Christmas Panto Trail on Saturday afternoon had an awesome time! The colourful seasonal event was put together by Connor Children’s Council and Church Army with the help of Play it By Ear drama company, and the trail in Ballymena was the first of a series of six being rolled out across the diocese this month.
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