Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Clergy moves
Canon Paul Arbuthnot has been appointed as the new Incumbent of the Parish of St Ann with St Stephen & St Mark in succession to Canon David Gillespie who is now Rector of Malahide.
Originally from Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, Canon Arbuthnot was a chorister in St Anne’s cathedral, Belfast, and was educated at Belfast Royal Academy. He read History at Trinity College Dublin, and during his time as a student was a Lay Vicar of St Patrick’s cathedral, Dublin. He was ordained in 2010 for the curacy in St Paul’s, Glenageary, and subsequently served as Precentor of St Alban’s cathedral in Hertfordshire and Sacrist of Westminster Abbey. On his return to the Church of Ireland in 2018, he became Rector of Cobh and Glanmire union of parishes and was elected a Chapter Canon at St Patrick’s Cathedral in 2021.
Also in Dublin, the Revd David White has been appointed the new Rector of the parish of Zion, Rathgar, in succession to the Very Revd Stephen Farrell who is now Dean of Ossory. Ordained in 2012, his deacon year was spent in Edenderry union of parishes in the Diocese of Meath & Kildare and his curacy was in Bandon union of parishes in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne & Ross, where he was also chaplain to Bandon Grammar School. He has been the Rector of Carlow union of parishes in the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory since 2016. Before ordination he trained, and later worked, at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Trained as a spiritual director, he is also interested in applied spirituality, ecumenism and the role of faith communities in the efforts to deal with climate change.
The Ven Stephen McWhirter has been appointed as the new Rector for Rossorry Parish in the Diocese of Clogher in succession to Dr Ian Ellis who is now Bishop of Clogher. Archdeacon McWhirter grew up in the parish of Bangor Abbey in the Diocese of Down & Dromore and, during his training, served in a number of parishes in Belfast, Portadown and Lisburn. He was ordained in 2013 and has been Rector of the Killala group of parishes in Co. Mayo since 2020. In 2017 he was appointed Archdeacon of Kilalla & Achonry to which was added Tuam in 2018.
Today (Saturday) as part of Refugee Week there will be a Poetry Reading by Marie Claire Mundi Njong in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, at 7.30pm and tomorrow (Sunday) the guest preacher at the Sanctuary Sunday Service at 3pm will be Dr Ebun Joseph.
Tomorrow (Sunday) the preacher at the 11am Sung Eucharist in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, will be the Revd Dr Alan McCormick. A former Dean of Residence in TCD, Dr McCormick is currently Dean of Goodenough College, London, and Assistant Priest in the Mayfair parish of St George’s, Hanover Square.
A new series of lunchtime concerts begins in St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick, on Tuesday at 1.15pm when organist Peter Barley will play music by Buxtehude, Mendelssohn and Franck.
On Wednesday the second open rehearsal for the new Community Choir will be held in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, from 7 to 8.30pm. No experience is necessary and all are welcome. Refreshments will be provided.
On Friday, at 1.10pm Summer Music in Sandford continues on Sandford parish church, Ranelagh, where organist Siobhán Kilkelly will play works by Saint–Saëns, Boëly and Franck.
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times