Irish Times Notes09 Sep 23

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

KidsMatter

The Board for Ministry with Children and Families is to partner with KidsMatter to bring its parenting programme to parishes. With support from the Priorities Fund, one parish from each diocese can be enabled to access KidsMatter facilitator training and support, so that they can run the programme for families in their local community.

There are two programmes: KidsMatter and BabiesMatter. Each parish taking part in the training can decide which programme best suits their current ministry with local families. The facilitator training will take place online over four days and each church will put forward two people to take part. These facilitators will run the programme at least twice during the following year. As this is a peer–led programme, those taking part as facilitators do not need to have any previous experience. The programme is designed to be accessible to those with limited literacy skills, so it is more conversation and relationship–based rather than ‘school–style’ teaching. The programme itself has six sessions with a taster session at the start and an additional booster session a month after completion.

With a rise in children under 15 being referred for mental health problems and fast dwindling resources to meet the need, it is increasingly vital to find ways to support parents and carers in our communities.

The new academic term at Church of Ireland Theological Institute starts with an Introductory Weekend for all new students entering residential and non–residential training. This weekend will also see the return of the continuing non–residential students and deacon–interns. Topics for the weekend include safeguarding trust training, pioneer ministry, community living, academic writing skills and orientation to the M Th course, together with a visit to Christ Church cathedral and, weather permitting, a barbeque for spouses and families.

Tomorrow (Sunday) the annual Elizabeth Bowen Commemoration will be held in Farahy church, near Mitchelstown, at 3.30pm. The address will be given by Dr Nicola Darwod, President of the Elizabeth Bowen Society of Great Britian.

In Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, this autumn the Dean’s Vicat, the Revd Dr Edwin Aiken, will host a series of discussion on the psalms. The meetings will begin in the Cathedral on Monday at 6pm, on each following Monday via Zoom until 2 October when there will be an in–person meeting and then on Zoom again until 6 November when the concluding session will be in person. To indicate interest please contact deansvicar@christchurch.ie

On Tuesday there will be a lunchtime concert in St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick, at 1.15pm when Mark Cooney (oboe) and Peter Barley (piano) will play music by Schumann and CPE Bach.

Tatiana Konina and Zhamilia Pak will perform Elgar, Boellmann and Piazzolla on violin and organ at 1.20pm on Thursday in St Ann’s Church, Dublin.

In Co. Dublin, Holy Trinity church, Killiney will be open to visitors throughout the month of September, each Thursday from 2pm until 4pm.

Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise is delighted to offer and pay for Irish lessons for all interested clergy throughout Ireland.  These lessons are online and start on Monday 18 September from 7.00–9.00 pm or Wednesday 20 September from 7.00–9.00 pm. These lessons are being delivered by Cairde TURAS, Belfast. If you are interested, please contact: Dr Rita Kelly, Oifigeach Forbartha/Development Officer at gaeleaglais22@gmail.com

Church Music Dublin has announced that there is another set of educational videos on the subject of Organ Voluntaries. David O’Shea presents a comprehensive guide to choosing, preparing and performing your organ voluntary in the context of worship. The videos are at https://www.churchmusicdublin.org/play-and-sing/organ-voluntaries-videos