Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Autumn Issue of Search
The autumn issue of the Church of Ireland journal, Search, has been distributed to subscribers.
Pioneer Ministry, as introduced and discussed in this year’s General Synod, has been a major talking point for the Church of Ireland this year. Granted that, for the Church’s very survival, there is a need to reach out to those whose spiritual needs have not been met by any church worship they have encountered, or who have never experienced the love of God in Christ, is there a need for a whole new structure to achieve that? Perhaps, given that clergy tend to be increasingly overworked and stressed out, that is exactly what is needed: a new deal to attract those unresponsive to traditional styles of ministry. Yet “doing a new thing” can happen within the old structures too, given imagination, determination and courage, as articles by Rob Clements and Abigail Sines in this issue show. As Rob Jones’ introductory article indicates, Pioneer Ministry here is a work in progress. Search plans to share further stories of pioneering as the ministry develops over the months and years to come.
A category of young people in need of special attention in the Church’s ministry today is that of “young carers” – young people constrained to prioritise care for members of their own family above their studies or their employment. Dr Allison Campbell of Ulster
University explores their needs, with theological commentary by her husband, Revd Dr Andrew Campbell, to promote further thinking.
The issue concludes with an ‘In Retrospect’ by former Archbishop Richard Clarke on Dean John Paterson, who retired from Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, some twenty years ago, and a Liturgica from the USA, contemplating the need for inclusivity.
Search is edited by Canon Ginnie Kennerley who has been joined as Associate Editor by Dr Bridget Nichols, Lecturer in Anglicanism & Liturgy at CITI, as associate editor. Those wishing to subscribe or order a single copy should contact the Treasurer, Michael Denton, at subscriptions@searchjournal.ireland.anglican.org
The 21st International Symposium om the life of Jonathan Swift will be held in The Chapter House of Christ Church cathedral this afternoon (Saturday) from 2.00–5.00 pm. The preacher at the Swift Commemorative Evensong tomorrow (Sunday) in St Patrick’s cathedral at 3.15pm will be Canon David Crooks, Rector of the Taughboyne in the Diocese of Raphoe.
Tomorrow (Sunday) BBC Radio Ulster will broadcast Morning Service Live at 10am from Priory Church, Killadeas, Co. Fermanagh. Harvest Thanksgiving will be celebrated at St John the Evangelist Church, Park Avenue, Sandymount, at 11am. A collection will be taken for Médecin sans Frontières.
In Dublin on Monday, at 1.10pm, the series of lunchtime lectures continues in St Ann’s church, Dawson Street, where Stephen Huws, from TCD, will speak on ‘The Stained Glass of St Ann’s’.
The first MindMatters COI Conference will be held in Dublin on Friday. The keynote speaker will be the Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. The conference will be an opportunity to showcase the many projects undertaken across the Church to promote positive mental health. It will also afford opportunity to reflect on lessons learnt and contribute to the next steps in keeping mental health a priority across the Church.
The conference will be hosted in the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8, and will begin and conclude with services in St Patrick’s cathedral. The conference is free to attend but booking is essential. To secure a place, go to email mhp@rcbcoi.org or leave a message at: 00 353 1 4125 660.
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times