Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
‘Our Table’ in Christ Church
Our Table, an organisation that highlights the need for change in Ireland’s Direct Provision system for asylum seekers, has a new home in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin. The Our Table café has been officially relaunched and Christ Church became the first Cathedral of Sanctuary in Ireland in recognition of its work with Our Table and initiatives to ensure refugees and asylum seekers receive a warm welcome to the city.
The Our Table café will open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, when founder Ellie Kisyombe and her team of staff and volunteers will prepare and serve fantastic food as well as spark change through conversation about Direct Provision.
Sharing food with others is one of the most human things in the world. So much of our cultures revolve around the preparation, sharing and ritual of food. However, in Direct Provision, people are denied the chance to cook and share food in the ways that matter to them. Our Table is trying to change that along with campaigning for the right to work. It started when Ellie along with other women came together to cook their favourite recipes, taste each other’s food and learn about each other’s culture.
Ellie, who arrived in Ireland from Malawi eight years ago, lived in Direct Provision. She spoke of the loneliness people experience in Direct Provision and the anger she had experienced but instead of giving up hope, Ellie harnessed her emotions. ‘If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude’, she said.
A total of twenty–six students will be in attendance at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute over the course of this weekend for the beginning of two further training courses. Fourteen men and women from seven dioceses will be embarking on the one year Foundation Course programme, whilst twelve will start the fifth cycle of Reader training, lasting two years. The weekend entitled ‘Fit for the Purpose’, takes as its theme a biblical and personal exploration of various matters to do with vocation. The main facilitators are Canon Christina Baxter, former Principal of St John’s College Nottingham, and Canon Maurice Elliott, Director of CITI. Also in attendance from St John’s will be the Rev Dr John Tomlinson, Course Director, and Jacqui Brown, Course Administrator.
This morning (Saturday) the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, will attend the first Anniversary Mass for the Blessed John Sullivan SJ.
Today (Saturday) from 10 am to 12.45 there will be a Living Worship session on ‘Planning for Holy Week and Easter’, led by the Revd Jack Kinkead, Rector of Wicklow. This will be an opportunity to consider music within the context of Holy Week and Easter liturgy. Living Worship sessions explore aspects of parish church worship, in an informal setting, and include an enjoyable break for refreshments. The session will be held in the Mageough Hall, Cowper Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6. The fee is €10 per session, including refreshments: booking is not required, simply come along.
Next Wednesday the clergy of Tuam, Killala & Achonry will have a Lenten Quiet Day in St Mary’s cathedral, Tuam, led by the Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardagh, Dr Kenneth Kearon. In the evening, at 8pm, Dean Philip Knowles will preach at the annual Ecumenical Service in St Patrick’s College Chapel, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow.
Dean Philip Knowles will also be the speaker in Athy Arts Centre (Methodist Church) on Friday at 8pm. at the Women’s World Day of Prayer hosted by the Athy Roman Catholic community.
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times