Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
BACI Lent Studies
Bible studies for Lent 2019 offered by the Biblical Association for the Church of Ireland have been be presented by a group of young writers from the RevoLectionary team organised by UCD chaplain Scott Evans. RevoLectionary is a weekly blog written by young Christians, reflecting on the gospel readings for the coming week.
The Lent gospel readings from Luke, which include the parable of the prodigal son, have inspired the title Transforming Repentance: Coming Home to God. Repentance, of course, is a key Christian command, but the English word fails to convey the drama of the Greek metanoia, which implies a complete turnaround of a person’s life. Scott Evans explains: “Rather than falling prey to the shallow version of repentance as ‘saying sorry for not being perfect’, we will reflect on repentance as a return to who we are called to be as part of God’s redemptive plan.” The key texts for the studies will be the gospel readings for the first five weeks of Lent.
The Bible Study booklets are available from BACI treasurer Barbara Bergin (berginba@gmail.com) at €2.50 or £2.25 plus postage. The studies can also be downloaded from the BACI website – www.bibliahibernica.wordpress.com
BACI exists to serve as a bridge between clerical and lay, academic and faith–based approaches to the Bible within the Church of Ireland and in conversation with ecumenical partners. The Honorary Patrons of BACI are the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Richard Clarke, and the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Reverend Michael Jackson.
Tomorrow is Plough Sunday, a traditional celebration of the beginning of the agricultural year. Although the nature of farming has changed, Plough Sunday is seen as a way of generally celebrating farming and the work of farmers. There will be a service to mark the beginning of the growing season at 2pm in Staplestown church, part of the Carlow union of parishes, where the rector is the Revd David White. The theme of the service will be ‘Farming in the Developing World’ and the speaker will be David Moloney, CEO Bóthar Music will be supplied by The Four Hims.
Church Music Dublin has announced that the first Living Worship session of 2019 will take place on Saturday 2 February in St Bartholomew’s Church, Clyde Road, Dublin, from 10am to 12.45pm.Tristan Russcher, Director of Music at St Bartholomew’s, will lead a seminar on ‘Accessible Anthems for Holy Communion’. This will be a very practical session suitable for choir directors, singers and all interested parties. The cost is €10 to include refreshments – but if you bring a friend both will be admitted for €10. For further information, please email: honsec@churchmusicdublin.org
The Church of Ireland Youth Department has produced a new resource on praying for young people and youth ministry. This year marks the fifth CIYD day of prayer on this theme, and the House of Bishops has approved the Sunday before Lent each year for this purpose – this year it will fall on Sunday, 3 March.
In previous years, a number of dioceses across the island have organised events and services to pray for the needs of our young people. The booklet, which is available free of charge, contains a selection of prayer ideas that can be used during a service or events or also at other times of the year as appropriate.
Copies are available for parishes, clergy, and youth leaders from diocesan offices and youth officers or from CIYD at Church of Ireland House in Dublin and Belfast.
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times