Irish Times Notes20 Apr 19

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Communications Competition

The Central Communications Board’s annual Communications Competition is now open and entries are invited for online media from Church of Ireland parishes, dioceses and affiliated organisations, in the categories of parish website, diocesan website, Church of Ireland affiliated organisation website, and innovative use of social media.

Quality of presentation, strength of content and outreach potential will to be the standards of excellence against which entries will be judged. The closing date is Friday, 26th April. Winners will be announced at the General Synod in the Millennium Forum, Derry/Londonderry, 16–18 May 2019.

Websites and social media platforms are important for the exchange of news and views in church communities and play a vital role within the life of the Church of Ireland. The Central Communications Board has decided to alternate between print and online media, and this year’s competition will focus on online media.

Within the Church of Ireland there are good examples of how online communication is being used to build Christian community and communicate the Christian faith. This competition is an opportunity to learn what others are doing, to showcase good work and to join in.

CCB Chairman, Bishop Pat Storey, says: “Communication can be hard work but it is incredibly worthwhile in communicating the Christian faith and building up the life of the Church of Ireland. I encourage you to send in your best work and we are looking forward to seeing how the different parts of our Church present themselves to the wider world.”

Entry forms for the competition may be obtained from Peter Cheney, Church of Ireland Press Office (by email: competition@ireland.anglican.org or phone: 028 9082 8882 from Northern Ireland; 048 9082 8882 from the Republic of Ireland).

On Easter Day the bishops, by tradition, preach in their diocesan cathedrals, while in the National Cathedral of St Patrick in Dublin the preacher will be the Dean, Dr William Morton. The Bishop of Clogher will be in St Macartan’s cathedral, Clogher, where the New Testament lesson will be read in French as a mark of solidarity with the people of France who grieve for Notre Dame.

On RTÉ One Television (11.25am–12.15pm) and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra/Long Wave 252 (11.00–1145am), the Very Rev Paul Bogle, Dean of Clonmacnoise, will be the celebrant at a celebration of the Eucharist for Easter Day in the RTÉ studio with members of the St Patrick’s cathedral, Trim, community and music from the Meath Diocesan Choir.

The lunchtime recital in St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick, on Wednesday will be given by Triona Walsh (soprano) and Irina Dernove (piano) and will feature works by Bellini, Donaudy and Bertstein.

In response to the continued desperate needs of the survivors of Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal has released a further €10,000 to support the relief efforts.  The initial €10,000 donation has gone a long way to providing food, shelter, clean water and life–saving medicine where it is most needed.  However, Christian Aid’s Malawi Country Manager, Pansi Katenga, says that the scale of devastation is still enormous and survivors need help to stay alive.

Educational grants for the academic year 2019–2020 are available for the daughters of the Church of Ireland clergy, who are in Secondary Schools (1st–6th Year) or in Universities or other Third Level Colleges. Application forms are available at clergydaughters@gmail.com or from the CDS Secretary, Mrs Caroline Cummins, 7 The Avenue, Rathdale, Enfield, Co. Meath, and should be returned, when completed, to arrive by 30th April.