Liturgical Advisory Committee
‘Training the Trainer’ for new liturgy
A ‘Training the Trainer’ session was held yesterday (18th September) in Armagh for liturgical officers representing the dioceses of the northern province of the Church of Ireland. The publication and distribution of the seasonal booklet of the new Morning & Evening Prayer for use on Sunday was the main feature of the day but also included an introduction to the recently produced Service of Prayer and Naming and the Funeral Service in cas,es of Miscarriage. Stillbirth and Neonatal Death.
Added to that the participants were shown the latest commemoration material which included A Service of Light for the Reconciliation of Local Communities and a leaflet to resource local clergy when presented with Historic Centenary Events in Parishes or Local Communities. Finally those present were informed of the provision of the service of Public Worship with Holy Communion by Extension which has been granted a period of experimental use by the bishops of the Church of Ireland.
Those who attended this event, and the previous special seminar in Portlaoise on 11th September, led by Archdeacon Ricky Rountree and Dean Nigel Dunne on behalf of the Liturgical Advisory Committee, were asked to hold a special training day in each of their dioceses before Advent to introduce all this material to parish clergy, NSMs, retired clergy and diocesan Lay Readers.
Those who have taken part on behalf of their respective dioceses have included: the Rev Alan Rufli (Dublin & Glendalough); the Ven Ruth Elmes (Cashel, Ferns & Ossory); the Rev Rod Smyth (Limerick & Killaloe & Tuam); the Very Rev Tim Irvine (Meath & Kildare); the Rev John Ardis (Cork); the Rev Aonghus Mayes (Armagh); the Rev Stephen Fielding (Connor); the Very Rev Stephen Lowry (Down & Dromore); the Rev Colin McConaghie (Clogher); the Very Rev Arthur Barrett (Derry & Raphoe); and the Very Rev Nigel Crossey (Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh).