Irish Times Notes30 May 20

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

CITI Online Course

One of the few positive outcomes of the current pandemic has been to encourage the Church to use modern technology more pro–actively – streamed services, online Bible classes, Zoom meetings and so forth. Another example of this is in the field of education.

The Church of Ireland Theological Institute has announced a new initiative aimed at offering resources for Christian discipleship to lay people. Over four weeks in June, Institute staff will offer a one–hour virtual class online.

This four–week course offers resources for spiritual life and opportunities to learn new practices of Christian discipleship to resource your faith during social distancing. Weekly meetings through Zoom led by members of CITI’s academic staff will include a presentation and interactive discussion about practices of Christian spirituality and will conclude with an exercise or activity for you to try at home. By gathering, praying and learning with the same group of Christians weekly, participants will also receive encouragement and fellowship and offer these gifts to others.

The classes will be held on Monday mornings, from 11am until 12noon, beginning on 8 June with a session on ‘Knowing God: An Invitation to the Journey of Discipleship’ which will be led by the Director of CITI,  Canon Maurice Elliott. On 15 June, Dr Bridget Nichols. Lecturer in Anglicanism and Liturgy, will lead a class on ‘Spirituality in a time of abstinence: lockdown with Mary Magdalene’ and on 22 June there will be a class on ‘Spirituality and Failure: Seeing Ourselves in a New Light’ delivered by the Revd Dr Patrick McGlinchey, Lecturer in Missiology. The final class, on 29 June, ‘The Psalms: Biblical Company for the Journey of Faith’ will come from Dr Katie Heffelfinger, Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Hermeneutics.

Prospective participants should email admin@theologicalinstitute.ie to sign up when they will be given an easy link to enter the online classroom.  The class is free during Covid–19 restrictions but is limited to 25 participants.

Alpha Ireland have created resources to enable churches to run Alpha, Alpha Youth, Marriage and Parenting Courses online. They have webinars to train people in all aspects of delivering this and coaching slots that are available to individuals. Further information and support is available on https://ireland.alpha.org or by emailing Tanya Olhausen, Head of Operations at Alpha Ireland, at info@alphaireland.org

The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, has appointed the Ven Brian Harper, Archdeacon of Clogher and Rector of Magheracross (Ballinamallard), as his commissary in Clogher Diocese. The commissary acts on behalf of the Archbishop, who has overall oversight of the diocese during the vacancy, and it is a temporary role until a bishop is elected.

Tomorrow (Sunday) is the Feast of Pentecost – after Easter the second most important feast in the Church’s calendar. However, this year, Pentecost, like Easter, will be a more muted affair as churches remain closed for corporate worship and so celebrations of the Pentecost Eucharist will be remote. Intending worshippers should consult the Church of Ireland website and the various diocesan and parish websites for information about online services.

The Archbishop of Armagh will preach as part of the Anglican Communion’s service for Pentecost tomorrow (Sunday). The service will be available at www.anglicancommunion.org/worship from 7pm this (Saturday) evening. The Archbishop of Dublin will preach a at a pre–recorded service in St Patrick’s church, Greystones, which will be available to watch at www.facebook.com/stpatricksgreystones and will preside at the Pentecost Eucharist in Christ Church cathedral at 11am (https://christchurchcathedral.ie/worship/video-stream-1).