| Friday 22nd January, 2010 You are here: Home - 22nd January 2010 Index Page |
Front Page
‘Tragic’ nature of Iris Robinson situation - Senator Norris
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| Senator David Norris |
Senator David Norris, an often outspoken Church of Ireland voice in Republic of Ireland affairs and a prominent gay rights campaigner, has told the Gazette that the ongoing controversy over Northern Ireland public figure Iris Robinson "is a very tragic situation". Mrs Robinson, who has stepped down from political life and who has been receiving psychiatric treatment following controversy concerning her personal life, financial dealings and political responsibilities, is well known for her condemnation of homosexuality on religious grounds.
Editorial
Figures From Church History – 2 Paul
Paul has been described as "the Great Missionary" on account of his four missionary journeys recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, but he is so much more than that. His conversion, recorded no less than three times in Acts, is one of the most crucial events in the history of the Church, bringing a bitter opponent of the ‘Jesus movement’ into the fellowship of faith with his unique dynamism and understanding. Full Text
Home New
Fifty years as bell-ringer in Enniskillen Cathedral
In circumstances of exceptional service to a parish or to the Diocese on the part of an individual, the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd Michael Jackson, presents to that person a diocesan plaque depicting St Macartan seated and in an attitude of blessing. Dr Jackson recently presented such a plaque to Stewart Scott, captain of the bell-tower in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, and a bell-ringer for over 50 years.
King’s Hospital students hear of future challenges
By Garrett Casey
Prof. Tom Collins, of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, speaking as the special guest at the annual Charter Day celebrations at the King’s Hospital School, Palmerston, Dublin, told students that the "biggest mess we’re leaving you with is the environmental one." The daily release of 100 million tonnes of carbon waste into the atmosphere was, he continued, "a challenge which all of you will be affected by … to which you will have to bring your wonderful intelligences and your social concern."
Dr Sentamu at Queen’s University
The 2010 Church of Ireland annual theological lectures at Queen’s University Belfast will be delivered by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, on Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd February. Dr Sentamu is one of today’s highest-profile Anglicans and is well known for his forthright and well-reasoned views on many of the crucial issues affecting society and in particular how the Church should be responding to those issues. The venue will be Lecture Room LG115, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, which is just a short walk from the main Queen’s University building, beginning at 5.30pm each evening.
Limerick’s ‘Big Sing’
John Bell, of the Wild Goose Worship Group and the Iona Community, will lead workshops in congregational singing entitled ‘A Big Sing’ in St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, on Monday 25th January and in St Mary’s parish church, Nenagh, on Wednesday 27th January, at 8.00pm on each evening.
Conference to focus on themes of mentoring in contemporary society
The International Christian Mentoring Network (ICMN) will sponsor a major, two-day conference on the subject of discipling and mentoring in the Belfast Bible College, Glenburn Road South, Dunmurry, Belfast, on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd May. ICMN practitioners seek to support and resource those involved in the ministry of mentoring which emphasises the scriptural model of how God matures people through relationships and encourages people to come together to listen to God and help each other grow.
Mothers’ Union commissioning
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Members of the Mothers’ Union Ireland who attended the Commissioning of the Worldwide President and the Board of Trustees of the Mothers’ Union for 2010-2012 in Mary Sumner House, London. From left to right: Roberta McKelvey (Provincial Representative Trustee), Margaret Crawford (past All Ireland President), Ruth Mercer (All Ireland President), Patsy Devoy (Faith and Policy), Rosemary Kempsell (Worldwide President), Bishop Richard Inwood (Mothers’ Union Chaplain), Rosemary Macartney (General Trustee) and Lady Eames (past Worldwide President).
Tribute
Canon James (Jim) Henry Sides
The following is an abridged version of the address of Bishop Ken Clarke
at the funeral service of Canon Jim Sides in Florencecourt parish church, Diocese of Kilmore,
on Monday 14th December 2009.
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| Canon Jim Sides |
Where does one start in seeking to describe and do justice to the life and ministry of Canon Jim Sides? Since 1973, he has lived and ministered in this Diocese. He came here after a threeyear curacy in Down and Dromore Diocese and a second, three-year curacy in Antrim in Connor Diocese. He has served with faithfulness and dedication. He will be remembered for a very long time by those who knew him as their rector.
World News
Australian bishop scolds ‘scruffy’ clergy
An Anglican bishop in Australia’s largest city of Sydney has dressed down his own clergy over their lack of sartorial style, and suggested they usually "dress worse than the lay people" in their congregations. "Why are our clergy the worst dressed people in Church?", wrote Bishop Robert Forsyth of South Sydney on the Sydney Anglicans’ website (www. sydneyanglicans.net), as he reported the question of a friend.
South African President’s 5th wedding
The leader of one of South Africa’s Christian political parties has expressed disappointment at the recent wedding of President Jacob Zuma, his fifth. "The African Christian Democratic Party is very disappointed by the President’s marriage to a fifth wife, particularly because this act is against biblical teaching," said the Revd Kenneth Meshoe, the Party’s President.
Prayers and support urged after Haiti earthquake disaster
US Episcopal Church leaders urged prayers and support for Haiti as the largest earthquake ever to hit the island nation last week caused widespread devastation, amid fears that tens of thousands may have perished, with up to three million others affected. Four people were killed by the earthquake during an Episcopal Church service in Trouin, about 23 miles southwest of Haiti’s capital Portau- Prince, the Revd Lauren Stanley, an Episcopal Church missionary in Haiti, who was home in Virginia at the time of the earthquake, said.
Malaysian churches attacked in ‘Allah’ dispute
An increasing number of places of worship belonging to religious minorities in Malaysia have been targeted in a continuing dispute about the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Islamic faiths. The attacks against Christian churches followed a court decision that outraged Muslim hardliners, as it opened the way for Christians and other non-Muslims to use the word ‘Allah’ in their religious publications and prayers. At least 10 churches were reported to have been attacked.
Letters to the Editor
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Iris Robinson controversy Full Text
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Jackson Working Group Full Text
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Bishop for Los Angeles Full Text
Focus on Youth Ministry
The JUMP Programme
The second of two reports by Catherine Little,
the Church of Ireland Youth Department’s ‘Year Out’ Co-ordinator
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| Billy Fyffe, Maghera’s JUMP Prorgramme intern (2nd left), with (from left) Oscar Spence, the Revd Robert Miller and the Revd Mark Lennox |
In last week’s Gazette, we brought news of three of the parishes involved in the JUMP Programme in 2009- 2010: Athy union, Diocese of Glendalough; Glenavy parish, Diocese of Connor; and Magheraculmoney parish (Kesh), Diocese of Clogher. This week, it is the turn of the remaining three parishes to share their stories: Ballynafeigh parish, Ormeau Road, Belfast; Cloyne union, Co. Cork; and Maghera parish, Co. Londonderry. The JUMP Programme, a ‘year out’ opportunity provided by the Church of Ireland Youth Department, places young adults - interns - in parishes across Ireland for one year. The interns work alongside clergy, youth workers, youth leaders and other volunteers, supporting youth and children’s work in their placement parishes. This allows them the chance to explore what it is like to work in a church setting; to become involved in youth and children’s ministry; and to deepen their own faith and relationship with God.
Insight
To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January, David Masters recalls a recent public lecture of Jewish theologian, Professor Marc H.Ellis, at the Irish School of Ecumenics in Belfast.
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| Marc Ellis |
An ancient Jewish parable tells the story of two Rabbis arguing over a passage in the Torah. This isn’t the first time they’ve been in dispute. The two Rabbis have been debating the passage for over two decades without ever agreeing on its meaning. God gets so fed up with their constant arguing that he says to the angels: "I’m going down there to tell them what the passage means." So God parts the clouds, and goes down to the Rabbis. "Friends," God says, "I’ve heard your constant arguing over this passage. I’ll tell you want it means." In a rare act of unity, the two Rabbis turn to God and interrupt him before he can reveal the meaning. "Who are you to come down from heaven and tell us what the passage means?", they ask. "Go back to heaven and leave us in peace to argue about it."
Soap
Down at St. David’s
By Ted Woods
"You want your shoes cleaned, sir?" A small man with a wooden box crouched in front of Anthony Prescott, as he tried to pick his way through a crowded street in Hanoi. "No! No! No! Of course not! They’re all right," retorted Anthony impatiently. "Shoes very dirty," persisted the crouching figure, "and they need repairing - look!" With practised fingers, he separated the sole from the shoe. "Me expert shoemaker. Very good. Very cheap. Very quick. Please, take seat." He turned his wooden box on its side for Anthony to sit on. Anthony looked exasperatedly at Annabel who shrugged. "Well, we’re only on the first day of our holidays. If you get them repaired, they will probably last, but if not, you’re looking for a new pair."
By the Book
Titus 3 - the trustworthy saying
Edward Vaughan
I have been reflecting on a media report of an ethics think-tank that was held recently. On the one hand, like so much that seems to flow from the human rights agenda, there was little one would want to reject; while the statements of ethical behaviour may have been bland, they were hardly controversial. On the other hand, what struck me was the generic nature of the ethical statements. For a debate held in a Christian context, there seemed to be almost nothing uniquely Christian about what was being said. If Christ himself had anything distinctive to say about right and wrong, it didn’t seem to inform the discussion. Indeed, Jesus’ great contribution to the ethical debate appeared to be that he fully endorsed modern European secular humanism.
Musings
‘Rolled-up sleeves’ Christianity
Alison Rooke
It’s the random acts of kindness that make the difference; they keep us going; they restore our faith in humanity; and they prevent us from becoming impossibly cynical. We thank God for them. People like the bus driver on the Edinburgh bus, who put his hand in his pocket and gave my young niece and nephew £2.60 to pay for their afternoon return ticket that wet November morning when they discovered they had left their fare at home; or the tattooed, head-shaven, van driver whom my daughter flagged down to ask directions to the airport after we had got hopelessly lost, somewhere in the middle of England.
News Extra
Lord Carey sparks controversy with comments on migrants
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, is at the centre of a religious and political debate after writing a newspaper article in which he urged limits on immigration to the UK and said migrants needed to recognise the country’s Christian heritage. "The sheer numbers of migrants from within Europe and elsewhere put the resources of Britain under enormous pressure, but also threaten the very ethos or DNA of our nation," Lord Carey wrote in an article published in The Times newspaper.
New administrator for St Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin
The Board of St Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin has appointed Hugh St Leger as the Cathedral’s new administrator in succession to Scott Hayes, who will leave the post at the end of this month to become Diocesan Secretary of Dublin and Glendalough. Mr St Leger will take up his position on 2nd April.
C. of E. women bishops legislation delayed
A debate on women bishops planned for next month’s meeting of the Church of England General Synod has been delayed until the body’s July meeting. Sarah Finch, a member of the Revision Committee, was reported by the Church of England Newspaper as stating that the delay was due to the committee having been inundated with submissions. Mrs Finch commented: "There have been too many submissions for the Revision Committee to cope with and the lawyers are taking time over it in order to be thorough." However, Canon David Houlding, of the traditionalist Forward in Faith movement, said he feared the Revision Committee was going "to remove any special provision" for those who could not accept the change.
Church Army launches new website
The Church Army has recently launched a new website - ‘Now a Christian’ (www.nowa christian.org) - which offers a free, five-week email course to anyone looking to take the next step on their personal journey of faith. Designed and written by Evangelist Neil Thomson and Peter Graystone (National Development Officer, Fresh Expression), the course provides a series of very short emails, one per day for five weeks, which deal with everyday concerns about living out the Christian faith.
Appointment