Press Releases
SPECIAL SERVICE FOR ROTARIANS STARTS OFF BELFAST CATHEDRAL'S WINTER PROGRAMME
It will be an earlier start than usual for the Choir and clergy of Belfast Cathedral this Sunday, September 14. An extra service is being held at 9.10 am for Rotarians which will mark the conclusion of their all- Ireland conference in the city this weekend. Taking part in the service will be Terry Waite, clergy from the various churches and Donaghadee Male Voice choir. The address will be given by the former Dean of Down, Very Rev Hamilton Leckey, a Rotarian.
This is the first of three special services at the Cathedral this month. On the following Sunday at 3.30 pm, members of the Masonic Order will be present at a service marking the 75th anniversary of the Masonic bowling competition for charities. The preacher will be a Grand Chaplain of the Order, Bishop Samuel Poyntz.
Members of the Irish Women's Graduates' Association will be present and participate in presenting the Choral Eucharist on Sunday 28th at 11.00 am at the conclusion of their conference at Queen's University. That afternoon at Evensong, scholarships will be presented to Organ Scholars from the Dioceses of Connor and Down and Dromore.
A number of community services are scheduled for the remainder of this year. They include services for Road Safety, Soroptimists who are holding their international conference in the city, NI Hospice, Help the Aged, Grosvenor Grammar School, the Royal Irish Regiment, and the Prison Officers' Association. The Cathedral's customary Advent Carol service will be held on November 30th at 3.30pm; Carols for the City on Sunday December 21st at 3.30pm, and the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve at 8.00 pm.
The Dean of Belfast, Very Rev Dr Houston McKelvey said "It is part of our essential ministry here to facilitate as many community groups as we can to praise and thank God for their work in our society. We do this in co-operation with St Peter's Cathedral. At St Anne's we try to balance our community services with our commitment to maintain our Anglican choral tradition which for many of us is best expressed in Choral Evensong. Week by week our professional music staff, volunteer choristers, their parents and adult choir members put in considerable effort to provide first class choral and organ music. The choir is in particularly good voice following their period in residence at Chester Cathedral and their visit to sing in Liverpool Cathedral. I am delighted that once again they have evoked considerable and informed appreciation elsewhere, as well as heightening the positive profile of our city.
"Next year is the centenary of the consecration of the Cathedral and we will be inviting individuals and groups from the various areas of city and community life to one of a series of special services which are being organised. This series will commence in February with the presentation of cheques to charities from this year's Christmas Sitout. That month we will also be holding a service for those in the legal profession at which Dame Butler-Sloss will be the speaker. We intend to have a busy and enjoyable year welcoming old friends and making many new ones."
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH
Tel: (028) 9023 2909
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Email:The Press Office