Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Summer Search
The summer issue of the Church of Ireland journal, Search, edited by Canon Ginnie Kennerley, is now available. Its content covers the recent Search colloquium at Trinity College Dublin on the theme of ‘Invitations to Christian Commitment: transformative faith for the mid 21st century’.
The contexts for such imitations are many but the colloquium concentrated on four, all with implications for parish ministry: cathedrals, university chaplaincies, local community ministry, and encounters with the Divine in creation.
While church attendance in the West has been falling away in recent years, in cathedrals it has been noticeably on the rise. So what is it about cathedrals that people find inviting? Distinguished sociologist of religion Prof. Leslie J Francis shared the fruits of his recent research in this area, and Dean of Armagh, the Very Revd Shane Forster, responded with an overview of his cathedral’s unconditional welcome.
University chaplaincies are well positioned to invite young people alienated by the church into a faith that is meaningful for head and heart alike. Former TCD chaplain the Revd Darren McCallig and UCD chaplain the Revd Scott Evans spoke of their experience in two contrasting university contexts and the hope it offers for the future.
Social justice is a crucial area. How can we claim to be Christian if we are too busy to help those in need or listen to those in distress? Dr Kevin Hargaden, of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, considered the issues and Fr Jim Caffrey, of Balally parish in south Dublin. offered further insights.
The colloquium concluded with two rather different contributions. Lay Reader Ruth Gyves shared her inspiring story of the Holy Spirit’s action in and through her life, while the Ven. Simon Lumby reflected on “spiritual pilgrimage” now being developed along the Wild Atlantic Way with the help of Pioneer Ministry personnel.
Copies are available from The Book Well in Belfast and Christ Church cathedral and St Patrick’s cathedral in Dublin, and also from treasurer Michael Denton until the end of June – by contacting [email protected]. Information on both the content and subscription options is available on the Search website: https://www.searchjournal.ireland.anglican.org
Summer Music at Sandford continues today (Friday)at 1.10 pm in Sandford parish church, Ranelagh. In association with the Pipework’s Organ Festival there will be a recital by Claudia Grinnell.
Published in the Friday edition of The Irish Times