Irish Times Notes05 Dec 25

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Learning Journey to Cairo

The Church of Ireland’s Inter Faith Working Group, in collaboration with CMS Ireland and Centre for Christian–Muslim Understanding in Cairo, is inviting applications from people of diverse faith backgrounds who are over 18 to join a learning pilgrimage in Egypt in the autumn of 2026.

This eight–day learning journey in Cairo will be facilitated by an experienced team from the Centre, which was co–founded by Bishop Mouneer Anis, formerly Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Alexandria, and is chaired by his successor, Archbishop Dr Samy Shehata, and strongly supported by Dr Ahmed Al–Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al–Azhar Al–Sharif.

The programme will include visits to sacred sites, meetings with faith leaders, being present in each other’s observances of faith, and exploring the compassion projects of the Anglican Diocese of Egypt, serving the diverse refugee community in Cairo.

The expected dates are 24 October to 1 November 2026.  Selected participants are required to participate in two to three sessions of induction training during the six months prior to departure.  Most sessions will take place via Zoom, with one in–person gathering.

The programme fee is £1,800/€2,100.  A limited number of partial bursaries are available to individuals for whom the programme fee would be a barrier to participation.

To find out more, please contact Linda Abwa or Gillian Maganda at CMS Ireland on (028/048) 9077 5020 or [email protected].  Alternatively, applicants may apply directly online at www.cmsireland.org/cmsi–teams

At the 11am Sung Eucharist in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, on Sunday the Advent address will be given by geologist and botanist Professor John Feehan. He is a retired senior lecturer in UCD’s School of Agriculture and Food Science, and a member of the RIA.

Morning Service on Sunday on BBC Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle at 9.03am, will be a Service of Holy Communion for the Second Sunday in Advent from St George’s church, Belfast.  The service will be led by the Rector of St George’s, the Revd Brian Stewart.  

On Tuesday at 1.15pm Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, will host the annual Peata Carol Service when the Archbishop of Dublin will be joined by dogs of every description.

In St Columba’s church, Knock, in east Belfast, on Tuesday at 7.30pm, there will be a special evening of festive song and opera, ‘Christmas Melodies’, showcasing young and emerging talent guided by Professor Graeme Danby and Alice Johnston. Music Theatre singers will be joined by accompanist Frasier Hickland, and Dr Joe McKee will be organist.