Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from 'The Irish Times'
Saturday 21 November 2009
Launch of New Book on St Werburgh’s
Next Thursday evening in St Werburgh’s Church, Dublin, Professor Raymond Gillespie, from NUI Maynooth, will launch the fourth volume in the RCB Library’s ‘Texts and Calendars’ series which is published by Four Courts Press.
The proctors’ accounts of the parish church of St Werburgh, Dublin, 1481-1627 has been edited by Canon Adrian Empey, Secretary of the Church of Ireland Historical Society and former Principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College. Dr Empey has written widely on medieval Ireland and, in recent years, has been a regular contributor to the growing body of knowledge on the Irish medieval church.
The accounts, which form the text of this volume, are unique, for no other similar material has survived for any Irish parish church. They offer an insight into the life of a Dublin city parish church during the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth - crucial periods in the history and development of the reformed church in Ireland – and provide a window into administrative practice and liturgical activity. Dr Empey’s introduction interprets the text not only in the context of Irish ecclesiastical life but in the wider sphere of the church in England and continental Europe.
Since last Thursday the Archbishop of Dublin has been in London to chair the Anglican Covenant Working group which meets until next Tuesday.
This morning (Saturday) the Monkstown Missionary Union Sale will be held in the Knox Hall and tomorrow (Sunday) evening at 7.30pm in the parish church the newly re-furbished organ will be re-dedicated in the context of Evensong. Following the service Professor Gerald Gillen will give a talk about the re-furbishment project followed by a short recital.
Tomorrow (Sunday) at Evensong in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, there will be a Commemoration for those who lost their lives in Irish Ships, 1939-45, and at 8pm the Gaudete Singers, directed by David Leigh, will give a recital in the Lady Chapel. The St Cecelia’s Day Evensong in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, will be the setting for the southern launch of Singing the Psalms (Year C). At 6pm the 5th Ecumenical Walk of Light, sponsored by the Dublin Council of Churches, will begin at the University Church, St Stephen’s Green, proceed to Christ Church, Leeson Park, and conclude in St Bartholomew’s Church, Clyde Road.
On Tuesday the series of lunchtime lectures in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, organized by Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise (Irish Guild of the Church), continues. Daithi O Maolchoille will speak on ‘Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise, 1914-2009: an Overview’ The lecture will be in English and will be followed by a short discussion at which contributions in Irish will be most welcome.
The changing nature of Irish society and the many challenges facing us both nationally and globally will be the focus of a panel discussion to be held in Trinity College, Dublin, on Saturday 28 November at 2.30pm. The event has been organized by the Church of Ireland Chaplaincy and the Open Christianity Network, Ireland and will bring together some of Ireland’s most respected commentators and thinkers. Justin Kilcullen, Director of Trócaire, Professor Ivana Bacik, Fr. Peter McVerry SJ and Professor Linda Hogan will give their views and will respond to questions from the floor. The discussion will be chaired by Bryan Dobson of RTÉ. This event is free of charge and open to the public. Numbers, however, are limited. To secure your place please contact the Dean of Residence, the Revd Darren McCallig at (01) 896 1402 or by email.