Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from 'The Irish Times'
Saturday 29 May 2010
Summer Issue of Search
The mission of the Church is the major theme for the summer issue of the Church Ireland journal, Search, edited by Canon Virginia Kennerley. This summer marks the centenary of the World Missionary Conference of Edinburgh 1910, which set as its aim 'the evangelisation of the world in this generation' and was decisive in the development of the ecumenical movement of the last century. Canon Ian Ellis, whose book on the Edinburgh Conference, A Century of Mission and Unity, published by Columba Press, has contributed an informative article on the Conference and its influence.
The present century has brought new challenges to Christian mission, many of which are considered in articles by Professor Drew Gibson from Union Theological College, the Revd Ian Poulton, Rector of Clonenagh, and Fergus Ryan, leader of Trinity Church Network, Dublin, each one writing from his own particular standpoint. Fergus Ryan's article also explores the rise of the new independent evangelical churches in Ireland, in terms of their provenance and their membership as well as their style of mission.
One area closely relevant to mission is that of the Bible, the context in which we read it, and the ways different cultures approach and interpret it - a matter of crucial importance in the Anglican Communion today. David Allen of the Queen's Foundation in Birmingham is the European representative on the ACC's' Bible in the Life of the Church' team. His article 'Approaches to the Bible Today', considers some of the new reading strategies of the past decade as well as noting earlier ones.
The Anglican Communion and its current conflicts are also examined by Dr Andrew Pierce from the ISE. He considers to what extent the current managerial style of authority can be reconciled with the more theological approach of the unity-seeking Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral.
Finally, looking to matters nearer home and of immediate concern to all, economist Tony Brown, a former director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, discusses our responsibilities as Christian citizens in the current financial crisis.
Tomorrow (Sunday) evening in Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford, the Bishop of Cashel & Ossory will ordain the Revd Ivan Dungan, the Revd Dr Christine O'Dowd Smyth and the Revd Ruth West to the priesthood.
At 4pm there will be a Summer Service in St Kieran's Church, Clonmacnoise, while in Beleek parish church, Co. Fermanagh, the Dean of Cashel, Dr Philip Knowles will be the preacher at Choral Evensong.
At 3.30pm tomorrow (Sunday) the annual Open Air Service of Praise and Thanksgiving will be held beside St Doulagh's church on the Malahide Road at Balgriffin. The music will be provided by the 1st Coy BB Brass Band and the Dublin Conservative Club Male Voice Choir and the preacher will be the Revd Elaine Dunne. A collection will be taken up for the work of Christian Aid.
On Monday evening in St Michan's church the Archbishop of Dublin will ordain the Revd David McDonnell to the priesthood. Mr McDonnell is curate of the Christ Church Cathedral group of parishes.
In Westport the Meath & Kildare Clergy Conference will begin and continue until Wednesday. The theme will be ‘What about other faiths?' and the leader will be the Bishop of Clogher who is chairman of the inter-faith section of the Church of Ireland Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue.
The lunchtime recital in St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, on Wednesday will be given by organist, Trevor Selby, who will play works by Bach and Walton.