Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from 'The Irish Times'
Saturday 8 January 2011
King James Bible Anniversary
Last Tuesday the Archbishop of Armagh launched the first of what it is hoped will be many ventures to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. In the Good Book Shop in Belfast at 4pm on each weekday of business over this year a passage from the King James Bible will be read aloud in the shop. The intention is that over the year the entire bible will be read by a wide range of readers. There are still slots available for readers and those who are interested in reading should contact the shop’s manager, Richard Ryan, at [email protected] or at (048/028) 9024 4825. This venture may also be followed on FaceBook at http://facebook.com/KJV400.
The Cathedral Libraries and Archives Association, which has members throughout Britain and Ireland, has been encouraging its members to mark this anniversary and in response to this the Culture Committee of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, is planning an exhibition for later in the year.
For those who are interested in anniversary resources the Sheffield King James Project based in Sheffield University Department of Biblical Studies offers a network of resources to mark this anniversary. Details may be had at www.shef.ac.uk/kjv.
The ‘Authorized Version of the Bible’ as it is most commonly known (the term ‘King James Version’ is an American usage) has had a lasting impression on the English speaking world. ‘Appointed to be read in churches’ it joined the Book of Common Prayer as the language of Anglican worship and despite the appearance of more modern versions has retained a place in the affections of many both inside and outside the churches. It is perhaps hardly surprising that it is one of the key exhibits in the current exhibition in the British Library which explores the evolution of the English language.
The popular annual Living Worship course in music and worship will be held on four consecutive Saturday mornings, starting on 15 January. The venue will be the hall at Mageough House, Rathmines, beside the Cowper Luas stop. ‘Living Worship’ aims to show how the role of the musician and music supports, complements and generally interacts with liturgy and theology. Musicians, clergy, worship planners, lay leaders and members of congregations will all benefit from the course. Practical music skills are not required to take part.
At the first session, Bishop Michael Burrows will discuss the use of worship spaces in the context of modern liturgy and this will be followed by a gospel music workshop, led by Róisín Dexter and the Discovery Gospel Choir. In the third session Archdeacon Ricky Rountree will examine the use of music in non-eucharistic worship and the final session on 5 February will be led by the Belfast musician, Harry Grindle, who will explore the role of the musician in the local church. The course fee is €90 and for more information and booking visit www.churchmusicdublin.org or call 087 668 3998.
Tomorrow (Sunday) morning the Archbishop of Dublin will preach and celebrate the Eucharist in Zion parish church, Rathgar. In the afternoon there will be an Epiphany Carol Service in St Patrick’s Cathedral after which the assistant organist, David Leigh, will give a performance of Messiaen’s Nativite du Seigneur in aid of the organ fund.
On Monday evening at 8pm the first of four talks on ‘Reducing Stress and Finding Peace’ will be held in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. They will be held in the context of the Monday evening healing services and the speaker will be Bro. David Jardine, Director of Divine Healing Ministeries.