Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from 'The Irish Times'
New Term in Theological College
A new round of training and education for ordinands in the Church of Ireland Theological College has begun. There are 28 students, spread over three years, who are preparing for the full time stipendiary ministry and 33 students for the non stipendiary ministry who also follow a three year course.
Last weekend the annual residential Summer School for NSM ordinands, co-ordinated by the Revd Tom Gordon, was held with theme of ‘Ministry Today: the Challenge of Change and Difference' and this course explored the challenges faced by the changing context of Christian ministry in modern Ireland. The principal facilitator was the Revd Doug Baker, who is internationally known for his work in reconciliation, and there was also input from the Hard Gospel Project including a field trip to experience some of the church and community work in inner city Dublin. The ordinands were introduced to the study modules for the year by Dr Tim Hull, from the St John's, Nottingham, distance learning team, and the College staff facilitated a series of bible studies and teaching seminars.
Next week the students on the full time ordination course arrive at the Theological College for two pre-term weeks. For the nine first year ordinands there will be a period of orientation and sessions on spirituality, vocation and ministry. The input of the College teaching staff, Canon Adrian Empey, Dr Lindsay Hall, the Revd Tom Gordon and Canon Patrick Comerford, will be supplemented by sessions with the Rt Revd Alan Abernethy, Bishop of Connor; the new TCD Chaplain, the Revd Darren McCallig; Dr Heather Morris from Edgehill College and Canon John McCullagh, Secretary of the Board of Education. The second year students will have sessions on peace and reconciliation and preparation for placement, while the final year ordinands will be engaged with pastoral care of marriage and youth ministry.
Today (Saturday) the Tuam, Killala & Achonry Diocesan Synod will be held in the Synod Hall, Tuam, under the presidency of the Bishop of Tuam, Dr Richard Henderson.
Tomorrow (Sunday) the Eucharist in Irish will be celebrated in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, at 5 pm while in Cork the Patronal Festival will be held in St Fin Barre's Cathedral followed by the AGM of the Cathedral Friends.
On Tuesday evening in Down Cathedral the Dean of Down, the Very Revd Henry Hull, will install the Revd Robert Neill as Prebendary of Talpestone and Canon John Bowley as Canon Treasurer. The preacher at this service will be the Archdeacon of Down, the Ven. Philip Patterson.
There will be an Autumn Fayre in support of St Mary's Home for Elderly Ladies, Pembroke Park, on Thursday morning in St Conleth's College, Clyde Road, Ballsbridge. The Home, which was founded in 1923 has charitable status. In the evening in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Sion Mills, the Bishop of Derry, the Rt Revd Ken Good, will institute the Revd Raymond McKnight as Rector of Urney. Mr McKnight has served in the Diocese of Derry before having been Rector of Kilcronaghan, Tobermore, in the 1980s.
In Christ Church Cathedral, on Saturday 29 September, Dublin, there will be a day of celebration of St Colmcille and the links between Gaelic Ireland and Gaelic Scotland beginning at 10.30 am. Lectures, Evensong in Irish with music by Seoirse Bodley, Simon McHale and Catriona Ni Dhubghaill, a book launch and exhibition, and a concert promise to be a cultural treat. Details may be had from Aonghus or by telephoning 01-4538870.