Addressing issues ranging from anxiety, examinations and creation care and prayers forwisdom for refugees, the cards are intended as a resource for third–level chaplaincies. It is hoped that they will also be found in churches that are regularly open to the public in order that they may be picked up by those visiting or for clergy and others to pass on in specific pastoral situations. Distribution of the cards to third–level chaplaincies is underway.

Speaking about the launch of the prayer cards, the Very Revd Nigel Dunne, Honorary Secretary of the LAC and Dean of Cork, said, “The LAC is delighted to over these prayers for use across the Church. They are deliberately ‘low tech’, intended to offer a device free option for those who engage with them. Screen fatigue is real and sometimes a simple, printed reminder can be more conducive to quieting a busy mind. The LAC hopes that these prayer cards will be a useful resource for chaplains and clergy. Hopefully, those with whom these prayers are shared will be encouraged in their own spiritual journeys and in their own practice of prayer. Perhaps they will even feel motivated to pass the prayers on within their own circle of families and friends.”

Please contact the Liturgical Advisory Committee for more information.
Information on the ‘Take a Minute’ Resource’ is available at this link:
https://www.churchofireland.org/news/12655/take-a-minute-for-daily

A Service of the Word for Racial Justice Sunday has been prepared by the Liturgical Advisory Committee, and is now available to print and download from the Church of Ireland website at www.churchofireland.org/prayer-worship/worship-resources/racial-justice-sunday

Racial Justice Sunday was first marked in Britain in 1995, as an initiative of the Methodist Church in response to the murder of Stephen Lawrence, and has subsequently been promoted by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI).  Since 2017, it has been held on the second Sunday of February.

The 2025 Church of Ireland General Synod, meeting in Naas, Co. Kildare, approved a resolution encouraging each diocese to hold one Racial Justice Sunday service in a format and venue of its choosing, 

In an introduction to the liturgy, Archbishop John McDowell, the Primate of All Ireland, writes that the cry for justice and lament at its absence have been a central theme of prophets from Amos to Dr Martin Luther King, and notes that Jesus Christ “was the first person to conceive of the divided races as a unity.”

Archbishop McDowell adds: “In clear contradiction and challenge to the accepted world view of radical inequality which marked the society in which he lived (and many societies before and since) he proclaimed the equality and the oneness of all human beings in Him.”

The Primate describes Ireland’s population as “made up of an amalgam of incomers” from migration in Neolithic times and in every subsequent era of history: “To these have now been added a great diversity of people from Africa, Asia and parts of Europe who in turn are bringing their gifts to enrich our world and our Church and often to make it their home.”  He concludes: “It is my hope and prayer that Racial Justice Sunday and this Service will be taken up and used in many parishes and perhaps that someday there will be no further need for it.”

Parishes are encouraged to consider extending invitations to people beyond the parish to Racial Justice Sunday services, including members of newcomer communities, to make use of artwork and music in other languages, and to consider including participation from a diverse range of nationalities and backgrounds where appropriate.

With thanks to Lynn Glanville (Communications Officer for Dublin and Glendalough) for photography.

Enquiries for the Press Office can be made through the contact details below or through the online contact form at the following link: www.churchofireland.org/contact

Church of Ireland Press Office

Tel: (028/048) 9082 8880
Duty mobile: +353 87 9484412

For those
who work for shelter
in a world where many are homeless,

For those
who work for education
in a world where many have no access,

For those
who work for plenty
in a world where many go without,

For the times
when we are moved to compassionate action,

For hope
in a world full of despair.
We say thank you God. Amen.

Liturgical Advisory Committee

worship@ireland.anglican.org

Loving Creator, thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Give me wisdom to use my time well, to care for my body, my mind and my spirit and to walk through each day knowing that I am in your presence.

Help me in all my relationships to see those around me as created in your image, and to value and respect each person as your child.

Thank you for the gift of my life and the gift of friendships that enrich it along the way. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ,

you call us to show hospitality and welcome to strangers.

Fill us with your compassion

for all who make difficult and dangerous journeys.

Be with all who have endured unspeakable trauma.

Help us work for the safety and well–being of all people.

Empower us to be your light

in every place where darkness reigns. Amen.

Please do feel free to share this with others for whom it will be helpful.

Liturgical Advisory Committee

worship@ireland.anglican.org

Speaking about the resource, the Revd Abigail Sines from the LAC said: “We hope these cards will be a gentle, and accessible reminder, in the midst of busy day–to–day life, to Take a Minute for prayer. In preparing and designing these cards, we had in mind city and town centre churches, cathedrals and parish halls that are in use throughout the week, as well as university chaplaincies – all places where a chance encounter, especially in moments of stress or uncertainty, can create an opportunity for a quiet moment of prayer.

“A simple structure is offered, with prompts for the morning to help commit the day’s activities to God, and in the evening to reflect on the day that has gone. The intention is to quiet the mind and create space for a sense of personal connection with God, and nurture open heartedness to experience God’s guidance, whatever the day or night may bring.”

In due course, the PDF version of this resource will be available on the newly refurbished worship section of the Church of Ireland website. In the interim, you can access it through the Church of Ireland’s social media pages.

Enquiries for the Press Office can be made through the contact details below or through the online contact form at the following link: www.churchofireland.org/contact

Church of Ireland Press Office

Tel: (028/048) 9082 8880
Duty mobile: +353 87 9484412

The Church of Ireland has prepared a service and a certificate of naming for children whose lives end in pregnancy or shortly after birth.  As a Church, we are conscious of the need for particular pastoral care for the parents and families of children dying near the time of birth.

We hope these are helpful for everyone involved, and they are available at this link.

Enquiries for the Press Office can be made through the contact details below or through the online contact form at the following link: www.churchofireland.org/contact

Church of Ireland Press Office

Tel: (028/048) 9082 8880
Duty mobile: +353 87 9484412

Speaking about the publication, the Very Revd Nigel Dunne (Dean of Cork and Honorary Secretary to the LAC), said: “The LAC is pleased to respond to the request by the Historic Centenaries Working Group for material to mark this last significant commemoration in the centenary series.  Our thanks also to Professor Marie Coleman for writing a most informative Introduction to the material.  As with previous material in this series, we hope that this liturgical resource will be of the same benefit to those involved in local, diocesan or national services or other commemorative events marking the end of the Civil War in Ireland.”

The resources are available to print and download here in Word and PDF formats.

Enquiries for the Press Office can be made through the contact details below or through the online contact form at the following link: www.churchofireland.org/contact

Church of Ireland Press Office

Tel: (028/048) 9082 8880
Duty mobile: +353 87 9484412