Irish Times Notes03 Jan 20

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Harvest–Tide

As September shifts into October thoughts turn to harvest and in parishes throughout the Church of Ireland there will be Harvests Festivals. Churches will be decorated with flowers fruit and vegetables, visiting preachers may be eagerly anticipated, and local communities will look forward to assembling to give thanks for the fruits of the earth. And the old familiar hymns will be sung again, so well–known that few will need to look at the hymn book or service sheet – Henry Alford’s evocative words, ‘Come ye thankful people come/Raise the song of harvest home’ and, of course, the ever present, ‘We plough the fields and scatter/the good seed on the land’.

Except this year things will be different. In  the dioceses of Dublin and Raphoe, churches are closed for public worship and elsewhere in the country numbers who may attend are limited. So, many who would assemble cannot and the bonds of affection, which are so evident at harvest–tide, especially in rural parishes, will be rather more stretched than usual.

In recognition of these changed times, the Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin have written an open letter the Church to mark harvest and to reflect on the way ahead following the recent announcements of restrictions, to protect public health, in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. They note, inter alia, that: ‘This time of the year is normally one of new beginnings for parish activities and, for many, a celebration of bringing the harvest home.  The timeless rhythm of farming life and the unchanging pattern of the seasons is a source of reassurance in these challenging times.

‘This is also a critical moment in our collective effort against the coronavirus.  In following the call of our Lord to love our neighbours as ourselves, we all have a responsibility – and the power to make a difference – in containing the virus through our everyday choices and actions.

‘A return to restrictions is a reminder of our own limitations and the complexities faced by those in political leadership. 

‘While more patience, compassion and discipline will be required in the coming months, we can be confident that this can be a time of renewal as we take up opportunities to be carriers of hope, to serve and care in local communities which will become more familiar to us.

‘Over the shorter days and longer nights, we should consider how acts and words of kindness can continue to help front–line workers, who deserve our continued support and gratitude; people who will be facing renewed restrictions whilst living alone; and all who are especially at risk through age or another vulnerability’.

Tomorrow (Sunday) morning the BBC Radio Ulster broadcast service at 10.15am will come from St. Columba’s church, Knock, in East Belfast.  The Rector, Canon John Auchmuty, will be the celebrant and preacher. It will be a service of Holy Communion for the Harvest. On RTE 1 television and RTE Radio 1 Extra, at 11am, a Service of the Word will be broadcast, led by the Rector of Glenageary, the Revd Gary Dowd, and members of the St Paul’s congregation.

The Michaelmas New Law Term Service, which was due to have been held next Monday in St Michan’s church, Dublin, has been cancelled, while the Dublin & Glendalough Diocesan Synod which was scheduled for next Tuesday in Taney Parish Centre has been postponed until 20 October.

On Thursday the Archbishop of Dublin will remotely co–chair the Porvoo Theological Conference ‘A vision for Communion’ and on Friday will remotely co–chair the Porvoo Primates meeting.