Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Summer Issue of Search
The summer issue of the Church of Ireland journal, Search, edited by Canon Ginnie Kennerley, will appear shortly. This issue carries the contributions to the Search–TCD Colloquium which was held in the TCD School of Religion in April.
Returning to an in–person Colloquium after the zooming of the pandemic years, it seemed appropriate to look to the future by inviting speakers in the earlier stages of their career to look specifically at the depressing outlook for the future of our planet, and beyond. Hence the title ‘A New Look at the End Times’ and a line–up of participants who, if not under 35 as originally hoped, were at least all under 45.
‘End Times’ implies biblical apocalyptic, so to set the scene Dr Julie McKinley of the National Bible Society of Ireland, whose Trinity College PhD was in this area, was invited to set the biblical writings in context. After the discussion that ensued, TCD doctoral student Paudie Holly reflected on the eschatological thinking of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ, which continues to inspire hope, even though, as the next speaker the Revd Mark Gallagher pointed out, it is based on outdated scientific theory. After further discussion and a lunch break, the plan had been to have DCU chaplain Eric Hughes and Dr Allison Campbell of Ulster University speak on young people’s issues in this area; but as Eric had to drop out, Allison was joined by her husband, the Revd Andrew Campbell, Rector of Skerry in the Diocese of Connor, to address the subject. Their enlarged presentation will be published in a future issue of Search, while Eric’s intended paper is printed here.
Given the importance of pastoral ministry to those distressed by the threats of climate change, broadening war in Europe, and unmanageable migration, two parish clergymen, the Revd Chris MacBruithin, Rector of Castlerock in the Diocese of Derry, and the Revd Sean Hanily, Rector of Rathmichael in the Diocese of Dublin, were then invited to share their experience of parish ministry, offering hope in the face of fear or despair. After the ensuing discussion, our final panel session was led by three senior academics, theologians Prof Maureen Junker–Kenny and Prof Cathriona Russell of the TCD School of Religion, and bioethics specialist the Revd Dr Keith Suckling, formerly of Edinburgh and Nottingham universities.
Those wishing to subscribe to Search or order individual copies should contact the Honorary Treasurer, Michael Denton at subscriptions@searchjournal.ireland.anglican.org
Tomorrow (Sunday) at Evensong in Christ Church cathedral the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, will conduct a Diocesan Lay Reader Commissioning Service.
The Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland will hold its annual Service of Thanksgiving in St Mary’s church, Maynooth, at 3pm. The speaker will be Mrs Gillian Kingston, and the celebrant will be the Rector of St Mary’s, the Revd Eugene Griffin. CMH:I Ministry Leader, Lydia Monds, will lead mindful and healing intercessions. All are welcome to this service, at which healing prayer may be requested for anyone who may need it. During the service, there will be an opportunity for the laying on of hands and anointing with oil, for those who wish for it.
On Friday morning the Archbishop of Dublin speak at the Shared Island Dialogue – Education Systems; Connecting Communities – at DCU St. Patrick’s Campus. The series of Summer Music at Sandford continues in Sandford parish church, Ranelagh. On Friday, at 1.10pm, Hilary Dungan and Sandra Ganly (piano duo) will play music by Bach, Schubert and Fauré.
Published in the Friday edition of The Irish Times