Irish Times Notes07 Oct 23

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

CASC

The Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod are inviting members of the Church of Ireland who have relevant experience and who are willing to be considered for membership of the Church and Society Commission to submit expressions of interest, accompanied by an outline of particular skills or experience. A balance in membership is sought so that CASC will include various viewpoints and experiences within the make–up of the wider Church community.

The range of interests of CASC includes, but is not limited to, matters of social, political, environmental, economic and medical significance, where the Church of Ireland seeks to speak to contemporary issues from a Christian perspective. Recent initiatives include information on cost–of–living assistance and participation in a wider debate on homelessness as well as the more regular topics of responses to government consultations.

Members of CASC should be prepared to work proactively to produce comment, briefings, and statements, working in small teams, or to promote activity related to these headings within the life of the Church. CASC normally meets 4–5 times a year by Zoom, occasionally meeting in person in either Belfast or Dublin; however, if there is significant legislative activity, a particular group may find that its time commitment may be considerably increased while the issue remains current.

Media training is available to members of the Commission.

Please send expressions of interest by 31 October , to Janet Maxwell, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin, D06 CF67, or by email to janet.maxwell@rcbcoi.org More information about CASC may be obtained from Janet (Tel: +353 1 4125 621) or from the Secretary to CASC, Mr Stuart Wilson (Tel: +353 1 4125 631).

The Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland has announced a 6–part video series, ‘Cultivating Gratitude’, which uses prayerful reflection and mindfulness practice to help us to find space to notice the good in our lives, even amidst our struggles. Starting on 5 October, a video will be uploaded each week for 6 weeks, in which Lydia Monds, CMH:I Ministry Leader, shares a reflection and leads a meditative practice which invites you to slow down and notice God’s goodness. Once signed up via Eventbrite, making a donation to support the work of CMH:I, participants will receive a weekly email with the link to the new session, and will have permanent access to all the sessions: Cultivating Gratitude Series Tickets, Thu 5 Oct 2023 at 19:00 | Eventbrite

The sessions are:

• Week 1: A Wider Lens;
• Week 2: Savouring the Good;
• Week 3: The Widening Circles of Connection;
• Week 4: Making Room for Ritual;
• Week 5: Our Deepest Longings;
• Week 6: Gratitude for Nature.

For assistance or further information, contact lydia@ministryofhealing.ie

This week the Archbishop of Dublin will be in Spain where he will attend and co–chair the Porvoo Primates and Contact Group in Madrid. On Friday he will begin a visit to the Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain at the invitation of the Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Revd Carlos López–Lozano.

Christ Church cathedral, Dublin,  is hosting a lecture series as part of the Dublin Festival of History. ‘Buttresses, Bridges and Bones: Conserving Christ Church’ marks the publication of the cathedral’s new Conservation Management Plan.  On Tuesday at 1.10pm, Dr Stuart Kinsella will talk about fixtures and fittings and Dr Raymond Refaussé will provide an introduction to the cathedral’s portrait collection.

On Wednesday at 1.15pm in the Irish Architectural Archibe, 45 Merrion Square, Dr Michael O’Neill will speak on ‘Introducing the Architecture of the Church of Ireland’.