Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Bishops’ Appeal
The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal’s Advent and Christmas Appeal is focussed on supporting those who are in great need in the Middle East. This year’s Appeal asks that if you can, you give something to help those most affected. Those fleeing Gaza as refugees, those needing emergency medical care, temporary accommodation, practical help, food, medicines, support, care.
The focus on the desperate needs in the Middle East enables the Appeal to partner with the Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough’s ‘Shine A Light for the Diocese of Jerusalem’ campaign, and also to help with needs of displaced people who are now living in Lebanon.
The intention is to channel the funds raised through trusted partners – the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem – in their outreach to those impacted by war, and also to Tearfund partners working in Lebanon and in some of the areas bordering Gaza and Israel where already things are precarious and extremely tense.
There is a realization that many people have given generously to Bishops’ Appeal during 2023 – to the victims of the earthquakes in Syria, Turkey and Morocco, the floods in Libya, and ongoing support for the victims of the war in Ukraine. Yet as we move towards Advent and Christmas, it seems only right to maximise the focus on those in great need in the Holy Lands region and encourage those who are able to give – however small your gift may seem in the face of such unimaginable need, it will all add up, it will make a difference.
Bishops’ Appeal envelopes are available in each Church of Ireland diocese, or donations can be made directly at this link for those who prefer to give online: https://store.ireland.anglican.org/donations/the-bishops-appeal
Tomorrow (Sunday) the Radio Ulster broadcast service will be from St. Columba’s, Knock. at 10.03am. The celebrant and preacher will be Canon John Auchmuty.
In Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, the Annual PEATA Carol Service will be on Tuesday at 1.15pm.This promises to be a fun afternoon of carol singing with the Girls’ Choir and there is the opportunity to bring your pets along for a blessing. In St. Macartin’s cathedral, Enniskillen, there will be a concert to celebrate the 100th anniversary of St. Anne’s church being designated a cathedral.
A series of Ecumenical Advent Reflections has begun in Ranelagh jointly hosted by Sandford parish and the Church of the Holy Name, Beechwood parish. They will continue on Wednesday at 11 am in the Church of the Holy Name and will conclude in Sandford on 20 December at 11 am in Sandford parish church/ Participants meet at 11am for refreshments, followed by a time of Bible reading, discussion and reflection.
On Thursday at 8.00pm and Saturday 16 December at 3.00pm, Ireland’s leading intercultural choir, Discovery Gospel Choir, will perform their Christmas concerts, ‘Make a Joyful Noise’ in their home church of St George & St Thomas on Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1. The church and the choir have long been recognised for championing ethnic diversity and racial justice. Tickets can be purchased on ticketstop.ie and on the door.
At a recent Prayers for Peace in St Fin Barre’s cathedral led by young people of Cork Diocesan Youth Council a list of the tragically too many places in the world where there are wars, conflict or unrest due to terrorism was complied.. The Revd Meghan Farr and Stephen Spillane of St Anne’s church, Shandon, took up the idea and devised an Advent Calendar. So far, nearly 10,000 people on social media alone have engaged with it.
Published in the Friday edition of The Irish Times