Standing Committee & RB
March 2004 meeting
STANDING COMMITTEE
MARCH 2004
PRIORITIES FUND GRANTS
Priorities Fund grants this year totalling more than half a million euro have been awarded to Church of Ireland projects ranging from 28,000 euro to the Youth Department for a community outreach programme this summer in Belfast to 2000 euro for the Ross Tapestry Project at St Marys Church, New Ross.
Announcing the awards Fund chairman, Mr Wilfred Young revealed that 77 applications had been received amounting to almost 1.5 million euro. This far exceeded the money available. Consequently the committee took great care in considering all the applications and this often involved committee members visiting project managers and assessing applications on site.
Mr Young stressed that it was important to maintain reconciliation and outreach initiatives. He said: We have been very impressed by the visionary nature of applications in this area and the tremendous work that is being done by so many people in very challenging situations.
A leaflet setting out revised criteria for awards is now available and further information may be obtained on the Priorities Fund website at http://www.priorities.ireland.anglican.org
SYNODICAL REFORM
The Synodical Reform Working Group submitted an interim report for inclusion in this years Book of Reports to General Synod. The report identifies different models for the election of representatives, which led to a lively discussion. The debate at Synod is expected to generate further ideas and suggestions for reforms, which will then be considered by the Working Group who will propose legislation in 2005. Diocesan Secretaries are to meet on 30 March 2004 to discuss how accurate figures of Church of Ireland membership can be determined.
BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER 2004
BCP 2004 will be launched at the General Synod Service in St Patricks Cathedral, Armagh on Tuesday, 11 May 2004. The new book will be on sale in bookshops from Monday, 22 March 2004.
An electronic module of BCP 2004 is to be produced as an add-on to the new Visual Liturgy 4 software.
APPOINTMENTS
The Rt Rev Alan Harper, Bishop of Connor, is to represent the Church of Ireland at the General Synod of the Church of England Group Sessions to be held in York from 9 to 13 July 2004.
The Rt Rev Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher and the Rev Canon Ian Ellis, Rector of St Johns Parish, Newcastle, will join an Anglican delegation for a once off consultation with the Leuenberg Fellowship to be held in Germany from 22 to 24 October 2004.
The Rev Grace Clunie, Rector of St Nicholas Parish, Belfast is to represent the Church of Ireland at Provincial Synod of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland to be held at High Leigh Christian Conference Centre, Hoddesden, Herts from 19 to 23 July 2004.
COURTS REVIEW
The Courts and Tribunals Committee set up last year to review the structures and procedures relating to the Courts of the Church of Ireland has identified major areas which it believes are in need of review. Detailed recommendations for legal structures and procedures will be referred to the Standing Committee for consideration. It is hoped this process will result in legislation being brought to General Synod in 2005.