CNI News 5th April

The essential daily brief on the Irish churches

Pupils from Ballyraine National School race towards the Finishing Line to celebrate the Fundraising Target being reached. At St Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry.

Derry & Raphoe Diocese Hits the Target for Mosquito Nets

One year ago the diocese of Derry and Raphoe set itself a target to raise £100,000 to buy Mosquito Nets for Nigeria.

This Wednesday (2nd April) it celebrated reaching that target, having raised a grand total of £111,000. The achievement was marked by the Diocesan Council at a special lunch in the Diocesan Office in Londonderry.

During the celebration a wonderfully enthusiastic choir from Ballyraine National School sang. The school pupils had been enthusiastic supporters of

Page 1 CNI News 5th April the Nets Work Project. Lydia Monds (Bishop’s Appeal) and Deborah Doherty (Christian Aid) both spoke and thanked the diocese for its hard work in the fight against malaria.

Bishop Ken Good congratulated members of the diocese on reaching their fundraising target. He said, “The target we set ourselves was daunting. But by an immense team effort across the diocese we are delighted to have reached it”. He continued, “One of the themes we are emphasising in Derry and Raphoe at the moment is generosity. The generous giving of time and money by so many shows us what generosity can achieve”.

Albert Smallwoods was a key member of the project team. He paid tribute to the effort made right across the diocese saying, “Individuals, parishes and organisations really grasped the vision of saving lives by raising money to buy mosquito nets”. He continued, “The money came from events including Fashion Shows, 5-Aside Football Tournaments, Pantomimes, special collections and Christmas Gift Cards – all part of the effort to raise enough funds to buy 20,000 nets”.

The vision for the Nets Work Project grew out of a desire to join the worldwide fight against malaria. Mosquito nets are a surprisingly effective weapon in this fight. When people sleep under mosquito nets it protects them during the most vulnerable time of the day.

In one area where a project to distribute mosquito nets took place the death rate from malaria fell by 67%. The World Health Organisation estimates that there were 216 million cases of malaria in 2010 resulting in 655,000 deaths. This is equivalent to roughly 2000 deaths every day.

Nets Work was a joint diocesan initiative with Bishops’ Appeal and Christian Aid. Christian Aid’s partner (Anglican Diocesan Development Services) will distribute the mosquito nets. Bishops Appeal is a Church of Ireland of Ireland body that channels funds through development agencies and partner churches who are already in place in areas of need. Installation of Bishop Donal McKeown as

Bishop Donal McKeown will be installed as Bishop of Derry in a ceremony in St Eugene's Cathedral, Derry, on Sanday 6th April 2014 at 3pm.

The installation ceremony is a solemn liturgical ceremony usually done in the Cathedral church of the diocese. Before the ceremony begins, the

Page 2 CNI News 5th April concelebrating Clergy process into the Cathedral. This is followed by a moment of prayer, invoking the intercession of the Saints, especially those of the Diocese of Derry. This act of prayer, uniting the Christian Faithful with the company of heaven, reminds us of our need for God's assistance as we seek to give witness to the Gospel in the modern world.

Then, the Metropolitan , along with the Apostolic , the concelebrating Bishops and the College of Consultors process to the Great Western Door of the Cathedral for the formal beginning of the ceremony. It is there that Bishop McKeown is formally welcomed to his Cathedral Church and presented to the Diocesan Administrator and the College of Consultors.

At the Sanctuary, the Papal Nuncio reads the Pope's Apostolic Letter of Appointment and it is then shown to the College of Consultors in the presence of the Chancellor of the Diocese. The Bishop-Designate is then seated in the Cathedra (the Bishop's Chair), at which moment he formally takes possession of the Diocese and becomes the Bishop of the Diocese. More at - http://derrydiocese.org/index.php/item/280-the-ceremony-of-installation-of- bishop-donal-mckeown-as-bishop-of-derry

Biography of Bishop Donal McKeown derrydiocese.org/index.php/item/279-biography-of-bishop-donal-mckeown

Derry’s new Bishop believes the way forward is not to live in the past - Derry Journal

Page 3 CNI News 5th April http://www.derryjournal.com/news/local-news/derry-s-new-bishop-believes- the-way-forward-is-not-to-live-in-the-past-1-5980937

Methodist Women raise $7985 for Jamaican project

So far this year the Methodist Women in Ireland (MWI) have raised and donated US$7985.73 for the Jamaica National Children's Home (JNCH) in Kingston.

The JNCH is the Methodist Women in Ireland's President, Charlotte Maye's chosen charity during her time in office from 2013-15.

The JNCH was started in 1972 by Action for Children which works in partnership with the Methodist Church in Great Britain. JNCH provides a loving, caring and stable home to orphans and abandoned children as well as children with severe mental or physical disabilities whose parents are unable to provide proper care. The JNCH gives them a safe place to learn, live and grow.

In his letter of thanks to Charlotte, Rev Everald Galbraith, President of the Jamaican Methodist District said it was truly heartening to "...receive a gift from a generous donor that allows us to cater to the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community." Page 4 CNI News 5th April

‘The Cross as Healing’ - Holy Week at St Anne’s Cathedral,

A full programme of Services includes Liturgy of Palm Sunday and the Gospel of the Passion on Palm Sunday, a Tenerbrae Service on Tuesday, and a Taize service on Wednesday.

On Good Friday, the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, will observe Three Hours at the Cross from 12 noon.

Service schedule at - http://connordiocese.org.uk/cmsfiles/pdf/2014/Cathedral-Flyer-for-Holy- Week-2014-2.pdf

President to attend Battle of Clontarf service

The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, will be attending the Ecumenical Service in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Seafield Road West, Clontarf, on Wednesday 23rd April at 12pm, (the millennium date of the battle itself) to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf.

The date coincides with the actual anniversary of the infamous battle fought on Good Friday 1014 between the forces of Brian Boru and the forces of the King of Leinster, Mael Morda

Page 5 CNI News 5th April mac Murchada, supplemented by Viking mercenaries. It ended in a rout of Mael Morda’s forces and the death of around 10,000 warriors including Brian.

The theme of the commemorative service will be Peace and Reconciliation, and it will be attended by representatives of the six Christian churches in Clontarf, as well as representatives of local business, sporting, educational, leisure and political interests. The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev. Michael Jackson will be present, and the address will be given by the Roman Catholic of Dublin, the Most Reverend Eamonn Walsh, representing Archbishop . The Danish Ambassador to Ireland, Niels Pultz, and the Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland, Ronald Names, will also be in attendance, along with representatives of the Irish Defences forces.

A yew tree will be planted in the church grounds on the day to commemorate this major event for Clontarf and its environs.

All warmly welcome to attend. Rector for Parish of Dunmurry

The Rev Adrian McLaughlin, former Curate Assistant in the Parish of Bangor Abbey, in the Diocese of Down, has been appointed as Incumbent of the Parish of Dunmurry in Connor.

Adrian is married to Christine, a chemistry teacher at at Belfast Royal Academy and the couple has two children.

Before ordination Adrian was Director of the Pipe Organ Preservation Company and also ran a part–time fireworks display business.

From 2003 until 2006 Adrian was organist and choirmaster at Drummaul Parish Church in , and he has also taught religious education and music and chemistry in various schools across

Adrian grew up on a farm. “I am well acquainted with rural life and can calf a cow if required!” he said. “I find the natural world fascinating and appreciate and enjoy it through many of my pastimes, and these interests all add to my ministry and personality make up.” Page 6 CNI News 5th April

These pastimes include gardening, cooking and baking, oil painting, DIY and bowls while he enjoys singing, playing and composing for the piano and organ and organ building.

Adrian maintains an interest in science. He has restored a derelict house in Brittany, France and has a great passion for church architecture and all things antiquarian and ecclesiastical.

Adrian said: “I have had a long association with Dunmurry. I lived in Dunmurry for five years as a student at the Bible College and my wife taught at Hunterhouse College. I was also kindly given permission by the then rector to practice on the organ at St.Colman’s during my time at Belfast Bible College.

Sunday School Society Bids Fond Farewell to Revd Anne Taylor

The Sunday School Society for Ireland is preparing to say farewell to the Revd Anne Taylor when she moves across the Irish Sea to the Diocese of Liverpool.

Anne has been involved with the Sunday School Society for Ireland since 1999 when she joined the committee.

During that time Anne helped in the organisation of the annual quiz Brainarama (1998–2009) and Annual Autumn Training for leaders Revd Anne Taylor with her husband the Revd Ted held in Rathmines Woods

Page 7 CNI News 5th April Church. She also represented Sunday School Society on CGMC (Consultative Group on Ministry among children) travelling to England to attend meetings since 2000.

In 2002 Anne, along with Heather Wilkinson, was a founder member of the committee for Building Blocks, the annual ecumenical Children’s Ministry Conference held in Dublin each November. In 2004 she was appointed The Sunday School Society’s Children’s Ministry Officer and travelled throughout the dioceses delivering training sessions to those involved in Children’s Ministry.

Anne was instrumental in the setting up of the Children’s Ministry Network in 2011, highlighting the important role of clergy in promoting and supporting Children’s Ministry within their parishes.

Over the years Anne has supported, resourced, encouraged and inspired many volunteer leaders and worked to ensure that Children’s Ministry has earned the attention it rightly deserves in the life of our parishes.

The Sunday School Society for Ireland thanks Anne most sincerely for all her time and talents and wishes her every blessing in a new chapter in her life and ministry as Vicar of Formby.

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