The Hub’s mission in Uganda pages 10-11 The magazine for the Diocese of Connor Autumn 2019 SectionNews MBE for scout Best education leader Billy (81) Billy Sholdis, 81-years-young and a parishioner of St Matthew’s, Belfast, a child was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his dedication to Scouts in the North West Belfast can District. Billy, who has lived all his life in the Shankill area, joined the scouts as a have cub when he was eight, and, in his own words, ‘never really left.’ He is now assistant scout leader of 20th North and West Belfast Scouts. “I went through the ranks, starting as a cub when I was eight, and when I finished I began to lead the cubs,” Billy Matthew Owens, Director of Music said. at Belfast Cathedral. The scouts meet in a hall in Bray Street. Matthew Owens, who moved from Wells Cathedral to Belfast Cathedral as “We worked right through the Troubles, we never closed. We had a good set Director of Music in September, is no stranger to Northern Ireland as his wife, of leaders. The only thing we had to Ali, is originally from Whitehead. change was to tell the boys not to wear their uniform when going to the hall,” His first experience of St Anne’s was in them for family and friends,” says Matthew. Billy recalled. 2003, when he brought the Lay Clerks of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh “I have always said to parents that singing (where he was Organist and Master of the in a choir is the best education a child can Music before moving to Wells), to sing at have. The opportunities are amazing – a the cathedral for a weekend in February. chance to sing in a building like this with acoustics like this, with one of the largest In the 18 years he has been coming to organs in Ireland, is fantastic. Northern Ireland to holiday with his wife (and latterly with their young children), “There are lots of other opportunities, Matthew has attended many Ulster such as broadcasting, concerts, tours and Orchestra concerts. “I see a thirst for the education they get musically, vocally, classical music, and that is something I and spiritually. As choristers they learn life hope to be able to capitalise on,” he says. skills like independence, teamwork, and commitment.” Gesturing around the cathedral, he adds: “This is a wonderful building to be working Matthew is also continuing to work on ‘The in, and there is so much happening with Cranmer Anthem Book,’ a project that Scout leader Billy Sholdis MBE. the Ulster University development and will set all 92 Collects from the Book of other developments which will make the Common Prayer to music. Nowadays, Billy walks the short distance from his home off the Cathedral Quarter even more exciting.” This too will provide opportunities for the Woodvale Road to the hall every choir at the cathedral. “The choir will sing Matthew says he is developing ideas for morning. “I am what they used to call up to nine world premieres a year, and get choirs in the cathedral. “We are going to the unofficial caretaker,” he said. He to work with some internationally renowned be one of the few cathedrals in the UK to returns on Monday nights for scouts, composers,” he reveals. have a children’s choir that consists of boys on Tuesday nights for cubs and on and girls so the opportunities for both are Looking ahead to 2020, other plans Wednesday nights for beavers and equal,” he said. for music at Belfast Cathedral include squirrels. “It’s going to be an exciting move. It developing lunchtime organ recitals and Christmas candlelight concerts. Billy worked as a cobbler with Rogan will help consolidate the identity of the Bros on the Shankill Road, before children’s choir as they will all sing together Matthew will be supported by former moving to the Belfast Corporation of as one unit.” Organ Scholar, Jack Wilson, who takes up Libraries. He was later a gardener in Special recruitment events are planned, the post of Assistant Director of Music in Woodvale Park before retirement. including the opportunity to ‘Be a June, and current Organ Scholar, William He said the scouts were ‘over the Chorister for a Day.’ This is a free event for Forrest. Organist Emeritus Ian Barber is moon’ at the news of his MBE. “I have children who love music, with no previous also working with the music department. been doing this for such a long time experience necessary. The next ‘Be a Parents / guardians of any young person I never thought about anything like Chorister for a Day’ is on November 9. aged 7-14 interested in becoming a awards. My reward was organising “They will enjoy fun music and singing chorister at the cathedral should email activities for the kids in the district,” he games, learn new songs, and perform Matthew at [email protected]. said. 2 Connor ConnectionsConnect Autumn 2019 Bishop’s messageSection Autumn 2019 For sake of diocese and Contents my health I must retire Dear friends, the last 12 months have been exhausting, and it has been Mission in Kitwe 4-5 difficult to focus on anything other than my treatment plan. I have received my last proton injection as part of the clinical trial and this stage of the journey Mossley Ramblers 6 is complete. I now need time to recover and regain my strength and energy. Our first OLMs 7 Having advanced prostate cancer means that I will be receiving quarterly hormone Visit the Hundred Acre Wood! 9 injections for the rest of my life and will Students on a mission 10-11 have very regular checkups with my oncologist. There are no guarantees, but Mourne Mountain challenge 12 it is hoped that I will be free of further treatment for years to come. New hall for St Cedma’s 13 As a family, we are incredibly grateful Meet the Mwangi family 16 for the amazing care and support we have received from the Cancer Centre Looking back at Synod 17 at the Belfast City Hospital. We are also conscious that we have been carried by St Polycarp’s choir on tour 18 the love and prayers of so many people, St Anne’s now multilingual 19 especially the people of Connor Diocese. I cannot thank you all enough for your faithfulness and care in praying for me and my family. Cover photo: Young people My family have been amazing in love and from across support and they have also been carrying the diocese their own hopes and fears. We have also Bishop Alan Abernethy. had a great been very blessed by the peace and joy time at the we have experienced, as Jesus has clearly for their willingness to serve the diocese in annual Connor journeyed with us on this strange and this way. Takes the unwelcome journey. He has been with us, giving us hope and healing. At this stage, my aim is to be in St Anne’s Castle youth Cathedral on Christmas Eve and in Lisburn weekend in September. Over the last few months, I have had Cathedral on Christmas Day. This will allow Full story on page 14. various conversations with my oncologist, me to fulfil my ministry as bishop once Please contact us if you would my GP and my family. With a very heavy more before I retire. heart and spirit, it has become clear to me like to contribute to the next My plans have to be finalised, but suffice issue of ‘Connor Connections’. that for the sake of the diocese and my own long-term health, I should retire on to say it has been an amazing privilege and Karen Bushby, health grounds. joy to have served you as bishop. Connor Diocesan Be assured of my continued prayers for Communications Officer, My medical advice has been clear that I will you all. Church of Ireland House, not have the energy I used to have, and 61-67 Donegall Street, the ongoing treatment will affect my ability Grace and peace, Belfast, BT1 2QH to fulfil the very demanding role as Bishop of Connor. Tel: 028 9082 8874 Mob: 07766 103880 I have followed the process necessary, Email: [email protected] and it has been agreed that I can retire on health grounds. The Archbishop of Thanksgiving Service Find us on Facebook Armagh has been supportive of this, and A diocesan Service of Thanksgiving to I have informed him that I will retire on Follow us on Twitter mark the retirement of the Rt Rev Alan December 31, giving the necessary three Abernethy as Bishop of Connor will be months’ notice. This will also give me time held in St Patrick’s Church, Ballymena, to recover and to be able to plan a move to on December 19. our new home. Admission to the service will be by I am conscious that yet again the invitation only, and each parish in the responsibility for the diocese falls to the diocese will be allocated a number of three archdeacons and I am very grateful invites. The service will begin at 7.30pm. Connor Connections Autumn 2019 3 www.connor.anglican.org MissionSection St Peter’s Church, built from bricks formed from clay from a nearby anthill. was accompanied by Noreen. Aaron had just one service. “It was surreal,” he said. “In what would seem to the European mind and eye to be an impoverished area stood a church, beckoning people to worship and praise God.