World Earth Day Yesterday, 22nd April, was World Earth Day. I’m not sure I would have been aware of this fact unless I had listened to a wonderful daily Bible reading App called Lectio 365, which is available to download for free. I have recommended it before in the blog because I find it so […]
Bishop David has planned a series of eight practical teaching evenings in May to help resource our churches for growth. GROW, will take place from Sunday 12–Sunday 19 May and the teaching evenings are open to everyone in the diocese. The topics are biblical values that, when in place in our local churches, create an […]
The church premises require regular maintenance to keep them in good order, so it is an advantage to have a regular schedule for works both for buildings and grounds. This gives people an opportunity to volunteer a few hours each month to assist in the upkeep of our estate. Accordingly, the last Saturday of each month is […]
Reviving Houses and People There’s a fantastic show on RTE television called the Great House Revival. It’s presented by an architect called, Hugh Wallace, who accompanies people on a journey of restoration of old properties. Often these properties have fallen into a state of disrepair and, for all intents and purposes, look like a ruin. […]
The Church of Ireland archbishops have renewed their appeal for prayers for peace in the Middle East. Archbishop John McDowell (Armagh) and Archbishop Michael Jackson (Dublin) have issued the following statement: “We renew our call for members of the Church of Ireland to pray that peace will prevail and humanitarian aid will reach all who […]
The speaker, Paul McCauley, had significant impact on some families in our congregation. All are welcome to these meetings.
Bishop David has launched a diocesan appeal for 100 bicycles for clergy in Maridi Diocese, South Sudan. The diocese has 92 priests and 5 deacons plus lay readers, evangelists and Mothers’ Union workers serving 75 parishes. These are scattered across a wide area, largely inaccessible by car, meaning that to reach their congregations clergy must […]
Losing Your Voice So, Easter Sunday came, the pinnacle of the preacher’s year. ‘Christ is Risen!’ declares the famous Easter greeting. ‘The Lord is risen, indeed! Alleluia!’ comes the congregational response and then those glorious Easter hymns ring out proclaiming hope, the new life that Christ brings, the transformation that is possible through his risen […]
Some Tools of the Trade I found myself in a conversation about tools recently at a church work party. The other people in the conversation were in a different league as they talked about power tools and drill bits and the best places to buy good tools. My tool kit is embarrassingly small, a few […]