A hundred years after 1916, the need for a common symbol from that conflicted time in Ireland that could unite North and South, is the concern of the first two articles in the summer issue of the Church of Ireland journal, Search, which is edited by Canon Ginnie Kennerley.
From a Northern perspective, psychologist Roddy Cowie delves into the stories of the Ulster heroes of the first World War and asks: could it be the lone soldier on every war memorial, standing for virtue, self-sacrifice and the defence of civilisation? This might chime with the “blood sacrifice” of the Easter Rising but as the Rev Dr William Olhausen points out, we have to question the Christian credentials of Pearse’s ideology. The theme of self-sacrifice for a transcendent cause, common to both sides of the Border, still begs the question of the deepest values of our communities.
Principalities and powers
Highly relevant to these matters is Walter Wink’s thinking about “principalities and powers”, explored in the Rev Rob Clements’ article that follows, naming the false gods and worldly systems that derail us.
Also in this issue, the stark facts of the migrant crisis, detailed by Lydia Monds of Bishops’ Appeal, challenge the Church to do more and give more to help those in desperate need. Then the Rev Simon J Lumby looks at the relation of secular and biblical views of marriage, noting that the Church may have imposed its view on the biblical texts rather than vice versa.
Reflections on the recent Anglican Consultative Council in Lusaka by Canon Maurice Elliott follow, along with a briefing on the Dublin-Jerusalem link by Linda Chambers and an In Retrospect on Archbishop McAdoo by Dr Kenneth Milne.
Tomorrow there will be celebrations to mark the 120th anniversary of St Columba's Parish Church, Knock, in East Belfast, where the rector is the Rev John Auchmuty. At the 10.30am Patronal Festival Eucharist, when the preacher will be Lord Eames, the recently refurbished west end of the church, which now includes a welcome area and tea point, will be dedicated. This work is facilitating renewed growth and community outreach. Following the service an updated edition of the parish history An House Not Made With Hands will be launched.
The preacher at Choral Evensong at 7pm will be Bishop Gordon McMullan, a former curate and rector, and the prayers will be led by another former rector, Archdeacon Gregor McCamley.
The Bishop of Kilmore will be in Kildallon, Co Cavan, tomorrow for the celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the parish church. Following a Service of Thanksgiving, a history of the parish will be launched.
Kildallon is part of a group of parishes based on Swanlinbar where the bishop’s curate is the Rev John Woods. In Sion Mills the Bishop of Derry will be the preacher at the Flower Festival Closing Service.
Choral Foundation Concert
On Wednesday, the lunchtime recital in St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick, will be given by Sarah Ellen Murphy (alto), Celia Donoghue (clarinet) and Daniel Sherlock (viola).
The Archbishop of Dublin will be in Whitechurch on Thursday morning where he will bless and officially open an extension to the school.
Next Friday in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, the Choral Foundation Concert will be held at 6.15pm when the Cathedral Choir will sing favourite choruses and arias by GF Handel, and on Saturday, June 11th, the Mornington Singers Summer Concert, Musicke Divine, which will include works from the 12th to the 21st century, will be held in St Ann's church, Dublin, at 8pm.