THE annual conference of the Irish Theological Association will meet on Friday and Saturday at the Marino Institute of Education. This year's conference has as its theme "The Theology of Life and Death and associated ethical issues".
The principal address will be given by the Rev Dr David Smith MSC, and there will also be contributions from a number of prominent members of the Irish theological community including Vincent Twomey SVD, Maureen Junker Kenny, Teresa Iglesias and Kenneth Kearon.
The conference will also include a panel discussion with representatives of the legal, medical and scientific communities. Further details from the hon secretary, Dr Andrew Pierce, School of Theology, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Tel: 6082229, email apierce.tcd.ie
In Belfast next Saturday, the Columbanus Community of Reconciliation has a "Bibliodrama" with Harry Brandsma from 6 to 10 p.m. Please, register in advance.
From May 19th to 23rd the Columbanus Community is holding a Bible week. This year's theme is "Who do you say that I am?" A study and prayer meeting will be held each night from 7.30 to 9.30p.m. Monday: St Matthew's Gospel: speaker, Tom Hamill. Tuesday, St Mark's Gospel: speaker, Daphne Gilmore. Wednesday, St Luke's Gospel: speaker, Jannie Nijwening. Thursday, St John's Gospel: speaker, Joan Scott. Friday, St Paul's Epistles: speaker, John Bell. May 27th, 7.30-9 p.m: Columbanus Community, Church History (part One): From Pentecost to the Reformation: speaker, Columba Breen, OSB. (First in a series of three talks).
The Columbanus Community of Reconciliation is at 683 Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 4EG, Tel: 778009.
On May 29th at 7 p.m. in the Fitzroy Presbyterian Church Hall there will be a public lecture by the noted missiologist, Dr Israel Selvanayagan, as part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the Church of North India.
In Limerick from Saturday until May 31st, the Limerick City Art Gallery is showing Jerusalem in Old Maps and Views an exhibition of maps and prints of the city" of Jerusalem, from the Madaba mosaic (sixth century CE) to 20th century maps. Further details from Ms Ena Keye, culture officer, Israeli embassy, Carrisbrook House, 122 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4. Tel: 6680303, Fax: 6680418, Website: http://www.iol.ie/embisrael/
June 11th to 14th, Stranmillis College, Belfast; The Moving Beyond Sectarianism Project of the Irish School of Ecumenics hosts a major international conference, "Boundaries and Bonds: Sectarianism, Identity and Religion". Speakers will include Prof Donald Shriver (Union Theological Seminary, New York); Prof Miroslav Volf (Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena); Prof Hedwig Meyer Wilmes (University of Nijmegen); Dr Padraig O'Malley (University of Massachusetts); Dr Marc Gopin (George Mason University, Washington); Dr Alex Boraine (vice president of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission); Dr Cecelia Clegg (research coordinator of Moving Beyond Sectarianism) and Dr Joe Liechty (director of Moving Beyond Sectarianism).
Further details from Peter O'Reilly, 48 Elmwood Avenue, Belfast BT9 6AZ, Tel/Fax: 382750.
Items to be included in next month's ecumenical Notes should be sent to Dr Andrew Pierce, ISE, Bea House, Milltown Park, Dublin 6 (email apierce.tcd.ie).