The Rev Dr Gary Millar was installed as minister of Howth and Malahide in place of the Rev Dr William O'Neill in-Howth church on May 12th in the presence of a large congregation.
Those present included the Moderator of the Dublin Munster Presbytery, the Rev Katharine Meyer; the Moderator-designate of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, the Rev Trevor Morrow (Lucan), and other clerics from North and South and lay representatives. Clergy from the other denominations in Howth and Malahide also attended along with representatives of political parties.
Particularly welcome were colleagues and friends of Dr and Mrs Millar from the Hamilton Road congregation in Bangor, Co Down, where Dr Millar served as assistant minister. To ensure a continuing bond between Hamilton Road and Howth and Malahide, 100 Bibles were presented by Hamilton Road congregation.
Dr Millar is a distinguished graduate in science of Queen's University Belfast. He is a Bachelor of Divinity of Christ Church, Aberdeen, and gained his doctorate in Oxford. His wife taught in Bangor Grammar School.
Despite a recent planning disappointment, the Adelaide Road-Donore congregation continues to make progress with its Road Ahead project. However, to accelerate the progress "friends" of the project are always being sought. A friend may buy a load of bricks for £25 or a hod of bricks for £150. All friends receive a personalised certificate and newsletters informing them of the progress. Prospective friends should contact the office at (01) 496-9194.
The project aims to provide a place of worship and accommodation for the development of community ministries in Dublin city centre.
The problems faced by the refugee community in the Adelaide Road area are being addressed by Dolebusters. An English-language course is being offered which is partially funded by the Dublin Vocational Education Committee.
As well, Mr Alan Petrie, manager of Dolebusters, is trying to provide additional facilities for refugee families who meet daily in the hall of the Adelaide Road church. Unfortunate families placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation find that between 9.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. they have to roam the streets. Funds are needed to meet this growing need. Donors should contact Mr Petrie at (01) 661-9670.
Adelaide Road met the millennium with the formation of five Home Fellowship Groups. They meet once a week in each other's homes for prayer fellowship and the study of the New Testament book of James.
Tomorrow the eight churches in the Howth, Sutton and Baldoyle areas will embark on a Jubilee 2000 Ecumenical Pilgrimage. Their aim is to publicly rejoice in the birth of Jesus 2,000 years ago, and in their unity as his followers today.
Their journey together as pilgrims to local holy places along very familiar streets and roads is intended to prompt reflection on each pilgrim's journey through life. En route, the pilgrims will worship together and give thanks for the memorable day. At the conclusion, all will share in a picnic for which a sandwich and drink should be brought.
The assembly point is the Church of the Assumption in Howth at 2.30 p.m. From here they will go to St Mary's Abbey, Abbey Street, and will recognise the ancient church of St Nessan on Ireland's Eye: next to the Mariners' Hall, West Pier, Howth, where Presbyterians first worshipped in 1893-94 before the completion of the lovely Howth church in August 1900: on then to St Mary's Church of Ireland and the Methodist church, Sutton. Other pilgrims will assemble at Sutton, Baldoyle and Bayside and visit local places of sacred historic interest before all pilgrims meet on the foreshore at Sutton for the final ceremony.