This May, Mothers’ Union Groups from across the Diocese gathered for two Festival Services of Thanksgiving. The first service took place on the 9^th May in the Cathedral Church of St Mary, the Virgin and St John the Baptist, Sligo. The second service took place on the 23^rd May in St Patrick’s Church Ballintemple. The theme of both services was ‘Transformation – Now!’ with the reminder that with God nothing is impossible. Dean Arfon Williams preached at the first service from 2 Corinthians 4:5-7 and 15 and Linda Abwa from CMS Ireland preached at the second service from Galatians  vs 1-6 vs 1-10. The services of thankgiving were a wonderful opportunity to gather together as a family to recommit ourselves to a vision of transformation in our own lives, in the MU and the world – transformation made possible by God’s mercy through our faith in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Closing date: 31st May 2023

The Church of Ireland Youth Department’s next round of applications for the Young Leaders In Ministry Fund is now open and the closing date for this is Wednesday, 31st May. The fund is open to young people aged between 15 and 25 years who can demonstrate a current involvement in the Church of Ireland. It seeks to support training and development courses, mission teams, leadership opportunities and placements that can be shown to:

1. significantly develop the faith of the young adult applicant;

2. grow the skills of the applicant especially, but not confined to, leadership skills; and

3. be of significant use to the ministry of the Church of Ireland in the 12 months following the completion of the opportunity.

Please do share widely in your networks and with your young people/leaders – this can make a significant difference to a young person’s experience and we have seen great uptake with the Fund since its inception.

The application form is available at this link.

Congratulations to Canon Edward Yendall who was installed as our Diocesan Canon in in St. Patrick’s on Tuesday 7th March.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, is the Church of Ireland’s National Cathedral, with a common relation to all of the 11 dioceses which make up our Church. Like all cathedrals, in part it is governed by a group called the Chapter, which is made up of Canons. There is a Canon to represent each of the dioceses, and Bishop Ferran has recently appointed, Canon Edward Yendall, as our diocesan Canon. This is a great honour for Edward, and we send him our congratulations and good wishes.

Once installed, Canon Edward’s responsibilities (while continuing his ministry locally) will include participating in meetings of the Chapter and spending two different weeks of the year ‘in residence’ in the Cathedral, which involve being present and involved in its daily life, assisting at weekday services, and preaching at the morning and afternoon service on the Sunday. To learn more about St. Patrick’s, you might like to visit its website at the link above.

‘O God, the King of glory, who art ever adored by thy holy angels, yet delightest in the praises of the sons of men: Prosper with thy blessing, we beseech thee, the work of our National Cathedral; that they who minister or worship therein may offer unto thee true and laudable service, for thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’
(adapted from ‘Parish Prayers’ by Frank Colquhoun)