The Association for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, long seen as the publishing wing of the Church of Ireland, has moved swiftly and positively to mark the millennium in a most appropriate way - with a publication which reflects on the recent past and considers the future.
A Time to Build is, as its subtitle makes clear, a collection of essays for tomorrow's church. The volume has been edited by the Dean of Raphoe, Dr Stephen White, and a preface has been contributed by the Dublin-born Regius Prof of Divinity in Cambridge, Dr David Ford.
The book opens with a historical perspective from the Church of Ireland historiographer Dr Kenneth Milne, followed by contributions from two of the more prophetic voices on the bench of bishops, the Rt Rev Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Drom ore, and the Bishop of Meath and Kildare, Dr Richard Clarke.
There are contributions on ethics from Canon Kenneth Kearon, and on unity from the Rev Dr Ian Ellis, while Dr Andrew Pierce considers if Ireland is becoming post-Christian. The Rev Maureen Ryan analyses the effectiveness of the church in society, Sheila Chillingworth tackles the legacy of sectarianism, while Bet Aalen reflects on the Church of Ireland and world development.
The volume closes with two reflections on how others see the Church of Ireland, from Belfast Methodist the Rev Ken Newell, and from the influential editor of Doctrine and Life, Father Bernard Treacy OP.
Today the Bishop of Derry, Dr James Mehaffey, will preach in Arlington, Texas, at an ecumenical service which will close an international conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the Ulster Project. This programme has brought thousands of teenagers to the US, where they have engaged with their American counterparts in developing wider perspectives and building mutual understanding and respect.
Also in the US, the Bishop of Limerick, the Rt Rev Edward Darling, will preach at the closing eucharist of the New Hampshire Diocesan Convention in Grace church, Manchester. The Christ Church Girls Choir continues its tour in Bruges and Brussels. In Dublin there will be a gift day in the Harcourt Home, 22 Harcourt Terrace, beginning at 10.30 a.m.
In Carrickfergus, as part of the celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Sir Arthur Chichester, there will be tours of St Nicholas's parish church where tomorrow there will be a civic service at which Dr Alan Acheson will speak.
Tomorrow RTE Radio will broadcast morning service from St Columba's church, Belfast. The Bishop of Tuam, Dr Richard Henderson, will visit Galway and Oughterard and will attend the university service. From Monday until Wednesday, he will be in England for the Church Army Conference.
At St Fin Barre's cathedral, Cork, the Rev Dr Arthur Peacocke, recently retired director of the Ian Ramsey Institute, Oxford, will preach at the conclusion of the international symposium on religion and science, organised by UCC and St Fin Barre's cathedral.
On Tuesday in Dublin, the Rev Tom Gordon will lead a parish consultation, "Zion Parish 2000+" and on Wednesday the Bishop of Cork will conduct a quiet day for the clergy of Cashel and Ossory.
The Diocese of Derry and Raphoe will host an evening conference on the church's ministry of healing on Thursday in St Peter's church, Culmore Road, Derry, where the speaker will be Canon David Wheaton, formerly principal of Oak Hill Theological College in England. In Trinity College Dublin, the speaker in the "Theology at the Turn of the Millennium" series will be the distinguished theologian, Prof James Mackey from the University of Edinburgh.
Living Stones for Year B - The Common Worship Lectionary is available from the Sunday School Society for Ireland, Holy Trinity Church, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6 (01497 2821).