A new round of training and education for ordinands in the Church of Ireland Theological College has begun. A total of 28 students, spread over three years, are preparing for the full-time stipendiary ministry; 33 students for the non-stipendiary ministry also follow a three-year course.
Last weekend the annual residential summer school for NSM ordinands, co-ordinated by the Rev Tom Gordon, was held and had as its theme Ministry Today: the Challenge of Change and Difference. This course explored the challenges faced by the changing context of Christian ministry in modern Ireland. The principal facilitator was the Rev Doug Baker, who is internationally known for his work in reconciliation, and there was also input from the Hard Gospel Project, including a field trip to experience some of the church and community work in inner-city Dublin. The ordinands were introduced to the study modules for the year by Dr Tim Hull, from the distance-learning team at St John's, Nottingham, and the college staff facilitated a series of Bible studies and teaching seminars.
Next week the students on the full-time ordination course arrive at the Theological College for two pre-term weeks. For the nine first-year ordinands there will be a period of orientation and sessions on spirituality, vocation and ministry. The input of the college teaching staff - Canon Adrian Empey, Dr Lindsay Hall, the Rev Tom Gordon and Canon Patrick Comerford - will be supplemented by sessions with the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, Bishop of Connor; the new TCD chaplain, the Rev Darren McCallig; Dr Heather Morris, from Edgehill College; and Canon John McCullagh, secretary of the Board of Education. The second-year students will have sessions on peace and reconciliation, and preparation for placement, while the final-year ordinands will be engaged with pastoral care of marriage and youth ministry.
Today, the Tuam, Killala & Achonry Diocesan Synod will be held in the synod hall, Tuam, under the presidency of the Bishop of Tuam, Dr Richard Henderson.
Tomorrow, the Eucharist in Irish will be celebrated in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, at 5pm, while in Cork the Patronal Festival will be held in St Fin Barre's Cathedral, followed by the annual meeting of the Cathedral Friends.
On Tuesday evening in Down Cathedral the Dean of Down, the Very Rev Henry Hull, will install the Rev Robert Neill as Prebendary of Talpestone, and Canon John Bowley as Canon Treasurer. The preacher at this service will be the Archdeacon of Down, the Ven Philip Patterson.
There will be an Autumn Fayre in support of St Mary's Home for elderly ladies, Pembroke Park, on Thursday morning in St Conleth's College, Clyde Road, Ballsbridge. The home, which was founded in 1923, has charitable status. In the evening, in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Sion Mills, the Bishop of Derry, the Rt Rev Ken Good, will institute the Rev Raymond McKnight as rector of Urney. Mr McKnight served in the diocese of Derry before becoming rector of Kilcronaghan, Tobermore, in the 1980s.
Next Saturday, in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, there will be a day of celebration of St Colmcille and the links between Gaelic Ireland and Gaelic Scotland, beginning at 10.30am. Lectures, Evensong in Irish with music by Seoirse Bodley, Simon McHale and Catriona Ní Dhubghaill, a book launching and exhibition and a concert make up what promises to be a cultural treat.
Details may be obtained from aonghus@colmcille.net or by telephoning 01-4538870.