The Presbyterian Orphan Society, an agency of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, has given substantial assistance since its foundation over 130 years ago to an estimated 41,000 children. A new name, The Presbyterian Orphan and Children's Society, has recently been assumed. Mr Paul Gray, secretary of the society, comments: "The change will reflect the greater inclusiveness in aid aspired to by the society.
"Originally, our help was directed towards families with young children where one or both parents had died. In addition, we now will assist Presbyterian children from various backgrounds - separation, divorce, single parenthood or where a parent is disabled or in long-term hospital care.
"A publication of the Child Poverty Action Group (1996) states that (in the North, we presume) 33 per cent of children live below the poverty line, an increase from 10 per cent in 1979. This would suggest that the work of the society is still critically necessary.
"We are meeting changing needs and as a consequence believe a change in our name is called for."
An extract from an application for aid indicates the length of service of the agency and the poignancy of the appeals. It goes: "Father killed in the Crimean War - mother nursing a young child."
Last year, the society helped 1,000 children within 550 families throughout Ireland to the amount of £300,000.
The Presbyterian Women's Association has continued over a lengthy period, a most praiseworthy auxiliary in the church's ministry overseas and at home, supporting missionaries, deaconesses and assistants in home churches.
The Annual Founder's Thanksgiving Praise Service of the Boys' Brigade will be held in St Patrick's Cathedral, on Sunday, October 19th, at 3.15 p.m. The Superintendent Minister of the Dublin Central Mission, the Rev Desmond Bain will preach the sermon.
Praise will be led by the Cathedral Choir and the Stedfast Band. Clerics (particularly chaplains of the companies) greatly encourage the boys by their presence. By courtesy of the Dean these are invited to robe for the service.
Fathers' Family Time describes "an opportunity for separated fathers, exercising visiting rights with their children, to enjoy pleasant, home-like, relaxing surroundings."
The Family Time is held in the Methodist Centenary Church, Litton Hall, Leeson Park, Dublin 6, each Sunday from 2.30 p.m. till 5 p.m. Anyone interested should contact the Rev George W. Ferguson (Telephone 01-4941201) for full details.
The YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association), founded in 1860, believes it has been "used mightily by God in many ways since then. The organisation is refocusing on its original aims and objectives in the light of today's world, and completely overhauling its organisational structures".
The result is that staff vacancies have occurred for centre managers, housekeepers and development officers to be appointed to such places as Waterford, Greystones, and hostels in Dublin and Belfast. Those interested should seek job specifications from Julie Carvill or Dot Little at YWCA of Ireland, 40 Main Street, Bray.