The spring issue of the Church of Ireland journal, Search, edited by Canon Ginnie Kennerley, will be available this weekend.
An excerpt from the late Dr Valerie Jones's forthcoming book, Rebel Prods of 1916, features. The story of a north Dublin family playing a front-line role in the Easter Rising is offered by her daughter, Dr Heather Jones, who has been preparing her mother's text for publication later this year.
Given the fallout from the January primates' meeting in Canterbury, which threatened to marginalise America's Episcopal Church (TEC) on account of its acceptance of same-sex marriage, TEC leader Bishop Michael Curry's gracious restraint and steadfastness has impressed many. Two views of the first black presiding bishop of TEC are offered in this issue, one by a TEC priest who is also black, one by a white woman who worked with him in North Carolina.
The General Synod Select Committee on Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief's "Guide" , which seeks to be a resource to assist the Church in listening, learning and dialogue about same-sex relationships between Christians, is now available. An interview with the committee's chairman, the Very Revd John Mann, Dean of Belfast, aims to show the way ahead. Also in the field of relationships between Christians, the matter of domestic violence is confronted, with some shocking results. To what extent is violence against women, even clergy wives, tolerated in the Church? The evidence is alarming.
This issue offers a new view on "election" rooted in the Genesis story of Jacob and Esau, and an exploration by a leading imam of the Koran's attitude to Christianity. The "In Retrospect" article reflects on the life and witness of John Ward Armstrong (1915-1987), successively Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Bishop of Cashel and Archbishop of Armagh.
This weekend, a group from the Diocese of Bangor, including the Bishop of Bangor, the Rt Revd Andy John, will visit the Dioceses of Meath & Kildare. This follows a visit to Bangor last June to begin a diocesan link. This evening, the Mornington Singers will present Music for a While in St Bartholomew's Church, Dublin, at 8pm with, among others, pieces by Samuel Barber, Ralph Vaugh Williams and James McMillan – details at morningtonsingers.eventbrite.ie
Tomorrow (Sunday) as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of Christian Aid, the former archbishop of Canterbury and current president of Christian Aid, Lord Williams of Oystermouth, will preach at Choral Evensong in St Fin Barre's cathedral, Cork.
On Monday morning the Archbishop of Dublin will participate in the opening of Newpark Comprehensive School. In the evening, at 8pm, Dr Jackson will institute Canon Roy Byrne to the incumbency of Monkstown. Canon Byrne has been Rector of Drumcondra since 2008.
The third talk in the Lenten series which aims to provide insights into other Christian denominations and other faiths will be held in the Bracken Court Hotel, Balbriggan, on Wednesday at 8pm. The speaker will be Dr Ruth Whelan, professor of French in Maynooth, who will talk about Presbyterianism.
Women's World Day of Prayer will be observed next Friday using a liturgy written by the women of Cuba on the theme Receive Children, Receive Me. The former dean of Cashel, Dr Philip Knowles, will preach at a service in the Presbyterian church in Athy. Canon John Clarke has been appointed as chaplain to retired clergy in the Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough. He may be contacted at 0404-69725.