Displaced but not forgotten – Bishops’ Appeal’s Advent and Christmas appeal

An update from Lebanon for Bishops’ Appeal’s Advent and Christmas appeal 

The Advent and Christmas Appeal 2023 launched by Bishops’ Appeal in the last days of November focuses on the desperate situation in the Middle East.  No-one will be surprised by this – we only have to watch news updates on our TV screens, or news apps on our phones to see day by day stories of those whose lives have been destroyed since the October 7th massacre carried out by Hamas, and the reciprocating actions of Israel in Gaza where thousands have been killed and injured, and according to the UN over a million have been forced to leave their homes.

Among those working with displaced people in the region is a Tearfund project in Lebanon – through a local partner. In addition to the escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza there was an increase in tensions and violent incidents along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Irish troops are currently stationed in the area, running Camp Shamrock, a UN peacekeeping base close to the Lebanon-Israel border.  They are there to try to keep the peace in the face of regular clashes and a deteriorating security situation between the Israeli Defence Forces, Hezbollah and other armed groups.

As fears grow of the conflict spreading into Lebanon, many thousands of people have already been displaced, and need emergency support and aid.  From food to mattresses to medicines – those fleeing their homes have nothing and need emergency help simply to survive.

One displaced person from a village on the border, now in Lebanon with his family, said: “It was a difficult decision to leave. My home and my work are there, and I don’t know if it will still be there when I get back – we have no idea. Our lives are in that village.

“Everything here – the cleaning supplies, the blankets – is helpful. But the best thing is the mattresses – they are the perfect thing to give to people who are displaced.”

Speaking in early November, one of the project volunteers at the emergency supplies centre explained: “What happened recently in Israel and Gaza and the consequences of it are making the situation even harder for the Lebanese.  The people who live in villages near the border have been especially affected and had to flee to Beirut.

“In the first weeks of the conflict alone about 19,000 people were displaced and the ones who stayed lived in constant fear.  Bombs were falling on them and they lost all their harvest, including the harvest of olives on which they heavily rely economically because the crops were contaminated with white phosphorus.”

Your generosity this Advent in response to this appeal for the crisis in the Middle East will make an incredible difference to people in great need, and make sure that they know they are not forgotten.

Online donations to Bishops’ Appeal can be made at https://store.ireland.anglican.org/donations/the-bishops-appeal and further details about how to give through parish collections, or by cheque or bank transfer, are available at https://bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/give

 


A local Christian partner in Lebanon.  Photo credit: Tearfund.

Vocation Retreat 26th-28th January 2024

Do you think that God may be calling you into a life of ordained ministry? The Church of Ireland Commission on Ministry organises an annual vocation retreat for those considering ordination, and the next one will be running from Friday, 26th January, to Sunday, 28th January, in the Dromantine Retreat Centre in Newry. This year’s guest speaker will be the Revd Dr Sean Doherty.

Sean is the Principal of Trinity College in Bristol. He became a Christian when he was about sixteen years old and quite soon after that started to wonder if God was calling him to become a vicar. He went to Oxford to study English but changed to theology, which he loved so much that he has been studying (and teaching!) it ever since.

He teaches Christian ethics, and is especially passionate about economic ethics, which was the subject of his PhD. His wife Gaby is also ordained and has recently become the minister of a church in a nearby social housing estate. Despite his name, Sean is English, but his dad grew up in Ballymoney in Co. Antrim.

The retreat is financed through the Church of Ireland Commission on Ministry, and participants are asked for a contribution towards costs of €75/£65. If you are interested in attending and would like to know more, please contact Judy Peters at [email protected]

The closing date for bookings is Friday, 22nd December 2023.

Living Nativity Play – 16th Dec, Ballyjamesduff

The Kildrumferton Group of Parishes’ annual Living Nativity event returns on Saturday 16th December, 3-7pm, around the grounds of Ballyjamesduff Church of Ireland (up The Grove). Come and hear the Christmas story from some of the characters who were there – including some live animals! Totally free and all welcome!

Pioneer Ministry in the Church of Ireland moves to its next phase

The Church of Ireland Pioneer Ministry leadership team are delighted to announce the launch of the new Pioneer Ministry information booklet. This outlines how to apply for Pioneer Ministry funding and how to apply for the new Pioneer Ministry training programme.

Please watch this video for more and also click this website link to view the guide book itself. If you have any questions, please contact the team on [email protected]. It’s wonderful news for the Church of Ireland as Pioneer Ministry continues to grow into the next exciting phase of the project.

Guide book link: https://www.pioneerministry.org/guide-book

Service of Installation at Kilmore Cathedral

This Sunday, the 26th November, the Venerable Ian Horner and Canon Richard Waller were installed into the Chapter of St Fethlimidh’s Cathedral, Kilmore. The service took place on the Sunday before Advent – a day on which the church traditionally celebrates the Kingship of Christ. Colleagues, friends, family and parishioners gathered for a wonderfully encouraging service led by Dean Nigel Crossey.

The address at the service was given by Bishop Ferran Glenfield who preached from Daniel Chapter 6 – the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. It is a story that helps us to see that Heaven rules even in the most challenging circumstances. The Bishop’s sermon was a great encouragement to believe and live out that truth as we wait for God’s kingdom to come, His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Many thanks to the parishioners of the Cathedral who had organised a delicious supper after the service. It was a great time to enjoy fellowship and a cup of tea with the wider Diocesan family.

Bishops’ Appeal announces Advent and Christmas Appeal 2023

The Bishops’ Appeal Advent and Christmas Appeal for 2023 is focussed on supporting those who are in great need in the Middle East.  The Holy Lands, the lands where Jesus himself lived and worked and worshipped.  Where he demonstrated God’s love, compassionate kindness, and saving grace through his sacrificial death on the Cross for all mankind. 

Where today the ‘little town of Bethlehem’ that we will sing about in our Carol Services is only a short distance from the devastation being experienced in Gaza, and from the kibbutz area where Hamas carried out their deadly massacre on October 7th.

Where just as 2,000 years ago Joseph and Mary had to flee with the infant Jesus to another land to escape violence and threats upon their life, so today many are having to flee from their homes to become refugees in other places, leaving behind what is left of their homes and possessions.

There is no doubt of the level of suffering that this conflict has caused, with men, women and children killed, injured, made homeless, and lives utterly devastated by the violence.

The Advent and Christmas Appeal this year asks that if you can, you give something to help those most affected.  Those fleeing Gaza as refugees, those needing emergency medical care, temporary accommodation, practical help, food, medicines, support, care. 

Our focus on the desperate needs in the Middle East enables us to partner with the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough who are running the ‘Shine A Light for the Diocese of Jerusalem’ campaign, and also to help with the overwhelming needs of displaced people who are now living in Lebanon as well.

Our intention is to channel the funds raised through our trusted partners on the ground – the Diocese of Jerusalem (with whom the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough has been in relationship for a number of years) in their outreach to those impacted by war, and also to Tearfund partners working in Lebanon and in some of the areas and countries bordering Gaza and Israel where already things are precarious and extremely tense. Where there is the danger of further tension, violence and devastation erupting at any time.

We are so aware that many people have given so very generously to Bishops’ Appeal during 2023 – to the victims of the earthquakes in Syria, Turkey and Morocco, the floods in Libya, and ongoing support for the victims of the war in Ukraine, and we are so grateful to all those who have given. 

Yet as we move towards Advent and Christmas, it seems only right to maximise the focus on those in great need in the Holy Lands region and encourage those who are able to give – however small your gift may seem in the face of such unimaginable need, it will all add up, it will make a difference.  £10 or £50, €5 or €50.  It might cover an emergency food parcel, medicine, temporary shelter, or whatever the greatest need will be for that person. 

Bishops’ Appeal envelopes are available in each diocese, or donations can be made directly at this link for those who prefer to give online: https://store.ireland.anglican.org/donations/the-bishops-appeal

Drumcliffe Christmas Tree Festival

CHRISTMAS has already started at Drumcliffe Parish Church as preparations get underway for the first Drumcliffe Christmas Tree Festival in six years. The festival, which is building upon its last successful event in 2016, is taking place at Drumcliffe Church and grounds between the 7th and 12th of December.

More than 60 Christmas Trees will be erected and displayed throughout the iconic North Sligo church, which attracts 180,000 visitors annually. Organisations such as disability services, local schools, and scouting and youth groups are amongst those who are preparing trees.

The festival runs from Thursday 7th at 11am, and will continue daily until the evening of Tuesday 12th. An opening concert given by musical artist, Australian-born Sligonian, Kieran Quinn, will take place on the Thursday evening at 7pm. Other highlights include a schools’ carol service at 7pm on the Friday, a show by the Sligo Concert Band on Saturday afternoon, at 3.30pm, a community carol service on the Sunday evening at 7pm, featuring the participation of various local groups, and a showing of the classic children’s Chrismas animated short film ‘The Snowman’ at 6pm on the Monday. The committee advises all those interested in attending the carol services to arrive early as spaces will be limited. Those who cannot attend the festival in person will still have a chance to partake, as it will be streamed live around the globe.

To add to all this, there will be an outdoor live crib experience, whose sights and sounds will surely prove to be a favourite with children and adults alike, and Michelle Howley and her team at the Pink Clover café, eagerly preparing for the festival, will have something warm and tasty for those attending during that week.

Curate of Drumcliffe church, Revd. Luke Pratt, describes the Drumcliffe Christmas Tree Festival as an “exciting and community-enriching must for the calendar” and one which will “unite people at a time when togetherness is especially important, all around a celebration of the world-changing events which took place in Bethlehem 2000 years ago”.

Festival proceeds will be donated to participating local charities and Drumcliffe Church. For further information and regular updates, check the X (formerly known as Twitter) handle @drumcliffeCOI, or the festival’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/766437875254916?active_tab=about.

This is an event not to be missed!”

Love in Action trip to the Philippines August 2023.

In August 2023, Revd. Steve Frost travelled from county Leitrim to the Philippines with ‘Love in Action’, a mission founded by Revd. Steve and his wife, Canon Linda Frost. Revd. Steve has been travelling regularly to the Philippines since 2005. This year he was accompanied by his daughter Kathryn Hardingham and granddaughter Kezzia. Sarah Rice who has been teaching in Carbery School, Sligo was the fourth member of the team.

The first few days on the trip were spent in Quirino Province, at a conference for past students of a Discipleship/ Leadership training course run by Love in Actions Philippines (LinAP). Over the last 14 years, more that 1100 students have participated in this training course, attending one day a week for 40 sessions. A typhoon caused severe travel disruption which meant that many of the delegates were unable to attend. However, it was a blessed three days together for those who were able to get there. Kathryn ministered from the book of Nehemiah, challenging all those present in their on going commitment to the Lord and to ministry.

Where possible, LinAP seeks to run their Discipleship/Leadership training courses in the more remote areas to serve the churches there. Nine years ago, several students walked from a place called Nagabgaban for four hours every Saturday for 40 weeks to attend one of our training centres. Ever since then, Revd. Steve has tried to reach Nagabgaban to visit the church there. This year he finally made it. Improvements to the road mean that a 4×4 can now reach this mountain settlement in a couple of hours. It was very special to enjoy fellowship with this church and minister there. Our service on Sunday morning lasted for over three hours.

 

LINAP KIDZ, is the child sponsorship program of the Love in Action ministry. The concept of care within the family group or clan is very strong in the Philippines. However, it is often very hard for a grandparent or married sibling with their own family, who is caring for a relative’s child to finance an extra child through school. Education is technically free, but the child still needs suitable clothes, books, a bag, and all the expenses that go with education. By sponsoring such children, they are being enabled to complete their education, which gives them the possibility of employment and a way out of poverty. We had a great day of fun and fellowship with some of our LINAP KIDZ and their guardians/parents. Sarah’s skills as a teacher soon got the shyest children involved.  Kezzia got everyone involved in making braclets with a cardboard disc and strands of wool.

                      

Each of the children have their own story. May Lanie’s mother has died, and she has been taken in by a married sister who also has three of her own children, one of whom is disabled. May Lanie’s father is a labourer which means he does not have a fixed income and he also has other children to support.

It was such a blessing to have time with such wonderful people. God is at work throughout the world, as believers it is our privilege to be involved as instruments in his hands.

For more information or to support this ministry.
Visit www.linap.ie
Email [email protected]

Call for Global Day of Prayer and Fasting

As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have issued a call for a global day of prayer and fasting tomorrow – Tuesday, 17th October.

They say: “Our beloved Holy Land has changed dramatically over the past week. We are witnessing a new cycle of violence with an unjustifiable attack against all civilians. Tensions continue to rise and more innocent and vulnerable people are paying the ultimate price as the dramatic levels of death and destruction in Gaza clearly show.”

The Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum, who is a member of the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches group, said: “We pray without ceasing for justice, reconciliation, peace, and an end to hatred and war. We also pray for God to change the hearts of all leaders and decision-makers in our countries and around the world, for we are in dire need of hearts that love, show mercy, and are willing to live in unity with others – hearts that respect human dignity and choose life rather than death.”

Archbishop Naoum added: “We therefore all upon all our congregations, institutions, and parishioner families to join with our sister Churches in the Land of the Holy One in observing this coming Tuesday [17th October] as a day of Fasting and Prayer for peace, reconciliation, and an end to the war. We suggest organising prayer services and/or joining with other congregations in their services so that we can pray together with one heart and spirit.”

The Anglican Communion’s Secretary General, Bishop Anthony Poggo, has endorsed the call for a day of prayer and fasting, and is calling on Anglicans around the world to take part, saying: “Archbishop Hosam, and his ecumenical colleagues in the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches group, are in the front line of the Christian response to the ongoing catastrophe in Israel and the Gaza Strip.  I join them in calling on Christians around the world to join together in prayer and fasting on Tuesday, 17th October, in the words of Archbishop Hosam, ‘for justice, reconciliation, peace, and an end to hatred and war.’”

The Anglican Communion is an international family of 42 churches in more than 165 countries.  The staff of its international secretariat will tomorrow mark the day during their weekly Eucharist service in St Andrew’s Chapel at their offices in London.