The Liturgical Advisory Committee has announced that the Service of Prayer and Naming and the Funeral Service in cases of Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death, as approved by the General Synod, are available in the Prayer & Worship section of the Church of Ireland website.

The Services are accompanied by Pastoral and Liturgical Guidelines for Clergy, and a Certificate of Naming which commends a child to God’s ever–caring and gentle love.

Commending the resources, the Chair of the Committee, Archbishop Michael Jackson, remarked: “While no words can adequately respond to or address the sense of loss experienced by family members when a child dies near the time of birth, it is our hope that these resources for worship will go some way toward expressing loss and knowing that God is present.  It is in this spirit of compassion and hope that the Liturgical Advisory Committee offers them for use.”

The Services and related resources are available to download from this link.

Listen to expert advice from Dr Abigail Collins on what to do if your child has been in close contact with someone else who has COVID-19 in school or childcare.

We were all saddened to learn of the death of Maud Cunningham, our Diocesan Secretary.  Maud died peacefully at her home in Florencecourt on Tuesday 3^rd November.  We offer our condolences to Maud’s family and friends and hold them in our prayers at this sad time. 

Due to the current circumstances and government advice regarding COVID 19 the family home and funeral will be private.  The funeral will leave from her home at 2pm on Friday 6^th for service in St. John’s Parish Church in Florencecourt, followed by burial in the adjoining Churchyard.  This will be an opportunity for friends and neighbours to stand on route and show their support to the family and to pay their respects.  Please keep government social distancing guidelines is mind.

Family flowers only, donations in lieu if desired to Marie Curie Cancer Care and Cancer Connect. Cheques should be made payable to W T Morrison, Funeral Directors and sent to 41 Darling Street, Enniskillen, BT74 7DP, or use the online donation account via the website.

It is our intention as a Diocese to celebrate Maud’s life and work at some time in the future when we can meet again under more normal circumstances.

The Church of Ireland recently announced a major three–year, all–island, mental health promotion programme entitled ‘Mental Health Promotion across the Church of Ireland and Wider Community’. The project aims to transform the understanding of, attitudes towards, and responses to mental health within the Church of Ireland and the wider community. It has been made possible by a significant grant from Allchurches Trust – one of the UK and Ireland’s largest grant–making charities.

The Representative Church Body of the Church of Ireland is now seeking to engage a researcher/team of researchers to undertake a significant piece of research, commencing in January 2021. More details are available here: https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/10100/call-for-expressions-of-interest