Prayer in Preparation for Re-opening Church Buildings ~ Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Venerable Adrian Wilkinson, who celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination as  a priest on Saint Columba’s Day, 9th June, has written a  prayer for his parish and for use in the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and  Ross.

It is for use as preparations are made for the reopening of church buildings.

It is now shared more widely as others may like to use it.  Here it is:

 

Creator God, 

not limited by time or space; 

your Son worshipped in synagogue and Temple, 

and your Spirit came in power on the disciples as they met in the Upper Room. 

By that same Spirit, 

guide us as we prepare to reopen the churches in this parish/diocese. 

May they be places of safety, 

where all feel your welcome, experience your love and are equipped in your service. 

We pray for those who through age or vulnerability will continue to worship at home, 

that together we may all rejoice in your goodness and know your blessing, 

until we can offer unceasing praise in your heavenly kingdom,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. 

 

 

Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson

Posted in Archdeacon, Church Services, Churches in Cork, Clergy, Cork, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Liturgy, Prayers | Comments Off on Prayer in Preparation for Re-opening Church Buildings ~ Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson

Five Online Singing Classes for Schools from Cork Diocesan Church Music Scheme

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The Cork, Cloyne and Ross Diocesan Church Music Scheme is funded by the Diocesan Board of Education, the City of Cork Church School Board, the Diocesan Council with further support from Ashton School. Recently the Scheme received a generous donation of €30,000 given in memory of Avril Watters.  The Scheme is run by the music department at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork and provides support for the development of music in primary and secondary schools, as well as in parishes across the Diocese.

A large component of the Scheme involves weekly and monthly visits to schools.  Primary schools further from the city are brought together for several joint workshops each year centred on the towns of Skibbereen and Bandon.

The latest development during the current school closures is a one week programme of videos made by Director of Music, Peter Stobart.

Peter said:

In order to bring some music into the lockdown lives of the children in our Diocesan Primary Schools, I have created a series of five short videos to be watched from home, one for each day of the week. They are all different and include warm-up songs, some with actions, tongue twisters, and each one ends with a hymn. Whilst nothing beats communal singing, this is an attempt to keep spirits up and to bring some of what would normally happen in school into the home.

The videos were released at the end of May ‘Diocesan Church Music Scheme’ playlist on the Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral’s YouTube channel: click HERE

Here are the links to the five lessons:

Monday – click HERE

Tuesday – click HERE

Wednesday – click HERE

Thursday – click HERE

Friday – click HERE

Posted in Cathedral, Children's Ministry, Church Music, Diocesan Church Music Scheme, Diocese, Education, Schools in the Diocese, Youth Work | Comments Off on Five Online Singing Classes for Schools from Cork Diocesan Church Music Scheme

Cork, Cloyne and Ross Prepares for Reopening of Church Buildings

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

For the last month, since the publication by the Irish Government of the Return to Work Safely Protocol, consultations have been taking place in the Church of Ireland United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross about the implementation of the Protocol in readiness for the reopening of church buildings.  Clergy have been busy evaluating church buildings in terms of the implications of social/physical distancing. They’ve also initiated discussions informally with select vestries (parish committees) and parishioners.

Throughout the CoronaVirus Crisis parishes, chaplaincies and clergy have been finding new and innovative ways, alongside traditional communication methods, of keeping the worship of the Church faithful and vibrant. During this time too, in parallel, Bishop Paul Colton and the clergy have been keeping in touch with regular coffee and chat meetings using ZOOM when, inevitably, the discussion would orientate towards planning for the future and for reopening.

The publication of the Government’s Protocol, public discourse about when church buildings might reopen and then, last week, the publication of the Church of Ireland’s Return to In-Church Worship Protocols have focussed minds on the process.  The Government’s announcement on Friday, 5th June contracting the phases in the ‘Roadmap’ has really spurred everyone on.

In his letter to the Diocese published at the start of June, but written on 13th May, Bishop Colton wrote:

The Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business signals that places of worship can re-open from 20th July, subject to the public health situation between now and then.  Re-opening isn’t as straightforward as it sounds because ‘the new normal’ will be different.  It will include social distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene – in Church too!

‘It just shows how things change rapidly in these times,’ says Bishop Colton. ‘On Friday last 5th June the timetable changed and we are now aiming for reopening on 29th June where that is possible in local situations.’

Two clergy meetings were held on Friday, 5th June to look in a preliminary way at the Church of Ireland Protocol and follow-up questions were identified. Bishop Colton has consolidated the Protocol into a checklist with suggestions for parishes.

Bishop Colton said:

This is now with local parishes for collaboration and implementation by local communities working together.  The announcement of a new timetable is something that should bring us joy; joy that Government tells us that the public health indicators to date justify this change of approach, and joy that we will be able to meet in Church together again as the people of God.

When the Taoiseach made his announcement he said ‘We also want places of worship to resume services again, with precautions.’  These precautions are embodied in the Protocol the Church of Ireland has now published.  We need to be attentive to them for everyone’s well-being and safety.  It is not a race between parishes to get buildings open. In some parts of the Diocese this may need more time to get ready and that is fine.  Also, practicalities and logistics mean that when buildings do reopen it will not be ‘business as usual’.  There are a host of things to put in place and to get used to, and this means it may be wise, in parishes where there are many church buildings, to open them step by step, progressively.

Online induction training is currently being organised, in the first instance, under the Bishop’s Continuing Ministerial Education programme, in partnership with an outside provider, for Covid-19 ‘Back to Work’ induction training for clergy, readers, and employees of parishes.  Training for volunteers will follow.  The Church of Ireland Protocol also signals that further guidance is in preparation concerning Holy Communion, Holy Baptism, Funerals, and the weekday opening of churches for private prayer.

Andy Jeffers with this father the Rev. Cliff Jeffers during one of the online services from Fanlobbus (Dunmanway, County Cork) during the Covid-19 restrictions. Telling the Good News as well as bringing community together were their goals including weekly interviews with parishioners who were living abroad and themed photos from local parishioners.

Posted in Announcements, Bishop, church buildings, Church in Society, Church of Ireland, Church Services, Contemporary Issues, Cork, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Diocese, Voluntary Work, ZOOM | Comments Off on Cork, Cloyne and Ross Prepares for Reopening of Church Buildings

Surprise Visitor to Youth Zoom Meetings in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Since the beginning of lock down the Cork, Cloyne and Ross Diocesan Youth Officer, Hilda Connolly, has been keeping in touch with the youth of Cork, Cloyne and Ross through ZOOM.

Every Friday at 7.30pm, the “meet-up” takes place with an evening of games, chat and fun.

But a few weeks ago the meeting was structured a little differently and took into account that the majority of the group are particularly sporty and are missing their sport incredibly.

Unknown to the group, Hilda had invited the Cork Ladies GAA Football Goalkeeper, Martina O’Brien, to pop in to say hello.  Martina has worn the red and white jersey for 8 years now and has been nominated on a few occasions for the All Star Awards.

Martina O’Brien

 

Martina spoke to them about how she is dealing without her training and matches. She decided to learn something new during lockdown and her chosen activity is Table Tennis and Badminton! So she received lots of feedback on that!

She also encouraged the group to take walks and keep active to keep their minds focused and not to dwell on the current situation.  She also advised them to turn off the news, restrict social media and to get out in the fresh air and go gardening, walking, cycling or take on baking or cooking as a new challenge!

As Martina also runs a Physiotherapy Clinic in Ballinascarthy, the group had lots of questions around her job.

Afterwards, the group had a quick fire round of something good that happened during the week. A lot of the group had thrown their hand at a bit of farming for the first time, Hilda included!! She realised that covering her dad’s silage pit wasn’t as easy as it looks!  Following on from that, and after the group were shown the Sutton family’s new potato patch, Hilda set them all a challenge to plant something before next weeks session!

And, hopefully, over the next few weeks, there will be a few more speakers making an appearance.

The Zoom meetings are open to anybody from first year upwards.

But it is at this time of year that CDYC would encourage anyone in 6th class to come along to their summer events.  As that is not possible this year, a new 6th class Zoom has been introduced on a Thursday evening at 7pm.

This is to help encourage the 6th class group to get familiar with each other before joining the existing Friday night group. It is set up to help reduce the anxiety and fear of joining a group that already know each other.

It has been great to see so many new faces coming along and joining in on Thursday nights. And some are now joining in on both nights, which is amazing!

If you would like any details on either Zoom, please contact Hilda on dyo@corkchurchofireland.com

 

 

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Bishop Paul Colton’s Pastoral Letter to Cork, Cloyne and Ross about Church Buildings

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

A Pastoral Letter from the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton,

Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

to the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

When I sent you my pastoral guidance on 16th March requesting that, in response to the CoronaVirus crisis, we, like other dioceses of the Church of Ireland, close our church buildings, my prime concern was the safety and well-being of everyone.  This was your concern also, I know.

Much has happened since then; there have been many changes, challenges and, for too many people, tragedies.  In my monthly letter in the Diocesan Magazine published yesterday, I extended sympathy, not only to the loved ones of all those who have died of COVID-19, but also to everyone who has been bereaved during this pandemic, while also assuring those who have been ill or whose lives have been upheaved, of our prayers.

May I take this opportunity, once again, as your Bishop, to thank you most sincerely, for the ways in which you have responded to this crisis.  Your faithfulness, commitment, energy, determination, inventiveness, self-sacrifice, generosity and compassion have all been inspiring and humbling to witness.

The time approaches now when, subject to the public health advice and the public health situation generally, we can begin to look forward to the reopening, progressively, of our church buildings at some stage after 20th July.  This is good news and let us anticipate it with joy and hope, rejoicing that, although things will be very different for a time, we can begin to be in community together again as Christians.

Later today, or tomorrow, clergy and select vestries will receive information from the Church of Ireland about what is required in order to reopen church buildings.  The protocol that will be circulated is based on the Government’s two documents – the Roadmap for Reopening Society and  Business and the Return to Work Safely Protocol – both of which have been explained, and the practical implications set out,  in such a way that is specific to our church settings. 

I know that, in this Diocese, the responsibilities required of us all will be addressed and put into place with pragmatism and commitment; that is our tradition here in Cork, Cloyne and  Ross.

In  anticipation  of  the arrival of that protocol, I want first to underline a few key principles:

  • Safety: This is still about keeping everyone safe.  We do not want, either by our actions or omissions, to put one another or those who join us at risk.
  • Personal responsibility:  A message that we must keep highlighting for everyone is that each person must also take personal responsibility, first, not to come to church if  we or  anyone in our household has COVID-19 or has the symptoms of COVID-19; and second, to share in  the responsibility of making and keeping our church buildings safe places during the current times.
  • Three core areas: Church buildings are no different from any other place in the community in that the three core areas will apply to us too, all of which are mentioned in the new protocol:
      • Social or physical distancing in accordance with public health advice. This may mean that some buildings have a maximum capacity which has to be taken account of.  It will mean changes to our usual ways of gathering and seating. 
      • Hand hygiene
      • Respiratory hygiene

 

  • The new ‘normal’: When we reopen it will not be ‘business as usual’.  We will all need to be accommodating, flexible and  purposeful; determined to get this right for everyone’s sake as well as for the long term good of the people, churches and parishes in our Diocese. 

 

  • Step by step reopening.  It may also be both necessary and prudent, according to local circumstances and logistics not ‘to bite off more than we can chew’ at first, and to open our buildings progressively, one by one, over a period of time. We have to take into account also the situations of those available to take the large number of Church Services in our Diocese each Sunday.

 

  • The bare basics: The protocol that you will receive will encompass the basics and essentials needed just to get the building open and in use.  Further advice is in the pipeline and will follow soon about other core concerns such as Holy Communion, Holy Baptism, Funerals, and weekday opening for private prayer and visitors.  There are also some areas where additional advice is needed and is being sought, such as about singing. 

 

  • The unknown:  There are still many uncertainties and unknowns. We live in a time when there is a lot of conjecture and speculation in the public space as well as mutually exclusive views being articulated by experts. There are political and economic pressures from many directions. It can seem confusing.  We need, therefore, to be on our toes and ready to respond to changes in the public health advice as time goes on.   

So, dear friends, let us, as faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, continue to walk the path of faith, hope and love.  In all of this (as I have tried to do, I hope, so far) I pledge to stand alongside each of our clergy and our parishes, and to give of myself, in whatever practical ways I can, for as long as the good Lord gives me life and strength to do so.  May he grant us all those gifts and all that we need to do what needs to be done in these times in which we live.

I end this letter as I ended that on 16th March.  I pray that the Lord God who has been with our forebears throughout the ages, including at times of great uncertainty and danger, in being with us all now too, will give us fortitude and calm, wisdom and perseverance, and enable us to live in the Christian way of faith, hope and love.  Amen.

With prayerful good wishes,

✞ Paul Cork:

 

Posted in Bishop, Bishop's Pastoral Letter, Corona Virus, COVID-19 | Comments Off on Bishop Paul Colton’s Pastoral Letter to Cork, Cloyne and Ross about Church Buildings