FEBRUARY 2015

CATHEDRAL LIFECATHEDRAL LIFECATHEDRAL LIFE The Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer, Dromore

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The Rector writes

Sunday by Sunday we join with Christians around

the world in saying the Apostles' Creed. It might be

seen by some as a dull routine, and others might say

the words with confusion or doubt, rather than

with confidence and joy.

Most churches have found it helpful to have a

summary of Christian beliefs. Creeds summarise

who we are, they teach us what is important and

they help us avoid error. Using Creeds in our

church gatherings reinforces our identity as part of

something much greater - God’s church in all places

and all generations. Christians have died and

continue to die for confessing these truths.

Reciting a common faith together shifts the

emphasis from ‘me’ to ‘us’; it helps focus on the

essentials that unify Christians instead of the non-

essentials that divide the church. The public

repetition of the Creed’s scriptural teaching

reinforces the truth of the gospel in our hearts and

minds and can safeguard us from being led astray by

every wind of doctrine.

During Lent we hope to fill out the content of the

short statements of the Apostles’ Creed. At our

services on Wednesday evenings we aim to show

how they reflect the teaching of the apostles and

what the significance of this momentous formula is

for our daily lives. Saying the creed need never be

dull, confused or joyless again.

Bryan

The Cathedral Church

of Christ the Redeemer,

Dromore

Rector The Very Revd Bryan Kerr, B.D., M.Phil., Dean of Dromore

Curate Assistant The Revd Trevor McKeown, B.A. (Hons.)

Cathedral Office 30 Church St

DROMORE BT25 1AA t. (028) 9269 3968 e. jill@dromorecathedral.co.uk w. dromorecathedral.co.uk

Facebook /dromorecathedral

Twitter @dromorecath

Deadline for articles and information for the next edition of Cathedral Life

20th February 2015

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mission is for everyone

Every Christian without exception is called

to be a minister of the gospel and to live

their lives for the gospel.

Paul concluded a significant section within his first

letter to the Corinthians with these words:

“Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians

11:1). The previous part of the letter explains

what we are to imitate, attitudes such as:

Though I am free from all, I have made myself

a slave to all that I might win the more (9:19)

I have become all things to all men, that I

might be all means win some (9:22)

I do all things for the sake of the gospel (9:23)

I please all men in all things, not seeking my

own profit but that of the many, that they

may be saved (10:33)

God in his wisdom has placed us all in a range of

circumstances. We are not all full-time Christian

workers, yet we each have a wide ministry; we

rub shoulders with many who do not know

Christ, at the surgery and the school gates, in the

office, the shop or travelling to work. All these

places and more form the contexts for our

testimony to the gospel of Jesus.

We bear witness by our actions, attitudes,

motivations, ambitions and relationships. Such

behaviour, we trust will surely give the

opportunity to speak of the good news that is in

Jesus, or at least create an opportunity to invite

someone to a church service or church event

where that good news can be explained.

what's happening

Friday 6th February 8.00 p.m. Big Parish Table Quiz, Cathedral Hall

Come as a team or come and join a team (4/5 per table). Refreshments during interval and prizes to be won. £2.00 per person.

Tuesdays until 17th February 8.30-9.45 p.m. Christianity Explored, Clayton Hall

Wednesdays until 18th February 10.00-11.15 a.m. Christianity Explored, Clayton Hall

Sunday 22nd February 6.00 p.m. Guest Service in Cathedral, An opportunity to invite your friends. “If I were God, I’d end all the pain”

7.15-8.30 p.m. CY in Rectory, 28 Church Street for those in Year 8 and upwards “CY Jesus died”

Sunday 1st March 4.30 p.m. Newcomers’ tea in the Rectory, 28 Church Street

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Revision of General Vestry List The Select Vestry is responsible for the annual review and revision of the Register of Vestry Members. This will take place on Monday 16th February.

Anyone who wishes to have their name added to the Register of Vestry Members can obtain a Form of Declaration from Dean Kerr or from the Church Wardens. These forms will be available from Sunday 1st February.

Completed forms can be returned to either the Clergy or a Church Warden. The closing date and time for return of a completed Form of Declaration is by Monday 16th February at 7.30 p.m.

Any person so registered must have attained the age of 18 years and must subscribe to the funds of the parish in such a manner that a receipt could be demanded for it. Loose cash collections are not recordable and are not considered as qualifying subscriptions.

Further information can be obtained from Church Wardens (Gareth Lough and Danny Thompson) or Honorary Secretary (Billy McCallum).

Big Parish Table Quiz Cathedral Hall

Friday 6th February 2015

at 8.00 pm

Come as a team or come and join a team

(4/5 per table)

Refreshments during interval and prizes to be won

Come along and invite your friends

£2.00 per person

Sound People Wanted Are you able to help us with the Audio Visual equipment at Sunday services? We are hoping to replenish the rota for the video and sound systems, and want to provide effective training for anyone interested.

If you’d like to find out more, please talk to the Rector or one of the gentlemen at the sound desk at the 10 a.m. service.

Newcomers’ Tea

It has been wonderful and

encouraging to welcome new faces

and families to our services over

the last couple of months.

On Sunday 1st March the Kerrs are

inviting newcomers to the Rectory

for ‘afternoon tea’, as a chance to

get to know each other better.

You are welcome to come to the

Rectory, 28 Church Street from

4.30 p.m.

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Please come along to our Overseas Meeting on Wednesday 25th February to hear from Jane and Nina as they tell us of their wonderful and challenging experiences in Maridi. This meeting will follow the 7.30 p.m. Lenten Service and will, no doubt, be fascinating, so please come along, even if you are not a Mothers’ Union member - you will be very welcome.

More dates for your diary—hopefully in better weather conditions!

Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday 5th March at 8.00 pm in the Cathedral.

Festival Service Wednesday 25th March at 7.30 pm in Shankill Parish Church, Lurgan.

Helen Forsythe

Farewell to Gordon Sunday 25th January was Gordon Myers’ last Sunday with us as the Cathedral’s regular organist. It was a sad yet special occasion,

with choir and congregation in good voice as we sang some much-loved hymns, and Gordon himself brought the service

to a rousing conclusion at the organ.

Presentations were made to both Gordon and Jenny on behalf of the congregation and choir (see front cover), including a hand-painted scene of ‘Gordon’s Office’ - the cathedral organ bathed in sunlight. Tribute was paid to Gordon’s skill and dedication, his friendly and encouraging manner which was greatly appreciated by clergy, choir and parishioners alike. He and Jenny will be missed, but as was pointed out, we may see occasional returns in the future. We extend our goodwill and blessings to Gordon and Jenny and the family

circle at this time.

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MARIDI FOCUS: An Amazing Year—2014

The latest news from Maridi was of a peaceful Christmas,

not only in Maridi but also all over South Sudan. This is a real answer to our prayers for all our brothers and sisters in

Maridi Diocese. Please continue to hold the peace talks in our

prayers, that corruption and greed can be replaced by good and fair governance.

As many of you know, I have had the amazing privilege of visiting our brothers and sisters in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan and N Argentina during 2014! It has

been a real year to remember. Thank you and Shukran for being on this journey with

me

In Rwanda I stayed with Mary Munyungaju, in her home ’Bird of Paradise Mission’. During my time in Kigali, Mary and I attended the twentieth anniversary

commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi. It was a tremendous privilege to be

part of this vast remembrance ceremony

In Argentina I had the privilege to speak to the women who were becoming an off

shoot of the MU, called AMARE. I now am the proud owner of an AMARE t–shirt!

Nine days after my return home, Nina Coffey, Liz Fleming (from Carryduff) and

Maureen Clarke (from Kilwarlin) and I left for my beloved Maridi in South Sudan. We flew from Belfast and after an overnight stop in London, went on to Entebbe, Uganda.

The flight was pleasant but was followed by a very long introduction to Uganda -

temperature checks for Ebola and the visa and passport control. However when we sought to collect our luggage (eight cases), we could only identify seven; Nina's

appeared to be missing. We were delayed in arriving at the guest house - 1.40 a.m. rather than 11.00 p.m. Nina was wonderful about it and determined not to let the devil

distress her. We shared our bits and in the morning set off for Kiwoko Hospital. On

the way we did some shopping for Nina and changed some money into Ugandan Shillings.

We arrived at lunchtime with Rory and Denise Wilson, who had a lovely lunch ready for us. We stayed in the Training school, sleeping in bunks and very basic facilities, but a

good preparation for Maridi! Denise showed everyone around the hospital and we

learnt their work there. They provide training for nurses, midwifes and lab technician training, as well as special work with HIV aids patients, both adult and children. They

even have a Fashion Dressmaking School, run by a wonderful girl from Bangor called

Tanya. Tanya and her husband Paul have a lovely little girl who weighed only 900 grams and had been abandoned by her mother. Tanya ‘kangaroo-nursed’ Lana by wearing her

next to her skin, which undoubtedly saved her life. She is now a beautiful, perfect little girl; they hope to adopt her.

We headed back the next day, leaving at 7 a.m., with Denise and her friend Jackie heading to Kampala to buy supplies. You need to set off very early, as traffic into

Kampala is really hectic!

February 2015 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Denise left us at the Shalom Guesthouse, which is closer to the MAF airport for our flight to Maridi the following morning.

So bright and early (about 5.30 a.m.) we were up and off to Kijjansi Airstrip. I realise that last month you learnt a little about the wonderful visit we had to Maridi. I do hope

many of you will come to the Mothers’ Union meeting in February, when we can share with you all that we got up to in Maridi!

Jane Corbett

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A mother’s perspective

Freezing, alone and with hope all lost, I

sit filled with worry and guilt of the outcome of my life situations. I have failed myself and my children, constantly

asking the question ‘Is this what my life has become?’. A naked Christmas tree stands before me with no presents or decorations in sight, not knowing where

the food to fill the hungry mouths will come from. I sit and weep with my head buried so deeply in my hands and I see

no escape.

Then there is a knock on my door. My heart beats fast in panic as I peak out the window to see two women I

recognize from the town, but have never spoke to. Why are they here? What do they want? What have I done wrong? all rush through my head. I reluctantly

answered the door. The women immediately greeted me with a loving smile and two bags of groceries,

explaining they heard I was in need of a little helping hand. I dropped to my knees and cried totally overcome with emotion

and gratitude. I invited the ladies in and they could see I was in desperation of help. My children and I had lived in the cold house for 3 weeks without heating;

there just was no money. I explained my current circumstances and they explained that Via Wings could help me.

This Christmas my house became

brighter, my children smiled that Santa

had made a visit to our home. As we sat

together warm and with food in our bellies, I began to weep, not through sadness but with joy. I prayed to God and

thanked him.

This all was only possible through the generous hearts of people who donate and give so generously to Via Wings, with staff and volunteers tirelessly working all year to help those in need.

Christmas 2014 saw Via Wings supply eighteen full Christmas dinners, along with eighty individual Christmas dinners to families as well as those alone and in need. A further seven families were helped with heating oil, four families were gifted with full Santa presents and sixty-one families where helped in full through the Dare 2 Care project. Approximately 240 mouths were fed with the help of Via Wings at Christmas.

Via Wings would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who gave money, time and gifts over the festive period. A huge thank you to the Cathedral congregation for your support to the Dare 2 Care project throughout the year.

People find it hard to ask for help and a lot of people are in extra need during the Christmas period so thank you for all the prayers that helped us along through this busy time.

Jehovah Jireh - God will provide.

February 2015 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

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Crossword

Across 8 Interrogated (Acts 12:19) (5-8)

9 ‘Burn it in a wood fire on the —

heap’ (Leviticus 4:12) (3)

10 Tobit, Judith, Baruch and the books

of Esdras and the Maccabees are part

of it (9)

11 Science fiction (abbrev.) (3-2)

13 Clay pit (anag.) (7)

16 Went to (John 4:46) (7)

19 ‘Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in

view of God’s mercy, to — your

bodies as living sacrifices’ (Romans

12:1) (5)

22 David’s plea to God concerning

those referred to in 14 Down: ‘On —

— let them escape’ (Psalm 56:7) (2,7)

24 Royal Automobile Club (1,1,1) 25

How the book of Ezekiel refers to

God more than 200 times (Ezekiel 2:4)

(9,4)

Down

1 Seas (Proverbs 8:24) (6)

2 One of the sons of Eli the priest,

killed in battle by the Philistines (1

Samuel 4:11) (6)

3 Specialist in the study of the Muslim

religion (8)

4 ‘Do not rebuke an older man harshly,

but — him as if he were your father’ (1

Timothy 5:1) (6)

5 One of Esau’s grandsons (Genesis

36:11) (4)

6 Taking a chance (colloq.) (2,4)

7 God’s instructions to the Israelites

concerning grain offerings: ‘ — salt to

— your offerings’ (Leviticus 2:13) (3,3)

12 Confederation of British Industry

(1,1,1)

14 ‘All day long they twist my words;

they are always — to harm me’ (Psalm

56:5) (8)

15 The crowd’s reaction to Jesus

bringing back to life a widow’s son in

Nain (Luke 7:16) (3)

16 Disappear (Psalm 104:35) (6)

17 How Jeremiah was likely to die if he

wasn’t rescued from the cistern where

he was imprisoned (Jeremiah 38:9) (6)

18 What the prophets do to a wall,

with whitewash (Ezek.13:10, RSV) (4,2)

20 Made by a plough (Job 39:10) (6)

21 Noah was relieved when the flood

waters continued to — (Gen. 8:5) (6)

23 Jesus gave the Twelve the power

and authority to do this to diseases

(Luke 9:1) (4)

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Co-ordinators Crèche: Helen Forsythe 028 9269 2110 Sound: Karen Bowden 028 9269 3281 Readers: Office 028 9269 3968 Flowers for February arranged by Mrs Beverley McClearn 028 9269 2820 Monthly Flower Lists contact Caroline Wallace 028 9269 3506

February 1st 8th 15th 22nd

Flowers Beverley McClearn

Mr & Mrs C Patterson

Mrs S Weir Vacant Mrs M Curran

Crèche D Abraham N Coffey

H Forsythe C Bickerstaff

S Shepherd R Porter

C Scott T Thompson

Refreshments P Burke J Orr

N Coffey J Barr

M Mack N Stewart

J Bowden K Bowden

Sound 10.00 Jamie Adrian Brian Johnie

Sound 11.30 H Wallace S Newell B Mackey H Wallace

Reader 8.30 L Bland A Scott

Reader 11.30 G Lough J Reain J McCorkell H Forsythe

Reader 6.00 H Scott B McCallum C Sherwin P Cherry

Ready to Serve: Sundays in February Thank you for your willingness to serve in these ways. If you are unable to fulfil your role on a particular Sunday, please arrange a swap and let the relevant co-ordinator know.

Leprosy Mission - Thanks With the conclusion of the annual collection for Leprosy Mission, kindly co-ordinated by Tommy and Pearl Wilson, comes our sincere thanks to those who generously contributed. This year £822.33 was raised. This work can be supported using Boxes available in the Tower Porch. Please speak to a Churchwarden or Tommy. We thank Tommy and Pearl for their management of this aspect of mission.

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Parish Registers

Holy Baptisms 28th December Connie Isabella Ann Cinnamond, Carnew Road

11th January Sophie Jane Coulter, Lysterfield, Victoria, Australia

“By your prayers and example, by your teaching and love, will you encourage this child in the life and faith of the Christian Community?”

Christian Burials 29th December Mabel Johnston, Ballymacormick Road, Dromore

18th January Florence Elizabeth Byrne, Thornhill Drive, Dromore 19th January Annie McCartan, Barban Hill, Dromore

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. They are blessed indeed,

says the Spirit, for they rest from their labours.”

Church Collections: December General Fund 2014/15 2013/14

Week 36 7th 1,103.00 1,373.10

Week 37 14th 1,251.00 1,494.00

Week 38 21st 1,799.80 1,235.00

Week 39 28th 1,866.00 1,817.95

Total to date £54,695.29 £55,803.79

Development Fund

Month 9 December 804.65 673.55

Total to date £7,663.75 £8,441.75

February 2015 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13

Services for FEBRUARY 2015

Sunday 1st St Brigid’s Day

10.00 Celebrate 11.30 Holy Communion

6.00 Late Evening Office 7.00 Café Church in Cathedral Hall

Mark 4:1-20 Mind how you hear

Jonah - the return

Monday 2nd The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

1.10 p.m. Holy Communion

Sunday 8th

8.30 Holy Communion 10.00 Celebrate 11.30 Morning Prayer

6.00 Evening Prayer

Mark 4:35-41 Who is this?

Sunday 15th

10.00 Celebrate with Holy Communion 11.30 Morning Prayer

6.00 Holy Communion

Mark 5:1-20 The Stronger Man

Wednesday 18th Ash Wednesday

7.30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service I believe (1)

Sunday 22nd

8.30 Holy Communion 10.00 Celebrate 11.30 Morning Prayer

6.00 Guest Service

Mark 5:21-43 The Lord of Impossible Situations

If I Were God, I’d end all the pain

Wednesday 25th 7.30 p.m. Lent Service I believe (2)

Sunday 1st March

10.00 Celebrate 11.30 Holy Communion

6.00 Late Evening Office 7.00 Café Church in Cathedral Hall

Mark 6:30-44 Compassion for the crowd

Jonah and the vine

Friday 6th 8.00 p.m. Women’s World Day of Prayer

Wednesday 4th 7.30 p.m. Lent Service I believe (3)

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DIARY DATES

Tuesday 3rd 8.30 Christianity Explored Clayton Hall

Wednesday 4th 10.00 Christianity Explored Clayton Hall

7.30 Maridi Partnership Meeting Clayton Hall

8.00 Parish Fellowship Rectory

Friday 6th 8.00 Big Parish Table Quiz Cathedral Hall

Tuesday 10th 8.30 Christianity Explored Clayton Hall

Wednesday 11th 10.00 Christianity Explored Clayton Hall

12.15 Soup Lunch Clayton Hall

8.00 Parish Fellowship Rectory

Monday 16th 7.30 Select Vestry Meeting Clayton Hall

Tuesday 17th 8.30 Christianity Explored Clayton Hall

Wednesday 18th 10.00 Christianity Explored Clayton Hall

7.30 Ash Wednesday Service Cathedral

8.00 Parish Fellowship Rectory

Sunday 22nd 7.15 CY Rectory

Monday 23rd 7.30 Parish Prayer & Praise Clayton Hall

Wednesday 25th 7.30 Midweek Lenten Service Cathedral

8.00 Mothers’ Union Meeting Clayton Hall

Friday 27th 10.30 Parish Post Team Clayton Hall

Dromore Cathedral is the Parish Church of Dromore and a Cathedral of the Diocese of Down and Dromore

in the Church of Ireland.

AMARE meeting in Portrillo see page 6

A visit to Kiwoko Hospital