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St Anne's Cathedral Choir gives Christmas Concert in Banbridge

17/12/2016

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The Choir of St Anne’s Cathedral processes into Banbridge Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church for the 300th anniversary concert
The Choir of St Anne’s Cathedral processes into Banbridge Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church for the 300th anniversary concert (photo: Karen Bushby)
​The Choir of St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, travelled to Banbridge on Wednesday December 14 to help the First Presbyterian Church (Non-Subscribing) celebrate its 300th anniversary.
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The Cathedral’s Master of the Choristers David Stevens was accompanied by the Girls’ Choir and Lay Clerks.
The choir sang 5.30pm Evensong in St Anne’s before heading down the M1 and A1 in the Cathedral minibuses. They were welcomed by the minster the Rev Norman Hutton, and enjoyed some sustenance in the form of the ever reliable pizza!
The Rev Norman Hutton welcomes the Choir of St Anne’s Cathedral to the concert of Christmas Music to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Banbridge Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church
The Rev Norman Hutton welcomes the Choir of St Anne’s Cathedral to the concert of Christmas Music to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Banbridge Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church (photo: Karen Bushby)
The First Presbyterian Church (Non-Subscribing) was founded 300 years ago and 2016 also marks the 170th anniversary of the opening of the present church building in Downshire Road in Banbridge.
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The original church was in Lurgan Road, in what is now known as Old Meeting House Green. The congregation worshipped there until 1846, when they moved to the impressive new church. A special 300th anniversary service was held in the church in September.
Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, Banbridge (photo (C) Drew McWilliams 2016)
The First Presbyterian Church (Non-Subscribing) was founded in Banbridge 300 years ago (photo: Drew McWilliams)
David Stevens had prepared a varied festive programme. He played the historic church organ and the choristers sang a number of items including the Advent Hymn Creator of the Stars of Night, Torches (John Joubert); Jesus Christ the apple tree (Ledger); Mary’s Magnificat (Andrew Carter); In the Bleak Midwinter (H Darke) and the Little Road to Bethlehem (M Head). Their rendition of O Holy Night (H Adam) was simply stunning.

There were congregational hymns including O come, O come Emmanuel, Once in Royal David’s City, Away in a Manger, Silent Night, While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

The audience was treated to some wonderful pieces played by David on the organ. These included Bach’s In dulci jubilo, Noel X (LC Daquin); The Holy Boy (J Ireland) Sleigh Ride (L Anderson)

Mr Hutton had invited representatives of other churches in Banbridge to do readings between the musical items.
Members of the St Anne’s Cathedral Girls’ Choir singing in Banbridge Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church
Members of the St Anne’s Cathedral Girls’ Choir singing in Banbridge Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church (photo: Karen Bushby)
Thanking David and the choir for a wonderful concert, Mr Hutton said the evening had been a fitting end to the church’s tercentennial celebrations.

The concert was free, but a retiring collection raised £600 and this will be divided between the Cathedral Black Santa Appeal and the St Anne’s Choir School Project. The organisers of this concert thank all those who attended for their generous support.

For further information contact Karen Bushby, Press Officer, St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on 07766 103880; email [email protected]
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The Moderatorial Pectoral

20/11/2016

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Rev Sam Peden at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church
Rev Sam Peden wearing the Moderatorial Pectoral
In his account of this year’s General Synod, published in the September (2016) issue of The Non-Subscribing Presbyterian magazine, the Clerk of Synod referred to a medallion or pectoral (decoration worn on the chest) presented at the meeting by the Revs Brian and Lena Cockroft.

​This jewel is for wear by the Moderator of the denomination, to indicate his or her role when not robed. It features the Burning Bush, the symbol of the denomination, and the inscription ‘Moderator of the NSPCI’.
The Moderatorial Pectoral of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland
The pectoral was commissioned by the Revs Brian and Lena from Steensons Goldsmiths based in Glenarm, Co Antrim, and was presented as a gift by the “Two Revs”.
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The presentation is recorded in the inscription on the reverse of the pectoral, which is also engraved with the dates during which they themselves served as Moderators.
Rev Lena and Rev Brian Cockcroft photographed at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church
Rev Lena and Rev Brian Cockcroft at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church
This generous gift is bound to be greatly cherished by the present Moderator and appreciated by generations of his successors, just as “the Two Revs” themselves are cherished by all of us in the denomination.

(Source: The Non-Subscribing Presbyterian, October 2016)

Our own Rev Sam has been associated with the church for over 50 years - as member, committee member, treasurer, Elder, Sunday School superintendent and lay preacher.

He studied for the ministry and was licensed by Presbytery of Bangor in 1996,  installed to the charge of Dromore by Presbytery on 19th October 2001.
Rev Sam served two terms as Moderator of the General Synod of the Non--Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland and helped raise over £76,000 for The Friends of the Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital.

You can read about Rev Sam's last service in Dromore here:
I (still) need thee every hour...

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Queen reflects on enduring Christian faith

21/2/2016

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David Bailey's relaxed portrait of the Queen to mark her 88th birthday
David Bailey's relaxed portrait of the Queen to mark her 88th birthday
The Queen has said she is "very grateful" for the country's prayers and that she has felt God's "faithfulness" throughout her reign.

Writing in a foreword for a new book, The Servant Queen And The King She Serves, the monarch writes of her enduring Christian faith.


​The book, published by the Bible Society, churches' group HOPE and LICC (the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity), is being released in April to mark the Queen's 90th birthday.
She writes: "I have been - and remain - very grateful to you for your prayers and to God for his steadfast love. I have indeed seen his faithfulness."

In her comments, the Queen refers to the changes she has seen in her life, which has made her the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

"The extent and pace of change has been truly remarkable," she said.

"We have witnessed triumphs and tragedies."

The monarch also took the opportunity to allude to the current problems in the Middle East saying the world is now experiencing "terrible suffering on an unprecedented scale".

Source: Press Association
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Making of Lord's Prayer advert, 'banned' by some UK cinemas

23/11/2015

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St Paul's Cathedral from the South Bank, London
"The Lord's Prayer is prayed by billions of people across the globe every day, and in this country has been part of everyday life for centuries." Photo: Drew McWillliams
The Church of England has said it is "disappointed and bewildered" by the refusal of leading UK cinemas to show an advert featuring the Lord's Prayer.

The Church called the decision "plain silly" and warned it could have a "chilling" effect on free speech.

It had hoped the 60-second film would be screened UK-wide before Christmas ahead of the new Star Wars film.

The agency that handles adverts for the cinemas said it could offend those of "differing faiths and no faith".

The advert features the Christian prayer being recited or sung by a variety of people.
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They include refugees, a grieving son, weightlifters at a gym, a sheep farmer, a gospel choir and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.
(Click the link above to view the advert on YouTube)
'Everyday life'

The advert was passed uncut by the British Board of Film Classification and given a "U" certificate, as well as receiving clearance from the Cinema Advertising Authority.

However, the Digital Cinema Media (DCM) agency, which handles British film advertising for the major cinema chains, Odeon, Cineworld and Vue, refused to show the advert because it believed it would risk upsetting or offending audiences.

In a statement, DCM said it had a policy of not accepting political or religious advertising content in its cinemas.
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It said that "some advertisements - unintentionally or otherwise - could cause offence to those of differing political persuasions, as well as to those of differing faiths and indeed of no faith," and that "in this regard, DCM treats all political or religious beliefs equally".
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The cinema chains affected are Odeon, Cineworld and Vue. Photo: Church of England
The Most Reverend Justin Welby said he found the decision "extraordinary".
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"This advert is about as offensive as a carol service or church service on Christmas Day," he said.

"Let the public judge for themselves rather than be censored or dictated to."

The Reverend Arun Arora, director of communications for the Church of England, said: "We find that really astonishing, disappointing and rather bewildering.

"The prospect of many families attending the release of the new Star Wars film had seemed a good opportunity to launch the advert and a new website justpray.uk to promote prayer ahead of Christmas.

"The Lord's Prayer is prayed by billions of people across the globe every day, and in this country has been part of everyday life for centuries."

'Make people think'
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He added: "In one way the decision of the cinemas is just plain silly, but the fact that they have insisted upon it, makes it rather chilling in terms of limiting free speech."

He encouraged people to visit the website, watch the film and make up their own minds "as to whether they are upset or offended by it".

Stephen Slack, the Church's chief legal adviser, warned the banning of the advert could "give rise to the possibility of legal proceedings" under the Equality Act, which bans commercial organisations from refusing services on religious grounds.

​The refusal to show the advert is likely to reignite a debate about the place of religion and faith in the public arena, especially Christianity, and whether freedom of expression for believers is being stifled.
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Weight-lifter Ian McDowall wants people to realise Christians come in all shapes and sizes Photo: Church of England
One of those who took part in the ad, Ian McDowall, is a former bouncer and a weightlifter who founded a Christian charity, Tough Talk, after finding his faith.

"I don't think people know a lot about Christianity these days anyway, and the opportunity to share the Lord's Prayer in a cinema environment would make people think - and realise that Christians come in all shapes and sizes."

But Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said: "The Church of England is arrogant to imagine it has an automatic right to foist its opinions upon a captive audience who have paid good money for a completely different experience.

​"The Church does not hesitate to ban things that it deems inappropriate from its own church halls - things like yoga. The cinema chains are simply exercising the same right."

Source:
BBC
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