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Scores of pupils from Tobermore Primary School were among the first visitors on the opening day of Kilcronaghan Parish Church’s ‘Unto Us a Child is Born’ Christmas Tree Festival, which aims to “capture the wonder of Christmas” in trees.

The Rector, Rev Rosie Diffin, and her husband, Ronnie, were on hand to greet the youngsters; their Principal, Mr Ian Cheevers; and the many other visitors who called to see the two dozen exhibits on display at the four-day festival.

Extending an open invitation to people in the south Derry area and further afield to come and visit the church, Rev Diffin said, “We hope that you will find this an exciting way to engage in the Good News of God’s rescue plan for this world.

“The Christmas Story, as recorded in the Gospels, speaks of a journey and the unfolding story of God’s love for each one of us. As you journey through the trees, it is my hope that you will be led in your hearts and minds unto Bethlehem — that place where the Christ Child was born.”

Throughout the four days of the festival, members of the parish team are serving scones, tray bakes, tea and coffee in the church hall, where some of the trees are on display, along with a number of quilts.

The Christmas Tree Festival is open from 11.00am-8.00pm Thursday to Saturday, and from 3.00-5.30pm on Sunday. There will be a Closing Service at half past six on Sunday evening.

‘What the world needs now,’ the Foyle U3A Choir sang, ‘is love, sweet love,’ and the sentiment in Hal David’s lyrics were rarely more appropriate, given what’s happening in the world at present. The hit song, whose melody was composed by Burt Bacharach, was one of the highlights of the U3A Choir’s barnstorming performance at Christ Church, Derry’s ‘First Wednesday Recital’ on Wednesday 6th December 2023.

The monthly recital series is quickly establishing itself as a ‘must see’ fixture in the local cultural calendar. Today’s programme, during which the choir was directed by Jim Goodman and accompanied by Elizabeth Charlesson on the piano, thrilled its audience and was warmly applauded.

The concert-goers were addressed by Jim Kelley – one of the series’ organisers – who introduced the performers as “one of the best U3A choirs in the UK”. After that, it was ‘straight down to business’ with a programme that ranged from ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, through the Phantom of the Opera, to ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’.

The recital featured solo performances by Donald Hill, Pearl Stewart, Elaine Way and Dympna McGuckian (who was making her debut as a soloist).

The next event in the recital series will feature the gifted organist, Dr Derek Collins, at 1.10 pm on Wednesday 3rd January 2023.

The Season of Advent was launched formally and dramatically in St Columb’s Cathedral in Londonderry on Sunday evening (3rd December 2023) with its now traditional Advent procession. This is a well-established and much loved service of readings, hymns and anthems on the theme ‘Darkness into Light’.

The temperature hovered around freezing as the congregation made their way into church, immediately appreciating the comforting warmth in a porch festooned with Christmas lighting.

The Service — which was based on the Great Advent Antiphons — began in darkness (representing the darkness before creation and the darkness of sin), with the choir gradually proceeding by candlelight from the west end of the church to the east, symbolising our journey of faith towards Christ.

This evening’s Service was led by the Dean of Derry, Very Rev Raymond Stewart, assisted by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster and the Cathedral’s Pastoral Assistant, Rev Canon John Merrick. The service was sung by the Choristers and Gentlemen of the Cathedral Choir, directed by Dr Derek Collins and accompanied by Nicky Morton on the organ, and among those who delivered the lessons and readings were People’s Churchwarden, Miss Muriel Hamilton; Diocesan Reader Mr David Bell; and Parish Reader Ms Jacqui Armstrong.

The Rev’d Andrea Cotter has been appointed Rector of the parishes of Leckpatrick and Dunnalong, succeeding Rev Canon Paul Whittaker, who retired last February. The announcement was made at services in both churches, this morning, and also in All Saints’, Clooney, where Rev’d Cotter has been serving as Curate-Assistant since her ordination as priest there two years ago.

The parishioners in her new parishes will have to wait until the springtime, though, to welcome the new incumbent and her husband, Richard. “It’ll be after Easter before we move to Leckpatrick,” she confirmed this morning. “I’m really looking forward to it. I know that ministry in rural Tyrone will be very different from an urban parish like Clooney, but the challenge excites me.

“The good news is we have an amazing story and message to proclaim,” Rev’d Cotter said, “and I can’t wait to share it with the congregations in St Patrick’s and St John’s — and in the wider communities in both parishes.

“Obviously, I’ll be sad to leave All Saints’. I’ve made many new friends there and I’ve been blessed to serve with Canon [David] McBeth. He has a great pastoral heart and I’ve learned so much from him. I look forward to putting all that teaching into practice as a Rector.”

Rev’d Cotter was born and baptised in Lisburn, and spent part of her childhood in Finaghy. A former Sunday School teacher, she attended St Patrick’s Church in Ballymena following her marriage to Richard.

Andrea hopes, through her ministry, to encourage people to use their gifts and build up the community of faith, and to reach out into the community to show Christ’s love and peace to all. She is “passionate”, she says, about encouraging young people to come and get involved in church life, and also feels strongly about hospitality and welcome in churches.

Politicians from the four main parties on Derry City and Strabane District Council attended the official launch, this afternoon, of a new public realm scheme at All Saints’ Church, Clooney by the Mayor, Cllr Patricia Logue.

Congratulating the various partners, the Mayor also thanked the Department for Communities, without whose funding — she said — the scheme would not have been possible.

The landscaping project — which was developed in partnership by the church, the local community and the Council — allows for public access to part of the church site, in which one of the city’s historical treasures, the Clooney Cannon (a relic of the Crimean War’), is displayed.

The idea for the scheme arose from a conversation between the DUP peer, Lord Hay, and the chairman of Bonds Street Community Association, Lloyd Magee, six or seven years ago. The pair contacted the Rector of All Saints’, Clooney, Rev Canon David McBeth, Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Regeneration Manager, Tony Monaghan, and Shona Campbell from the Council’s Regeneration Section, and between them the project was brought to fruition.

The result is a new paved area on Clooney Terrace, and an attractive display space open to passers-by, which allows them to see and touch the Crimean War cannon.

Speaking at the event in All Saints Church, Canon McBeth said the cannon was a war ‘treasure’, but it also reminded people of the sadness and destruction that war brings. “We see that clearly now,” he said, “on our screens, in the conflict between Palestine and Israel, and the war in Ukraine. We see that in the conflict here, in our own community. But we want this [space] to be a place where people can come together, and a sit together, and show the love of Christ to one another, and help and support one another.”

Mr Magee spoke to those present about the evolution of the project, from the idea’s initial conception right through to its launch. Mr Monaghan gave a short and informative presentation about the project’s development, including the various problems it had to overcome, such as the relocation of an electricity sub-station and, of course, the recent Covid pandemic. The launch concluded with a talk by local historian Mark Lusby about the significance of the site on which the church itself was built.

After photographs, clergy, politicians, Council officials and members of the local community enjoyed a light lunch together in the church building.

St Columb’s Cathedral’s second Christmas Tree Festival was officially opened on Friday evening (17th November 2023) by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, at an enchanting Opening Ceremony. The evening began with members of Londonderry Musical Society (LMS) — dressed in Victorian costume — welcoming members of the congregation as they entered the porch.

Among those who arrived to enjoy the festival opening was the Deputy Mayor of Derry Coty and Stranane Council, Cllr Jason Barr, who brought his young daughter.

The three clergy who officiated at the launch were the Dean of Derry, Very Rev Raymond Stewart, Rev Canon John Merrick and Bishop Andrew. Members of the Cathedral Choir and The Parish of Templemore’s Girls’ Choir provided music for the occasion, along with organists Nicky Morton and Louis Fields, and under the direction of Dr Derek Collins.

The evening began with only dim lighting in the church. Soon after the ceremony started, though, Bishop Andrew enlisted the congregation’s help in a count-down, after which the cathedral’s lights – and those on the many trees – were switched on together.

The ceremony began with the Cathedral in darkness. Ladies from the LMS, some carrying lanterns, processed into the nave, taking their seats near the front of the church. They were followed by members of the Cathedral Choir and the clergy.

Among the hymns sung this evening were ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ and ‘In the bleak mid-winter’.

The Christmas Tree Festival will continue until Thursday 21st December. The opening hours are 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday (until 1st December); after that date, trees can be viewed from 10am-5pm Wednesday to Saturday (right up until 21st December).

Leaders of the four main Churches in Londonderry took part in a joint Act of Remembrance at The War Memorial, in The Diamond on Sunday morning. The annual event is held on the Sunday nearest Armistice Day to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for freedom in the two World Wars and in more recent conflicts.

This morning’s Service was led by the Pastoral Assistant at St Columb’s Cathedral, Rev Canon John Merrick, who was joined by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster; the Bishop of Derry, Most Rev Dr Donal McKeown; the Minister of First Derry Presbyterian Church, Rev Colin Jones; and the Chairperson of the NW Methodist Mission, Rev Dr Stephen Skuce. All five clergymen led those present in prayer.

Soft rain fell throughout the event, during which wreaths were laid by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry, Mr Ian Crowe MBE DL; political and civic dignitaries; and representatives of various policing and military services.

The Britannia and William King Bands provided music for the ceremony, including a rendition of the National Anthem, and there was a poignant playing of The Last Post by a solitary bugler.

The event in the Diamond was followed by a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at St Columb’s Cathedral.

Members of Dunnalong Parish Church in Bready gathered on Saturday morning – Armistice Day – for an Act of Remembrance of those who gave their lives for freedom in last century’s two World Wars and in more recent conflicts. A two-minute silence was observed and wreaths were laid during a short Service, which was led by Rev Arthur Burns.

This weekend, Dunnalong is one of a number of Church of Ireland parishes in the Diocese holding festivals of remembrance. Camus-Juxta-Bann (Macosquin) and Tamlaghtfinlagan (Ballykelly) are also hosting exhibitions, holding special church services, and organising Acts of Remembrance.

The three-day festival in Dunnalong includes a display of wartime and Troubles-related memorabilia. Among its most striking exhibits are a S.E.F.F. memorial quilt bearing the names of dozens of people (members of the security forces and civilians) who lost their lives in the Troubles, and a ‘giant poppy net’ comprising 3,000 handcrafted flowers. Two members of Leckpatrick & Dunnalong MU, Ruby Hamilton and Jean Olphert, mustered the support of colleagues and friends to knit the poppies. 

The festival will end on Sunday evening with a Special Remembrance Service, at 7.30pm, during which Bishop Andrew will preach the sermon.

Rapturous applause greeted the end of pianist Ruth McGinley’s performance as she concluded the inaugural concert in the CCCMSP Group of Parishes’ new series of ‘Christ Church First Wednesday Recitals’ series.

Ruth is a world renowned pianist and around one hundred people were in Christ Church on Wednesday 1st November 2023 to enjoy a programme which ranged from compositions by Rachmaninoff and Philip Glass, through to Mary Lou Williams’ ‘What’s Your Story, Morning Glory?’ and a track from Ruth’s latest album, ‘Aura’.

CCCMSP’s new Recital Ministry comprises a dozen concerts in Christ Church, Derry – on the first Wednesday of each month – all of which will be free to attend. The next event, on Wednesday 6th December, will feature the U3A choir.

Bishop Andrew was in County Donegal, on Thursday morning (October 26th 2023), to bless the new extension to Robertson National School in Stranorlar. The building was decked out in bunting and balloons as the school also celebrated its 60th birthday.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed jointly by Mrs Bonnie Oliver and local T.D. Joe Mc Hugh who, four years ago – when he was Minister for Education & Skills – announced the extension to the building.

Bishop Andrew was accompanied by the Rev Mervyn Peoples who has been pastoring to the Stranorlar Group of Parishes since the departure of the Rector, Rev Adam Pullen.

The entire staff and student body gathered outside, at the front of the building, as the Bishop led them in prayers asking God to bless all present and to bless the new extension. “May our children grow in wisdom and grace before you and all your people,” Bishop Andrew prayed. “May this school always be a home of truth and wisdom, of faith and goodwill towards all, and may this school help our community and build your kingdom of justice and light and peace.

“Almighty God, we give you our school, we give you all the teachers and staff who work here, we give you all the children who study here. We pray our school will be a place of great discovery and adventure and creativity. May it be a place where we love to learn and learn to love, a place where everyone is respected and all are deeply valued.”

Robertson National School was built in 1963 to replace the old school on Main Street, Stranorlar (where Andie’s Superstore is now). The school is under Church of Ireland management but welcomes all faiths and none

The building was first extended in 2007 to include two new classrooms. The grounds were updated in 2009 to provide a soft play area and ball courts. In the latest extension, a further classroom, a new office and SET rooms have been added.