WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE CARRICKFERGUS BOROUGH  CHURCH FORUM
 

"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you...
Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper"' (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

CARRICKFERGUS (Organised by CBCF) 

Next Meeting:
Date: Tuesday 14th February 2011
Venue:  Gateway Church, Governors Place, Carrickfergus
Time: 8pm
 

GREENISLAND
(Organised monthly by Local Clergy)
Normally 1st Monday of month at 7.00 pm.
 
These meetings may be subject to variation. Please check with organisers each month.

 

Following last year’s excellent course on Understanding Sectarianism, Dr.Johnston McMaster and Dr Cathy Higgins will be leading us in a 6 week course on the theme:

'Revisioning God: Doing Anti-Sectarian Theology'

Six Session Course
on WEDNESDAYS
Wed 11th January 2012: Reading the Bible against Sectarianism.
Wed 18th January 2012: Requiem for a Violent God.
Wed 25th January 2012: “Many are called, few are chosen” how odd of God to choose!
Wed 1st Feb 2012: Saved and satisfied!
Wed 8th Feb 2012: Sacrament of Exclusion or Sacrament of Peace.
Wed 15th Feb 2012: God Beyond our Certainties: Unknowing God for the 21st Century.

At the heart of sectarian theology is a God-image, which has become warped and distorted. It is a violent God-image, which has more to do with the projection of our fear of the other and our fear-driven and violent responses to the other. One does not have to kill to be violent to the other or to make God in our violent, exclusive image. The bible itself has often been a sectarian weapon, highlighting the need to re-read the Bible against sectarianism. How we interpret can be a battlefield! Theologies of salvation and sacraments become exclusion orders, ensuring that the other remains 'other and outside'. These are well-intentioned theologies, which turn out to be far from innocent, with negative and destructive relational consequences. Perhaps we all need to be less sure! The course will attempt to do anti-sectarian theology.

11th January - 15th February 2012
7.30pm - 9.30pm
Dobbs Room, Town Hall, Carrickfergus

Cost: Waged £20, Unwaged £10

To book contact:  Helen Nicholson,  ISE,  683 Antrim Rd, Belfast.  Tel: 048 90775010

Course Facilitators:
Dr Johnston McMaster, Dr Cathy Higgins (ISE)
 

 
CLICK HERE FOR
 COURSE BROCHURE



 

CAP aims to show God’s love in action by providing sustainable poverty relief through debt counselling, advice and practical help. CAP’s unique ‘hands on’ approach empowers people to help themselves out of poverty and be released from the fear, oppression and worry generated by overwhelming debts. We are providing sustainable poverty relief as our service teaches clients vital budgeting skills that will last a lifetime.

NIMMA

'Supporting couples who are united in love across traditional Christian divisions: and promoting acceptance
 of these relationships within Northern Ireland society'

"Few of us can escape being prejudiced, due to both our family and societal upbringing and our need to belong to a group” (Fitzduff, 1988)."

Hosted by:
St Nicholas' Catholic Church,
Minorca Place, Carrickfergus (Opposite entrance to Tescos)
 

Input from:
Steve Ames (Gateway Church, Carrickfergus)
Rev Mike McCann  (St Coleman's Church of Ireland, Carrickfergus)
Fr Tony Curran  (St Nicholas Catholic Church, Carrickfergus)

Everyone welcome.

Date:     Tuesday 21st June 2011 (incorporating AGM)
Venue:  Town Hall, Dobbs Room, Carrickfergus
Time:     8pm.
Speaker: Laura Coulter (Healing Through Remembering)

Everyone most welcome!

"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you...
Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper"' (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

 

Course Description
The idea of good relations has been seductive or sleep inducing. We have found it easier to transfer attention to the relationship with ethnic minorities. The emerging problem of racism is serious and requires action. But the elephant in the room remains sectarianism and despite a real desire in the community to move forward into a more positive future, this remains a problem that holds us back. It is a problem that cannot be wished away and which requires our ongoing attention.

It is clear that there is a political and religious inability to deal with sectarianism. When the subject is addressed it is often in political and economic terms, and this is necessary. However, at the heart of sectarianism, is a deeper and even more serious issue - theology. Any accepted definition of sectarianism has religion as a foundational component and it is therefore a fundamental part of the problem. Despite this, too often the subject is explored without any significant attention being paid to its theological roots. To ignore these roots is to ignore the cultural power of theology which has shaped a community. This remains true, even though many in society have little or no connection to church life. One does not need a faith commitment to engage with sectarian theology or to practice it.

If theology is a fundamental element in the makeup of sectarianism, then people of faith need to move to a place beyond denial, complacency or a sense of powerlessness. The struggle is an ongoing one, but it is not hopeless. It is an issue that needs to be faced squarely and the church has an important role to play. By sharing responsibility for the problem; by gaining a better understanding and recognising it in all its subtly, sectarianism can be unseated from its too often unchallenged place in society and robbed of its power.

To this end, the course will explore in depth the respective Catholic and Protestant theologies which have had divisive and disastrous relational and political consequences - and it is consequences, not intentions that make theologies sectarian. The course will also explore useful faith expressions and local strategies for overcoming sectarianism.

 

(Click on image above for full brochure)
 

'OUTSIDE THE BOX'
Injecting new perspectives and encouraging new conversations
(Last Post Spring 2011)


February 2011: "Sunday Morning Shopping?" (Click here)

January 2011: "The Theological Roots of Sectarianism" (Click here)

April 2010: "A God Beyond Words"  (Click here)

March 2010: "St. Patrick and the Celtic church - a legacy to follow" (Click here)

January 2010: "What on Earth is Ecumenism?" (Click here)

December 2009: "The Advent of Rebellion" (Click here)

November 2009: "A Shared Remembrance?" (Click here)

September 2009: "Should we have an Arts Centre in Carrickfergus?" (Click here)



 

"Few of us can escape being prejudiced, due to both our family and societal upbringing and our need to belong to a group” (Fitzduff, 1988)."

There is no cost and there are no obligations. Simply by completing a membership form and forwarding it to the given return address, you will become a member and will be kept informed of up and coming events.  You will also be entitled to a vote at the forum's AGM (planned to be held in June 2009).  Simply click the link below; print out and complete the form and post it to the given return address.

Click here for a Membership Form (.doc)
Click here for a Membership Form (.pdf)


'CONNECT' NEWSLETTER
Click here for CONNECT- CHURCH FORA NEWSLETTER - WINTER 2009/10!   (PDF file format)

Click here for survey report on:
'What makes for good partnerships in Christian Community Action?'
(A survey carried out by Jeremy Sharpe in partnership with Faithworks and the Shaftesbury Society)

Everyone welcome.

CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANITY IN IRELAND (CCCI)
(Posted March 2010)

 

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR?
by Philip Orr
(Posted February 2009)

In 2008-9, the gulf between Christian churches and working-class communities has never been greater. Many ordinary people feel totally alienated from an institution that they think looks down upon them. Many churches are fearful of communities which give the appearance of being dominated by paramilitaries. Yet there are also a number of Christian activists who now commit themselves to living in and for working-class communities and breaking down the barriers that have grown much wider in recent decades. Philip Orr has written about this topic in his recent publication ‘New Loyalties – Christian faith and the Protestant working-class*’ You are invited to hear Philip talk about the findings in his book and the challenges facing Christians and communities, celebrating the good work already being done and asking if new approaches and attitudes are needed on all sides.     

Dates: Thursdays 8th and 15th January 2009

Time: 8pm

Venue: Church of the Nazerene, Oakfield Drive, Carrickfergus

Admission free

Organised by: Carrickfergus Borough Church Forum
Supported by Carrickfergus Community Relations

* Copies of book can be ordered from CCCI (helen.smith@contemporarychristianity.org,
Cost £9.99 
Tel:028 90325258

Jack Creighton, Chairman of the Carrickfergus Development Company and Billy Ashe, Coordinator of the Carrickfergus Community Forum
 

Carrickfergus Town Walls

 

Faith Based Peace III Programme for Carrickfergus, Antrim and Newtownabbey (CAN) area

LATEST REPORT FROM WILLIAMSON CONSULTING (August 2009)

From previous correspondence, you should be aware of the CAN Faith Based Programme. We have now completed the third and final workshop with Faith Based organisations (churches and ethnic minority organisations) and have developed an outline programme to be delivered under Peace III funding. The programme is largely the result of views expressed by representatives of the four main denominations at the workshops but also reflects discussions with smaller denominations and ethnic minority organisations. We would expect to copy the draft programme to you over the next week to ten days and would very much appreciate your comments. The document will also be made available on the Peace III Partnership website and on the website of some of the participating faith based organisations. We would be very grateful if you could make members of your organisations aware of this and encourage consideration and comment where appropriate.

The programme seeks to address sectarian and racist attitudes within churches and other faith based organisations in the area and presents some exciting opportunities for participation by members of your organisation/church. Those involved in the workshops recognise that church members and members of other faith based organisations are unlikely to be actively involved in sectarian or racist attacks, however it is believed that indifference and in some cases tacit acceptance of such attitudes and practice has supported an environment that make this possible. Accordingly workshop participants have concluded that the programme should directly target those within faith based organisations who, perhaps unknowingly, hold sectarian or racist views which have not to date been challenged. The programme will encompass Internet based fora, drama workshops, creative writing and opportunities for dialogue and shared learning with people from different religious traditions. The programme will seek to enable participants to accept and appreciate diversity and gain a better understanding of those who have different or similar beliefs. The programme will seek to complement and support existing activity by churches and other faith based organisations and it is hoped that it will encourage participation in any programmes offered at present by churches and others which seek to improve community relations.

This is your last opportunity to influence the development of the draft programme before it is made available to a wider audience and we would welcome any information comments or thoughts that you might have in relation to how this programme should be designed and delivered. You may provide comment at this stage or once the draft document is available by contacting Simon Taggart at Williamson Consulting - 9062 5511. Or by e-mail to simon@williamsonconsulting.co.uk or gillian@williamsonconsulting.co.uk.

Phone: 02890625511
Post: 244 Kingsway, Dunmurry, Belfast, BT17 9AE

Simon can be contacted for further information about this process.

CAN Peace III Website link

Transformations Ireland Prayer Conference 09
RAISING A CULTURE OF PRAYER
(Posted September 2009)
 

Venue: Christian Fellowship Church, Belmont Rd, Belfast
Dates:  Friday 23–Saturday 24 October

With:
Ian Cole from the World Prayer Centre Birmingham, UK.
Mike McClung from the Knoxville House of Prayer, USA.
Fr Mark-Ephrem the Benedictine Community, Holy Cross Monastery, Rostrevor.

Worship with Andy Rogers, Ian Hannah & Ryan Mitchell

Click here for Conference Brochure (pdf file)

"For many people, corporate prayer is often seen in terms of meetings, but we believe that God is calling forth a generation who will not just host prayer meetings, but will seek to establish a culture of prayer within a community. " 
(Margaret Clarke, Transformations Ireland) www.transformations-ireland.org

(Posted September 2009)

The 'Living with Diversity' programme‏ is designed to give youth leaders and individuals in a leadership role with youth and young adults additional skills in the area of coping with and embracing diversity.  The proposed dates are:

Click her for more details on Course Content (Word doc)

Monday 14 Sept, 2009
Monday 21 Sept,
Monday 28 Sept,
Monday 5 October, 
Monday 12 October,
Wednesday 21st October.

They are all day sessions taking place in Belfast.
The course fees for 6 places are being met by Carrickfergus Borough council .
Once we go beyond that the fees are £70 per person . Let me know if you are interested . We have 2 paid places left .

Contact:  Bob Loade, Tel: 028 93355890 or Mobile: 07766941422 or E-Mail:  Bob.l@carrickymca.org

 

Classes now being held in:
THE GASWORKS MUSEUM,  CARRICKFERGUS

For more information, visit School website: www.eatms.co.uk

Contact:
Martin Shane
Tel: 028 90853676 or 0797116595
Email: info@eatms.co.uk

Other emails:
Singing lessons - carol@eatms.co.uk
Guitar lessons - lee@eatms.co.uk
Bodhran lessons - mike@eatms.co.uk
Fiddle lessons - heidi@eatms.co.uk
Flute and Whistle lessons - martin@eatms.co.uk

Session nights held in the Gasworks on 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month.
See above website for dates and details.

A stated ambition of the School is to contribute significantly to the regeneration of the culture of playing traditional music in this area.   In particular the School hopes to address the mistaken notion among some within our communities that this aspect of our culture belongs to only one side of the religious and political divide.

 

HEALING THROUGH REMEMBERING
DAY OF PRIVATE REFLECTION - SUNDAY 21st JUNE 2009
(Posted May 2009)

A 15 minute audio-visual presentation

COME, SEE, REFLECT 

No talks
No Group Activities 

Venues:
2-30pm until 4-30pm
Gateway Church
Governor’s Place
Carrickfergus
 

7pm until 8-30pm
St Nicholas' Catholic Church
Minorca Place
Carickfergus

 

A Day of Private Reflection on ‘The Troubles’

The Carrickfergus Borough Church Forum responded to the invitation to provide space for private reflection on the conflict in and about Northern Ireland, euphemistically referred to as ‘the Troubles’.   This now annual event, takes place on 21st June each year.

The 'Day of Private Reflection' is set aside to acknowledge the deep hurt and pain caused by the conflict, and to allow time for reflection on personal attitudes, by asking “what more might I have done or might still do, to make sure that such loss should never be allowed to happen again?”

The event locally takes the form of a 15 minute audio-visual presentation running on a continual basis and members of the public are invited to avail of it on a drop-in basis.  There are no talks given and there are group activities, so its a case of come, see and reflect. 

The venue this year was in two local churches who kindly agreed to host the event.  In the afternoon from 2-30pm until 4-30pm members of the public were able to drop into the Gateway Church at Governors Place, Carrickfergus.  In the evening from 7pm until 8-30pm the presentation was repeated in St Nicholas’ Catholic Church, Minorca Place, Carrickfergus.

The Day of Private Reflection is an initiative of ‘Healing Through Remembering’, an extensive cross-community body, set up over the last six years to focus on the issue of dealing constructively with the past.  It is totally independent of government, political parties, the churches, and other groups. 

In line with the principles of the Healing through Remembering Project, the local presentation aims to be respectful of differing views, political aspirations and perspectives on the conflict and to encourage a positive and respectful way of reflecting on the past, that will be healing for the future. 

June 21st, the summer solstice; the longest day of the year, has historically been regarded as representing a pause in the cycle of nature, marking as it does, the change in the balance of relationship between the hours of dark and light.  As such it has been recognised as a most suitable time to reflect on the sensitive balance between the pain of the past and the hope for the future in our society.

See www.dayofreflection.com for more general information.

Also click her for Healing Through Remembering website
 

Comments from Carrickfergus
'Day of Private Reflection 2009'

“What a reminder of what went on and what could happen again.  Peacemaking must never stop!".

”Stirring memories and emotions - reminding me that we must all play our part for a peaceful tomorrow."

"So beautifully, powerfully and sensitively put together.  It will bear fruit.  Thank you for helping us to remember."

“Very powerful.  Took us back to those bad old days”.

“Memories of times we never want to live in again.  Thanks for the reminder."

"A sensitive and moving presentation.  Thank you to all the organisers."

"I hope and pray our young and future generations never have to experience anything like this again.  Very moving."

“Very sad, yet compelling”.

“Very painful and convincing”.

AGM


AGM

Click on link below to read the findings report:

THE FINDINGS REPORT  (a pdf  file)

CBCF hosted the third local 'Global Day of Prayer' on Pentecost Sunday, 31st May 2009.  This took place on the Castle Green, Carrickfergus at 3pm.

In 2006 thousands gathered in the Grounds of Parliament  Buildings at Stormont, on Penecost Sunday afternoon to take part in a 'Global Day of Prayer'.

Local united events were called for in 2007.  This was repeated in 2008.  Both events took place on the Castle Green, under the walls of Carrickfergus Castle. (See below.)

  


 
Click here Watch Dance Routine on YouTube

Click here for Report on Global Day of Prayer in Carrickfergus 2008 (Word doc)

See Global Day of Prayer Website




Click here for Photographs of the 2006 event.
Click here for Photographs of the the 2005 event
  

www.transformations-ireland.org

CHURCH LEADERS ISSUE  APPEAL
PASTORAL LETTER:  'TOGETHER FOR GOOD'
(Posted March 2009)

At a press conference on Thursday 12 March 2009, the leaders of the Church of Ireland, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, together with the Irish Council of Churches and Evangelical Alliance, asked churches this weekend to offer special prayers for 'our land and our people' and encouraged people to wear a purple ribbon as sign of commitment to working together for good.

We offer our sincere sympathy to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have been killed. We also assure those who have been injured of our prayers and continuing concern.

We commend our politicians for their resolute leadership, both in condemnation of the murders and their determination to draw the community together. We also offer our full support to the police service in their challenging work to make our communities safer places to live.

As Church Leaders, and in discussion with others, we are very aware that people want to do more and send a clear unambiguous message that we are one community united against anyone who wants to return to threat and violence rather than democracy and peace as a way forward.

We are therefore asking all our Churches to create opportunities for our people to send out a strong message of hope and determination to move forward together. It is particularly appropriate this Sunday, the closest to St Patrick's Day, that we offer special prayers for our land and people.

Each Church and community will naturally find a different way of doing this ­ some in the context of their normal services; some by creating special times and space for people to come together; some communities joining together with neighbours from other traditions. We are simply encouraging everyone to do something.

Some themes which may be helpful are:
Remembering those who have been bereaved and praying for the recovery of those injured. Giving thanks for how far we have come as a community. Asking for guidance for our politicians and community leaders. Giving thanks for the leadership skills of the PSNI and praying that they may carry out their work safely. Encouraging people to think and work for a better future and to speak and act for peace. We are also suggesting that, as a practical sign of our revulsion towards violence and our determination as one community to speak with one voice on this issue, people wear a purple ribbon or other item of purple clothing. Purple is associated with Lenten reflection and is offered as a strong outward symbol of people's commitment to working together for good."

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CHURCH LEADERS

The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions called on all workers to show their condemnation at the recent murders of Mark Quinsey, Patrick Azimkar and Stephen Carroll, by attending one of the silent protest rallies taking place on Wednesday 11 March 2009 at 1.00pm.

     


The main rallies took place at: Belfast City Hall; Londonderry Guildhall Square and Newry Town Hall.

 

CARRICKFERGUS BOROUGH CHURCH FORUM JOINS CCWA (NI)
(Posted March 2009)


Click image to visit CCWA website 


  Expressing belief in action .....


Carrickfergus Borough Church Forum is a registered member group of CCWA (NI)

Do you believe…

•  that humankind is created in the image and likeness of God?

•  that all are created equal in God’s sight?

•  that mission must start where people are and work with them in changing and celebrating their life with one another?

•  that building community is building the Kingdom?

•  that the Holy Spirit is working through individuals and communities?

•  that change is effected when people come together over common concerns and take action together in Church and community?

•  that Christians must stand alongside people enabling change?

•  that Jesus’ life, death and resurrection give us a model of ministry that inspires all that we try to do?

The click here to visit the CCWA website  for more information.

WORSHIP WATCH
(Posted March 2009)

Space to wait in God's presence, led by different worship teams in Carrickfergus. 

Friday 27th March, 9pm to 12pm.
Venue Gateway Church, Governor Place.

Our free and confidential services still include: pregnancy testing crisis pregnancy support miscarriage and stillbirth support post abortion support programs sexual health education for schools & youth groups

All our services are provided by trained Christian volunteers from various local churches and are open to women and their partners or families affected by the circumstance.

We undertook the move and name change so that we could promote our services to the borough in a more upfront manner. Previously we were located in a shared building to help take away any stigma for women wishing to use our services but after much prayer and research we decided that being too discreet wasn’t offering women the chance to visit us. We now are in 22a High Street (beside Thomas Cook) and are the sole occupants of the building.

The reason I am writing to you is to ask that your organisation would consider supporting us financially. I know you aware costs are rising and voluntary organisations suffer significantly in these times of financial strain but we believe that God has established here and that the work must carry on.

Women from all walks of life both inside and outside of the Church suffer due to pregnancy related issues and seeing them come through our doors shows us that there is a great need to show the love of Christ to all.

Will you partner with us and contribute finances monthly? Doing this not only sows your organisation into the heart of reaching broken women but also gives you the opportunity to be part of the management committee by sending along a representative to meetings. Meetings are held bi-monthly and are set up to discuss future projects and day to day running of the centre.

Thanks for taking the time to read this letter and I pray that God blesses you and your congregation.

Yours in His name,

Lynn Duff
Centre co-ordinator

 

22a High Street,
Carrickfergus
BT38 7AF
02893 329997

 talk@thepregnancyresourcecentre.co.uk

CARRICKFERGUS BOROUGH CHURCH FORUM LAUNCH
(Posted February 2009)

Initiated by the Carrickfergus Borough Council Good Relations Department, the official launch off the Carrickfergus Borough Church Forum (cbcf), took place on Thursday 2nd October 2008. 

The Carrickfergus Borough Church Forum seeks to "promote good relations, tolerance, trust and respect for diversity, within the local church and wider community.  It wishes to encourage a spirit of openness, acceptance and reconciliation, while seeking to actively respond on matters of spiritual and social concern in the community". 

             

ABOVE: Mr David Hunter, Good Relations Officer for Carrickfergus Borough Council, introduces the speakers at the launch of the Forum Carrickfergus Borough Church Forum. 

Invited speakers included, from left to right,  Pastor Gordon Graham (Larne Elim),  Fr Paul Symonds (Ballymena parish), 
Mr Billy Ashe (Carrick Community Forum),  Dr Johnston McMaster (Irish School of Ecumenics).
 

There is no cost and there are no obligations. Simply by completing a membership form and forwarding it to the given return address, you will become a member and will be kept informed of up and coming events.  You will also be entitled to a vote at the forum's AGM (planned to be held in June 2009).  Simply click the link below; print out and complete the form and post it to the given return address.

Click here for a Membership Form (.doc)
Click here for a Membership Form (.pdf)


NORTHERN IRELAND CHURCH FORA NEWSLETTER
Click here for CONNECT- CHURCH FORA NEWSLETTER - WINTER 2008/09!   (PDF file format)
Click here for CONNECT NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008  (PDF file format)

Click here for survey report on:
'What makes for good partnerships in Christian Community Action?'
(A survey carried out by Jeremy Sharpe in partnership with Faithworks and the Shaftesbury Society)

'HOPE'
(Posted February 2009)

Click here for HOPE 2008 website

CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN INTEGRATED SCHOOLS
(Posted March 2009)

This is the report of a research study into the relationship between the churches and integrated schools and the approach to Christian ethos within integrated schools in Northern Ireland.

The research was initiated by All Children Together (ACT), commissioned by the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) and funded through the Integrated Education Fund (IEF). 

Independent researchers Macaulay Associates carried out the research between September 2007 and June 2008.

Click here to download report  (PDF document)

What is Christian Ecology Link ?

Christian Ecology Link:
Offers insights into ecology and the environment to Christian people and churches.
Offers Christian insights to the Green movement.
Works for a Greener Church.

 We are responsible for our impact on God's creation as a whole. CEL helps members to understand and relate these responsibilities to their faith. Members can then encourage others in their local church to think seriously about these issues.

Contact:
CEL Information Officer: 3, Bond Street, Lancaster, LA1 3ER, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1524 33858
Email: info@christian-ecology.org.uk

Check out the amazing resources at:
Christian Ecology Link Website

SUNDAY SEQUENCE
(Posted February 2009)

   William Crawley and his guests debate the week's religious and ethical news
 Click here

CARRICKFERGUS COMMUNITY FORUM
(Posted February 2009)

Carrickfergus Borough Church Forum is registered with the Carrickfergus Community Forum. 

Benefits of membership include:- Free membership; Funding Advice/Sources; Administration support (photocopying, IT facilities etc.); Regular Mailing/Monthly Newsletter; Information Sharing; Training Courses/Workshops; Community Site Visits; Leadership Development.

Visit www.carrickferguscommunityforum.co.uk