A new cycle of the Certificate in Pastoral Studies in the Braemor Institute begins next month. The course is filling up and those who intend to enroll for the forthcoming academic year should do so without delay.
The course is part-time and runs for two years under the direction of the Director of Extra Mural Studies, the Rev Tom Gordon. Each year is composed of eight or nine sessions per term and takes place on Thursday evenings, with an additional study day on a Saturday in each term.
The programme addresses some of the key issues in contemporary society - bereavement, family dynamics, human sexuality, spirituality, HIV/AIDS, addiction, education, the church and society. These topics are explored through teaching by specialist lecturers and through the insights which participants bring to the programme. The validation of participants' own experiences is an important part of the course.
The course is ecumenical in nature and open to adults of all Christian traditions. Details from the Braemor Institute, Church of Ireland Theological College, Braemor Park, Dublin 14: Telephone: 01492 3695; fax: 01492 3082; email: tgordon@tcd.ie
This evening, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, will institute the Rev Paul Houston, formerly rector of Cranalea in the Diocese of Down, to the incumbency of Clondalkin and Rathcoole.
The Bishop of Meath and Kildare, Dr Richard Clarke, will speak on "Critical Issues Facing the Churches" at the Glencree summer school which has as its theme "Towards Common Citizenship".
At 7.30 p.m. in St Werburgh's Church, Dublin, the London choir Pegasus will give a concert of sacred music which will include a complete performance of Faure's Requiem. Earlier they will sing Evensong in Christ Church Cathedral, where they will sing the services tomorrow.
Tomorrow, RTE will broadcast Morning Service conducted by Canon Houston McKelvey, secretary to the Board of Education, Northern Ireland, while the Bishop of Tuam, Dr Richard Henderson, will visit Achill Island.
In St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork, where the Dean, Dr Michael Jackson, has reintroduced a BCP Matins on the "fifth Sunday" of the month, the preacher will be Canon Peter Rhys Thomas, diocesan information officer.
In St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, the services will be sung by the choir of Coventry Cathedral, while in the Chapel of Trinity College, Dublin, there will be a celebration of the Eucharist for the TCD Association and Trust when the celebrant and preacher will be the former Dean of Leighlin, the Very Rev Cecil Faull.
In Clonmacnoise, the final summer Eucharist for this year will be celebrated in Templeconnor Church at 4 p.m.
On Monday evening, in St Peter's Church, Bandon, where the rector is Canon Michael Burrows, there will be a Festival Eucharist to mark the 150th anniversary of the consecration of the building. The Bishop of Cork, the Rt Rev Paul Conton, will preside and the preacher will be the Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, the Rt Rev Edward Darling.
On Tuesday, the Bishop of Meath will institute the Rev Stephen Startup, from the Diocese of London, to the incumbency of Kells, and on Thursday the Bish op of Derry, Dr James Mehaffey, will institute the Rev Geoffrey Wilson, curate of Glendermott, to the incumbency of Camus-juxtaBann, Strabane.
The Provincial Conference of the Scottish Episcopal Church begins on Thursday in St Andrew's.