Perhaps the most avidly read publications which the Church of Ireland produces are its parish and diocesan magazines and newsletters. Some are simple information sheets, while others are substantial magazines with colour illustrations and a considerable design input.
Some years ago the Church of Ireland Press Office instigated a competition for magazines with the aim of improving standards and fostering greater interest in production. This year's competition will have separate categories for diocesan and parish magazines. Judging criteria will be overall design and page layout, editorial content in relation to readership, and outreach potential.
Entry forms are available from the Press Office and should be accompanied by three editions of the magazine between April 2000 and March 2001. The closing date for the receipt of entries is today week and the prizes will be awarded at the General Synod in the O'Reilly Hall of University College Dublin, in May.
Today Affirming Catholicism Ireland will hold a Quiet Day in St Andrew's Church, Malahide, which will be conducted by the Rev Dr Norman Gamble, the convenor of the society. Entitled "Living with Christ Today" the proceedings will begin with Matins at 11.30 a.m. The Bishop of Tuam will conduct a retreat for the Meath and Kildare Mothers' Union.
Tomorrow, the Bishop of Cork will visit Castletownroche, while in St John's Church, Dartry, the Bishop of Clogher will preside at a memorial service for the late Rector of Ematris, Canon James Merry.
In St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, the Rev John McKegney, Rector of St Mark's, Armagh, will be installed as Prebendary of Tynan in the cathedral chapter.
At Evensong in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, tomorrow, the Lenten address on "A Time of Growth in Our Understanding of Ourselves" will be given by writer Ms Deirdre Purcell. Among the other Lenten speakers next week will be Canon Michael Kennedy, Rector of Lisnadill, who will preach in St Catherine's Church, Dublin, tomorrow evening, and Major Howard Sercombe, of the Salvation Army in Dublin, who will speak on "Discipleship in the World" in St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork, on Wednesday evening.
In Rathfarnham parish Church on Thursday evening Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, president of Focus Ireland, and Ms Ruth Handy, from the Irish Management Institute, will discuss "Consumerism - A Challenge to Faith".
On Monday evening, the a.g.m. of the Dublin and Glendalough Theology Circle will be held in the Theological College. The a.g.m. will be preceded by a celebration of the Eucharist by the Archbishop of Dublin and will be followed by a talk by the Rector of St Bartholomew's, the Rev William Ritchie, on "Beyond the Pyramids".
The Dublin and Glendalough Mothers' Union will host an information evening on Thursday in the Royal Hospital, Donnybrook. "Tell Me About It" will provide an opportunity to obtain advice from experts on a variety of issues of common concern - schizophrenia, cancer, meningitis, bereavement and victim support, adult literacy, adoption and much more.
On Friday evening, the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, the Rt Rev Kenneth Clarke, will institute the Rev Liz McElhinney as Rector of Calry. Mrs McElhiney was ordained in 1997 for the curacy of Magheralin, Co Down. In the crypt of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, at 7 p.m., theology graduate and artist Julanne Clark-Morris will present a slide and video installation entitled "Illuminations", which will also be on show on the following Saturday and Sunday.