In recent years, the work of the Methodist Church in Killarney has seen a remarkable growth, and its building in the town, which for many years was open only during the tourist season, now houses a lively congregation every Sunday.
An extension to the building became necessary last year to house other activities. Some of the congregation live in Kenmare and a recent development has been the arrangement of a worship service in the adult education centre there.
The first service was led by the Rev Laurence Graham, of the Cork circuit, to which the Killarney church is linked. The Bantry fellowship gave its support to this, a new venture in co-operation.
Armagh's Methodist church is located in the centre of the city, on a site associated with the visits of John Wesley in the 18th century. For many years the members of the congregation have experienced difficulty in parking their cars nearby. The former ministers' residence on the same site, for a long time let to a tenant, recently became vacant, and the members of the church took the opportunity of redevelopment.
The building was renamed Wesley House and converted into offices, which are now occupied by the Youth Justice Agency. The ground around both buildings has been laid out as a car park.
The World Methodist Council was one of the first Christian communions to enter into dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church following the Second Vatican Council, and that dialogue has continued since 1967.
Recently, a delegation from the WMC visited the Vatican to meet Pope Benedict XVI. One of the members of the delegation was Ms Gillian Kingston, who is a member of the joint commission which conducts the dialogue.
The objectives of the visit were to renew commitment and further relations between the two bodies and to continue with theological discussion.
The Pope expressed his satisfaction that the WMC had associated itself with the joint declaration on the doctrine of justification signed by the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation seven years ago.
The annual celebration of the anniversary of the Dublin Central Mission will take place in the church at Lower Abbey Street tomorrow morning and evening and on Monday evening. The preacher at each of these events will be the president of the church, the Rev Desmond Bain, who is a former superintendent of the mission.
The Rev Frederick Munce has represented the Irish Methodist Church at an international consultation in Vienna on a Methodist approach to globalisation, war and peace. This gathering was arranged by the United Methodist Church, of which the church in Austria is a part.
Christian Aid has arranged a seminar on "Securing the Future: Conflict and Development" at the conference centre in the Marino Institute, Dublin, for Thursday March 9th. Participants will register at 9 am and the seminar will conclude at 4.30 pm.