In a lecture titled "Orangeism - A Presbyterian Perspective", given in the Whitehouse Presbyterian Church to more than 200 people, the Rev Brian Kennaway said: "Presbyterian leaders of the past who had any association with the Orange institution would scarcely recognise it today. The very public conflict and violence over parades (Garvaghy, for example) which have included attacks on the crown forces have had a negative effect on the relationship between Presbyterians of whatever hue and Orange institution."
In his wide-ranging, authoritative lecture, Mr Kennaway traced the relationship between the Presbyterian Church and the order since its founding in September 1795 in the "inn of James Sloan" after a victory by Orange boys over Catholic defenders at the Battle of the Diamond, a crossroads near Loughgall, Co Armagh.
Mr Kennaway's lecture was part of the Presbyterian Historical Society's programme of lectures for 2006. It will be published by the society later in the year.
Presbyterians and Methodists in Sandymount have met in a service to celebrate their union (under an alternating ministry scheme) to form the congregation of Christ Church, Sandymount, 30 years ago. The reverends Vanessa Wyse-Jackson and Donald Rodgers had a part in the service.
In the pamphlet Briefing, a product of the Church's United Appeal Board, the disbursing of £10 million for mission and general outreach is concisely stated. Support for 50 missionaries, some working in partnership with 20 churches on four continents, will require £2 million.
Work in Ireland requires support for 12 Irish mission workers and 30 deaconesses, as well as for courses of study for trainee ministers and a number of persons involved in leadership at the congregational level. Funding is also required for aiding congregational and inner-city outreach, and the development of youth and children's ministry through research, training and special events. Some £3 million will be given for this varied work.
Social action receives the biggest allocation of funds - £4.5 million - which will be used in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation programme in Carlisle House, Belfast. There will also be support for residential and nursing homes for the aged, and rehabilitation projects for vulnerable people of many kinds in society.
Much of this funding is raised from donations through the annual United Appeal. It is anticipated that £3 million will be raised this year. A substantial amount also accrues from bequests and investments. This praiseworthy social witness programme is carried on in association with health and social service trusts, housing associations and other statutory bodies which provide part funding.
Reflecting on the programme for 2006, the church's information officer writes: "It illustrates how seriously our church wants to follow Christ's command to tell the whole world about God's love."
A crescendo of affirmation of resurrection faith, in joyous statement, and praise, to climax tomorrow (Easter Day), has been the order of the week in most of the churches. This is praiseworthy. But it may not detract from the experience to view the Passion from another perspective, that of the celebrated Jewish scholar, Geza Vermes, editor of the Dead Sea Scrolls, making them available in English. In The Passion (Penguin paperback), Prof Vermes analyses the Passion narratives in the four Gospels, with their common elements and differences requiring reconciliation, if possible.