Hundreds of art-lovers have enjoyed their visit to Dunluce Parish Art & Photography Exhibition in recent weeks.  The annual Bushmills event was as popular as ever, with locals and visitors alike appreciating the talents of artists and photographers from across Northern Ireland.

Organisers were delighted with the quality and range of works on display and thanked the creative community for making the exhibition such a success – an impressive 39 works by 31 artists were sold over the course of the weekend.  They thanked the members of the public who attended the event, bought artworks, raffle tickets and refreshments and gave so generously to the nominated charity.

All proceeds after expenses go to charity and this year £3,350 (equivalent to €4,000) was raised for Bishops’ Appeal, which is currently supporting the work of Christian Aid on the ground in Myanmar after the disastrous earthquake there.

With thanks to Karen Bushby for report and David Johnston for photos.  A full gallery is available on the Diocese of Connor’s website here: https://connor.anglican.org/2025/05/22/art-lovers-flock-to-dunluce-as-exhibition-raises-3350-for-bishops-appeal

The following statement on the current situation in Gaza has been issued by Archbishop John McDowell and Archbishop Michael Jackson:

It is with outrage that we watch the desperation, dislocation, and defenceless resident population of Gaza who feel they have been abandoned by the world.

The international community must grasp reality and respond as never before. They can no longer stand by and watch the cruel starvation of innocent people, particularly the most vulnerable – children, older people and the ill – as well as the ongoing physical destruction of their lives and surroundings.

Amid the daily horror, the beacons of hope are the hospitals and the continuation of medical care, however rudimentary. This continues to point to the spirit of service at the heart of humanity.

In recent days we have seen another glimmer of hope from the resilient staff of Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City which is owned and run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. The hospital was bombed on Palm Sunday and has reopened, as its courageous staff pledged in the days after the attack. They are operating in a tent which was erected in place of their destroyed building and are treating the injured and sick as best they can, in what is by anyone’s reckoning a living wasteland, with whatever resources they have.

We pledge our continuing support for the work of Al Ahli and support the Diocese of Jerusalem as it seeks to find a way forward for the hospital.

We repeat our call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the influx of every kind of appropriate aid to alleviate starvation, injury and lack of shelter.

We acknowledge that many feel hopeless and powerless to change what is happening in Gaza. We pray that all those in positions of power globally will stand up and demand an end to this cruelty and seek the reinstitution of international law.

When Jesus speaks of parents offering their children bread and fish, he concludes as follows: “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you …” (St Matthew 7.12).  In that spirit, now is the moment for decisive action.

Following the devastating earthquake last Friday (28th March) in South East Asia in which over two thousand lives have been lost, the Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee is sending emergency assistance of €10,000 (currently equivalent to £8,400) to Christian Aid’s appeal for Myanmar.

Parishes and individuals are encouraged to donate directly to Christian Aid to ensure that what we can give reaches those affected as swiftly as possible.

Bishop Ferran Glenfield, who chairs Bishops’ Appeal, remarks: “Myanmar is one of the most closed countries in the world, and generally doesn’t welcome international aid, but the monstrous earthquake has presented an opportunity for organisations such as Christian Aid to offer help to those whose lives have been devastated.  Bishops’ Appeal always works with trusted partners on the ground and Christian Aid is one of those partners.”

Examples of aid are shared below to show how donations can make a direct difference:

• £10 / €12 could help fund access to safe drinking water.
• £20 / €24 could support a family to eat for a week by offering a food parcel of essentials such as oil and rice.
• £20 / €24 could buy hygiene supplies for a family of five for two weeks.
• £50 / €61 could buy a food parcel for a family of five.
• £140 / €170 could provide blankets, mattresses and alternative sources of heating material for a family of five.
• £200 / €240 could fund an emergency shelter for a family who’ve been made homeless.
• £1,000 / €1,200 could fund emergency shelters for five families who’ve been made homeless.
• £5,000 / €6,000 could buy food parcels for 100 families, meeting their urgent nutritional needs.
• £10,000 / €12,000 could provide vital cash assistance so that 70 families can access shelter, food and safe drinking water.

Donations can be made directly through the Christian Aid Ireland website at this link:
https://www.christianaid.ie/appeals/emergencies/myanmar-earthquake-appeal

Julie Mehigan, Christian Aid’s Head of Asia, Middle East and Europe, adds: “Even before this heartbreaking earthquake, we know conflict and displacement has left countless people in real need. Every prayer and every gift will bring hope to people hit by disaster.”

Christian Aid has shared the following prayer for Myanmar, to encourage intercession:

God, our strength and our refuge,
We pray to you for the people of Myanmar.
We hold in mind those who are injured or have been bereaved.
We ask your protection for everyone awaiting rescue.
May those who have lost homes and belongings be comforted.
May emergency workers and medical staff be safe as they pour their energy into saving the lives of others.
May the international community respond quickly to support those affected.
God, our strength and our refuge,
Be with our global neighbours today.
Amen.

Young people encouraged to raise money for South Sudan schools

Bishops’ Appeal and the Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) have teamed up to encourage all Church of Ireland youth groups / youth clubs / schools to take part in Pancakes and Prayer, a special initiative for Lent 2025, focussing on several schools in South Sudan within the Dioceses of Ibba and Maridi. The schools are all part of the Fields of Life Thrive Programme which helps every child to say: “I am educated, I am fed, I am safe and I am loved.”

We are asking young people and leaders throughout the Church of Ireland to pray throughout Lent for the students, teachers, and the wider communities of schools in South Sudan who are part of the Fields of Life Thrive programme. But also encouraging each group to run a special fundraising initiative at some point during this period – it could be a pancake party on or around Shrove Tuesday (4th March), or treats after church on Mothering Sunday (30th March), or simply to provide an opportunity for the young people to make a donation each time the group meets, in lieu of money they would normally spend on drinks or snacks.

Funds raised during Lent will go towards running school gardens, growing food to feed children during the school day.  Training in growing and protecting crops, equipment and seedlings are all part of what will be provided through the generosity of young people within the Church of Ireland.

Many of us choose to give up something for Lent – be it sweets, fizzy drinks or crisps and snacks.  The money we save, donated through Bishops’ Appeal to the schools in South Sudan, will enable children in South Sudan to be fed day after day, week after week and month after month.  Long after Lent ends the legacy will live on through the impact of our prayers and through our giving.

It costs a little over £8,000 per year (€10,000) to set up and maintain a school garden in a group of schools, feeding up to 3,500 children for a year at a cost of less than €3 per child or £2.50.  That’s not per child per day, but per year!  This is a project where a small amount of money can make a big difference – and where our prayers for safety, welfare and the protection and presence of our loving God can and will transform lives.

The Download pack will be available at www.ciyd.org and a link to donate – https://store.ireland.anglican.org/donations/donate?appeal=the-bishops-appeal&subappeal=Pancakes+%26+Prayer+Lent+2025

Then, each week, there will be new video clips on social media to encourage prayer, and further information about the project, running for the six weeks of Lent.  Whenever the group meets, midweek or on Sundays, we encourage you to take a few minutes to watch the latest video clip and to pray for the children and young people of South Sudan.