Coming of Age

On Sunday 15th February 2009 the President of the denomination Joyce Ashworth visited Dublin in order to participate in the Coming of Age Service. The Coming of Age service was initiated to provide a marker and celebration for young members of the Congregation. It was felt that our young people deserved to have their own service to mark their growth from children to young adults. This year James Delany with his extended family joined together to celebrate this very special day in James’ life.

Preparations for James’ Coming of Age began some months earlier. James attended regular meetings where we discussed among other things, religious topics, other religions, the history of our denomination, we joined members of the Congregation to visit the Synagogue in Rathgar. A high point in the programme was a visit to the Nightingale Centre in Hucklow where James participated in Inter Weekend with about seventeen other young Unitarians from all parts of the U.K. James designed the Wayside Pulpit poster currently on display outside the Church. At the service on 15th James lit our chalice, selected and read the first reading, and most importantly read his own Credo. James was a lovely person to work with on the programme and we as a congregation are justifiably very proud of him.

Our celebrations on 15th were enhanced by having the Christening of Beta and Alex’s daughter Stela plus the fact that Pam Molony was there for us to wish her a happy 90th Birthday!! Any of these events would merit a party so on Sunday we had three excellent reasons for celebration and we did so in great style in the Damer Hall. Our thanks is due to the Catering Crew – Well done all!!!!

The Coming of Age Programme is for young people of about 13 years of age. If there are any parents whose children are coming to near this age and who would like them to participate in a future programme please let me know.

Rev Bridget Spain

UPDATE ON THE RESTORATION PROJECT, January 2009-01-06

The church restoration project continues into 2009. Having raised and spent over €750,000, one might think the restoration project should be drawing to a close. A lot has been done, certainly,and we’re extremely grateful to all those who have made, and continue to make, such generous contributions. While the majority of the work is now complete, there are some remaining items to be addressed, chief of which is the rewiring of sections of the building. This was listed on the original restoration plan, and the restoration committee has decided that the small amount remaining in the restoration account, along with further funds to be raised in 09, should be spent on this. We are also discussing the installation of some additional attractive and energy efficient lighting inside the church. The decision to restore the gargoyles has been altered somewhat to allow for the reconstruction of one gargoyle only (the most damaged one) for the time being. We are therefore asking those who are making regular contributions to continue doing so for the coming year, until the final work has been completed. There has been a suggestion that we might then consider creating a building maintenance fund so that future generations can keep the building in good condition. In the meantime, all donations, no matter how small, are welcome. Please email dnib@eircom.net for details of how to donate.

DUBLIN UNITARIAN CHURCH SUPPORTS FAIR TRADE

The Justice & Peace Group held a Fairtrade sale after church service oct. 19-08. More sales to come

The Fairtrade label guarantees that a product has been made or produced according to internationally agreed standards of manufacture, safety, and health standards. Workers who sell into Fairtrade receive a higher price than conventional sales and a guarantee of regular sales, plus an additional social premium to invest in the community. This enables them to achieve higher standards of living in many ways. This is why Fairtrade products are a little more expensive than others, as market share is still small, though growing quickly. There are now 58 countries producing a wide range of goods, from the original coffee, tea, and mouthwatering chocolate, to gorgeous fruits & juices, rice, pastas, honey, jams, seeds, nuts, cereals, and of course fantastic and colourful clothing, crafts, cotton, toys, jewelry. These products are of the highest quality. See the Oxfam website www.oxfamireland.org for more listings!

By choosing Fairtrade products you can empower farmers and craft workers all over the world’s developing countries to help themselves and transform their communities.

Look for these products in your local shops and supermarkets, and in your work places. Many businesses have converted their canteens to fair-trade coffee, tea, and sugar, for a start. Ask for them if they are not there, and tell your friends about them.

There are now 60 Fairtrade Towns in Ireland and many Fairtrade parishes. DUBLIN UNITARIAN CHURCH, through its Justice and Peace Group, is on the way to becoming a Fairtrade Church. We provide Fairtrade tea, coffee, and sugar on Sundays and hold Fairtrade sales. Watch this space for new developments on the Fairtrade front!

For more information, see www.fairtrade.ie and check out our audio recording page for a podcast special interview with Peter Gaynor
Executive Director of Fairtrade Mark Ireland.