Lauren Harte – Page 36 – St George’s Church Belfast

All welcome to join St George’s Mission 2016

Preparations are well advanced now for our mission from 10th – 18th September. The mission will commence with a welcome service on Saturday 10th with introductions to the mission team from the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield.

The team will be formally commissioned by Archbishop Alan Harper on Sunday 11th at our Parish Eucharist, and there will be a mission service that evening at 7.30pm. Throughout the week there will be teaching sessions at 10.30am – noon and an evening service at 7.30pm, with events for children on the afternoon of Saturday 17th.

Put the dates in your diary, and invite your friends to join us too.

Parish Mission Week at St George’s this September

As part of our Bicentenary celebrations we will be holding a mission from Saturday 10th September – Sunday 18th September.

The Mission will be led by a team from the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield, Yorkshire. The team will be led by Fr John Gribben CR, and five students from the community will assist him.

The week of events will have the theme ‘Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever’. It will comprise of morning sessions from Monday 12th – Saturday 17th September at 10.30am (11am on Wednesday 14th) and evening services Sunday 11th – Friday 16th at 7.30pm. Put the dates in your diary now and we will publish further details soon.

St George’s Parish Choir on tour in Edinburgh

St George's Parish Choir and Director of Music David Falconer during their recent visit to Edinburgh — St George’s Parish Choir and Director of Music, David Falconer during their recent visit to Edinburgh

Our Parish Choir recently enjoyed a very successful tour of Edinburgh. They sang at St Giles’ Cathedral, Old St Paul’s and St John’s Church. The tour had a packed programme but their trip included the opportunity to see some of the sights and enjoy a wonderful city.

Bicentenary concert ‘From Morley to Mawby’

On June 25th, at 7:30pm St George’s Parish Choir hosted its Bicentenary concert ‘From Morley to Mawby’ featuring the trebles and gentlemen of the parish choir and the new probationers. The programme spanned 500 years and included a short harp recital from the Bunting Collection (he was the first organist of St George’s). Colin Mawby was present on the night for the premiere of his commissioned work, ‘Praise the God that dwellest’.

Celebrations mark 200 years of St George’s in Belfast

Pictured after the Bicentenary Service are our Curate, William Odling Smee, Bishop Alan Abernethy, the Archbishop of Armagh Dr Richard Clarke and the Rector, Rev Brian Stewart.

The Bicentenary Service on Thursday, 16th June was a lovely occasion with a large attendance of almost 250 people and around 30 clergy. It was good to see the nave of the church full for the Choral Eucharist and to hear the wonderful singing of the choir, under the direction of David Falconer and assisted by organist, Mark McGrath who performed Parry’s anthem ‘I Was Glad’.

The Archbishop of Armagh Dr Richard Clarke preached a challenging sermon, not only giving thanks for all that has been over the last 200 years but also encouraging us to look forward and to continue and expand our witness and mission in the heart of Belfast.

The service was recorded by BBC Radio Ulster and an edited version was broadcast on Morning Service on Sunday, 19th June. A link to the service is available here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07gmymc

Fr Brian marks 25th anniversary of his ordination

Mark Wardil, Rector's Churchwarden presents Fr Brian with gifts to mark the occasion — Mark Wardil, Rector’s Churchwarden presents Fr Brian with gifts to mark the occasion

In June, St George’s celebrated our Bicentenary. We also marked another significant anniversary as our Rector, Rev Brian Stewart celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination as a deacon.

He has spent nearly 22 years of those as our Rector and we give thanks for his ministry and friendship over these years and wish him many more.

Fr Brian was presented with a beautiful all-season stole and three books on liturgy on behalf of the Select Vestry and Parish.

Thank you Fr Brian for all that you do.