The latest issue of Search: A Church of Ireland Journal, which is edited by the Dean of Raphoe, the Very Rev Dr Stephen White, has as its general theme literature and its relationship to the spiritual life and devotion.
Frank Kastor and Canon William Marshall provide complementary appraisals of C.S. Lewis in this his centenary year. Dr. Marshall is as incisive and thoughtful as his readers have come to expect while Prof Kastor, writing from an American perspective, sheds light on matters which those closer to home might not notice, such as the uncanny geographical resemblance of Narnia to certain parts of Ulster.
Prof Terence Brown, from Trinity College, Dublin, offers an examination of Samuel Beckett's approach to religion which is at once revealing as far as Beckett and his work is concerned and a far-reaching critique of the church into which he was born. Alongside this, the editor has provided a brief assessment of Iris Murdoch's contribution to metaphysics and ethics and consequent challenge to Christianity. Finally Ms Eve McAuley and Prof George Dawson have written on aspects of Trinity College Chapel which this year has been celebrating the bicentenary of the present building and the 25th anniversary of its use as an ecumenical centre of worship.
The former discusses the chapel's foundation and its enduring spiritual impact expressed through its architecture, while the latter reflects on the implications of the momentous decision to open the chapel to Christians of all traditions.
Details of Search, and subscriptions to it, may be had from the R.E. Resource Centre, Holy Trinity Church, Rathmines, Dublin 6.
Today in Galway, a garden fete in aid of St. Nicholas's Collegiate Church will be held at the Rectory, Taylor's Hill.
Tomorrow BBC Radio Ulster will broadcast morning service, conducted by the Rev Frances Bach, from St Cedma's Church, Larne, where the preacher will be Mr Ronnie Briggs of CMSI. In the evening the choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin will give a summer concert in St Patrick's Church, Greystones.
An ecumenical service to commemorate the United Irishmen of 1798 will be held in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, at 3.15 p.m. The President and the Taoiseach will attend and the lessons will be read by Mrs McAleese, Mr Justice Liam Hamilton and Lieut-Gen Gerry McMahon, Chief-of-Staff.
Addresses will be given by Dr John Dunlop, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, and Prof Joe Lee of University College, Cork.
There will be ordinations to the diaconate in the dioceses of Down, Connor and Cork. The Bishop of Down and Dromore will ordain Ian Berry, Nicholas Dark, Paul Lyons, Chris Matchett and Richard Treacy to serve in Bangor, Ballyholme, Banbridge, Ballinafeigh and Hillsborough respectively, while the Bishop of Connor will ordain Peter ColeBaker for Ballywillan, Brian Crowe for Ballynure and Billy Quigley for Ballymoney. In St Fin Barre's Cathedral the Bishop of Cork will ordain Richard Dadswell to serve in the cathedral parish.
On Tuesday evening the Trinity College Chapel Choir will give a concert of sacred music in the College Chapel before travelling to Germany to sing in the University of Heidelberg, while on Friday there will be a concert of midsummer music in St Mobhi's Church, Glasnevin, at which the Christ Church Cathedral Ringers will give the first public performance on the first miniature ring of bells in Ireland.
The Down and Dromore Diocesan Synod will be held on Friday in Bangor College of Further Education while in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, the lunchtime recital will be given by Derry-born Mr Stephen Mailey who is the current Christ Church organ scholar.