The disciple Bible Course, which began in Texas in 1986, was introduced to Ireland a few years ago and has been a great benefit to a number of our churches. As its title indicates, it aims to help participants become disciples through Bible study. A group normally consists of 12 people, and they have found it an excellent method of learning the Bible, and of relating its message to daily living. The courses normally run for 34 weeks, but can be done in two parts of 17 weeks. A training seminar for leaders of Disciple groups will be held in the Marino Institute of Education in Dublin from lunchtime on Tuesday, March 24th, to lunchtime on Thursday, March 26th. It will be conducted by the Rev C.J. Walter and the Rev David Range of Limerick.
At a United Peace Service in the Presbyterian Church in Cork last Sunday, many representatives of the city churches were present. The Rev Kenneth Todd, chairman of the Midlands and Southern District of the Methodist Church, paid tribute to the late Mr Hugh Coveney TD. He spoke of Mr Coveney's concern for, and accessibility to, all members of the community.
Tomorrow morning, the President of the Church, the Rev Dr Norman Taggart, will preach in the Clontarf and Sutton churches in Dublin, and in the evening he will be in north Tipperary. The latter circuit comprises Roscrea, Cloughjordan, Borrisokane and Shinrone. On Sunday, March 29th, he will visit Monkstown in the Newtownabbey Mission circuit, where the church is shared by Methodists and the Church of Ireland. In the evening he will preach at Glastry in the Ards Peninsula.
On Thursday, March 26th, the celebrations of Trinity College Chapel will continue when Prof John W. De Gruchy will lecture in the Ussher Theatre at the college. Prof De Gruchy teaches in the department of religious studies in the University of Cape Town, South Africa. His subject will be "Ah, but your land is beautiful! The Aesthetic Dimension in the Struggle for Justice and the Search for Peace."
The Irish Methodist Association of Youth Clubs holds its annual weekend in Derry from March 27th to 29th. Also on Friday, March 27th, the Dublin Central Mission is organising an evening conference on Alzheimer's Disease. This will take place in the new Mount Tabor Care Centre at Sandymount Green, and will begin at 5.30 p.m. Speakers include Dr Stephen Best, the Rev Dr Heather Morris and Ms Winifred Bligh.