News
Two new Braemor Studies books on ‘Relational Church’ launched at CITI
The two new titles are A Theology of Vision: Its Pastoral Implications by the Revd Ian Horner (currently bishop’s curate in Baileborough, Co Cavan, in the Diocese of Kilmore) and Extending the Welcome: Hospitality in the Church by the Revd Caroline Farrar (part–time curate in Gorey, Co Wexford, in the Diocese of Ferns).
Volumes 5 and 6 in the series –both on relational themes of pastoral care and relationship building with the Church and wider community – were formally launched by the Revd Canon Dr Adrian Chatfield of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, at a reception in CITI on Wednesday 21 October 2015.
Dr Chatfield was welcomed warmly by the Director of CITI, the Revd Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, who also congratulated the authors and thanked Dr Susan Hood, Publications Officer at CIP and Series Editor, and all the staff at CITI and the RCB Library.
Ian Horner’s research identifies the nature and content of ‘vision’, the role it should play in the Church and its pastoral implications.
He writes, ‘This study attempts to understand the underlying principles of vision for the world–wide Church in general and for the Church of Ireland in particular. A very evident tension between vision based on models of thinking from the business world and vision based on theological ideas provides the central element of the discussion.’
Caroline Farrar’s work draws on her experiences as a deacon–intern in the Church of Ireland.
She says that hospitality is ‘a vital, but often overlooked, expression of ministry [which] underpins many basic human requirements, namely, food, shelter, inclusion, warmth, safety and love’.
She argues that today, whilst the relationship between church and society is undergoing significant change, ‘these basic human needs are still there and that the church must find new and innovative ways to respond to these needs’. She contends that ‘the ministry of “hospitality” is one way of re–connecting the church to the needs of those in their communities’.
Each new book is priced at €6 or £5. Copies are available directly from CITI, or from the Publications Officer susan.hood@rcbdub.org. In Northern Ireland, copies may be ordered from The Bookwell, see http://www.thebookwell.co.uk/braemor
For further information about all CIP publications, including those in the Braemor Series, see http://cip.ireland.anglican.org/NewSite/