18.02.2015
Christ Church Service Marks First Day of Prayer for Young People
A moving and reflective service of prayer for young people in Ireland took place in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, yesterday evening (Tuesday February 17). The experimental service was the first of its kind and was part of an island–wide Day of Prayer for Young People which was organised by the Church of Ireland Youth Department.
The low key liturgy was put together by the Revd Jack Kinkead, curate of Taney Parish and the Revd Abigail Sines and the Revd Alan Breen, deacon interns in St Paul’s, Glenageary and St Patrick’s, Greystones, respectively. Innovative prayer stations which provided focal points for prayer including homelessness, suicide amongst young people and a reflection on the cross, were dotted around the cathedral and assembled with the assistance of Claire Haworth. The music was provided by a worship band.
The address was given by the Revd Alan Breen who drew upon the reading from 1 Samuel 3:1–10. He said everyone needed people in their lives to point them in the direction of God. He asked if we lived in a world where it was rare for God to speak or if it was the case that we were not tuned into what God was saying. He added that church leaders had a responsibility to role model listening to God’s voice and the best way to do this was by getting to know his voice by spending time with him.
“We want young people to spend time with us because we bring the light of God. We want to be part of a church where people have visions and dreams of God. I think God speaks to us but we just have to tune into the frequency…We are called to pray for this generation, to bring our young people to God. Samuel did not know God but Eli pointed him in the direction of God,” he said.
The congregation was given an hour to visit each of the prayer stations around the cathedral during which they could reflect, write prayer requests and write or paint on a prayer wall. The service concluded with Holy Communion. It was followed by pancakes in the Crypt.
Photo captions:
Top – The Revd Alan Breen, the Revd Jack Kinkead and the Revd Abigail Sines.
Bottom – Claire Haworth at one of the prayer stations in the cathedral.