19.10.2017
One World, One God – Children at Diocesan Schools Service Learn of Global Connections
About 500 children from all over Dublin & Glendalough filled Christ Church Cathedral this morning (Thursday October 19) for the annual Diocesan Service for Primary and Junior Schools. The theme of this year’s service was ‘One World, One God’ and the children were reminded that they are part of the wider Anglican Communion and that children around the world worship and praise the same God as they do.
Archbishop Michael Jackson presided at the service and Dean Dermot Dunne welcomed the school pupils to the cathedral. The service was led by the Revd Eugene Griffin who also gave the address along with the Revd Cathy Hallissey. Also present were representatives from the wider world of education.
During the service, video greetings to the children in Dublin from church schools in Beirut and Cork and from Kill O’ the Grange Sunday Club were shown to illustrate the connection between them and children locally, nationally and internationally in the Anglican Communion. The Revd Eugene Griffin explained that God never forgets about them and that they are unique in his eyes.
The Revd Cathy Hallissey assured the children that God could see them all as they were, despite all the layers the world put on them. She added that God asks us all to see the people around us the way he sees us – as hidden treasures.
During the service children from Alexandra College, Carysfort NS in Arklow, Chapelizod NS, Glasnevin NS, Holmpatrick NS, North Strand NS, St Saviour’s NS, Rathmichael NS, Taney NS, St Patrick’s Choir School and St Maelruain’s NS read from Scripture. Children from Blessington No 1 School led the Confession while the Collect was led by a pupil from Jonathan Swift NS in Dunlavin. Children from St Francis’ NS in Newcastle read the Psalm. The Creed was led by children from Springdale NS and All Saints’ NS, Primrose Hill NS, St Catherine’s NS, St John’s NS and Whitechurch NS led the Litany. Pupils from St Andrew’s NS in Lucan, St George’s NS in Balbriggan and the Burrow NS in Swords took part in the Samba band session and more music was provided by the Sandford NS Choir who won the inaugural Dublin & Glendalough National Schools Choir Competition in April. The collection, which was in aid of the Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice, was taken up by pupils from the Glebe NS and Kilternan NS.
The annual service is organised by a committee set up by the Diocesan Board of Education.
