The Irish Council of Churches has its annual meeting in the Methodist Church in Bray on 2nd April and I was proud to represent the Dublin Church. There were representatives from at least seven different Christian Traditions gathered together; and not one dissenting voice was heard for the entire day.
We began with a short Service of Worship; this was followed by a presentation by David Quinn of facts and figures relating to marriage in the Republic of Ireland. David Quinn represents the Iona Institute which is a non governmental agency for the support of marriage and religious practice. The presentation highlighted that marriage in Ireland has changed significantly in the last forty years; families are no longer Mum, Dad and a few children. The Church of Ireland Bishop of Kildare and Meath agreed that while a staple loving marriage is an ideal; that as Pastors our task was to Minister to all types of families in a loving and supportive way. He pointed out that where love exists marriage certificates are not all that important and that it is only in recent times that the Churches have concerned themselves with Legal Marriages.
Following a tasty lunch in the local hotel we broke into groups for workshops on Family Life and Suicide. There were some very lively and interesting discussions at the workshops. The day ended with the business of the Council, accounts were passed, new officers were appointed and the date was set for the 2009 meeting which will be held in Ballymena. The day ended with prayers and some very enthusiastic hymn singing.

Rev.Bridget Spain
Assistant Minister