This afternoon (9 April 2021) at 3.00pm a short Ecumenical Service will take place at Forthspring on the interface between Springfield Road and the Shankill Road in response to the recent riots and street violence across Belfast. There will be representation from the four largest denominations, including Bishop Noel Treanor (Diocese of Down and Connor), and it is also intended that after the short ecumenical service that these Church representatives will also walk down the Springfield Road, along Lanark Way and back to Forthspring.
Time: 3.00pm
Place: Forthspring, 373-375 Springfield Road, Belfast, BT12 7DG
Outline of the Ecumenical Service
- Introduction and Welcome by Rev Colin Duncan – Shankill and Woodvale Methodist Church
- Old Testament Reading by Rev Tracey McRoberts, Rector St Matthew’s Church, Woodvale
- Prayer of St Francis by Fr Tony Devlin, Parish Priest, St Paul’s Church, Falls Road
- New Testament Reading by Pastor Gordon McDade, Soul Space
- Prayers of Intercession by Fr Martin Graham, Administrator, St Peter’s Cathedral, Falls Road
- Reflection by Rev Jack Lamb, Townsend Street Presbyterian Church
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Concluding Grace
Following the Ecumenical Service, members of clergy taking part will walk (socially distant) in twos down the Springfield Road to Lanark Way to go through the gate onto the Shankill area of the city and make our way back to Forthspring via Workman Avenue.
In Attendance:
Rev Philip Agnew, North East District Superintendent (Methodist)
Rev Jim Carson – Rector St Michael’s and St Stephen’s (Church of Ireland)
Bishop George Davidson, Bishop of Connor Church of Ireland)
Rev Colin Duncan – Shankill and Woodvale Methodist Church
Fr Tony Devlin Parish Priest, St Paul’s Church, Falls Road (Roman Catholic)
Fr Martin Graham, Administrator, St Peter’s Cathedral, Falls Road (Roman Catholic)
Jon Judge, Youth with a Mission, (YWAM), Springfield Road
Rev Jack Lamb, Townsend Street Presbyterian Church
Fr Martin Magill, Parish Priest, St John The Evangelist, Falls Road (Roman Catholic)
Bishop David McClay, Bishop of Down and Dromore (Church of Ireland)
Pastor Gordon McDade, Soul Space, Springfield Road
Rev Tracey McRoberts, Rector St Matthew’s Church, Woodvale
Bishop Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor (Roman Catholic)
Sister Karen Webb, Church Army Connect Base, Shankill Road (Church of Ireland)Bishop George Davidson, Bishop of Connor Church of Ireland)
