At the ‘Out of The Fire’ Festival Opening Service
in Lisburn Cathedral last Thursday evening (25th
October) are L to R: Mr Graeme Clarke (Rector’s
Warden), Rev Canon Percival Walker (Precentor), Rev
Ken McGrath (Lisburn Cathedral Vicar), The Very Rev
John Bond (Dean of Connor), Councillor James Tinsley
(Lisburn Mayor), Mrs Margaret Tinsley (Lisburn
Mayoress), Rev Canon Sam Wright (Lisburn Cathedral
Rector), Rev Canon William Bell (Eglantine Parish
Rector) Mr Alan Whyte (Dean’s Verger) and Mr John
Humes (People’s Warden).
Lisburn Cathedral is hosting a flower festival this week
(Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th October) marking 300 years since
the town was destroyed by fire. The four-day festival ‘Out of
the fire’ was officially opening by the Mayor of Lisburn,
Councillor James Tinsley during the ‘Out of The Fire’ Festival
Opening Service on Thursday evening at which the speaker was The
Dean of Connor, The Very Rev John Bond.
On Friday evening, the speaker at the Celebration Service will
be Mrs Margaret Crawford, All Ireland President of Mothers’
Union. At the Thanksgiving Service on Sunday morning the Bishop
of Connor, The Right Rev Alan Abernethy will speak on the theme
of Thanksgiving. A Praise Service on Sunday evening will
conclude the festival; the speaker will be Mr David Gough, CMSI
Mission Partner for Sudan and Egypt.
The floral arrangements, which will be on display each day, were
masterminded by the world-renowned Rev William McMillan with the
help of Ballymacash Flower Club. In addition, Mr McMillan and
his team will present a flower arranging demonstration on
Saturday afternoon in the Cathedral Hall. The many visitors
viewing the magnificent floral displays will be able to enjoy
morning coffee, lunches and afternoon tea, served in the
Cathedral’s new Coffee Lounge with its picturesque view of
Castle Gardens.
Funds raised are going to extensive church refurbishment work
and to help the people of Yei diocese in the south of Sudan to
build a new Primary School in Mongo. The people of southern
Sudan are themselves just emerging from the flames of conflict.
More Photographs & Your Guide to the Arrangements
Slide Show
Thanksgiving Service in Lisburn Cathedral The Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor James Tinsley and the Mayoress, Mrs Margaret Tinsley At the ‘Out of The Fire’ Festival Opening Service in Lisburn Cathedral last Thursday evening (25th October) Some members of Ballymacash Flower Club The Fire of Lisburn, 1707
Tribute to Huguenots and gardens of Sir Arthur Rawson THE VISIT OF THE WISE MEN THE TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS THE MIRACLE OF WATER AND WINE
At the last Sunday morning (28th October) are L to R: Paul Duggan, Rev Ken McGrath (Vicar), Karen Webb (Church Army), The Right Rev Alan Abernethy (Bishop of Connor), Heather Gibson (President of Ballymacash Flower Club) and the Rev Canon Sam Wright (Rector).
pictured at the ‘Out of the Fire’ display entitled ‘Tribute to Huguenots and gardens of Sir Arthur Rawson’ supported by Lisburn Historic Quarter, an initiative of Lisburn City Council. The photo was taken after the Mayor performed the official opening of the ‘Out of The Fire’ Festival during the Opening Service in Lisburn Cathedral last Thursday evening (25th October). are L to R: Rev Canon Sam Wright (Lisburn Cathedral Rector), Heather Gibson (President of Ballymacash Flower Club) and Councillor James Tinsley (Lisburn Mayor). pictured at the ‘Out of The Fire’ Festival Opening Service in Lisburn Cathedral last Thursday evening (25th October). L to R: Pat Bates, Kaye Somerville and Heather Gibson (President). At the Celebration Service in Lisburn Cathedral on Friday 26th October are L to R: Mrs Jean Hilland, Mrs Jean Hughes, Rev Canon Sam Wright, Mrs Paula Wright, Mrs Margaret Crawford (All Ireland President of Mothers’ Union) Mrs Adeline Tease, Mrs Mary McCormack and Mrs Suzanne Johnston. At the Celebration Service in Lisburn Cathedral on Friday 26th October are L to R: The Rev Canon Sam Wright, Mrs Margaret Crawford (All Ireland President of Mothers’ Union), Mrs Maeve Falconer and Mr David Falconer (Dromore Cathedral Organist). Pictured at the flower arranging demonstration in Lisburn Cathedral Hall on Saturday afternoon 27th October are L to R: Rev Canon Sam Wright (Lisburn Cathedral Rector), Rev William McMillan (Minister of First Presbyterian Church (Non Subscribing) Dunmurry), Heather Gibson (President of Ballymacash Flower Club), Ian McNeill (The Flower Shop, Whitehead), Joan Lockhart (Chelsea Flower Show medal winner and owner of Fleuriste Flowers, Finaghy) and Rev Ken McGrath (Lisburn Cathedral Vicar). Some of the splendid flower arrangements expertly prepared by the Rev William McMillan, Heather Gibson, Ian McNeill and Joan Lockhart in front of a capacity audience at the flower arranging demonstration in Lisburn Cathedral Hall last Saturday afternoon (27th October). Some of the many visitors who viewed the flower arrangements on display at the ‘Out of The Fire’ Flower Festival in Lisburn Cathedral on Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th October. Entering the porch you are reminded of the great fire of Lisburn which it is alleged began in the house of widow Walsh of Sluice Street. Many of the people of Lisburn were at church and few could have believed that a trivial fire could spread so quickly. A contemporary writer stated ‘it burnt with great fury along both sides of the street consuming every thing as it went’.
The cathedral register of the date states on the 20th day of April 1707 ‘the town of Lisburn with the church and castle were consumed by an accidental fire’. Floral material and suitable accessories seek to illustrate this tragedy
Again we have used red as a colour to decorate the font. This links with the major exhibit depicting the fire and reminds us of the baptism of fire and the baptism of the Holy Spirit
In 1697, William III invited Louis Crommellin to settle in Lisburn. He was soon followed by other Huguenot families and a French Settlement became connected with the Cathedral. ‘THE QUIET CONQUEST’, as their arrival has been called, is symbolised in the garden scenes on each side of the aisle as you enter the cathedral.
These exhibits also record the unique contribution to gardening in Europe made by Sir Arthur Rawdon or Roydons, a member of an old Norman family. Sir Arthur sent his gardener, James Harlow, to Jamaica to collect plants for a garden he was establishing in Moira. An astonishing collection of rare plants – over one thousand – were thus introduced to Ireland. They thrived in the amazing hot houses which Rawdon had built. He was soon able to send material to friends in England and to the great Botanical gardens in Leipzig, Uppsala, Chelsea and Oxford. Passing through this ultramodern screen of flowers, we begin our floral tribute to Jesus Christ ‘King and head of the Church’. The poverty of the manger is illustrated here, while Joseph and Mary are symbolised in the willow structures.
A stem of white Philaenopis is introduced to symbolise the Christ Child. Exotic flowers with suitable accessories tell of the visit of the Magi, as recorded by St Matthew.
A modern exhibit seeks to capture the story as recorded in the gospel according to St Luke in chapter 2. Here we have used strelitzia (birds of paradise) to illustrate the flight into Egypt, again suitable accessories emphasise the story. Christ’s temptation in the wilderness is illustrated in this ‘Desert Scene’. His agony is symbolised in the
gnarled wood. Our Lord illustrated his gospel message through parable and miracle. Here we seek to emphasise the event at the marriage at Cana in Gallilee. They put upon him a scarlet robe and scourged him before taking him out to die upon the Cross. This striking arrangement tells of Christ’s death upon the Cross. In the chancel are exhibits to remind us of the glory of the resurrection. They are worked in colours to highlight the great east window. The modern banner has inspired an ultra-modern replica in dried plant materials and wire.
We invite you to sit in the cathedral and contemplate the saving power of him whom we seek to honour in this festival of flowers. One, who was crucified, died and buried, but is alive for evermore. His praise has echoed here over three centuries.
Thanksgiving Service in Lisburn Cathedral
At the last Sunday morning (28th October) are L to R: Paul Duggan, Rev Ken McGrath (Vicar), Karen Webb (Church Army), The Right Rev Alan Abernethy (Bishop of Connor), Heather Gibson (President of Ballymacash Flower Club) and the Rev Canon Sam Wright (Rector).
26/10/2007
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