Andrew Pierce is Ordained Deacon

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Congratulations to Revd. Andrew Pierce who was ordained Deacon by Bishop Ferran Glenfield at a service in St Fethlimidh’s Cathedral, Kilmore on Sunday 13th September. Revd. Andy will be serving as a deacon-intern in the Virginia Group of parishes (Billis, Killinkere, Lurgan and Munterconnaught).

Revd. Andy has previously been serving as a diocesan reader and as a parish reader in the Killeshandra Group of Parishes. He is married to Jackie, who runs the family business, J&B Hope Ltd, in Cavan, with their daughter Abigael.  Their son Forrest lives in Arva.  Andy has two daughters, Rebecca and Dana, living in the United States.  Jackie (nee Johnston) was from Billis, Virginia.

Fortunately, both college and parish life are slowly returning to normal and Andy is very much looking forward to learning from Archdeacon Craig McCauley and serving the people of the Virginia group.  He will live part time with Jackie’s parents, John and Sarah Johnston, in Billis.

The deacon-intern placement involves one week a month in class at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute across the school year.  On the other weeks he will spend Sundays and three weekdays in the parish.  Two days a week are to be dedicated to writing a dissertation to complete the Church of Ireland’s Master of Theology Programme.

Andy is looking forward to developing his preaching skills, to visiting and spending time with people in the parishes and generally learning the skills and disciplines needed to serve as a Curate and potentially as a rector.  He also enjoys working with his hands, canoeing on lakes and rivers, and reading books that help him understand the world from a Christian perspective.

Autumn in KEA

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Summer has ended and what a season it has been. Things across Ireland and beyond opened up as some Covid restrictions were relaxed. People got fully vaccinated and were out and about, with many holidaying in Ireland. Temperatures hit record highs with a mini-heat wave in mid-July. Now it is autumn and as September begins, what is in store in the diocese?

This month, eight people from KEA will be ordained. This is extraordinary! Three:

Xanthe Pratt, John Addy and Adam Norris will be ordained deacon in Sligo Cathedral, on Sunday 5 September at 4pm. They will serve as Ordained Local Ministers in their local area.

Andrew Pierce will also be ordained deacon in Kilmore Cathedral on Sunday 12 September at 4pm. Andy will serve his diaconal year as an intern in the Lurgan (Virginia Group of Parishes), before his curacy next year. Albert Dawson, Steve Frost, Ed Smyth and Malcolm Young, will be ordained priests or presbyters on Sunday 19 September at St. George’s, Carrick-on- Shannon, at 4pm again to serve as Ordained Local Ministers in their local area.

All of these men and women have successfully completed their training for ordained ministry through: Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin and the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. We congratulate them and commit ourselves to pray for and support them in their service of God and his people. Some seven years ago we aspired in our 20/20 Vision, to raise up and resource ministry for all in the diocese. This is being realised and we praise God for it.

Schools return after a welcome summer break for staff and students. Covid is still on the radar but hopefully schools will return to a more normal learning environment. We congratulate the Leaving Cert class of 2021, who had to endure many challenges in their final years in school. We pray for them as they embark on the next phase of their education and training. We are indebted to school staff who worked through the enormous difficulties of Covid to ensure our children and young people got the education they deserved.

Among the changes in schools we welcome Ms. Linda McMahon, Ms. Gail Young and Ms Chloe Nair as the new principals of Carbury NS (Sligo), Fairgreen NS (Belturbet) and Taunagh NS (Riverstown), respectively.

A diocese like ours is made up of people; people who matter to God and matter to us. We were saddened to learn of the death of Canon Sandra Lindsay, who passed away at the end of July. Canon Sandra and her late husband Cecil, served the diocese with great dedication and diligence. We offer our sympathy to her children and family. Elsewhere in this edition you will read a fitting tribute to Sandra by Canon Mark Lidwill.

Beth Mayes, wife of Bishop Michael Mayes, also died in early August. The Mayes were the last episcopal family to live in the old See House in Kilmore. After serving as Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh for seven years, Bishop Michael went on to become Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe in 2000, before retiring in 2008 to live in Cork. Again, we offer our sympathy to Bishop Michael and his family in their loss.

Lastly, we congratulate Sarah Taylor, our administrator, on the birth of a daughter in early August. Grace Lily Olive was born to Simon and Sarah and we rejoice with them and their families at this special time.

As temperatures fall, the light fades and the leaves change colour, we remind ourselves of the steadfast love of the Lord; a God who has remained faithful in the most difficult of times, a God who is to be praised. Harvest is a season to praise God together in church for all his goodness. Writing to God’s people who had endured the trauma of the exile in Babylon and returned home to Jerusalem, the prophet Zechariah, wrote these inspiring words,

“For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. I will cause the remnant of these people to possess all these things.” –  Zechariah 8:12.

+ Ferran

 

Three new Candidates Ordained for Local Ministry in KEA Diocese

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On Sunday evening, 5th September, Revd. John Addy, Revd. Adam Norris and Revd. Xanthe Pratt were ordained for local ministry in the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. The service, which took place in the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin and St John the Baptist, was led by Rt. Revd. Ferran Glenfield, the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, assisted by Dean Arfon Williams. Revd. John and Revd. Adam will be serving as local ministers in the Sligo Cathedral Group. Revd. Xanthe will serve in Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon.

The address at the service was given by Canon Andrew Ison of the Balisodare Group of Parishes in Co. Sligo. With the retirements of Bishop Kearon and Bishop Rooke, the Ballisodare Group of Parishes will transfer from Achonry to the Elphin Diocese on the 1st November. We look forward to welcoming Canon Andrew and his family and the parishioners of the Ballisodare Group into our Diocesan family.

Youth Work News: Young Leaders in Ministry Fund

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The Church of Ireland Youth Department’s Young Leaders in Ministry Fund is again open for applications.  The fund is open to young people aged between 15 and 25 years who can demonstrate a current involvement in the Church of Ireland.  It seeks to support training and development courses, mission teams, leadership opportunities and placements that can be shown to:

  • significantly develop the faith of the young adult applicant;
  • grow the skills of the applicant especially in, but not confined to, leadership skills; and
  • be of significant use to the ministry of the Church of Ireland in the 12 months following the completion of the opportunity.

The next closing date is Monday, 27th September 2021, and application forms can be downloaded at the links below.

Encouraging applications, National Youth Officer Simon Henry says: “The impact of Covid–19 on young people has been significant in many ways and as a Church we need to be continually supporting our young people in not just nurturing and growing their faith but also with opportunities to grow new skills and qualifications that will be of benefit to the Church of Ireland.

“CIYD’s Young Leaders in Ministry Fund aims to provide financial support to encourage more individuals from the Church of Ireland to undertake existing opportunities, both within and beyond the Church. This fund exists to grow young leaders, and as we look to a post–pandemic future, I would encourage clergy and youth leaders alike to direct their young people aged 15–25 to apply to this fund – whether it is for a youth work qualification, internship opportunity, or perhaps more local mission over the summer period and beyond.  The potential impact of this fund is huge and we have had a very encouraging response since the fund launched in 2019.”

Application form – PDF

Application form – Word document

Youth leaders are also reminded that the Keeping In Touch packs, which help to welcome young people back to in–person events, are still available for parishes across the island of Ireland.  Just click here to find out more and order your free pack.

Places are also still available on the Aurora training course for youth leaders in the Republic, which starts later this month and runs until next May.

Run the Parish raises over €6000

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Over €6000 has been raised for church funds by the Revd. Christian Snell from Edgeworthstown Group of Parishes and the Longford Methodist Church. On Saturday 28th August, Revd. Christian along with friends and supporters ran or cycled a 45km route between Longford, Ballinalee, Granard, Streete and crossed the finish line in Edgeworthstown.

Revd. Christian has remarked that he is very appreciative to the many, in the parishes, community, friends and family who gave so generously to support the challenge on Go Fund Me.

There is still a chance to support this challenge at: https://gofund.me/ceb483bc




September Ordinations in KEA

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This September eight men and women will be ordained for ministry within the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. The ordinations will take place in three separate services this month.

John Addy, Adam Norris and Xanthe Pratt will be ordained as Deacons for local ministry at a service in St John’s Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin and St John the Baptist, Sligo on the 5th of September.

On the 12th September,  Andrew Pierce will be ordained as Deacon in a service in Kilmore Cathedral. He will be serving an internship in the Virginia Group of Parishes.

On the 19th September, Albert Dawson, Steve Frost, Edmund Smyth and Malcolm Young will be ordained as Presbyters/ Priests for local ministry at a service in St. Georges, Carrick-on-Shannon.

Pray for them as they continue to journey together with God and for God.

 

Post of Part-time Office Administrator – Mothers’ Union

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Mothers’ Union All-Ireland

Post of Part-time Office Administrator

The Provincial President and Trustee Board of Mothers’ Union are seeking to appoint a Part-time Office Administrator to work as part of the All-Ireland Mothers’ Union team. The post holder will support the work of Mothers’ Union throughout the dioceses in Ireland.

The successful candidate will be required to work flexibly, from their home base or in the office, which is in central Dublin, and closely with the Board of Trustees of the Mothers’ Union.

Hours: 12 hours per week. There may be additional hours offered when workload demands this.
Reasonable office and travelling expenses will be paid.

Further information, a job description and the application form available from:
Mrs H Ellis ( P/T Office Administrator post)
Rossorry Rectory,
59 Derrygonnelly Road
Enniskillen
BT74 5PX
Email: [email protected]
Telephone number for information 00447557507879

Closing date: Monday 20 th September 2021

Disestablishment 150: A Virtual Tour

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Heritage Week 2021’s theme is Open the Door to Heritage. Disestablishment 150: A Virtual Tour opens the door to some of the Church of Ireland’s most iconic built heritage.

150 years ago, on 1st January 1871, the Church of Ireland was officially disestablished, meaning it was no longer tied to the Church of England or to the state. Disestablishment was a time of religious, political, and social changes – in which a formerly established church became a voluntary one – and walking through these buildings associated with that period can really help us flesh out this story and bring it to life in our times.

This virtual walking tour looks at the Cathedral of Christ Church Cathedral as a monument restored post-Disestablishment, a powerful symbol saying: “We are still here.” Dr Stuart Kinsella, Christ Church Cathedral’s Research Advisor, expertly provides the finer details of this elaborate restoration and the contribution provided by the distiller and patron Henry Roe and architect George Edmund Street.

We are also taken inside of the former Synod Hall purposely built after Disestablishment for the new democratic representation of clergy and lay, now home to Dublina. A visit to St Audeon’s provides us with an example of and insight into an Irish parish church during the time of Disestablishment. The final stop of the tour takes us to St Patrick’s Cathedral rebuilt and elaborately restored, due to the generosity of Benjamin Lee Guinness of the famous Guinness family, before Disestablishment as a bulwark to Disestablishment.

Restoration and preservation are a constant concern for the guardians of the Cathedral. We also speak to Cathedral Administrator, Gavan Woods, who shares with us the scale of the most recent restoration of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest scale restoration the Cathedral has seen since the Guinness Restoration.

Many thanks to all those involved with the filming in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublinia, St Audeon’s, and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.

Caoimhe Leppard
Co-ordinator, D150 National Programme

 

Sponsored Walk for Kindu DR Congo

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Parishioners from Calry Parish are doing a sponsored walk starting on Bank Holiday Monday and running through until Friday 6th. The Miners Way is a 118 km long distance footpath based on the routes that miners took to and from the Arigna mines. Our CMSI link diocese is Kindu. Many Congolese work as miners today, often in very precarious conditions. The country is resource rich, but sadly the profits don’t seem to benefit ordinary people much at all. In consequence it is regarded as the second poorest country in the world.

The Anglican Church in Congo was founded not by western missionaries but by evangelists from Uganda. The current Archbishop of the country is Masimango Katanda. He also serves as Bishop of Kindu, an area in the east of the country twice the size of Ireland.

Archbishop Masimango’s priority is to promote development with a special emphasis on education. Many school buildings in his enormous diocese are very dilapidated and in need of renovation. In order to break the cycle of poverty education is vital. Money goes a lot further in Congo than it does in Ireland.

We are aiming to raise €1500 on our walk. We would appreciate whatever you are able to give.

Every Nation, Tribe and People? Race and the Churches in Ireland Research Project

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The Irish Council of Churches, Irish Inter–Church Meeting and VOX Magazine, with the support of Evangelical Alliance Ireland, Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland and Tearfund Ireland are conducting an all-island survey on the experiences of people from ethnic minorities, and attitudes towards ethnic diversity in churches on the island of Ireland.

In the last couple of years discussions of racism and discrimination have become more prevalent across the island, with divergent narratives evident in concerns about provision of accommodation for people in the asylum systems, and marches in support of Black Lives Matter. As organisations who reach across the island, we as churches need to be able to speak into these conversations, and if we are to be able to contribute with authenticity and integrity, we need to first look at ourselves. We therefore want to deepen our understanding of the experience of and attitudes towards racism and discrimination in churches in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. We explore the potential for unity, integration and inclusion and examine how the church can lead the way in tackling racial injustice.

A link to the survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DNYNF5Q. The survey is anonymous and we hope to gather views from all Christians across both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. We estimate it will take about 10–15 minutes to complete. Further information is available at our website at irishchurches.org/research

This research is an important step in enabling churches to be able to move from welcome to inclusion and to be salt and light across the island of Ireland. To do that we need to know what the barriers to inclusion and fruitfulness in church are for people from ethnic minorities so that we can look more closely at ourselves as individuals and organisations and more truly reflect the call to love our neighbours both within and outside the church.