2024 applications round now open for Priorities Fund
The Church of Ireland Priorities Fund is now open for applications. Contributions to the fund come directly from Church of Ireland parishes and since its establishment in 1980 over €21 million (£19 million) has been distributed in grants.
The following categories are currently supported by the fund:
- Training – lay and ordained
- Christian education
- Outreach initiatives
- Innovative ministry in a rural context
The closing date for the receipt of completed applications is Thursday, 31st October 2024.
Applications can be made through an online form or a downloadable PDF form which can then be forwarded to the Administrator – both are available at https://priorities.ireland.anglican.org/applications
For further information, please contact Gordon Woods, Administrator of the Priorities Fund (on behalf of the Representative Church Body’s Finance Department) at Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 CF47
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 00 353 (1) 4125 636
The Fairtrade Choice – the power to bring change
A message from the Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development
Every one of us has the power to bring change to farmers and communities around the world through the choices we make when we go shopping. The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal is encouraging all our parishes and people to make that ‘Fairtrade Choice’.
It’s easy to buy Fairtrade – most supermarkets across the island of Ireland stock a wide range of Fairtrade products, all bearing the Fairtrade mark. From tea, coffee, sugar and cocoa, to cut flowers, bananas, nuts, fruit and vegetables, chocolate, cotton and cold drinks – and even gold, there are so many easily accessible products that are certified Fairtrade, that we are literally spoilt for choice. Simply look for the distinctive Fairtrade mark on the things you are buying anyway, and swop to Fairtrade whenever you can.
Making that Fairtrade choice is one simple way that we can support the farmers who are producing these products. Being part of the Fairtrade Foundation means that they not only get paid a fair price for their produce, but they also benefit from support and help with combatting the impact of climate change – support with adapting their crops and farming methods to protect themselves and their families.
Fairtrade works with co-operatives, businesses and governments to make trade fairer, with a vision to see a world in which trade is based on fairness so that producers earn secure and sustainable livelihoods.
During September there is a special focus on Fairtrade Fortnight with many supermarkets stocking extra Fairtrade ranges, so that the choice is even easier. Look out for the logo next time you are shopping and see what could be your new favourite.
This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight takes place from Monday, 9th September, to Sunday, 22nd September 2024. Find out more through the Fairtrade websites for the UK and Ireland: fairtrade.org.uk and fairtrade.ie
Fairtrade Goods on display at General Synod
Institution of Revd. Ian Berry
Last Friday evening, 30th August, Revd. Ian Berry was instituted as the new Rector of the Virginia Group of Parishes (Billis, Killinkere, Lurgan (Virginia) and Munterconnaught. Parishioners, family and friends from across the Diocese and beyond crowed into Billis Parish Church for a service of celebration and welcome lead by Bishop Ferran Glenfield. It was a beautiful setting and a beautiful evening for the event.
The Old Testament reading was read by Lorna Bagnall and Revd. Ian’s daughter, Kate, read from Paul’s second letter to Timothy. The address at the institution was given by Revd. Chris Matchett from the Clondevaddock and Mevagh Group of Parishes in Donegal. He introduced Revd. Ian as a man of God’s word and someone who valued preaching. Preaching from 2 Timothy chapter 1 v 6-14, he reminded the congregation that we are the people of God who has saved us – a gospel people. He encouraged all present to hold on to the gospel, hold together in suffering for the gospel and hold out the good news of the gospel to others in these times.
The Act of Institution was then carried out by Bishop Ferran followed by the commissioning of the members of the Virginia Group of Parishes to love the Lord and serve others in the name of Christ. Following the commissioning, symbolic gifts of a Bible, water (representing baptism), the Book of Common Prayer, bread and wine, a key to the door of the church and a towel (reminding us that we are called to serve) were presented to Revd. Ian by Jennifer Shekleton, Laura Kennedy, Cherry Smith, Neville Bagnall and Johnny Johnston. Megan Woods represented the children of the parish.
After this, Gary Henry said a few words of welcome on behalf of the group of parishes. Revd. Mark Smith of the neighbouring Kildrumferton Group of Parishes welcomed Revd. Ian on behalf of the clergy of the Diocese and the Very Rev. Darragh Connolly P.P. from Killinkere parish spoke on behalf of the Catholic Church.
The warmth of the welcome from the parish, the Diocese and across the community was striking. We pray for Revd. Ian, his wife Gayle and his family as they serve the people of the Virginia Group with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Revd. Ian Berry was born and grew up in Belfast and felt the call to ordained ministry at the young age of 17. A few years later he was selected for training in the Church of Ireland Theological College. Revd. Ian began his ministry life with a curacy in Bangor Abbey and then spent 22 years in the Monaghan Group of parishes in Clogher Diocese. He is married to Gayle and has three children.
Ordination of Revd. Luke Pratt
On Sunday, 30th June, Revd. Luke Pratt was ordained as a Presbyter in the Church of Ireland at a service in St. Columba’s Church, Drumcliffe led by Rt. Revd. Ferran Glenfield, the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.
Revd. Luke Pratt is currently serving as Curate to the Bishop in the Drumcliffe Group of Parishes – Drumcliffe (St Columba), Lissadell and Munninane. Revd. Luke grew up in the countryside on the eastern outskirts of Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, and has a twin brother. He attended Ballinlough National School in Co. Roscommon and spent six years as a boarding student at Sligo Grammar School before moving to Belfast in 2001 to study for a bachelor’s degree in music and film at Queen’s University. He says that it was in those first years at university that the Lord opened his eyes to realise that He is real, and close, that Jesus died for him, and that he needed His forgiveness and saving grace. After graduating, Revd. Luke remained in Belfast a further ten years, working in various jobs in the city. In 2011, he met his wife Penelope at church one Sunday. Almost exactly two years later they were married and six months after that they moved out to Chile to be closer to Pen’s family.
While in Chile, Revd. Luke was provided with the opportunity to study full-time at the Centre for Pastoral Studies (‘CEP’), the Anglican theological college in Santiago, supported by the church in Chile and the South American Mission Society (SAMS). He was ordained by the Anglican Church in Chile in 2023 before returning to live in Sligo last year.
It was, therefore, fitting that the address at this service of ordination was given by Revd. Stephen McElhinney, Mission Director of SAMS. In his sermon, based on 2 Corinthians 8: 7-15, Revd. Stephen said that occasions such as these are wonderful opportunities for the church to recognise the generosity of people who have given their lives to Christian service in response to what God has done for them. He noted that we owe a debt of gratitude to the Anglican Church in Chile for the role it has played in Revd. Luke’s journey to ordination. He said it is a wonderful example of the mutuality of support from one part of the worldwide church to another.
The service was followed by a reception in the nearby Pink Clover Café where the congregation enjoyed a delicious supper and warm fellowship as we celebrated with Revd. Luke and his family. We thank God for His enduring presence as they continue their ministry in our Diocese.
The Bartlett Collection takes its place
At a reception on Monday evening last week (17th June), the RCB Library marked the installation of the Bartlett Collection (being the library of the late Canon Professor John Bartlett) in the former College of Education Chapel which is now part of the Church of Ireland campus at Rathmines. Many of John’s former students and colleagues from the Church of Ireland and Trinity College Dublin were in attendance along with two of his three daughters – Penny and Helen with grandchildren – and his widow, Olivia.
The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, received the collection on behalf of the Representative Church Body and along with the Librarian and Archivist Dr Susan Hood and Mrs Bartlett paid warm tributes to Professor Bartlett, who was Principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College from 1989 to 2001.
Professor Bartlett played a significant role in the theological life of both Trinity College Dublin and the wider Church of Ireland for over six decades. During his lifetime he amassed an important collection of over 4,000 volumes, covering themes on all aspects of theology, especially Old Testament studies, as well as archaeology, classics, literature, philosophy, travel, local and general history, cartography and maps.
Before he died in 2022, he generously arranged for the collection to be gifted to the RCB.
“In many ways, we in the Church of Ireland owe John a debt we can never repay,” Archbishop McDowell remarked, “for the work that he did in the Theological College, at the time in which he did it.” On his literary depth, the Primate found that “when he asked you what you had been reading, it was very rare that what you had been reading hadn’t already [been read by John] and [he] was able to have a discussion with you about it.”
His scholarship and clarity of writing went together. He always had Greek and Hebrew testaments in his stall in the college chapel, for following the lectionary, while the archaeological findings of his early career had “an enormous impact on how he understood the Hebrew Scriptures” as a human text that involved the people of the time.
Dr Hood recalled Professor Bartlett’s meeting with Library staff to discuss the legacy of his books and acknowledged the help of RCB Chief Officer David Ritchie in accommodating them in the former chapel building. The Library additionally holds the archive of his personal papers, including sermons, a significant set of maps, research notes and related material.
In one scrapbook of his excavations in Jerusalem in 1962, John reflected how this particular journey “would have a profound effect on his subsequent career – revealing the origins of his interest in Holy Land studies, but also his understanding of the land and the peoples of Palestine,” Dr Hood noted. “And in his later life, having discovered the stones of that place, he would become a champion for protecting the ‘living stones’ – the descendants of the earliest Christians and others living in what is today’s Holy Land.”
In 1931, the Library’s founding benefactor Rosamond Stephen donated some 5,000 books to the RCB without knowing what the Library would become: a collection of over 70,000 printed books together with the Church’s ever-growing archives. “The size of John’s gift almost matches that initial bequest,” Dr Hood added, “so what has been achieved in this space by creating the Bartlett Collection might be symbolic of what one day might evolve collectively here in this place for the different administrative and educative strands of the Church.”
The building has been fitted with bespoke book shelving to house the collection designed by timber craftsman Shane Duffley, while its potential for other events was demonstrated by the exhibit of the extensive published works by John Bartlett on display, alongside original materials documenting his archaeological expeditions in Israel/Palestine during the early 1960s.
Mrs Bartlett thanked the Library staff “for the enormous amount of work that bringing this evening about has taken.” She had also witnessed her late husband’s “love of Palestine and the Palestinian people”, recalling how he had memorably met one of his co-workers many years afterwards.
“Solidly-researched scholarship meant so much to John,” she added. “He was very much known abroad, both for his knowledge of biblical archaeology and Old Testament scholarship”, and often stunned by the warmth of greeting when people met him for the first time and remembered his writing many years after those books were published. Moments of academic discovery, not to mention publishing the Gospels in Iambic pentameter, brought out his great sense of humour.
“John never trumpeted his achievements,” Mrs Bartlett said in conclusion: “He lived life following the words in Micah chapter 6 verse 8: ‘… What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.’”
Archbishop John McDowell speaks at the launch of the Bartlett Collection.
Professor John Bartlett. Credit: Canon Dr Ginnie Kennerley.
Speakers at the launch of the Bartlett Collection (from left): Dr Susan Hood, Librarian & Archivist at the RCB Library; Mrs Olivia Bartlett; and Archbishop John McDowell, Primate of All Ireland.
Professor Bartlett’s published works on display.
A scrapbook with scenes from the 1962 expedition to the Holy Land.
Job Position: Pension Administration and Payroll Manager – CoI RCB
The RCB is currently recruiting for a Pension Administration and Payroll Manager.
The role will manage pension administration and payroll for the RCB. The Pension Administration and Payroll Manager is a key role within the organisation and interacts with Clergy including Archbishops & Bishops, Diocesan Secretaries, Pensioners and surviving spouses and dependents throughout the Church of Ireland. The Pension Administration and Payroll Manager will report directly to the Head of Finance and will be part of the wider Finance and IT Department. The role is located at the RCB offices in Church of Ireland House, Rathmines, Dublin 6.
Full job description and application at: https://www.ireland.anglican.org/vacancies/916/pension-administration-and-payroll-manager
Ordination of Revd. Faith Sithole and Revd. Sam Peilow
Last Sunday afternoon, 23rd June, a large congregation gathered in St. Feithlimidh’s Cathedral Kilmore for a joyous celebration of the ordination of Revd. Faith Sithole as Deacon and Revd. Sam Peilow as Presbyter by Rt. Revd. Ferran Glenfield, the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.
Revd. Sam Peilow is currently serving as Curate to the Bishop in the Killeshandra Group of Parishes (Killeshandra, Killegar and Derrylane.). He grew up in Derry and spent a number of years working as a Software Engineer before beginning a two-year ministry internship in a city-centre church in Dublin, where he met his wife, Georgina. Georgina is from Donegal and they have two daughters.
Revd. Faith Sithole is originally from Zimbabwe and grew up in the Methodist Church where her family served in different areas within the church and the community. She is ordained for Local Ministry in the Virginia Group of Parishes (Billis, Killinkere, Lurgan (Virginia) and Munterconnaught). Speaking of her journey to ordained ministry, Revd. Faith said ‘The journey has been extremely busy, challenging, exciting and amazing at the same time, I have seen God’s providence and guidance throughout and I remain a pilgrim on a pilgrimage’.
The Ven. David Huss (Archdeacon of Derry and Raphoe) gave the address at the service of Ordination. Preaching from Romans 12 he urged the congregation to think of ourselves with sober judgement – to let the Gospel renew our thoughts and minds and change the way we think about ourselves. He reminded us to see ourselves as loved, to think of ourselves as saved by God and adopted as His children and remember that we are sent by God to serve.
After the ordination there was a wonderful tea in the Cathedral hall and a chance to enjoy the sunshine of a glorious summer’s evening. We pray for every blessing on Revd. Faith and Revd. Sam as they continue their ministry in our Diocese.
The Venerable David Hus, Revd. Faith Sithole, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Revd. Sam Peilow, Dean Nigel Crossey.
Revd. Faith and her family
Revd Sam and his family
Webinar shares how to support spouses in times of bereavement
The Church of Ireland Marriage Council held a webinar earlier this month with local church leaders and pastoral care teams to discuss the issues that people can face when their spouse or partner dies. The webinar included helpful inputs from trained counsellors across Ireland, and is now available to view on the Church of Ireland’s Vimeo channel at www.vimeo.com/956598841
As part of its role in resourcing the Church, the Marriage Council wants to support clergy, staff and parishioners in a variety of ways that connect with marriage and relationships. This is the first in a series of webinars to help in a simple and easy way. The Council now plans to develop this series further and look at other issues such as ‘the empty nest’ and handling issues around divorce and separation.
To find out more about the work of the Marriage Council, please visit its pages on the Church of Ireland website at www.ireland.anglican.org/our-faith/how-do-i-/marriage or its Facebook page @towardsmarriageireland
Parishes encouraged to complete CIYD Survey
All parishes encouraged to complete youth survey
Clergy or youth organisation leaders in every parish are encouraged to complete the Church of Ireland Youth Department’s brief online survey, to give the fullest possible picture of the youth work which we support across the island. The survey only takes 15 minutes to complete.
If anyone has any questions or queries, or needs the link to the survey to be emailed to them again, or needs assistance in completing it, please contact the co–ordinator, Olive Good, at [email protected] or on 00 353 87 245 1310.
The countdown to the deadline – Friday, 12th July 2024 – is now well under way. A representative result will help to inform and plan ahead for how we serve young people and their leaders, and work with other organisations to resource youth work, in the coming years.
National Youth Officer, Simon Henry, says: “Can I please encourage clergy, youth workers and key volunteers to assist us with completing our online research survey for youth ministry? The data collected will benefit the whole Church, and of course individual dioceses, so we can see an accurate landscape of youth ministry across the island and be challenged to better serve our young people and grow them in Christian faith and discipleship.”