The Girls Friendly Society Diocesan Festival Service this year included a celebration of 140 years of G.F.S. work in Ireland. The magnificent 17ft birthday banner welcomed all to Drung on Sunday 28th May.

The bright sunshine was perfect for banners from all ten branches in Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh to line up outside the church and offered Bishop Ferran Glenfield an opportunity for prayer with the banner bearers.

Revd. Nick Jones led the service and taught a lively praise song that had everyone join in with the actions. His address, complete with relevant props, captured the attention of even the youngest girls present. With the help of volunteers in the role play, Revd. Nick showed how we can be found ‘NOT GUILTY’ through God’s mercy in sending Jesus – THE LAMB – to die on the cross for our sins.

The Prizegiving was then introduced by Mrs Violet Morton, Diocesan President, who welcomed everyone, expressed thanks and congratulated the girls on their excellent work. Violet presented the Diocesan Cups and Plaques to the winners in both Handcraft and Bible Study competitions. She added a big well done to every member who had competed and praised the leaders and parents for their loyalty week by week.

We were delighted that Mrs Sylvia Quinn, All Ireland President was also able to join us and Mrs Florence Higgins, former All Ireland President. Violet then called on Sylvia to present the All Ireland prizes which the Diocese had the honour of winning. Following this Sylvia paid tribute to all who down the years, built G.F.S. into the vibrant and strong society it is from its humble beginning in Bray. She then encouraged us to carry on the work and with God’s help empower girls to meet the challenges of the future.

At the conclusion of the service the banners were paraded out of the church followed by girls and leaders for photographs in the sunny outdoors.

Everyone enjoyed the wonderful array of refreshments served in the hall afterwards. Much interest was shown in the colourful display of posters there from the branches charting 140 years of G.F.S history and activities. A picture storyboard of giant K.E.A letters showing G.F.S events in the diocese drew many favourable comments. Also featured was a copy of the first meeting of G.F.S in 1877 – a testimony to the vision of those involved for the nurturing of girls and women and to “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2.
Sincere thanks to Audrey and her helpers for mounting the displays and making the birthday banner and to Violet for the birthday cake. A big thank you to the tea team who prepared, served and cleaned up after, also thanks to the road stewards who did a fantastic job.

Revd. Nick and everyone in Drung, your hard work is much apricated for making the day a memorable joyful celebration enjoyed by one and all.

Revd. Edward Yendall with Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Revd. David Bruce, Rev. Canon Jerry Hanley, Rev. Dr Heather Morris and clergy and lay readers from the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.

On Thursday 1st June friends, colleagues and parishioners gathered in Boyle Parish Church to welcome Revd. Edward Yendall as the new Minister-In-Charge (part-time) of the Boyle Group of Parishes (which includes Boyle, Aghanagh, Croghan and Ardcarne). The service was led by The Rt. Revd. Ferran Glenfield, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh assisted by the Ven. Isaac Hanna, Archdeacon of Elphin and Ardagh.

Revd. Edward has joined the Diocese from North Wales where he has served in a number of positions of ministry over the past 29 years. Before he was ordained, he worked in accountancy and in the printing industry before going to St John’s College, Durham to train for ministry. He completed his degree there and was also the College’s Organ Scholar.

Revd. Edward was ordained at Bangor Cathedral in 1988 and served as Curate at Bangor and Minor Canon of the Cathedral. He then went on to serve in a number of positions across Wales including at Llanrhaeadr where the Bible was translated into Welsh.

Revd. Edward has strong ties to Ireland. He served for ten years in a group of parishes on Angelsey where, on good days, Ireland could be clearly seen across the sea! He has also visited Ireland on many occasions and has been to practically every county on these holidays – from Antrim to Kerry!

In his new position in the Boyle Group of Parishes, Revd. Edward will be serving the Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian communities in the area. It is, perhaps, a unique arrangement in Ireland. In his address, Revd. David Bruce,Secretary of the Board of Mission in Ireland for the Presbyterian Church spoke of church unity. He said that those of us who come to Jesus attain a new citizenship which sits on top of our differences in culture, politics, nationality or religious practice and allows for unity. This unity is not about our attempts to relate well to one another but rather about how Christ relates to us – our unity comes from Him. This unity in the body of Christ is a powerful witness of the transformative power of God in this world. Following, the address prayers were said by Rev. Dr Heather Morris, Home Missions Secretary of the Methodist Church.

The service was followed by a delicious tea in the church during which further words of welcome were expressed to Revd. Edward by Rev. Canon Jerry Hanley on behalf of the Catholic Church, David Gillespie on behalf of the Boyle Group of Parishes and the Ven. Isaac Hanna on behalf of the Diocese.

A presentation was also made to Adam Norris who has been faithfully looking after the Boyle Group of Parishes during the vacancy.

Revd. Edward thanked everyone for the warmth of their welcome and said he is looking forward to pastorally caring for the parishes of the Boyle group and to helping others develop their own ministries. It is his prayer that Christ will lead us onward through the power of His Holy Spirit as he undertakes his new task.

On Tuesday 9th of May the Mothers’ Union held a Day of Celebration and Thanksgiving in Carrick-on-Shannon. Members and friends joined All-Ireland President, Phyllis Grothier in a service of worship led by Bishop Ferran Glenfield. During the service, three candles were lit to celebrate “13 Decades of Love and Service”. The first candle was lit by Cynthia Poyntz (Kilmore) to symbolise God’s presence with us in the past. A second candle was lit by Liz Wray (Elphin) to symbolise God’s presence with us in the present. A third candle was lit by Margaret Sides (Ardagh) to symbolise God’s presence with us in the future. Our first reading from Micah 6:6-8 was read by Phyllis Grothier, All-Ireland President and our second reading from John 12:20-26 was read by Hazel Speares, Diocesan President. Intercessions were led by Mary Geelan, Charlotte Browne and Sophia Whyte. During his address, Bishop Ferran’s remarked on the sense of faith and thanksgiving as the Mothers’ Union celebrate their renewal together. He noted the ongoing work of MU in Ireland and Worldwide and he encouraged those present to continue following in Mary Sumner’s footsteps as they move forward prayerfully in Faith and Action.

Following the service, there was an opportunity to visit the Costello Chapel in the heart of Carrick-on-Shannon. In the late 1800’s Edward Costello built this chapel as a memorial and burial crypt for his beloved wife Mary Josephine. This chapel is the smallest in Ireland.

Lunch was enjoyed by all in the Bush Hotel. Leila Beattie made a beautiful cake especially for the occasion. Everyone present got celebration chocolates and a key-ring to mark our special day.

After lunch, the guest speaker, Lady Eames, spoke of Annabelle Hayes who brought MU to Ireland. The Mothers’ Union has now spread throughout each diocese and Lady Eames noted the signposts which have guided the organisation to the present day and into the future. The first signpost is VISION, meeting and praying together and planning ahead. The second signpost defines MU through prayer and projects. She emphasised the importance of friendships as a gift from God to be nurtured and never to be under-estimated. In conclusion, Lady Eames spoke about Praise, Thanksgiving and Celebration for the past, the present and the future.

All branches represented brought a display of photographs and memorabilia which created great interest as members reminisced on past activities.

The Revd. Nick Jones has been appointed as Rector of the Drung Group of Parishes in the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. He has been the Minister-in-Charge of the Drung Group (www.drungchurches.com) consisting of Drung, Castleterra (Ballyhaise), Larah & Lavey and Killoughter (Redhills) since January 2016 and is delighted to be able to continue serving the group.

Nick is married to Dorothy, they have two children and they have enjoyed getting to know many people in the local area and look forward to getting to know more people still and to deepening friendships.  Some of the highlights of the last year have been BBQ’s, Messy Church, Songs of Praise, Christianity Explored, a new weekly Bible Study group and of course the Abaana New Life Choir.  Nick hasn’t managed to do much surfing or windsurfing since getting to Cavan and is still trying to get a game of squash, but is enjoying going for the occasional run and is keen to learn how to cut sticks!

Nick’s Institution will take place at in Drung Parish Church on Friday 28th April 2017 at 8pm. All very welcome!