Irish College of Preachers annual Conference

/in /by

The Irish College of Preachers annual Conference, took place recently at CITI.

The guest speaker was Archdeacon David Huss, Rector of the Donegal Group of parishes in Raphoe Diocese. David focused on the Sermon on the Mount, in anticipation of the Revised Common Lectionary readings for 2016/17, which features the Gospel according to Matthew.

Some 20 people from across the Church of Ireland, lay and clerical heard David open up the Master Preacher Jesus with clarity, depth and decisiveness.The conference was a great help to preachers, one of those who attended put it like this,” I am fired up now and ready for the challenge of preaching the Word of God”. The Irish College of Preachers is organised by Bishop Ferran Glenfield, the 2017 Conference is set for 13-15th September in CITI.

IMG_0438

Hannah O’Neill and Marian Edwards appointed as KEA Diocesan Youth and Children’s Co-ordinators

/in /by

This month the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh have appointed two Diocesan Youth and Children’s Co-ordinators. The aim of these exciting roles is to support individual Parish groups and other Diocesan organisations as they nurture and foster Christian faith development in children and young people in the Diocese.

 

Hannah O’Neill has been appointed as the new Diocesan Children’s and Youth Co-ordinator for Kilmore. Marian Edwards is the new Diocesan Children’s and Youth Co-ordinator for Elphin and Ardagh.

 

Hannah, who was born and bred in East Belfast, has been working with the children and young people in the Killeshandra Group of Parishes for the past year. During this time she has worked closely with the Diocesan Youth Council and has been involved in both Anois and Summer Madness. Speaking of her appointment Hannah said; ‘I look forward to building on the amazing work the youth council already do and seeing more young people engaging with the church and being transformed by the power of God.

 

I am passionate about seeing local churches resourced and equipped to invest in the younger generations. I have a desire to see children and young people active in the life of their church and having opportunities to encounter God. I am really looking forward to meeting with clergy and gaining insight into what is already happening throughout the diocese’.

 

Marian was born in Cork where she lived for most of her life before moving to Sligo in 1997. She is passionate about working with young people and has been involved in the children’s and teens work at Sligo Methodist Church for many years. In 2010, she started KNEKT, a Christian Youth event which happens each year in Sligo, attracting young people from across the North West. Marian enjoys being outdoors – especially hiking as well as music and art. She says that she is very much looking forward to the future, to working with the people, children and teens in Elphin and Ardagh and to seeing more events for young people in the region.

 

 

We thank God for the valuable role that Hannah and Marrion will play in supporting youth and children’s ministry in Kilmore and Elphin and Ardagh and we pray that God will bless their ministries and build His Kingdom throughout our diocese.

 

marian-edwards hannah-oneill

Left: Marian Edwards, Right: Hannah O’Neill

Ordination of Richard Beadle and Richard Waller

/in /by

Last Sunday 11th September, Revd. Captain Richard Beadle and Revd. Captain Richard Waller were ordained as Deacons for ministry in the Church of Ireland by Rt. Revd. Ferran Glenfield, the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. The service took place in St. Fethlimidh’s Cathedral, Kilmore.

 

Richard Beadle, who has been an active Church Army Officer in the Diocese, has transferred to ordained ministry and will continue to serve in the Kildallon and Swanlinbar Group of Parishes. Richard Waller, who is also a Church Army Officer, will serve as a deacon intern in the Killeshandra Group of Parishes, with Revd. Ali Calvin.

 

The Venerable Captain Isaac Hanna also a former Church Army Captain who transitioned to ordained ministry  and is currently the Rector of the Drumcliffe Group of Parishes and Archdeacon of Elphin and Ardagh gave the address. He began by reminiscing about how they had all met at the Church Army training college in Sheffield many years earlier.  Preaching on 1 Timothy 1:12-17,  Archdeacon Isaac reminded both Richards that their primary calling in ordained ministry was to serve Christ and they were able to do this because of the Cross. He encouraged them to trust Christ and to remember there is power in the name of Jesus. He finished with the closing words of the passage: ‘Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever’ to which the two Richards and the congregation gave a hearty ‘Amen’.

We pray that the Lord blesses both Richards and their families as they begin their new roles in the Diocese.

Day of Prayer to find God’s Peace – St Anne’s Cathedral – 17th September

/in /by

There will be a Day of Prayer for our land in St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast on Saturday, 17th September (9am – 6pm). The purpose of the day will be to help people to find God’s peace.

Divine Healing Ministries say this is a day for anyone whose peace has been disturbed, perhaps by experiences in the past, to come and spend time with God in an atmosphere of peace.

The event will provide an opportunity to lay down things thatmay disturb us, forgive those who have hurt us, say sorry where we may have hurt others and make a commitment to help build a better future.

The focal point will be a large plain wooden cross at the front of the Cathedral. All the prayer will be in silence, although there may be a very short input each half hour.  People may come and go at any point during the day.   The purpose of the day is to help people in the silence to have an encounter with God and to find His peace.

—

For further information:

3 min video (suitable for  Facebook etc): https://vimeo.com/173031155

Visit www.divinehealingministries.org

Contact Mr. Don Howe (Divine Healing Ministries). Ph 07517 845853

Together Gathering

/in /by

Together is a national youth leadership gathering for all those working in youth ministry.

One of the most significant youth ministry conferences for many years is taking shape for Saturday 3rd September 2016. At a key time for churches, it will bring together volunteer leaders and paid workers for worship, training, resourcing and prayer together.

The Together gathering is being organised by church denominations and other youth ministries with the vision to equip and inspire leaders toward great youth ministry. It’s a ‘can’t miss’ opportunity for leaders and the Church of Ireland Youth Department encourages you to come along and/or promote this to other leaders in your church and networks. It will be especially important for enthusing new and established volunteers at the start of a new year in their youth ministry.

What will happen on the day? It will run from 10am–5:30pm in the Ramada Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast, and include worship, 16 different workshops and seminars, key note address, a resource bag, discussion and prayers. Lunch is provided at the hotel as part of the price.

Who is involved? The event will involve and be attended by leaders in some of the most significant youth ministries in Northern Ireland including the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist Youth Departments, Scripture Union, Exodus, Youth For Christ, Crown Jesus Ministries, Love for Life, 24–7 Prayer, Alpha, Youth Initiatives, and a whole host of other churches and youth organisations.

What does it cost? The cost for this event is £25 and this includes lunch and a resource pack. However, the Church of Ireland Youth Department is able to subsidise a limited number of these tickets for its members down to only £15. To avail of these tickets please book online at www.ciyd.org

Remember there is a limited amount so the earlier you book the better!

Praying for the persecuted church

/in /by

The Church of Ireland’s Council for Mission has launched a prayer appeal to support persecuted Christians around the world. The council’s secretary, the Revd Patrick Burke, explains its approach.

The time has come for Christians in the safety and comfort of the West to speak out about what their brothers and sisters are facing in other parts of the world, and to speak out strongly and keep speaking out until the violence ends.

The suffering of Christians around the world is truly shocking. Open Doors estimates that over 100 million Christians are being persecuted globally. Last year, at least 7,100 Christians were killed for their faith and over 2,000 churches were attacked or confiscated. As these crimes take place in countries either ravaged by war or under oppressive regimes, the true figures could be much higher.

The Church of Ireland Council for Mission’s prayer appeal to support persecuted Christians follows a resolution by our General Synod in May which expressed solidarity with brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith and committed to supporting them in prayer.

In speaking out, we want to begin with prayer. We are God’s people and it is only right that all we do has its beginning by calling upon Almighty God. We are asking all clergy to include this issue in their intercessions at public worship every Sunday, and all Christian people to include it in their private devotions every day. We are also encouraging members of the Church of Ireland to become more informed about persecution through the work of organisations such as Open Doors and the Church’s associated missionary societies.

CMS Ireland has close partnerships with the Diocese of Egypt and the Dioceses of Ibba, Kajo-Keji, Maridi and Yei (in South Sudan). Its Firm Foundations initiative sponsors theological training in both countries and in Ethiopia and Uganda for church leaders who minister in contexts of persecution. Crosslinks similarly supports theological training in Egypt and Pakistan and asks for prayers for safety and opportunities to work effectively where teaching the Gospel is not tolerated. USPG regularly encourages prayer for persecuted Christians in Egypt and Pakistan.

Prayer changes communities and nations. It is our hope that this appeal – alongside other initiatives in the coming months – will encourage Christians experiencing persecution and inspire the wider Church to deepen its love for our brothers and sisters who are under threat because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

http://www.anglicannews.org/comment/2016/07/praying-for-the-persecuted-church.aspx

Centenary Commemorations

/in /by

On Sunday 3rd July, Cloonclare Parish Church, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim hosted an Ecumenical Service of Commemoration to mark the centenary of both the Easter Rising of 1916 and the Battle of the Somme. The Service was led by Rev. Brendan McCarty assisted by Albert Dawson and was attended by Bishop Leo O’Reilly of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Ferran Glenfield of the Church of Ireland, local Parish Priest Fr. Oliver Kelly and Rev. Jeremy Nicholl of the Methodist Church. Members of the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen (ONE) and British Legion where also among the congregation.

Albert Dawson began the service by reading excerpts of letters from soldiers on the frontline of the conflicts. This was followed by a bidding prayer remembering those who have suffered through war and those who have given their lives or were injured in the service of others. The singing during the service was led by the Manorhamilton South Gospel and Margaret Connolly read the lesson from Mark 13 as Gaeilge.

After the prayers a wreath was laid by Mr Thomas Heraghty to commemorate the many men and women from Leitrim and the island of Ireland who gave of themselves for an independent Ireland and for a free Europe. This was followed by a minute’s silence.

The guest speaker was Professor Eunan O’Halpin, Professor of Contemporary Irish History at Trinity College Dublin who shared some interesting reflections on the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme and how these events have been incorporated into the narrative of Irish History. He reminded the congregation of how groups and individuals can attach different meanings to such events. The task of contemporary society is, therefore, to appreciate that there are completely different ways to remember and commemorate them.

The service ended with the Grace led by Bishop Ferran Glenfield and Bishop Leo O’Reilly and the evening concluded with a wonderful reception in the Bee Park Community Centre.

DSC_1377

Left to Right: Albert Dawson, Revd. Isaac Hanna, Bishop Leo O’Reilly, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Revd. Brendan McCarthy, Fr. Gerry Atwell, Fr. John Quinn, Fr. Oliver Kelly, Revd. Jeremy Nicoll.

 

DSC_1390

Bishop Ferran and Bishop Leo together with the guest speaker Professor Eunan O’Halpin, local clergy and members of ONE and the British Legion.

Diocesan Youth and Children’s Co-ordinator Job Available

/in /by

The Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh

Seeks to appoint

Diocesan Youth and Children’s Co-ordinator

(2 posts both 18.5 hours per week)

 

Ideally 1 post based in Kilmore

(Fermanagh/Cavan/Leitrim)

 

1 Post based in Elphin and Ardagh

(Sligo/ Roscommon /Longford)

 

The Appointed coordinators will:

  • Nurture and foster Christian faith development in children and young people
  • Train, support and encourage youth and children’s leaders and volunteers
  • Build relationships with clergy and youth and children’s leaders in order to discern individual Parish group needs
  • Work with the Diocesan Youth Council and Children’s Ministry Network Co-Ordinator to organise Diocesan events

 

Interested applicants should request an application pack from:

 

Ven. Isaac Hanna, Drumcliffe Rectory, Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo.

T: 071 9163125
E: [email protected]

Summer is Here!

/in /by

Bishop Ferran has drawn attention to the importance of ministry among our children, young people and families. Summer is a special time for many outreach events for children, young people and families. Do join in prayer in preparation for the following:

Summer Madness – July 3to 7, Glenarm, Co. Antrim.

Lord, we thank you for the joy and vitality of being young. Life when we are young is full of possibilities and adventure. Be with those who travel with expectation to Summer Madness. Give them the gift of good weather and good friends. May the Good News of Jesus, capture their hearts and imagination, We ask this in His name. Amen.

Holiday Bible Club – Billis Hall, Co. Cavan, 27 June – 1 July

Holiday Bible Club – Killeshandra Hall, Co. Cavan, July 27-31

Holiday Bible Club – Florencecourt Hall, Co. Fermanagh, July 25-29

Our Father, we thank you for the children you have given us. We pray that as they attend these clubs, help them to have fun and friendship. Above all help them to put their trust in your Son, Jesus Christ, that their faith may be real and infectious. Help us in the church to nurture and grow their faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Messy Church – Drung Hall, Co. Cavan, 30 July

Messy Church – Derrylin Hall, Co. Fermanagh,  16 July and 20 August

Lord Jesus you entered into our messy world to bring shape to our lives.
May your love, forgiveness and peace be on those who attend these Messy Church Days. Especially we pray that families may see you at work in their Homes and lives. Amen

Church Weekend Hunt Hall, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, August 12-14

Lord we give you thanks that the church in Mohill is celebrating 200 years of Witness in the town. Be with them this weekend as the are joined by a team From Drumglass Parish, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. May it be a special time of blessing for all concerned

Lord God, creator and savior of the world, we rejoice that you can make all things new. Bless, we pray these and other endeavours for you this summer and may many embrace the warmth of your love. In the name of Jesus, we pray.