(L-R): Revd. Alastair Donaldson, Canon Ronnie Bourke, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Revd. Raymond Kettyle.

Last Sunday 6th September, Revd. Alastair Donaldson and Revd. Raymond Kettyle were ordained for ministry in the Church of Ireland by Rt. Revd. Ferran Glenfield, the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh in St John’s Cathedral, Sligo. Alastair as Presbyter/Priest and Raymond as Deacon.

Revd. Alastair Donaldson, who is from Crossmaglen in Co. Amargh and has recently served as Deacon Intern to Fivemiletown Parish, Diocese of Clogher, was ordained for the curacy of the Roscommon Group of Parishes, Elphin. Revd. Raymond Kettyle, from Virginia in Co. Cavan will be serving as a Deacon Intern in the Boyle and Riverstown Group of Parishes, Elphin with Canon Ronnie Bourke.

Revd. Eddie Coulter, Superintendent of Irish Church Missions, gave the Address. In his sermon he encouraged the congregation, saying that God uses ordinary people, a praying people to build his church. He reminded us that we can have confidence in a God who is attentive to prayer, who loves us and the people for whom we pray and who is a forgiving God.

Revd. Isaac Hanna Instituted as the new Rector of Drumcliffe, Lissadell and Munninane

Friday evening 28th August was another milestone in the life of the parishes of Drumcliffe, Lissadell and Munninane. It was, of course, the Institution of the new Rector, Revd. Isaac Hanna. The service, which took place in a well filled Lissadell church, was led by Bishop Ferran Glenfield assisted by Dean Arfon Williams. Revd. Isaac was supported by his wife, Dianne and two sons, Joshua and Daniel. Other members of their family were also in attendance and it was wonderful to be joined by a number of Isaac’s former parishioners from Maghera.

The choir seats were well filled and a Praise group consisting of Gillian Brennan, Kathy Clarke, Nathanial Clarke and Nathan Bourke led the singing. The organ was played by Jennifer Siggins a member of the Lissadell parish. Bishop Ferran remarked during the service on how good the singing was. Scripture readings were read by Isaac Hanna (Revd. Isaac’s father), Adam Norris and our Lay Reader Alan Williamson.

The address was given by Revd. Paul Hoey, a friend of Isaac’s who began his sermon by asking four questions – What will we call our new Rector? Will he visit? Will he preach long? Will he be confidential? Rev Paul told us the he gave a loan of a fiver to Isaac some years ago and Isaac hasn’t mentioned it since then so he is obviously to be trusted. He also suggested that if anybody wants a visit we should be aware that Isaac has a penchant for pistachio nuts and to keep some in the house!

More seriously, Revd. Paul said that it was God who led Isaac from Kilkeel to Maghera and it was the same God who has led Isaac to Sligo. Isaiah 6:1-8 demonstrates that call and Matthew 3:1-5 tells of the mission of John the Baptist calling people to look to Jesus as Saviour. Revd. Paul suggested that Isaac as at least five tasks ahead of him: to serve in changing and challenging times, to guide through times of change and uncertainty, to do things in old and new ways, to help us live out our role in the community and world as followers of Christ, to be changed with the people by God’s Holy Spirit as he lives for Christ. The congregation were encouraged to continue to support Isaac and his family in prayer as they settle in to their new home, schools and ministries.

Following the sermon, the Act of Institution was carried out By Bishop Ferran. During this act some members of the various parishes brought forward symbols of the teaching, pastoral and sacramental ministry that Isaac would carry out in his new charge. The new Rector then led the Prayers of the People and the Recessional Hymn ‘ Great is Thy Faithfulness, oh God my Father’ was sung with a great sense of conviction by the whole congregation.

Across the road in the Lissadell Centre a fine supper and time of meeting and greeting was enjoyed by all. There were speeches, eating, drinking tea and enjoying fellowship. We trust and pray that the Parish in Maghera will soon find the person of God’s choosing to lead them forward. The whole evening was very meaningful not just for those taking part but also for all those present.

Rev Paul Hoey, Rev Isaac Hannah, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Dean Arfon Williams

Dianne Hannah, Rev Isaac Hannah, Joshua Hannah, Daniel Hannah, Bishop Ferran Glenfield.

Church Wardens: William Clarke (Drumcliffe), Christopher Clarke (Lissadell), Ronnie Lawson (Drumcliffe), Linda Regan (Lissadell), Rev Isaac, Victor Barber (Munninane), Heather McDonald(Munninane).

Rev Isaac’s first service in Drumcliffe with Alan Williamson, Lay Reader

Francis Barber, Lilly Morrison, Margaret Colvin, Joan McDonagh

Musicians: Nathaniel Clarke, Kathy Clarke, Nathan Bourke and Gillian Brennan (not in photograph)

The Young Ones: Amy McCrea, Shauna Williamson, Rachel Davis, Damien Shaw, Linda McMahon.

Security Men: Willie Barber, Derek Chambers, Stuart Patterson.

Tea Ladies: Linda Regan, Avril Patterson.

It’s the start of a new school year, and for many parishes this signals the start of a new Sunday Club Programme. Here are some programmes & resources the Children’s Ministry Netowrk & Sunday School Society for Ireland recommend, alongside some Bible story telling ideas, a creative prayer idea and a craft…

Click here to Download the Full Harvest 2015 Newsletter

Don’t miss Lynn Storey and Lydia Monds lead a 3 hour workshop on Harvest & Advent ideas for Sunday Club Programmes, Bible story telling ideas, creative prayer ideas, crafts, songs, activities, memory verses & much more. There will be a focus on wide age ranges from tots to 6th class with lots of take home ideas.

All taking place on Saturday 5th September from 10am – 1pm in St Saviour’s Parish Hall, Coolgreaney Hall, Arklow, Co. Wicklow.

Contact Rev Nigel Sherwood to confirm your place: [email protected]

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn to create and deliver engaging and innovative assemblies. Facilitated by APCK and taking place on 24th September in Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Braemor Park, Rathgar, Dublin 14, from 10am – 3:30pm.

The training is free and lunch is included. Open to all clergy, Sunday Club leaders, teachers and school chaplains.

Contact Rev Niall Sloane to book your place:[email protected]

Click Here to Download the Training Brochure >>

On Saturday 23rd May Kilmore Central National School, which opened in April 1975 celebrated its 40th Anniversary. A family funday / open day held at the school to mark occasion was attended by friends, teachers and pupils past and present.

Below: (Bishop, Canon, Teachers and members of the Board of Management)
Mrs. Jennifer Jones (Teacher), Canon Mark Lidwill, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Dr. Derek Grant (Principal), Mr. William Foster, Mr. Trevor Cassidy, Mrs. Sandra Bennett

Below: Mr. William Foster, long standing member of the Board of Management planting a tree on the school grounds to mark the occasion watched by students Keith Bennett (left) and James Lord (right)

On Wednesday 20th May, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall attended an ecumenical service for peace and reconciliation at St Columba’s Church, Drumcliffe. The service was led by Dean Arfon Williams and local clergy from Sligo Churches Together – Revd Alan Mitchell, Canon Noel Regan, Fr Pat Lombard and Revd Stephen Taylor. Prayers were led by Revd Michael and Ann Wooderson; meditations were given by the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, Ferran Glenfield and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran. A peace candle was lit by former Rector of Drumcliffe, Revd Ian Linton and Fr Christy McHugh, local Parish Priest.  Former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese and the British Ambassador to Ireland, Dominick Chilcott read from Scripture; students from Sligo Grammar School, Ursuline College Sligo, Mercy College Sligo, Summerhill College Sligo, Grange, Co Sligo and Sligo VEC Schools sang ‘Look at the World’ and ‘You raise me up’ and also led the congregation in the hymns. The Musical Director was Alfred Potter, the Organist was Paul McDonagh-Forde and the Accompanists were Leonard Dorrian and Richard Mitchell. Mrs Eungoo Goh and Mable Chah sang solos and Ramune, a Russian harpist, played as the Royal couple entered and exited the Church.

The service took place shortly before Prince Charles and Camilla visited Mullaghmore in Co. Sligo – the place where Prince Charles’ great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, along with his grandson Nicholas Knatchbull, Lady Brabourne and local boy Paul Maxwell were killed in an IRA bomb attack. It was attended by around 200 people including family members of soldiers killed in IRA attacks at Warrenpoint as well as relatives of Bloody Sunday.

In his reflection Bishop Glenfield said that the history of Ireland and the UK had been marked by trauma and trouble but that, as Isaiah 32 shows, the spirit of God has the power to transform creation, the country, the community. God, the Spirit brings healing out of hurts, reconciliation out of wreckage and trust out of turmoil. He said that the service was an opportunity to remember and revisit the horror of the recent past, savour the comfort of the present and hope for a better future together as we wait upon the Lord.

After the service a peace tree was planted in the graveyard of St Columba’s church by Prince Charles assisted by the Head boy, Zac Irwin and Head girl Sara McGeough, from Sligo Grammar School. An original painting by celebrated local artist, and church member, Annie West was presented to the Royal couple by Jessica Barber and Kitty Bird.

Sligo Gospel Choir sang outside in the church grounds as the Prince and Duchess arrived and departed

Dean Williams said that their Royal Highnesses appreciated very much the warm welcome they received at Drumcliffe and the generosity of local people.

Photos by Chris Bellew | Copyright Fennell Photography 2015.