Call for donations to support response by Christian Aid

The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development has launched a call for donations to help the people of Turkey and Syria following the earthquake on Monday (6th February) which has resulted in over 21,000 deaths.

Bishops’ Appeal has immediately released €10,000 from its reserves to Christian Aid for its work in the area, and is encouraging parishes to contribute to this appeal in support of Christian Aid over the coming Sundays.  All details about how to give are provided below.

In a joint endorsement of the appeal, Archbishops John McDowell and Michael Jackson said: “The disastrous earthquake which has so suddenly overtaken and overwhelmed the people and resources of Turkey, and stretched beyond breaking point the already ravaged infrastructure of Syria, requires a swift response from aid agencies in the Western world. The Bishops’ Appeal of the Church of Ireland is to be commended for releasing €10,000 from its reserves immediately to be channelled through Christian Aid, a trusted partner, to the areas affected.

“Of course, much more is needed and we would encourage parishes to make a special appeal sometime over the next few weeks to supplement this initial contribution by Bishops’ Appeal. Equally we would encourage prayer that the God of all comfort would be very near to all who are suffering through injury, bereavement and anxiety, and for all relief workers.”

Christian Aid has a track record of working together with local partners in north-west Syria since 2012.  The agency and its partners are already providing winter kits to people seeking shelter in the region, where over four million people are in need of aid due to the civil war.  They will scale this work up to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of those affected by the earthquake.

The main needs according to its partner field teams are:

• Winter kits including blankets, mattresses, food parcels and heating material – partners had already procured 40,000 of these kits prior to the earthquake and have started distributing these immediately within collective shelters;
• Preparing shelters to help people find some safety indoors from the weather; and
• Working with other local organisations to remove debris and continue rescue efforts.

It is also expected that donations will be used to provide basic food, water and sanitation, shelter and healthcare, education and mental health support, particularly for children and young people.

Dean Niall Sloane, speaking on behalf of the Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee, added: “For over five decades, the Bishops’ Appeal has responded to crisis across the globe.   This week we are quickly becoming aware of the extent of the tragic events in Turkey and Syria.  All funds collected will be distributed to our dedicated mission partners who are actively working in the affected areas.  We would also encourage parishes to pray for all those affected by these events and for all aid workers who are engaged in the relief operation.”

How can we help?

Donations can be made, in euro or in sterling, in the following ways:

• An online donation at www.bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/give
• A direct lodgement into the Bishops’ Appeal bank account (details of which are provided on the Bishops’ Appeal website at the link provided above);
• Sending a cheque, payable to Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal, to: Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 CF67;
• Making a donation through a Church of Ireland parish or diocesan office.

Taxpayers can give more help by gift aiding donations (if resident in the UK) or tax relief on donations (in the Republic of Ireland).  The appropriate forms and further details about how to give are also available at www.bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/give

DKEA is delighted to welcome Hannah O’Neill back to the diocese in her new role in the Sligo Centre of Mission.

Hannah is 31 years old, from East Belfast but for the last 4 years has been living and working in Craigavon as the Youth and Kids Pastor at Hope Church in Down and Dromore Diocese. In September she began training with Church Army and wholeheartedly believes in their vision “for everyone everywhere to encounter God’s love…”

Hannah was previously in Kilmore diocese as the youth and Children’s co-ordinator, whilst also serving in the Killeshandra Group of Parishes, and is very much looking forward to her return to KEA. 

“Having grown up visiting Rosnowlagh every summer with family, South Donegal is my favourite place on earth. I am excited and expectant for the move to Bundoran and all God is unfolding through the Sligo Centre of Mission. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with old KEA friends and making new ones, and working together to build God’s Kingdom in the local area.”

Hannah will be working with the Sligo Centre of Mission whilst also supporting ministry in the Manorhamilton Group of Parishes. She is particularly enthusiastic about creating environments for children and young people to encounter the love of God whether that be through prayer spaces, youth groups or schools work. As such, Hannah will be hoping to help facilitate ministry for the younger generations, particularly those who are largely unfamiliar with church. 

You can find out more about the Sligo Centre of Mission here

On Sunday afternoon, 30th January, Revd. Simon Scott was instituted as the Incumbent of Longford Group of Parishes -Templemichael, Newtownforbes, Killashee, Ballymacormack and Clooncumber. Family, friends, representatives of the local community and the wider Diocese joined parishioners in the service held in St John’s Parish church. The service was led by Bishop Ferran Glenfield assisted by Archdeacon Hazel Hicks.

Revd. Simon’s ministry in Longford began in August 2020 in the depths of Covid lockdowns and so his institution was the first opportunity to officially welcome him as the minister to the group. The service was a wonderful affirmation of his ministry so far and of his commitment to the work of the Lord in the parish group for the foreseeable future.

The address at the institution was given by Canon Christiaan Snell who spoke from Matthew 28:16-20 – the Great Commission to ‘go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’. Canon Christiaan noted that we do not undertake this task in our own power but by the power of the one who has ‘all authority in heaven and earth’. The gospel message is for all people – no one must be excluded from the message we share. We are to teach all that Jesus has commanded – we are not able to pick and choose. A daunting task but we are promised we will not do this work alone. Jesus reassures his disciples that he will be ‘with them always, to the very end of the age’.

The Act of Institution was then carried out by Bishop Ferran Glenfield and Archdeacon Hazel Hicks, after which words of welcome were given by Gail Mitchell, a church warden of St John’s Church on behalf of the Parish and Father Tom Healy, representing the Roman Catholic Church.

The service was followed by a wonderful tea in the church building! We pray for the Lord’s blessing on Revd. Simon, his wife Tam and their two children as they continue their ministry in the Longford Group of Parishes

Photo 1: Fr Ciaran McGovern, Fr Turlough Baxter, Revd. Steve Frost, Canon Edward Yendall, Revd. Simon Scott, Bishop Ferran Glenfiled, Canon Christiaan Snell, Archdeacon Hazel Hicks, Revd. Richard Waller

Photo 2: Revd. Simon and Bishop Ferran with   Richard and Ann Howard (Mu President), Doreen McHugh, John Farrell, Mia Barry, Derek McHugh

Photo 3: Revd. Simon with his wife Tam together with Bishop Ferran, Penny Barry, Daphne Barden, Andrew McHugh, David Clendenning