Institution of Ruth West as Rector of the Florencecourt Group of Parishes

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Last Thursday evening, 28th September, Revd. Ruth West was instituted as Rector of the Florencecourt Group of Parishes – Killesher (St John’s and Druminiskill Chapel of Ease and Killinagh. Family, friends, parishioners as well as representatives of the local community and wider Diocese were packed into the beautiful St John’s Church, Florencecourt to welcome Revd. Ruth as the new Incumbent. The service was led by Bishop Ferran Glenfield assisted by Archdeacon Craig McCauley. The Very Revd. Arfon Williams, Dean of St. John’s Cathedral, Sligo stood in as acting Registrar.

Revd. Ruth joins our diocese from the Inver Group of Parishes in southwest Donegal were she was Rector for 5 years. She served her curacy way down in Waterford. While the last 8 years let Ruth live by the sea,  she is delighted to move to Florencecourt as she is originally a Fermanagh girl.

The address at the institution was given by the Venerable David Huss, Archdeacon of Raphoe. Speaking from Matthew 9:35- 38, Revd. David highlighted how Jesus’ example provided a challenging model for ministry. His was a ministry of breadth – a ministry to all; a ministry of variety – a ministry that dealt with the needs of the whole person, both the practical needs and the deep spiritual needs; a ministry of depth – of deep love and compassion and a ministry that must be shared. He challenged the congregation to share with Revd. Ruth in the work of the church in these parishes.

The Act of Institution was then carried out by Bishop Ferran Glenfield, after which words of welcome were given by Dean Nigel Crossey on behalf of the Diocese, Andrew Elliott and Lancelot Forde on behalf of the Parish, Alex Baird, Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh Council, on behalf of the local community and Fr. Maurice McMorrow, representing the Roman Catholic Parishes of Kinawley and Killesher.

During the service tokens of appreciation were given to Dean Nigel Crossey, Dean Raymond Ferguson, Canon Billy Johnston and Canon Geoff Bridle as an acknowledgement of all their work and encouragement during the vacancy.  Maud Cunningham was also thanked for all the work she had done to help during the vacancy.

The service was followed by a wonderful tea in the Church Annexe which was very welcome on a rainy evening! We pray for the Lord’s blessing on Revd. Ruth as she begins her ministry in the Florencecourt Group of Parishes.

Front Row: Mrs Yvonne Elliott, Mrs Rene Irvine, Revd. Ruth West, Bishop Ferran Glenfield
Back Row: Mrs Moyra Wallace, Mr William Sloane, Mr Lancelot Forde, Mr Mervyn Phair


Front Row: The Venerable Roderic West, Ruth West, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, The Venerable Craig McCauley
Back Row: The Venerable David Huss, Dean Nigel Crossey


Front row: The Venerable Craig McCauley, Mrs Maud Cunningham, Revd. Ruth West, Mrs Viola Dourish
Back Row: Dr Nicholas Lipscomb, Mr Billy Griffin, Ms Mary Collum, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Mr Michael Wright

The Story of the Reformation

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The Rt. Revd. Dr. Ferran Glenfield, Church of Ireland Bishop of Kilmore, will deliver as series of three public lectures on the Story of the Reformation in the Johnston Central Library in Cavan on Thursdays 5th,19th and 26th October at 7:30pm.

Five hundred years ago a discovery was made that would change the world. The discovery was not geographical, philosophical or technological but theological. According to Michael Reeves, a Professor of Theology at Oxford, the discovery was simply this: “failing broken people are not loved because they are attractive”, said Martin Luther, “ they are attractive because they are loved”.
Luther’s discovery launched a movement, the Reformation which today is still transforming lives and cultures.

When Luther, a German monk posted his 95 theses on the door of the Castle church in Wittenberg, he was not merely interested in stirring up theological debate. It was much more than that. Luther’s ideas were about life and love.
He himself had found the secret of life and love in Jesus Christ. It was a discovery of good news buried for so long but unearthed for all to enjoy.

The story is well worth retelling and is relevant today as it was 500 years ago. All are welcome.

Schools’ Services of Harvest Thanksgiving

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Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!

 

This week yKEA hosted two Schools’ Services of Harvest Thanksgiving. The first took place in Sligo Cathedral and was attended by 300 pupils from national school across Elphin and Ardagh. The second, which was attended by more than 450 school children, took place in Kilmore Cathedral.

The yKEA team were joined by members of Operation Mobilisation for a service of prayer, praise, singing, dancing and puppetry. We were reminded that when we are thankful for God’s blessings we are not just thankful for something that He has given us but for something that He has made. A memory verse was taught encouraging us to ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’ (Psalm 34.8) – wonderful encouragement as we celebrate the harvest and thank God for all his love and goodness to us.

 










Killinkere Church 200th Anniversary

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Killinkere Church of Ireland in the diocese of Kilmore celebrated its 200th Anniversary on Sunday 10th September 2017. It was a wonderful opportunity to gather as a parish, a group of parishes and a community together. Many too had travelled from across Cavan, Ireland and the UK to attend the service including a former Rector, Canon William Mitchell’s children and grandchildren (Canon Mitchell was Rector of Killinkere from 1942 until 1973).

The current Rector – The Venerable Canon Craig McCauley began the service by welcoming all and thanking all who have worked so hard to make this special day happen – “while we may be small in number – there is a strong heartbeat in the parish.”

The Rector read best wishes from two former Rectors – Rectors Revd Robert Kingston and Revd Warren Nelson. He also brought greeting from the V. Rev. Eamonn Lynch PP of St. Ultan’s Church in Killinkere as well as greetings from Killinkere GAA Club.

The service began with a call to worship, giving thanks for the life and witness of Killinkere Church over the past 200 years before the congregation joined in the hymn Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven.

A son of the parish The Revd Canon John Clarke, Rector of the Navan Group of Parishes then read the chosen passage from Philippians 4.

Special musical guests for the day the Ballybay Country Gospel Group then sang – reminding the congregation through song of some of the core truths of the Christian message.

The guest preacher for the day was the Rt. Revd. Dr. Ferran Glenfield, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. He reflected on the events of the last 200 years, how Ireland, Cavan and Killinkere had changed, many had had to leave to build a new life elsewhere and yet in the midst of that Killinkere Church had been build. He acknowledged the work of the current vestry who in 2015 had fully restored the interior of the church to provide a beautiful place for God’s people to worship. Drawing on Philippians 4 the Bishop encouraged all to seek their peace in Christ and to build their lives on Jesus.

After further music from the Ballybay Country Gospel Group the Rector led a prayerful time of thanksgiving and dedication for the present and future of Killinkere Parish.

Bishop Ferran then prayed God’s blessing on the parish with the words: Blessed Lord, in this parish of Killinkere, across the Virginia Group of Parishes and throughout this community, draw our hearts to you, guide our minds, fill our imaginations, control our wills and make us wholly yours. Use us as you will, to the glory of your holy name and the welfare of your people; and may the blessing of God Almighty – Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon us now and always. Amen

The service finished with an adapted version of the hymn ‘Be Thou My Vision’, reflecting the corporate sense of the parish and the call to be Christ centred sang ‘Be Thou Our Vision, O Lord of our heart, naught be all else to us, save that thou art…”

Afterwards the large congregation shared memories and fellowship in the hall over a beautiful tea supplied by the parishioners. The Bishop, the Rector and Mrs Violet Kellett (who baked the cake) cut the anniversary cake and photos were taken of the youngest and oldest parishioners – James Byers and Mrs Betty Clarke. The Bishop thanked the Rector for all his hard work in the parish over the past 13 years.

Once again thank you to all who made Killinkere’s 200th Anniversary such an enjoyable and memorable day.

 

200th Anniversary Service Cover


Bishop Ferran, Archdeacon Craig and Mrs Violet Kellett cutting the cake.


The youngest parishioner – James  (with parents Derek and Galina and sister Victoria) and oldest parishioner Mrs Betty Clarke with the Rector and Bishop Ferran.

Ordination of Richard Beadle, Simon Scott and Richard Waller

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Last Sunday evening 3rd September, Revd. Richard Beadle, Revd. Simon Scott and Revd. Richard Waller were ordained as Prebyters in the Church of Ireland by Rt. Revd. Ferran Glenfield, the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh in St Fethlimidh’s Cathedral, Kilmore.

Rev. Capt. Richard Beadle has been appointed as Bishops Curate to the Manorhamilton Group of Parishes. He is married to Pauline and has three teenage children – Ruth Alicia and Asher. Rev. Richard has been an active Church Army Officer in the Diocese for many years before continuing this journey as an ordained minister in the Swanlinbar and Kildallon group of Parishes. Before joining the Church Army, Richard worked in the Employment service in the UK, while serving in his local parish, St Marks in Gillingham, Kent, where his faith took on a new depth.

 

Revd. Richard was commissioned as a Church Army Evangelist in 1998 and served the parishes of St John and St Philips in Nelson, East Lancashire 1998-2001.  A clear sense of call to Ireland brought Richard and Pauline to St. Matthews on the Shankill Road in Belfast, where he worked as a parish evangelist between 2001- 2007.  In 2016, he was selected for ordination and was ordained deacon later that year.

 

Revd. Simon has been appointed as Bishops Curate to the Kildrumferton group of Parishes. He grew up in Dublin and has a background in horticulture running his own business prior to entering the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. For the last year he has served as a deacon in the Edenderry Union of Parishes (diocese of Meath and Kildare) alongside the rector Canon Lynda Peilow.

Revd. Simon is married to Tamara, who hails from Australia and they have a young son Micaiah and an energetic dog. Both Simon and Tamara are really look forward to calling Cavan home and seeing God’s love at work in people’s lives.

Revd. Capt. Richard Waller has been appointed as Bishop’s Curate to the Kildallon Group of Parishes. He has been the deacon intern in the Killeshandra Group of Parishes since September 2016 and is excited to be able to continue to serve in this neighbouring Group of Parishes. Prior to his training for ordination at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Revd. Richard and his wife lived in inner city East Belfast so the contrast now with rural life is very much an enriching experience.

Richard is married to Janette who currently works on the switchboard and reception at the Ulster Independent Clinic, Belfast. They have been made to feel welcome already in the deacon intern year and so are looking forward to getting to know people in the Killdallon Group of Parishes as Richard begins this new chapter of ministry.

Revd. Ken Gibson, CEO of the Leprosy Mission, gave the Address. Preaching from Matthew 9 vs 35-38, Revd. Ken encouraged the candidates as well as the congregation to strive to see people as Jesus sees them. To see how they are affected in order to effectively preach, teach and heal. In his sermon he noted the similarities between an ordination service and a wedding ceremony or baptism and encouraged all those present to verbally express their support for the candidates as they begin their roles as ministers and stewards of God’s word and sacraments.

A service of welcome will take place for each of our newly ordained ministers:

  • Revd. Richard Beadle on Friday 8th September at 730pm in Cloonclare Parish Church.
  • Revd. Richard Waller on Friday 8pm in Kildallon Parish Church
  • Revd. Simon Scott on Sunday 11th September at 1030am in Ballymachugh Parish Church.


Front row l-r: Revd. Ken Gibson, Revd. Richard Waller, Revd. Richard Beadle, Revd. Simon Scott
Back row l-r: Dean. Nigel Crossey, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, The Ven. Craig McCauley, The Ven. Isaac Hanna.