Kilmore Diocesan Confirmation Day

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Kilmore’s first Diocesan Confirmation Day was held on Saturday 9th November 2019 in Killeshandra Church Hall, Co. Cavan. A group of nearly 40 young people (along with clergy and leaders) who are preparing for confirmation at this time joined together to get to know one another and be encouraged in this big step in their journey of faith.

Simon Henry, National Youth Officer of the Church of Ireland Youth Department, was our speaker for three sessions. He spoke to the confirmands about the importance of Confirmation as a public and personal taking on of the promises of their baptism – sharing his own testimony of God in his life growing up in the Church of Ireland. He also shared about prayer and the Bible in an inspiring but also practical way, and concluded by encouraging the teenagers to play their part in the Church, not just before, but after their confirmations. We concluded with a time of worship as we considered our need for the help of the Holy Spirit to believe in and follow Christ each day. The sessions were interspersed with games and breaks, which all helped everyone to relax and get to know each other.

Thank you to Simon and all those who made the day possible, including those who brought the young people and Canon Alison Calvin & Killeshandra Parish for the use of their wonderful hall. A similar day aimed at those in the Elphin & Ardagh part of the diocese, with Simon again as the speaker, will take place on Saturday 7th March 2020 in the Cooper Memorial Hall, Riverstown.

We pray for all young people who are considering or preparing for Confirmation. Make ready their hearts and minds and bring them to a true and lasting faith in you. By the power of your Holy Spirit, help them to live out their confirmation declarations and promises for the rest of their lives, keeping their eyes firmly fixed upon you. Amen. (prayer from CIYD’s ‘Praying for Young People & Youth Ministry’ booklet)

 

Survey finds that 72% of Cavan people want to know God personally

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Survey finds that 72% of Cavan people want to know God personally

A recent survey around Cavan town has found that 72% of people would like to know God personally.
The survey was carried out door to door and on the streets during the last week in September and first week of October by volunteers wearing distinctive blue sweatshirts, drawn from a range of denominations in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. They were mobilised by the charity, Through Faith Mission, and came at the invitation of Church of Ireland Bishop Ferran Glenfield of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.

During the fortnight they were based at the Cavan Royal School and endeavoured to share a simple message of the Christian good news in door to door teams and engaging people in the town centre .The teams visited 891 homes where 128 people completed surveys, another 62 people completing surveys on the street.

The volunteers found that:

  • 61% of people believed in a personal God.
  • 26% believe we return to earth in another form after death
  • 19% believe we all go to heaven
  • 62% believe Jesus is the son of God
  • 10% believe he is a prophet or messenger of God
  • 80% of people have prayed at some time
  • 72% would like to know God personally.

Commenting on the findings, Rev Nick Jones, Rector of the Drung group of parishes, noted: “The survey seems to confirm the well know survey that even the atheist prays when in difficulty, with 80% saying they pray at some point in their life. However only 61% believe in a personal God.

“The most encouraging statistic for me was that 72% of people said that they would like to know God personally and the good news is that we can indeed know Him through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. “He walked this earth 2000 years ago and we have eye witness accounts telling us all about his life, death and resurrection.”  I would love to help anyone who wants to know Him personally, we run a course called Christianity Explored and everyone is welcome to join us, please get in contact if you have questions or would like more information about knowing God personally. We are currently running a Christianity Explored Course in the Ballyhaise Community Centre on Sundays at 4pm, which is open to everyone and where no questions are off limits. Thank-you to everyone for taking part in the survey.”
One of the TFM team leaders, David Bolton, added: “It was a real privilege to serve here in Cavan and our volunteers were so pleased at the warm and courteous welcome we received from almost everyone we met. I would also like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our survey. We we very much encouraged to find that so many people still believe in a personal God, that Jesus is the only son of God and that so many people pray and are  interested in knowing God personally.”

The short gospel booklet handed out by the team, ‘Knowing God personally’ can be downloaded for free at;- www.agape.org.uk/Resources/gospeloutlines/Knowing%20God%20Personally.pdf

Further enquiries should be directed to Rev Nick Jones at [email protected]

 

Diocesan Report 2019

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MINUTES of the 150th annual meeting of the Synod of Kilmore held jointly with the second ordinary session of the 33rd Synod of Elphin & Ardagh in The Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 10.00am.

» Click here to download the Diocesan Report 2019

School’s Services of Harvest Thanksgiving

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This week yKea has hosted, not two as in previous years, but three School’s Services of Harvest Thanksgiving. Cavan Parish church hosted pupils attending national school in Kilmore, St John’s Cathedral, Sligo hosted pupils and teachers in Elphin and St John’s Church Longford hosted schools in Ardagh. It is wonderful to see how these services have grown in a few years.

This year Damien Shorten was joined by Erin Moorcroft (our CMS Australia mission partner) and Alan Williamson (Church Army Evangelist with the Drumcliffe Centre for Mission) for a fantastically fun-filled service which saw Bishop Ferran do battle with a mysterious caped superhero armed with a super soaker. Within all the laughter, music and a little splashing all those who attended were with left with a strong message that Jesus is a mighty rescuer who conquered death and paid the price for our sins to bring us to God.

 

Vacancy: Longford Parish

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The Longford Group of Parishes wish to appoint a minister in charge with the opportunity to become the Rector.

» Click Here to Download the Parish Profile

The Longford Group of Parishes comprise of five churches. These churches are represented by three vestries: Ballymacormack & Killashee, Newtownforbes & Clooncumber, and Templemichael (Longford). The parishes consist of a balanced combination of urban and rural settings. The Rectory is located in Longford Town.

County Longford is located in the heart of Ireland and is easily accessible on major road and rail routes: Dublin 124km, Galway 135km, Belfast 191km, Cork 255km.

Longford is a vibrant and developing county, with many large enterprises choosing to locate there in recent years, including Abbott Diagnostics, Irish Prison Services, Green Isle, Center Parcs. Longford boasts a beautiful landscape and many amenities for both young and old. The River Shannon marks the county border between Longford and Roscommon, and the River Inny and the Royal Canal run through Co. Longford with many picturesque villages located on their banks.

The people of Longford embrace a wonderful sense of community with many ecumenical events across the parishes. The Longford Group of Parishes frequently hold community events such as musical events, Cruthu Arts Festival, Heritage Week and flower festivals. These events are very well received by the wider community.

St. John’s National School serves the group of parishes. There are many secondary schools in the area, with Wilson’s Hospital School, Cavan Royal School, and Sligo Grammar School nearby. Athlone Institute of Technology is also close by.

Mullagh Parish Church celebrates 200 years

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Mullagh Church of Ireland in the diocese of Kilmore celebrated its Bicentenary Anniversary on Sunday 15th September 2019 with a Harvest Thanksgiving of praise. The picturesque church on the edge of Mullagh lake was packed full as we gathered together as a parish and as a community to celebrate this special milestone. The service was led by the current rector – Rev. Ian Horner and the lesson was read by Norman Shekleton. Special music guests for the day were the fantastic Belturbet Church Praise band, directed by Rev. Tanya Woods, who lead the worship. The guest preacher was the Rt. Rev. Dr. Ferran Glenfield, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh who spoke from Acts 2 about the unchanging mission of the church to spread the gospel message far and wide. Following the address Valerie Shekleton led the congregation in prayers of intercession and thanksgiving.

After the service a delicious tea was served in St. Killian’s Heritage Centre. It was a lovely occasion to see friends old and new as we gathered to give thanks for the life and witness of Mullagh Parish Church over the past 200 years. We look forward to being part of God’s ongoing work in this community.