Gathered In: training, worship and fellowship

On Saturday 8th of June, representatives of parishes across the Diocese Of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh met for a day of missional training, worship and fellowship. This autumn, KEA is partnering with Through Faith Missions for a time of mission throughout the diocese. The theme is ‘Gathered In Mission 2019’ and is taking place during the harvest season running from 21st September to 6th October 2019. The day was a wonderful opportunity to join together to prayerfully consider how we might undertake mission during this time.

Bicentenary Celebration Service – Arva Parish Church – Sunday 16 June

Bicentenary Celebration Service
Arva Parish Church
Sunday 16 June 2019 at 3.30pm

Music by Kilmore Cathedral Choir
Preacher: Bishop Ferran Glenfield
Refreshments afterwards
Everyone Welcome

Cavan Personal Belief Survey

On Saturday 8th of June 2019,as part of the Gathered In Training day a Personal Beliefs Survey was carried out by volunteers in Cavan town between 3 and 4 pm. Up to 50 completed surveys were obtained from pedestrians on Main Street and homes in College Street, Wolfe Tone Street and Railway Road. The completed surveys were anonymous and there was no attempt to ascertain the religious affiliation of respondents. What did the survey tell us?

Question 1 asked what did you believe about God? Six out of ten respondents believed that God was personal. A quarter of those questioned were unclear about God .One out of ten thought God was a distant being and 3% of respondents did not believe that God existed.

Question 2 probed beliefs about the afterlife. Nearly four out of ten respondents believed that all went to heaven after death. Whereas a quarter held the belief that some went to heaven and others to hell. The remainder of those surveyed were equally made up of those who were unsure about the afterlife and those that thought that death was the end, there was nothing more.

Question 3 examined beliefs about Jesus. Six out of ten of those questions held the creedal belief that Jesus was the only Son of God. Just over a third replied that Jesus was a spokesperson for God, while about one in ten people thought that Jesus was an ordinary human being.

Question 4 asked people about their spirituality. Seven out of ten people admitted to praying about an issue; three out of ten had a definite spiritual experience. About four out of ten had experienced both prayer and a spiritual experience.

Question 5 enquired if people could know God personally would they be interested? Seven out of ten responded yes, two out of ten were unsure and the remainder were not interested in the possibility.

The survey was a limited exercise which gave a small snapshot of beliefs. Belief in a personal God, life after death, the divinity of Jesus, the reality of spiritual experiences, particularly prayer, and the desire for a relationship with God is strong. Deism and atheism are minority standpoints. Views on the afterlife were more mixed with less than 25% holding a traditional understanding of heaven and hell. The divinity of Jesus was questioned by almost 40% of the sample.
Most of those questioned were spiritual and were open to a personal relationship with God.

Cootehill Parish Bicentenary Celebrations

Cootehill Parish Bicentenary weekend at the end of May was an outstanding success. On Friday 24th we had the pleasure of listening to Joy Boyd, a Gospel singer from Larne, Co Antrim. She was accompanied by the Gospel Group Testify, from Co Antrim and Co Down. The evening included some community hymn singing, and an unexpected highlight of the evening was when Co Cavan singer, Lorraine Vance from Arva, who was in the audience, was called forward by the group to sing an impromptu piece. She did this to huge acclaim. The event was held in the church, and there was a sizeable crowd in attendance.

On Sunday 26th the church was almost filled to capacity for our special Bicentenary Celebration Service. This was held at 3.00pm, and we welcomed as our guest preacher our Bishop, Right Rev Ferran Glenfield. We were honoured to have as our soloist a member of Ashfield congregation, Farrah Keith, who was accompanied and trained by a local lady, retired Presbyterian minister Rev Florence Taylor. Farrah sang two pieces in the service which were beautifully performed – ‘Pié Jesu’, and ‘Brother, Sister Let Me Serve You.’The lessons were read by Mr Victor Reilly, our Parish Reader, and his wife Audrey, Diocesan Reader. Three of our young people ably led our prayers, Ethan Smyth, Alannah Pepper and Zara Johnston. The offering was received by Richard Pepper, Roy Grindle, Aaron Pepper, Kenneth Pepper, Kate Donnelly, Pam Johnston and Jonathan Smyth. Norman Foster arranged a Bicentenary Cake for the event, and this was cut after the service by the Bishop and was enjoyed during the tea. Thanks to all those who took part and helped to make our service the success which it was. Many people were involved behind the scenes, cleaning the church, tidying the grounds, bringing extra chairs, producing the beautiful flower arrangements and promoting the events. I am reluctant to mention any individuals, but Victor Reilly of Pricewise seemed to be down at the church for a while almost every day that week.

In his sermon the Bishop impressed us with some interesting historical information about the town of Cootehill and our church. He then used the early church, as described in our second lesson (Acts 2:42-47), as an example of what church should be.

The church then was clear in what it was about – bringing the Gospel message to the world.

The early church was a caring group – different from the world.

The early church was a learning church – they learned Jesus teaching and they were people of the book – the Bible.

A big thank you to the Bishop for his inspirational and challenging words. Thank you also to everyone in the congregation who made a huge effort – without you all we could not have had such a successful weekend.

 

Cutting the cake

 Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Rev. David Moses and his wife Catherine at official opening of rectory

 Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Rev. David Moses and glebewardens, members of building committee and Mr Ronnie Carnew, builder at official opening of rectory before the service on Sunday.

Photographer: Noel Halton

Job Post: Diocesan Youth and Children’s Worker

The Bishop of Kilmore wishes to appoint a Diocesan Youth and Children’s Coordinator based in the Kilmore area of the diocese.

The Bishop is seeking someone who:

  • has an infectious love for the Lord and his people
  • is committed to biblical faith and orthodoxy
  • has an ability to teach the faith
  • is teachable and has a servant heart
  • is mission minded
  • relates easily to others
  • is a team player
  • is resilient
  • will be a loyal and active member of the Diocesan team.

In turn the Diocese will undertake to:

  • support the Youth and Children’s co-ordinator
  • integrate the coordinator into the Diocesan Family
  • allow for further training and development
  • assist the coordinator to develop their gifts

Applications will close at 4pm on Friday 7th June 2019. They should be submitted by email to [email protected] or be received by post to Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh Diocesan Office, 20A Market Street, Cootehill, Co. Cavan.

Should you require further information regarding the post please contact:

Mr Alan Williamson,
Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh Diocesan Youth Council.
Tel: 089 2554664
Email: [email protected]

Summer Madness 28th June – 2nd July

28th June-2nd July 2019. Glenarm Estate, Co Antrim. Cost: €100

Bookings are now open for this year’s Summer Madness festival. Summer Madness is a festival for young people, where you’ll hear brilliant biblical teaching, have space to encounter God and grow in your relationship with Him. Young people from across Ireland, across backgrounds and church denominations will be gathering together at glorious Glenarm to worship, celebrate, learn and grow. If you would like to join the yKEA Diocesan group at this year’s festival you will find all the details you need in the booking form here.

» Click Here to download Booking Form

 

Cootehill BiCentenary Celebration Weekend – 24th & 26th May

LL SAINTS’ DRUMGOON (COOTEHILL) – BICENTENARY CELEBRATION WEEKEND – 24th & 26th May 2019

GOSPEL CONCERT WITH JOY BOYD & FRIENDS
COOTEHILL CHURCH OF IRELAND FRIDAY 24TH 7.30pm
(Voluntary donations – proceeds in aid of church funds)

BICENTENARY THANKSGIVING SERVICE
SUNDAY 26TH MAY 3.00PM
SPECIAL PREACHER: RIGHT REVEREND FERRAN GLENFIELD (Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh) Soloist Farrah Keith. Refreshments to follow.