Day of Prayer for Young People and Youth Ministry – 3rd March

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For the past five years the Church of Ireland Youth Department has organised resources for a Day of Prayer for Young People and Youth Ministry, designated by the House of Bishops as the Sunday before Lent. This year it will 3rd March 2019.
As in previous years, it is hoped that clergy and all who lead worship on that day will include prayer for young people and youth ministry in their services on that day, so that people in all parishes across the diocese are aware of and able to participate in this initiative. In previous years, a resource pack with ideas and suggestions for how to mark the day and to pray creatively has been sent around, but this year CIYD have produced an attractively presented booklet, which has been sent out around the diocese.

In addition, there will also be a gathering – aimed at young people, but of course open to all who are concerned to pray for and with them – in St. John’s Church in Longford at 5 pm on the day. The gathering will be a relaxed opportunity for people to come together for prayer, reflection on the Scriptures, and some social time over pizza. There will be space and opportunity for creative prayer during a simple worship service. If anyone would like more information, please contact Damian Shorten at [email protected] or (087) 2274663. If you or a group from your parish/youth group are hoping to attend, please let Damian know as some idea of numbers would be a great help.

New Life Choir: 16th March, Drung

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Plough Sunday: 17th Feb, Ballymachugh

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Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh Together Day

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In January, some thirty clerical and lay pastors attended a Together Day at the See House in Kilmore. The guest speaker was Ken Moser who lectures in Youth Ministry at a seminary in Canada. Ken spoke of the stark reality in youth ministry across the Western World. What churches are doing with young people is clearly not working. Up to 90% of church young people leave church and never return. He advocated churches to rethink their ministry among the young prioritising relationships, nourishing the soul and integrating young people into the life of the church, as early as possible in their teenage years. Churches like the Church of Ireland have much to offer young people: Biblical inheritance, liturgical resources, spiritual disciplines, thoughtful theology and godly spiritual mentors. Ken’s presentations were informed, challenging and yet empowering. All is not lost, with God nothing is impossible! The day closed in the nearby Kilmore Cathedral with Holy Communion

Vacancy Notice: Communications Officer

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Job Description

 Summary: The object of this role is to ensure the delivery of effective press and communications in support of the mission of the Church of Ireland. The Church is an all-island body, with 12 dioceses and central offices based in Dublin and Belfast. The role offers an exciting opportunity for a competent all-rounder, used to multi-tasking in a complex environment. The role reports to the Head of Synod Services & Communications.

Specific responsibilities

  1. Maintain an active press and media service providing co-ordinated media coverage around the key areas of focus for the Church with particular emphasis on the media needs of the Archbishop of Armagh.
  2. Working with the press office staff and diocesan communications officers, ensure the writing and preparation of news releases, news, features and briefing materials for internal and external media, including the Church of Ireland website and social media outlets; facilitate press conferences as required.
  3. Maintain industry links; support and brief senior members of the Church of Ireland and its structures; ensure that the organisation is kept abreast of key items arising in the media.
  4. Reporting to the Head of Synod Services & Communications, provide research support and briefing papers as may be required by the wider church and editorial proofing services.
  5. Manage media training needs for Church spokespersons.
  6. Prepare and manage budgets for press and communications and Church of Ireland Publishing.
  7. Manage and administer Church of Ireland Publishing and other Church of Ireland published materials including management of the publishing website and support for the Literature Committee in developing new publishing projects.
  8. Assist the Head of Communications & Synod Services to provide communications support to committees and to deliver the strategic communications plan for the Church the Central Communications Board.
  9. Provide cover as part of a rota.
  10. Assist at the General Synod, major services, such as consecrations of bishops, or special conferences.
  11. Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

 

Terms and Conditions of Appointment

Appointment: The post is a permanent full-time position, confirmed after a 9 months probationary period, by agreement with the successful candidate.

Hours of work: Based on an average 35 hour week. Flexible working with core time at Church of Ireland House – the role requires some evening and weekend work. Holidays will be as specified in the contract of employment.

Location: the post-holder will be based in Church of Ireland House, Rathmines, Dublin 6 or in Church of Ireland House, Belfast as agreed with the candidate, but weekly performance of duties in both locations will be expected. Travel with Ireland and occasional overnights will be required. The candidate will require a full driving licence and access to a car.

Remuneration: salary and benefits will be competitive with market rates and will also reflect the experience/qualifications of the successful candidate.

Application

Application should be made using the application form supplied including names and contact details of two referees, to include your most recent employment (you will be contacted about this in advance of our approaching your referees).

Completed applications must arrive no later than 12 noon on Friday 18 January 2019.

Person specification

  Essential Desirable
Education / Training Degree or equivalent experience
Experience ·       At least 5 years’ experience in a communications role in a busy organisational environment.

·       Experience of communications technologies and software

·       Experience of co-ordinating high volume activity at any given time.

·       Knowledge of national media

 

 ·     Experience of responding directly to press enquiries

·     Experience of working with volunteers and with senior staff and representatives of community and political organisations.

·     Budgetary and financial/project management experience
Knowledge / Skills ·       High level of communication and organisation skills and strong attention to detail.

·       Highly confidential attitude and approach in all aspects of work.

·       Confident user of communications technology.

·       Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to quickly establish and maintain rapport with a diverse range of stakeholders and to manage ongoing working relationships and work plans at all levels of the Church.

·       Excellent time management skills.

 ·     Familiarity with current social and political framework in NI and RI.

·     Working knowledge of regulation around copyright, libel, data protection.

 

 
Other
  • A sympathy with and understanding of the ethos of the Church of Ireland

·       High level of initiative and can work efficiently and effectively both independently and as part of a team; a multi-tasker, output-focused.

  • Experience of managing other staff
  • Possession of a full valid driving licence and access to a vehicle

 

Ballymahon Regional Songs of Praise

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On 25th November, St Catherine’s Church Ballymahon was packed as it hosted a Regional Songs of praise to ‘make a joyful noise to the rock of our Salvation’ (Psalm 51:1). The service was organised and led by Ruth Galbraith and Canon Trevor Sullivan from the Ardagh Union who were joined by clergy and parishioners from the Athlone Group of Parishes (Meath and Kildare), the Mullingar Group of Parishes (Meath and Kildare), the Roscommon Group of Parishes (Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh) and priests from Tang and Forgney Churches in the Diocese of Meath as well as from Ballymahon, Killashee, Abbeyshrule and Carrickedmond in the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. It was a congregation transcending dioceses and denominations singing their hearts out praising God.

Rev. William Stacey (Athlone Union of Churches) gave the address. The music for the evening was provided by Lesley Denniston on the keyboard and the Huston Trio (Harry Huston on guitar and Jenny and Mervyn Huston on violin). Ballymahon has recently installed a sound system and the service was an excellent way to mark its first use. It was an uplifting, joyous evening of marvellous singing and it was very special to see such a great response from local parishes and their clergy.

The Huston Trio with members of the congregation


Clergy who participated in the evening.
Back Row: Father Liam Murray, Ed Smyth, Father Turlough Baxter, Canon  Alastair Graham, Father Jerry Murphy
Front Row:  Rev William Stacey, Ruth Galbraith, Canon Trevor Sullivan, Father Charlie Healy


Lesley Denniston and friends

Ecumenical Prayer Service of Rememberance

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On Sunday the 25th November Dean Nigel Crossey joined with Fr. Séan McDermott and the Cavan Rugby Choir for an Ecumenical Prayer Service of Remembrance to mark the end of the First World War Centenary at Cavan County Museum. Before the service Minister Heather Humphries launched the Museum’s publication ‘A First World War Centenary Roll of Honour for County Cavan’ which had been painstakingly compiled by Dr Michael Finnegan. The event was a wonderful opportunity to remember Irish men and women from all 32 counties and from all political affiliations and religious backgrounds who had been involved in the First World War – especially those from County Cavan. The day ended with a procession through the World War One trench that has been reconstructed at Cavan County Museum and the sounding of the Last Post by the O’Neill Branch, Cavan.


Fr. Sean McDermott and Dean Nigel Crossey with Cllr Madeline Argue, Minister Heather Humphreys and other dignitaries

Dean Nigel Crossey and Fr Sean McDermott


Members of the O’Neill Branch, Cavan


The Cavan Rugby Choir

KEA Mothers’ Union 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence

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Saturday the 25th November (International day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) marks the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. To mark this day the Mothers’ Unions across Ireland have organised prayer vigils to raise awareness and call for an end to gender-based violence in all forms. This year the KEA MU prayer vigil took place in St John’s Church in Longford and was lead by Canon David Catterall. Women and men from around the Diocese joined together to pray for eyes to recognise abuse where it exists, a heart to reach out in compassion and the courage and resolve to make a difference.

Mairead McGuinness, Vice-President of the European Parliament was present at the vigil and thanked the Mothers’ Union for their contribution to breaking the silence of gender-based violence. Following the service, Mo Reynolds from Women’s Link, Longford, gave a moving talk about how we can respond well to those who have experienced gender-based violence. It only takes one non-judgemental, supportive, patient person who will listen and believe to make all the difference.

In the photo are (L-R): Mo Reynolds (Womens’ Link, Longford), Mairead McGuinness (MEP), Canon David Catterall, Martlet Hunter (Social Policy Rep), Hazel Speares (Diocesan President), Diane Steward (Longford MU) and Mary Geelan (Faith and Policy Co-ordinator).