BETTER TOGETHER

The Annual Joint Meeting of the Diocesan Synods of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh took place on Saturday 17th October in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. At this meeting Bishop Ferran Glenfield introduced the proposed union of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh under a single administration. At present the diocese is administered in two parts: Kilmore and Elphin and Ardagh. However, one of the key things identified in a series of Conversation Days facilitated by the Bishop shortly after his appointment was a desire for a single administration to avoid unnecessary duplication and waste. Both Killmore and Elphin and Ardagh have been united since before the Church of Ireland was disestablished nearly 150 years ago. The Bishop noted that over the years respect and trust had built up, to the point that we consider ourselves as one family, who are better together.

During the Synod a series of motions were put before and unanimously approved by the Synods of the Diocese of Kilmore and the Dioceses of Elphin and Ardagh which will enable the two Dioceses to work together under one administration. The proposed single administration and financial scheme will now go forward to the RCB. If the RCB are satisfied the scheme will be placed before the General Synod in May 2016.

A huge amount of work has been done to get this far and Bishop Ferran paid tribute to the two working groups who worked tirelessly through the details of the proposed single administration and the accompanying financial scheme. He also thanked the various officers of the RCB for their input.

These changes are part of our larger Vision for the church, 20/20 VISION, which in relation to administration aspires that ‘Diocesan administration and structures should be relevant, accountable, representative and supportive of the local church. Diocesan resources should be released to this end.’ In his Presidential address, the Bishop said that these changes make sense – ‘we are better together, not just symbolically but in reality’. He asked for support and prayers as we go forward in God together as three distinctive members of one united family, Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.

 

Bishop Ferran Glenfield

Olwen Heaslip and Cathy Clarke

Revd Canon Patrick Bamber and Deborah Davitt

Damien Shorten and Hannah O’Neill

Dean Arfon Williams and John Davies

Dean Nigel Crossey and Cynthia Poyntz

Emma Lynch – Tearfund

Mary Geelan

Sandra Lindsay

William Foster and Canon Billy Stafford

Rev. Nick Jones is to be appointed as the minister in charge of the Drung Group of Parishes on January 22nd 2016. Although originally from England, Nick has a deep love of the Irish, so much so that he married native Irish girl Dorothy in 2009! Nick originally trained and worked as a lawyer in London, but following his conversion to Christ in 2002 he began to consider overseas mission work and subsequently ordained ministry. He is delighted that those two things have been combined and that he can now serve as a Church of Ireland minister. Nick and Dorothy have two children, Bethany (5) and William (2), and so they don’t get much spare time! However, when they do they enjoy playing tennis and watching rugby (especially England Ireland games!). Nick also enjoys windsurfing, surfing, 5-aside football, squash and reading. Nick is very much looking forward to serving the Drung Group of Parishes where he hopes to delight in sharing not only the gospel of God but his life as well (1 Thessalonians 2:8).

On Sunday 30^th August a Service of Farewell was held in St Coman’s Church, Roscommon for Canon Liz McElhinney who has retired as Priest-in-Charge of the Roscommon Group of Parishes. The church was filled with parishioners and members of the wider community who enjoyed the music and singing of various groups. At the service, a plaque was unveiled dedicating the restored East window to the glory of God in memory of Canon J.M.E. and Mrs Lily Maguire by their daughter Revd Canon Liz McElhinney.

Refreshments were served after the service in The Core Community Centre. The Lamb Festival Committee made a presentation to Revd Liz in thanks for her contribution to the annual Roscommon Lamb Festival. Mr Steve Frost, member of The Core committee, spoke of the foresight and commitment, especially of Cyril, in the development of the building to the fine facility it now is and drew our attention to the plaque on wall, acknowledging this work.

 

Kids: Lanesborough, Roscommon Sunday School music group

Flautist: Flautist, Hazel Murray

Sean: Musicians Sean Hanily and Annie McNally playing outside The Core

Liz Lamb presentation: A presentation to Revd Liz thanking her for her contribution to the Roscommon Lamb Festival (L-R Gerry Browne (Chairman of the Lamb Festival Committee), David McElhinney (Revd Liz’s Son) and Revd Liz McElhinney)

The Four Amigos: (L-R) Cyril McElhinney, Dulcie Galloway, Chris Nolan, Brian Murray