Summer is Here!

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Bishop Ferran has drawn attention to the importance of ministry among our children, young people and families. Summer is a special time for many outreach events for children, young people and families. Do join in prayer in preparation for the following:

Summer Madness – July 3to 7, Glenarm, Co. Antrim.

Lord, we thank you for the joy and vitality of being young. Life when we are young is full of possibilities and adventure. Be with those who travel with expectation to Summer Madness. Give them the gift of good weather and good friends. May the Good News of Jesus, capture their hearts and imagination, We ask this in His name. Amen.

Holiday Bible Club – Billis Hall, Co. Cavan, 27 June – 1 July

Holiday Bible Club – Killeshandra Hall, Co. Cavan, July 27-31

Holiday Bible Club – Florencecourt Hall, Co. Fermanagh, July 25-29

Our Father, we thank you for the children you have given us. We pray that as they attend these clubs, help them to have fun and friendship. Above all help them to put their trust in your Son, Jesus Christ, that their faith may be real and infectious. Help us in the church to nurture and grow their faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Messy Church – Drung Hall, Co. Cavan, 30 July

Messy Church – Derrylin Hall, Co. Fermanagh,  16 July and 20 August

Lord Jesus you entered into our messy world to bring shape to our lives.
May your love, forgiveness and peace be on those who attend these Messy Church Days. Especially we pray that families may see you at work in their Homes and lives. Amen

Church Weekend Hunt Hall, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, August 12-14

Lord we give you thanks that the church in Mohill is celebrating 200 years of Witness in the town. Be with them this weekend as the are joined by a team From Drumglass Parish, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. May it be a special time of blessing for all concerned

Lord God, creator and savior of the world, we rejoice that you can make all things new. Bless, we pray these and other endeavours for you this summer and may many embrace the warmth of your love. In the name of Jesus, we pray.

Discussion Paper – Rural Isolation

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The Church and Society Commission of the Church of Ireland has published discussion papers on organ donation and rural isolation to inform members of the Church as they consider both issues. The Commission commends the papers for study and discussion in parishes across the island.

The paper on organ donation summarises statements made by the Church and its central committees on donation and consent for donation (including presumed consent) in recent years.  This includes the General Synod’s endorsement for thefleshandblood campaign, which encourages organ donation as an act of Christian giving, and links to information on becoming an organ donor.

The rural isolation paper outlines some of the factors contributing to increasing levels of isolation in rural Ireland, which may be experienced by couples and families as well as individuals.  It also includes links to advice and resources on improving mental health and reducing financial stress.

Both discussion papers will form part of a series which will cover a number of important current policy issues from a Christian perspective.

Discussion Paper – Organ Donation and Consent

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The Church and Society Commission of the Church of Ireland has published discussion papers on organ donation and rural isolation to inform members of the Church as they consider both issues. The Commission commends the papers for study and discussion in parishes across the island.

The paper on organ donation summarises statements made by the Church and its central committees on donation and consent for donation (including presumed consent) in recent years.  This includes the General Synod’s endorsement for thefleshandblood campaign, which encourages organ donation as an act of Christian giving, and links to information on becoming an organ donor.

The rural isolation paper outlines some of the factors contributing to increasing levels of isolation in rural Ireland, which may be experienced by couples and families as well as individuals.  It also includes links to advice and resources on improving mental health and reducing financial stress.

Both discussion papers will form part of a series which will cover a number of important current policy issues from a Christian perspective.

New Confirmation Resource

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For the last number of months, Amy McCrea and Andrew Frame from the Church of Ireland Youth Department have been working on a new Confirmation Resource called ‘I Believe’ to be used by Rectors and those involved in preparing young people for Confirmation.

‘I Believe’ has been created in response to a perceived need for this type of resource. The Youth Department are regularly asked for help or advice on Confirmation Preparation and the alternatives currently available are either outdated or not specifically relevant to Confirmation in the Church of Ireland.

The resource is 12 sessions long and is based round the Confirmation Service, the Ten Commandments and The Apostles’ Creed. Topics include ‘Who is God?’, ‘Why we need a Saviour’, ‘The Sacraments’ and ‘Serving God/Serving others’.

Each session offers a blend of teaching, games, worship and prayer activities and discussion questions. The sessions are aimed to last between forty and ninety minutes at the discretion of the facilitator and the resource offers the flexibility for sessions to be tailored to the needs of the particular context.

In commending the resource, Bishop Pat Storey (CIYD’s President) wrote, “it is current, fresh and orthodox in its presentation and teaching.” and also “this is the first all Ireland resource specifically written for the Church of Ireland. It is our hope, as a Youth Department, that this will be of great help to clergy and youth leaders, from Derry to Cork, and everywhere in between!”

As well as a well-designed Leader’s Manual, an interactive Participant’s Guide has been developed to complement the course and it is hoped that young people will enjoy using this as they undergo their Confirmation preparation.

The resource will be launched at General Synod in May. Each Parish will receive a complimentary copy of the Leader’s Manual and a Participant’s Guide. Further copies will be available for purchase through the CIYD office and other outlets.

For The Farmers

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On Sunday the 8th of May members of the Arva and Kileshandra group of parishes gathered in the beautiful sunshine at Carrigallen Mart for their annual tractor service. The tractor service is a great community event when folk from all faiths come together to ask for God’s blessing on their work and a large crowd arrived with tractors of all makes and sizes to pray for the season ahead. The service was led by Rev. Hazel Hicks and Shane Connolly and Brian McNally read the lessons. The guest preacher was Dean Raymond Ferguson who reminded us that our lives don’t consist of the abundance of our possessions but should be placed in the lasting joy we find in Jesus Christ our risen Saviour. After the sermon Rev. Ali Calvin and Rev. Hazel Hicks led the congregation in prayers for safety and protection on farms, for good weather and for farming families. Fr. Dan Sheridan led the grace before the evening concluded with a wonderful tea and a good opportunity to catch up with people we may not have seen in a while.

FOR-THE-FARMERS-DKEALeft to Right: Rev. Hazel Hicks, Dean Raymond Ferguson, Rev. Ali Calvin, Fr. Dan Sheridan

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Revd. Tanya Woods Instituted as the Rector of the Annagh Group of Parishes

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On Friday evening 22nd April family, friends and parishioners past and present gathered to celebrate the institution of the Revd Tanya Woods as Rector of the Annagh Group of parishes (Belturbet, Cloverhill, Drumaloor and Drumlane). The service, which took place in a packed Belturbet Parish church, was led by Bishop Ferran Glenfield assisted by Archdeacon Craig McCauley with Maud Cunningham acting as stand in registrar.

The parish praise band led the congregation in worship and the Belturbet Community choir were a fantastic contribution to the singing on the night. It was fitting that the music was a real highlight of the evening given Revd. Tanya’s interest in church music. Scripture readings were read by George Davidson and Canon Liz McElhinney whose reading was delivered by recording.

The address was given by The Venerable Craig McCauley, Archdeacon of Kilmore. He said that the symbols used in the Service of Institution remind us that ministry requires a person to be servant-hearted, pastorally minded, bible focused and prayerful. He said that the readings chosen by Revd. Tanya highlight her understanding of ministry as a call to preach Jesus Christ and his grace and to encourage us into a living faith. He said ministry means reaching out beyond our boundaries to build relationships to bring the gospel message to all. But he reminded us that ministry is a collaborative effort. The role of the minister is to equip, teach and encourage parishioners but the ministry of the church is to be carried out by all.

The Act of Institution was then carried out by Bishop Ferran Glenfield, after which words of  welcome were given to Revd. Tanya by Father Gerry Comiskey, Parish Priest of Drumlane, Canon Mark Lidwell on behalf of the Diocese of Kilmore, Sylvia Quinn (GFS Central President) and Violet Morton (GFS Diocesan President) on behalf of the GFS, David Coles on behalf of the Annagh Group of Parishes and Mavis Mcgee on behalf of the Mother’s Union.

Refreshments were served in the Seven Horses Hotel after the service. The warmth and the atmosphere of the evening were a real affirmation of the ministry of Revd. Tanya who has been serving as Minister-in-Charge of the Annagh Group of Parishes. We pray that the Lord continues to bless Tanya and her family as she continues to preach Christ and serve as Rector in this Group.

 


Left to Right: Dean Nigel Crossey, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Revd. Tanya Woods, Archdeacon Craig McCauley.


Belturbet Community Choir and the Parish Praise Band

 

 

For further information contact the Diocesan Communications Officer:
Jennifer Horner
Tel: (042) 967 5822
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.dkea.ie

Parish Reader Training

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Bishop Ferran will facilitate training for Parish Readers at the venues listed below. All Parish Readers are invited to attend ONE of the sessions. Please contact Kilmore Diocesan Office on email [email protected] or Phone 049-5559954 to confirm the venue you wish to attend at least 3 working days before the date of the training.

  • Kilmore Church of Ireland Hall, Cavan
    Tuesday 17th May 2016 at 8pm
  • St John’s Annexe, Florencecourt, Co Fermanagh
    Tuesday 31st May 2016 at 8pm
  • Riversdale Guest House, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim
    Tuesday 27th September 2016 at 8pm
  • The Catacombs, Calry, Sligo
    Tuesday 11th October 2016 at 8pm
  • The Core, Roscommon
    Tuesday 25th October 2016 at 8pm

The training will finish about 9.45pm with tea/coffee.

Diocesan 20/20 Vision: A People of Prayer

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Prayer is critical to the Christian life lived out as individuals and collectively as church communities. In the diocesan 20/20 Vision we have committed ourselves to be people of prayer, who depend on God for everything. This year
2016 is one in which prayer is being emphasized. In this we draw our inspiration and instruction from the Bible. In his letters to the emerging churches of the 1st Century AD, the Apostle Paul, is a church leader who models the vitality of prayer.In his Letter to the Colossians, for example, he makes two prayer requests in verses 9 to 11 of the opening chapter.

Paul pays first of all that these Christians in Colossae may be filled with an ever-growing knowledge of the will of God. It is a great thing to know the will of God. In prayer we do not seek to persuade God to act on our will, but that his will be done. In prayer we speak to God, but we also must listen to him.

Knowing God’s will, Paul maintains will be translated into action. So when Paul prays that these Colossians may have spiritual wisdom and understanding, he asks that his friends may live in such a way as to please God. In this way prayer is a very practical thing. Prayer and action go hand in hand. We pray not in order to escape life but in order to be able to meet the daily demands of living. In this we need God’s power to enable us to live out the life God intends for each one of us.

For Christians, prayer is the air we breathe. Without breath we will not live and without prayer we will not live as God intends. So let us pray.

2016 DKEA Resource Day

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Worthy of your Calling

This Saturday, 16th April, parishioners and clergy from around the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh gathered in the Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon for this year’s Diocesan Resource Day.

Ministry and mission are for all. The local church is a place for everyone to exercise their ministry and mission and the aim of the DKEA Resource day was to train, resource and equip church members for service inside and outside the church.

An incredibly diverse range of workshops ran throughout the day – from information on financial management to fresh ideas for communicating God’s word or reaching out to children and young people, to practical ideas for community outreach.

The day was informative, inspiring, practical, encouraging and motivating. If you missed it this year’s Diocesan Resource Day make sure you sign up next time!

 

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Applications open for YWCA Peace and Justice Training

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The YWCA is running a training course for young women on peace and justice between 12th and 15th June 2016 in Newcastle Co. Down. As part of the training, young women aged 30 and under from Ireland, the UK, Palestine and Denmark will come together to discuss their experiences of peace and justice and to learn skills and to develop their expertise in order to become effective peacemakers in their communities, countries and internationally. This training is fully funded by the World YWCA Power to Change Fund, however, places are limited.

The full details of the training are here: http://ywca.ie/applications-open-ywca-peace-justice-training/.

The closing date for applications is 22 April 2016.