In 2023 it was discussed that two hundred years of Knockbride Church of Ireland’s, current building, should be marked. This spark was ignited but remained untouched until early 2025. Earlier this year ideas were bounced around on how best to mark the occasion and a stark realisation dawned that considerable work was needed on the church building.

Three months ago, that spark became a flame as a committee of hardworking parishioners created an action plan of events and a schedule of works which needed to be done on the church. Following Archdeacon Ian’s departure to the Mullingar Union of Parishes, this committee had to take the baton of responsibility and ensure the planned events would be a success.

Extensive work was completed on the church building. An inclusive wheelchair space was created as part of the congregation, new flooring, dry lining, new carpets, full repaint and a new sound system all quickly came to fruition.

A 3 day event schedule of celebrations was agreed and plans put into action.

Wednesday 13th August- A gospel concert featuring Ballybay Gospel Group & Le Cheile Choir, Cootehill was held. This was a fantastic opening event and set the scene for what was to come.

On Saturday 16th August a vintage car & tractor run took place in conjunction with a vintage day and family fun day. The sun shone and the crowds arrived in droves. Almost 70 vehicles drove the highways and byways of the Knockbride countryside arriving back in the field to a vintage & live threshing display. A local wood turner also displayed his skills.

The family fun day included live music, food vendors, a history talk, photo & video display, children’s play area, face painting, treasure hunt as well as a count the balloons in the tractor competition. The atmosphere, positivity, community integration and uplifting spirit was certainly palpable.

Sunday 17th August concluded celebrations with a service of celebration and thanksgiving led by Bishop Ferran. The service reflected the wonderful talent present in Knockbride as the music, readings, prayers & a poem, written by Lisa Clarke, was read by parishioners. Bishop Ferran reflected on Psalm 16 and how we should be confident in the Lord like David was.
The service concluded with refreshments, served by a hardworking group of ladies, who never wavered all week, and a time to socialise. The weather, again, was fantastic and many visitors, friends and community members rekindled conversations outside in the sunshine.

What started as a spark, years ago, grew into a raging, but magnificent fire. Young & old united willingly and came together to ensure that Knockbride’s 200th Anniversary was marked meticulously.

The churches in the Drumcliffe Group have changed and developed over time. Like a wood that survives for centuries there is a need for development in order to adapt to changing circumstances.

From Sunday 7th September Drumcliffe will be led differently to Lissadell and Munninane. The cycle of services will mean that Revd Luke Pratt continues to be routinely involved in St Columba’s, but will also assist in other services elsewhere in the Archdeaconry until the end of his curacy in 12 months’ time.

Lissadell and Munninane will have other clergy or lay readers involved in leading worship, instead of him. Archdeacon Patrick Bamber will continue to chair Vestry meetings and deal with various issues that arise, but Revd Luke’s involvement will gradually come to an end in those two churches.

The Diocese as a whole is committed to seeing worship continue in Lissadell and Munninane. In recent months in Lissadell the completion of the major roof repair work, the rededication of the east windows and the marriage of Bryan Henry and Linda McMahon were particular high points. We trust that there will be plenty of others in the years to come.

Michael Kenning was ordained by Rt Rev Dr Ferran Glenfield at St John’s Church, Longford, alongside Gail McNeill and Edward Lindsay on 15th of June. We invited him to share his thoughts with the people of the diocese after this special occasion.

Being ordained as a deacon on Sunday 15th at St John’s Longford was not only an immense privilege, but a very special and deeply moving high point in my life. The occasion was filled with great personal significance as I saw promises that God had spoken over me many years earlier being fulfilled.

During the ordination service, I was aware of an enormous sense of thankfulness for all that God has accomplished in my life this point. I am grateful for so many things. For the strong sense of calling to ordained ministry that he has given me. For the love, grace and forgiveness that he has extended to me over so many years, since I came to Christ as a teenager. And I am grateful for the sense of peace that he has given me, knowing that he who calls, also equips, and therefore he will supply all I need for the important task of parish ministry in the years ahead.

There was also a wonderful sense of being part of the family of God during the ordination service. It is a great joy to be joining this diocese, which clearly has such a strong sense of love, mutual support, encouragement and unity, centred around the truths of the Gospel. During the weekend it was great to get to know Gail Mc Neill and Edward Lindsay and to receive so many encouraging words from colleagues in my new diocese.

It was also wonderful to see so many friends attend my ordination from my previous intern parish of Ross Union in West Cork, my former home parish in Carrigrohane, Cork, my new parish in Cootehill and also from the Church of Ireland Theological College in Dublin. I even had a friend unexpectedly travel all the way from Hampshire in England. The love that I received from everyone on the day of my ordination was truly humbling.

I begin my new ministry in Cootehill Group of Parishes with a great sense of God’s calling to this specific place. Some friends recently stated in a card they sent me, ‘Remember God has you exactly where he wants you’ and I believe this with all of my heart and know it to be true. I am looking forward to getting to know and love the people in the Cootehill Group and to serving as their Curate, while also seeking to faithfully model the life-transforming message of the gospel to the surrounding community. The Bible verse that has been speaking to me in this season is from Psalm 37:5, ‘Commit your way to the Lord: trust in him and he will act’. I know that as we commit our lives to God in the Cootehill Group and trust in him for all our needs, the Lord will act and do new things amongst us.

What a day of celebration we had yesterday! The dedication of our beautifully refurbished Derrylin Hall could not have fallen on a more perfect Sunday – Pentecost, the birthday of the Church itself. It felt wonderfully fitting that as we celebrated the rebirth of our beloved hall, we were also marking the day when the Holy Spirit breathed new life into the early Christian community.

Canon Ruth West, who has been such a blessing to our parish during this period of vacancy, led our special service with her usual warmth, humour and grace. We were delighted to be joined by Bishop Ferran Glenfield, whose presence made the occasion even more special. But the real stars of the day were our Sunday School children, who brought such joy and energy to the proceedings.

The youngsters were wonderful, contributing songs, readings, poetry, and prayers that captured the spirit of renewal we’re experiencing. Seeing so many children actively learning God’s word and participating so enthusiastically in our worship is a beautiful sign of the parish’s renewal – not just in bricks and mortar, but in spirit and community. Sunday School leader Sara Jordan and Bishop Ferran presented each child with books of devotion as their well-deserved end-of-year prizes, and their beaming faces were a picture to behold.

During his sermon, Bishop Ferran beautifully wove together the themes of Pentecost and our hall’s renewal. He spoke movingly about how our parish community, with special recognition for Helen Finlay’s tireless efforts, had invested so much time and care in restoring the fabric of our church building – just as God invested in the world by sending Jesus and the Holy Spirit to build His church.

The Bishop’s words about the “language of love” particularly resonated. Just as the disciples were able to speak to people from all nations in their own languages through the power of the Spirit, Bishop Ferran reminded us that God’s universal language is love itself. He challenged us to consider how we speak to one another – not just our words, but our tones and attitudes – ensuring they always convey divine love. “Come Holy Spirit” became our prayer for the day and for the future.

After the service, our newly refurbished hall truly came into its own. The space was packed with parishioners and visitors, all enjoying delicious sandwiches and tempting desserts alongside the essential cup of tea! The fellowship was wonderful to witness – conversations flowed as freely as the tea, laughter echoed off the fresh walls, and there was a real sense of community and thanksgiving.

It was one of those days that remind you why church buildings matter so much. They are not just structures of stone and timber, but spaces where community flourishes, where faith is nurtured, and where love finds its expression in the simplest acts of sharing food and fellowship. Our hall is ready for whatever God has in store for us next – and judging by yesterday’s celebration, that future looks very bright indeed!

Canon Ruth West and Bishop Ferran Glenfield with Betty Emo and Ivan Moran cutting the cake