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

St. Fethlimidh’s Cathedral, Kilmore was full last Friday evening as colleagues, friends, family and parishoners gathered for the Institution of The Revd. Nigel Crossey as Incumbent of the Kilmore Group of Parishes and his Installation as Dean of Kilmore. The service was led by The Rt. Revd. FerranGlenfield, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh assisted by the Ven. Craig McCauley, the Archdeacon of Kilmore.

Revd. Nigel served as Chaplin to St Columba’s College in Dublin prior to his appointment as Dean of Kilmore. He was born in Belfast and read Classics at Christ’s College, Cambridge before studying for ordination at the Church of Ireland Theological College in Dublin. He was ordained for Drumglass Parish, Dungannon in 1984 before becoming Rector of Magheraculmoney Parish, Kesh in ClogherDiocese. He has also served in chaplaincy roles across the United Kingdom and Europe. Nigel is married to Yvonne and they have four children and one grandchild with another soon on the way.

The music for the service was wonderful with singing led by the Cathedral choir directed by Raymond Fergusson and accompanied Vera Pollock playing the organ. In an address given by Revd. Barry Paine, Rector of Balinderry Group of Parishes, Armagh, Nigel was described as an intelligent, challenging, fair, faithful, tough, forthright, profession, loyal, committed man, a man who would champion injustice, a person of God, a person of prayer and a person of the Scriptures. Revd. Barry said that the church should be a ‘beauty spot’ in a world of fear, desperation and fragility. Speaking from 2 Corinthians vs 8, he said that the church should be searching for a vision for a better way forward and excellence in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness and giving. He encouraged the congregation to pray for Revd. Nigel as he came to serve in the Cathedral Church of St. Fethlimidh and Ballintemple Parish Church.

The service was followed by a wonderful tea in the Parish Hall and the warm reception was very welcome on a chilly evening. Canon Horace McKinley, Rector of Whitechurch, Dublin opened a series of speeches welcoming Revd. Nigel which was followed by words of welcome from Wendy Swan, representing the Kilmore Group Parish Nominators, Sam Scott, the Rector’s Church Warden of St. Fethlimidh’s Cathedral Church and Robert Lowry, the People’s Church Warden of Ballintemple. Canon Mark Lidwell, the longest serving Rector in the Diocese, extended warm wishes on behalf of the clergy and the Cathedral Chapter. Revd. Nigel said that he was touched by the generosity of his welcome and thanked everyone who had gathered and travelled and made the effort to attend the service. The formal proceedings of the evening concluded when Alana Cowan presented Nigel’s wife, Yvonne, with a bouquet of flowers.

The photograph was taken by Andrew Quill and is of the new Dean making his declarations of office. In the photo are: Dean Arfon Williams and Revd. Nigel Crossey.

Revd. Alastair Donaldson and Raymond Kettyle will be ordained by Bishop Ferran Glenfield at 4pm on Sunday 6th of September 2015 in Sligo Cathedral. Alastair as Presbyter and Raymond as Deacon. The service will be lead by Very Revd. Dean Arfon Williams and the guest preacher will be Revd. Eddie Coulter, Superintendent of Irish Church Missions.

Alastair, who is from the village of Crossmaglen in Armagh and has recently served as Deacon Intern to Fivemiletown Parish, Diocese of Clogher has been appointed curate to the Bishop for the Roscommon Group of Parishes, Diocese of Elphin. He and his fiancée, Elise will be getting married in August and are both looking forward to beginning their married life together in Roscommon. Speaking of his appointment, Alastair said that he was delighted. “From what we have had the pleasure of seeing so far, Roscommon, Ballinlough and Lanesborough churches present a wonderful challenge and opportunity for gospel ministry. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity by Bishop Ferran and I’m so thankful to be able to continue God’s work in this area from Cannon Liz McElhinney”.

Alastair would consider himself an Anglican with strong evangelical convictions and believes that the Church needs to go out and gather up the lost. He believes in a Church which is mission focussed both in terms of its immediate surroundings but also with its worldview. He has an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and tries to keep this as fresh as possible through prayer and reading of His word. That said all things are possible through His grace. He strongly believes in testifying to the truth of the Gospel by word and deed.

Raymond, who, in his own words, was manufactured and raised in Virginia, Cavan will be serving as a deacon intern with the Revd. Ronnie Bourke in the Boyle/ Riverstown Group of Parishes, Diocese of Elphin. Speaking of his process of discernment, Raymond had this to say:

“I had the privilege of growing up in a loving Christian home, something I wasn’t always grateful for, but am so thankful for now because if I hadn’t been brought to church by my parents I don’t know if I would ever have come to know of God’s love for me and the impact that has had on my life. For it was in Sunday school as a child that I thought, “God sounds kind of cool, I want to follow Him.”

My working background is as a quantity surveyor. It was during my work that I discovered, rather quickly, that what I was doing wasn’t really fulfilling in my life and I began a process of discernment. The response came, to my shock and horror at the time – for I felt a call towards the church, and ordained ministry at that. I tried to suppress this, but God is persistent. It felt a bit like when God was talking to Samuel in the temple, only it took a while for me to say “your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

Having a stammer in my speech, I’ve had tremendous trouble in having any confidence in speaking to anyone, never mind a congregation of people. There were times in school I was bullied and could barely tell people my name without getting flustered. However, I’ve discovered Paul’s words in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians have rung true, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12: 8-9). I’ve found in hardships, I’ve had to lean close on God and draw strength from Him. It has caused me to bring my frustrations to God in prayer and He listens because He can take it.”

Raymond says he feels that God has given him a call and passion to serve in rural areas. For this reason he is looking forward to working with Revd. Ronnie and meeting everyone during his intern year as they journey together and seek to ‘love and serve the Lord’.