The Annual Meeting of the Diocesan Synod of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh took place on Saturday 12th October in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The day’s proceedings began with a celebration of Holy Communion in St George’s Church led by The Ven. Canon Hazel Hicks assisted by Revd. Faith Sithole. Bishop Ferran’s address was based on Matthew 10 and Acts 8. In his sermon, Bishop Ferran said that the history of the early church shows dark forces at play in the shattering of the harmony and togetherness of the church and the scattering of Christians as people were dispersed and displaced by persecution. However, he said that through these tensions, the early church was galvanised into service in the name of Jesus Christ as people were called into ministry according to their diverse gifts. He also said that the scattering of the early Christians led to the spread of the gospel and noted that we are living in a similar time of scattering across the world. Bishop Ferran noted that those Christians who have come to Ireland have added a vibrancy and vitality to an aging church. We need to embrace and welcome people of whatever class, creed or colour. To say that the church is only for people like us is a denial of the Holy Spirit and his work among us. Jesus is for all – none are excluded and we dare not exclude people in the scattering that is taking place today.

Following the service, the Synod moved to the Bush Hotel for the rest of the day’s proceedings. The Synod was opened with a reading and a prayer. In his Presidential Address, Bishop Ferran noted, with gratitude, the luxury of being able to join together in peace and prosperity. He thanked all those people who serve in our parishes in a multitude of ways saying that service is of the essence of Christ who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). In an age where fewer and fewer people commit to voluntary service, he acknowledged the service of so many people, clerical and lay, who make our parishes and Dioceses work.
Bishop Ferran then drew the Synod’s attention to those who served in our schools – both at national school and secondary school level. He thanked all the dedicated teachers and members of Boards of Management who ensure that our schools are happy places of learning and Christian formation where children are valued and cared for by teachers and leaders. He noted, with concern, a government process which may lead to churches divesting patronage of their national schools to other non-church patronage bodies. As a church we need to make a positive case for the continuation of the patronage of our local national schools. It is a great privilege and not one that we do not take for granted.

Bishop Ferran said that one of the most rewarding elements of our engagement with schools is Youth Alpha which is being run in a number of secondary schools in Longford and Sligo in partnership with Youth for Christ and the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise and Elphin.
Finally, before turning to the business of Synod – the reports, accounts, motions and elections – Bishop Ferran reminded us of what the church is for. He said that God has called a people to Himself for three reasons: First, worship; the church exists to declare the praises of God. Secondly, the church exists to bear witness to Christ. Finally, the church exists to offer God’s wisdom to a world that is full of folly. A full transcript of Bishop Ferran’s address is available here.
Following Bishop Ferran’s address, the business of Synod was suspended to allow some of the guests from other churches and Christian agencies present to address the Synod. The Bishop of Kilmore, Martin Hayes sent greetings from the Catholic Church. He spoke of the work of the Care of Creation group in the Kilmore Diocese and the commitment of his diocese to the COP 15 on Biodiversity and returning 30% of their church grounds to nature by 2030. He spoke of a hope to twin up with Church of Ireland parishes in our Diocese.

After this, Hilary McClay from Bishops’ Appeal spoke of being part of the worldwide family of the body of Christ. She gave examples of the three ways that Bishop’s Appeal works; responding to emergencies, supporting development projects around the world and education and training. She finished her presentation by encouraging those present to make the fairtrade choice when doing their shopping. It is a positive choice for people around the world and it is a positive choice for the planet.

Revd. Rob Jones from the Church of Ireland Pioneer Ministry project spoke of the need to ‘rewild the church’ and think of new ways to witness and reach out to our communities. He asked those present to consider starting a project in the Diocese, to encourage volunteers who will be equipped and trained to reach out beyond the traditional boundaries of church and to pray for this ministry of the Church of Ireland.
Linda Abwa from CMSI and Archdeacon Patrick Bamber spoke of the joy of connection in ministry and mission with the church overseas. Linda encouraged parishes to consider supporting the work of CMSI generally or through partnerships with Dioceses across the world. Linda also highlighted the work of Joanne and Andrew Quill in South Sudan and their need for our support and prayer.
The Synod then broke for lunch after which two motions were passed. Firstly, that the report of Diocesan Council be adopted. Secondly, that the quorum for Diocesan Council be set at half the voting membership plus one.

Finally, the Synod heard reports from Mary Geelan of the Mothers’ Union who highlighted the upcoming 16 Days of Activism against Gender based violence and encouraged those present to ‘join us and join in’. Following her report, Bishop Ferran commended the Mothers’ Union for their prayer ministry. Hazel Hicks gave the report on GFS, highlighting the encouraging development of new GFS groups which have started in the last year. Revd. Simon Scott gave the Diocesan Youth report and encouraged parishes to ‘do’ youth work and to pray and connect with our young people. David Jones gave the report of the Scribe committee and thanked everyone who works so hard to produce a valuable magazine. Archdeacon Patrick Bamber said the Scribe was a wonderful way of finding out about ideas and initiatives in other parts of the Diocese.

The Synod closed as those present stood and said the Grace.

The Church of Ireland Priorities Fund is now open for applications.  Contributions to the fund come directly from Church of Ireland parishes and since its establishment in 1980 over €21 million (£19 million) has been distributed in grants.

The following categories are currently supported by the fund:

• Training – lay and ordained
• Christian education
• Outreach initiatives
• Innovative ministry in a rural context

The closing date for the receipt of completed applications is Thursday, 31st October 2024.

Applications can be made through an online form or a downloadable PDF form which can then be forwarded to the Administrator – both are available at https://priorities.ireland.anglican.org/applications

For further information, please contact Gordon Woods, Administrator of the Priorities Fund (on behalf of the Representative Church Body’s Finance Department) at Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 CF47

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 00 353 (1) 4125 636

Last Friday evening, 30^th August, Revd. Ian Berry was instituted as the new Rector of the Virginia Group of Parishes (Billis, Killinkere, Lurgan (Virginia) and Munterconnaught. Parishioners, family and friends from across the Diocese and beyond crowed into Billis Parish Church for a service of celebration and welcome lead by Bishop Ferran Glenfield. It was a beautiful setting and a beautiful evening for the event.

The Old Testament reading was read by Lorna Bagnall and Revd. Ian’s daughter, Kate, read from Paul’s second letter to Timothy. The address at the institution was given by Revd. Chris Matchett from the Clondevaddock and Mevagh Group of Parishes in Donegal. He introduced Revd. Ian as a man of God’s word and someone who valued preaching. Preaching from 2 Timothy chapter 1 v 6-14, he reminded the congregation that we are the people of God who has saved us – a gospel people. He encouraged all present to hold on to the gospel, hold together in suffering for the gospel and hold out the good news of the gospel to others in these times.

The Act of Institution was then carried out by Bishop Ferran followed by the commissioning of the members of the Virginia Group of Parishes to love the Lord and serve others in the name of Christ. Following the commissioning, symbolic gifts of a Bible, water (representing baptism), the Book of Common Prayer, bread and wine, a key to the door of the church and a towel (reminding us that we are called to serve) were presented to Revd. Ian by Jennifer Shekleton, Laura Kennedy, Cherry Smith, Neville Bagnall and Johnny Johnston. Megan Woods represented the children of the parish.

After this, Gary Henry said a few words of welcome on behalf of the group of parishes. Revd. Mark Smith of the neighbouring Kildrumferton Group of Parishes welcomed Revd. Ian on behalf of the clergy of the Diocese and the Very Rev. Darragh Connolly P.P. from Killinkere parish spoke on behalf of the Catholic Church.

The warmth of the welcome from the parish, the Diocese and across the community was striking. We pray for Revd. Ian, his wife Gayle and his family as they serve the people of the Virginia Group with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

Revd. Ian Berry was born and grew up in Belfast and felt the call to ordained ministry at the young age of 17. A few years later he was selected for training in the Church of Ireland Theological College. Revd. Ian began his ministry life with a curacy in Bangor Abbey and then spent 22 years in the Monaghan Group of parishes in Clogher Diocese. He is married to Gayle and has three children.

At a reception on Monday evening last week (17th June), the RCB Library marked the installation of the Bartlett Collection (being the library of the late Canon Professor John Bartlett) in the former College of Education Chapel which is now part of the Church of Ireland campus at Rathmines.  Many of John’s former students and colleagues from the Church of Ireland and Trinity College Dublin were in attendance along with two of his three daughters – Penny and Helen with grandchildren – and his widow, Olivia.

The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, received the collection on behalf of the Representative Church Body and along with the Librarian and Archivist Dr Susan Hood and Mrs Bartlett paid warm tributes to Professor Bartlett, who was Principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College from 1989 to 2001.

Professor Bartlett played a significant role in the theological life of both Trinity College Dublin and the wider Church of Ireland for over six decades.  During his lifetime he amassed an important collection of over 4,000 volumes, covering themes on all aspects of theology, especially Old Testament studies, as well as archaeology, classics, literature, philosophy, travel, local and general history, cartography and maps.

Before he died in 2022, he generously arranged for the collection to be gifted to the RCB.

“In many ways, we in the Church of Ireland owe John a debt we can never repay,” Archbishop McDowell remarked, “for the work that he did in the Theological College, at the time in which he did it.”  On his literary depth, the Primate found that “when he asked you what you had been reading, it was very rare that what you had been reading hadn’t already [been read by John] and [he] was able to have a discussion with you about it.”

His scholarship and clarity of writing went together.  He always had Greek and Hebrew testaments in his stall in the college chapel, for following the lectionary, while the archaeological findings of his early career had “an enormous impact on how he understood the Hebrew Scriptures” as a human text that involved the people of the time.

Dr Hood recalled Professor Bartlett’s meeting with Library staff to discuss the legacy of his books and acknowledged the help of RCB Chief Officer David Ritchie in accommodating them in the former chapel building.  The Library additionally holds the archive of his personal papers, including sermons, a significant set of maps, research notes and related material.

In one scrapbook of his excavations in Jerusalem in 1962, John reflected how this particular journey “would have a profound effect on his subsequent career – revealing the origins of his interest in Holy Land studies, but also his understanding of the land and the peoples of Palestine,” Dr Hood noted.  “And in his later life, having discovered the stones of that place, he would become a champion for protecting the ‘living stones’ – the descendants of the earliest Christians and others living in what is today’s Holy Land.”

In 1931, the Library’s founding benefactor Rosamond Stephen donated some 5,000 books to the RCB without knowing what the Library would become: a collection of over 70,000 printed books together with the Church’s ever-growing archives.  “The size of John’s gift almost matches that initial bequest,” Dr Hood added, “so what has been achieved in this space by creating the Bartlett Collection might be symbolic of what one day might evolve collectively here in this place for the different administrative and educative strands of the Church.”

The building has been fitted with bespoke book shelving to house the collection designed by timber craftsman Shane Duffley, while its potential for other events was demonstrated by the exhibit of the extensive published works by John Bartlett on display, alongside original materials documenting his archaeological expeditions in Israel/Palestine during the early 1960s.

Mrs Bartlett thanked the Library staff “for the enormous amount of work that bringing this evening about has taken.”  She had also witnessed her late husband’s “love of Palestine and the Palestinian people”, recalling how he had memorably met one of his co-workers many years afterwards.

“Solidly-researched scholarship meant so much to John,” she added.  “He was very much known abroad, both for his knowledge of biblical archaeology and Old Testament scholarship”, and often stunned by the warmth of greeting when people met him for the first time and remembered his writing many years after those books were published.  Moments of academic discovery, not to mention publishing the Gospels in Iambic pentameter, brought out his great sense of humour.

“John never trumpeted his achievements,” Mrs Bartlett said in conclusion: “He lived life following the words in Micah chapter 6 verse 8: ‘… What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.’”

Archbishop John McDowell speaks at the launch of the Bartlett Collection.

Professor John Bartlett. Credit: Canon Dr Ginnie Kennerley.

Speakers at the launch of the Bartlett Collection (from left): Dr Susan Hood, Librarian & Archivist at the RCB Library; Mrs Olivia Bartlett; and Archbishop John McDowell, Primate of All Ireland.

Professor Bartlett’s published works on display.

A scrapbook with scenes from the 1962 expedition to the Holy Land.