Diocesan Synod 2026
The Annual Meeting of the Diocesan Synod of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh took place on Saturday 10th October in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The service of Holy Communion at St George’s Church was conducted by Canon Simon Scott, with readings delivered by Rev. Joshua Pringle and Rev. Victoria Pringle, two of those ordained in June.
Bishop Ferran’s sermon reflected in particular on the reading from Matthew 7, where Jesus tells the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders. Two houses can look the same, but there is more than meets the eye. Like the house built on solid foundations, those who have a firm faith in Jesus are well prepared to face the storms of life. Those without it suffer like the man who built his house on sand. Click here to read the full address.
Synod Proceedings
There was a new venue for Synod business this year: while we stayed in Carrick-on-Shannon, we moved to the Landmark Hotel. A firm foundation of faith, and the renewal of the Church through our work with young people, became the theme of the business that followed. After the opening business and a moment of reflection for those we have lost over the past year, Bishop Ferran addressed Synod.
Presidential Address: Bishop Ferran Glenfield
Bishop Ferran picked up the theme of foundations from the morning’s service. Jesus, he reminded Synod, is described in the Bible as the tekton, the builder responsible for laying foundations and overseeing the whole work. “Christ is our tekton, our master builder, our foundation,” he said. “He calls us to partner with him in this construction work.”
He drew attention first to the 96 local churches of the diocese. A 1922 report on diocesan reorganisation after partition showed that 82% of the parishes it listed are still in existence and most are regularly open for worship, which “speaks of the resilience and stability of our parishes and God’s promise to maintain a witness for Him across the generations.” He thanked the many volunteers in our parishes and urged members to get involved, “for the spirit of the age is not to get involved but to disengage.” With six parish groups currently vacant, he acknowledged the extra load carried by readers and announced a drive, led by Archdeacon Ian Berry, to recruit and train more.
On finances, Bishop Ferran recognised the cost-of-living pressures felt by all and thanked parishes for the generosity that keeps diocesan finances in good health. Plans are well advanced to move the diocesan office to the gate lodge of the former See House at Kilmore, hopefully opening in 2027.
Turning to children and young people, he spoke of “a renaissance in Sunday schools”, with Messy Church, Muddy Church and holiday Bible clubs making a comeback. He described our National Schools as “inclusive, diverse and not class or racially based”, noted with sadness the closure of Drung Central NS after 200 years, and urged families to support our primary and secondary schools, which give children “the building blocks for life.”
Finally, he spoke of a Church that “looks beyond itself”. Recalling John Stott’s image of the kite, he said he longed for people and parishes “to soar … buoyant in the Holy Spirit with vitality” while remaining “deeply rooted in Christ, anchored in God’s word.”
Click here to read the full address.
Selected Presentations
Following Bishop Ferran’s address, a number of guests and representatives of various agencies were invited to address Synod.
Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, updated Synod on the synodal movement in the Roman Catholic Church. He described the challenges of bringing lay members into decision making, stressing that Christ’s work flows within us from Baptism, not Ordination, and that all members of the church should take co-responsibility for ministry. He acknowledged that there is much to learn about this partnership from the Church of Ireland.
Martina Gilmartin, representing Bishop Martin Hayes, told Synod about the work in Kilmore of recruiting, training and welcoming lay pastoral workers. Training can now take place locally, with people from Maynooth coming to Cavan, which has been very welcome!
Geoff Scargill of Protestant Aid thanked Synod members for their continued support. He reminded us that poverty is a lonely place and that applying for help is a courageous act, and encouraged parishes to use Protestant Aid as a partner in their work.
Mark Armstrong told Synod about the Langham Partnership, which equips people in the developing world to preach the Gospel and publishes and distributes books to those with little access to formal training. Founded by John Stott, Langham’s Preaching, Literature and Scholars programmes support pastors and church leaders wherever theological books and training are scarce.
Lydia Monds from the Ministry of Healing pointed out that all of us have need of healing in some form. The ministry works to create spaces that show those in need that we will not look away from them.
Diocesan Reports and Motions
Diocesan Reports were presented and discussed. Full copies are available to download on the Diocese’s website. Among those presenting, Alan Williamson and Lizzie Kron updated Synod on ReCentre in Sligo and invited members to consider the growing work of Pioneer Ministers in the Church of Ireland. Alan is about to enter a new phase of his journey of faith, as he will be ordained deacon on Advent Sunday. Gillian Kellett shared news that GFS will mark 150 years in Ireland next year and that Cootehill has re-opened a branch. Rachel Cox reported that she has nearly fulfilled her vow of going everywhere in the diocese, and Revd Faith Sithole presented the Bishops’ Appeal report ahead of her trip to Egypt, where she will visit a special needs school in Alexandria built with Bishops’ Appeal backing.
Following last year’s motion setting up a Youth Ministry Board, Canon Simon Scott and Hannah O’Neill proposed that a similar body be established to further children’s ministry. Given the success of our work with young people, the motion was carried, and we hope for more reports of growing groups next year.
To support such work, Bishop Ferran introduced Steven Donohoe as our new Safeguarding and Vetting Officer. Steven delivered a presentation on safeguarding which he described as about belonging. It is our job as a church to make everyone feel safe, welcome and valued.
Synod business closed with prayer. They say a change is as good as a rest, and I know that we will have felt refreshed after being very well looked after at the Landmark. We look forward to our return next year.