The tragic deaths of 10 members of the Travelling Community in Dublin and of Garda Anthony Golden in County Louth last weekend were remembered at the Diocesan Synod of Dublin and Glendalough yesterday evening (Tuesday October 13)

Members of Dublin and Glendalough Diocesan Synod passed a motion offering their deepest sympathies to those affected by the deaths of 10 members of the Travelling Community in a fire in Carrickmines, Dublin, and the killing of Garda Anthony Golden in Omeath, County Louth. They also offered their respects to members of the emergency services who responded to these situations and others like them.

The motion was proposed by the Revd Ian Gallagher (Stillorgan and Blackrock and pictured right) and Canon Niall Sloane (Killiney) with an amendment by the Revd Baden Stanley (Bray) to include a tribute to the emergency services who responded to the situations.

Canon Fred Appelbe (Rathmichael) told Synod that on Sunday last, 15 members of Kilternan Parish, led by Canon Adrian Empey, went to the site where they laid a card and flowers and joined in prayer.

At the conclusion of Synod, Archbishop Michael Jackson, led members in prayer for all who carried tragedy in their hearts including members of the Travelling Community and the family, friends and colleagues of Garda Anthony Golden. He also prayed for those who struggled to maintain life on our streets and refugees who are driven from their homes.

About 600 primary and junior school pupils from all over Dublin and Glendalough filled Christ Church Cathedral this morning (October 15) for the annual diocesan schools’ service. The service, which was full of joy, great singing and some drumming, had has its theme ‘We, though many, are one body in Christ’.

Archbishop Michael Jackson presided in the presence of Dean Dermot Dunne. The service was led by Canon Niall Sloane, who with a subcommittee of the Diocesan Board of Education, organised the morning.

Drawing on the theme of the service, the preacher, Canon Roy Byrne, spoke of all the things that make up Christ Church Cathedral. The children supplied him with some of the information including the organ, the Archbishop’s throne or cathedra and the stained glass.

Canon Byrne added some historic and slightly creepy elements of his own – items which have been found in the dusty crevices and cupboards of the hidden passageways, underground storage rooms and vast attics of the cathedral.

These included a ‘widow’s mite’ or coin which was minted 2100 years ago. This coin was referred to in St Mark’s Gospel. He then revealed a historic metal plate which had been attached to the top of a coffin of a long dead archbishop who was buried in the crypt. His final and most ghoulish exhibit was a broken sword which was found 200 years ago beside a soldier who had died in the crypt having been locked in after a funeral.

“Together we shared many things which come together to point to one building and what it symbolises and means. People organs, legends, stories, singing, meetings, choirs, archbishops, historical bric–a–brac are all part and parcel of what makes this a living, breathing place of worship where we are pointed towards the power and majesty of God. Many members, many parts, many stories but one God and Father of us all,” Canon Byrne said.

He pointed out that a wide range of people had gathered for the service: parents, teachers, clergy, cathedral staff, singers, lesson readers, money collectors, greeters, north Dublin schools, Glendalough schools, schools from Fingal, schools from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, organists, officials from the Department of Education, members of the Board of Education and a host of other members of our school communities, without whom the whole body of our schools simply wouldn’t function.

“Not all these members have the same purpose, but together, utilising our gifts and our talents, weaving this great tapestry together, we form something wonderful and great. Remember and celebrate the differences and the individual talents but never forget the wonder that comes about when we work and witness together,” he concluded.

Pupils from many schools took part in the service. The greeters were from St Andrew’s NS, Malahide; St Maelruain’s NS, Tallaght; and Zion NS. The collectors were from Rathgar NS; St Andrew’s NS; Jonathan Swift NS; and Chapelizod No 2 NS. The Confession was led by pupils from Glasnevin NS while the Collect was said by a pupil from Whitechurch NS. The readings were given by pupils from Alexandra College Junior School and Holmpatrick NS. A wonderful drumming interlude was provided by pupils from Primrose Hill NS, Sprindale NS and St John’s NS (Clondalkin).

A Glebe NS pupil led the Creed and the Litany of prayers and thanksgiving was led by pupils from Glenageary Killiney National School, Kill O the Grange NS, Athy Model School, Rathmichael NS and Carysfort School, Arklow.

Photo captions:

Top – Canon Roy Byrne and his volunteers during his sermon.

Bottom – Pupils from St George’s NS in Balbriggan try out Archbishop Michael Jackson’s Crozier.

Twenty–five years of women’s ministry in the Church of Ireland was celebrated at a service in Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday morning (October 18). The service took place close to the anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of Canon Ginnie Kennerley who was ordained in the cathedral on October 21 1990 by Archbishop Donald Caird. Assisting on that day was Archbishop Henry McAdoo and Bishop John Neill, then Bishop of Tuam and who later became Archbishop of Dublin.

Bishop Neill had been an advocate for the ordination of women to the priesthood and returned to Christ Church on Sunday, St Luke’s Day, to preach on the anniversary. He highlighted Luke’s role in painting a picture of Mary, mother of Jesus, and her vocation. In many ways the figure of Mary as presented by St Luke gave an image of what the Christian priesthood is about, he contended.

“The Christian priest has often been portrayed as an icon of Christ – a person through whom others should be able to see Christ. Unfortunately this theme has sometimes been used to assert that the priest must be male, and yet the incarnation is about human nature rather than male gender. Equally the figure of Mary can be seen as an icon of priesthood balancing this – as one enabling others to see Jesus, as he is brought forth into the world,” he explained.

The Bishop recalled the Lambeth Conference of 1988 when he was involved in seeking the admission of women to the episcopate. He said one of the most moving speeches he heard was from the first woman priest he had ever met, Nan Peete from the Episcopal Church of the United States of America.

“Her theme was quite simply “The time has come…” The more I reflected on that phrase that she used again and again, the more I realised that there is a right time for change. Patterns in the world change, wrongs are exposed, new challenges are thrown up, and then we look into Scripture and tradition using our God–given reason and we realise that it all makes sense. It is not looking for proof texts, but striving to see the bigger picture of what God is saying to us today,” he said.

Bishop Neill added that the emergence of the voice for admission of women to the priesthood was because “the time had come”. Society had changed, the role of women had changed. “Yet the seeds of those very changes were deep, even if hidden, in the Christian tradition itself. So often a false dichotomy is set up between the spirit of the age and the spirit of God. Yes, there may well be a clash, there can be so much that is negative in the spirit of the age, greed, prejudice and hedonism, but that is not the full story. The spirit of the age also bears many of the signs of a response to the God of Love, even if totally unconscious of the fact,” he stated.

Bishop Neill gave thanks for the Ministry of Canon Kennerley and the fact that men and women now serve happily alongside each other in the Church of Ireland and that many hold significant positions of leadership.

“There will always be differing responses to a developing tradition that is at the heart of the Church of Christ, but it is vital that we take time and stay together as we seek God’s way forward. The very same issues arose more recently in matters surrounding remarriage following divorce, and today painfully in issues of human sexuality,” he said. He concluded by saying: “In the midst of all the confusions facing the churches in the world today, let it be our prayer that we may hold on to that vision – praying the Lord of the Harvest to send forth many to bring healing and reconciliation to a broken church and a broken world”.

Photo shows Bishop John Neill and Canon Ginnie Kennerley following the service in Christ Church Cathedral. (Photo: David Wynne)

Bishop Neill’s Sermon can be read in full by CLICKING HERE

Eighty business leaders slept out in the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral on Friday night last for the fourth Focus Ireland Shine a Light Night. This was the first time the event had taken place in the cathedral grounds (having been held in the Iveagh Gardens last year) and the Dean of Christ Church, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne joined the sleep out for the second year.

This year’s Shine a Light Night, which aims to both raise funds and awareness of homelessness, brought in €350,000 to help the charity tackle the spiralling homelessness crisis. The event has raised €1 million over the last four years.

In an introduction session in the cathedral’s music room Focus Ireland CEO, Ashley Balbirnie, there was an ever–growing need of their services. Mr Balbirnie noted that three years ago there were 150 homeless families. Last week there were 730 homeless families. There were 1,500 homeless children and that number was rising, he said. Last month alone, 80 families became homeless. “You’re coming here at a great time and a terrible time. We really appreciate your help both financially and spiritually,” he commented.

Chairperson of Focus Ireland’s fundraising committee, Ronan Harris, said that the charity takes a family out of homelessness every two days but two families present every day. “The fact that your have all come out tonight is a huge statement. You are willing to give your bodies and your minds to say that this is not acceptable,” he stated. He said that 90 percent of people presenting to Focus had never been homeless before. “They are ordinary people like me who fell on hard times and who haven’t been able to cling on,” he explained.

After their briefing the participants were sent out into the grounds to pick up their plastic sheeting and cardboard and grab a spot to sleep for the night. Later they attended talks on the services provided by Focus Ireland and took part in bunker sessions in which they put their brains to work on the issue of homelessness.

Photo shows Dean Dermot Dunne preparing his bed for the night for Focus Ireland’s Shine a Light Night.

The annual Diocesan Service of the Church’s Ministry of Healing took place in St Mary’s Church in Howth on Sunday evening (October 18). The service was led by the Rector, the Revd Kevin Brew with assistance from diocesan chaplain to the Ministry of Healing the Revd Bruce Hayes, the Revd Lesley Robinson and the Revd Willie Black. The sermon was preached by Bishop Richard Henderson.

During the service intercessors and members of Healer Prayer Unions were invited to renew their commitment to prayer in an act of dedication. There was also time during the service for members of the congregation to receive prayer, laying on of hands and anointing.

In his sermon, Bishop Henderson said that exaltation and degradation were part of the continuum of life and the ups and downs of life did not devalue living. The process of being alive was one of pain and joy, life and death, being healed and broken, he said.

Referring to the Old Testament reading [1Kings 19: 4–12] he said that Elijah went from experiencing immense victory with God on his side to immense despair when God appeared to be absent. Ultimately for Elijah, God was in the whisper. He suggested that the story combined practical realities and mental states. “God is leading him, not just on a physical journey but a journey to where the spiritual inhabits the physical. That is why we lay on hands – it is what flows through the touch that brings healing. So we should never, never separate the spiritual and the physical,” the Bishop said.

From the New Testament reading [Collossians 3:12–17] Bishop Henderson suggested that many of the miracles that Jesus performed had one thing in common. They were all accompanied by a command: go wash…, pick up your matt and walk… He said there was a point of acquiescence.

He pointed out that the service was in the context of Holy Communion and observed that through the centuries much time and energy had been spent thinking about what Holy Communion really is and what it really means. “The core of Holy Communion is what Jesus commands us to do in remembrance of him. The core of this is not the bread and the wine. Jesus says: ‘This is my body’… ‘This is my blood’… He is saying: ‘This is me for you’. This is the essence of what Christ offers us and our accepting obedience is what we need to pray for and pray for that intimate whisper of God,” Bishop Henderson stated.

Photo shows members of Healer Prayer Unions and Intercessors with the clergy at the Diocesan Ministry of Healing Service in St Mary’s, Howth.

There are just five days to go until the Dublin City Marathon and Christ Church Cathedral’s Residential Priest Vicar, the Revd Garth Bunting, is preparing to go the extra mile (or rather the extra 13 miles) for Bishops’ Appeal. Garth originally undertook to run the Dublin Half Marathon in September but threw down the gauntlet saying that if he could raise over €2,000 for his chosen charity he would run the full marathon which takes place this Bank Holiday Monday.

People responded in their droves and to date have donated €4,200 with money continuing to roll in. Garth has been astounded by his previously undiscovered ability to run long distances and the generosity of others.

Earlier this year, Garth decided to take up exercise and took on a personal trainer. As part of his newly adopted fitness regime he signed up for the Dublin Half Marathon. He decided to seek sponsorship for his endeavour and raise funds for Bishops’ Appeal.

“People keep giving money. I can’t work out whether people are being really generous or just want to see me suffer,” he jokes.

He says the half marathon was great fun and he completed the distance of over 13 miles in two hours and 10 minutes. But there was no time for rest and in the last two weeks he completed his 20 mile training run for the full marathon and was happy with that distance.

Once his exercise routine was confined almost entirely to the aisles of the cathedral but now he is pounding the footpaths around Dublin. Garth attributes his success in training to having a training partner. His personal trainer, Michael English, has been with him every step of the way. Ice cream has also provided a great incentive as has the wonderful support of others.

“It’s been a really good experience. I never thought at the start of this year that I’d be doing a marathon. But I’ve been carried along by the support I’ve received from people donating and from their messages on Facebook and Twitter and the positive comments about the amount of weight I’ve lost. I want to thank everyone who has supported me. It’s been great fun and I hope it’s inspired others,” he says.

You can still sponsor Garth and donate to Bishops’ Appeal via the Christ Church Cathedral website at Donations can be made online via the Christ Church Cathedral website at http://christchurchcathedral.ie/donate/. Just click on the Bishops’ Appeal button. Or you can give your donation directly to Garth at the cathedral. Follow Garth’s progress on www.facebook.com/lengthofmyself

Photo caption: The Revd Garth Bunting presents a cheque to Lydia Monds, education advisor with Bishops’ Appeal.

The Church of Ireland Theological Institute (CITI) in conjunction with Church of Ireland Publishing (CIP) has produced two more titles in its series of selected dissertations emerging from Masters (MTh) students at CITI. Volumes 5 & 6 in the series – which are both on  relational themes of pastoral care and relationship building with the church and wider community – were formally launched by distinguished guest Canon Adrian Chatfield of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, at a special reception held last night (Wednesday 21st October) at CITI. Dr Chatfield was welcomed warmly by the Director of CITI, Canon Maurice Elliott, who also congratulated the authors and thanked Dr Susan Hood, Publications Officer at CIP and Series Editor, and all the staff at CITI and the RCB Library.

The two new titles are A Theology of Vision: Its Pastoral Implications by Ian Horner (currently serving as curate to the bishop in Baileborough in the Diocese of Kilmore) and Extending the Welcome: Hospitality in the Church by Caroline Farrar (currently serving as a non–stipendiary minister in the parish of Gorey in the Diocese of Ferns).

The purpose of Ian Horner’s research has been to identify the nature and content of ‘vision’, the role it should play in the church and its pastoral implications. He writes, ‘This study attempts to understand the underlying principles of vision for the world–wide church in general and for the Church of Ireland in particular. A very evident tension between vision based on models of thinking from the business world and vision based on theological ideas provides the central element of the discussion.’ 

Caroline Horner’s work draws upon experiences as a deacon–intern in the Church of Ireland. She claims that hospitality is ‘a vital, but often overlooked, expression of ministry [which] underpins many basic human requirements, namely, food, shelter, inclusion, warmth, safety and love’. She argues that today, whilst the relationship between church and society is undergoing significant change, ‘these basic human needs are still there and that the church must find new and innovative ways to respond to these needs’. She contends that ‘the ministry of “hospitality” is one way of re–connecting the church to the needs of those in their communities’.

Each new book is priced at €6 or £5. Copies are available directly from CITI, or from the Publications Officer susan.hood@rcbdub.org. In Northern Ireland, copies may be ordered from The Bookwell, see http://www.thebookwell.co.uk/braemor 

For further information about all CIP publications, including those in the Braemor Series, see http://cip.ireland.anglican.org/NewSite/

Photo Caption: Dr Susan Hood, Publications Officer at CIP; Canon Dr Adrian Chatfield of Ridley Hall, Cambridge; the Revd Caroline Farrar; the Revd Ian Horner; and Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, Director of CITI.

The 2015 edition of the Church of Ireland Ordination Newsletter is now available.

The newsletter lists those currently studying at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute and provides useful information for those considering God’s call to ordination.

Copies can be downloaded by CLICKING HERE, and are also available on the Church of Ireland Website and Facebook feed.

Hard copies are available from the Central Director of Ordinands, Rev Canon David Gillespie, c/o St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

The big questions surrounding culture and the Gospel will be up for discussion at Rubicon which takes place in the Chapel of the Church of Ireland College of Education in Rathmines on Saturday November 14. Tickets are on sale now for the fourth day–long gathering of people eager to explore how God’s intention is showing up in the lives of their peers and in the cultural projects they create.

Rubicon is a yearly event to intentionally collaborate and explore ideas about how people of faith can continue to engage in all spheres of influence. The contributors are numerous and varied; all but one are Irish practitioners from the areas of media, arts, sports, politics, entrepreneurism and philosophy, gathering with 130 new influencers to chat in a “TED”–esque format with interaction, table discussion and tea. The event was co–founded by Greg Fromholz and the Revd Rob Jones as a Holy Trinity Rathmines initiative and is open to all.

The keynote speaker this year is author of Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those who are Tired of Taking Sides, Scott Sauls. He is senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He will speak around the theme of Kingdom Narrative – one that builds trust and encourages collabouration. He will also talk about LGBT conversation and practical mission. He writes a blog at www.scottsauls.com.

Other guest speakers include Irish Times columnist and Irish teacher, Breda O’Brien and Gladys Ganiel, author and Research Fellow in the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation and Social Justice at Queen’s University, Belfast. Her blog, ‘Building a Church Without Walls,’ is at www.gladysganiel.com. Scholar and human rights activist, Senator David Norris, will also contribute as will executive director of Evangelical Alliance Ireland, Nick Parke. 

Also at Rubicon will be Scott Evans who will talk about Paradoxology at Electric Picnic, Ruth Garvey Williams of VOX magazine who will highlight the results of their recent young adults survey and Senior Registrar in Adult Psychiatry, Mater Hospital, Dr Richard Duffy who will speak about the practicality of living out faith.

There will be an in depth interview with Fr Peter McVerry on homelessness. Sharan Kelly of Tearfund will speak about persecution and Philip McKinley of Discovery Gospel Choir will address the topic of integration. Photographer, David Cavan, will talk of his experience in Syrian refugee camps, author, Greg Fromholz will address the subject of his latest book Broken: Restoring Trust between the Sacred and Secular. Entrepreneur and government advisor, Daniel Ramamoorthy will address the gatheringand there will also be an LGBTQI panel. The Revd Rob Jones, Vicar of Holy Trinity Rathmines will be interviewing and moderating. 

“Rubicon is less a yearly gathering and more of a shot in the arm when hopefully we need it most,” explains co–founder Greg Fromholz. “The hope is that those who come along engage in challenging conversation. We might not come to any conclusions but sometimes conversations without conclusions are exactly what we need.”

Further information about Rubicon and booking is available on the website: www.wearerubicon.com. All are welcome to attend and tickets cost €20.

Developments in education and schools over the last year were highlighted at Dublin and Glendalough’s Diocesan Synod by David Wynne who proposed the report of the Board of Education.

In his speech, he acknowledged the Minister for Education whose department, he said, had given the Protestant community in the dioceses substantial support in the last few years. In the primary sector, Mr Wynne noted extensions to the schools in Rathdrum and Drumcondra and a new school in Lucan with work promised for Whitechurch. The secondary sector had seen work taking place in Newpark and Temple Carrig with discussions being held on East Glendalough.

Nationally, he said there had been ongoing support of the Secondary Education Committee with an increase in Grant Aid last autumn. He reminded clergy to make families aware that the committee welcomes applications for grant assistance.

On the question of schools’ admissions policies Mr Wynne said that Church of Ireland schools were seen as quality places of education which placed excess demand on the community. “The Department’s concept of catchment areas for local communities is too narrow to suit the often thinly scattered Protestant community, with the result that the perception of what is available is not always correct, and this leads to tension between the Church of Ireland and other Protestant churches,” he stated.

Looking ahead, he highlighted the forthcoming requirement for education bodies to register with the Charities Regulatory Authority and requirements under the Regulation of Lobbying Act.

He reminded members of Synod that the current term of office for Boards of Management would come to an end on November 30 and new boards had to be elected to take up office on December 1.

Contributing to the discussion on the report, the Revd Dr Norman Gamble (Malahide) paid tribute to the work of Dr Ken Fennelly, secretary to the Board of Education (RI). He announced the forthcoming training day for boards of management on November 21 in the Heritage Hotel in Portlaoise.

The Revd William Bennett (Newcastle, Newtownmountkennedy and Calary) expressed frustration on primary schools’ admission policies. He said he was not sure that insisting on a Baptismal cert for children was a very Christian way of operating. “Many Baptisms have parents attending church for one or two Sundays. The next time you see them is when you need a cert for school and next time when they are being confirmed. There must be a better way of doing it,” he stated.

From the Anglican Communion News Service

The primates and presiding bishops of the Porvoo Communion of Churches have called for prayers for political leaders as they recognise the “pressure” they face in trying to reach a solution to the refugee crisis. The church leaders made the call in a communiqué issued after their biennial meeting this week in Edinburgh as guests of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Porvoo Communion (of which the Church of Ireland is a member) brings together Anglican and Lutheran churches from northern Europe to “share a common life in mission and service.”

The primates and presiding bishops met under the theme of Prayer, Spirituality and Pilgrimage, and discussed issues ranging from national identity to the refugee crisis.

On refugees, the primates said in their communique, that “On a daily basis people risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea; people walk long distances to cross into Europe because they do not have any other choice; also in parts of Europe, for example, houses have been set alight, so that refugees do not find a home; and there is a rising anxiety in some parts of Europe that democracy is being eroded by intimidation towards strangers seeking refuge and security. . .

“We should not stand back and remain silent, but must both speak and act, remembering the words of Jesus; ‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ (Matt. 25:35).”

The leaders also expressed their unanimous concern and prayers for Christians and other minority groups threatened by extinction in the Middle East.

The primates and presiding bishops recognised the pressure faced by political leaders as they sought to find a solution to the crisis; and they called for prayers for political leaders “and for those who resist the destructive calls of extremist groups that reject all support for the migrant stranger and those seeking refuge.”

“The Scottish Episcopal Church is honoured to host the meeting of the primates of the churches of the Porvoo Communion,” the Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane, the Most Revd David Chillingworth, Primus of Scotland, said. “We have been enthusiastic members of the Porvoo Communion from the beginning of its life and we look forward to a strengthening of relationships during our meeting this week.”

The Porvoo Primates and Presiding Bishops will next meet when they gather as guests of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lithuania in October 2017.

• Click here to read the full communiqué from the Porvoo Communion Primates and Presiding Bishops.

Photo caption: Primates and Presiding Bishops of the Porvoo Communion of Churches, including the Archbishop of Dublin and the Archbishop of Armagh, meeting in Edinburgh. (Photo courtesy of the Scottish Episcopal Church)

Two new senior dignitaries have been appointed to the Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Former Chancellor, Canon Neil McEndoo has been elected Precentor of the cathedral by the Chapter in succession to Canon Peter Campion who was recently installed as Precentor of St Patrick’s Cathedral. The Rector of Greystones, the Revd David Mungavin, has been appointed to the role of Chancellor by the Archbishop of Dublin.

The new dignitaries will be installed, along with the Revd Adrienne Galligan who was appointed 12th Canon earlier this month, on Sunday November 8 at Choral Evensong at 3.30 pm.

Announcing the appointments the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne, said it was a delight to welcome the two new dignitaries to the cathedral chapter.

“Canon Neil McEndoo brings to the Precentor position a deep knowledge of the cathedral having many years of commitment to its foundation. He also is gifted in music knowledge and is a former chorister both of which will help him in his new role. I couldn’t think of a better person to become acting Dean in my absence from the cathedral during my forthcoming sabbatical leave,” the Dean said.

“I am also very pleased with the Archbishop’s appointment of the Revd David Mungavin as Chancellor of the cathedral. David has a rich experience of the worldwide church having lived in Hong Kong and ministered in the Episcopal Church of Scotland. David has a pastoral heart and an independent mind both of which will benefit his presence on the chapter. It is a good development that a priest of the Glendalough diocese occupies such a senior position on the chapter. I wish both men every blessing in their ministry with us,” he added.

Canon McEndoo’s election was welcomed by Archbishop Michael Jackson. “As Archbishop I have had the opportunity to work with Canon McEndoo since my arrival in Dublin and Glendalough. He is a person with tremendous attention to detail and with a deep love of the Church of Ireland. Neil has contributed substantially over many years already to the life of Christ Church Cathedral and I know he will do so with authority of office as its Precentor. I wish him and the cathedral community well in the new relationship and partnership that all will have for the future,” he said.

The Archbishop also paid tribute to the Revd David Mungavin. “In recent times David has been of significant help to clergy in early stages of their ministry both as deacon interns and as curates. Along with lay people and clergy in the Greystones, Delgany and Bray parts of County Wicklow, David has been instrumental in planning Temple Carrig School, one of the most exciting educational developments in the United Dioceses of recent times. I am delighted that the Dean and Chapter has elected David and I know from him that he will be delighted to serve God and the church in this new way,” he commented.

Following ordination Canon Neil McEndoo served curacies in Cregagh, Belfast, from 1975 to 1979 and at St Ann and St Mark with St Stephen, from 1979 until 1982. He served as a minor canon in St Patrick’s for some years. He moved to Harold’s Cross in 1982, which was part of a group of parishes with Rathmines. He became Rector of the parish group following the retirement of Canon Watson in 1984 and continues to serve the parish which became a union following the closure of Harold’s Cross. He became involved with the Russian Orthodox Church when it moved into Harold’s Cross. In 1991 he became a Canon of Christ Church Cathedral and in 2005 became Chancellor. Canon McEndoo has served on the Board of the cathedral for 11 years and on the Fabric sub–committee since Dean Harmon’s time.

Commenting on his appointment, Canon McEndoo said: “I have to say that I have been humbled by the messages of encouragement received since my election as Precentor. I feel daunted by the task that lies ahead, not least because the Dean is going on a sabbatical, and I will be acting Dean in his absence. Cathedrals have been a large part of my life. I grew up as a chorister (for 8 years) in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and attended school there. I look forward in this new post to working with the Director of music and the choir”.

The Revd David Mungavin served as an Inspector in the Royal Hong Kong Police before ordination in the Scottish Episcopal Church in 1990. He served in two parishes in Scotland as Rector of Airdrie and Coatbridge from 1992 to 1999 and Troon, Ayrshire from 1999 to 2009. In the Church of Ireland he has been Rector of St Patrick’s Parish in Greystones since 2009. He is also Diocesan Mothers’ Union Chaplain.

“Christ Church Cathedral  holds a  bold and enduring  place in our capital city and at the heart of the United Dioceses. For me, one of the inspiring facets Christ Church represents is our call to continue to bear Christian witness in the public square. It is an honour to be invited by the Archbishop to serve as Chancellor of Christ Church. I humbly accept and ask for your prayers and support to those who, along with myself now, carry forward the great challenges and opportunities of office in our Cathedral,” he commented.

The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, has issued the following statement on the passing of the Rt Revd Peter Barrett:

“Peter Barrett, formerly Bishop of Cashel and Ossory and previously Dean of Waterford, died at his home yesterday evening. Throughout his life Peter touched the lives of many, both inside the church and beyond.

“In Dublin and Glendalough he served as curate–assistant of St Ann with St Stephen and as Dean of Residence of Trinity College. He also served in the dioceses of Derry and Raphoe and Connor.

“Peter’s passing is felt with great sadness by a wide range of people and in particular by his family and by all who loved him most dearly. We commend him to the mercy and protection of Almighty God whom he strove to serve with warm devotion in this life. May he rest in peace.”

Nine student ordinands were commissioned as student readers by the Archbishop of Dublin in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute yesterday evening (Wednesday October 28).

Lindsey Farrell (Clogher), Sean Hanily (Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh), Derek Harrington (Derry and Raphoe), Alison Irvine (Clogher), Andrew Irwin (Down and Dromore), Berni McEvoy (Down and Dromore), Ian Mills (Derry and Raphoe), James Price (Connor) and Trevor Sargent (Cashel, Ferns and Ossory) were commissioned during the Community Eucharist in the Chapel of CITI for the Feast of St Simon and St Jude. They were presented for licensing by the Director of the Institute, Canon Dr Maurice Elliott and Lecturer in Missiology, the Revd Dr Patrick McGlinchey.

In his sermon, Archbishop Michael Jackson, said the readings for the Feast Day of Simon and Jude [Isaiah 28.14–16; psalm 119.89–96; Ephesians 2.19–22; St John 15.17–27] went beyond imagery and fantasy to construction. He added that the Collect for the day stated that foundations lead to corner–stone and corner–stone lead to temple. The Collect’s description is of the church built on prophets and apostles with Jesus as the chief corner–stone. 

The Archbishop compared being commissioned to an invitation to contribute and belong to the Kingdom of God.

“The Kingdom of God is what this movement and this community is called: it is more than an idea – it is an activity; it is more than a group of people together – it is a team; it is more than something inside the church – it is part of the life of the world to which God belongs and which belongs to God and is loved by God; it is more than a word – it is a way of life. It is to this that you who today are commissioned are invited to contribute and to belong. It is this Kingdom that binds the rest of us here today to you,” he said.

The Archbishop added that everyone had the same opportunity to be part of the Kingdom of God. Some took the opportunity and others turned their back on it but the invitation continued even when people did not respond.

Commissioning was a strengthening and building up and out of the faith and goodness already present and a protection against evil, he said. “Evil is a reality in today’s world and that is why we who are sent need to build on the foundation of prophets, apostles and Jesus Christ,” the Archbishop stated.

Testimony was the key that bound the Father, Son and Spirit and us, he suggested. Testimony had to do with standing up and being principled, the Archbishop said adding that we in the Northern Hemisphere must recognise that we are connected to those who suffer brutality and degradation in the Southern Hemisphere. “It is our duty to recognize this and to stand in solidarity with those who suffer and with those who suffer for their faith in God and who testify to God’s presence,” he said.

The full text of the Archbishop’s sermon is below.

Photo caption: The newly commissioned student readers with Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, Archbishop Michael Jackson and the Revd Dr Patrick McGlinchey.

Service of Commissioning, CITI

October 28th 2015 SS Simon&Jude, Last Sunday after Trinity

Readings: Isaiah 28.14–16; psalm 119.89–96; Ephesians 2.19–22; St John 15.17–27

St Luke 10.9: … and say, The Kingdom of God has come upon you.

Sermon preached by the archbishop of Dublin

READINGS

The readings for the Feast Day of Simon and Jude draw us beyond imagery and fantasy into the world of construction. Too much of our ecclesiology today is no more than an insufficiently grounded and ill thought through haze; and we need to be very cautious and very careful about trading images for reality. We need to discern the reality behind both the images and the fantasies. God is not made in our image and likeness; we are made in the image and likeness of God. This is a surprise to many contemporary ecclesio–celebrities and is a warning to us all not to delude ourselves that we are an occasion. The occasion is always God. And God is in our midst.

Foundations lead to corner–stone and corner–stone leads to temple in the words of the Collect for today. And it is ourselves we are talking about here; the onus is on us as is also the opportunity before us. Whether it looks like this to us or not, from our personal perspective, this Collect offers a description of the church on earth, built on prophets and apostles, and the chief corner–stone is Jesus Christ. So, the key that unlocks all of this is surely that it has not to do with the cult of our own cleverness; it has not to do with the cult of our self–projection; it has not even to do with the cult of our own goodness. It has to do with the fact that Jesus Christ firmly and delicately holds it all together and is the chief corner–stone. This message is almost inconceivable to a church that oscillates and teeters between certainty as the simple paradigm of faith and liberalism as the only focus of interpretation. It is not only that we need each other; in a primary and foundational way we need the apostles and prophets and Jesus Christ. The over–secularized and self–satisfied church we know often seems no longer to recognize what we are talking about and may not even want to, when we use this language of dependence, humility and obedience. But it is part of our foundation. 

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

One of the interesting things about Jesus is his willingness to make new things happen for people who never expected that anything would happen for them. People who are on the outside are invited in to their surprise and they find their feet rather quickly in a world that is theirs and yet had always looked as if it belonged to someone else – because insiders kept elbowing them out. This person who is invited in might be someone who carries significant disability or incapacity. It might be someone who is proud and is the better for learning humility. It might be a child who is able to teach adults, such as the Disciples of Jesus, that squabbling and pushing and wanting to be on top on your own is ultimately no fun because it is lonely and you have no friends there. It is not the best use of your time and in fact achieves less than it looks as if it does. There are other ways of looking at things that make room for more people; and the Kingdom of God always has more room. The Kingdom of God is what this movement and this community is called: it is more than an idea – it is an activity; it is more than a group of people together – it is a team; it is more than something inside the church – it is part of the life of the world to which God belongs and which belongs to God and is loved by God; it is more than a word – it is a way of life. It is to this that you who today are commissioned are invited to contribute and to belong. It is this Kingdom that binds the rest of us here today to you.

SENDING

If you or anyone else is sent to do something, it always helps if you are given clear instructions. It also helps if you try to listen. The sending of disciples happens in pairs in St Luke’s Gospel. This is because companionship is far preferable to loneliness. It is always safer if two people go together; two people will also be able to compare notes and share impressions of what has been happening and what is going on. These pairs of disciples are given something worthwhile to do. They go to the places where their teacher is soon to follow and they therefore get the very first impression, they see what it really is like with open eyes and with open ears. They are given other instructions and responsibilities: that is, they are to make decisions about the suitability of a place for their teacher to come. And they are first to say: The Kingdom of God has come upon you. Everyone, therefore, gets the same chance and the same opportunity. Some take it, others do not take it for whatever reason, some turn their back on it – but let us run for the present with those who receive! As the disciples move away and move on they remind the people: Only take note of this, the Kingdom of God has come. This is God. The invitation continues even when, and perhaps especially when, the people do not respond.

DOING

Commissioning is a strengthening and building up and a building out of the faith and the goodness that you have. Most of us never think of ourselves as particularly faithful and most of us never think of ourselves as particularly good. We need, however, to begin to take seriously that God does think of us like this. In this way God can build us up and build us in so as to send us out. And it is a protection against evil. Commissioning changes most of all the inner confidence and the outer assurance that we have about our faith. Evil is a reality in today’s world and that is why we who are sent need to build on the foundation of prophets, apostles and Jesus Christ. What does such evil do? It strips you of your self–understanding. It deprives you of your self–confidence. It is always there because it comes from outside you and most of the time it has to do with bullying, whether you are an adult or a child. You today are commissioned by the God of grace.

THE READINGS

The Readings point us to the mockery of those who inhabit Jerusalem; their mockery extends instinctively to holy things and is fuelled by the self–delusion that falsehood is truth. The Lord says he will do things rather differently and he builds afresh with a new corner–stone. The Letter to the Ephesians draws in the followers of Jesus Christ, of whatever race or nationality, as citizens and saints and no longer strangers and aliens; Jesus Christ, building positively on the fragmentation of Jerusalem and God’s justice offers himself to them as the part of the new structure that holds it all together. The aliens of yesterday become the temple of tomorrow. The Gospel reminds us that realistically we will be hated as much as we are loved and in fact probably more so. This is hard to endure, as we hope against hope that it will not be like this. I sincerely hope it will not be like this for you but there really is no guarantee. You are bound to experience some of it.

TESTIFYING

The key is to be found in the final words. What binds the Father, the Son and the Spirit and us is the testimony. Testifying, and testifying against sin in particular, has to do with being upstanding in being principled. It is where we in the comfortable Northern Hemisphere are connected with those who suffer brutality and degradation in the Southern Hemisphere – and who witness to suffering and death and crucifixion. Witness need not always involve intense suffering; however today we have no option but to say very clearly that it does and it does so in the parts of the world from which Christianity derives. It is our duty to recognize this and to stand in solidarity with those who suffer and with those who suffer for their faith in God and who testify to God’s presence.  

You are sent to tell the Good News, to call people to discipleship and to prepare the ground for the Master. In many ways the Season of Advent that soon will be upon us is the definitive time of such preparation, but the spirit of Advent flows into every other season of the year. Readiness and attentiveness meet with eagerness and anticipation. This is the spirit of hope that is the antidote and the tonic that can turn forward a church that today is finding it a significant struggle to come to terms with the passing of Christendom, long deceased though it is. We need to gather and develop our confidence anew and afresh to go out to tell of the wonderful person of Jesus Christ and the wonderful works of God. We need to identify with the world of which we are part, as citizens with the saints, in full recognition that we cannot possibly do this on our own. The strong and positive suggestion given us in the Gospel is that the love internal to the disciples is the primary port of call to endure the hatred and the alienation of the world. It is at this God–given love that we all need to work in order to be sent out and to go out as children of God with the purpose of faith in the world that God has created and loves. This glorious invitation is given to all of you by God to go in the faith in which you are sent and to find the signs of the Kingdom already there ahead of you in Galilee.

Ephesians 2.19: You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and are also members of the household of God.

For Remembrance tide 2015 the RCB Library in Dublin is following up a previous online exhibition and a subsequent short documentary film about finding an unusual collection of letters written by ten soldiers serving at the Western Front at Christmas 1917, who were also parishioners of the Church of Ireland parish of Dundela in east Belfast with a particular human interest story. 

The online exhibition can be viewed at http://ireland.anglican.org/about/158). The Boys from East Belfast film can be viewed here: http://ireland.anglican.org/about/196 or www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuTwcmjBM_g.

While other letters that were written from the front are found in other repositories and in private custody, the survival of a collection in a parish context is rare.

Subsequent collaboration between the Library (where the letters are now in permanent safekeeping) and local historians from the “East Belfast & the Great War Project”, has confirmed these are the only known such letters to survive relating to soldiers from East Belfast – a point made clear in a about the team from the project visiting the library to view the letters for the first time.

Now thanks to the ongoing research work of the team, in particular the painstaking efforts of historian and genealogist, Dr Hilary Kennedy, the stories of what happened to each of the ten letter writers (all of whom returned to Belfast at the end of the War) have been tracked, and in a few cases living descendants have been traced.

One such person is Kenny McKeague, a trainer and part of the backroom staff with the first team at Linfield Football Club, and the grandson of William James Millikin.

Now in his 80s, Kenny continues to live in Belfast and is a parishioner of Dundela, like his grandfather, whose poignant letter, written in France, on 12 February 1918, specifically thanked his rector, Revd Arthur Barton, for the pastoral care he was giving his family at home.

William’s concern for his wife and young children was clearly assuaged by the safe knowledge that Barton as rector paid them regular visits, so as well as thanking Barton and the parishioners of St Mark’s for their gifts, he specifically acknowledged the former ‘for your own kindness to my wife and children as the letter I get from home from my wife says that you are very attentive …’.

The content of the letter, an image of William in full military uniform and his meticulously–researched family history which links him directly to his grandson Kenny (compiled by Dr Hillary Kennedy) is available on the new online presentation at this link – www.ireland.anglican.org/library/archive.

Photo caption: Dr Susan Hood meeting Kenny McKeague in Belfast recently.

The grouped parishes of Sandford and St Philip’s (Milltown), Dublin 6, have launched a Choral Scholars project. This will offer music students of secondary school age the opportunity to develop their musicianship and aural skills through participating in liturgical singing at a high level.

Choral Scholars will attend weekly singing and music theory lessons, taking place in conjunction with choir rehearsals. They will sing a wide variety of liturgical music, with at least one singing opportunity each week – at services in the parishes on Friday or Sunday. There will be occasional concerts and special events.

Auditions will be held during the week commencing November 9. Further information is available from David O’Shea, Choir Director, at doshea3@gmail.com

The November edition of the Church Review is out now. The diocesan magazine of Dublin and Glendalough is full of useful information on forthcoming events as well as news and photographs from happenings around the dioceses over the past month.

The November cover photo features the dioceses’ newly ordained priests with the Archbishop outside Christ Church Cathedral. Inside there are reports and pictures from the Diocesan Service for Primary and Junior Schools, Dublin Council of Churches’ Forum on commemorating 1916, the Mothers’ Union Festival Eucharist and the services of ordination to the diaconate and priesthood, to name but a few.

In his monthly column, Canon Patrick Comerford writes of the classical sites and churches of Sicily. Busy times are ahead for both Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral and their key dates are included in their notes and news and events from the parishes are detailed extensively in the parish notes.

RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) Ireland has announced that they will host the RTE One television Sunday morning worship programme which will air on Sunday November 22 at 11.10 am on RTE One and again at 11.45 am on RTE LW 252 Radio and RTE Radio One extra.

The service will be led by the RSCM Ireland coordinator (and Church of Ireland Lay Minister), Mark Bowyer (pictured) and will be sung by choristers who have recently been involved in the Voice for Life awards scheme. The choir will be directed by Bla?naid Murphy (St Mary’s Pro– cathedral, Dublin) and will be accompanied by Tristan Russcher (St Bartholomew’s Church, Dublin).

Speaking on behalf of RSCM Ireland, Mark Bowyer said, “We hope that you will be able to join us for this act of worship which will celebrate the Feast of St Cecilia, patron saint of musicians and church music. It will also see the performance of ‘The Language of Birds’, a piece specially commissioned for RSCM Ireland and written by Irish composer Eoghan Desmond”.

“We are delighted to have been asked to host this service, which will highlight the work of the RSCM in Ireland and the importance of maintaining high standards in church music which are delivered each week by many talented and enthusiastic church musicians across the country,” he added.

Philip McKinley has been appointed Chaplain in the Church of Ireland tradition by Dublin City University (DCU). While Philip will be primarily based in the University’s Inter Faith Centre in Glasnevin, the appointment comes against the backdrop of a major incorporation of St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Mater Dei Institute of Education and the Church of Ireland College of Education into DCU.

Philip (pictured) comes to the post, having previously worked for the Hard Gospel Project, the Irish Council of Churches and Blanchardstown Methodist Church. He is also founder of the inter–cultural Discovery Gospel Choir, based in St George and St Thomas’ Church in Cathal Brugha Street.

Commenting on the appointment, President of DCU, Professor Brian MacCraith said, ‘Philip comes to this important role with a wide variety of experiences and skills which will enrich the inter–cultural and inter–faith dynamic of DCU. His appointment is also an important development within the context of DCU’s linkage with the Church of Ireland College of Education’. 

The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev Dr Michael Jackson added, ‘I welcome this appointment and congratulate Philip on a position where I have every confidence he will flourish’.

‘Philip is best known to us for his commitment to social inclusion, the addressing of human deprivation, international racial harmony and inter–faith dialogue. He is also a person of faith, prayer and service. I wish Philip and DCU all that is best in their new partnership’.

A Service to commission Philip as Chaplain, will take place on Monday November 30, at 7.30 pm in the Inter– Faith Centre, Glasnevin Campus, Dublin City University.

The United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East are preparing to take the next steps in formulating a partnership link. This year’s Dublin and Glendalough Synod approved a motion to enable the Council for Mission, in conjunction with the Archbishop and the United Society, to commence negotiations on developing the link.

The motion was proposed by the Revd Ken Rue (pictured), chairman of the Council for Mission. He noted that the ‘Prepare a Place’ appeal in Dublin and Glendalough last Advent had raised over €110,000 to fund developments at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza and said the motion to develop a formal link would build on that initiative.

The Episcopal Diocese covers a vast area and includes Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria and Lebanon, all lands that are in sharp focus at this time.

Outlining the reasons for the partnership, which is envisaged to last up to five years, Mr Rue said the venture would deepen our knowledge of our Christian heritage and help us express solidarity with our fellow Anglicans and other Christians in a diocese where Christian witness is under pressure.

“Christians in the Middle East feel abandoned. Friendship with the Diocese of Jerusalem and sharing with its people would increase our own understanding of life there and provide the opportunity to build personal relationships to our mutual benefit,” he stated.

He added that a link would help us reflect on our mission and witness in these United Dioceses by sharing with people from a different context. There was also a lot to be learned from the considerable interfaith engagement being undertaken in Jerusalem, he suggested

“The Council for Mission anticipates that the partnership link would include a regular two way flow of information, the welcoming of visitors from the Diocese of Jerusalem, the building of relationships between schools and parishes, a shared cycle of prayer, some fund–raising for projects in the Diocese of Jerusalem, study resources for school children and adults and a Diocesan Pilgrimage. Such a Pilgrimage would give the opportunity to engage with people there – finding out the realities of everyday life and sharing experiences,” Mr Rue explained.

Speaking to the motion, Geoffrey McMaster, also a member of the Council for Mission, said that there were many horrific reports coming from Syria but that despite the horror, many were staying there to maintain a Christian presence with some even ministering to IS. “That is God at work. This partnership will focus this dioceses on what being a Christian really is,” he stated.

The Revd Abigail Sines, Curate with the Christ Church Cathedral Group, spoke of spending five weeks in Bethlehem as a volunteer last year. She suggested that meaningful engagement between the two dioceses would be priceless. “I urge people to engage with this in a meaningful way and connect with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world,” she said.

The motion was supported by Synod.