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Bishop says community needs to know that churches are open and ready to welcome people back

 


The Bishop of Clogher with those involved in the Clogher Diocesan Synod.

The Clogher Diocesan Synod was held in St. Macartin’s Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen on Thursday, 29th September.

The Synod commenced with A Service of Holy Communion in St. Macartin’s Cathedral.

The Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd Dr. Ian Ellis presided at his first Synod in person since his election as bishop.
In his presidential address, Bishop Ellis said the church is now on the reconstruction phase as it rebuilds from the Coronavirus pandemic.

He told parish representatives attending; “We had good safety reasons for holding back from offering our full programme of activities in parish life, but, now is the time to open the doors of our halls and all our organisations to restart and hopefully flourish again. Now is the time to make some noise to tell the community that churches are open, and that we want to welcome people in.”

He encouraged those involved in parishes to be as creative as they can to reach into parish communities and help parishioners reconnect with church life, saying it will take effort and grace and leading of the Holy Spirit.

The full text of Bishop Ellis's address is as follows;

Members of synod, I am pleased to welcome you to our Diocesan Synod here in St Macartin’s Halls. I am especially delighted that we can gather in person for the first time since 2019, and much better to see you face to face rather than through a Zoom call. This is my second occasion to preside over the diocesan synod as your bishop and I remain deeply honoured and privileged to do so.

My thanks today to the Dean for ordering the service of Holy Communion in the Cathedral and to pass on to the Select Vestry of the Cathedral parish our thanks for the use of the fine facilities of these Halls.

Earlier this month we were eventually able to hold the much-delayed Enthronement services in St Macartan’s Clogher and St Macartin’s Enniskillen. I am very grateful to the Dean for arranging these services and for Mr Glenn Moore for directing the music and servicing the administration of the occasions. I found the services to be very uplifting and it was encouraging to be able to have a good representation of our diocese worshipping together and witnessing the quaint traditions around placing your bishop into his seat or cathedra. I tried to say some things then which I hope clarified our vision and were helpful for us as a diocese as we move on from the pandemic.

Re-building parish and diocesan life

The key task before us as a diocese and the task of all churches is to rebuild our parish and diocesan life after the coronavirus pandemic. The initial stage of recovery from the pandemic has in many ways past; our churches are open, the health restrictions to worship are largely gone, the ropes and sticky tape are removed, and parishes are moving towards normal worship patterns and hopefully to more widely sharing in the common cup in Holy Communion.

I want firstly to thank the clergy who worked so imaginatively through the challenge of the pandemic and kept parish life going remotely, hopefully those dark and difficult days are behind us. We now move to the reconstruction phase. As I go around the parishes and chat to clergy, I get the feeling that recovery is patchy; some have seen a good return to Sunday attendance, but most have numbers which are still lower than before Covid. We had good safety reasons for holding back from offering our full programme of activities in parish life, but, now is the time to open the doors of our halls and all our organisations to restart and hopefully flourish again. Now is the time to make some noise to tell the community that churches are open, and that we want to welcome people in.

I see from the September magazine that many parishes are planning Back to Church services, starting school services, Ice cream services, fun nights, Sunday School barbeques, and special other events; these are great ideas, and I would encourage you all to be as creative as you can, to reach into our parish communities and help parishioners to reconnect with church life. This just won’t happen by chance, it will take effort and the grace and leading of the Holy Spirit. But we are where we are by the grace of God.

As I look back on my first 18 months, and the work we have completed, I think the common thread has been rejuvenation. Last year we welcomed to our diocesan clergy team Rev William Jeffrey, Rev Lindsey Farrell and Rev Chris West. Since our last Diocesan Synod three other clergy have joined the diocese: Rev Rebecca Guildea Rector of the Garrison Group of parishes, Rev Alison Irvine, Diocesan Curate in charge of Cleenish and Mullaghdun parishes and Rev Tim Irvine Bishop’s Curate to Glaslough and Tyholland with Errigle Truagh parishes. We do welcome you all and hope that your ministry will be blessed and that you find Clogher a warm and friendly diocese.

Looking ahead a little, I personally am looking forward the institution in Rossorry on 3rd November as we welcome the current Archdeacon of Tuam, Stephen McWhirter as my successor. I know the parishioners are much anticipating his arrival after such a long interregnum.

Cost of living crisis

Greatest challenge facing our society in coming months is the cost-of-living crisis. Increasing fuel bills and food and commodity costs will have a huge impact on households and businesses. This is especially so for families who are on low incomes, single parents, those coping with disability and the elderly. Local businesses too will be placed under enormous strain to meet rising utility bills, with the potential for business closure and unemployment. Economists tell us that the stark reality is that most families are only two pay cheques away from being in debt.

In recent weeks our church leaders have called for action from our governments to address the financial losses many are going to face over this winter with crippling costs of living. It looks like the new UK Prime Minister and Chancellor are going to introduce some measures to help and begin to address these fears. The government of the Republic of Ireland has also made some announcements in this week’s Budget to address cost of living pressures in its jurisdiction. However, there is a real sense of impending crisis in the minds of the vulnerable and needy families across these islands with many feeling they have lost control of their lives.

I made a couple of comments during my Enthronement address about this. There are many who will at this time need pastoral support or our healing ministry and the caring friendship of parishioners. But we must also engage in relevant ways with wider society and bring practical help where we can whether that is through a food bank or meals for the elderly or befriending services or whatever outreach we can offer. I know some of you are trying various approaches, but we are all going to be called on to apply our imagination and resources to bring help where we can and that will look different in each parish. If we fail, we will not only appear irrelevant and uncaring, we will also be ignoring the biblical injunctions to care for the poor and needy.
This is a key moment for the future of our church, we must reach out and be relevant and welcoming.

There has been for many years a very practical way the Diocese has been helping provide assistance to needy families through the Clogher Diocesan Social Fund, formerly the Fermanagh Protestant Orphans’ society. Its primary purpose is to provide grants to families of Church of Ireland children who have lost a parent, for the period of the children’s education. It also can provide one-off hardship grants to other families. I would like to ask the clergy as you do your home visits and if you come across real need and I think this can only increase, do contact the secretary to the fund, Mr Michael Skuce. If we can help we will respond quickly and confidentially. This fund over the years has been under-used and I would ask clergy to be keenly aware of need and make use of it.

Rising costs of living may eventually impact our Parish finances. Churches too will face increased energy costs and perhaps reduced parochial contributions. As a diocese during the pandemic, we were able to provide diocesan support grants for all parishes. The first year we gave £2000 per parish church, the next year £1000 and we are assessing this year if we can support parishes again although is likely to be much less than previous two covid grants. A motion later this evening will give more detail. However, the diocese will respond to parishes as generously as it can.

Anglican Communion Forest

One of the delights of being a bishop is to travel around the parishes to conduct confirmations and I have conducted 40 confirmation services in the past 18 months!. It is very invigorating to be with young people and a great honour to bring the rite of confirmation and witness their commitment to Christ and his church.

All of us a clergy challenged at times to connect with what young people are concerned about. One of the Lambeth conference calls was around the environment and sustainable development. We are called to live out our Anglican fifth mark of mission to strive to safeguard creation and sustain the life of the earth. I think young people really do identify with this and it is an area we can work together on.


Members of Synod leave St Macartin's Cathedral to the Hall for the meeting.

An initiative from Lambeth is the idea of the Communion Forest, it is a practical way of responding to this call. We are invited to respond to it by enthusing people about helping with afforestation, providing habitats, protecting ecosystems and recognising the interconnectedness of all life on earth. I think most parishioners and young people especially will respond to this.

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s idea is that as a symbol of spiritual growth, perhaps at confirmation and other key life and faith moments, young people might plant a sapling or do something together to protect a habitat, take part in an environment project, it will vary depending on your area and setting and may be more possible for some than others. I would encourage clergy to give this some thought and leave the idea with you to develop. There is lots of inspiration on the website: Anglican Communion Forest.

Our late majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The death of our late majesty Queen Elizabeth has taken from us someone who was the constant in our national life for over 70 years. We have just come through the period of national mourning and witnessed so many beautiful and touching services of remembrance and tributes to her life. Her funeral service was one which was watched by millions of people and so impressive and deeply moving. There is no doubt that through it all that Christianity has been to the forefront and indeed the Anglican Church, with its dignified BCP liturgies has left a deep impression on many people. (Today, we mark once again our late Queen’s passing and thank God for her wonderful gifts of faith and service.)

Familiar patters in life constantly change. In diocesan life too people and personnel change. Today I wish to pay tribute to several people who have served this diocese with great distinction.

Death of former Bishop Brian Hannon.

In January of this year our much loved and fondly remembered Bishop Brian Hannon passed away. His very moving funeral service had a restricted attendance due to the pandemic however many thousands joined virtually on the Cathedral live stream. His good friend Archbishop Robin Eames gave the sermon at the service and other bishops from the Church of Ireland were present to present their own tributes. We were able to offer our thanksgiving to God for Brian’s unique episcopal ministry in Clogher for over 10 years through some of the darkest days of the troubles in Fermanagh. We offer to his wife Maeve our continued prayers and good wishes.

In September we were saddened to hear of the death of former Synod member Miss Helen Humphries. Helen had in better health, given long and distinguished service to the diocese as a Synod and Council member and in her own parish of Magheracross. Helen had a particular interest in the Ministry of Healing Group in the diocese and was a faithful member of its committee and a regular attender at its services. We mourn her passing and pray for her friends and family members.


We have also seen a change in one of the positions the Diocesan council nominate to.

Mr Sam Morrow has been a member of the Fermanagh Protestant Board for over 37 years and has been a diocesan council nominee first in Portora, where he served for many years as Secretary to the Board, then as Vice Chairman and for a period as Chairman of the Board. More recently he has continued as a member of the Board of Governors of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School serving during its first four years as Secretary to the Board. Sam has indicated to the Council that he wished to resign from this role. A resignation which we took with great regret yet with understanding and appreciation of his long service. Mr Michael Skuce has been appointed as a Council Nominee.

Diocesan Administration

This Diocesan Synod meeting affords us the opportunity to say thank you to the Diocesan Office staff and others who provide various services. To Mr Glenn Moore, our Diocesan Sec, Mrs Ashley Brown the Diocesan Accountant, Mrs Sabrina McCabe Administration Assistant. During the summer we were very grateful to Mr Nathan Clyde who provided temporary office cover and administrative assistance to allow staff to have a holiday and make preparations for meetings of Council and this Synod.

Ashley is our very hard-working accountant who has keeps our finances in good order and who has prepared the diocesan accounts before us today. Ashley has what I call a very forensic approach to finances and very little passes her notice. We are grateful to Ashley for her very careful and dedicated work for us.

Sabrina has in a part time capacity manned the office and has more importantly kept the Clergy Cover Rota going to ensure that in times of vacancy or sickness that parishes have someone to take a Sunday service.

May I at this point say how appreciative we are of the cover provided by Diocesan Readers and retired clergy in the diocese. We have a most willing and adaptable group of readers and retired clergy who take on service duty often at very short notice. Thank you from us all for this important contribution you make to parish and diocesan life.

Our thanks also to Mr Brian Donaldson, Diocesan Communication Officer, for his work of ensuring good communications to the diocese and wider afield. His work on the Diocesan Magazine is demanding and the result is an outstanding publication 10 issues per year which I know is widely read and enjoyed.

Mr Michael Skuce provides the diocese with support for our compliance with Safeguarding Trust and GDPR. His energetic and well organised approach ensures we can have confidence that these important aspects of ministry today are well resourced and supported.

I’m grateful also to Mr Henry Robinson for his assistance with the Diocesan Properties Initiative. Although the initial project is largely complete, Henry has been most helpful to parishes in identifying property assets and helping trustees comply with Charity Commission requirements.

Mr Robert Forde in his steady and highly effective manner keeps the wheels of the Glebes Committee turning and works with the Diocesan Architect and parish clergy to see that properties are inspected and kept in good condition.

Our diocesan website continues to be a good source of information and news and we are grateful to Mr David Daniel for his help in maintaining this important modern communication tool.

I briefly mentioned Mr Glenn Moore, but I wish to say on all our behalf a particular and sincere thank you to Glenn for his work for us in this diocese. Many of you will know that Glenn is still recovering from a serious illness and on a phased return to work. When Glenn was off ill, I quickly realised just how much we depend upon his knowledge and expertise. I am so glad to see him returning, yet may I just remind clergy Glenn is not fully back and has only limited hours to respond to queries and requests.

I have spoken about restarting parish activities and I am very aware of the need to re start our diocesan sub committees; rebuilding at diocesan level too. There are several vacant positions which have arisen over the pandemic, and I hope to fill these soon.

Thank you all for your support to me; I have so enjoyed taking on this role and remain honoured and privileged to be your bishop. I continue to learn this role which is a full mix of challenge and excitement and I look forward to getting to know you all better in the years ahead. Finally, I would like to thank Heather for her support to me in this new phase of ministry and in making our new home in Fivemiletown. Heather has recently taken on the role of Diocesan President of Mothers’ Union following on from the very successful presidency of Mrs Irene Boyd and she looks forward to getting around the branches and leading the Mother’s Union. One of the memories Heather and I have of Lambeth was discovering the strong link between MU and the work of parishes across the world particularly in Africa and India.

The challenge is to help MU develop and grow in our changing context in Ireland.

These are very challenging times we live in. I find it helpful to reflect on something a retired bishop said to me on my election. He said remember the building of the Kingdom of God does not just depend upon you, it is the work of God. Let’s all remember that God calls us to join with him in labouring in this vineyard but ultimately it belongs to him and he alone holds the future of his church.

May we move forward together in prayer and faith asking for the Spirit of God to lead us.