Six Diocesan Readers and one Parish Reader were commissioned in Dublin and Glendalough on Saturday September 3 at a special service in Christ Church Cathedral. The men and women from all over Dublin and Glendalough were commissioned by Archbishop Michael Jackson who said it was a great day in the lives of the parishes and of the dioceses that so many people had come forward to take on roles in lay ministry.
Mark Acheson (Clontarf), Fionnula Drury (Taney), Margaret Healion (Zion), Myra Moody (Donoughmore & Donard with Dunlavin), Lisa O’Brien Corry (Blessington and Manor Kilbride with Ballymore Eustace and Hollywood), Bert–Jan van Embden (Kill o’the Grange) were commissioned Diocesan Readers while Carol Barry (Kilternan) was commissioned a Parish Reader.
Some of the newly commissioned Diocesan and Parish Readers with the Director of the Dublin and Glendalough Guild of Lay Ministries, the Revd John Tanner. Pictured (left to right) are Mark Acheson, Margaret Healion, Fionnula Drury, Lisa O’Brien–Corry, Carol Barry and the Revd John Tanner. Missing from photo are Myra Moody and Bert–Jan Van Embden.
The sermon was preached by Sylvia Armstrong, a Diocesan Reader attached to the Parish of Clondalkin and Rathcoole. She pointed out that during their commissioning the Readers would be asked if they believed in their hearts that God had called them to the office and work of a Parish or Diocesan Reader. She wondered if we were ever ready for such a call.
At the beginning of Jesus’s ministry He used the simple words ‘Follow me’, Mrs Armstrong said. His early followers reacted in different ways – Nathanial was surprised and Peter was worried. Isaiah writes that God used Cyrus to teach his chosen people but she said it was not clear that Cyrus even believed in God. “We don’t have to feel inadequate or lacking in faith. We can build on that. All He needs is our consent, our yes to His call,” she said.
The Readers, when being commissioned, undertook to assist in leading the people of God in public worship and commit to the ministry of their parish, and dioceses in the case of Diocesan Readers. Mrs Armstrong said that, whatever the individuals’ take on the role, God would always equip them to do it. “The gift of the Holy Spirit is received by us when we are refreshed and reborn at baptism. We just need to take His trust in our hands,” she said. “There is much need in our world, in our communities, parishes and families. So often we try to work on our own strength and end up feeling exhausted and a failure. But we are asked to work in the Holy Spirit.”
The Diocesan Readers have been studying for two years to attain their accreditation which consists of three distance learning modules via St John’s College, Nottingham, and six day conferences in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. They have submitted assignments at the end of the course. Parish Readers complete two modules from St John’s College which are unaccredited. They also receive an introduction to liturgy and undertake brief parish placements.
For further information please contact:
Lynn Glanville
Diocesan Communications Officer
Dublin & Glendalough
Mobile: 087 2356472
Email: Dublin & Glendalough DCO
Website: www.dublin.anglican.org
The Church of Ireland will again be making its presence felt at the National Ploughing Championships. This national event takes place in Screggan,
Tullamore, Co Offaly, from September 20th to 22nd September.
When? Monday 19th September at 7:30pm
On Saturday 10th September, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, spoke to the annual conference of the British–Irish Association (BIA) meeting in Pembroke College, Oxford (9–11 September 2016) this year. The BIA annual conference brings together a wide range of people – senior politicians and government officials, businessmen and women, academics, faith leaders, writers, former paramilitaries and community workers – to discuss matters of mutual concern (in camera). Archbishop Clarke’s focus was on responding to the social, political and economic challenges facing Northern Irish society today, in order to set the scene for further discussion at the meeting. 
John was ordained deacon in 1992 for the curacy of St. Mark’s, Dundela, where he served for over four years. His first incumbency was in the Diocese of Armagh before he moved back to Down and Dromore as rector of Killaney and Carryduff in 2001. 
Bryan was ordained deacon in 2001 and served two curacies in the diocese – one in Dromore (Magheralin) and one in Down (Knockbreda). 
Revd Gareth Harron was ordained deacon in 1995 for the curacy of Willowfield in Down Diocese. Gareth served a second curacy in the Cathedral Parish of Dromore before becoming rector of Magheralin in Dromore Diocese. 
Hannah (pictured), who is from East Belfast, has been working with the children and young people in the Killeshandra Group of Parishes for the past year. During this time she has worked closely with the Diocesan Youth Council and has been involved in both Anois and Summer Madness. Speaking of her appointment, Hannah said: ‘I look forward to building on the amazing work the youth council already do and seeing more young people engaging with the church and being transformed by the power of God.
Marian (pictured) was born in Cork where she lived for most of her life before moving to Sligo in 1997. She is passionate about working with young people and has been involved in the children’s and teens work at Sligo Methodist Church for many years. In 2010, she started KNEKT, a Christian youth event which happens each year in Sligo, attracting young people from across the North West. Marian enjoys being outdoors – especially hiking as well as music and art. She says that she is very much looking forward to the future, to working with the young people and children in Elphin and Ardagh and to seeing more events for young people in the region.