Diocesan News
Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh Diocesan Synod: Presidential Address
Presidential Address to the Diocesan Synod of Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh
Given by the Bishop, the Rt Revd Ken Clarke
Saturday, 17th October 2009
Full transcript:
Members of Synod, distinguished guests, it is a privilege to stand before you today ... and I mean that! In 37 years of ordained ministry I can honestly say that I have never lost the sense of privilege which comes from serving God and serving others. That service is in response to God’s call. His work begins with Him. Vocation is His call. We love because He first loved us. We serve because he came to serve.
The themes of my address this year are the V words: Vocation, Values, Vision.
Vocation
Across this Diocese and across the world I have met people who embody what I am talking about. They are seeking to live selfless sacrificial lives. They give themselves to God and to others. They don’t look for praise. They don’t rest on their laurels. They don’t criticize nor monopolize. They don’t dictate or dominate. They are called people. They have values and vision. They pour out their lives in humble loving service. They give and they give and they give again. Why do they do it? What motivates them? How do they keep going? The answer is quite simple. It is found in God’s call. It is expressed in their response to His call. It is a vocation. They know that God has called them to live a different way, the Jesus way, and so their lives are refreshingly free of self-interest. Their values are Jesus shaped! Their lives make an impact for God and for good. What a contrast to those whose lives are marked by greed and grab.
The word 'vocation' comes from the Latin 'vocare', meaning 'to call'. Often when we think of vocation we think of vocation to ordained ministry. However, in the Bible, and in God’s purposes for us, vocation has deeper implications and wider applications. All of God’s children have a vocation. All are called by Him and to Him. All are called to service. All are called to faithful Christ-like service. Farmers and teachers, secretaries and office workers, salesmen and managers, shop assistants and receptionists, doctors and nurses ... whatever our job in life, for the Christian it is a vocation. Joseph was a politician. Esther was a Queen. Amos was a farmer. David was a shepherd. Paul was a tentmaker. Barnabas was a landowner. Matthew worked for the Inland Revenue! Peter was a fisherman. Jesus was a carpenter. All had a vocation. They discerned a call.
Values
When we see our work as God’s call on our lives then we work differently. We seek to be honest, reliable, consistent, and trustworthy. We give of our best. We know that ultimately we are accountable to God. This is one of the great secrets of life... to discover God’s call and to live in it. In the days of the Celtic tiger I wonder if we become so focussed on money that the word vocation was deleted from the dictionary and a sense of vocation was lost. When our primary focus becomes a love of money and expenses, our society is in a dangerous place. It is a time for values to be re-assessed. In the church we need to search our motivations for doing things so that it is love for Christ and a sense of vocation which compels us and not personal gain, monetary recognition or reward.
Education
I am very impressed by the number of teachers I meet in our National Schools and Secondary Schools who live out a vocation. They don’t just work with children and young people ... they care for the children and young people because they love them. They go the extra mile. They work hard ... and work long hours. Most teachers I know do not finish in the middle of the afternoon. They give of their best. Our church, society and local communities would be impoverished without them.
I recognize that education is in the headlines at this time. It is a hot potato at the moment. The first thing I wish to say is that we are grateful for all the help we have received in our schools in recent years and we thank the politicians for their involvement and help. We are specifically grateful for the provision of staff, the extension and refurbishment of school buildings, the supply of Special Needs Assistants, and the building on one new school. We are grateful for the commitment not to increase teacher/pupil ratios under the present Government. However, in the light of recent developments and present proposals my plea to the politicians and civil servants is this. Do our policies and proposals reflect the values we espouse? Do we really see potential and worth in each child? Do we value and appreciate those in the teaching profession? Are resources sufficient to enable the practical expression of these values?
If high standards are to be maintained and good morale sustained then resources need to be released which are adequate and satisfactory. The pressures on our Principals are enormous. Expectations are ever increasing. Paper work and administration are escalating. What message is conveyed to our teachers when repeated and numerous letters have to be written and phone calls made, before any practical response is made? Do we really value people when cutbacks are introduced at a time when the reality is that more help is needed, not less? Do we truly value people when minority Protestant schools and parents are the target of financial surgery? Our young people deserve better.
This is neither hype nor exaggeration. I know of one school where the total cost to the school of the Minister of Education's recent cuts has been in the region of €300,000. This has been financed within the school both by an increase in fees, and a reduction in capital and operational spending. Should the McCarthy Report be implemented, the teaching quota will be reduced by a further six teachers. This is an extremely serious scenario. Surely the Protestant communities in Ireland should have the choice to have their children educated in schools which are rightly proud to maintain and promote a particular ethos and tradition?
The economic future of our country depends on a well educated and trained workforce. This starts with the investment we make in our children and young people. We make an urgent plea to our Government...is it really wise and prudent to target those with genuine needs? Think again about the proposals for our schools.
It is one thing for me to talk about education and all of us to think about education but let’s listen to someone else who is right on the frontline. Edward Lindsay is our new Headmaster in Cavan Royal School and is also one of our Diocesan Readers.
[An Interview with Mr Edward Lindsay followed.]
Values
The values of a society determine the life of a society. When the Christian principles of love for others and living for the common good are motivating factors in any community of people life is healthier, more wholesome and enjoyable for everyone.
The implications of living by 'Jesus – values' make an enormous difference to relationships and the fabric of society. Just think of some of the consequences of living in a way where thinking of others is a core value, not to mention honouring God!
• I wonder would we have experienced the financial crash and subsequent crisis in our banking systems if generosity and prudence had been the dominant core values instead of greed and grab.
• I wonder would personal stress levels be so high in our society if we honoured and practiced God’s order of work and rest. Have we lost something vital in the rhythm of life when it is all work and we make no time for rest and refreshment?
• Has the recession actually been a reality check? In the reckless pursuit of profit and pleasure did we lose something vital and some vital values?
• Have we seen people as just statistics, disposable workers, rather than valuing them as human beings with worth and significance?
• Loneliness is a daily experience for too many people. How different in a society where people really care. Befriending the lonely and doing acts of kindness are marks of the people of God. We are to be sensitive but not intrusive. Jesus was known as the friend of sinners. The calling of the church is to be the same.
As we are reminded at the conclusion of our services of Holy Communion ... All are sent out in peace to love and serve the Lord. Jesus has modelled what he sends us to do and to be. He is the Prince of Peace, the King of Love, the Servant King. His values are life changing. That is why, as a Diocese, we are seeking to be Christ-centred, character building and community transforming.
Reader Ministry
Today I want to say a special thank you to our Diocesan Readers and Parish Readers. This year we celebrate 100 years of Reader ministry in the Church of Ireland.
On the first day of General Synod in April 1909 the Bishops of the Church of Ireland presented a Report, which included the following words, 'the Bishops are prepared to recognize the office of "Lay Reader" in the Church of Ireland; and to licence men thereto...' This initiative was in response to a request made 2 years previously at General Synod asking that the Archbishops and Bishops 'take steps to carry into effect the proposal to institute in the Church of Ireland the Office of Lay Reader'. All over our Church, Sunday by Sunday, Readers serve with enthusiasm and faithfulness. Thank you to each one. I know that in this Diocese we owe so much to our Readers. Like all Christians we serve and the Readers serve in response to God’s call. It is a vocation (there's that word again!) and so we give our best. I am thrilled that more people within the Diocese are offering for service in Reader Ministry. Indeed, in a few weeks time, I will commission almost a dozen new Parish Readers. All of them are from within the same Group of Parishes.
Vision ... Forward
FORWARD: Our Forward Sunday last May was another encouragement in the Diocese. Over 1000 people of all ages gathered in the Slieve Russell Hotel for worship, fellowship and inspiration. As a follow-up from that Sunday each parish has a 3-fold challenge in the next year:
1. One parish event to reach out to others
2. One parish event for training...to help us grow in our faith.
3. One parish event to impact our community.
Of course these can be one off events or a series of events. Each parish is different and each parish has the opportunity to embark on whichever initiatives are appropriate to their parish and community. It will be fascinating to hear how these go.
The core vision of Forward is 'Growing Healthy Parishes'. Our aim is to capture God's vision and to think forward, plan forward, move forward, and be willing to even fail forward. In learning to walk we sometimes stumble. I learning to walk by faith we sometimes do the same. But it is the path of growth and development. When numbers are small we can easily lapse into a mindset of survival. We can become over cautious, discouraged and despondent. However, together, with a shared vision of growing healthy churches, we can encourage each other, share resources, stand in unity and move forward in faith. The real secret is not survival but revival. God’s Holy Spirit power released in our midst brings new life and growth. Revival is about being open and obedient to God and moving as He leads. Focussing on Him and His Kingdom are core values in the church. Pray that they will be worked out in our thinking praying and living. Please pray continually, consistently and daily for our Diocese, our clergy, our people and our communities. Pray, pray and pray again! Heart prayer is another Jesus value. Praying people change the world!
Mothers' Union
Loving people do the same. I warmly commend the ministry of Mothers' Union in the Diocese. In the past year we have seen several caring initiatives which make a difference in peoples’ lives. Recently the Mothers union has launched a pilot scheme entitled 'Never Alone'. It is specifically for young people who often feel misunderstood, anxious, bullied, worthless, uncared for. The best way to explain it is to show Synod members a short DVD which has been produced by MU. It is being piloted in a couple of our schools to help young people know that they are unique, of worth, loved and that should it be needed help is available for them. How timely this is when there is a significant rise in disturbing expressions of desperation in the lives and lifestyles of young people in our country. If this initiative helps even one it is worth it. You will be impressed with this DVD.
Diocesan Links
We plan to renew companionship links with 2 Dioceses overseas and the Forward Planning Group have some suggestions to bring to the next meetings of Diocesan Councils. These links can be a means of fostering mission, deepening fellowship, and enriching worship. Watch this space!
Welcome and Farewell
We warmly welcome to the Diocese the following clergy...
Joyce Rankin in the Baillieborough Group, Patrick Bamber in Calry, Alison Calvin in the Killeshandra Group, Ronnie Bourke in the Boyle Riverstown Group and on Friday 6th November we will welcome Andrew Quill and his family in Derrylin.
Sadly we have said farewell to the following clergy: Archdeacon George Davison, Geoff Wilson, Anita Kerr, and in the next few weeks we will say farewell to Raymond and Bobbie Moore. Thank you to each one for faithful ministry in our Diocese.
We welcome Mr Edward Lindsay as the new Headmaster of Cavan Royal. In welcoming him we also say a very sincere thank you to Mr Ivan Bolton, the retiring Headmaster, and his wife Hilda. They have given many years of dedicated, committed sacrificial service to generations of young people in Cavan Royal and have left it in good shape.
To our superb Diocesan leadership and administrative team of Deans and Archdeacons, Secretaries and Treasurers I say a sincere thank you. You are a pleasure to work with and I thank God for each one of you.
I said at the beginning of my address that in this Diocese and other places I have met people who seek to live out the vocation and values we have been thinking about today. Two of those people were Helen’s mother and father. As a family we never thought that in this year of 2009 both parents would have been called home to heaven. Both taught us how to live and showed us how to die. Their faith in Christ was sincere. Their love for others was clear. Their vocation was lived out in Christ-like living and selfless service. Their values were seen in their lives. Last week-end we travelled with over 50 MU members to Cork Diocese where Helen grew up. It was a great week-end enjoyed by all. However, we will never forget how person after person spoke with Helen about the impact her parents had made in their lives. What we are thinking about in this address today changes lives. We are talking about ordinary people who know an extraordinary God and who love the people He loves. This is the way forward for our church and country.
As we move into another year may our vision be clear and our values Christ-shaped. May we value people as Jesus does. May we be faithful and God-honouring as we live out our vocation, His call on our lives.
St Catherine of Siena once said, 'If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!' As we are what God has called us to be ... may the United Diocese of Kilmore Elphin and Ardagh be ablaze with the fire of God's love, the flames of God's truth and Holy Spirit Pentecostal power!
ENDS
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