Diocesan News21 Dec 10

Clogher appoints Diocesan Youth Officer

The Church of Ireland Diocese of Clogher has appointed Mr Jonny Phenix as Diocesan Youth Officer.

Mr Jonny Phenix 

Jonny is a former Sports Science Lecturer, and most recently served as Youth Minister with Magheracross Parish and Ballinamallard Methodist Churches. An active person in the youth work scene for the past three decades, Jonny brings to the post a range of experience in faith based work with young people. During his teaching career, he worked at a variety of educational establishments including Methodist College Belfast, Monkstown Community School, Portora Royal School and the South West College.

Married with three grown up children, Jonny played an active role in the Youth Fellowship at Darling Street Methodist Church Enniskillen for many years, and was involved with Enniskillen Youth for Christ and the monthly Mannafest youth rally. He also took responsibility of Fermanagh College Christian Fellowship for a time, and served on short term mission with Youth With A Mission, leading two outreach teams to the Philippines and Japan.

Jonny says “I am looking forward to serving with others in this new position. The Wells Project offers a great opportunity for the growth and development of youth ministry in parishes throughout the diocese. There are already many good examples within parishes and I hope to be able to help others to establish their own.”

Jonny has experience of working with a range of youth organisations including uniformed, non-uniformed and faith based youth groups.

Commenting on his appointment, the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Jackson said “I am delighted that we have appointed Jonny to this position. He brings a broad range of experience and is highly thought of and held in great affection in Ballinamallard where he is currently engaged in youth work. The Wells Projects adds a new dimension to youth work in Clogher and I look forward greatly to working with Jonny and the whole diocese in this.”

As Diocesan Youth Officer, Jonny will focus on youth ministry throughout the diocese, which includes most of counties Fermanagh and Monaghan, together with a small section of counties Tyrone, Leitrim and Donegal.

One of the key aspects of the post which Jonny will undertake will be the development and promotion of the Wells Project, a new diocesan initiative which will endeavour to improve, develop and initiate ministry

to and amongst young people throughout the diocese. It will aim to establish new activities for young people which will nurture Christian faith and identity, and provide gathered fellowship, teaching, support and encouragement, with a view to the contribution to parochial, diocesan and national church life and society which young people can make. The Diocesan Youth Officer will also support existing youth work which takes place in the diocese, such as uniformed organizations. He will interact with schools, and complement existing youth ministry in parishes, bringing additional expertise and ideas to youth leaders, supporting the work of the diocesan youth councils and helping coordinate events for the whole diocese.