Diocesan News28 Sep 15

Clogher Diocesan Synod 2015

Clogher Diocesan Synod was held in St Macartin’s Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen, on Thursday 24th September, commencing with a service of Holy Communion in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen.

During the service, the Old Testament reading was read by the Revd Stephanie Woods, rector of Lisbellaw Parish with Coolbuck, and the Psalm was read by Dr Ronald Brown, a representative from the Methodist Church. The Epistle was read by Mrs Martha Smyth, a representative of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Gospel was read by the Revd Olivia Downey, curate in Enniskillen and Clogher Cathedrals.

The intercessions were led by the Revd Canon Dr Ian Ellis, rector of Rossorry Parish. The celebrant was the Bishop, the Rt Revd John McDowell, who was assisted in the administration of Communion by the Dean, the Very Revd Kenneth Hall, and the Revd David Cupples of the Methodist Church. The hymns were ‘Lord of the Church, we pray for our renewing’, ‘Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face’, and ‘Sent forth by God’s blessing’.

The Rt Revd John McDowell, Bishop of Clogher, presided at Synod, and the Assessor was Sir Benjamin Stephens. Synod commenced with a Scripture reading read by Mrs Mae Glenn, and prayers were led by the Ven Helene T Steed, Archdeacon.  The President, the Rt Revd John McDowell, Bishop of Clogher, addressed Synod members (see below).

Observers from sister Churches included the Revd Sam McGuffin and Dr Ronald Brown of the Methodist Church, the Rt Revd Monsignor Peter O’Reilly and Mrs Martha Smyth of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Revd David Cupples of the Presbyterian Church.

The Revd Brian Harper and the Revd Gary McMurray were elected as Clerical Honorary Secretaries, and Mr John Irvine and Cllr Rosemary Barton were re–elected as Lay Honorary Secretaries.

The Rt Revd Monsignor Peter O’Reilly brought greetings on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church, the Revd Sam McGuffin on behalf of the Methodist Church, and the Revd David Cupples on behalf of the Presbyterian Church.

The minutes of the previous Synod were placed on the table, together with communication from the General Synod.

The 144th Report of the Diocesan Council was proposed by the Very Revd Kenneth Hall and seconded by Mrs Ethne McCord. The Report was considered seriatim and adopted.

Standing Orders were suspended to allow for the presentation of medals by the Clogher Diocesan Board of Religious Education which were presented by the Bishop. Winner of the Bishops’ Medal was Jennifer Taylor, Donagh Parish; in joint 2nd place was Lauren Smyth, Newtownsaville Parish and Mark Waller, Donagh Parish.

For the Archbishop Ruddell Prize, first place was awarded to Lucie and Hannah Darling, Galloon Parish, and 2nd prize was awarded to Holly Hutchinson, Galloon Parish.

A motion concerning amending paragraph 1 of Chapter 1 Section 3 (ii) of the Diocesan Financial Scheme was proposed by the Revd Canon Henry Blair and seconded by Mr John Irvine and adopted.

Standing orders were suspended to allow for a presentation from Mr Adrian Clements, Chief Officer and Secretary of the Representative Church Body, on Dignity In Church Life.

Mr Jonny Phenix, Diocesan Youth Officer, presented a report of Clogher Diocesan Youth Council and was noted. Miss Joyce Clingan proposed and Mr John Irvine seconded the report of Clogher Diocesan Board of Religious Education, and the report of the Clogher Diocesan Board of Mission was proposed by Mrs Doreen Earls and seconded by the Very Revd Kenneth Hall.

The report of the Clogher Diocesan Board of Social Theology in Action was proposed by the Revd Charlie Eames and seconded by Mr Neville Armstrong. The Ministry of Healing report was presented by the Revd Canon Maurice Armstrong and noted, and the report of the Diocesan Glebes Committee was proposed by the Revd Canon Ian Berry and seconded by Mr Robert Forde.

The Bishop of Clogher welcomed Sir Ben Stephens to his first Diocesan Synod as Assessor and paid tribute to Sir Anthony Hart who stepped down after twenty–five years as Assessor.

In the course of his address, the Bishop drew attention to the current refugee crisis in Europe and its complex background. Because of their country–wide infrastructure, the Churches were in a particularly good position to partner with governments in putting as much of a human touch into whatever measures are to be put in place. He went on to remind members of the Christian imperative to welcome the stranger.

Although not addressing the current political impasse in the Northern Ireland Executive directly, the Bishop underlined the responsibility of all citizens (and not only political representatives) to work towards a more integrated society and to help create an atmosphere in which that can be achieved.

However, integration can take many forms including that between the generations. Even though there was no intention to include them within its scope, he spoke about the nervousness which many older people felt about the debate on assisted dying and asked for a focussed effort by parishes and others to ensure that older people, especially those who felt very frail and extremely vulnerable, are wholeheartedly welcomed and included within the life of the Church.

Referring to an initiative begun in the Diocese of Armagh, the Bishop also encouraged each parish to make a special collection on the Sunday nearest All Saints Day to go to the Hospice movement, who still depend on fundraising for much of their revenue. He hoped this might become a permanent feature of the diocesan calendar.

The Bishop welcomed Mr Adrian Clements the Chief Officer of the RCB to Synod and commended the guidelines which he would present which were intended to put some flesh on the bones of the Dignity in Church Life charter which had been approved by the General Synod in May.

Reflecting on the work of the Committee on Episcopal Ministry and Structures, the Bishop mentioned a forthcoming presentation to be made by representatives of the committee to the November meeting of the Clogher Diocesan Council.

The committee had a difficult brief which, in his view, they had addressed with great energy and integrity. Major attempts at reform of structures and General Synod had not been successful in the past thirty years or so and it was to be hoped that some reform was possible for the good of the whole Church.

In the course of referring to a proposed minor amendment to the Diocesan Financial Scheme, which was intended to mitigate against the affect that currency swings between sterling and the euro could have on the annual assessment, the Bishop paid handsome tribute to the work done by Ruth McKane and Ashley Brown in the Diocesan Office during the continuing illness and convalescence of the Diocesan Secretary, Mr Glenn Moore. The Synod also joined with the Bishop in wishing Glenn well for a speedy recovery.