Bishop Ken Clarke is host at Down & Dromore’s Bible Week; Raphoe institution; Rathfarnham’s New Intern Deacon; Archbishop Martin denies reports of a move to The Vatican
Bishop Ken Clarke is host at Down & Dromore’s Bible Week
Bishop Ken Clarke is to serve as Master of Ceremonies at the Bishop of Down and Dromore’s Bible Week. Bishop Ken is now Mission Director of SAMS UK & Ireland. It’s the first time that he has been able to come along as he has, of course, been very busy in other dioceses!
“I am very much looking forward to attending my first Bishop’s Bible Week,” he says. I have heard so much about it and rejoice at the steady growth each year. It is even more encouraging when the growth is in depth and not just in breadth. To see a hunger in the diocese both to hear God’s Word and to obey it is a great sign.”
For the second year in a row, Bishop Harold will be our speaker each evening and will teach from Acts under the title ‘We’re on a Mission’. The Bible Week will set the scene for the run–up to 2015, which was unanimously declared a ‘Year of Mission’ at the 2012 Diocesan Synod.
It’s an initiative that Bishop Ken Clarke heartily endorses:
“I am excited at the potential of Mission 2015. Too often mission in a diocese is relegated to being a side show. God’s call is mission as the main event and a top priority. Clearly the Diocese of Down and Dromore has caught that vision. I have no doubt that a missional, Truth loving, grace filled diocese can be an agent for reconcilation and transformation throughout this island. I honestly believe that as each one of us, and every parish, are more and more Christ–like we will see communities impacted and lives changed. With the courageous visionary leadership of Bishop Harold and his team, the prayerful and active commitment of all of us, Mission 2015 can be the catalyst for some exciting times in the Diocese, and indeed far beyond!“
Please do come along to the Bible Week each night. We’re in Shankill Church, Lurgan at 7.45 pm (note the earlier start).
Raphoe institution
Rev William Long has been appointed Rector of the Parish of Convoy, Monellan and Donaghmore.
He succeeds Rev David Griscome who retired in April. His Institution Service will take place on Thursday 12th September 2013 at 8pm in St Ninian’s Church, Convoy.
Rathfarnham’s New Intern Deacon
On September 22 four new Deacons will be ordained in Christ Church Cathedral. They will then become Intern Deacons in parishes in Dublin and Glendalough where they will work until next summer. This week each will be profiled in turn.
Eugene Griffin has just completed the four year part–time Mth course in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. He will be ordained on September 22 before serving as Deacon Intern in the parish of Rathfarnham, Dublin.
He has been married to Joanna for 20 years and they live in Foxrock. Although both of his parents are deceased, he receives great support and encouragement from family and friends.
Eugene is an accountant by profession and until recently he worked in the Mater Hospital. However, by inclination he is a musician and by vocation a Priest. His faith journey started while he was a Lay Vicar Choral in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and says there is something very special about praising God through the medium of music. “It gets to the core of our relationship with God,” he comments.
“So why did I train for the Ordained Ministry? For as long as I can remember I have had an itch to serve God but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Gradually I started to explore my relationship with God and Church and woke up to the idea that I may have a vocation. I recognised that there was a thread running through my life of serving others in the work I had done,” Eugene explains.
“Some days I have to pinch myself that I will be ordained in September. The bright light of Ordination which was only a flicker a few years ago is getting brighter by the day! Yes the workload for the Masters in Theology has been heavy. Yes the training for ministry can be very involved. But even on the days when I am tearing my hair out, I never fail to be thankful to God for showing me the path on which I find myself,” he says.
Over the last four years he has undertaken placements in Trinity College Chapel, Monkstown, Kill o’ the Grange and Kilternan. “During the course of these placements I have been very privileged to be allowed enter into parishioners’ lives, trying on their shoes to feel where they pinch. Leading people in worship has enriched my spiritual life much more than words can ever describe,” he states.
He is now looking forward to serving and getting to know the clergy and people of Rathfarnham Parish.
Archbishop Martin denies reports of a move to The Vatican
The Dublin Archdiocese said that rumours that he is leaving for Rome is just “empty speculation”. More at –
http://www.thejournal.ie/archbishop-martin-denies-reports-of-a-move-to-vatican-1048744-Aug2013/