05.10.2022
Work of Councils highlighted at Diocesan Synod
Members of Dublin and Glendalough Diocesan Synods have heard of the work that was carried out by or on behalf of Diocesan Councils over the past year. Presenting the report of Diocesan Councils to Synod in Taney Parish Centre yesterday evening (Tuesday October 4), Councils member Robert Neill said that the number of people involved in Synod and in the administration of the parishes was immediately apparent from looking at the Book of Reports.
Mr Neill thanked the Diocesan Secretary, Sylvia Heggie, and her team for “keeping the show on the road during difficult times” during the pandemic when Councils met on Zoom and said it was good that members of Synod could now meet in person and break bread together.
He reported on a number of diocesan initiatives. He said that many parishes had responded generously and initiated projects in response to the war in Ukraine. The diocesan response, in the form of the U&Ukraine appeal, raised €36,800, most of which came from St Ann’s, Dawson Street, he stated. This sum is being administered by Protestant Aid to address practical needs.
He said Safeguarding Trust training and compliance continued throughout Covid facilitated by Olive Good and her team. Noting the appointment of the Revd Robert Marshall as Diocesan and Provincial Registrar and the Revd Sean Hanily as assistant, he thanked Dean Stephen Farrell for his service over a decade. He also commended Caroline Cummins for her diligent work as Finance and Governance Officer.
Mr Neill highlighted two matters for clergy. He alerted them to the MindMatters Clergy Assistance programme which has been launched by the Central Church to support clergy. He said that given rampant inflation it had been agreed centrally that clergy stipends would increase by 9% next January which, he noted, would present a challenge to parish treasurers.
Seconding the report, the Revd Sean Hanily said it was wonderful to be back gathered in person for Diocesan Synod after two years of meeting online. He highlighted the important role communications had played in the dioceses over the past year and thanked the Diocesan Communications Officer for her work. He encouraged parishes to use the resources provided by the dioceses. He also encouraged people to subscribe to the diocesan magazine, The Church Review.
Mr Hanily said that councils existed to further the work and mission of the church and this work could be seen in the Book of Reports which contains reports from the various “on the ground ministries” which are funded by councils including youth and children’s ministry and third level chaplaincies. He praised the talented team in Dublin and Glendalough who are there to be consulted and to help with ministry including Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator, Emma Fawcett and the Anglican Chaplaincy Team at third level. He also pointed to the ministry provided by a number of initiatives including Paternoster and the Diocesan link with Jerusalem as well as the Exploring Ministry Group.
Speaking to the report, the Revd Prof Anne Lodge, who is Director of the Church of Ireland Centre at Dublin City University, highlighted the accommodation crisis which is affecting students. Because of a lack of accommodation many are commuting long distances to attend college but they have no time for college life. She appealed to members of Synod who may have a spare room in their home to consider renting it to a student. Anyone with a spare room should contact Prof Lodge or any of the chaplains.
The Revd Martin O’Connor raised the plight of Palestinians and urged the dioceses to do more to express solidarity with persecuted Palestinians.
The Revd Jack Kinkead, chairperson of Church Music Dublin, commended the work of the organisation to members and highlighted recent projects and videos, including Psalms Online and Anglican Chant which are available on their website https://www.churchmusicdublin.org/
Barbara O’Callaghan (Clondalkin and Rathcoole) spoke about marriage and said she felt that the Church of Ireland was dropping behind what most people wanted when it came to marriage. “I don’t think Jesus would preclude members of same sex couples who want to get married and make a public commitment before God,” she stated. She added that a lot of people now want the “whole package” in which they get married and hold the reception in the same venue.
Canon William Deverell (Tallaght) agreed that clergy should be able to marry couples in hotels. “People ask: why don’t they come to the church? But we say the people are the church. I think we should try and reach out,” he said.
The Revd Asa Bjork Olafsdottir said she felt that the church was hurting a lot of people and that same sex marriages were a union between two equals. She said some people felt they were excluded from the church. “Many feel excluded from Christianity. That is a responsibility I think we need to take. We bless bridges, houses, boats … how can we not bless the marriage of two individuals, two equals who love each other. We need to move with the times. This is something our country agrees is acceptable and we need to move as a church to at least make an effort,” she said.
John Miller (Dalkey) expressed concerns that choirs in parish churches were disintegrating. He urged Church Music Dublin to consider support choirs.
Canon Gillian Wharton (Booterstown and Carysfort with Mount Merrion) said that moving on from Covid–19 parishes were faced with lower numbers in church. She said clergy and select vestries had a sense of tiredness and it was tricky to have enthusiasm to think about moving forward. She said clergy were faced with a huge amount of administration they and their select vestries were having to engage in a lot of complex tasks. “What is coming down the line to select vestries, which are made up of volunteers, is quite terrifying because it needs a level of expertise that a group of volunteers don’t have. […] I am appealing to say we can’t do this. We need help. Our work has to be about pastoral care and the life of the church,” she stated.
Douglas Appleyard (Councils) regretted the fact that there had not been more debate on the report and asked if the ability to speak up and debate was lost.