14.12.2022
Lydia Monds appointed as CMH:I Ministry Leader
The Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland has announced the appointment of Ms Lydia Monds as Ministry Leader. In her new role, Lydia will encourage and facilitate a healing ministry for parishes with no previous involvement, and will encourage those across the Church who already have healing ministry.
Canon Lesley Robinson, the Chair of CMH:I, said: “I am excited and grateful that Lydia has accepted the position of Ministry Leader with CMH:I. She has a proven track record in all her previous positions in church life and brings wonderful gifts with her to be used in the service of Christ the Healer. I believe that with Lydia and our Operations Executive, Dr Catherine Smith, working together from January, the future of the healing ministry throughout Ireland holds great promise.”
Lydia writes: “I’m delighted to be taking up a role with the Church’s Ministry of Healing. More than ever, I believe this ministry is needed and has a valuable contribution to make and I look forward to being a part of that.”
Lydia holds a Masters in Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies and a Higher Diploma in Education. Recently, she qualified as a Forest School Leader, which focuses on engaging people in nature and all the benefits that brings. Lydia has worked as the Children’s Ministry development officer for the Sunday School Society for eight years. She and the team focused on supporting children’s leaders and families in their own mental health, faith and wellbeing, particularly since the Pandemic.
She was also the Education Advisor to the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal for over 11 years. Most recently in this role she collaborated with the Mothers’ Union and Tearfund to design and run a parish training titled ‘Equipping the Church to take action and end domestic abuse’. Lydia is married to John and they have two sons, Cillian and Oisín.
Dr Catherine Smith said: “Like many in the Church, I have always admired the energy and compassion that Lydia brought to her work in Bishops’ Appeal, and the creativity and fun of her children’s ministry projects. I’m thrilled that we will both be part of the important work of healing ministry, particularly as CMH:I moves into its 91st year. The work that Dr Iva Beranek carried out during her years of working for CMH:I has laid a solid and compassionate foundation, and we are delighted that Dr Beranek is flourishing in her new job”.
To request a quiet day, retreat, or other event in your parish, or to discuss the setting up of a healing prayer group or the holding of a service of healing and wholeness, contact catherine@ministryofhealing.ie. Go to the CMH:I website ministryofhealing.ie for further resources, including prayer cards for download and a new request facility for healing prayer for someone in need. You can also follow CMH:I on Facebook and Instagram for reflection, prayer, news, and healing meditations.