Author: Paul McFadden

Bishop Andrew Forster has told delegates at the Derry & Raphoe Diocesan Synod that he has no intention of closing any parish church in the Diocese. His assurance came in his Presidential Address to the 2024 Synod, on Wednesday 23rd October, during which he announced a new partnership – a five-year companion link – with the Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania.

The Bishop said some people had been very honest with him, usually at the church door, in sharing their fear that the ongoing Diocesan Review, announced at last year’s Synod, might lead to the closure of their church buildings. But Bishop Andrew said he wanted to be “absolutely clear” on this: “I am not here to close any parish church.” He hoped his clarification would clear up any misunderstandings and allay any concerns that delegates had.

A new booklet, ‘Building Hope, Charting the Future’, which includes prayers for the church and the community, was presented to delegates at this year’s Synod. Although its prayers had a broad scope, Bishop Andrew hoped they would prove helpful as parishioners prayed for the ongoing diocesan review. “Ultimately,” he said, “the review is about determining how our church can continue to flourish in the difficult times that we live in, with all the challenges they bring for faith communities – not just the Church of Ireland but right across the board.”

Bishop Andrew’s Presidential Address is reproduced in full below.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we gather today as the people of God and the family of God – coming together from Dunfanaghy to Maghera, from Ballykelly to Ballyshannon, Castlerock to Carrickfinn, Carrigart to Castledawson, Limavady to Laghey, Letterkenny to Londonderry, Balteagh to Buncrana, Moville to Omagh, Kilrea to Kilmacrennan, and from all points – and many parishes – in between. You’re all so welcome.

We come together because we love God and we love His church. I list all those names to show what a diverse diocese we are – covering a large area of the north-west of this island, coming from two distinct political jurisdictions – but worshipping one God. From city, towns, villages, seaside and countryside, we are a varied and diverse group of people; yet at each of our Diocesan Synods I always feel a wonderful sense of unity. We assemble not just as a gathering of people but as family, we gather as family, working together, in partnership, to build God’s kingdom. In a family everyone is important and valued and has their role to play, and I hope that in this family of God everyone will feel important and valued, and that they have their role to play.

Diocesan synods have been meeting in the Church of Ireland since shortly after disestablishment. I came across these remarks that were spoken at the first diocesan synod of the Diocese of Newcastle in Australia, which pre-dates our diocesan synods. It took place on Tuesday 15th August 1856. Having given thanks to God that the synod had been able to gather, Bishop William Tyrrell began his charge with these words: ‘I would desire to unite a fervent prayer, that our consultations may tend to render our beloved church more and more efficient in winning souls to Christ.’ These are hopes that I echo for our gathering today. There’s a lot of business that we have to transact today but, overall, our vision is to continue to be a diocese that radiates Christ and transforms community; that saves souls won for Christ.

I would like us to focus for a few minutes on the theme of partnership – in its various manifestations – and that will be the recurring theme of this address.

Philippians 1 v3-6 says: ‘I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’

Partnership in the Gospel is the key to Paul’s close relationship with this small church in Philippi, and partnership in the gospel is the key to our close relationships in this diocese, because the gospel is good news. Its message has the power to change people’s lives and transform communities. Never lose confidence in the power of the gospel. As Paul puts it in Romans chapter 1, ‘I’m not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.’ And in a world where people seem to scurry up every blind alley in search of fulfilment and peace, don’t lose confidence in the Gospel, the good news, don’t lose confidence in its power. It has changed my life and it has changed yours. Our partnership is in the gospel.

Partnership in the gospel leads us on then to partnership in mission, because mission is the strategy that we use to share the good news. Mission can be both traditional and creative, local and global. There has always been a tension between maintenance and mission. The former requires us simply to maintain what we have, whereas mission involves the risk of reaching out.

The plain fact is that a solely ‘maintenance ministry’ approach in our parishes won’t cut it; it won’t maintain and protect what we have. Rather it embeds a mentality of decline. Mission is risky. It requires us to think beyond ourselves. Sometimes we’ll get that right and sometimes we won’t, but the truth is that the God whom we worship today, the God whom we’re here to serve today is a missionary God: he sends His Son; he sends His Spirit; he sent out the disciples. And now he sends us to continue their work.

How should we respond as a Diocese to God’s call? How should we respond to the great commission in Matthew’s Gospel, to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”?

Of course, we respond in a way that reflects the context in which we work; how we engage with that context and how we share Good News within that context.

Today, we are stepping out in faith as we inaugurate a new companionship link with the Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania. It is a great personal pleasure for me to welcome Bishop Given Gaula to our synod today. Bishop Given and I first met just before the Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops in 2022, and we look forward to hearing from him later on in our proceedings. I am tremendously excited by this joint initiative, as the Diocese of Kondoa will inspire us to greater mission as I hope we will inspire the Diocese of Kondoa to greater mission. My prayer for our partnership is that we will spur each other on, and that our new relationship will prove mutually beneficial.

We will be celebrating this new relationship at a service in St Eunan’s Cathedral in Raphoe on Sunday evening, at 7pm, and it would be really encouraging if many of you were able to join us for what should be a most uplifting occasion.

In a short while, we will hear, also, from our good friend Rev Rob Jones, who is our National Director of Pioneering. Pioneering has mission at its heart, with the goal of reaching those with ‘little or no contact with church.’ I’m really pleased that our Pioneering Hub is now up and active and working. And also, in our proceedings today, you will hear from Archdeacon Miller about the launch of our own Diocesan Mission Fund beginning in January 2025. This fund will use some of our own resources to help parishes take advantage of missionary opportunities in their midst. So, we have that to look forward to.

So, partnership in the gospel and partnership in mission must have the foundation of partnership in prayer. The parable of the house built on the rock and the house built on sand has many different applications, but for me it always speaks of the priority of prayer in the life of the household of God. You may recall that during the pandemic we published a little book of prayers to help us through those dark days, ‘Hope in the Pandemic’. Today, as you may have already noticed, we are presenting a new booklet to you called ‘Building Hope, Charting the Future.’

Although these prayers have a broad scope, I hope they will prove helpful for each and every one of us as we pray for our Church and pray for those whom we want to reach out to; as we pray for our mission and as we pray for our ongoing diocesan review. Ultimately, the review is about determining how our church can continue to flourish in the difficult times that we live in, with all the challenges they bring for faith communities – not just the Church of Ireland but right across the board.

Later in this synod, our Archdeacons will report on the review. I have no desire to steal their thunder, but I would like to make a couple of points. The first is this: pray, pray and pray again that God will guide and lead us as we plan and review together. The second thing I want to say is perhaps a little more sensitive. Some people have been very honest with me, usually at the church door, in sharing their fear that the review may lead to the closure of their church building. I want to be absolutely clear on this: I am not here to close any parish church. Occasionally, vestries do come to me and say, ‘We can’t do this anymore’. Usually, in such instances, the problems are falling numbers, financial stress or major issues with a building. That leads us into a dialogue about what the best options are. We celebrate all that has happened, and all that has gone on before, the faithfulness of generations, and we look to the future. Sometimes creative outcomes are possible. St Columba’s Church in Glencolmcille is an example of this. There the church has been re-purposed with a lease that continues to facilitate occasional services in that building, so its history lives on into the future.

I hope this is a clarification that clears up any misunderstandings there may be, and allays any concerns you may have. To repeat: I am not here to close any parish churches. Trust me, and please – as we discern the best way forward for our diocese – pray, pray and pray again. Hopefully this little booklet will help you pray, it’ll help people in your parishes pray. The pandemic one surprisingly ended up going all over the world and maybe this one will, as well, and be a gift to the wider Church, as well.

So, we’ve thought about partnership in the Gospel, partnership in mission, partnership in prayer and I think there’s a very natural progression to partnership in nurturing and empowering a new generation. Passing the faith on to the next generation is surely one of the most important tasks of the Church. I always look forward to our synods, to hearing from Kirsty McCartney our Children’s Ministry Officer and Claire Hinchliffe our Youth Officer. We are blessed to have them. They bring creativity, energy, wisdom and passion to their roles and are a real asset to the diocese.

I would love it if every congregation was constantly thinking – not just every so often but constantly thinking – about how best to integrate the younger generation into the life of faith and the life of worship. There is some superb work going on across our diocese, yet we know the challenges are great – as are the challenges of growing up in today’s world. This is one of those moments when we all end up sounding like old-timers, isn’t it, when we think, ‘Goodness, I’m glad I’m not growing up now because there are so many challenges’? There’s great work going on and what difference would it make if all the time, all the time, we were constantly thinking about how best to integrate the younger generation into the life of faith?

I want to publicly acknowledge the work done in our schools, particularly those under Church of Ireland Patronage in County Donegal, which seek to live out our distinct ethos in the everyday education of the children we cherish. They have my profound gratitude and admiration.

That leads me on to Partnership in Transforming Communities. You have no idea how much I love to hear stories of churches engaging with their communities. I hear of support for food banks, winter coat giveaways, second-hand shops, men’s sheds, community concerts, festivals, cafes, winter drop-in’s, befriending services, support for refugees and help for the marginalised. Our partnership with the Mother’s Union in this diocese in advocating for the victims of domestic violence has, I believe, been groundbreaking. We follow Jesus not just for ourselves but to bring His love into a needy world. When we recall His example of meeting people at their point of need, it has to inspire us to do exactly the same thing.

I am delighted that Hilary McClay from Bishop’s Appeal is with us today. Hilary will be giving us a timely update about its incredibly valuable work, just days after the launch of its appeal for the Middle East.

Now, I could talk about many other partnerships that I see across our diocese, but time is ticking on. Partnerships make us strong and keep us close. And partnership is at the heart of the Gospel message. Let us commit ourselves to be partners in hope – Partnership in Hope. This is God’s church and Jesus says I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I don’t need to remind any of you of the challenges that we face. Each of us knows them only too well. We see them in our own personal lives and in our parishes. But God is always greater. Isn’t that an uplifting thought? God is always greater. He is greater than the challenges. He is greater than our fears. He is greater than our worries and concerns. God is always greater than anything we can imagine or conceive of, and it is in that truth that we step forward as partners in hope. Don’t let the challenges steal your hope. God is greater. He is with us, and he loves His church. He will build His church.

I want to thank all of you for the partnership in which we share. I am humbled to be surrounded today by men and women of God who give of themselves sacrificially to build their church. Thank you for what you do. I am grateful beyond words to the clergy and the laity of this diocese for the partnerships that we share. I especially want to thank those whom I perhaps work closest with in partnership, David and Robert, our Archdeacons. We take what we do very seriously, but I hope we don’t take ourselves too seriously. David and Robert are a gift to me and a treasure to the Diocese of Derry & Raphoe.

I want to thank Joanne, my ever efficient and ever patient secretary who makes sure I’m in the right place at the right time. So, thank you, Joanne, for all your support and all your prayers. As a diocese we are indebted to Gavin Harkin who does so much to make a day like this happen and who – right throughout the year, in his own quiet, unflappable way – keeps us right, ably assisted, of course, by the Honorary Secretaries alongside me. Wasn’t it Wellington who said of his generals, ‘I don’t know what effect these men will have upon the enemy but, my goodness, they frighten me’? What a formidable bunch they are. I want to thank Paul our diocesan paparazzo – who once described himself to me as ‘God’s spin doctor’ – and who is always so immensely helpful in promoting the work of our parishes. I have already mentioned Kirsty and Claire, but I also want to mention Jocelyn for the invaluable safeguarding support that she offers and the team that she has built around us that I know has given us all much more confidence in being the safe Church that God calls us to be.

Now, on the back of your little prayer book which you have now you’ll see the prayer of the Eastern Church and I love – just over halfway down – ‘and those whom we have forgotten do thou O Lord remember’. Thank you, everyone, for all that you do. You are a blessing to me and a blessing to the Church of Jesus Christ in our beloved Diocese and in our beloved parishes.

So, let us move ahead now as we transact our business and may it be done in a spirit of partnership with God and partnership with each other.

Around 500 pupils from more than 30 schools crowded into Ramelton Presbyterian Church on Tuesday 24th September for the annual County Donegal Schools’ Service. The organisers of this year’s event – for schools under Church of Ireland or Presbyterian Church patronage – chose the exhortation ‘Make a Difference’ as its theme.

The huge congregation, comprising children, teachers and clergy, were welcomed by Rev Stephen Richmond of Donegal Presbyterian Church. The Moderator of the Derry and Donegal Presbytery, Rev Susan Moore, led the ‘Call to Worship’ and the three-part address was given by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster. The Moderator and the Bishop are the Protestant schools’ respective Presbyterian and Church of Ireland patrons.

The Bishop had some words of reassurance in his address for the schoolchildren. “The Kingdom of God tells us we are loved by God, that we are forgiven by God, that God wants to be with us every single of day of our lives.”

Bishop Andrew’s address was based on the Parable of the Sower, which describes how different people reacted to God’s word. As he addressed the children, the bishop blew up a balloon to help convey the reading’s message about growth.

Bishop Andrew asked the congregation how they reacted to hearing God’s news. “Do you listen, but forget? Do you not listen at all? Or do we listen to what God says and say ‘Yes’ to it, and invite Jesus into our lives? The wonderful thing is – what the parable tells us – is that whenever the seed falls on good ground, it grows and grows and grows, and wonderful things happen.”

The Bishop had some words of reassurance for the schoolchildren. “The Kingdom of God tells us we are loved by God, that we are forgiven by God, that God wants to be with us every single of day of our lives.”

The annual service is something of a logistical triumph as buses ferrying pupils from all four corners of the county arrive at the church within minutes of one another, delivering their young charges in time for the beginning of worship at 11 a.m.

Members of MU branches from across the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe were in Limavady on Sunday 22nd September 2024 for MU’s Diocesan Festival Service, which was held in Christ Church, Drumachose.

Among those in the congregation were the Provincial President-elect, Kay Clarke (who takes up office in January); Diocesan MU President, Jacqui Armstrong; one of her predecessors, Jean Fox; and MU Zonal Trustee Iris Suitor, who gave the address.

Worship was led by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster and the Rector of Drumachose, Rev Canon Aonghus Mayes. They were assisted by the Curate at Christ Church, Rev Andrew Neill.

Mrs Suitor told the congregation that it was a privilege to speak at their Festival Service. She explained that her role as a member of the worldwide Zonal Trustee board involved responsibility for governance, financial accountability and staffing issues. Mothers’ Union has 3.4m members in 84 countries, she pointed out, and Ireland has enough members to be classed as one of the 11 zones worldwide.

In her address, she reminded those present of the work MU has done to raise literacy levels, combat poverty and tackle gender-based violence around the globe. “At the last worldwide conference, which I was privileged to attend, we came away – remember now, we’re all a diverse lot – we came away saying we’re going to try and stop poverty, we’re going to try and stop inequality and we’re going to try and stop injustice.”

Mrs Suitor urged her fellow members to be generous. “Generosity, of course, is not all about money,” she said. “There are many ways in which we can be generous. Today’s society expects a return, but the Bible tells us to give quietly and expect nothing in return.” She encouraged members to be kind, to complement someone, to thank their Mothers’ Union leaders, speak kindly to their rectors at the church door and to help others. “If you love Jesus, you will want to spend time with those in need, you will want to spend time with others.” Mrs Suitor also called on MU members – especially the older members present – to help young mothers by sharing their time and expertise.

The Prayers of the People were read by members of five MU branches: Liz Davison (Maghera and Upperlands); Kaye Stewart (Convoy, Monellan and Donaghmore); Hazel Magilligan (Aghadowey); Shirley Grundon (Macosquin); and Charlotte Johnston (Killowen).

Near the end of the service, two diocesan awards were presented by Ms Armstrong. The Eileen Moore Memorial Award – for the branch which raises most money per member – went to Clondehorkey MU, whose 13 members collected €1,686.49 (which worked out at over €129 each). The honour was accepted on their behalf by Mrs May Boyd.

The Helen Livingston Award for Best Annual Programme was awarded to Edenderry and Clanabogan MU, and accepted by Ann Orr.

The organist for today’s service was Peter Livingstone, and the Christ Church Choir led the hymn-singing.

Following the service, MU members and guests enjoyed refreshments in Drumachose parish hall.

Sunday 15th September 2024 was a red letter day for one group of parishioners in East Donegal as they celebrated the 200th anniversary of their beloved church, St Ninian’s, in Convoy.

It was an occasion to savour, with Bishop Andrew Forster joining the congregation to preach the sermon and three former rectors, Rev Peter Wilson, Rev Canon Bob Hanna and Rev David Griscome, turning up to celebrate the historic occasion.

Clergy and readers from a number of Raphoe parishes were also there to support the parishioners in a Service of Thanksgiving that was organised and led by the former Rural Dean, Rev Canon David Crooks, and attended too by his successor, the Dean of Raphoe Very Rev Liz Fitzgerald. Clergy from the local Roman Catholic and Presbyterian churches were also in St Ninian’s for today’s celebration.

Extra chairs had to be brought into the church to accommodate the huge number of people who filled the pews and spilled over in the aisle. In his sermon, Bishop Andrew invited a show of hands of all those present who had been baptised in St Ninian’s or been married there – and it was striking how many of the congregation raised their arms in the air.

During his sermon, Bishop Andrew remarked on how the church of Jesus Christ was linked to the past but yet was ever new. “Think back, to 1824. Now, the Bishop at the time was William Bissett. So, Bishop Bisset – which is quite hard to say – he was actually the last Bishop of Raphoe before the amalgamation of the two dioceses, so he lived in Raphoe and would’ve made the short journey to Convoy to dedicate this church in 1824.

“It’s stood through famine; through the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland, when we stopped being the state church; through two world wars; through independence and partition; through, I think I’m right in saying, two pandemics, there might’ve been more); and through civil war. It’s stood here through days when everyone in the local community was connected in some way to a church, to days that are much more secular – today. It’s stood sentinel as a place of worship and of witness to Jesus Christ. For 200 years, it’s been a place for family – a place for the family of God. Maybe it you have the family pew where you’ve always sat. Maybe it’s a place where you come for weddings; it’s a reminder of Sunday School or Confirmation; of the hardest moments in life when life has been really difficult and this has been the place where you’ve found solace and hope and love and care.

“You see, what we do this afternoon is give thanks for a building, and ultimately, whenever we strip it all away, that’s what this place is. It’s stone and lime, bricks and mortar. The Sunday School children will tell us the church isn’t a building, it’s about the people, and of course that’s true. One of our prayers very much reflects that; it’s in your Order of Service. But you and I know that through the presence of generations, through the prayers of the people of God, through the opening of God’s word and the celebration of the sacraments, this becomes much, much more than stone and lime, and bricks and mortar. It becomes a hallowed place, a place that becomes part of you, a place that is part of your own journey of faith, a place that has nurtured you, that has loved you, that has blessed you in good times and in bad.

“So, we’re thankful today, thankful for St Ninian’s; thankful for those who’ve cared for it and continue to care for it; thankful for its ministry in the past, for its ministry today and its ministry in the future.”

Bishop Andrew posed a question for the congregation: what was the church here for? There was a common image of the church, he said: hard pews, somebody at the front dressed in peculiar clothing, hymns. There are a lot of people who think it’s not an experience that they’d want. “And yet, you and I know that being part of the church, being part of St Ninian’s, being part of the family of God as you are, enhances, blesses and encourages life. It’s a life-giver and it can be life-giving for the community around us as well.”

Everyone had a part to play in their local church, the Bishop said. “What’s your part to play in 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 church, St Ninian’s? Are you playing your part? We’ve all different kinds of gifts but one spirit. The Bible says to each one – you and me – gifts are given. Play your part. Do you remember that famous poster from the First World with General Kitchener [pointing the finger] which said ‘Your country needs you’? Your church needs you. Your church needs you to play your part. Play your part in building up the body of Christ.”

Bishop Andrew expressed deep gratitude to the members of Convoy Parish Church. “Thank you for your love for St Ninian’s, Convoy. Thank you for your care for this place that speaks so much to the community around. And I thank you that you are part of the people of God, the union of our church, the family of God, the Holy Temple, the bride of Christ. You are precious to him.”

The Old Testament reading in today’s service was read by Rev David Griscome. Select Vestry member Robert McGonigle delivered the New Testament reading. And Canon Bob Hanna read the Gospel. Soloist Rebecca Quinn sang a hymn, accompanied by her mother, Karen, on the organ, and among the other hymns sung in the service was St Ninian’s Hymn.

After the service, the congregation walked the short distance to the parish hall for refreshments and speeches, and to see Bishop Andrew and the church wardens cut a special 200th anniversary cake, decorated with an image of the church building.

Parishioners and friends of All Saints’ Clooney gathered in church on Sunday 15th November 2024 to see one of their own members, Bobby Keys, commissioned as a Diocesan Lay Reader by Rt Rev Andrew Forster, at a service led by the parish’s recently ordained Curate, Rev Mel Niblock.

Bobby has been a lifelong member of All Saints’ Church where he already fulfils many roles. He sits on the Select Vestry, leads the Monday Morning Bible Study, oversees the Confirmation Class and also sings with the choir.

Bobby’s wife, Tanya, looked on proudly as her husband was commissioned by Bishop Andrew.

In his sermon, the Bishop suggested that many of those present might have been wondering what a Diocesan Lay Reader was. “A Lay Reader’s somebody who has authority within the diocese to lead services and to preach God’s word,” Bishop Andrew said, “and those of us who know Bobby well will know how well-fitted he is as someone to lead services and to preach the word of God.”

Bishop Andrew said a number of people in church this morning had been blessed by the Bible studies that Bobby had led, blessed by his spiritual wisdom and by his biblical knowledge. “We know, Bobby, that what happens next – as this ministry opens out for you – is that more and more people will be blessed by your wisdom, by your kindness, by your spiritual perception and by your wisdom in passing on the word of God. So, thank you for responding to the call of God to this important role.

“And thank you – the family of God in All Saints’ Clooney – for nurturing Bobby to that role, for helping him see this role as something that God has called him to. This is a good day, and a really important day for Bobby, for this parish and for the whole diocese.”

The Old Testament and Gospel readings at today’s service were delivered by Parish Reader George Keys and music was provided by the All Saints choir.

After the service, many members of the congregation enjoyed lunch a short distance away from the church, in the All Saints’ Centre, where a celebratory cake was cut to mark the occasion.

There was a tremendous outpouring of affection – and not a few tears – in All Saints Newtowncunningham on Sunday 1st September 2024 as the parishioners of the Taughboyne Group gathered to bid farewell to Rev Canon David Crooks, who retired as their rector after 40 years’ faithful service.

The church was packed to overflowing as the chapter closed on a remarkable ministry in east Donegal. There were two bishops present for the occasion: Bishop Andrew Forster, who preached the sermon, and Canon Crooks’ brother-in-law, Rt Rev Hall Speers, who retired recently as Bishop of Mahajanga in Madagascar. Canon Crooks wife, Anne, his sister Cynthia Cherry and brother Vaughan were in All Saints for the special occasion.

Bishop Andrew described it as “a day of mixed emotions” for those present. “I hope that today will have that feeling of deep thankfulness, of sincere gratitude, as we gather in the name of God to celebrate David and to celebrate his saviour whom David has served with such distinction over such a long time.”

The decision to retire had been a difficult one, Bishop Andrew said. “There has been much prayer and much soul-searching, but we know that the time is right and we want to bless you as you embark on this new chapter of life.”

There was a ripple of laughter in the church as the preacher disclosed that Canon Crooks’ ministry began 47 years ago, when the Bishop was only 10 years old. On that occasion, the much younger Rev David Crooks was ordained by the then-Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Robin Eames, for the Parish of Glendermott. There followed a brief sojourn to the Diocese of Edinburgh before Canon Crooks returned to his beloved Diocese of Raphoe to serve in the Taughboyne Group of Parishes.

“Today actually ends the longest current incumbency in the Church of Ireland,” Bishop Andrew said. “In other words, there’s no other clergy person in the Church of Ireland who has served to this time 40 years in their parish. It also ends the longest time of Cathedral dignitary in the Church of Ireland, from David taking up his role as a Canon of St Eunan’s Cathedral in Raphoe. So, it certainly is a momentous day.”

Much had changed in the parishes since Canon Crooks’ incumbency had begun, the Bishop said. “Forty years ago, when David came to this parish, the Troubles were still raging. The border, which I crossed this morning, was still fortified and guarded. Traditional farming was still the lifeblood of this area that has changed so much in those 40 years. People lived in the countryside, involved in agriculture. There’s been so much that has changed in 40 years, so much cultural change, so much societal change, so much that is different from what it was back in 1984.”

During his 40-year incumbency, Canon Crooks had become part of his parishioners’ lives, Bishop Andrew said. “He’s been there for you. He’s been with you parishioners through good times and hard times. He’s been with you through the changes of society and the changes of life. He has been with you through high points and low points. He has ministered to generations of your families, so it’s hard to imagine the parishes without him. And that’s why we’re here today: because we’re thankful for 40 years of David being part of our lives; thankful for 40 years of David ministering and loving and caring, hearts filled with thankfulness and gratitude.”

Bishop Andrew thanked Canon Crooks for his service to the wider diocese as Diocesan Registrar and membership of various diocesan committees, and for his contribution as a representative canon of our national Cathedral, St Patrick’s in Dublin.

Canon Crooks was assisted during today’s service by Diocesan Reader Mrs Maureen Williams, who led the worship; Rev Canon Mervyn Peoples; and Rev Sean McClafferty. Mr Terence West gave the Old Testament reading (Deuteronomy 2:2-7); Bishop Speers read the Epistle (from James 1:17-27); Rev McClafferty read the Gospel (Mark 7: verses 1-8, 14-15 and 21-23). Prayers were led by Mr William Moore.

Music for the service was provided by Mr Tommy Bradley who surrendered the organist’s seat to Canon Crooks for the recessional hymn.

After the service, refreshments were served and speeches made in the nearby hall. Canon Crooks thanked the many parishioners who had assisted him in his ministry over his four decades of service in the Taughboyne Group. His warmest words of appreciation, though, were reserved for his wife, Anne, who he said had been a pillar of support. “I thank you one and all for your love and support,” he said, to loud and prolonged applause. “Thank you for putting up with me for so long. May God bless each and every one of you and your homes, and guide you in faith into the future. Thank you again, with all my heart.”

The rain held off on Sunday 30th June 2024 for Derry & Raphoe Youth’s annual barbecue at the Summer Madness festival, which took place in Portglenone again this year.

The event is Ireland’s largest Christian youth festival and our team of leaders are looking after around 20 young people, from seven different churches in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe.

This year’s theme is ‘Living Life on Purpose’, with a strong signal to young people that what they choose to do with their lives matters, and that there’s no better choice they can make than to choose Jesus Christ.

The festival takes place over five days – from Friday until Tuesday – and there’s a huge variety of activities to keep youthful minds occupied. These include seminars, workshops, sports, games and gigs, and the highlight each day is the worship session in the Big Top, which draws hundreds to sing and pray together.

This year’s Derry & Raphoe Youth barbecue saw our Diocesan Youth Officer, Claire Hinchliff, step up to the plate – well, the grill, actually – and she was ably assisted by Pauline Beadle who took care of the vegetarian options on the menu. The chairman of D.R.Y., Rev Peter Ferguson, was there to lend a hand, literally, while no diocesan barbecue would be complete without a visit by C.I.Y.D.’s National Youth Officer, Simon Henry, who duly obliged by dropping in, just in time for lunch.

In this podcast in the Church of Ireland Council for Mission’s Mission Matters series, Rev Johnny McFarland talks to Rev Sean McClafferty who, with his fellow deacon Rev Brian Robinson, made history in the summer of 2023 by becoming Derry and Raphoe’s first Ordained Local Ministers (OLMs).

Here they discuss Sean’s missionary outreach in the Sperrins, where he serves in the Ardstraw Group of Parishes.

You’re welcome to listen in to their conversation at the link below.

In the next in its Mission Matters podcast series, the Church of Ireland Council for Mission shares an interview with Rev Johnny Lowden, a curate in Glendermott parish, in Londonderry’s Waterside.  

In his conversation with Rev Johnny McFarland, Johnny talks about his path to ordained ministry, the impact of his missionary work in central Africa, and explains how last became first in his journey to Glendermott.You’re welcome to listen in at the link below.

Rev Melanie Sloan was ordained as a priest by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, at a Service on Sunday 23rd June in All Saints Clooney where she will serve her curacy under the guidance of the Rector, Rev Canon David McBeth. Her fiancé, Mark Niblock (whom she’ll be getting married to in just over a week’s time and who read the Old Testament reading), and her two sons, Josh and Finn, were in All Saints to see the ‘laying on of hands’ by Bishop Andrew and other members of the clergy. 

The new Curate Assistant, who was ordained to the diaconate last September, had been serving since then in St Patrick’s Parish in Broughshane, many of whose congregation made the 45-mile trip to Clooney for this evening’s Service.

Their journey can’t have been as eventful, though, as Bishop Andrew’s earlier in the day when – after preaching at an anniversary service in Holy Trinity Church in Dunfanaghy – a Garda motorcycle escort facilitated his passage through heavy international rally traffic to help him get to the church in Londonderry on time. The Bishop said that as he drove past the Mount Errigal Hotel, flanked by Garda outriders, he thought that some in the crowd of spectators mistook him for the winner of the rally.

In his sermon, the Bishop told Rev Sloan that it was a special night when they celebrated her and celebrated the God who called her to ministry. “At first you were reticent,” he said, “but you’ve seen how God has equipped, and I’m sure all these people in the front row – and many of you [in the congregation] – will say that God is able, that whenever we face new challenges, new things – difficult things – God is always able. And Melanie, he is able for this next step and he will bless you in it.

“I’m so glad that tonight we celebrate both a milestone in your personal discipleship and also a signpost of the ministry that lies ahead for you.”

Bishop Andrew assured the new curate that All Saints Clooney was a great parish in which to learn and be nurtured. The best advice he could give her, he said, was to pray and to keep praying. “And whenever you feel exhausted in prayer, pray again. And keep praying. Pray for yourself. Pray for your family. Pray for the people you serve. Keep praying. And whenever you feel you want to give up on prayer, keep praying. A prayerful pastor is a pastor with the love of God in their heart for their people and that has to be the ambition of any pastor, to be a prayerful pastor; and, in fact, more than that, it has to be the ambition of any disciple and follower of Jesus Christ to be a prayerful disciple and follower of Jesus Christ. Paul tell us [in Philippians 4:6], ‘in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.'”

Reflecting on the Gospel reading, from John 20 v 19-23 [in which the resurrected Jesus appeared to the frightened disciples, breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit], Bishop Andrew said the disciples were overjoyed when they the Lord showed them his hands and his side.

“It’s a bit gruesome, isn’t it? He doesn’t come in in resurrection splendour or in a sort of transfigured glory, or in the first hints of the ascension. He comes in as flesh and blood and says, ‘Look at my hands and look at my side’.”

Bishop Andrew told Rev Melanie that the world needed to hear the message of the cross again and again and again. “Jesus’ wounds are his credentials to a suffering world. Jesus’ wounds are his credentials of his love for you. Jesus’ wounds are the credentials that Melanie will preach of and will speak into your hearts and your lives. Jesus’ wounds are what we carry with us to the bedside and to the graveside, to the hearth, to the home, because he understands our pain, our sorrow, because he has experienced it. And you, Melanie, as you minister to God’s people, Jesus comes to you, he gives you peace, he shows you his scars, and he is able to equip you to serve him in all those circumstances.”

Bishop Andrew was assisted in Sunday evening’s service by the Archdeacon of Derry, Ven. Robert Miller, and by Canon McBeth. The readings were delivered by Rev Melanie’s fiancé, Mark Niblock; the Rector of St Patrick’s, Broughshane, Rev Dr Andrew Campbell; and All Saints’ Parish Reader George Keys. The litany was led by All Saints’ Parish Reader Jack Harrison. Music was provided by the parish’s choir and by its praise band.

Afterwards, the congregation enjoyed refreshments and speeches at the nearby All Saints’ Centre. There, Bishop Andrew drew attention to another person present, former Deputy Mayor Mary Hamilton, who was recently awarded an MBE in the King’s recent birthday honours. “Mary is a former councillor here and a great servant of the whole community,” the Bishop said. “I – and all the parishioners here – were delighted to hear of your MBE, Mary.”

Bishop Andrew thanked the team at All Saints for providing “a great supper” and Canon McBeth for organising the service so well and “for making sure tonight was such a joyful and wonderful occasion, especially for Melanie.” He also thanked those who had travelled from Ballymena and Broughshane. “It means a lot to Melanie,” he said, “but it also means a lot to us.”

The new priest described the evening as a bitter-sweet experience. “Tonight was a monumental night for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was just fantastic. It’s a real privilege to be here; it’s a privilege to be joining you all, to serve in this parish, and the service was joy-filled from the get-go, so I feel really honoured.

“It’s bitter-sweet, tonight, because I have a lot of my friends from Broughshane and Ballymena who’ve come to wish me well but to say goodbye, yet I have the excitement of coming alongside you guys, now, in All Saints Clooney and getting to know you and to walk alongside you like I did getting to know the guys in Broughshane and my friends in Ballymena, too.

“I’m really excited to be here. I know I’m kind of ‘here but not’ because I’m getting married and going on honeymoon, so you’ll have to wait a wee while. But I promise when I come back I’ll be so well-rested and I just cannot wait to get started.”