Derry and Raphoe supports many ministries across the diocese. Examples of these take the form of caring associations which are vibrant agents of change in their communities; the Mothers Union, which is more commonly known as the backbone of the church; or our Ministry of Healing, which focusses on pastorally and prayerfully supporting people through sickness. To find out more about these and more, please click the corresponding images below.
The Children’s SEEDS Children’s Ministry
Ministry department in the diocese is called SEEDS. It is headed by Kirsty McCartney who has over 10 years’ teaching, youth and children’s ministry experience.
Feel free to contact the Diocesan Children’s Officer for any reason by emailing kirsty@derryandraphoe.org
SEEDS Children’s Ministry,
The Diocesan Office
London Street
Londonderry, BT48 6RQ
T: (028) 7126 2440
M: (UK) 07881 584529
E: kirsty@derryandraphoe.org
Pinterest: SeedsDandR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SEEDS-Childrens-Ministry-621050204726953/
Twitter: @SEEDSDandR
Derry and Raphoe Youth (DRY) is at the forefront of youth ministry in our diocese. We’re blessed to have some incredibly talented, committed and resourceful clergy and leaders who ensure that young people remain a top priority in diocesan and parish life. It is our aim to assist, encourage and equip young people in whatever way is useful and in a manner which brings glory to God.
Through events, training, retreats, bible study and opportunities for mission, DRY aims to partner with the local church in its effort to reach young people with the life-changing message of Jesus.
Feel free to call our Diocesan Youth Officer, Claire Hinchliff, on 07706 314762, or email claire@derryandraphoe.org
Derry and Raphoe Youth Board (DRY)
Membership: Rev. Peter Ferguson (Chairperson and Diocesan Representative to CIYD); Rev Nigel Cairns (Vice-chairperson); Rhonda Dunn (Secretary); Kenneth Witherow (Treasurer); Rev Lindsey Farrell; Rev Iain McAleavey; Rev Adam Pullen; Georgina Armstrong; Noel Glenn; Rachel Miller; Claire Hinchliff (Diocesan Youth Officer); Kirsty McCartney (ex-officio).
Derry and Raphoe Youth,
London Street,
Londonderry,
BT48 6RQ
T: (+44) (0) 28 71 262440
Web: www.dry.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/derryandraphoeyouth
Twitter: @dryyouth
The Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS) is a Church of Ireland youth organisation active in 80 branches throughout Ireland. It is the oldest Church of Ireland organisation for girls and women.
It was founded in London in 1875 by an Irishwoman, Mrs Elizabeth Townsend, to provide support and training for country girls who came to work in the city. It was a society for friendship and recreation in which all girls might share, bound together in a fellowship of Christian love and service.
The movement spread quickly all over England, and soon afterwards to Ireland, America and Australia.
Our Society has since broadened its scope and offers an even wider appeal. The motto, ‘Purpose and Prayer’, has not changed down the years but one generation after another has found fresh inspiration in it.
Today the Girls Friendly Society is active in eighty branches throughout Ireland, a wide spectrum of interest is covered in the badge syllabus, including a study of the natural world, the community and the church, handcrafts and skills, information technology, sports and outdoor pursuits, as well as participating in fundraising to demonstrate our determination to help others locally and globally.
Diocesan President:
Mrs Georgina Armstrong
Tel: +353 87 392 1384
Email: gfsderryraphoe@gmail.com
In the Ministry of Healing, our mission is to bring Christ’s healing presence in body, mind or spirit to those in need. Our approach is influenced by the same three verbs: to love, to give and to have.
We hold a number of healing services throughout the diocese each year. The popularity of these has shown that people want prayer and enjoyed the services.
In going out to rural deaneries throughout our diocese, the Ministry of Healing committee seek to follow the Lord’s example: to love those who are sick and troubled, and to give our time and talents so that those receiving prayer may know God’s grace and healing.
The Warden of the Ministry of Healing in the Diocese of Derry & Raphoe is: Rev Paul Lyons.
Address:
39 Belvedere Park
Castlerock
Co Londonderry
BT51 4XW
Telephone:
028 7084 8774 (h)
077 9147 2225 (mob)
Email: revpaul.lyons@btinternet.co
Diocesan Readers are lay people who’ve been selected, trained and licensed by the Bishop to preach, teach and lead worship in a pastoral context. There are around 300 Diocesan Readers in the Church of Ireland, 25 of whom serve in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe.
Readers give their services to the Church so do not receive payment. They’re supported in their ministry by our Warden of Readers, Rev Canon Derek Quinn.
If you wish to pursue a call to lay ministry in this capacity, please contact Canon Quinn using the details below.
Rev Canon Derek Quinn
1 Erganagh Road
Omagh
Co Tyrone BT79 7SX
T: Tel: 028 8224 2572
E: derekquinn2@aol.com
Hospital chaplaincy is a vital part of our ministry in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe. Our diocesan vision is ‘Transforming Community, Radiating Christ’ and nowhere is the light of Christ more necessary than in our hospitals and care homes.
The concept of chaplaincy is believed to have originated with those monks who were the custodians of the cloak of Saint Martin of Tours, the 4th century saint who – as a young conscript in the Roman army – cut his cloak in two to share it with a beggar. Martin dreamt later that Jesus was wearing the torn cloak and, when the young soldier awoke, he found that his garment had been restored.
The word ‘chaplain’ derives from ‘capella’ (or ‘cappella’) which is the medieval Latin word for a small cloak.
Originally, ‘cappellani’ were clergy who provided pastoral care and support for the military. Over the years, though, usage of the word evolved to include anyone who formally represented a particular religious tradition in hospitals, nursing homes, universities, schools and prisons.
For years, the essence of chaplaincy has remained the same: to be there, alongside others in service, in the name of Jesus Christ.
We owe a huge debt to those who serve as chaplains on behalf of the Church of Ireland and – more importantly – on behalf of Jesus Christ.
The Church of Ireland has a role in education in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland through the General Synod Board of Education and several related organisations which seek to support teachers, parents and schoolchildren.
The aims of the General Synod Board of Education are, in pursuance of the missional role of the Church, to:
The Board of Education (Republic of Ireland) advises the General Synod of developments in educational policy, represents the Church as an educational partner to the Department of Education and other educational bodies, and provides advice to school patrons and boards of management on the management of schools. It also supports Religious Education in primary schools under Protestant management
The Board of Education (Northern Ireland) aims to develop – in conjunction with other churches – a clear and shared vision of education shaped by the core values of the Christian faith, and to seek continued curriculum support of the Religious Education core syllabus in schools. It advises the General Synod of developments in educational policy in Northern Ireland and represents the Church as an educational partner to the Department of Education and other educational bodies.
Our diocese has a Board of Religious Education, and separate Boards of Education for each diocese.
Clergy: Rev Canon Paul Hoey, Canon David Crooks, Canon Brian Russell, Rev Canon Derek Quinn, Rev Jonathan McFarland
Lay: Mrs Sylvia Donnell, Mrs Roberta Merrick, Miss Joanne Miller, Mr Albert Smallwoods, Mr John Scott
Board of Social Responsibility
Clergy: Rev Canon Robert Boyd, Rev Canon Paul Hoey, Rev Peter Ferguson, Rev Adam Pullen, Rev Chris Mac Bruithin, Rev Lindsey Farrell
Lay: Mrs Roberta Merrick, Mrs Jacqui Armstrong, Mrs Elizabeth Fielding, Miss Elaine Sproule, Mr Des West
Mission Society Representatives
CMSI Rev D Collins
International Church Society Rev Canon I H McDonald
SAMS Rev D Collins
US Rev Canon Brian Johnston
Mrs G Armstrong
Mr D Bell
Mrs V Bleakley
Miss M Boyd
Mrs N Burns
Mr VG Carson
Mr H Caskey
Mr P Clampett
Mrs E Craig
Mr M Donnell
Mr T Dowie
Miss N Dudley
Mrs A Fletcher
Mrs L Hughes
Mr J Kelley
Mr S McClafferty
Mrs C McMichael
Mr W Montgomery
Mrs K Nesbitt
Mr P Quinn
Mr B Robinson
Mrs E Russell
Mr B Seaton
Ms A Speers
Mrs M Williams
The Board of Mission and Unity (BMU) exists to motivate and resource parishes and individual members of the diocese for the mission of the Church, in its widest sense, both locally and globally.
Clergy: Rev Canon Paul Hoey, Canon David Crooks, Canon Brian Russell, Rev Canon Derek Quinn, Rev Jonathan McFarland
Lay: Mrs Sylvia Donnell, Mrs Roberta Merrick, Miss Joanne Miller, Mr Albert Smallwoods, Mr John Scott
The Board of Social Responsibility seeks out and highlights places and people who it feels could be helped by the Church at local, diocesan and central church levels.
Clergy: Rev Canon Paul Hoey, Rev Canon Robert Boyd, Rev Peter Ferguson, Rev Adam Pullen, Rev Chris Mac Bruithin, Rev Lindsey Farrell
Lay: Mrs Roberta Merrick, Mrs Jacqui Armstrong, Mrs Elizabeth Fielding, Miss Elaine Sproule, Mr Des West
Chairman: Rev Adam Pullen
CMSI Rev Donard Collins
International Church Society Rev Canon Ian H McDonald
SAMS Rev Donard Collins
US Rev Canon Brian Johnston
For further updates and all the information about Pioneer Ministry please see their new website – www.pioneerministry.org – or email info@pioneerministry.org to sign up for their new monthly newsletter.
