New Representative for Children and Families Ministry in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on November 14, 2022 by mediaccr

The Rev. Isobel Jackson, Rector of Templebreedy Group of Parishes, has been appointed by Bishop Paul Colton as the new Children and Families Ministry Representative for the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

The Rev. Isobel Jackson, Rector of Templebreedy and new Children and Families Ministry Representative in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The Church of Ireland Board for Ministry with Children and Families (CFM) exists to equip, resource and advocate for the increased welcome, enhanced inclusion, and full participation of children and their families in the whole life of the Church. Their vision is that every Church of Ireland parish, no matter how big or small, is equipped to provide vibrant and engaging ministry with children and families. The CFM representatives from each Diocese work together to promote, support and develop Children and Families ministry across the island of Ireland.

Upon her appointment, the Rev. Isobel Jackson said:

It has been a privilege to have been part of the Children’s Ministry Group in the diocese for the last eight years and I am excited about my appointment to this new responsibility. Working with children in schools and in parish ministry is one of the most rewarding ministries you could be involved in and also the most vital to the future of our parishes.

Our role as the children’s ministry group is to support and equip those in this ministry, linking in with the wider church network supporting children and families, where there is a larger resource.

The past two years have been a challenge. All ministries have experienced strain on many levels, and parishes are ‘beginning again’ in some respects, especially in children’s ministry. As a team, we want to know how best we can support the wonderfully gifted people who have been doing this work and have always been so committed in their time and energy, and we also would like to encourage others to join us.

Throughout the pandemic we saw people get creative and innovative in finding new ways to minister. To have seen this resilience fills me with hope and excitement for the future, and through prayer and practical help we look forward to empowering parishes to take the next steps in their children’s ministry. I am looking forward to seeing what we can do together to grow the Kingdom, through this vital ministry.

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Leap Church opens for Scarecrow Festival and Harvest Thanksgiving

Posted on November 8, 2022 by mediaccr

The Dean of Ross, the Very Rev. Cliff Jeffers writes:

Last year when we attended the Leap Scarecrow festival as visitors, we noticed that the Church of Ireland church in the middle of the village was closed and the people visiting the Scarecrow Festival walked past the locked gate. For this year’s festival, Dean Cliff Jeffers joined the organising committee of the Scarecrow Festival, and offered to open the church and grounds so that they could be part of the festival.

  • Decorations in the church grounds for the Scarecrow Festival
  • The Abbot of Kilmacabea
  • Giant spider’s web in the church grounds

There were several scarecrows in the churchyard, and the church has been decorated inside by the parishioners for harvest. The church was open every day from the 30th October to the 6th November from 10am to 5pm, and we were keen to make the connection between scarecrows and giving thanks to God for the Harvest. Therefore, there was also a children’s harvest service in on Sunday 6th November at 2pm.

All of the fruit and vegetables that have been used to decorate the church will be donated to Rosscarbery Meals on Wheels, who distribute dinners to elderly people in the local area.

  • Decorations inside the church for the Harvest Thanksgiving Service
  • Vegetables and fruit used to decorate Leap Church were packed up by the children of Leap NS, and donated to Rosscarbery Meals on Wheels
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Diocesan Visit to Lichfield Cathedral

Posted on November 7, 2022 by mediaccr

As part of the ongoing link between the Diocese of Lichfield, UK and the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, a group of people from our Diocese are travelling to Lichfield this week, from Monday 7th November to Wednesday 9th November, to attend two services at Lichfield Cathedral. This is at the invitation of the Right Rev. Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, and the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Chad, Lichfield.

From left to right: Hilda Connolly, the Rev. Elaine Murray, the Ven. Andrew Orr, the Rev. Paul Willoughby, and the Rev. John Ardis.

On Monday afternoon, there will be a Solemn Eucharist with the Consecration of an Shrine Altar for the Shrine of Saint Chad, Patron Saint of Lichfield Cathedral, and on Tuesday there will be Ecumenical Vespers at which a relic of Saint Chad will be translated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham into the new Shrine.

To represent the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Rev. John Ardis, the Ven. Andrew Orr, the Rev. Canon Paul Willoughby, the Rev. Canon Elaine Murray and Diocesan Youth Officer Hilda Connolly will attend the two services, and will also further build on the link between the two dioceses.

Last year’s visitor group in front of Lichfield Cathedral.
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Bishop Paul Colton appoints new Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on November 3, 2022 by mediaccr

The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, has announced that, following the consecration of Bishop Adrian Wilkinson, the new Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross is to be the Reverend Canon Andrew Orr. Archdeacons are appointed by the bishop of the diocese, and their role is to assist the bishop in his or her pastoral care of the diocese, as well as the general oversight and administration of the diocese.

The Ven. Andrew Orr

Andrew was born in Belfast.  He attended Sullivan Upper School in Holywood, Co. Down, before studying for a B.Sc. (Hons) in Geology and Physical Geography at the University of Sheffield. He was awarded a Bachelor of Theology from TCD in 1992 and was ordained deacon the same year.

He served a curacy in the parish of Ballymacash in Lisburn, before moving south to become Rector of the Castlecomer Group of Parishes in the Diocese of Ossory. In 2000, he followed Bishop Colton to become Rector of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla in northwest Dublin. In that fast growing and diverse parish, he became deeply involved in interfaith dialogue with the new Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Orthodox communities. He returned in 2009 to the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory to become Rector of the Tullow Group of Parishes on the borders of Carlowand Wicklow. Bishop Michael Burrows appointed him Archdeacon of Ossory and Leighlin in 2014.

In 2018, Andrew and his wife Susan moved to Cork, Cloyne and Ross, as Susan became Dean of Cloyne and Andrew was appointed Priest-in-charge of Youghal Union and Chaplain to Midleton College school. A life long interest in environmental issues led to him becoming Church of Ireland representative and then chair of Eco Congregation Ireland, as well as representing the Church on other bodies such as the Anglican Communion Environmental Network. In 2020, Bishop Colton appointed him an Honorary Canon of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, with special responsibility for the Environment and Climate Change.

Susan and Andrew have three adult children, and welcomed their first grandchild, Tomás, this summer.

The Ven. Andrew Orr and the Very Rev. Susan Green in front of Saint Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast during the General Synod of the Church of Ireland in 2021.

Bishop Colton said:

I am very pleased to announce that I have appointed Andrew Orr to be Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, in addition to all his existing roles in the United Dioceses. He will bring many gifts and much experience in ministry to this new role, an important one if partnership with the bishop and everyone in the Diocese alike.

The Ven. Andrew Orr said:

I am surprised and delighted to be taking up the position of Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. I am very conscious that I have big shoes to fill, following on from Bishop Wilkinson, but it is a role I thoroughly enjoyed in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. I look forward to working closely with Bishop Paul and all the diocesan team in this wonderful part of the Church of Ireland.

The Ven. Andrew Orr during the Celebratory Service for the 800th Anniversary of Saint Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal.
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Mind-ing Mental Health – Launching the Cork, Cloyne and Ross programme for MindMatters CoI

Posted on November 3, 2022 by mediaccr

MindMatters CoI is a three-year project aimed at promoting and supporting positive mental health within the Church of Ireland and the wider community. The Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross have launched a series of talks in support of this project, beginning with the keynote speaker Dr Chris Luke on the 3rd December. Dr Chris Luke’s topic will be Mind-ing Mental Health: our role and ourselves.

The Rev. Terry Mitchell, Diocesan Further Education and Training Officer, writes:

There is still a significant level of stigma in relation to mental health and these series of talks and discussions, in an informal setting, will help to address this issue. The talks will also help to provide the necessary information around mental health, for one’s own well being as well as supporting others.

After the initial launch on 3rd December 2022, the programme will continue early next year and follow a similar format of a guest speaker, sharing a meal together and a group discussion. Some of the topics planned for next year include mental health and bereavement, suicide, dementia, gender identity, migration, addiction, homelessness and supporting people with a disability.

It is hoped that participants will find these talks and discussions both informative and helpful, and we would like to encourage everyone to attend. We would also like to thank Victoria Trust Cork and MindMatters COI for their financial support for this important project.

Those who are interested in the event and would like to attend should please register via our event on Eventbrite.ie.

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