30.09.2013
Wicklow and Killiskey Parishes Say Farewell to Their Rector
Parishioners of Wicklow and Killiskey bade a fond farewell to their Rector of 21 years on Sunday, September 30. Canon John Clarke is retiring and took his final service in a packed Wicklow Parish Church. The emotional service featured hymns, songs and prayers which Canon Clarke had selected and music was provided by organist Neville Cox, the Unity Gospel Choir and the Worship Warriors.
In his sermon, Canon Clarke said he was not going to pretend to anyone that he had become a saint during his 44 years of ordained ministry. However, he said he had had someone to follow, someone to love him and had the deepest conviction that a loving God was at the heart of everything.
He said that during the wonderful summer he had a glimpse of what retirement might be like and he hoped to be able to do some of the things he had always wanted to do. But he added he was going to miss being such a part of the community.
He paid tribute to his wife, Jessica, who he said showed him the emotional heart of a problem rather than the problem which had been presented.
Canon Clarke said that one of the joys he had experienced in Wicklow was the genuine sense of ecumenism and the ease in which the people moved in and out of each other’s churches.
“There are a lot of people to be thankful for and a lot to be hopeful about because God’s Spirit is working in the church. We are a group of ordinary people who are moving forward. We are a pilgrim church and the journey doesn’t stop here,” he concluded.
Following the service there was a party for John and Jessica in East Glendalough School. Master of Ceremonies was Norman Douglas. Rural Dean, the Revd Nigel Sherwood, outlined Canon Clarke’s history in ordained ministry and said that clergy in the Diocese of Glendalough identified him as a father figure. He said John had been involved in the Church of Ireland at parish, diocesan and national level. He also paid tribute to Jessica and the couple’s children Lucy, Andrew and Peter.
Former principal of Glebe National School, Hilda Heavener, thanked Canon Clarke for his 21 years of faithful ministry on behalf of the parishes. She said that 2013 was the year of The Gathering in Ireland and little did they know at the beginning of the year that they would be having their own gathering to say farewell to John. She said the large attendance showed the high esteem in which he was held in Wicklow and Killiskey.
Mrs Heavener said that Canon Clarke had always been very supportive of the Glebe and Nun’s Cross National Schools and his ministry was kind and compassionate. She thanked him for his loyalty, commitment and pastoral care.
Presentations were made to Canon Clarke by former principal of Nun’s Cross National School, Stephanie McDonald, honorary treasurers of Wicklow and Killiskey, Olwyn Bond and Amanda Mooney.
In reply Canon Clarke said it was wonderful to see so many people present and said it gave a wonderful warm sense of a family which was how he liked to think of the church. He said that liturgy was the work of the people and there were so many people who brought something to the service on Sunday and to every service. He thanked everyone who worked behind the scenes and those involved in the worship as well as everyone who was involved in catering for the farewell party. He also thanked the Revd Ken Rue, associate vicar of Wicklow and Killiskey, and his wife Lesley for their contribution to the parishes since their arrival in 2011.
Photo captions: top – Canon John and Jessica Clarke cut the cake at their farewell party in East Glendalough School in Wicklow.
Bottom – a huge crowd of parishioners attended the party in East Glendalough School following Canon John Clarke’s final service as rector of Wicklow and Killiskey Parishes.