11.11.2013
Seeds of Diocesan Vision Sown at Dublin and Glendalough Clergy Day
The first steps towards the formation of a diocesan development plan for Dublin and Glendalough were taken by clergy on Wednesday November 6 in the Church of Ireland College of Education. Entitled ‘From Lived Experience to Shared Vision’, the conference was organised by Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Almost 70 clergy from all over the dioceses attended the day which aimed to let them voice their experiences and perceptions, gained through their work in Dublin and Glendalough and provide information on which to build for the future.
In his sermon at a Service of Holy Communion at the start of the day, the Archbishop said they needed to work together in discipleship. “A number of areas seems to me to be our priority in these United Dioceses for the immediate future,” he stated.
He added: “We are always, in a sense, at a crossroads. My task of service as your bishop is that of shedding light, with Gospel urgency, on the crossroads of our time. It is not something that I can do alone. It is something where the wisdom and the vulnerabilities of you who carry and share service with me in parishes, schools, hospitals and hospices, shopping centres, industrial estates, sports grounds, holiday venues and soup kitchens along with the wisdom and vulnerabilities of the lay people of God need to combine around God and neighbour.”
Initial discussions in the seminar focused on the changes clergy had experienced. Issues raised included the political changes on the island, the impact of the internet age and of migration, the fluidity of congregations and the loyalty to denomination which has shifted to people looking for a church that fits them.
Other changes observed were the diverse backgrounds from which ordinands were now drawn and the gifts and challenges that brings. It was also suggested that there was a move away from the model of being a chaplain to the local Church of Ireland community to being a church for the surrounding community.
Clergy also shared stories of things they had tried in their own parishes including creating a space for families with children in church, providing tea and coffee after church, providing toys to entertain children, messy church and toddler groups and responding to the needs of the community in ways which also reflected the mission of the church.
Challenges were also identified. Among them was a perceived increase in ‘malignant atheism’, the stalling of ecumenism in some areas, the issue of ‘people worship’ rather than ‘God worship’ and the relationship between parson and person. The need to make a connection with the huge number of 25 to 35 year olds who are outside church was also raised.
It was suggested that the ‘genius of Anglicanism’ was often underestimated which meant that many people thought in an Anglican way while not actually being nominally Anglican. However, it was also stated that there was an urgent need to grab that opportunity before people sailed past the church and into the secular world.
The Archbishop said that there was a window of opportunity but, because of the nature of our church and people, it could take quite a long time to engage with the opportunity. He asked what areas that brought to the surface in terms of resourcing so that people were available to do the work of God with the clergy.
Religious atheism, where people gather, hear talks and sing songs with no reference to God was also discussed. “It is important that there is a recognition where we swallow hard… We need to be advocates for what we believe,” Archbishop Jackson said. “There are two issues for clergy – where our personality engages with our expectations of professionalism, and training to enable us to talk God with others in a way which is accessible and not open to ridicule.”
A Bible study focused on Acts 2. 14–21 and the clergy were asked to talk through issues arising from the passage. Themes which emerged from these discussions included the forthcoming referendum on same sex marriage, gifts of ministry, suicide and mental health issues, post training courses for clergy, spirituality, the inclusivity of the Holy Spirit and the church, working across parochial boundaries, freedom of expression in ministry, team ministry, a review of diocesan structures, isolation in parochial structures, children’s ministry, liturgy in funerals, the need for honesty in committees.
It was suggested that in society it may feel that Christian faith had been pushed to the side. However, there was a latent Christianity in society and even though other voices were speaking louder there was still an openness to Christianity. Therefore there was a need to be bold and set out our stall alongside the other stalls. A sense of hunger for vision was identified, not just at parish or diocesan level but in the whole Church of Ireland.
The afternoon concluded with an honest and open discussion on aspects of the diocesan synods. The Archbishop created the opportunity for discussion on points raised in his synod address.
It is envisaged that a document from the day will form the basis of further discussion on forming a vision statement for the dioceses.
You can read the Archbishop’s sermon in full here.