17.02.2015
New Development Officer to Assist Parishes With Ideas for Ministry
Dublin and Glendalough has established a new role for the development of ministry in the dioceses. The Revd Ása Bjork Ólafsdottir, Vicar of Christ Church, Dun Laoghaire, (pictured) has taken up the position.
When she was appointed to Dun Laoghaire, the Revd Ása was given this second role. As Ministry Development Officer she aims to encourage clergy and congregations in building up ministry within their churches as well as reaching out the wider community, trying out new ideas and amending old ones.
Initially Ása will visit all the Rural Deaneries in Dublin and Glendalough. She will examine what is being done in the parishes and what is needed in the area. Then they will brainstorm to find ideas and responses to local needs.
“There is a need for parishes to work within their communities and there are fantastic ideas out there that can only come from the people in each area as they know the circumstances,” Ása explains.
“I am not saying all should open a soup kitchen (like The Dining Room in my Church Hall) or anything as big as that, but there is a need and longing amongst parishioners to reach out and make a difference. I also think that many ideas might be too big for one parish, but could be something two or three could work together,” she adds.
As an example she highlights the many parents and grandparents who must wait for an hour between collecting younger and older children from primary school. “In many cases there is a Parochial Hall close by where parents and children could have a meaningful social time together and a cup of tea during that time. It takes some planning, but there are many people out there willing to take part in such an adventure,” she comments.
Among the resources that could be made available could be a homepage with a resource bank, accessible to clergy and perhaps Select Vestry members in Dublin and Glendalough. Ása suggests that it could be a venue for ideas and healthy discussions on what works and what could be done differently.
The role of the Ministry Development Officer is not set in stone and will be formed according to need. Ása invites people to email their ideas and suggestions to: rector.asa.bjork@gmail.com