11.07.2015
New Chapter Begins for Wicklow and Killiskey as Parishioners Welcome New Priest in Charge
The Parishes of Wicklow and Killiskey embarked on a new chapter in their history last night (Friday July 10) with the introduction of the Revd Jack Kinkead as their Priest in Charge. Jack, succeeds Canon John Clarke, who has retired, and joins the Revd Ken Rue, who continues his ministry in the parishes.
Archbishop Michael Jackson presided at the service in Wicklow Parish Church during which Jack and his wife, Rachael, received a warm welcome from parishioners. They were joined by Jack and Rachael’s families, and parishioners from the parishes of St Finnian’s in Belfast and Taney, where Jack served as a Curate as well as many of Jack’s colleagues from Dublin and Glendalough.
In his sermon, Canon Jono Pierce, another former Taney Curate and Rector of St Finnian’s, said that Jack brought tremendous gifts to the parishes. The evening represented the opening of a new chapter, he said, adding that embarking on a new chapter meant there were two things that must be held in tension. “There is the sense of challenge which is daunting as we undertake something new and at the same time there is the excitement at what this might look like or how it might unfold under God’s direction and guidance,” he stated.
Drawing on the reading [Colossians 4: 2–18], he said that St Paul’s letter had some wise words for Jack and for the parishes. St Paul urged the Colossians to devote themselves to prayer and as the new chapter in the parishes’ history and Jack’s ministry began, it was vital to root the whole enterprise in prayer.
Relationships too are vital, Canon Pierce stated. “Relationships are at the heart of church life and so it’s important to ask the same question all churches should constantly be asking themselves: How can we be more welcoming to visitors and outsiders? What about those who struggle to get here? Can we offer lifts, can we be child friendly? Can we be creative in providing a good experience of community and friendship and fellowship in our life together?” he said.
The final priority set out by St Paul was the importance of being a team, Canon Pierce suggested. He said a team was vitally important to be able to encourage each other to keep going through challenging times, discouragements and setbacks. “You need each other and you need each other to function well as a team to do the work of God in this place,” he said.
At the reception in East Glendalough School, which was MCed by Wicklow parish treasurer, Robin Brooksbank–Pearcy, Audrey Harrison from Taney Parish paid tribute to Jack and wished him well.
On behalf of the Select Vestry in Wicklow, Philip Hastie extended a warm welcome to Jack and Rachael on behalf of the parishioners. He thanked the Revd Ken Rue for his wonderful support during the vacancy. He told the new Priest in Charge that the vestry was engaged in trying to grow the parish and pledged their support. Noting that, while the vestry was very youthful, Jack would be the youngest member and they looked forward to the change and the different perspective he would bring. Church warden, Tish Costello, presented flowers to Rachael.
Fr Donal Roche, PP of St Patrick’s Parish, Wicklow, welcomed Jack on behalf of the Roman Catholic community and said he was confident that Jack and Rachael would we welcomed to Wicklow as warmly as he was three years ago. He looked forward to working with Jack and building on the existing friendship between the two parishes.
Thanking everyone for their kind words, Jack said this was an exciting time for he and Rachael. He thanked everyone who had put such a lot of work into preparing for the service and the reception looked forward to the challenging and rewarding times ahead. “We believe that God has called us to this place and it is our passion and goal to bring practical Christianity into people’s hectic lives and we hope to build on the work that has already taken place in Wicklow town,” he said.
Archbishop Jackson praised Jack’s talent for making connections with people and building relationships. He thanked Ken and Lesley Rue for their work in the parishes and Archdeacon Ricky Rountree for his practical work and willingness to think afresh and find new pathways. He encouraged the people of Wicklow and Killiskey the build on what had been said at the service and the reception and grasp the sense of trust and adventure.
Photo Captions:
Top – The Revd Jack and Rachael Kinkead.
Middle – Clergy who participated in the Service of Introduction of the Revd Jack Kinkead. L–R Dean Victor Stacey, the Revd Ken Rue, Archbishop Michael Jackson, the Revd Stephen Farrell, the Revd Jack Kinkead, Canon Jono Pierce, the Revd Peter Norton, Archdeacon Ricky Rountree and Canon Robert Warren.
Bottom – Declarations are made during the Service of Introduction of the Revd Jack Kinkead in Wicklow Parish Church.
There are more photos from the evening on the Dublin and Glendalough Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough/posts/867583353277710