29.08.2015
Crumlin and Chapelizod Embark on New Phase of Their Journey with Arrival of the Revd Ruth Noble
The parishes of Crumlin and Chapelizod embarked on a new phase of their journey yesterday evening (Friday August 28) with the arrival of their new Rector. The Revd Ruth Noble was instituted by Archbishop Michael Jackson in St Mary’s Church, Crumlin. She and her husband, Alan, were welcomed with open arms and parishioners from the two Dublin parishes were joined by Ruth’s former parishioners from the Mountmellick group of parishes as well as Ruth’s family from Grange Con in County Wicklow.
Welcoming the congregation, Archbishop Jackson said that the parishes of Crumlin and Chapelizod occupied a special position in the life of the diocesan family. He thanked parishioners for their preparations for the evening and welcomed Ruth and her family.
The sermon was preached by Fr Mícheál Murphy, PP Mountmellick, who noted that agreeing to preach at the service had seemed like a good idea until he saw the readings and realised he was up against the Sermon on the Mount [Matthew 5: 1–16] and that the first reading [James 1: 17–27] summed up Ruth in that she is a doer of the word rather than merely a hearer who deceives herself.
Fr Mícheál said that the institution of a new Rector opened up a new chapter in the history of the parish and promised the parishioners of Crumlin and Chapelizod that their new Rector would be inspiring, creative and enthusiastic. In Mountmellick, he said, Ruth had immersed herself in witness to the Gospel and added that her ministry had been one of joy, friendship and smiles. They had shared ministries in many areas and had been uniquely honoured to light Mountmellick’s famous Christmas tree together each year. He thanked Ruth and the Church of Ireland community for their friendship.
“Ministry today, ordained and non–ordained, continues to call us to that great Sermon on the Mount,” Fr Mícheál said. “The call and challenge invites us to reflection and conversation. As part of the rite of institution the parishioners will be reminded that you have been called to the witness of Christ and to serve others in the name of Christ… Will you be the salt of the earth and a light to the world? Are you a doer of the Word and not just a hearer?” he asked.
Fr Mícheál brought the congregation back to 28 August 430, the date the early Christian theologian and philosopher, St Augustine, died, and 28 August 1963, the date Martin Luther King delivered his “I have a dream” speech. He prayed that their inspiring words may find an echo in Crumlin and Chapelizod that evening and that as the institution of the Revd Ruth Noble was celebrated, our values may be rooted in the values of the Sermon on the Mount and the words of St Augustine and Martin Luther King.
Speaking after the service, Monsignor John Deasy of St Agnes’ Parish in Crumlin welcomed Ruth and Alan to the village which he said had always been a special place in the lives of the local priests. He noted that both St Agnes’ and St Mary’s churches were built in the 1930s which he said was a great achievement for both denominations at the time.
Speaking on behalf of the parishioners in the Mountmellick group of parishes, Wilf Deverell described Ruth as a person with many gifts but he said her outstanding talent was a gift for prayer. He wished both Ruth and Alan many years of happiness and told parishioners that they were getting a beautiful Rector.
On behalf of Crumlin and Chapelizod Church Warden in St Mary’s, Lavinia Heasley, said the people of both parishes were looking forward to working with Ruth and exploring mission and vision in both parishes. She paid special tribute to everyone who had helped out while their parishes were vacant and the choirs of St Laurence’s and Mountmellick for joining the choir of St Mary’s for the service. She also thanked the parish of St Agnes’ for their hospitality in allowing them to use their parish centre for refreshments after the service.
Archbishop Jackson said it was a great pleasure to welcome Ruth to the dioceses and said she brought with her a sense of discipleship and humanity. He thanked everyone for the huge effort they had put into preparing for the evening.
Ruth thanked all her former parishioners, friends and family for coming and Fr Mícheál for agreeing to preach. She said both she and Alan were grateful for the welcome they had received in Crumlin and Chapelizod and looked forward to working with them and to many years of worship and service together.
Photo captions:
Top – The Revd Ruth Noble and Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Bottom – The Revd Ruth Noble and the Church Wardens of Crumlin and Chapelizod.
More photos from the institution will appear on the Dublin and Glendalough Facebook page: facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough