03.09.2015
The Revd Abigail Sines – Time of Transition Brings Questions and Possibilities and God is There to Guide
On Sunday 27 September four Deacons will be ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Michael Jackson. The Revd Ruth O’Kelly will be ordained for a curacy in Rathfarnham parish, the Revd Cathy Hallissey will be ordained for Christ Church, Taney, the Revd Abigail Sines will be ordained for the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes and the Revd Alan Breen is being ordained for St Patrick’s Parish in Greystones. This week, each in turn will write about their experience over the last year as Deacon Interns and their hopes for the future as they enter the priesthood.
“Three years of study at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute feels like one, extended, and from time to time intensive, period of transition. With all that transitioning, with short–term placements in different parishes in first and second year and the internship in third year, I admit there were many times I felt the pressure that new situations and new learning can bring! I found that I was running up against the same set of questions as I came to each new little transition within the bigger process: ‘Do I fit in here?’ ‘Is there a place for me?’ ‘What can I contribute?’ and of course, ‘What is God teaching me through this particular place and group of people?’
“Going into my internship in Glenageary these questions loomed large in my mind. It was like the recording in my head was on repeat at full volume! But it only took the first couple of weeks for the questions to quiet down and for me to settle and get stuck in to parish life. The people were wonderfully welcoming. As I was still living in college for the year, a kind parishioner offered me her spare room to use whenever I needed which thankfully meant less time sitting in Dublin traffic at awkward times of day! In chats and visiting, people were open and honest to talk about what was going on in their lives. Many parishioners also volunteered to be interviewed as part of my dissertation research, which meant a genuinely rewarding experience of blending academic work and the pastoral, practical side of ministry.
“The rector, the Rev Gary Dowd, was welcoming in the best way possible for someone who was at my stage of ministry: he was willing to let me try things! Gary allowed and encouraged me to be creative, and even if something didn’t work out well it was okay—there’s no other way to learn and develop in ministry if you don’t take risks! I don’t think he realised what he was letting himself in for, but his openness meant that I was able to experiment with quiet mornings, introduce new material to the team for the monthly Worship and Wedges service, and get everyone out of their seats for fully hands–on Nativity and Palm Sunday services. And aside from all that, Gary was generous with his time and always willing to entertain my many, many questions about ministry and life in general.
“The clergy in the rural deanery and the smaller Dun Laoghaire ‘cluster’ were all a welcoming bunch too. It was great to see how the ‘cluster’ got on with each other well and truly enjoyed being colleagues and working together on different activities throughout the year.
“Looking back now I am struck by how so many amazing experiences were packed into nine short months. And God’s graciousness and guidance through all of it!
“Now I’m looking ahead to the next big transition, into life as curate assistant for the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes. Those four questions are still playing out in my mind (perhaps they always will be) but I’m looking forward to all the creative possibility that transition brings!”