United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough

02.09.2016

Diocesan and Parish Readers Talk of Their Journeys of Faith

Tomorrow, Saturday September 3, six Diocesan Readers and one Parish Reader will be commissioned by Archbishop Michael Jackson during a service in Christ Church Cathedral.

Diocesan Readers – Mark Acheson (Clontarf), Margaret Healion (Zion), Myra Moody (Donoughmore & Donard with Dunlavin), Lisa O’Brien Corry (Blessington and Manor Kilbride with Ballymore Eustace and Hollywood), Bert–Jan van Embden (Kill o’the Grange) – are the first from Dublin and Glendalough to be commissioned having completed the centralised Diocesan Reader training programme run by the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. Parish Reader,

Carol Barry (Kilternan), undertook her training under the programme run by Dublin and Glendalough Diocesan Guild of Lay Ministries.

The Diocesan Readers have been studying for two years to attain their accreditation which consists of three distance learning modules via St John’s College, Nottingham, and six day conferences in CITI. They have submitted assignments at the end of the course. Parish readers complete two modules from St John’s College which are unaccredited. They also receive an introduction to liturgy and undertake brief parish placements.

Diocesan and Parish Readers hail from many different backgrounds and have followed varied paths to answer their call to serve God.

Bert (Bert–Jan) Van Embden (left) has been a member of the Parish of Kill O’ the Grange, Blackrock, for over 40 years. In that time he has served in various capacities including Sunday School, the music–group, the Select Vestry, home–study groups and as a Parish Reader. He was employed as parish secretary for four years and for four years as a pastoral worker.

Bert’s parents came to Dublin from the Netherlands in 1955 and it soon became their home. “The Dublin of that time could be described as a protected society. Neighbours and friends in those days seemed to combine a sense of fun with a sense of faith,” he recalls. He worked for most of his life in the graphic and printing trade. He studied at the Dun Laoghaire and Bray schools of art and also took a number of courses at the London Bible College. 

“The Bible, art and history are my three great passions. I bought my first Bible at the age of 14 and have been studying it ever since. As an artist I seem to be a natural communicator and readily identify with its vivid use of illustration and metaphor. My efforts have been aided and transcended over the years by a number of decisive spiritual experiences. My spirituality has been informed by Judaism, early Christianity and various renewal movements in the worldwide church. The world has increasingly become a “global village.” I believe my calling is to communicate the Christian faith to that diverse mosaic of cultures which now constitutes our society,” he says.

Mark Acheson (right) was born in Cork City and baptised in Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral by the then Dean, Dr. H. R. MacAdoo. Upon moving to Dublin his long association with Clontarf Parish began. He was educated in the parish national and secondary schools and was a regular Sunday School attendee as well as joining Cadets, the Boys’ Brigade 12th Dublin Company and the parish youth club.

He worked in the insurance industry for over 36 years before opting for early retirement, to explore life further. He now spends his time involved in part–time administrative work for Abbey Presbyterian Church and Clontarf Business Association, as a voluntary Director/Trustee with SPADE (St Paul’s Area Development Enterprise) and supporting his Rector in pastoral and worship ministry. He is currently National Chaplain for the Boys’ Brigade in the Republic of Ireland.

“Complementary to growing up in the parish my youth work involvement further engendered a desire to bring people to know Jesus. As chairman of both the Diocesan and Church of Ireland Youth Council I found myself in a role encouraging church membership and participation as well as representing the Church of Ireland to society and government,” Mark explains. “The best way I can articulate my hopes for my ministry is to quote Mark 10:45 (NRSV) ‘For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’”

Lisa O’Brien–Corry (left) attends Cloughlea Church, which is attached to Blessington Union of Parishes in Glendalough. She was an art teacher for almost 30 years and is now retired. “I have been very influenced by the Diocesan Readers in my parish. I talked to Berkley Vincent about applying for training and he was very encouraging, as was my Rector,” Lisa comments. “My hopes for my new ministry are not yet fully formed. I am happy to allow God to direct me into the area he wants me to work in.”

 

 

Myra Moody (left) was born in 1968 in the rural parish of Donoughmore and Donard with Dunlavin and has lived all her life in this area of natural beauty in West Wicklow. Following her primary education in Donoughmore National School and secondary education in Scoil Chonglais, Baltinglass, she completed a secretarial/business course. She secured employment in the hotel industry working as a front office administrator for two years initially. In 1988, she commenced a position in a wholesale builder’s providers company in Dublin responsible for the debtor’s accounts. Since 2007, she worked as a Special Needs Assistant in primary education. Starting this month she has accepted a part time position as a coordinator of youth and children’s ministry her neighbouring parishes of Baltinglass, Kiltegan and Tullow.

Myra has served as a Girl’s Friendly Society leader in Donoughmore Branch for the past 22 years and as Dublin & Glendalough GFS Diocesan President for the past four years. She was commissioned as a Parish Reader in Donoughmore, Donard with Dunlavin Parish at Easter 2004. “I pursued my studies at CITI with the encouragement and support of family, friends and rectors of the parish/diocese and the directors of lay–ministry in the diocese and I look forward to serving as a Diocesan Lay–reader in Dublin & Glendalough,” she says.

“I am very grateful to everyone especially my husband, Charles, my daughters Sharleen, Donna, Kendal and my sons Richard and Allen who continually allowed me time to complete all the studies and meet all the deadlines. Trusting in God’s plan for me.”

Margaret Healion (right) grew up in the Roman Catholic tradition becoming a member of the Church of Ireland around 30 years ago. Her family worshipped at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Churchtown. “Had I been born Anglican I would have attended Zion Church in Rathgar as did many of my childhood neighbours. So it is a great pleasure to find that life has evolved in such a way that I am now the Lay Reader at Zion Church where I have been welcomed and encouraged by those I have known all my life and many new friends too,” she comments.

Margaret is currently the Parish Administrator at Zion. She spent 25 years in advertising and was Creative Director of McConnell Advertising for 10 years. She left advertising to return to college and study Philosophy. “One line of inquiry leads to the next and I found myself drawn toward Theology. The interest was always there but the openness I found within the Church of Ireland toward Lay Ministry, women in ministry and a ‘ministry of all the baptised’ really facilitated the direction I have been able to take in life,” she says. Her hopes for ministry are for inclusive service.

Carol Barry (left) is originally from Monkstown and was born into a traditional Church of Ireland family. Each Sunday she and her family attended Service or Sunday School and Bible Class. She was educated in the parish primary school and then moved to Newpark Comprehensive School where she sat the Leaving Certificate. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she went to commercial college and began her working career. In 1989, she married and moved to Leopardstown where her children were born. She became an active member of Kilternan Parish, initially as a helper with Sunday School and later on as a leader with the Youth Club.

“In 2012, I completed the Archbishop’s Course in Theology which I thoroughly enjoyed and which saw my relationship with God deepen as I learnt about Christianity and its origins. When the course ended I wasn’t sure what direction I would take, but was resolved that God would make it clear when the time was right. Shortly afterwards, I was asked if I would consider training to become a Lay Reader. I felt very privileged to be asked but found the prospect of returning to study a little daunting. However, I was greatly encouraged by the Rector who reminded me that ‘As God had chosen me, so he would equip me’. And He has,” Carol explains.

“As I look back, it would seem that every different role I have undertaken over the past number of years was preparing me for something better and greater. The support of my own family and my parish family has been unwavering  both during my studies and as I have taken the first tentative steps in my ministry. I look forward to serving the parish of Kilternan, both in a liturgical and pastoral capacity, whilst accompanying them on their own journeys of faith,” she adds.