05.09.2016
Answering God’s Call – Commissioning of Diocesan and Parish Readers
Can we ever be ready to hear God’s call? This was the question asked during the Service of Commissioning of six diocesan readers and one parish reader in Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday (September 4). The seven men and women from all over Dublin and Glendalough were commissioned by Archbishop Michael Jackson who said it was a great day in the lives of the parishes and of the dioceses that so many people had come forward to take on roles in lay ministry.
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) were commissioned Diocesan Readers while Carol Barry (Kilternan) was commissioned a Parish Reader.
The sermon was preached by Sylvia Armstrong, a Diocesan Reader attached to the Parish of Clondalkin and Rathcoole. She pointed out that during their commissioning the Readers would be asked if they believed in their hearts that God had called them to the office and work of a Parish or Diocesan Reader. She wondered if we were ever ready for such a call.
At the beginning of Jesus’s ministry he used the simple words ‘Follow me’, Mrs Armstrong said. His early followers reacted in different ways – Nathanial was surprised and Peter was worried. Isaiah writes that God used Cyrus to teach his chosen people but she said it was not clear that Cyrus even believed in God. “We don’t have to feel inadequate or lacking in faith. We can build on that. All He needs is our consent, our yes to His call,” she said.
The Readers, when being commissioned, undertook to assist in leading the people of God in public worship and commit to the ministry of their parish, and dioceses in the case of Diocesan Readers. Mrs Armstrong said that, whatever the individuals’ take on the role, God would always equip them to do it. “The gift of the Holy Spirit is received by us when we are refreshed and reborn at baptism. We just need to take His trust in our hands,” she said. “There is much need in our world, in our communities, parishes and families. So often we try to work on our own strength and end up feeling exhausted and a failure. But we are asked to work in the Holy Spirit.”
She said there were different kinds of gifts of the Holy Spirit but the greatest of these was love – love for one another and love for God. “I hope that training for Lay Ministry and all ministry encourages us to show our love for God,” Mrs Armstrong added.
The service was followed by a reception in the Crypt where the newly commissioned readers mingled with a huge crowd of well wishers and supporters who had packed the cathedral to witness the special event. A cake, contributed by Clontarf Parish, was cut to mark the occasion.
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 the Church of Ireland Institute of Theology. 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.
Photo captions:
Top – Mark Acheson, Margaret Healion, Myra Moody, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Lisa O’Brien–Corry, Bert–Jan Van Embden and Carol Barry in the Capter Room of Christ Church Cathedral before the service of commissioning for Diocesan and Parish Readers.
Bottom – The new Diocesan and Parish Readers are commissioned.
There are more photos on our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough/posts/1087039874665389