15.12.2017
Institution of the Revd Jack Kinkead – Rector and Parish Continue Their Journey Together
Parishioners of Wicklow and Killiskey were celebrating with their new Rector last night (Thursday December 14). The Revd Jack Kinkead was instituted incumbent of the parish by Archbishop Michael Jackson in Wicklow Parish Church although, as the preacher pointed out, he and the parish had been cohabiting prior to their ‘marriage’ as Jack was Priest in Charge for over two years.
Jack was joined by his wife, Rachael and his parents as well as other family and friends as he and the parish marked a milestone in their joint history and looked forward to continuing their journey together. Jack was also recently appointed Rural Dean of East Glendalough.
The sermon was given by the Revd Aonghus Mayes, Rector of Moy in the Diocese of Armagh. He spoke of the different approaches a preacher could take in composing a sermon for an institution. One could treat it like a funeral with former parishioners turning up in mourning paying tribute to their departing Rector. But as Jack was not going anywhere, he had to think again.
Treating it as a wedding without the rented hats and suits wouldn’t work either as Jack and the parish had been cohabiting for a couple of years before the marriage ceremony the they both knew each other’s little ways already.
Instead, Mr Mayes opted to treat the institution as an ordination with a reflection on ordained ministry. Recalling the words his former Rector said at his own institution he said that the clerical life had its trials and temptations and while there was a danger of turning into professional clergy, there was a need to wait on God in stillness and draw on the deep resources he would provide.
He spoke about the need for a prophetic ministry pointing out that Christianity was not a private thing but something which must be reinterpreted for each new generation. “Our job is not to please people, to go with the trends and attitudes. Our task is to seek to live close to God and interpret his words for his people,” he stated.
This task needed integrity, and strength and courage came from the stillness, the preacher said. Integrity came from experience, he added. “The word that comes to mind is ‘pontifex’ – the builder of a bridge, a bridge between God and man to bring together two worlds. There is the need to spend time on both sides of the divide, the human and the divine to bring the two together,” he explained.
Mr Mayes continued: “Sometimes this is straightforward, as when we minister to those in need… Other times it is difficult because what we bring is not easily received. It takes willingness and integrity”. At these times he said those in ministry needed to be able to draw on their own strength but also on the strength and prayers of their people. He said Jack’s ministry was just the tip of the iceberg, with the prayers of the people forming the nine tenths of iceberg which is below water. “Your souls are in his hands and his is in yours. Pray for each other,” he concluded.
Speaking after the institution in the Glebe School, Archdeacon Ricky Rountree commended the parish for all its members had achieved over the past two and a half years. He said that the confidence of the parish had grown to the point where the diocese could agree to the appointment of a Rector. He complimented Jack on all he had achieved.
Speaking on behalf of the parish nominators, Philip Hastie said it was wonderful to be able to welcome Jack. He observed that the new Rector must be as happy with the parish as they were with him.
Archbishop Jackson said that while the parishioners already knew Jack’s qualities, it was important for the parish, the dioceses and for himself to have Jack as incumbent. He thanked Jack and the Revd Ken Rue, who is Vicar in the parish, for the way in which they had upheld the Wicklow and Killiskey. He said Jack would bring a combination of stability and adventure.
Jack thanked everyone for their kindness and said he would accept the words of gratitude he had received over the previous weeks but pointed out that the praise goes to God. He said that great things had happened in the parish but that was also due to its people. He said that he and Rachael were delighted to be in Wicklow. He thanked Ken for this support and said they while Wicklow and Killiskey had two distinct ministries, they worked well jointly. He paid tribute to his predecessors, Canon John Clarke and Canon Stanley Pettigrew and the church wardens who had been very supportive.
