29.10.2026

Local and Global Mission in Castleknock and Ministry of Wandering About in Arklow

Stories from parishes at Synods

Members of Synods heard news from two parishes, one in Dublin and one in Glendalough which highlighted how challenges and opportunities in their communities communities could be met.

Castleknock and Clonsilla with Mulhuddart – Parish based in area of huge population growth

The Parishes of Castleknock and Clonsilla with Mulhuddart are in Dublin 15, an area experiencing among the largest population growth in Ireland. The Rector, the Revd Colin McConaghie, explained that there was both inward and external migration which had contributed to a 33% growth in its population. Twenty–two percent of the population are children and there is a high percentage of people in their 30s and 40s, he said. Castleknock is an affluent area but within the parish there are areas which are less well off.

Revd Colin said that they root everything they do in prayer and worship. Their worship is varied and they encourage people to grow in faith. The parish is supported by both Parish and Diocesan Readers and they have recently welcomed their Curate, the Revd Cennis Chikezie. The church community is multicultural and all age. Castleknock is a place where people from all over the world have made their home and seeing a person of colour at the front of their church lets other people know they won’t be alone in the parish, he suggested. The parish has a local and global mission. Locally they have a great connection with the school and there are other areas where they have built connection for example through a food bank, homeless charities, they open their doors for concerts. Globally they are linked with Habitat for Humanity and have recently completed their second visit to Cambodia.

Looking ahead, the parish has adopted Vision CMC 2027 and has appointed Olive Good as a family support officer to reach out to families. They are also exploring a pioneer project with a view to reaching the vast areas of new housing.

Arklow, Inch and Kilbride – Developing a Culture of Invitation AND Ministry by Wandering About

 

“Our mission is simple – make God known. In a troubled world, that’s what we need to do.” The Rector of Arklow, Inch and Kilbride brought news of ministry in South East Glendalough and offered two suggestions: he urged parishes to develop a culture of invitation and spoke of his Ministry by Wandering Around, being a visible presence in his community.

Listing a wonderful array of activities which are offered from his local library, he wondered if parishes had ceded everything that is community to the library. “All the things we used to do are now happening in the library. But there is hope – people are going there. The library is open from 8am to 10pm. My gates are closed from one end of the week to the other. We need to be more like the library,” he said.

With the support of his Select Vestry, Revd Alistair said their church is going to be open much more. They will participate in Heritage Week, Culture Night, after dark on All Hallows’. They will take opportunities to open the doors and let people in. “We need to be better at getting together… and invite people to join us,” he said adding that Arklow has an amazing ecumenical presence with Arklow Churches Together. Again partnership with the parish school was important and children are invited regularly to participate in services. “If you don’t have a school, adopt one. Schools are crying out for support and help,” he said adding that he was exploring a pioneer project based on the ‘Pilgrimage of Arklow’ partnering with 12 local schools and following the pilgrimage of St Palladius who landed in Arklow in 431 AD.

Encouraging parishes to create a culture of invitation he suggested that parishioners could simply ask someone to come to church with them. Grandparents were particularly successful at this, he suggested. “At a time when social isolation and loneliness are the biggest diseases, getting out of the house can be good for your mental health,” he said. He pointed out that Gen Z are embracing spiritual practices and looking for ways to engage but they don’t know how and we are not very good at telling them.

He reported that a well known tech firm has a phrase ‘management by wandering about’ – meaning the management were visible amongst the workforce. He proposed ‘ministry by wandering about’ which he does on a Friday when he wanders about the town doing nothing. “When I get out and about on a Friday I bring cakes or a bag full of Crunchies. We need to bless people and when we’re seen blessing people others will bless you too,” he stated.

You can read a full report from Synod here

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