Taking place on Mary Sumner Day which commemorates the founder of Mothers’ Union, the thoughtful and encouraging address was given by former Worldwide President, Lady Christine Eames. The marvellous choir which combined the voices of members from far and wide was directed by Judith Gannon and accompanied by organist Tom Little.

In her introduction to the service, All Ireland President Kay Clarke said the theme of the service – ‘Join Us, Join In’ – was more than an invitation to celebrate a milestone. It was an invitation to share in God’s mission to belong, to pray, to serve and to witness to Christ’s love in our homes, churches and communities. It also echoed the vision of Mary Sumner whose faithful response to God’s call has inspired generations of members to put their faith into action with compassion, courage and hope.

During the service, the Revd Alistair Doyle (Dublin and Glendalough) was commissioned as All Ireland Chaplain of Mothers’ Union. A board recording the names of all Mothers’ Union Past Presidents was dedicated. This board will now be displayed in Christ Church Cathedral. A Preaching Scarf for the use of the All Ireland Chaplain was presented by the Revd Arthur Barrett (Cashel, Ferns and Ossory) in memory of his mother Mrs Ann Barrett who was General President Ireland from 1989 to 1995.

In her address Lady Eames highlighted the words of the Gospel reading [John 15: 9–17] ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you’ which she said underpinned what Mothers’ Union aimed to do throughout its 150 year history.

Looking around the cathedral she saw many people who had served Mothers’ Union and thought of Mary Sumner who brought people together in her drawing room in a small action which became a worldwide movement. It was 11 years before that movement came to Ireland when Annabelle Hayes, wife of the Rector of Raheny, started the Mothers’ Union here.

The service allowed members to consider the past, pause in the present and think of the future, Lady Eames said. The past was the easy part, she suggested. “We have worked together, we have prayed together through good times, through bad times… The chain of the Mothers’ Union takes it through two world wars and the devastation that wrought. It takes us through a complete change in the life of women, a complete change in what was possible and what was absolutely closed. So there are many, many memories in our minds today,” she commented.

Reflecting on the work of the Worldwide President, Lady Eames said she felt it was to bring member to member around the world. “We often think of the Mothers’ Union as ‘around the corner and around the world’,” she explained and said this work brought her to places she never dreamed she would visit.

She recalled a visit to Uganda where she went to a camp for those displaced by war in Sudan. In a place where people had fled their homes with nothing and lived in rows upon rows of huts, she remembered the gesture of one woman who brought wild flowers in two battered mugs to place on the table where they were worshiping. While the woman may have had nothing, she had not lost her dignity. Afterwards she spoke to the woman and asked what she could do for her and the woman asked her, and members of Mothers’ Union, to pray for them so that they would not be forgotten.

“It seems to me that that goes right to the heart of what we are about today celebrating this occasion for the Mothers’ Union – to pray for one another and to pray with love that this person will not be forgotten. We talk about Mothers’ Union around the corner and around the world. In a different part of the world she challenged me around my corner,” she said.

Lady Eames said it would be wrong to leave the service without thinking about the future. Likening looking to the future to trying to find something an untidy drawer in her kitchen, full of candle ends and instructions for gadgets that had long since expired, she said:

“As we look to the future what are we looking for in Mothers’ Union? What will you and I hand on to those who come after us? Things have moved very, very rapidly. Certainly 150 years ago it was a completely different scene. Women’s lives were completely different. Everyone’s life was completely different… We look to the leadership of the future and know that we will be asking much of them because [like trying to find something in an untidy kitchen drawer] will our leaders in the future be able to see what they are looking for to bring Mothers’ Union into the future? We need to pray that God will give us all the strength and the vision,” she concluded.

If you were not able to attend the Festival Eucharist, it is available to watch back on Christ Church Cathedral’s Facebook page –www.facebook.com/share/v/17aqA5QKWS/

Making the announcement Archbishop Michael Jackson said: “The Reverend Michael Buchanan has served in both Navan and Rathfarnham Parishes. Mike also brings substantial experience as a Community Garda to this new position. I know that he is looking forward to serving in Tullow Parish and I wish him and all members of the parish and community what is best for the future.”

Mike is the father of three children, Arlo who is 17 and is a leaving certificate pupil in The High School, Rathgar, and Natasha and Dayna, both of whom are pursuing careers and are living away from home. Mike is very happily engaged to Jill, who has worked for many years in senior management in the tourism industry.

On leaving school, despite having an early calling, Mike made the decision to join An Garda Siochana and served for 31 years in a number of assignments, including a tour of duty with the United Nations, and retired with the rank of Sergeant.

Having taken advantage of early retirement, Mike began his full–time Theological Training at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute in 2021, having previously studied for a B.A. in Theology at DCU. He was awarded an MTh at Trinity College in 2024 and served as Deacon in the Navan Union of Parishes.

For the past two years Mike has been serving as Curate Assistant at Rathfarnham Parish, Dublin & Glendalough under the guidance of Canon Adrienne Galligan. Mike has recently spent a very fruitful and rich sabbatical in All–Saints Cathedral in Cairo, where he engaged with both the resident and refugee communities in pastoral matters and also participated in interfaith dialogue.

“I have been extremely fortunate to have been blessed with a strong faith, which has sustained me through many difficult times during my life and service,” Mike explains. “One of the joys of ministry is serving the community of believers, and I have forged many strong relationships which have endured over the years, and which continue to flourish.”

He adds: “Of course, the downside of ministry is moving on to new assignments and leaving those with whom I have walked in faith through the many joys, blessings, and hardships of life. I will especially miss those with whom I have journeyed these past two years in Rathfarnham. I am, however, grateful to Canon Adrienne for the wisdom, advice, and experience that she has imparted.

“I am very excited to begin this new chapter in ministry along with my incredibly supportive family in a Parish which is so obviously committed to faith, and which is a vital and integral part of the local community. I believe that together, as a community of believers, we can continue to grow Tullow Parish into something even more dynamic, enduring, and relevant in a world that is seeking answers to the most fundamental of questions. I am very much looking forward to making new friends!”

The volunteers opened St Mary’s Church, Blessington to members of the public throughout Christian Aid Week in May serving home–made soup, bread, scones and cakes. It was the Blessington parishioners’ first–ever effort in support of Christian Aid Week, which is the charity’s annual flagship appeal.

Rector of Blessington Union, the Revd Niall Stratford, described the initiative as a great success and praised the generosity of parishioners and visitors alike.

The parish marked the first day of Christian Aid Week with an outdoor service at Blessington Lakes to mark Rogation Sunday, an ancient festival in the Anglican tradition during which congregations pray for favourable weather, protection from crop failure and a bountiful harvest.

This year’s Christian Aid Week appeal focused on the charity’s work in Dagoretti, a low–income neighbourhood of the Kenyan capital Nairobi where nearly 300,000 people live in homes built from corrugated metal sheets, without basic services such as toilets and running water. Secure jobs are hard to find and most people earn less than a dollar a day which means that many parents struggle to buy healthy food to feed their children. But a Christian Aid–funded project is helping people to grow vegetables in these cramped city spaces. With space in short supply, the produce is grown on rooftops, vertically on walls and on any available scrap of land.

During the Rogation Sunday service, the Blessington parishioners prayed for the urban farmers of Nairobi, that they will enjoy a successful harvest and have enough healthy produce to feed their families and surplus to sell for a much–needed income.

As one of Christian Aid’s sponsoring denominations, the Church of Ireland helped to establish the aid agency in 1945, in response to the refugee crisis in Europe at the end of WWII. Today, Christian Aid works to ease the suffering of people affected by extreme poverty and conflict in more than 20 countries worldwide.

Christian Aid Ireland Chief Executive Rosamond Bennett thanked the Revd Niall Stratford and the parishioners of Blessington Union for their prayers and their fundraising. She said: “We are incredibly grateful to Rev Niall and his parishioners for the love and generosity they have shown. Kind–hearted people like these are making a difference in the lives of people experiencing poverty and conflict around the world. To host a six–day fundraiser as their first–ever Christian Aid Week event is a remarkable achievement. We would like to thank the parishioners who prepared and served the lunches and everyone from the church and the wider Blessington community who came along and supported the event with their donations.”

To support the work of Christian Aid Ireland, please visit caid.ie/donate

This process has taken over 10 years and SSSI are grateful for the support and time of successive committee members to the work of the Society. Whilst this marks the end of SSSI in its current form they are delighted that the work and mission of SSSI continues through the Board for Ministry with Children and Families, with the society’s name being in the future incorporated into the Board’s title. To paraphrase the Bishop of Connor who noted at the meeting, “we do not see this as an ending but rather as a ‘passing on the baton’ to an established structure within the Church, that has already achieved great things”.

The meeting was attended by individuals from across the island who are involved with children’s ministry and who have helped the Society along the way. During the meeting cheques were presented to support children’s ministry within each of the 11 dioceses. These were given in memory of Ms Beryl Stone who recently left a legacy to the Society and who herself gave much to children’s ministry. The meeting concluded with a celebratory tea party.

SSSI wishes to thank all those parishes and individuals who have supported SSSI over many years. The Society deeply appreciates and values the encouragement it has received from so many places.

Should you or your parish wish to financially support the work of The Board for Ministry with Children and Families, please speak with your diocesan Children’s Ministry Representative (see https://cfm.ireland.anglican.org/).

Working closely with their Rectors, the Revd Rob Clements and Canon Alan Breen, and with Dublin and Glendalough’s Youth Ministry Development Officer, Emma Fawcett, Molly and Nana took part in the programme which is geared to help develop their skill set and leadership capabilities through serving in church youth ministry.

Molly was based in Kilternan where there is an established youth group with up to 30 teenagers enjoying their monthly youth nights.

“My main role was largely to just connect with the teens and to create a rapport with them throughout the year. Additionally, I was able to develop youth programs, help out at confirmation classes, create programs for teenagers to go to on Sundays, and even started a youth worship team,” she says.

Singling out a highlight from her internship is almost impossible, Molly says. “I’m sure DGYC’s other intern would say otherwise, but I was blessed with the best group of teenagers. Realistically, they’ve probably done more for me than I have for them, and they’re all absolutely fantastic people,” she explains.

“However! I was able to find two highlights, the first being confirmation classes. This year, we followed the Youth Alpha program, meeting once a week to catch up, watch the video, then discuss in small groups the point that had been made in the video. The classes lasted for about eight sessions and it was such a privilege to see the teenagers that frequently and in a smaller, slightly more controlled environment than youth group normally is! It was also so lovely to be at the confirmation with them all, and see them all declaring their faith and belief in God,” she adds.  

Her other highlight was the conversations she had with teenagers after church. “I was so blessed to be coming into a community church, where the whole ethos is based around shared love, laughter and often food. I found that if I sat down at the couches that we have in church, a group of teens would slowly start to appear and soon enough I’d be holding council to 10 young people who all needed to update me on their lives. The biggest problem that I faced was leaving church before 2pm, having finished the service at 10.30! They’re all so interested and interesting, and it’s a real honour to be let in on their stories,” she concludes.

Nana was placed in Kill o’ The Grange Parish Church where she helped Jonathan Byford with youth ministry. This included leading two youth groups, Maxpack (5th and 6th class) and Core (1st to 6th years), with the help of two teams of volunteers. She also attended world belief classes in Newpark Comprehensive School and assemblies in Kill O’ the Grange National School; and enjoyed coffee on a Friday morning with various members of the congregation.

“As you can imagine, one of the first lessons I learnt in my internship was that church is not just on a Sunday, there are many opportunities to connect with God’s people throughout the week. The physical act of connecting with others and being present in those different spaces has a spiritual impact. Everything is spiritual, learning my youth’s names is a way for me to worship God, dancing in assembly to ‘Jesus You’re My Superhero’ is worship, and being gifted a winter coat by a lovely lady in my church who didn’t want me freezing at the bus stop is worship,” she recalls.

Nana is full of praise for DGYC. “At every turn, DGYC exemplifies their mission to support parishes. Emma Fawcett and Canon Alan Breen, DGYC Development Officer and Chair, were very intentional in choosing a church where I could feed into the work they were doing, and a church that would support my faith journey. I am confident that I have helped Maxpack and Core to the best of my ability and truly had an impact in the youths’ lives. I have facilitated spaces and games where they can be curious and have fun with their faith. As well as written and presented talks for them that engage with the Bible in a fresh way. It has been my joy to get to know the youth, my heart warms when they come up to me during youth group and tell me whatever it is they are excited about that day. Or, when they wave and yell my name when we pass each other on the street. Not only the youth, but everyone at Kill has been wonderful. I have learnt so much in my time here and felt truly cared for. It has been an honour to serve the people in this parish,” she says.

Her internship officially ended with a bang in June at Summer Madness. Now, Nana looks forward to entering her final year of university and completing her English with Creative Writing degree, where she hopes to continue worshipping God through her writing.

If you would like to learn more about DGYC’s internship programme or feel your parish would like to welcome an intern please visit https://dgyc.org/internship

The Braemor Studies series is an initiative of the General Synod’s Literature Committee to promote theological writing by publishing the best of the final year dissertations in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.

‘The Spiritual Quotient of Leadership’

Launching ‘The Spiritual Quotient of Leadership’ Dr Millie Bellew said the central idea of the book is that Christian leadership needs to be understood through the lens of spirituality. “At one point, Kyle describes the theological basis of the spiritual quotient as a triangle: leading with God, leading under God, and leading toward God. I thought there was tremendous theological richness in that,” she commented. “To that end, Kyle has described how Christian leadership is about partnership, posture, and purpose. Partnership, because we lead with God. Posture, because we lead under God. And purpose, because we lead toward God.”

She said Kyle explores what this type of leadership looked like in practice and highlights the qualities of humility, love, prayerfulness, hopefulness and God–awareness. He notes that there is nothing about platform or profile or performance. She adds that the leadership described in the book does not just refer to clergy.

She encouraged everyone to read the book as a reflective tool for their own discipleship. “It invites us to ask: how am I leading? Am I leading with God, or simply for God? Am I leading under God, or quietly trying to remain in control? Am I leading toward God, or am I tempted to make leadership about my own competence, or success?,” she said.

‘We being many are one body: Fostering autistic belonging at the Holy Table’

‘We being many are one body: Fostering autistic belonging at the Holy Table’ was launched by Dr Jacqui Wilkinson (DCU). She praised Jonny Watson for presenting rigorous and systematic research with a passionate attention to real practicable possibilities in Church of Ireland parishes.

“It is in effect a call to the Church of Ireland to consider how actually welcoming and inclusive they are for autistic individuals,” she said. “Jonny’s autobiography resounds through the book and all readers encounter the real life and personal issues that pertain to ensuring autistic individuals’ full belonging specifically in eucharistic worship. The strength of this publication is the care with which Jonny shows a sensitivity to ‘not mess with the sacredness, integrity or theological significance of the eucharist’ but to ensure that ‘we being many truly are one body’.”

Dr Wilkinson observed that the refreshing research concludes with a series of recommendations that allow for a flexible approach to meet the needs of autistic individuals, recommendations that parishes could embrace, involving not a draw on finances but a change of perspective, an openness to recognizing each autistic individual as unique and not a member of a one–size–fits–all homogenous group. She hoped that the research would be shared widely with the Church of Ireland.

Diocesan MU Chaplain the Revd Colin McConaghie started the party with a short service which was followed by a few welcoming words from Diocesan President, Ada Lawson, along with Kay Clarke, All Ireland president, and Archbishop Michael Jackson.

The tea and coffee (all served in fine china cups) and delicious sandwiches and traybakes were prepared and served up by Diocesan trustees and some members from Castleknock branch.

It was a very enjoyable afternoon, with donations going to AFIA (Away From It All). This is a Mothers’ Union holiday initiative that provides short breaks and days out for families experiencing stress or financial hardship. It is one of many projects that Mothers Union has implemented over the last 150 years in their mission of nurturing, supporting and promoting family life. 

The parish has had a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Ireland for some time and two years ago helped build another house in Cambodia.

Fourteen  parishioners, including their Rector, the Revd Colin McConaghie, travelled to Cambodia at the beginning of July. Working alongside skilled builders, the team set out to construct a home for Ms Salat, a 63 year old widow, who has been living in a tin shack with eight other family members.

The family greeted the team from Dublin warmly on their arrival. Ms Salat’s daughter Trey was filled with emotion as she spoke of how they thought their mother would never get the opportunity to have a safe home to live in and explained that the team’s efforts had given them great hope for the future.

The team’s mission was to complete a wooden house which is placed on stilts to provide both indoor shelter and outdoor space. Learning new skills of woodwork, stair making and floor laying they quickly saw the house take shape. Rev Colin explained: “We are so privileged to be in this beautiful country having the opportunity to help a family to be able to live in a safe home. At the very heart of Habitat for Humanity is the idea that all of us can build hope by giving a little bit of ourselves to understand the need for safe homes.”

Throughout the week the team learned about Cambodian culture, forged new friendships and developed their skills. They dealt with high temperatures on site, into the high 30’s, broke down the language barrier and took on tasks alien to most of them. As the camaraderie grew, the misunderstandings turned to laughter and fun.

During the week the team made an emotional visit to the house that a number of them had helped to build in 2024. They were warmly welcomed back by the family. They were saddened to learn that the father, Kosal, had died last year but were so heartened that his desire for his family to have a safe place to call home had come true.

The team also got the opportunity to visit the new Habitat Cambodia office where they were welcomed by the National Director Phal Vandy and the entire staff team who give their visitors from Dublin a great insight into the amazing work of Habitat in Cambodia wishing them God’s blessing for their travels and thanks sharing their vision that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

The final afternoon was filled with both tears and laughter as the team and the family shared their experience of the past week. Ms Salat’s daughter Sarath was moved to tears as she thanked the team for giving her family a new home. “Thank you to all of you for coming from your country to build our new home. This means so much to my mother and we wish you happiness and safe travel home,” she said.

Following the ceremony of the lotus flower and cutting of the ribbon, the team presented gifts from Ireland for the family’s new home including a St Brigid’s cross, offering God’s blessing and safety for their house. The team thanked the skilled builders and Habitat volunteer staff for their patience in teaching them and the laughter they shared.

Summing up the mission trip Rev Colin said: “Each one of us feels so blessed to have played a part in helping Ms Salat and her family to have a safe new home where they no longer live in fear of wind and rain. We thank God for the mission of Habitat for Humanity globally and would encourage anyone who is interested to get involved locally in Ireland or internationally. To be able to give a little of ourselves to serve others is truly at the heart of the Gospel.”

The Revd Niall Stratford has been appointed Rural Dean of West Glendalough Rural Deanery. The Revd Kevin Conroy has been appointed as Rural Dean of Monkstown North Rural Deanery.

Announcing the appointments Archbishop Michael Jackson commended both men and wished them both well in their new roles.

He said: “The Revd Niall Stratford exercised many roles in the church before taking responsibility for Blessington Union of Parishes. He will combine his acumen of a lifetime in the world of insurance with his faithfulness to God in the execution of his duties as Rural Dean.

“The Revd Kevin Conroy has had widespread experience in the world at large and in the church. He is amply qualified and ably suited to be Rural Dean. He will also bring to this role a caring disposition and a prayerful perspective”.

Niall has been Rector of the Blessington Union of Parishes since 2024. Prior to becoming incumbent of this Union, he served in a number of parishes throughout the United Dioceses, in his then capacity as a Non–Stipendiary Minister. He has throughout his life always had a deep sense of relationship with, and connection to, rural ministry. This likely developed from his upbringing in a rural parish in the then Dioceses of Killala and Achonry where his late father was Archdeacon.

Speaking about his appointment, Niall stated: “It is a great privilege to be invited to take on this role. For many years, I have been an advocate of ‘Collaboration’. Accordingly, I hope and pray that I may be able, even in some little sense, to advance this process for the benefit of all in the West Glendalough Rural Deanery”. He looks forward to collaborating with fellow colleagues and parishioners alike, in the parishes within this Rural Deanery, “to advance our calling as followers of Christ”.

Kevin has been Rector of Stillorgan & Blackrock since 2023. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2016 and subsequently served as a Self–Supporting Minister in Dalkey Parish and the Arklow Group of Parishes (Arklow, Inch and Kilbride). Before his institution as Rector of Stillorgan & Blackrock, he also served during vacancies in Whitechurch parish and the parishes in which he would be instituted as rector. In addition to his parish ministry, Kevin serves on the diocesan Ecumenical Bible Week Committee and assists with hospital chaplaincy.

Commenting on his appointment, Kevin said: “It is a privilege to accept this appointment, and I look forward to supporting clergy and parishioners across the Monkstown North Rural Deanery. I also wish the outgoing rural dean, the Revd Gary Dowd, every blessing and much happiness in his retirement, with grateful thanks for his faithful service.”

The delegation was led by H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, Bishop of Latina, President of COMECE, and H.E. Most Rev. Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin, representing CEC. The delegation also included leaders of local Churches.

During the meeting, the ecumenical delegation presented its key concerns and recommendations regarding the priorities and programme of the Irish EU Presidency under its “Strength with Unity” agenda.

Topics discussed included social cohesion, shared European values, peacebuilding, competitiveness and sustainability, migration and asylum policies, the Multiannual Financial Framework, humanitarian and development cooperation and a credible, citizen–centred EU enlargement process.

Christian leaders encouraged the Irish EU Presidency to strengthen the European Union’s capacity for consensus–building by fostering social cohesion and unity, renewing the commitment to the EU’s founding vision.

The ecumenical delegation also emphasised the need to address poverty, as well as to nurture civic space by countering exclusion and growing polarisation within European societies.

Significant attention was devoted to the promotion of a just and lasting peace in the EU’s neighbourhood and beyond. Recognising the importance of strengthening European defence in the context of growing international turmoil and the erosion of multilateralism, the delegation of European Churches encouraged the EU Presidency to support the development of a European peace strategy, providing a deeper and broader framework focused on peacebuilding, conflict prevention and reconciliation.

The ecumenical delegation acknowledged the efforts of the Irish EU Presidency to promote prosperity and competitiveness, underlining that economic growth must always serve people, respect creation and pursue the common good. COMECE and CEC stressed that these principles should also apply to technological innovation, including Artificial Intelligence.

In view of the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework, the next long–term EU budget, Churches encouraged the EU Presidency to preserve strong support for social cohesion, humanitarian action and development cooperation.

Addressing the future of the European integration project, the COMECE–CEC delegation called for further advancing the EU enlargement process, not only as a geopolitical necessity but also as a source of hope for citizens across Europe.

Participants expressed hope to continue engaging in constructive dialogue with the Irish government on issues of shared concern during the six–month mandate of the EU Presidency and beyond.

The meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin formed part of the long–standing dialogue under Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which provides for an open, transparent and regular dialogue between the European Union and Churches and religious communities.

The visit to Dublin also offered an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between COMECE, CEC and their Irish member Churches, whose support and contributiuon were indispensable in preparing and successfully organising the meeting with the Taoiseach.

During the visit, the COMECE–CEC delegation participated in an ecumenical prayer service at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

The ecumenical delegation consisted of:

COMECE

• H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President COMECE
• Mr Marek Mišák, Secretary of the COMECE Commission on EU External Relations
• Mr Alessandro Di Maio, Press Office Manager COMECE

CEC

• H.E. Most Rev. Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin
• Rev. Frank–Dieter Fischbach, General Secretary CEC
• Rev. Dr Peter Pavlovič, Study Secretary CEC

Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference

• H.E. Mgr. Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
• H.E. Mgr. Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin and Vice–President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
• H.E. Mgr. Kieran O’Reilly, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, and Delegate to COMECE
• Rev. Dr Gary Carville, Coordinator, Council for Migrants, Refugees and Justice & Peace and the Council for Ecumenism

Irish Council of Churches

• Very Rev. Dr Charles McMullen, President of the Irish Council of Churches
• Rev. Dr Karen Campbell, General Secretary, Irish Council of Churches
• Rev. Dr Janet Unsworth, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland
• Very Rev. Dr David Bruce, Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland