Diocesan News06 May 16

‘Journey Together’ Project Celebrated at the Guildhall

Leaders of the four main churches in the North West joined students and teachers from a dozen schools at the Guildhall in Derry–Londonderry on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the success of the ‘Journey Together’ project, which has been marking the centenaries of the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme.

The project brought together more than 60 students – from across the community and from both sides of the border –  to “explore this complex period in our history sensitively, imaginatively and collaboratively”. Pupils made joint visits to the Somme Centre, near Belfast, and to historic sites in Dublin; they took part in an ‘’Ethical and Shared Remembering’ workshop, facilitated by the Junction; and they participated in a series of workshops run by the Nerve Centre, which used animation and new technology to explore the historic events creatively.

Thursday afternoon’s event show–cased some of the work done by students involved in the ‘Journey Together’ project. Three of the students – Oisin Bowyer from Carndonagh Community School, Tegan Nesbitt from Foyle College and Jack Long from St Columb’s College – shared their reflections on the experience.

There was a photographic presentation by John Collins from Carndonagh CS. Carndonagh’s traditional music group performed a number of pieces for the audience, and there was an organ recital by Darrell Smith from Lisneal College. All those who took part in the project received a certificate and a commemorative photograph, and presentations were made to the schools involved.

The event included a short religious service, in which the Methodist Church’s District Superintendent, Rev Peter Murray, the Moderator of the Presbytery of Derry and Donegal, Rev Craig Wilson, Father Michael Canny (representing the Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown) and the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Ken Good all took part. Prayers were said for “peace in a broken world” and for “commitment to reconciliation”.

Speaking on behalf of the church leaders, Bishop Good said they felt there could be a real value in facilitating and encouraging young people in our schools in facing and exploring 1916 together rather than separately.  He acknowledged “the leadership, commitment and generosity” of school principals and history teachers who had supported the project.

Bishop Good said he believed Thursday’s event did not mark the end of the project. “The project will be ongoing – informally at least. But it is a time to take stock, to share, to hear what’s happened, to listen to reports, to give thanks to God and to individuals, and to commit ourselves to journeying together into the future.” The Bishop said he, personally, felt very thankful for project. “I do believe this is a good news story. I think it is a good thing that will flow out and ripple out, and news of it will spread from this city – which is often the forerunner of good news stories.”

The ‘Journey Together’ project was coordinated by the Churches’ Trust, which was founded by local church leaders 30 years ago as a response to deprivation in the North West. The promotion of a more united, shared and cohesive society is central to the Trust’s ethos. The Trust’s Chief Executive, Fiona Fagan, paid tribute to all those who had helped the ‘Journey Together’ project, and who had had the “foresight to recognize the value of this project”.

She acknowledged the support of funders who had made it possible: Derry City and Strabane District Council, The Nerve Centre through the Creative Centenaries Programme, The Honourable the Irish Society, the Enkalon Foundation, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin and the church leaders.

Ms Fagan also thanked the principals and teachers of the twelve schools which took part: Lisneal College, Foyle and Londonderry College, St Mary’s College, St Cecilia’s College, St Joseph’s Boys’ School, Thornhill College, Lumen Christi College, Carndonagh Community School, Moville Community College, Scoil Mhuire (Buncrana), Royal and Prior Comprehensive School and St Columb’s College.

For further information, contact Fiona Fagan, Chief Executive of the Churches’ Trust, on 02871 311322 (tel: 0044 2871 311322 from the Republic of Ireland).