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Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Getting on with it

With churches still closed for public worship and other church assemblies not possible, the Church has had to adapt to these new circumstances to allow, as far as possible, for Church life to continue. Most cathedrals and parishes have become used to streamed or pre–recorded Sunday services but other aspects of the Church’s life, which have been on hold, are now finding ways to function.

In the Diocese of Clogher there have been two institutions via Zoom. The Revd Elaine Dunne has been instituted as the new rector of the group of parishes of Ballybay, Clontibret and Muckno in Co. Monaghan. Ms Dunne, who was nominated in February, had her Service of Institution held online through Zoom on 4 June. The Archbishop’s Commissary, the Ven Brian Harper, conducted the service with the Provincial Registrar, Canon Colin Moore and Chancellor Ian Berry. A total of 24 people joined on the Zoom service. After Canon Berry presented Ms Dunne for institution, she replied and signed the official document. Ms Dunne was ordained in 2005 and has worked as curate assistant in the grouped parishes of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla and as assistant priest in the grouped parishes of Santry, Glasnevin and Finglas, both of which are in the Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough. More recently she has been Priest in Charge of Omey union of parishes in north west Connemara in the Dioceses of Tuam, Killala & Achonry.

A similar procedure was adopted for the institution of the new rector for the grouped parishes of Trory and Killadeas in Co. Fermanagh. The Revd Mark Gallagher, who has served his curacy at Bangor Abbey in the Diocese of Down, was instituted 11 June through Zoom. Mr Gallagher, a native of Killyman parish in the Diocese of Armagh, served as a deacon in Magheracross Parish, Ballinamallard. The parishioners of Bangor Abbey said farewell to their curate at a special drive–in church service on Sunday morning 7 June. It was an unconventional farewell, but the affection for Mr Gallagher was clearly demonstrated by the 70 plus cars that filled the Abbey car park. Parishioners joined in the hymns, which were led by three bagpipers, from their cars, and followed the service on a service sheet.

The Diocesan Synod of Cork, Cloyne and Ross could not happen on 13 June so instead there was a 30–minute gathering and celebration on YouTube to allow people to catch up with what is happening in this part of the Church.

In the grounds of St Colmanell’s church, Ahoghill, in the Diocese of Connor, the rector, the Revd Denis Christie was able to conduct a wedding ceremony after special permission was given for conducting the marriage outside the church, but within the church grounds and with appropriate restrictions in place.

On Trinity Sunday St Columbanus parish, Ballyholme, in the Diocese of Down, held their first ever drive–in service in the church car park. The parish did all the preparatory work – phone calls to their insurance company and the local police, door–to–door invitations to their very gracious neighbours and a thoroughgoing risk assessment. Social media and emails got the word out and before they knew it they had 20 plus cars for a 30 minute service billed as ‘Car Park Family Church’.

Last weekend marked 180 years of worship in Kilhorne parish church, Annalong, in the Diocese of Dromore. Unable to gather to celebrate, the parish has produced a video looking back at Kilhorne’s history and people.

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