Ruth is originally from Wicklow and after studying Business worked in a number of ministry settings such as the Church of Ireland Chaplaincy at Queen’s, the Christian Renewal Centre in Rostrevor and Birmingham City Mission.   She was ordained in 2002 and undertook curacies in St Mark’s, Portadown and Blarney Church,  a part of Carrigrohane Union of Parishes in Cork Diocese. In 2010, she became the Rector of the Mountmellick Group of Parishes in Meath and Kildare and moved to Crumlin and the Chapelizod Group of Parishes in Dublin and Glendalough in 2015.  We look forward to her exercising her ministry among us.

Two new ordinands were commissioned as Student Readers at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute yesterday evening (Wednesday October 1). Augustine Ndulue from Dublin and Glendalough and Ryan Parke from Derry and Raphoe were commissioned by Archbishop Michael Jackson during the weekly Community Eucharist. They are among 11 ordinands who have embarked on their first year of study in CITI this year.

The students were presented for licensing by the Revd Dr Patrick McGlinchey who coordinates student placements. Student Readers are called to lead worship, proclaim the word of God and assist in the distribution of Holy Communion.

Archbishop Jackson addressed the students as they embark on a life of ordained ministry and offered them three priorities in ministry which have mattered to him.

The first is self–care which, he emphasised, is not self–delusion, self–superiority or selfishness. “It is the preservation under God of the self for the glory of God and for its expression in this world. Let me explain: God created each of us in his image and likeness. This beauty imposes on us the responsibility of care of ourselves for as long as, and as is best fitted to, the purposes of God. In more sobering terms, this is the long journey from birth through life to death. Throughout the whole of our life, it requires our engagement with programmes of health and self–love in order to fulfil the calling to happiness and to blessedness, within the love of God, that is human being and that is Christian discipleship. Only in this way will we be able to sustain the calling of God to whom and to which we seek to respond,” he explained.

The second priority is service of others. Archbishop Jackson pointed out that the ordinands live in and contribute to a world of unlicensed individualism and a society of self–service on a massive scale. The world is also plagued by war and megalomania and society is fed by “carefully curated anger”. He added: “In all things spiritual and vocational, I ask you to keep in mind the following: you have more time than you think, or than others think. Such a perspective is a lived personal expression of your being Prophet, Priest and King in following the preaching, teaching, healing ministries of Jesus who sought to redeem the world by sharing in every way he could the love of God with the unreceptive and the ungrateful, the mercenary and the destitute.”

The third priority the Archbishop offered is salvation of the world. Salvation is of God, he said and it shapes the Liturgical Year to which the ordinands will be obedient. “In most of your regular praying and preaching, you will have to grapple with it – with people who are anything from bored to uncomprehending, preoccupied to beside themselves with anxiety. They are not particularly interested in hearing from you that Jesus kept saying the same thing in all situations. They will be more interested in how Jesus interacts with the people in everyday situations into which they can imagine themselves – this will be your challenge as discerners and interpreters of the word of God in their midst. But you can enable them to see that it is salvation itself that Jesus leaves with them when, for example, he tells them to go and do likewise: Go now and do to other people what I have done for you! In the work of salvation, the ordained person is not the celebrity performer like Michael McIntrye strutting incessantly along the stage; the ordained person is the midwife of grace, of hope and of peace in God’s work of salvation,” he concluded. 

(Lynn Glanville)

From (l–r) The Most Revd Michael Jackson, Ryan Parke, Augustine Ndulue, Rev Dr Patrick McGlinchey

It was a significant time of Worship, study, and community. To find out more about Pioneer Ministry contact ingrid@pioneerministry.org

(From l–r) Rev Dr Andrew Campbell,  Dr Katie Heffelfinger, Rev Daniel Fleming, Rev Caroline Brennan, Rev Mike Buchanan, Rev Melanie Sloan, Rev Cameron Mack, Dr Bridget Nichols, Rev Canon Dr Maurice Elliott (missing from photo Rev Mathew McCauley, Rev Shona Bell, Rev David Thomas)

From (l–r) Ashley Morgan, Linda Hughes, Robert McBride, Noel Griffin, Joanna Griffin, Stuart Broomfield, Olive Good, Faith Sithole, Rev Dr Patrick McGlinchey

 Colleagues within the Church of Ireland have congratulated Professor Noel Purdy OBE on the acknowledgement of his services to education in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Professor Purdy is Director of Research and Scholarship at Stranmillis University College, and a member of the Board of Education (Northern Ireland), the Advisory Council to the Church of Ireland Centre at Dublin City University’s Institute of Education, and the Governing Council of the Church of Ireland Theological Institute (CITI).

Dr Peter Hamill, Secretary to the Board of Education (Northern Ireland), remarked: “We are privileged to have the wisdom and knowledge of Professor Noel Purdy OBE on the Board of Education.  This is a thoroughly deserved award.”

The Revd Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, Director of CITI, added: “We have been delighted to learn of this very significant honour for our Council member, Professor Noel Purdy.  In his capacity as Educational Adviser, Professor Purdy brings a genuine depth of insight, experience and wisdom to his role on our behalf.  His professionalism is matched by his commitment to pastoral care towards both staff and students.  Many sincere congratulations!”

The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, as Chair of the Board of Education and the Advisory Council, has added his own congratulations to those of Professor Purdy’s many friends and colleagues.  Archbishop McDowell commented: “Noel is a consummate scholar who has also an understanding of the needs of the whole person – teachers and pupils – and who brings deep humanity as well as deep learning to his many vocations in education.”

Our warmest congratulations to the students who were awarded prizes at the most recent Court of Examiners meeting. The Weir Prize is awarded to the student in certain cohorts who attains the best overall result. The Literature Committee Prize is for excellence in the dissertation and is awarded by the External Examiner. It leads to publication of the student’s dissertation within the Braemor Series.

1.      Non–Residential Taught Cohort: Jonny Watson

The COI Literature Committee Award for best dissertation is awarded to Cameron Mack.

Congratulations to all.

From l–r: Prof David Shepherd, Dr Katie Heffelfinger, Revd Dr Heather Morris, Rev Canon Dr Maurice Elliott

TUESDAY 12th MARCH 2024

The Church of Ireland Theological Institute was delighted to welcome Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Tuesday 12th March to address students, staff and a wider group of local clergy and supporters of the Institute. The Commissioner’s presentation covered current crime statistics, comparisons with police forces in the rest of Europe, recruitment patterns, and the changing circumstances to which An Garda Siochana must respond. Some headlines include the effect of the COVID–19 pandemic, especially on cybercrime and domestic violence, and the increasing use of opioid drugs as heroin supplies decline. Those present described a number of examples of very effective relationships with local Garda stations and expressed their appreciation for the presence of Community Gardai. This was a rare opportunity and the vigorous audience engagement is an encouragement to continue to connect theological education and training with public life wherever that is possible.

From (l–r) Rev Daniel Fleming, Rev Mike Buchanan, Dr, Bridget Nichols, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, Rev Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, Rev Caroline Brennan, Rev Cameron Mack.

A number of other friends, neighbours and ecumenical guests also attended for what was a very memorable occasion.

(Rev Trevor Gribben, Rev Canon Dr Maurice Elliott)

(From l–r) Rev Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, Rev Gareth Campbell, Rev Andrew Neill, Rev Cosmin Pascu, Rev Timothy Eldon, Rev Stu Armstrong, Rev Jane Burns, Rev Lee Boal, Rev Scott Evans, Dr Katie Heffelfinger.

David is originally from Blackrock, Co Dublin.  He is currently rector of Whitechurch Parish, Rathfarnham, having taken up his appointment in August 2022.  He is married to Michelle and has two children in secondary school.  He studied in CITI from 2008 and was ordained deacon in 2012, spending 2 years doing an internship in Taney Parish.  During this time David continued to work full–time in finance.

David was ordained Priest in 2015, spending four years as Curate–Assistant of Douglas Union of Parishes with Frankfield in the suburbs of Cork City.  In 2019 he became Priest–in–Charge of Moviddy Union of Parishes in rural south–west Cork.  During this time, he was Assistant Healthcare Chaplain in Cork University Hospital and also at Bon Secours Hospital in Cork City. He is an accredited Healthcare Chaplain.

Responding to the announcement of his appointment, David writes, ‘I am really looking forward to being part of the Institute community.  I believe that it important to provide spiritual support to all students and staff alike.  It is a privilege to be asked and I anticipate getting to know all the students over the coming months.  I hope that as chaplains we can contribute to the life of CITI in a positive and enriching way’. 

Our warmest congratulations to the students who were awarded prizes at the most recent Court of Examiners meeting. The Weir Prize is awarded to the student in certain cohorts who attains the best overall result. The Literature Committee Prize is for excellence in the dissertation and is awarded by the External Examiner. It leads to publication of the student’s dissertation within the Braemor Series.

1.      Non–Residential Taught Cohort: Jonny Watson

2.      Residential Taught Cohort : Cameron Mack

3.      Final Year Non–Residential Intern: Andrew Neill

The COI Literature Committee Award for best dissertation is awarded to Andrew Neill.

Congratulations to all.

Revd Dr Patrick McGlinchey (Course Co–Ordinator)