Aghavea Parish Church

We are well used to the news changing daily, and although it was expected at some stage, the Bishop's announcement about the suspension of services in churches throughout the diocese and then throughout the island took us all by surprise. Suddenly, our whole mission to the world took on a different outlook.  We will be forced to look at our very core as we imagine new ways to connect with our parish over the coming days, weeks and months.  Perhaps this will change how we connect with our faith and practices for a very long time, we will have to wait and see. While I am well aware that we are facing rapidly changing circumstances - I am relieved and grounded in the knowledge that the God that we serve doesn't change at all! Hebrews 13: 5-9 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper;  I will not be afraid.  W...

Please find the text of Bishop John's public message on the subject of the Coronavirus outbreak in which he cancels all Sunday services for the foreseeable future. Clogher Diocesan Response Guidance Bishop’s Pastoral Message As you will be aware, coronavirus is presenting major challenges to the whole of society on the island of Ireland, including to the Churches. It is important that we respond responsibly and proportionately to these challenges. You will have seen that as well as the Diocese, the Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Church have also issued guidelines today. Undoubtedly we will all have to do things differently, at least during the period of this emergency, and possibly beyond that time. However we need also to remember our calling to worship God not only “with our lips but in our lives” as we say in the General Thanksgiving. Governments and the public health authorities, North and South, have provided us with very useful guidance, which they will continue to ...

I have often talked and written about "random acts of kindness" - simple acts that make a difference to someone's day or life.  I think the best act of kindness that I've seen recently was the advert from the Portaferry Hotel, which offered to supply meals to those who had been isolated through the Covid-19 outbreak - at their own expense!  I commend their action as a means to survive this current difficult time. The current news is obviously worrying everyone - and probably rightly so!  It will alter our outlook and our participation in society in the short-term, and there could be a chance that our long-term outlook and opinion could be changed too. I think we have two main options - either become islands, working and looking after only ourselves, or we can allow the current circumstances to make our communities stronger.  In rural Fermanagh we pride ourselves in being community-minded, living together side by side, looking after each other, and being ready to ...

As the rector of the parish, I have tried to keep life and pastoral obligations as normal as possible during recent days - while keeping the news of the Coronavirus Covid-19 in the back of my mind.  In the rural Co Fermanagh, there was a suspicion that the virus would be limited to the big towns like Belfast, Lisburn, Londonderry/Derry - but recent news has brought that much nearer home! With the news that there have been several positive cases of the virus in the nearby area, we have been forced to consider our situation and response to the outbreak.  It was a difficult decision to cancel the St Patrick's Stew Night at the 11th hour - and I would like to pay a great tribute to Reuben Acheson (chef), Robert Gallagher (butcher) and to all the ladies of the parish who had agreed to bring desserts for their understanding and acceptance. We will have to look at all our other practices too - and the first thing I have reluctantly had to do is to cancel our midweek Lenten servic...

As the news about the pandemic starts to intensify and get more and more serious - the Church of Ireland has released the following advice.  As a result, we will be making a few changes in church for a time until things get better - we won't be shaking hands on the way out, we will only be sharing the bread at Holy Communion, and we will be sharing the message about hygiene at every service!  I hope that everyone will cooperate and understand the circumstances/ Johnny Church of Ireland Guidance in relation to Novel Coronavirus (Covid–19) The following advisory guidelines for the Church of Ireland’s response regarding the novel coronavirus (Covid–19) reflect previous advice provided by the Church as a response to pandemic flu.  The guidelines offer a general framework to parishes, subject to further approval or other advice that may be considered appropriate by the diocesan bishop. 1. Follow all public health guidance provided by state authorities – the Publi...

They say that one person's gain can be another person's loss - and that feels just like the situation that the Diocese of Clogher feels today!  As we lose our Bishop to the Archbishopric of Armagh, we will lose a great  bishop and pastor, whereas we will gain an excellent archbishop for the wider church! I have witnessed Bishop John at his best recently as he dealt with the death of our esteemed colleague, Revd Canon Mark Watson.  He comforted the grieving family, he gave direction and support to a bereaved parish, and conducted one of the most appropriate and sensitive funerals I've ever had the privilege to attend.  He has been a supportive bishop since my appointment to the parish of Aghavea, and I have found him to be very approachable and encouraging.  In short, he has been a good friend and pastor to the clergy and people of the diocese. His appointment on Wednesday to the diocese of Armagh has been welcomed by everyone - and deep down, we all wish...