Commissioning of New Diocesan Reader
On Ascension Day, the Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory the Rt Revd Adrian Wilkinson presided at an evening service of Holy Communion held at St Mogue’s Church in Ballycanew, and commissioned John Free as a new Diocesan Reader.
John has served as a parish reader in the Gorey Group of Parishes for many years. He discerned a call to increased involvement at a diocesan level and was interviewed and recommended for further training. This involved doing the year-long Certificate in Christian Theology and Practice at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, followed by an additional term of training in liturgy and preaching.
On Thursday evening, the church was filled with family members, neighbours, and parishioners who were there to support John as he took this next step in ministry.
The Warden of Readers, Canon Helen Oxley, formally presented John for admission as a Reader. Archdeacon Mark Hayden, who as John’s rector did so much to encourage his vocation over the years, was also involved in the service. As part of the commissioning, Archdeacon Hayden pledged to continue to encourage John to use his gifts and develop his ministry.
In his sermon, Bishop Wilkinson drew attention to the account of the Ascension in the Acts of the Apostles. As Jesus withdrew, the disciples were asked, ‘Why do you stand looking up towards heaven?’ The Bishop reminded everyone that the followers of Jesus were to be witnesses in Jerusalem (their locality), Judea and Samaria (the wider region), and to the ends of the earth. While the call to be a witness begins in the locality, it should never end there.
Speaking after the service, John Free said that he was encouraged by the large attendance and enthusiastic participation at the service:
“It is wonderful to be part of a community celebrating and moving forward together with hope and love.”