A year in the diocese
Down and Dromore’s year began on 25 January in Belfast Cathedral when 1000 people attended Bishop David’s ordination. After such a celebration we could not have imagined an end to 2020 where we were allowed to worship only in small numbers, wearing masks and physically distanced from each other.
The new realities forced upon us by a worldwide pandemic have demanded every ounce of energy, creativity and flexibility from our leaders, clerical and lay. Given the enormous challenges, it’s hard to believe so much has been achieved when so little of normal church life was permitted.
Worship and Prayer
Our much–reduced diocesan St Patrick’s Day Festival Service was the last act of public worship in Down Cathedral until COVID restrictions were relaxed three months later. St Patrick’s Day also marked the beginning of the diocese’s 100 Days of Prayer for Ireland using the prayer from the BCP.
Lockdown and beyond was a season when social media, for all its weaknesses, came into its own. When church buildings had to close, our parishes responded by moving their worship online where it still remains alongside in–person worship. Many parishes also sent out written materials, mindful of parishioners who could not join in on computer, and a number made the service available over a dedicated landline.
The prayer vigil for Ireland begun on St Patrick’s Day was sustained online by the LAMP group of churches, culminating in the Archbishop of Canterbury praying via video clip on Pentecost Sunday. Our planned 10 Days of Prayer events from Ascension to Pentecost (21st –31st May) also moved online and had strong engagement.
When restrictions allowed, some churches held drive–in services and one Community Pastor brought church to his street! In early September, we were glad to be able to hold a COVID–secure and live–streamed Bible Week in Belfast Cathedral.
Ordination ‘firsts’
The diocese had four services of ordination this year and several ‘firsts’ occurred on Sunday 16th August at Nendrum Ancient Monastic Site on the shores of Strangford Lough. It was the first ordination service conducted by Bishop David and the first ordination of OLM presbyters in the Church of Ireland. It was also the first time in at least 800 years that Nendrum had been the setting for a service of ordination.
Caring and sharing
With significant restrictions placed upon pastoral visiting, caring for the bereaved, the sick and the elderly has been particularly challenging. Our clergy, often assisted by willing parishioners, continue to phone those on their parish lists and to offer support where needed. In practical terms, our churches have continued to be important supporters of foodbanks and some have delivered their own grocery parcels and lockdown treats. December also saw a ‘Gospel Giveaway’ of almost 60,000 free pocket–sized copies of John’s Gospel.
In June, Bishop David undertook a socially distanced visitation of the diocese to meet with clergy and select vestry representatives and to pray in every single church building and church plant (117 in total). In October, in place of the Clergy Conference, we held three consecutive day conferences for smaller groups of diocesan clergy and leaders, and in December the bishop called (safely) with all of the retired clergy and clergy widows.
Looking back, it’s been an exhausting year, and we acknowledge the personal sadness and hardship that many people in the diocese have experienced. We are grateful, however, for all that God has done among us, for the outstanding ministry exercised by our clergy and select vestries and for Bishop David’s unflagging leadership throughout.
To re–live the year in pictures click here to visit our photo gallery