Council for Mission21 Feb 14

Council for Mission to Welcome the Bishop of London and Irish Methodist President at Conference

The Church of Ireland’s Council for Mission is looking forward to welcoming The Rt Revd Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, and the Revd Dr Heather Morris, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, as special guest speakers at a conference on mission in the Church to be held at Dromantine, Co. Down next weekend – Friday 28th February to Saturday 1st March 2014.

In advance of the conference, Secretary to the Council for Mission, the Revd Paul Hoey, says, ‘The key question to be addressed at the conference will be “How do we articulate the mission in the Church of Ireland in such a way that all Church traditions can embrace, support and enact it?” We look forward to hearing how Bishop Chartres has taken forward a common mission in a diverse diocese and to learn from Dr Morris on the theme of what God is doing in Ireland today in terms of opportunities, challenges, new directions and trends.’ In addition to these presentations, diocesan delegates will focus together on five innovative mission projects typical of ventures taking place around the Church in both urban and rural settings. Discussions at the conference will be facilitated by Dean Katherine Poulton and Mr Andrew McNeile.

The Revd Paul Hoey concludes: ‘It is hoped that the conference will identify key mission themes for the future which we will report to the annual General Synod in May. The conference will be a valuable staging post to a further exploration of mission during this year’s General Synod, where during a specially dedicated break–out session all Synod members will be invited to consider the implications for mission at every level and in every corner of the Church of Ireland.’

The Council for Mission’s objectives are to:

• stimulate within the Church of Ireland a sense of the priority and urgency of mission;
• advocate the equality and complementary nature of mission at home and throughout the world;
• maintain close relationships with other bodies concerned with mission and in particular with Diocesan Boards of Mission, the Association of Mission Societies, and mission and overseas development agencies;
• promote effective models of mission and evangelism;
• encourage programmes of renewal;
• initiate and encourage enterprises which will further the mission of the Church;
• allocate funds from St Patrick’s Memorial Fund and other funds at its disposal;
• foster interest in members of the Church of Ireland serving in other parts of the world;
• facilitate mission interchange visits to and from Ireland; and
• encourage reflection on the theology of mission.

The Council reports annually to the Church of Ireland’s General Synod.

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