Sep 12 2024

Mission Matters podcast: Rev Sean McClafferty

In this podcast in the Church of Ireland Council for Mission’s Mission Matters series, Rev Johnny McFarland talks to Rev Sean McClafferty who, with his fellow deacon Rev Brian Robinson, made history in the summer of 2023 by becoming Derry and Raphoe’s first Ordained Local Ministers (OLMs). Here they discuss Sean’s missionary outreach in the Sperrins, where…

Sep 12 2024

Mission Matters Podcast: Rev Johnny Lowden

In the next in its Mission Matters podcast series, the Church of Ireland Council for Mission shares an interview with Rev Johnny Lowden, a curate in Glendermott parish, in Londonderry’s Waterside.   In his conversation with Rev Johnny McFarland, Johnny talks about his path to ordained ministry, the impact of his missionary work in central Africa, and explains…

Aug 09 2024

Ordination of Rev Melanie Sloan

Rev Melanie Sloan was ordained as a priest by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, at a Service on Sunday 23rd June in All Saints Clooney where she will serve her curacy under the guidance of the Rector, Rev Canon David McBeth. Her fiancé, Mark Niblock (whom she’ll be getting married…

Aug 09 2024

It’s madness out there

The rain held off today (Sunday 30th June 2024) for Derry & Raphoe Youth’s annual barbecue at the Summer Madness festival, which is taking place in Portglenone again this year. The event is Ireland’s largest Christian youth festival and our team of leaders are looking after around 20 young people, from seven different churches in…

Aug 09 2024

Celebrating 150 years in Holy Trinity, Dunfanaghy

A Service of Thanksgiving was held in Holy Trinity Parish Church in Dunfanaghy on Sunday afternoon (23rd June 2024) to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the church’s consecration. It was led by the Group’s Rector, Rev David Skuce, and the sermon was preached by Bishop Andrew Forster. The Bishop remarked on the faith and courage…

Jun 21 2024

Joyful scenes as new Deacons are ordained

There were joyful scenes in Christ Church Derry on Sunday evening (16th June 2024) both during and after the Service of Ordination in which three new OLM Deacons were ordained for the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe – Rev Linda Hughes, Rev Eleanor Craig and Rev Gillian Millar. Relatives and friends of all three women…

Jun 18 2024

Festival of Cloaks opens at St Columb’s Cathedral

St Columb’s Cathedral’s long-awaited and eagerly-anticipated Festival of Cloaks was officially opened on Friday evening, June 14th 2024, by the Bishop of Meath and Kildare, Most Rev Pat Storey, at a ceremony attended by the Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry, Mr Ian Crowe MBE. The Dean of Derry, Very Rev Raymond Stewart,…