In proposing the report of the Council for Mission, the Revd Alan Pullen (Tuam, Killala and Achonry) focused on the mission conference, held at Dromantine at the end of March, which he said was the major part of the council’s work over the past year.

He said that a number of suggestions had emerged from the conference and members of Synod would have an opportunity to respond to these suggestions for working together towards a deeper engagement with mission that form the substance of the report.

He highlighted a number of key points of interest from the report: “It is clear that God is working right across Ireland today as we saw in a number of creative and exciting examples seen during the conference. However, it emerged that many of these examples were new to delegates and that the benefit of the good news of such stories of God’s work was not been heard by those who could benefit from such encouragement. Therefore we recommend that we need to think creatively and imaginatively about our methods and structures of communication.”

He said that the call also came from the conference that the Bishops would lead the initiative to transform aspiration into action and that we should work together in mission.

The Revd Eileen Cremin seconded the report.

Speaking to the report, Archbishop Michael Jackson said that the outcomes and conversations from both break out sessions (this year and last) could help to create a fresh picture of the Church of Ireland and the pivotal way in which mission, ministry and money all tie together. He said it would be interesting if the conversations could be drawn together to take the forward sense of movement in the life of the church.

Ethne Harkness (Armagh) drew attention of members of synod to the joint statement of the Council for Mission, the Commission of Ministry and the Commission on Episcopal Ministry and Structures. She said the statement was made because they were conscious that they were all thinking and working towards more effective mission and ministry of the church.

Andrew Orr (Cashel, Ferns and Ossory) referred to the Five Marks of Mission. However, he said in the Church of Ireland people would be forgiven for thinking there were just four Marks of Mission because the fifth – to preserve creation – was rarely mentioned. As the Church of Ireland representative and chairperson of Eco Congregation encouraged people to link with Eco Congregation and said parishes involved in ecology projects found it an extremely effective tool for mission. There are lots resources on the Eco congregation website.

Archdeacon David McClay spoke of suicide prevention on the island of Ireland. He said it was an issue in Northern Ireland in its post conflict situation. The effects of suicide were far reaching in communities and churches and in the families of those who have lost loved ones. He said the challenges fell into two categories – how we help one another in preventing suicide and how we help families impacted by suicide..

Andrew Brannigan (Down) said he was never tired of hearing the business of the Church described as the business of Christ’s mission. He highlighted the Inside Out and Outside In resource to encourage mission.

Colin Taylor acknowledged retired members of the council. He said the joint statement from the different groups was so encouraging because it represented the beginning joined up thinking as a Church.

Andrew Quill (Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh) said the Church was on the move and highlighted a Facebook page – CofI Mission – where resources and ideas were shared.

The report was adopted by Synod.

In proposing that the report and work of the Mission Council be adopted by Synod Mr Pullen also put the following resolutions:

Resolution 1: That this Synod receives the report of the 2014 Mission Conference and affirms its effort to “articulate the mission of the Church of Ireland in a way that can be embraced and supported by all”. Furthermore, it calls on each diocese and body of the church to note its key findings and to enact an appropriate response.

The motion was passed by Synod.

Resolution 2: That the General Synod affirms the work of all those agencies advancing Mission at global and local level, and especially commends to the prayers and support of the Church those agencies that work together as The Association of Mission Societies (AMS).

The motion was passed by Synod.

Resolution 3: That the following be elected as Representatives of the General Synod on the Church of Ireland Council for Mission for the forthcoming triennial period: (and the names differ slightly from those printed in the report): Julie Currie, Rev. Simon Genoe, Rev. Cliff Jeffers, Johanne Martin, Capt. Colin Taylor, Rev. Jake Worley.

The motion was passed by Synod.

Resolution 4, proposed by the Bishop of Connor stated that Synod recognises the work of mission and recognises the contribution that the Church Mission Society Ireland has made to mission since its formation in 1814 as the Hibernian Church Missionary Society.

Chairman of CMSI, Bishop Alan Abernethy, proposed this motion and highlighted the organisation’s celebration of 200th anniversary next week. He said one of the ways to learn about mission was through partnership.

It was seconded by Bishop Patrick Rooke and chair of Bishops’ Appeal, who said CMSI was one of the main partners of Bishops’ Appeal. He said that CMSI enabled local churches here to become involved in the global bigger picture.

Speaking to the motion, Canon Patrick Comerford urged people to remember the 300th anniversary of the USPG now rebranded as Us.

The motion was passed by Synod.

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