Finding Faith 2022 Day Two
Tuesday 17 May
For VOX magazine’s 10th annual Finding Faith Tour editor Ruth Garvey-Williams travels across Ireland hunting down stories of faith, life and reality. You can follow the journey each day here on the blog and through our social media pages with stories, videos and photos.
It was another early start from Monaghan as I headed towards Cavan along winding roads lined with trees and hedgerows. I’m noticing the May blossoms especially this year and I’m amazed that I can hear the song of the birds above the hum of the car engine! Of course, there is the obligatory stop for a Cavan traffic jam but thankfully there is still time to top up on caffeine before I arrive at Cavan Baptist Church.
I enjoy looking around the church building with minister, Ivan Watson before sharing another coffee and a chat. It is wonderful to hear how this thriving multi-cultural church has grown and developed over the last (almost) 30 years and is currently supporting a new Baptist church in nearby Belturbet. Since Ivan arrived, the congregation has enjoyed taking part in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, taking first place for their float three times! “This year, we created a float about the new lego Bible club that we run in a local housing estate,” Ivan shared.
“I feel Covid has been a sifting time. Some people haven’t come back to church but there have also been new people coming in. One young man came because of things he heard on the internet during lockdown and he is really excited about his new-found faith.”
Annagh Social Farm
I have been hoping to visit Annagh Social Farm since I first interviewed Jennifer Bullock and that longing finally came to fruition today. Neither my words nor the photographs can fully describe the impact of all I saw and experienced at this beautiful working farm on the Fermanagh/Cavan border.
Jennifer and Simon Bullock have two (almost adult) sons with learning disabilities. Now they use the land, that has been in Simon’s family for generations, to provide meaningful work and social interaction for young adults with physical and intellectual disabilities and those who are coping with mental health challenges.
From feeding the animals and helping out with the day-to-day farm chores to creating up-cycled furniture, stunning artwork and bio-diverse experiences, the young men I met today thrive in the outdoors.
Side note: Jennifer and Simon are desperate for help not only with the social farm but also (paid) support for their two teenage sons (PSNI checks essential) over the summer holidays. If you might be interested in helping or know someone who would, please get in touch
Lunch with the Bishop
A short drive to Enniskillen means I’m just about in time to meet with Bishop Ferran Glenfield for a lovely lunch and a chat. I’m grateful for a delicious meal (quiche and salad) and the chance to ponder how churches across Ireland are responding in the aftermath of the pandemic. While there are new opportunities, there has also been a huge amount of stress and pressure on clergy of all denominations. We ponder together what God is saying and doing in these days.
Shared Spaces
Next stop is Manorhamilton in County Leitrim and I’m thrilled to meet up with dear friends Richard and Pauline Beadle (It is hard to believe we’ve known each other for almost 30 years!). Richard is the Church of Ireland curate for the Manorhamilton group of parishes but will be taking up an appointment in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe later this year. I’m intrigued to see how the Sexton’s House next to the church here has been transformed into a shared space for the whole of the local community with support from Peace IV and the Church of Ireland Priorities Fund. This lovely light and airy building is now available for use by community groups in Manorhamilton. Over a cuppa, Richard, Pauline and I catch up with news and also ponder the challenge of creating a safe space where young people (and older ones like ourselves) can talk through those difficult questions of faith, life and reality that arise in our day-to-day lives without fear of judgement or condemnation.
Re-Centre
Another short drive takes me through lovely Leitrim, from gentle velvet green fields to the dramatic Glencar valley along winding lanes en route to the end-of-day destination - Sligo. Here I have the chance to catch up with Alan Williamson, Sally Siggins and Claudio Barguena who are part of the new Re-Centre Community Church, a project supported by the Church of Ireland and Church Army. A small shop front is sandwiched between a chip shop and Chinese takeaway (overlooking a difficult part of town where drug use and other social challenges are rife). This has become home to a new “messy” church family, a vibrant new expression of church which focuses on the need to create community. I’m struck by the “ministry of crisps” - a group of young lads knock on the door and Alan offers each of them a bag of crisps - a simple gesture of kindness that has diffused the more anti-social behaviour directed at the church and its members in the early days.
Here again similar themes emerge - the longing for connection and the challenge of creating safe spaces of welcome and inclusion for those that society often ignores or excludes.
Claudio shares his passion for worship and for reaching out to young people. On Friday evening, he will lead worship for the online gathering of a Catholic prayer group. Sally, who is an archeologist, ponders the challenge of ensuring that the focus of churches is not merely on beautiful buildings and artefacts but rather on the people who come along.
Another very long day draws to a close with much to ponder… for now, I bid you a good night!