Local Church of Ireland parishes launch mission

Local Church of Ireland parishes launch mission

7 January 2015

DOWN Cathedral was the setting last Sunday for the formal launch of the new Lecale Area Mission Partnership (LAMP).

The weekend service heralded the start of a new phase of ministry for 14 churches in the Lecale area led by Dean Henry Hull and the Rev. Stuart Burns.

The Bishop of Down and Dromore, Bishop Harold Millar, formally commissioned the ministry team and parishioners from the 14 churches during last Sunday’s service.

The churches are drawn from three parish groups, Lecale, Down and Bright, Ballee, Killough and Rathmullan, which currently minister to 542 households.

The new Partnership will more effectively resource and strategise mission in the area which fans out from Downpatrick to Seaforde and out along the coast to Ardglass and Tyrella.

In his address, Bishop Millar reminded the congregation that “mission is everything which God in Christ has sent us to do” and it is with this in mind that LAMP begins its ministry.

The acronym, whilst accurately naming the partnership, also reflects a desire to be a light in the district, with plans to build up the spiritual life of the churches, develop pastoral care, worship and prayer ministry and to be more effective in outreach.

One of the Partnership’s key goals is to develop a strategy for youth and children’s work and to employ a youth or family worker who will be based in an office/–in centre in Downpatrick.

Last year, Down Parish Church purchased a flat with three meeting rooms next to the Parochial Hall in Church Avenue and while the property needs total refurbishment, it’s hoped funding applications already in train will help complete the work this year.

Currently, there are plans to expand the cathedral tour programme, develop the Saul experience and create a pilgrimage trail round the Lecale churches.

The Partnership believes these are all opportunities to serve and engage with tourists, pilgrims and visitors to the area.