Spring District Conferences

The Irish District Spring conference met at Gracehill at the end of February and under the Book of Order we had 20 delegates attending rather than nine under the old rules. This adds to greater debate. The district went through all the required elements of a district conference, namely safeguarding, elections, our Treasurers report which was received with acclaim as Br John has become excellent at managing the four accounts attached to the district namely district fund, MWA district fund, Men's Breakfast fund and the youth fund. Local to the Irish district we heard reports on the ecumenical body, the Irish Council of Churches, and also on the Moravian Church of Ireland 'Armagh Agreement'.

The Provincial Board report was welcomed, and the Provincial Board was congratulated on the change of format setting out key deliverables to the Province and creating more accountability. It was thought that this format was a positive move forward. The meeting continued with more debate and decisions on the Republic of Ireland fellowship, the Irish Moravian history and heritage society, the Irish district archives and the digitising of their records, our attendance at the Balmoral Show (similar to the Yorkshire show) where our stand could be observed by up to 120,000 people, Gracehill UNESCO update, and a discussion regarding outreach in the summer for holiday churches in two of Northern Ireland's holiday resorts.

The synod proposal on environment issues was discussed at length and it was agreed that members of the district would be given an opportunity to attend a conversation between Br Roy Douglas (Professor at Queens University) and Sr Lynsey Cunningham (Head of Propositions on Climate at Nat West) This would be the starters for the debate and would be held live and by Zoom. A full discussion took place on Project 32 and the NCD (Natural Church Development) survey which showed a blessing to those churches who had undertook it and an increase in membership where actions had taken place. One of the actions that required work is passionate spirituality which noted that Ministers were usually the lead on this but in Northern Ireland such was the culture that a lot of people having it did not like showing or talking about it. The district agreed to meet again on Saturday 7th June as it was felt the more time district meets the more happens.

Br Mark Kernohan

District Chair

The meeting was held on Zoom on the morning of 1st March. All three churches in the district were represented and Br Quildan attended as Provincial Board representative.

Minutes of the previous meeting in October 2024 were agreed and then the election of officers was then held, the appointments being as follows.

Chair Sr Janet Warr; Secretary Sr Margery Sutcliffe; Messenger correspondent Sr Margery Sutcliffe. No District Youth and Children's coordinator was appointed.

During the matters arising it was confirmed that the district gathering would take place on 29th June at Fairfield and Sr Claire Summers has agreed to lead the service.

Conference was pleased to report that Sr Julie Andrews had taken on the leadership of the district Bible study group and although that group has temporarily been paused whilst Br Woolford runs the Lenten Study Group; it will resume after Easter.

The matter of a reduction to congregation assessments during periods of interregnum had been raised previously and Br Quildan confirmed these were to remain payable in full.

There followed an update on work being done/considered to help protect the Environment. In the district we have undertaken installation of solar panels, planting trees and rewilding. Br Ingham suggested that Provincial Board consider doing away with paper payslips for retired ministers as most seem to use emails.

Progress is being made on the Natural Church Development project and Fairfield have had a meeting for members, following which a plan will be submitted to the church committee for its consideration.

During Br Quildan's report from Provincial Board he highlighted that the churches mission and ministry efforts are to be focused on marginalised communities.

It was noted that there has been no new take up of the Lay Preachers course, nor for ministers to undergo training. There are however at least two ministers retiring this year and one new minister completing their training this summer (Sr Janet Cooper).

We were reminded that summer camp will be held at Bell Heath from 29th July to1st August and that volunteers of all ages are welcome.

The next meeting will be held by Zoom on 11th October 2025.

Sr Margery Sutcliffe

LDC correspondent