Extended Leadership Team gathering in Ireland

Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat! (A Hundred Thousand Welcomes) to our Extended Leadership Team (Congregational Leadership Team the Regional Leaders from England/Scotland, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Nigeria,  Zambia and Zimbabwe) who have gathered in Ballinasloe, Ireland for a time of reflection, discernment and planning.

On 16 April 2016, members of the Extended Leadership Team (ELT) were warmly welcomed by the local community in a beautiful liturgy steeped in Celtic symbolism and tradition. Each person was greeted by name and  in song: Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat and escorted to the well – a strong symbol of life and blessing – and after circling the well they blessed themselves in the waters taken from St Finians Well in County Meath.

Prayers including  an audio visual reflection on Saint Patrick’s breastplate  followed asking God’s blessing on this significant gathering in our Congregational story.  Each member of the ELT was presented with a booklet entitled Celtic Christianity and a copy of the blessing used in the liturgy.

“May the blessing of light, the strength of the winds and the calm of a summers sunset” be upon our sisters as they meet in the days ahead.

WELCOME LITURGY – Collage photos. Note the ‘St. Finian’s well’ and the welcome received.