The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor

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Members ‘Shine’ at CMSI AGM

Wednesday April 3rd 2019

The new CMSI Board of Trustees.

CMS Ireland hosted their Annual Members’ Day and AGM, Shine, on Saturday March 30 in the Emmaus Renewal and Conference Centre in Swords, Dublin.

More than 50 CMSI members and staff came together to hear the latest news and updates from global partners and parishes, as well as holding the Annual General Meeting with the election of new members for the CMSI Board of Trustees. 

The members present were representative of the entire island of Ireland with people travelling from Coleraine and Cork to take part in the day. 

CMSI Stars stand ‘in the margins’ with their global partners.

The programme included uplifting worship, prayers and reflective readings. Staff and volunteers shared stories highlighting CMSI’s 2019 annual theme, ‘In the Margins.’ Members heard how the global church in South Sudan, Nepal and Burundi is reaching out and meeting the needs of people in the margins.

​​Carla Campbell from Comber parish, shared her experiences of being part of a Peace and Reconciliation Team to meet with global partners from across South Sudan who are currently refugees in Uganda. She painted an inspiring picture of partnership and the impact that personnel connections with those they met has had on her life as well as the beginning of ‘life-long friendships.’ She shared her hopes for the growth of partnership links between Comber parish and the church in Maridi.

Billy Smyth from Moira parish and a former CMSI Mission Partner, shared his recent experience of visiting Yei Diocese, South Sudan at the invitation of Bishop Hilary in February. Billy shared his insights into the current peace situation and his desire to continue to support the diocese as it strives to be a place of hope and practical help for the local community. Billy is due to return to Yei later in April for the reopening of the Vocational Training College. 

CMSI Chairperson the Rev Adrian Dorrian led the AGM after lunch. Addresses from Adrian and Mission Director, Jenny Smyth, gave the membership great insight into the thought-through and well-developed plans that the CMSI staff work to, highlighting that the current strategic plan is a document used by all departments.

Former Trustee Olwen Laird gave a comprehensive financial report and shared some encouraging highlights from the patterns of giving from individuals and parishes over the last year.

New Trustees were elected to join the Board, members are Prof Frank Dobbs (Agherton Parish, Connor), Mr Will Grier, Mr David Reynolds, Mrs Maureen Clarke, Rev Adrian Dorrian (Chairperson), Mrs Lou Talbot- Beirne, Ms Gracious Nyamupachitu, and Mr Norman Jackson. (The Rev Captain Geoffrey Walmsley and Mr Niall Manogue were not present.)                     

Members of the CMSI Staff team, from left: Roger Thompson, Linda Abwa, Jen Christie, Jenny Smyth, Rachel Brittain and Gillian Maganda.

The day finished with the membership saying the CMSI Stars prayer together as a reminder of the unity of those connected with the Society in Ireland, with CMSI global partners and with God.

“May the God of Light shine brightly on the CMSI Family, bringing blessing to – and through – staff, volunteers, members, mission personnel and global Partners…”

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