Marriage Council launches video to highlight services

Monday May 22nd 2023

The Rev Jonny Campbell-Smyth, rector in Ballyclare, is Chairperson of the Church of Ireland Marriage Council.

The Church of Ireland Marriage Council has launched a new video (see below) and leaflet highlighting its marriage preparation and counselling services.

Proposing the Council’s report at General Synod meeting in Wexford earlier this month, chairperson, the Rev Jonny Campbell–Smyth, rector of Ballynure and Ballyeaston, encouraged clergy and others who support couples to refer people in need of counselling services.

Jonny told members of Synod that since last year’s meeting, the council had carried out a critical review which resulted in it defining its aims and objectives for the next three years.

“With the best will in the world, we have recognised that whilst the members of the Council know how we help the wider Church in marriage preparation and support, many rectors and leaders on the ground are not aware of who we are, what we do and how we can support them,” Jonny said.

“Therefore a significant part of our strategy for the next three years is to make the resources of the Council more known and more accessible. The council today will be launching its promotional video with the intention of communicating this at all diocesan synods in the next year.”

Jonny added making the Marriage Council’s resources accessible to church leaders was key to the future. The council is also exploring ways to provide online courses on behalf of dioceses or rural deaneries and, in addition to helping couples who are looking forward to their wedding day, the council is looking at ways to support couples who are remarrying, dealing with serious illness or recovering after the death of a spouse.