‘Our neighbour is our neighbour’ – Bishop George Davison addresses Connor Diocesan Synod

Thursday June 26th 2025

Bishop George Davison delivers his Presidential Address at Connor Synod in Jordanstown.

In his Presidential Address to Connor Diocesan Synod held in St Patrick’s, Jordanstown, on Thursday June 26, Bishop George Davison reflected on recent violence on streets of towns within the diocese.

Reminding Synod that ‘the gospel of Jesus tells us that our neighbour is our neighbour, whoever they are or whatever their background,’ the Bishop also spoke of conflicts around the world, and ‘the rise of political parties whose rationale seems to be based on a philosophy that problems can be solved by keeping ‘them’ out – whoever ‘they’ might be in a particular context.’

“We live in a time when that need for Christian people, who will commend the way of Jesus by what we say and do, has never been more urgent! The challenges are many and they are obvious to us,” Bishop George said.

He added: “Now as we reflect on the challenges we face in our world today, you and I may not be able to exert much of an influence on global politics, but we can make a difference where we are! What does it mean for us to be Jesus’ people today?

“Well, surely it must mean that we follow his example and treat each person that we meet as someone created in the image of God and loved by him. It means refusing to be silent when others in our company engage in the vilifying of people because of who they are or where they come from. It means going out of our way to make sure that we are Good Samaritans to those who are in need.”

In a wide-ranging address, the Bishop paid tribute to the good work being done around the diocese – highlighting ministries of welcome and of compassion. He spoke of the diocesan Pioneer Ministry Project, of challenges faced by clergy and Select Vestries, and paid tribute to the Select Vestries in parishes which, in the course of the past year, have merged to form new unions.

“A Growing Healthy Church needs more than just the right structures… it needs resources and people,” Bishop George said. “Diligent clergy who love Jesus are a wonderful resource to the Church, but they will not make a Growing Healthy Church on their own! That takes all of us, hearing the call of Jesus on our own lives and recognising that call is not just to believe and to belong, but to serve. We are blessed by so many people who give faithfully of themselves to the life of the Church.”

He urged people to ‘grow and encourage a culture of ministry and service at the grass-roots level, so that each parish has an active body of volunteers willing to make things happen in their church, and out of whom we will find the next generation of parish readers, diocesan readers and clergy.”

Bishop referred to clergy and staff changes around the diocese, thanking everyone for their service. Before concluding his Address, he paid tribute to Mr Jim Patterson who has retired after 16 years as Connor Diocesan Glebes Secretary. Jim was presented with a token of appreciation. [Separate story to follow].

Bishop George Davison’s Presidential Address in full:

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Often when I have the enormous privilege of leading confirmation services, somewhere in the proceedings I take the opportunity to remind those being confirmed of the importance of the choice that they are making. The choice, as those powerful questions in the liturgy remind us, to turn away from the things that would spoil our relationship with God and with our neighbours and instead to choose Christ as Saviour, as Lord, as the Way, the Truth & the Life.

That choice is expressed publicly by the candidates in the service, they are prayed for and confirmed, and then, with the whole congregation, they are reminded that those choices are to be expressed each day in the way that every Christian is called to speak and act as Christ’s ambassadors in his world.

We live in a time when that need for Christian people, who will commend the way of Jesus by what we say and do, has never been more urgent! The challenges are many and they are obvious to us. On the streets of towns in this diocese we have seen violence and fear again in recent weeks. Around the world we see the rise of political parties whose rationale seems to be based on a philosophy that problems can be solved by keeping ‘them’ out – whoever ‘they’ might be in a particular context. We see peoples pitched against one another in conflicts in Ukraine, in the Gaza and Israel and Iran, in South Sudan and in many other local situations around the world.

In these very different situations we observe the same brokenness of human relationships and the often terrible consequences of the heart that looks at a neighbour and sees a problem.

The gospel of Jesus tells us that our neighbour is our neighbour, whoever they are or whatever their background. In his own life and teaching, Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God, with its message of forgiveness and reconciliation between God and humankind and he personally acted and spoke in ways which challenged the divisions and tensions of the society in his day. So he reached out to Samaritans with whom the Jews had very broken relationships, and to Roman occupiers who had brought paganism to the heart of Jerusalem. He crossed accepted boundaries in order that people might understand that all are precious in the sight of God.

Now as we reflect on the challenges we face in our world today, you and I may not be able to exert much of an influence on global politics, but we can make a difference where we are! What does it mean for us to be Jesus’ people today? Well, surely it must mean that we follow his example and treat each person that we meet as someone created in the image of God and loved by him. It means refusing to be silent when others in our company engage in the vilifying of people because of who they are or where they come from. It means going out of our way to make sure that we are Good Samaritans to those who are in need.

I’m so thankful for the ways in which I see this happening in different locations around our diocese. The particular projects around welcome to those who have come from other countries in Agherton, St George’s and St Nicholas’ & All Saints, Belfast to name but some. I’m thankful too when I think of the ministries of compassion that operate out of a number of our parishes like Ballyclare & Muckamore & St Paul & St Barnabas where parishioners give time and resources to helping their communities through running and supporting food banks, Baby Basics, Winter Coat giveaways and much more besides. (Forgive me if your parish is involved in these activities too – these are just representative of what is happening in many places!)

Such things are indicators of churches that are healthy examples of people and parishes taking seriously their responsibility to the Lord, to be those who speak and act for Jesus, sharing and speaking welcome in his name. Of course, as we celebrate the good that happens through our churches, we must never rest on our laurels! It’s good to celebrate that these things are happening within the life of our diocese, but they should be both an inspiration and a challenge to us. There is always another opportunity to serve, always another step that we might take in order that every congregation that gathers across this diocese might be a “Growing Healthy Church”

I hope that you will find opportunity to celebrate and be inspired and be challenged too, in our evening synod session when we will hear from James Boyd and some of our Pioneer Hub about the new projects that are beginning to reach out to people on the fringes of church through the new Pioneer Ministry Project.

As followers of Jesus, we are called not simply to be kind to those around us, but through compassion and service to show that the way of Christ is a different way to that which the world offers. The Bible is clear, through page after page, Old Testament and New, God calls his people to something new, something better than the life they currently lead. We are told to stop doing our own thing, to repent and come to Him to find the life and love and hope that we were created for. It is a corruption of the gospel to say to people that “you are perfect just the way you are, be true to yourself, live your own way”. Such a message may make us feel affirmed, but it also leaves us lost and unchanged.

Rather as followers of Jesus we are called to share the authentic good news of the Bible that, despite our rebellious hearts, despite our wilful sinning, we are precious in the sight of God our Father who has redeemed us in Christ and says to each one of us, ‘Leave your old ways and come follow me.’ So ‘Growing Healthy Churches’ in Connor diocese will be places where people find both a sincere welcome & an invitation to the life that Jesus Christ alone can offer.

As we seek to engage in the work of Christ’s kingdom in this way, we often become aware of our own challenges towards being effective. In many cases I hear from clergy and parishes about the difficulties of finding sufficient financial resources, enough willing volunteers and dealing with structures that may have served previous generations well, but which are increasingly becoming a challenge rather than a support in ministry. Add to this the ever increasing requirements of accountability and compliance placed on us by the Charity Commmission, insurance companies and Safeguarding and it can all seem rather daunting at times. Such challenges cannot be solved by the bishop, or by the clergy or vestries on their own, but by us all working together generously and graciously to find the best way forward.

I want to acknowledge the diligence of so many of you who serve in various roles in your parishes to help in this work, particularly those who serve on Select Vestries. Being a member of a Select Vestry has always been a responsible position, but with the advent of Vestry members becoming Charity Trustees as well it has added an extra layer of responsibility for the good management of our churches. Over the past year, a number of parishes who have been working together for a little time have come to the conclusion that it made more sense to work together as a single vestry, combining talents and avoiding the need to duplicate so many roles and responsibilities. In Belfast particularly we saw a significant change at the year end, when twelve select vestries who had served individual parishes faithfully over many years took the plunge and became three unions, in Blackstaff, the Lower Shankill & Crumlin Road, and Upper Shankill & Ballysillan. I want to pay tribute to all who served on the former vestries of St Mary Magdalene, St Aidan, St Simon & St Philip; St Stephen & St Luke, St Michael & St Mary; St Matthew’s, St Mark’s, Holy Trinity, Immanuel, St Andrew’s & the Management Committee of St Columba’s Whiterock. We are grateful for your service and for your courage in embracing sometimes difficult changes as we seek to provide structures which will support the church as we move forward together. Can I also express my thanks also to the clergy who have worked so hard to help facilitate these changes, particularly Archdeacon Forde, Canon Tracey McRoberts, Canon Jim Carson and the Revd Ross Mungavin and not forgetting Sr Karen Webb.

A Growing Healthy Church needs more than just the right structures though, it needs resources and people! Diligent clergy who love Jesus are a wonderful resource to the church, but they will not make a Growing Healthy Church on their own! That takes all of us, hearing the call of Jesus on our own lives and recognising that call is not just to believe and to belong, but to serve. We are blessed by so many people who give faithfully of themselves to the life of the church.

In this room, I know I’m ‘preaching to the converted’! Will you help me and your clergy by encouraging a culture of serving in your own parishes? Will you encourage your fellow parishioners to use their gifts? Will you support your clergy when they look for assistance in tasks that will enable the work of ministry & outreach and evangelism in the life of your church and community?

We can all too easily fall into a mentality that church is simply about turning up. We’re glad of course when people do turn up, but church is not an organisation to subscribe to, or a service to be consumed! When the church is being what Jesus called us to be, we are a family, a group of people who belong to Him and who therefore belong to each other. We all have a part to play. ** (Family where one or two do all the work!)

We have a need to grow and encourage a culture of ministry & service at the grass-roots level, so that each parish has an active body of volunteers willing to make things happen in their church, and out of whom we will find the next generation of parish readers, diocesan readers and clergy. Returning to where I began, it’s about a choice to follow Jesus and to give our whole lives to his service to use every moment and opportunity to contribute to Christ’s Church and to make a difference.

Change in the diocese

Moving on – Revd Andrew Campbell & Revd Andy Moore moved to parishes in the Diocese of Armagh during the year and in the next few days, the Revd Ross Mungavin will take up a new appointment in the Diocese of Down & Dromore. I would wish to thank each of them for all that they have given of themselves to the parishes of Broughshane, Ballymena & the Blackstaff Union over their time there and we wish them well in their new roles in Magherafelt, Benburb and Dundonald. Shortly after our diocesan synod last year, we also heard the news that after 8 years in her role as our Diocesan Youth Officer, Christina Baillie was moving to take up a new position with Youth for Christ. Christina endeared herself to many during her time as our Youth Officer and provided great leadership to all who serve young people in the diocese. We’re glad that her new role means that we continue to have contact with her and I know that many of us are looking forward to catching up with her again at Summer Madness this weekend.
Retirement – Earlier in the year the Revd David Boyland retired after a long and faithful incumbency in the parish of Kilmakee & in a few days’ time Canon Mark McConnell will retire from his work in Ballymena. I’m glad that both men are staying in Connor Diocese in retirement and I have no doubt that Dean John Bond will shortly be explaining to them the joys of retirement ministry in Connor and providing them with lots of opportunities to exercise it!
Welcome – Since we last met we have welcomed a number of people to new roles. It’s a welcome back to parochial ministry in Connor for both the Revd Stephen McElhinney who has been instituted to Glenavy & Crumlin and the Revd Colin Welsh who has been introduced as Priest-in-charge of Whitehouse & Rathcoole. I’m delighted to have both of them serving in Connor again and trust that they will know God’s blessing in the parishes where he has called them. I’m pleased that the Board of Nomination for Broughshane has nominated the Revd Marcus Hart to be their next incumbent and we look forward to welcoming Marcus & his family back to Northern Ireland in October.
On the staff front we have been glad to welcome Mr David Armstrong as our new Diocesan Youth Officer and Mrs Alison Crothers as receptionist in the Diocesan Office.
[Bishop references state of plans for moving diocesan office from Titanic Quarter next year which are still under discussion].

Once again, I must express my sincere thanks to all of you who serve our diocese so willingly. I’m sure that you’ll join with me in offering particular thanks

Dean John Bond, our Diocesan Curate and the team of retired clergy and lay readers who assist him in providing regular Sunday worship in vacant parishes and often at short notice when sickness strikes. Also the team of retired clergy and Lay Readers who assist him.
The Archdeacons & Rural Deans – who do so much beyond their own busy parish situations to support the work in vacant parishes and the life of the wider diocese. I personally am indebted to you and all that you do.
The Diocesan Staff – and if I may add a personal note – particular thanks to my PA Mrs Lorraine Ogilby for all her support to me in my role. Her devotion to duty is admirable and is perhaps expressed particularly clearly today in the fact that she and her husband Michael are celebrating their wedding anniversary tonight over a romantic bowl of soup and a sandwich here at the diocesan synod!

Before I conclude this address I have one more task to do.

Last autumn Mr Jim Patterson retired from the role of Connor Diocesan Glebes Secretary. It is a role which he took on in 2009 and for the past 16 years he has been our ‘go-to’ person in matters relating to rectories and glebe inspections. Jim’s diligence, understanding of the role and practical common sense have been invaluable to us and to the parishes of the diocese throughout the work of quinquennial and vacancy inspections. His patience may have been tried in many circumstances, but his good nature and sense of humour meant that the work was always accomplished as efficiently as possible. I know that our Diocesan Surveyor Chris McCollum told me recently that he misses Jim terribly!

Jim on behalf of us all – thank you so much for all that you have given of yourself. We wish you a happy retirement from the role and would be grateful if you could come and receive a small token of our appreciation.