On Sunday 3rd November 2024 Valerie Raitt was Licensed by Bishop Michael Burrows as a Church of Ireland Pioneer Minister in Training in the Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe. This took place in Valerie’s home parish in Holy Trinity Church in Aughrim.
Valerie was presented to the Bishop by the Pioneer Ministry National Director Revd Rob Jones and was then commissioned by Bishop Michael assisted by the Archdeacon of Tuam and Killaloe, the Venerable John Godfrey and the Archdeacon of Limerick the Venerable Simon Lumby.
Speaking about the work of Pioneer Ministry Bishop Michael said:
‘We want to send visitors home enriched and even transformed, so that like the wise men of old, they may return to their own places, speaking joyfully of what they have seen and of their encounters with God in prayer, people, creation, and history.’
‘We hope to draw together a dispersed community across the diocese of people passionate about our vision for spiritual tourism who will pray, serve, guide and lead. We want to renew and strengthen our diocesan family as people of faith. who no longer see heritage as a burden to be maintained, but as a context which enables us better, in a biblical phrase, to give to those who ask of us a reason for the hope that is in us.’
Bishop Michael welcomed the Ecumenical Guests; Fr Gerard Geraghty the Parish Priest of Aughrim, Fr Raymond Sweeney the Diocese of Clonfert Ecumenical Office and Revd Steven Foster the Methodist Pioneer Minister for the Galway area.
Music was provided by Organist Michael McCullagh with violinist Maya Donaghy and Valerie Seale sung the solo Ag Criost An Síol.
The service was followed by refreshments in the neighbouring Glebe National School Aughrim.

Stephen Fletcher DCO 4th November 2024