The winners of the Church of Ireland’s annual communications competition, which this year asked for photographs on the theme of ‘Seeds of Hope’, have been announced as the General Synod gathers in Armagh. The competition is organised each year by the Central Communications Board ahead of the meeting of General Synod, the Church’s main governing body, and is sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance.
Winner: Sally Siggins
In first place was Sally Siggins, from Lissadell in the Drumcliffe Group of Parishes, with her view of barley-harvesting in Co. Sligo. The pictured field has “an extra drop of faith, hope and love” in the shape of a heart of sheaves set aside in the crop.
Knocknarea stands out in the background with the seaside villages of Rosses Point and Strandhill also lining the horizon. The judge’s comment described this as a “visually striking concept that has taken some effort to pull off.” Drumcliffe is within the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, which covers most of Co. Sligo and reaches inland towards the Midlands.
Runner-up: Janet Dillon
Janet Dillon’s photo of a friend’s hands was taken when they were both volunteering in Greece to help refugees in 2016. She takes up the story: “We were standing here on the beach at Skala Skamnias, on the island of Lesvos, which is a mere 8km from the Turkish coast. It was 6am, and we were waiting to see if there would be overnight dinghy crossings, as there were, almost nightly in that location. We were moved by the rising sun, and this photo symbolises hope and change for people fleeing to a new life from persecution.”
The competition judge remarked: “I love how this simple image conveys so much meaning and emotion. The shape of the hands seems lifted in praise but somehow still asking or hoping for more.” Janet is a parishioner in Douglas Union, in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.
Highly commended:
Caroline Stewart & The Revd Martin O’Kelly
A further two entries were highly commended. Caroline Stewart, from Magheralin parish, in the Diocese of Down and Dromore, based her photo, taken in the parish grounds, on planting “the seeds of hope in our young children to love and serve the Lord.” The judge commented: “I can sense the photographer’s hope in this photo.”
‘Walking towards healing’ was pictured by the Revd Martin O’Kelly, who serves as Rector of Kingscourt Union in the Diocese of Meath and Kildare. “I could really sense the struggle and the hope in this image,” the judge noted, with appreciation for the great use of monochrome and cropping to focus on the subject. Commending the winners and all who took part, the Chair of the Central Communications Board, Bishop Pat Storey, said: “We were highly impressed by the breadth and quality of the entries submitted to this year’s competition. Each one shared a scene that conveyed the hope that we find as followers of Jesus who experience his presence and seek to share him as the hope and light of the world. Thank you to everyone who took up this creative opportunity.”
Scott Hayes, Head of Relationship Management at Ecclesiastical Insurance (Ireland), added: “Our churches are supported in so many ways by parishioners – giving of their time, energy and expertise. Ecclesiastical is delighted to support this competition which highlights yet another talent associated with members of our church communities. Congratulations to Sally, Janet, Caroline and Martin for their winning entries and for beautifully illustrating some of the ‘seeds of hope’ across the dioceses.”