The Rector Writes

Dear Friends,

Every month, in this magazine, we write under Ministry Team, we write: “you, the people of the parish, with…..”. This isn’t mere rhetoric: a parish is its people, caring for one another and responding to one another’s needs. The clergy are the facilitators of that process and so the church recognises their particular ministries through training and commissioning. Recently, we have had quite a number of changes in our ministry team.

The first of these was of course Sandra’s departure to become Rector of Dundalk, Heynestown, Ballmascanlon, Rathcor and Creggan. We are very fortunate in being able to train curates: not only are they an invaluable asset for us as a parish, but it is a gift that we can offer the wider church. Sandra’s institution was a very enjoyable night: a fine service with good music, ably presided over by the Archbishop of Armagh – and a very welcoming group of parishioners at the reception afterwards. Please continue to keep her in your prayers as she begins this challenging ministry.

The other recent news is that Robert, our Lay Reader, is preparing to enter a new phase of ministry as he begins training for ordination in the auxiliary ministry. Auxiliary (sometimes called Non-stipendiary) ministers are deacons and priests who continue in their previous employment and whose ministry is unpaid. Their flexibility is of great benefit to the church as we explore new patterns of ministry in a changing society. We wish Robert and Ada and their family well in this new phase for them, but we very pleased that they will be remaining here in the parish as Robert’s training progresses.

Meanwhile, here in this parish group, the training of Martha Waller and Stella Obe as Lay Readers has also entered a new phase as they begin to take an active role during services. They are working in other parishes also (St. George and St. Thomas’, and Lucan, respectively) but we will seeing more of their ministry with us as they prepare for their commissioning. Please remember that they are still in training!

Finally, we are preparing to welcome Elaine Dunne as our new curate. Her ordination takes place in Christchurch Cathedral on Sunday 19th June at 3.30 p.m. and I hope as many of you as possible will be there to support her on this very important day. Please also remember that she will need your support and prayers over the days and months to come.

Change is a sign of growth! Thank God for these new ministries, and let us continue to rejoice in the ministry we have to one another.

Yours in His service

Andrew

Back to top