Connor Pilgrimage, Ballycastle rector, Banbridge soldier killed, Children’s ministry training, Newtownards schools’ Lent service
Connor Pilgrimage
On Tuesday March 22 an 85 strong Connor Diocesan Pilgrimage group will depart Belfast for Jerusalem in a pilgrimage led by Canon John Mann and the Rev David Humphries.
The group is made up of parishioners and some clergy from across the diocese, and they will be joined by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, and the Archdeacon of Connor, the Ven Dr Stephen McBride, who has been Bishop’s Commissary for the past few months.
Ballycastle rector appointed
The Rev David Ferguson, Curate Assistant of the Parish of Antrim, has been appointed as Incumbent of the Grouped Parishes of Ramoan and Culfeightrin, Ballycastle.
Mr Ferguson, 56, is married to Margaret and has four children and three grandchildren. Before his ordination in 2004 he served in the police for 29 years.
He has served as curate in Antrim Parish since 2004, and last year switched from Non Stipendiary Ministry to Full Time Ministry. Mr Ferguson’s Institution will take place on Tuesday May 2.
Soldier from Banbridge killed in Afghanistan
Tributes have been paid to a Royal Irish Regiment soldier from Banbridge who was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday last. L/Cpl Stephen McKee, 27, whose parents are parishioners of Seapatrick Parish, was taking part in an operation in Helmand province when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb.
Seapatrick rector, Archdeacon John Scott has spoken of his role in the aftermath of the tragedy: “Several people have already expressed comment upon the ongoing tragedy of loss of life in Afghanistan – of which L’Cpl Stephen McKee is the latest fatality. My priority at this sad time is to provide spiritual and pastoral support to the McKee family circle in this nightmare that has been thrust upon them.”
Children’s Ministry Training Day
There’s a special Children’s Ministry Training Day on Friday 25th March in Jordanstown Parish Halls. The event is aimed at clergy and anyone in a ministry role working with children.
Subjects include:
• Children, culture and the Facebook generation. How are they wired? What are the issues for our leaders?
• Pick up and run – practical resources for taking assemblies
The event runs from 10.15am – 2.30pm and lunch is included.
Schoolchildren fill St Mark’s Newtownards at start of Lent
On Shrove Tuesday, over 500 pupils, drawn from senior classes, representing six primary schools in the parish of Newtownards met in St Mark’s Church for a service of preparation for Lent. The pupils, who participated fully in the service, attend four controlled primary schools – Londonderry Model, Victoria, West Winds – a maintained school – St.Finnians – and Regent House Preparatory Dept.
The theme, ‘Give it up – give it over’ was the ‘brain child’ of the parish Youth Coordinator, Stephen Doherty.
Amongst those who attended was the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education & Library Board, Mr.Stanton Sloan. The lively forty minute service concluded with the blessing pronounced by the Rector, the Parish Priest and local Methodist Minister.
The service has been a feature of the parish and schools calendar for the past three years. It is the custom for it to take place in St.Mark’s on a week day close to St.Mark’s Day, in April. This year, that date coincides with the Easter festival.