Dean’s broadcasts, Energy saving, Bible course graduation, Bereavement, Clogher rector
Dean’s broadcasts
The Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev John Mann, w ase on Sunday Sequence on BBC Radio Ulster reflecting on the Festival of Hymns and talking about his aspirations for music in St Anne’s Cathedral. Dean Mann also be played his violin on Radio Ulster’s Arts Extra programme broadcast during Culture Night.
Energy saving boost for Kilbride Parish
Kilbride Parish Church in Connor diocese has received a financial boost from the Big Lottery Fund.
The parish was awarded £8,512 from the Fund’s Energy Efficient Venues programme, which offers Lottery money to local groups to carry out improvements to the community venues so they can save on heat and lighting costs.
The church will use the funding to install double glazed windows and a number of new doors in the church hall.
The improvements mean Kilbride Parish will be able to reduce the amount of heating it uses, cutting bills, and allowing the church to put more money into the activities it offers to the local community.
First ‘graduates’ of Bible Certificate Course
Twelve graduates of the Bishop of Down and Drmore’s’ Bible Course were presented with their certificates by Bishop Harold in Drumbo Parish on Sunday 18th September. The Bishop also preached at the service.
Year One, which is fully subscribed, starts again on Thursday 6th October in Church House. The course runs on one evening each week for seven weeks per term over three terms. Those who received certificates this year have completed both year one and two of the course.
Graduate, Bernie McAvoy describes a typical evening:
”We begin with Canon Robert Neill expounding to us some part of the scripture – we concentrate on different aspects and different times. Then we break for coffee and discuss different aspects of what we’ve been hearing and then we come together for a more interactive time where we can ask questions and there’s a feedback time as well.”
”There’s a social element too,” she continues. “You meet some wonderful people and it’s lots of fun but at the end of the day we’ve been really privileged to learn more about the context and the background of the Bible. We understand more fully what God’s word is all about and how it can affect our lives and enable us to go forward with God.”
Topics covered include: Why is the Bible so important?; How did the Bible come to us?; Why is the nation of Israel so important?; What we can understand of the God of the Bible?; Who is Jesus?; What is the message of the four gospels?; What does St. Paul tell us?; and much more.
The course is organized and taught by Canon Robert Neill, Rector of Drumbo, with some teaching from Archdeacon Philip Patterson.
The graduates are : Rosemary Rudd, Edward Godfrey, Marie Blackburn, William Blackburn, Angela Neill, Elizabeth Reid, Elizabeth Miller, Emma Neil, Sharon Milliken.
Bereavement
The death has occurred of Beryl Leeke, wife of Canon Charlie Leeke, rector of Dromara and Garvaghy. Beryl passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon after suffering for some months from a brain tumour. “She was a wonderful woman of faith and a great support to Charlie in his ministry,” said Bishop Harold Miller. “Our prayers are with Charlie, the family and the parish at this time.” The funeral was in St John’s, Banbridge Road, Dromara on Tuesday.
Clogher – Aghavea’s New Rector
The new Rector of Aghavea is quickly settling into life in Fermanagh. The Reverend Gary McMurray began his new ministry at Aghavea at the start of September, fresh from a Curacy in St Elizabeth’s Dundonald. Moving from the edge of east Belfast to the village of Brookeborough has been a big change, but he’s getting used to life in rural Fermanagh. “I’ve managed to get lost while on pastoral visits a few times. Rather than the Lost Sheep, it’s the Lost Rector!”
Gary was Curate in St Elizabeth’s for three years, having previously studied at the Church of Ireland Theological College and Trinity College in Dublin. “St Elizabeth’s was a great parish to work as a Curate, with good training from the Rector, Tim Anderson, as well as our youth worker, Johnny Beare from Ballinamallard.” As well as preaching and pastoral work, Gary was involved in the youth fellowship, mens’ ministry and prayer and Bible study small groups.
Prior to his studies, Gary worked for West Tyrone Voice, a victims’ support group based in Newtownstewart, with responsibility for training and research. Through his work there, he taught some classes on Irish history, and published a book in 2008: ‘Journeying Through Irish History: Exploding Myths.’ His primary degree was a BA in Politics from Queen’s University, Belfast.
Gary became a Christian in November 1992 through a mission in Dromore Cathedral as part of the Decade of Evangelism. “That night I realised that it isn’t about what I need to do to make God love me; but about what Jesus has done for me, in dying for me on the cross to rescue me from my sins and give me eternal life.” Ever since, Gary has been committed to teaching God’s word so that others can share the joy of salvation as they trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In his spare time Gary enjoys photography, reading, and walking, and is excited to get to know Fermanagh better.
Gary is married to Lynsey, both natives of Dromore, County Down, and together they are looking forward to what God has in store as they live and minister in Aghavea.
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