On Sunday 16 August and for the first time in at least 800 years, Nendrum Ancient Monastic site was the setting for a service of ordination. The Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Revd David McClay, ordained two presbyters for ordained local ministry – Revd Rory Blake-Knox for Moneyreagh Community Church and Revd Stephen Doherty for Glen Community Church. Both are congregations planted by the diocese in the last seven years.
It was Bishop David’s first ordination service following his consecration in January this year and the first ordination of OLM presbyters in the Church of Ireland.
The preacher was Revd Paul Cowley MBE. Paul is on the leadership team at Holy Trinity Brompton and founded the charity Caring for Ex-Offenders. He is the Bishops’ Advisor to Prisons in London.
Even though the service was open-air, numbers were limited because of the coronavirus pandemic. The whole event was, however, shared live on the Down and Dromore Facebook page.
Congratulations to Revd Rodney Magennis who has been ordained presbyter. He will serve as Diocesan Curate with special responsibility for the Grouped Parishes of Aghaderg, Donaghmore and Scarva.
Rodney was ordained by Bishop David at a service in Holy Trinity, Banbridge on Sunday 23 August. The preacher was Revd Canon Roland Heaney, rector of Dunganstown Union in the Diocese of Dublin & Glendalough.
Because of guidelines around social distancing, the size of the congregation had to be limited but the service was live-streamed on Facebook. This was the second ordination of the year, but it was the first at which everyone had to wear face coverings, hence some of the unusual photos!
In his sermon, Canon Roly urged Rodney to, above all, proclaim the gospel. Outside after the service, Bishop David gave that charge to everyone but especially to Rodney’s new parishioners who will share with him in that missional task.
A service of ordination of deacons will take place in Down Cathedral on Sunday 30 August at 4.00 pm.
Please note that because of restrictions around Covid-19 this event is by invitation only but it will be broadcast live on the Cathedral webcam at this link.
Bishop David will ordain two deacons as follows:
– Anna Williams for an internship in St Mary’s, Ballybeen
– Andrew (Andy) Hay for an internship in St Donard’s, Bloomfield
The preacher at the service will be The Ven David Huss, Archdeacon of Raphoe.
We pray for all those who have been ordained, and will be ordained over the next week.
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts,
by your Holy Spirit you have appointed
various orders of ministry in the Church:
Look with mercy on your servants now called to be deacons and priests;
maintain them in truth and renew them in holiness,
that by word and good example they may faithfully serve you
to the glory of your name and the benefit of your Church;
through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
(Book of Common Prayer – Prayer for those to be ordained)