Diocesan News
Planted in good soil!
Bishop David McClay has introduced Denise Wilson as Community Pastor for the Parish of Bangor Primacy. The service had been postponed until it could take place in person.
Denise took up her post on 1 February and she is encouraged and excited as she looks to Primacy’s future.
“The congregation have been so supportive over these four months,” she says. “People have stepped up into leadership roles and some of our volunteers are far out of their comfort zones, but they’ve been willing to take a risk.”
The Church of Ireland shares the building with a Methodist congregation led by the Revd Mandy Durrell who has been equally supportive. The congregation welcomed and prayed for Denise and her family at their first in–person worship service after restrictions eased.
“Mandy and I are like–minded,” says Denise, “and as well as occasional joint worship services, we’re looking forward to our congregations taking on some outreach projects together in the future.”
Good soil
Since arriving, Denise has started ‘Exploration Groups’ which will eventually meet in homes, a weekly prayer meeting and she is working towards establishing a youth ministry. The church, which has a strong connection with Bangor CAP Centre and Storehouse, is also keen to reach out into the community.
Denise says: “This is a praying church – the people have a praying heart. I feel privileged to have been planted in such good soil.”
Bishop David also gave the address at the service which took place on Wednesday, 26 May, 2021. Refreshments were served outside afterwards.
About Denise
Denise is trained as a Diocesan Lay Reader and formerly worshipped in St Columbanus, Ballyholme. She and her husband Rory, a doctor, served in Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda under CMSI for a decade and returned three years ago. Denise’s background is in paediatric nursing and she worked for Fields of Life for several years before joining CMSI. She and Rory have a young son, Gideon.
More photos are available here
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Down & Dromore
07840 006899
Mrs Annette McGrath
dco@downdromorediocese.org