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Two new Deacons ordained in Connor Diocese

At the service of ordination of Deacons at All Saints’ Parish Church, Antrim, Diocese of Connor, on August 24, are, from left: Archdeacon Stephen McBride, Ian Mills, the Revd Stephen Fielding (Rector of Agherton), Bishop Alan Abernethy, the Revd Clifford Skillen (Bishop’s Chaplain), Heather Cooke, Archdeacon Stephen Forde, Canon James Carson (Minister in Charge, Church of Ireland Lower Shankill).
At the service of ordination of Deacons at All Saints’ Parish Church, Antrim, Diocese of Connor, on August 24, are, from left: Archdeacon Stephen McBride, Ian Mills, the Revd Stephen Fielding (Rector of Agherton), Bishop Alan Abernethy, the Revd Clifford Skillen (Bishop’s Chaplain), Heather Cooke, Archdeacon Stephen Forde, Canon James Carson (Minister in Charge, Church of Ireland Lower Shankill).

Two new Deacons were ordained in Connor Diocese at a service in All Saints’ Parish Church, Antrim, on Thursday 24th August 2017.

The new Deacons are Ian Mills, who was ordained for the Internship in the parish of St John the Baptist, Agherton, and Heather Cooke, who was ordained for the Internship in the parishes of St Michael, St Stephen and St Luke, Belfast.

Ian grew up in Derry where he was a Chorister in St Columb’s Cathedral. He has a PhD in Music from Queen’s University, Belfast, and before studying at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute he was Organist and Master of the Choristers in Derry Cathedral. He also worked as a freelance recitalist and accompanist, and taught in St Malachy’s College and Methodist College, Belfast.

Heather is originally from Carnmoney, Newtownabbey, and now lives in Carrickfergus. Her home parish St Brigid’s, Mallusk. A former primary school teacher, Heather is married to Edwin, and they have four children.

Ian and Heather were ordained Deacons by the Bishop of Conor, the Rt Revd Alan Abernethy, Preacher at the service was the Ven Dr Stephen McBride, Archdeacon of Connor and vicar of Antrim.

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