Diocesan News
New rector instituted in Strabane
A new rector has taken up his duties in the Parish of Camus–Juxta–Mourne in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe. The Rev John White, previously rector of St John’s, Lurgan, was instituted at a service in Christ Church, Strabane, on Friday evening. His appointment marked a return to the diocese where he had previously served in All Saints Clooney and Tobermore.
At the Service of Institution, the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Rt Rev Ken Good, acknowledged that there was sadness in St John’s at their rector’s departure. But he said there was “a sense of excitement, anticipation and joy” in Strabane and in the wider diocese at the new chapter which was beginning in the new incumbent’s life and in the life of Christ Church.
Bishop Good thanked everyone in the congregation for their attendance. “You are part of a significant night in the life of this town, in the life of this parish and in the life of this diocese, as well as in the life of the White family.”
Bishop Good was assisted during the Service by the Archdeacon of Derry, the Ven Robert Miller, who presented Mr White for institution; the Diocesan Registrar, the Rev Canon David Crooks; the Rural Dean, the Rev Canon Robert Clarke; the preacher for the service, the Rev Canon Paul Hoey; and Bishop’s Curate, the Rev David Slater.
The congregation included the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Alderman Derek Hussey; HM Lord Lieutenant for Tyrone, Mr Robert Scott OBE; James Hamilton, the 5th Duke of Abercorn; Mrs Mary Good; Sergeant David McIlwaine, representing the PSNI; and leaders of other local churches.
In his sermon, Canon Hoey said he wanted to encourage the people of Christ Church that a time of transition – such as when they were getting a new rector – could be a time of opportunity. “Our vision in this diocese is for every church to be a transforming community, radiating the good news of Christ out to all around and, John, I know that that’s your vision for Christ Church – that it’s not just about you preaching the good news but wanting this church to be good news for everybody who lives in Strabane.
“I’ve heard lots of good news stories from Christ Church,” Canon Hoey said. “I’ve heard stories of healing, I’ve heard stories of renewal, all kinds of stories, but I believe there are more to come. And maybe the best thing that we can do on this night, as we begin this new chapter together, is to let that transforming power of God work in our own lives because it starts here with us.”
The preacher said the gospel reading (Luke 5:1–11, in which Jesus calls his first disciples), included a call to step out beyond our comfort zones and to launch out into the deep. “There’s a huge catch to be brought in here in Strabane,” he said, “and in every community represented here. But where does God want you to go? Where do you start? Where’s your ‘deep’? I don’t know. But God knows. He can see where the fish are who are ready to be brought into the nets of his kingdom. And so, John, maybe one of the things that you could do together as a church in these early days is simply to come together and pray, ‘Lord, show us where you want us to go.’”
At a supper after the service, in the adjoining parish hall, the new rector told his parishioners that he was excited about what the Lord had in store for them, as they followed his leading and saw his hand at work in their midst.
Mr White thanked his former parishioners in St John’s for “fifteen great years”. He said he and his family had been “overwhelmed” by the welcome they had received in Strabane.
“Above all,” he said, “I want to thank the Lord for his amazing grace because in our reading tonight, the apostle Paul made a very important statement. He said, ‘By the grace of God, I am what I am’. And I can say that exactly tonight: by the grace of God I am what I am. My life would have taken a very different course had it not been for the grace of God at a particular moment, and had it not been for his goodness and his love and his mercy. So, I want to thank him, tonight. for me being here.”
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Derry & Raphoe
Mr Paul McFadden
028 7126 2440
07525 826290
press@derryandraphoe.org