Diocesan News
First OLM Deacons in Clogher Diocese are ordained
The ordination has taken place in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, of Colin Brownsmith and Abraham Storey as Deacons, the first in Clogher Diocese following their training in Ordained Local Ministry.
The ordination was conducted by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd John McDowell, on Sunday, 15th September 2019.
Bishop McDowell told a large congregation of friends and family members and representatives of parishes where both Colin and Abraham have served as Diocesan Readers, that this was an important day for them and reminded them it was not merely taking up a new job.
“They are taking up a new order, a Holy Order. It is not simply a change in what they do but what they are, ministers of God,” he said.
The preacher was the Venerable Cecil Pringle, Archdeacon Emeritus, who said this OLM training was a new step in ministry. Both Colin and Abraham had trained alongside members of the Methodist Church as well as side by side with colleagues in the Church of Ireland.
He said those being ordained through this route would help address the needs of ministry throughout Ireland.
He reflected on the changes in the Church over the last 50 years of his ministry, during which he said rural populations had declined and a multitude of schools had closed in Fermanagh and Monaghan. In the last group of parishes where he served, there were once five primary schools but the last of these had closed 30 years ago.
As a consequence of this, there were amalgamations of churches and clergy and the development of lay ministers.
He said that in a fast–changing world, the Church must proclaim the faith relevant and meaningful to today’s congregations.
During the service which included the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the hymns sung included ‘Pour out by Spirit from on high,’ ‘What a friend we have in Jesus,’ ‘Alleluia! sing to Jesus,’ and ‘Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart’. The organist was Mr Glenn Moore.
The readings were by Mr Scott Elliott, who is training for the ministry, Miss Isobel Stewart, a Diocesan Pastoral Assistant and Parochial Reader, and Canon Paul Thompson.
Following the service, everyone was invited to tea in the Cathedral Hall.
The Revd Colin Brownsmith will serve one year in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, assisting the Dean, the Very Revd Kenneth Hall, and Revd Abraham Storey will serve for one year in the Grouped Parishes of Maguiresbridge and Derrybrusk with the Rector, Canon Mark Watson.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Clogher
07708 869823
Mr Brian Donaldson
clogherdco@btinternet.com