Diocesan News20 May 10

Colebrooke Friends' Service (Clogher)

A good number of former and current parishioners gathered for the annual service of the Friends of Saint Ronans on Sunday, 9th May.

This year, two memorial plaques were received by the rector, The Reverend Canon Trevor Gillian in memory of the late Ven. Victor H Forster (former rector of Aghalurcher and archdeacon of Clogher), and the late Miss Ena Henderson, both founding members of the Friends association. Members of the Forster and Henderson family circles were present at the service at which the guest preacher was the Rt. Rev. Dr Gordon McMullan, former bishop of Clogher.

Canon Gillian presented the families with gold-plated medallions in posthumus recognition of Archeacon Forster’s and Miss Henderson’s founding and building-up of the Friends association. It was established and continues to care for and conserve the fabric of the church building, and to promote fellowship between former and current members of the parish. Annual income from former parishioners is a valued part of the funding necessary to maintain the historic and beautiful Colebrooke church.

The scripture lessons were read by two prominent parishioners, The Rt. Hon.Viscount Brookeborough and Mrs. Arlene Forster MLA, Minister of Enterprise. Mr Richard Woods, from Belfast, was the special guest singer, accompanied at the piano by Mrs Audrey Gillian who also was the organist for the service.

All at the service enjoyed a splendid afternoon tea in the hall afterwards. The rector thanks those who worked ‘behind the scenes’ to make this service so memorable.