Diocesan News14 Aug 13

Institution Of New Rector Of Garrison, Slavin, Belleek And Kiltyclogher

A large congregation filled Belleek Parish Church in County Fermanagh on the evening of Friday 9 August 2013, to mark an important milestone in the life of the Garrison, Slavin, Belleek and Kiltyclogher group of parishes. The group of parishes, which are the most westerly group in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Clogher, welcomed their new rector, the Revd Ngozi Njoku, who was instituted by the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd John McDowell.

Prior to taking up the position in the Garrison Group, Revd Ngozi Njoku served as curate for four years in Goldington Parish, Bedford, in the Diocese of St Alban’s. The preacher at the service of institution was the rector of Goldington, the Revd Richard Howlett.

Prior to her curacy at Goldington, Revd Ngozi spent three years studying at Trinity College Bristol. A native of Nigeria, Revd Ngozi has also lived in the Gambia, the Netherlands and Belgium. She was ordained deacon in 2009 and priest in 2010. Looking forward to settling into life in County Fermanagh as she takes up her first incumbency, she said “God has no grandchildren, but generations and I want to see the next generation in Garrison group of Parishes take the Gospel of Jesus to the next generation. I also want to support the work of the Mothers’ Union, the youth, families and the farmers.”

Assisting the bishop at the service were the Venerable Cecil Pringle, Archdeacon, and the Revd Canon Glenn West, Rural Dean of Kesh. The Bishop’s Chaplain was the Revd Sampson Ajuka. The Organist was Mrs Sadie Moore and the singing was led by combined choir from the group of parishes together with Ms Evelien Ebbers, flautist.

The processional hymn was the well known early Irish hymn Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart. The Old Testament reading from Isaiah chapter 1 was read by Mrs Pauline Carson, the Psalm was The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want, and the Epistle from Hebrews chapter 11 was read by Mrs Elizabeth Ovens. The gradual hymn was We have a gospel to proclaim, which was followed by the Gospel reading from St Luke chapter 12, read by Mrs Helen Thompson.

The Archdeacon, the Venerable Cecil Pringle presented Revd Ngozi to the bishop for institution, after which all joined in the hymn Take my life, and let it be.

During the commission, the hymn Lord you give the great commission was sung. As part of the commission, the reading at the open door was read by Neil Graham, representing Garrison Sunday School. Kathy Ovens, a representative of Slavin Sunday School, read at the font, and Adam Ovens, also representing Slavin Sunday School, read at the prayer desk. Amy Kettyles, representing the Garrison Sunday School, read at the pulpit, and Jamie Kettyles, also representing Garrison Sunday School read at the Lord’s Table.

After the hymn Love divine, all loves excelling, the prayers were led by the newly instituted rector. The offertory hymn was Spirit divine, attend our prayers and the final hymn was Now thank we all our God.

Everyone was invited for refreshments after the service in the Wark Hall, during which a number of speeches were made. Master of ceremonies was the Revd Canon Glenn West, Rural Dean, and speakers included a friend of the Rector’s, the Revd Augstine Nwaekwe from Brussels, followed by Mrs Doreen Earls, on behalf of the Garrison group of parishes, the Revd Isobel Nixon and Miss Marie McCordick, who had both provided cover in the group of parishes during the recent vacancy, to whom a presentation was made on behalf of the parishes by Mrs Helen Thompson, the Revd Patrick Farrelly PP, Parish Priest in Rossinver, on behalf of the churches in the area, Mrs Eileen Gallagher, Chairperson of Fermanagh Churches Forum, Cllr Rosemary Barton, a Lay Honorary Secretary of Diocesan Synod, the Revd Ngozi Njoku and finally the Bishop.

Photo L–R: Revd Richard Howlett, Revd Ngozi Njoku, Bishop John McDowell, Revd Augustine Nwaekwe, Canon Glenn West.