Diocesan News14 Mar 16

Lord’s Day at St Augustine’s

The former Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker, Lord Hay of Ballyore, was among almost 50 people who attended a Men’s and Boys’ Breakfast in St Augustine’s Church in Londonderry on Sunday morning.

The event was organised by the Rector of ‘the Wee Church on the Walls’, Rev Malcolm Ferry, to offer “food and fellowship” to men and boys. Rev Ferry said it was part of the parish’s contribution to the Year of Opportunity in the Diocese, during which churches are being encouraged to reach out to children.

Lord Hay (who is perhaps better known as William Hay) accompanied his son–in–law, John Lynch – a member of St Augustine’s – to the breakfast (both pictured above). The peer said he was very pleasantly surprised at the number of men who turned up for what was “a fantastic occasion”.

The all–male gathering was addressed by the captain of Coleraine Football Club, Howard Beverland, who is a born–again believer, and by Philip Mitchell of Sports Chaplaincy UK.The Rector of St Augustine’s was delighted with the success of the event. “Last year we had hoped to get 30,” Rev Ferry said, “today we almost got 50. That’s virtually all the men who attend our small church regularly. That’s a fantastic response. It’s important that we in the Church create more opportunities for men and boys to come together in fellowship.”