The Very Rev’d Nigel Cairns has been installed as the new Dean of Derry and instituted as Rector of the new parish grouping of Templemore & St Augustine’s. He succeeds Very Rev Raymond Stewart who retired at the end of last year.
Members of Dean Cairns’ family were in St Columb’s Cathedral on Thursday evening for what the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, described as “an historic occasion”. The service, which was led by Rev Canon John Merrick, was attended by dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry, Ian Crowe MBE DL, the new Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, the High Sheriff for the City & County Borough of Londonderry, Mrs Joan Doherty MBE, and a former Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Lord Hay of Ballyore.
Leading members of other Christian denominations in the city were also in attendance, including the Vicar General of the Diocese of Derry, Fr Michael Canny (representing Bishop Donal McKeown), Rev Colin Jones from First Derry Presbyterian Church, and Fr Paul Farren, the Administrator of St Eugene’s Cathedral.
In his sermon, Bishop Andrew acknowledged the historic nature of the occasion. “This evening,” he said, “we sit inside the walls of our beloved city for this special night for the two Church of Ireland churches within these walls, St Augustine’s – the site of St Columba’s monastery – and the Cathedral, the oldest building in continuous use in this city.
“These walls, that are just a few yards from us – the walls of our city – have witnessed siege, and famine; they have been cherished and reviled in equal measure; walked on and argued over. They’re an iconic part of our city’s unique history, a history that, at times, has pulled us apart and divided us; but now these walls are visited by literally hundreds of thousands of people, year after year, from right across the world. They come here to this city that we all love, to hear of our history, and also to hear of how we seek to write a better future for this place that means so much to us.
“No matter what our background is or what our allegiance is, this place matters to all of us. And we as a Church – as a Church of Ireland community here, and as a Church that is represented here in all its wonderful diversity through members of other denominations who are here tonight – we as the Church of Jesus Christ have our part to play in writing that better future. And this evening is part of writing that better future for the city that we love and hope so much for.”
Churches within and near the city centre, from the four main denominations, have already forged very strong links and Bishop Andrew developed the ‘walls’ metaphor further. “As we gather within the ancient walls of this city and the ancient walls of the cathedral, and think of the beautiful walls of St Augustine’s, what our real aim to do is actually to build a church without those walls, to build a church that is a church of welcome, to build a church that is a place of promise, a place of hope, a place of Good News, to build a church without walls that would exclude, to build a church that is open to all. We want that for those who worship here, for the people across this city, and for those far, far beyond who come to visit this place day and daily – a church without walls in mission and ministry.
“Sometimes walls can limit us, can’t they? They can limit our horizon. It’s hard to see beyond walls. But a church without walls opens up new horizons of mission, opens up new horizons of ministry. And, as Nigel comes as Rector and Dean, he comes to help lead the people of God in this parish, to lead them in the promises of God, to lead them in the hope of God, to lead them in the Good News of God.”
Usually, Bishop Andrew said, on occasions such as Thursday evening’s, the preacher shared a potted biography of the new incumbent or dean. Dean Nigel needed no introduction, he said, but that didn’t stop the Bishop from doing some digging into the history of the cathedral. “I”m not sure when the last time was,” he said, “that a Derryman was installed as Dean of Derry. Nigel has a great love for this place, for this city. It’s his homeplace. It is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. It is a place that he has committed himself to, [where] he wants to see God’s promises lived out, God’s hope known, and God’s Good News shared.
“Nigel comes with a rare combination of Godly humility coupled with an authority to lead. He is wise. He is caring. He has a heart for God and his church, and a deep compassion for those who are suffering. He understands the rich traditions of this cathedral and of St Augustine’s, and he sees the potential for this new group of churches serving God within the ancient walls of this city. And, I have to say, he comes with the most delightful and supportive of families.”
The new Dean’s wife, Alison, and daughter, Megan, delivered the readings from Scripture, at Thursday’s service. His son, Matthew was also there to enjoy and share in a special evening for the Cairns family.
Musical worship was led by the Cathedral Choirs of Boy and Girl Choristers and Lay Clerks, directed by Mr Nicky Morton and accompanied by Assistant Organist Louis Fields. After the service, the congregation were invited to enjoy tea and refreshments in St Augustine’s Hall.
