The new incumbent in the Parishes of Castlerock & Dunboe, Rev Andrew Neill, was instituted on Friday evening, 23rd January 2026, at a service in Christ Church, Castlerock, led by Bishop Andrew Forster and the Rural Dean, Rev Rhys Jones, and attended by many of the new Rector’s clerical colleagues.
Parishioners from his new parish and from his previous parish, Drumachose, turned out in such numbers to support him that a large screen had to be provided in the adjoining hall to accommodate the overspill.
Welcoming the congregation, which included the Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry, Mrs Alison Millar, Bishop Andrew described it as a “red letter day” for the parishes, where he often holidays. It was particularly heartening, he said, to see so many members of the Parish of Drumachose there. “I want to thank all the members of the parish, and especially the Rector, for playing their part in Andrew’s formation as a curate, and it’s so good to see so many of you here this evening. And to the parishioners of Christ Church and St Paul’s, I’m sort of almost one of them, but that’s another story – I’m probably the worst attending parishioner.”
Bishop Andrew explained that parts of the service would seem very formal and legalistic as they fulfilled the law of the Church. “On the other hand,” he said, “and in every part of it, this is a service of worship to Almighty God.”
It was also, of course, a significant occasion for the new Rector’s family, and his wife, Claire, and their two children were in Christ Church to support him.
The sermon was preached by Rev Canon Aonghus Mayes who mentored the new incumbent throughout his curacy in Drumachose (Limavady). It would be more than easy, Canon Mayes said, to list Rev Neill’s gifts and talents. “One would say that you have in your rectory a warm, kind, extremely thoughtful man with solid values; someone with an endearing sense of humour and a clear vocation to be among you; and an interest in people just for themselves, exactly as they are. One would point out his ability to relate to people of all ages; that he would work hard; that it’s God’s will that he should be here; that he has the benefit of a steady, loving home background and a family who are supportive. And all of that would be true, but it would miss the main reason why we have gathered here.
“We have come together because Castlerock and Dunboe have a new incumbent, because we believe that it’s God’s will that he should be here, and also to pray for him because we know and understand that his success and failure here depends not upon his own gifts and talents, however good they may be, but upon his dependence on the grace of God alone.
“Taking charge of your first parish is a daunting prospect,” Canon Mayes said. “As curate, one works within given structures: there’s always a rector there – a point of reference, a sounding board for ideas and decisions, a well of experience upon which to draw and, no doubt, on occasions, an example of how not to do things.
“But then, suddenly, you’re on your own. There’s no one to warn you of hidden minefields in the parish (and every parish has them). You don’t know your way around – either geographically or ecclesiastically. It’s all strange, different from the last place, but everyone assumes that you know it all, even before you’ve quite unpacked. But you don’t. And you need time, and you need patience, and most all you need the prayers of your own people, because the sort of clergy that we become depends to a large extent upon our own prayers and upon yours.”
Tonight, the preacher told the congregation, you pray for your new Rector, and also, Canon Mayes hoped, for all who were answerable before God for the example of leadership they gave to the people committed to their charge. “But I hope that you will pray for him [the new incumbent] tomorrow, as well – tomorrow, and its tomorrow, too, for it is those prayers which will not only mould him but they will keep his ministry afloat. And, if he has those regular prayers, then I have absolutely no doubt that your time together will be blessed, as together you go forth into the future. Your souls are in his hands and his is in yours, so pray for each other.”
After Friday evening’s service, the congregation enjoyed refreshments and fellowship in the parish hall, where presentations were made to the Rural Dean, Rev Rhys Jones, and Rev Billy Holmes, to acknowledge their support during the vacancy in Castlerock.
