“It is quite something,” Bishop Andrew Forster said this evening, “to come into a building as Mr James Shiels and to leave it as the Reverend James Shiels.” The Bishop was preaching to the congregation in Glendermott Parish Church in general, and addressing James in particular, at his Ordination Service as Deacon. “It is quite something,” the Bishop said, “to take that step and feel that difference that the laying on of hands brings this evening.”
The newly ordained minister now begins service as a Curate in Glendermott and Newbuildings Church of Ireland under the guidance of the Rector, Rev Canon Robert Boyd. Canon Boyd was, himself, singled out for praise by the Bishop at the outset of the service having been honoured with an MBE less than 48 hours earlier in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
There was rapturous applause as Bishop Andrew remarked that in over 20 years of friendship he had rarely seen Canon Boyd blush. “Robert, we’re just delighted – really thrilled – and all your friends, all the family here in Glendermott and in the Diocese are so pleased at this recognition of the man you are and the service you give. You are somebody who always goes beyond and above, and always goes the extra mile and we are thrilled that the King has bestowed on you this wonderful honour. And in congratulating Robert I also want to pay tribute to [his wife] May because if ever it’s true that behind every man there’s a great woman, it’s true in this instance. Bless you, May.”
Bishop Andrew said this evening’s Ordination Service was a significant occasion not just for James, his wife Julie, their son Clark and their family circle but for the parish, the diocese and the whole Church of Jesus Christ. He welcomed the many people who had helped James both discern and live out his vocation in Christ. “It is lovely, also, to have Rev Dr Paddy McGlinchey with us this evening from the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. The Theological Institute do a wonderful job in the formation of clergy and Paddy you’re very welcome; it’s good to have you with us and please always be assured of our support and prayers for the work of the Institute.”
The new deacon’s wife, Julie; son, Clark; and parents Mary and William, were in church to support this important step in his ministry. Sitting in the same pew as the new deacon was another ordinand, Matthew Campbell, while watching with interest in the centre of the church was Rev Canon Walter Quill who was appointed curate in Glendermott 65 years ago this month.
Tonight’s was the second of three ordinations in the diocese this month. In his sermon, Bishop Andrew described ordination as “a joyful but weighty experience”. It is joyful, he said, because it is a moment of stepping forward: stepping forward into greater ministry; stepping forward in your own personal discipleship; and stepping forward into what you believe in your heart that God has called you to, and that the church has validated through its selection and training and appointment of you as a Curate. “It’s also a weighty moment because you realise the responsibility, you realise what you are called to do, and you realise that to work in partnership with God in a parish is a great thing.”
The Bishop assured the new Curate that the parishioners of Glendermott and Newbuildings Church of Ireland would quickly take him and his family into their hearts; they would care for him; they would nourish him; and they would support him.
Bishop Andrew also described ordinations as a time of celebration and a time of anticipation. “Tonight as we celebrate, James, we joyfully anticipate all that God has for you in the years that lie ahead as you serve him. An ordination reminds us that we – the Church of Jesus Christ – all of us are bearers, carriers, of the Good News, that we share light where there is darkness, we share hope instead of despair, we bring purpose instead of disillusionment. Tonight, as we celebrate and anticipate, we delight in the power of the Gospel to bring salvation and hope to a needy world; and we anticipate the power of that Gospel, ministering through God’s servant James in this parish and beyond in the years that lie ahead.
Members of parishes which have featured in the new Curate’s journey of ministry – from the Parish of Agherton (Portstewart), and the Parishes of Donaghmore St Michael (Castle Caulfield) – travelled to support him this evening.
Bishop Andrew was assisted in the service by Glendermott’s Rector, Canon Boyd; the parish’s outgoing Curate, Rev Johnny Lowden; two Deans – Very Rev Raymond Stewart (Derry) and Very Rev Liz Fitzgerald (Raphoe); and Diocesan Registrar, Rev Jonathan Brown. Parish Reader Margaret Boyd delivered the First Reading. Joanne Miller from Church Army gave the New Testament Reading; and the Archdeacon of Armagh, Ven. Peter Thompson, read the Gospel. Music was provided by the Glendermott Parish Choir, accompanied by organist May Boyd.
Following the service, the congregation crossed the road to the Canon Kelly Hall for refreshments and speeches, and for presentations to the new Curate’s wife, Julie, and their young son Clark.
