The
Rev. Alan Millar, Rector of the grouped parish of Dromara and
Garvaghy has been appointed Rector of St. Comgall�s, Rathcoole
and will preach his farewell sermon in Garvaghy Parish Church at
10.30am and in St John�s Church, Dromara at 12.00 noon on Sunday
3rd September 2006.
Born in Belfast, Alan married his wife Iris
in 1977 and in 1990 they emigrated to Canada where he ran a
successful business for two years. Having felt a call to
ministry Alan was accepted by Emmanuel College at Toronto
University (1993-1997) graduating with a Masters of Divinity
degree. During his time at university, Alan served the two
pastoral charges of Ardtrea and Heritage United, Severn Bridge,
Ontario as a Student Supply minister. Following his Ordination
at the United Church of Canada in June 1997, he continued to
serve as their pastor until he and Iris returned to Ireland in
1999. In the autumn of 1999 Alan attended the Church of Ireland
Theological College in Dublin, spending two terms there. He then
served his curacy at Drumglass Parish, consisting of St Anne�s
in Dungannon, and Moygashel, known now as St Elizabeth Church,
until 2002. At a Service of Institution in St John�s Church,
Dromara on 4th September 2002, Mr Millar was
instituted as Rector of the grouped Parish of Dromara and
Garvaghy with pastoral oversight of St John�s Church, Dromara
and Garvaghy Parish Church, near Dromore.
Mr Millar, who has given four years of
loyal and devoted service to the Parishes of Dromara and
Garvaghy says, �My ministry at Dromara and Garvaghy has been
very rewarding, and has been a wonderful experience. I have made
many good friends in both parishes and it will be sad to leave
them. It will also be sad to leave the many friends I have made
in and around Dromara village, people of different denominations
whom I have come into contact with and with whom I have enjoyed
friendly conversation. I have also enjoyed good Christian
fellowship with the Rev David Porter of 2nd Dromara
Presbyterian Church. I can only thank God that I have been
blessed with the experience of living and ministering in such a
warm and friendly community as Dromara.�
Although his successor has not yet been
named, Mr Millar wishes that he or she will settle in quickly
and enjoy great happiness and success in this lovely rural area
in which he had the privilege to serve for four happy years.
