Pictured following
their commissioning as Diocesan Layreaders
in St Peter�s Church, Belfast, on St Peter�s
day, Thursday 29th June are L to
R: (front row) Johnny McLoughlin, Elizabeth
Sloan and Tony Hall. Included in the photo
are (back row) Bishop Alan Harper and the
Revd Charles McCollum.
Three Church of Ireland parishioners from
Lisburn were commissioned as Diocesan Layreaders at a Patronal
Service in St Peter�s Church, Belfast on St Peter�s day,
Thursday 29th June. Johnny McLoughlin - a
parishioner from Kilmakee, Dunmurry, was commissioned to serve
in St Hilda�s, Kilmakee; Elizabeth Sloan - a parishioner from St
Paul�s, Lisburn, was commissioned to serve in Broomhedge Parish;
and Tony Hall - a parishioner from Lisburn Cathedral, was
commissioned to serve in St Peter�s, Antrim Road, Belfast. All
three new layreaders were well supported by the attendance of
parishioners from their Lisburn Churches as they took this
important step in their service for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The celebrant at this St Peter�s Day
Service was
the Revd Canon George Irwin, Rector of St Mark�s, Ballymacash
and Warden of Layreaders for the Diocese of Connor. Canon Irwin
was also celebrating the 25th anniversary of his
ordination. The preacher, the Revd Charles McCollum, Rector of
St Peter�s, Belfast, advised the new Layreaders to �have their
strength in the joy of the Lord and not to be afraid to declare
God�s truth during their ministry�.
Upon their commissioning, the Bishop of
Connor, the Rt Revd Alan Harper, presented each new Layreader
with a Bible, advising them that this would be their guide
during their ministry.