Canon Irwin celebrates 20th anniversary of ministry at Ballymacash Parish 

L to R: Ian Somerville, (Former member of Select Vestry), Irene Kirker (People's Churchwarden), David Armstrong (Rector's Churchwarden), Mrs Deirdre Irwin (Rector's wife), the Rev Canon George Irwin (Rector) and the Rev Kenneth Gamble (Curate).  The Rev Canon George Irwin (Rector) and Kathryn Wells and her 20-month-old twin daughters Anna (left) and Erin are pictured with the guest speaker, who is also a twin, Julie Currie of CMS Ireland.
L to R: Ian Somerville, (Former member of Select Vestry), Irene Kirker (People's Churchwarden), David Armstrong (Rector's Churchwarden), Mrs Deirdre Irwin (Rector's wife), the Rev Canon George Irwin (Rector) and the Rev Kenneth Gamble (Curate). The Rev Canon George Irwin (Rector) and Kathryn Wells and her 20-month-old twin daughters Anna (left) and Erin are pictured with the guest speaker, who is also a twin, Julie Currie of CMS Ireland.

A service in St Mark's Church last Sunday morning (30th November) marked the 20th anniversary of Canon Irwin's ministry at Ballymacash. Canon Irwin, who was instituted as Rector of St Mark's on 2nd December 1988 received a gift on behalf of the congregation from Ian Somerville, who was a member of select vestry for over 20 years. After giving a glowing report on the Rector's long and devoted service, Ian went on to say that behind every good man is a good women after which David Armstrong, the Rector's Churchwarden, presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Deirdre Irwin, the Rector's wife.

Canon Irwin has a keen interest in mission work of the church; the guest speaker at the special missionary service was Julie Currie, Youth and Children's Co-ordinator, Church Mission Society (CMS Ireland).

01/12/2008