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Alistair Jameson presents a gift on
behalf of the Hillsborough Parish Bellringers to
their long serving Rector, former Dean of Down, the
Rev John Dinnen. |
The
Rector, the Rev John Dinnen thanks the Hillsborough
Parish Bellringers for their gift. Looking on is the
Bishop of Down & Dromore, the Right Rev Harold
Miller. |
This year I had the pleasure of seeing in the New Year in the
most interesting and unusual way of my whole lifetime as I
joined the prize-winning Hillsborough Parish Bellringers in the
bell tower of the beautiful historic Parish Church of St Malachy,
Hillsborough as they counted down the end of the OLD - 2007 and
rang in NEW - 2008.
As I reflected on this most interesting first time experience
for me, I could not help thinking about the well known phrase
'for whom the bell tolls' because as well as ringing out the old
and welcoming in the new, the ringing of the bells on this
memorable and historic occasion at Hillsborough also marked the
leaving of their talented organist Phillip Elliott and the
retirement of their long serving rector, former Dean of Down,
the Very Rev John Dinnen. I could not help thinking, 'what a
wonderful way to mark the end of employment at such a
beautiful historic parish church'.
As the congregation left the church building at the end of the
Watchnight Service, they shook hands with their rector and as
well as wishing him a 'Happy New Year' they also congratulated
him on his retirement. When the congregation had left and the
bellringers had stopped ringing they were joined in the
belltower by the rector (Rev John Dinnen) and the Bishop of Down
& Dromore (the Right Rev Harold Miller). Bellringer Alistair
Jameson then presented a gift to Mr Dinnen in thanks and
appreciation of his support for the bellringers. Mr Dinnen
stressed what he had said during his final sermon, 'keep the
bells ringing out; pronouncing the good news and welcoming
people to worship'.
John Kelly
02/01/2008
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