Crumlin and Glenavy Clergy Fellowship hold joint service
Members of the Crumlin & Glenavy Clergy Fellowship- From L to R: Rev- Patsy Holdsworth, Rev. John Murdock, Fr. Brendan Smyth, Rev- Dr. Scott Peddle, Rev. John Farr & Rev. Liz Hewitt. Missing from the picture is Rev- John Rutter and Fr. Sean Dillon.
OVER the last two years, clergy representing churches from six denominations in the Crumlin and Glenavy area have met on an informal basis for fellowship.
In addition, the group has organised five joint services, including a service of prayer and reflection for the victims of the Haitian earthquake.
These joint services have raised hundreds of pounds for local and international charitable organisations such as Christian Aid, Trócaire, Church Action on Poverty NI and Aquaculture without Frontiers.
On Wednesday October 6, the group met to adopt a formal constitution and to elect officers for a one-year term. Fr. Sean Dillon, newly appointed parish priest of Glenavy and Killead was elected as Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Scott Peddie of First Presbyterian Church (Non-Subscribing) Crumlin as Secretary, and Rev. John Murdock of Killead and Loanends Presbyterian Churches as Treasurer.
Commenting on the fellowship, Fr. Dillon said "I am delighted to be part of such a welcoming fellowship and look forward to working with my colleagues from neighbouring churches". Dr. Peddie added: The fellowship has been a great success and we are particularly pleased that congregations from Moravian, Presbyterian, Methodist, Church of Ireland, Non-Subscribing Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches can come together in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect".
The most recent Crumlin and Glenavy Clergy Fellowship joint service was a harvest thanksgiving service held in First Presbyterian Church (Non-Subscribing) Crumlin on Thursday October 28. A special collection raised £205.50 for Aquaculture without Frontiers, an independent registered charity that supports responsible and sustainable aquaculture as a means of alleviating poverty in developing countries.
Dr. Peddie, who is a director and trustee of the charity said: "We are delighted once again at the generosity of the people attending these services. AwF is a small charity and we rely on donations such as these to help fund projects in some of the most impoverished areas of the world.' The next joint service with the theme of 'looking forward to Christmas together' will be held on Sunday, November 28 at 3pm in the Mater Dei Church in Crumlin.
Ulster Star
12/11/2010
