Moira rector installed as Archdeacon of Dromore
Ven Roderic West and his wife Joan pictured with the Rev Joanne Megarrell, Curate Assistant (centre in back row) and some parishioners from St John's Parish Church, Moira who attended the installation service. Included are the Rt Rev Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Dromore (left) and Dean Stephen Lowry (right).
THE Rev Canon Roderic West, rector of St John's Parish Church, Moira, has been installed as Archdeacon of Dromore at a Service of Installation in Dromore Cathedral.
The Archdeacon is second only to the Bishop in the hierarchy of the Diocese, though second also to the Dean within the Cathedral Chapter. As such, he would be installed by the Dean, but due to family illness, Dean Lowry was unable to attend the service and the act of installation was conducted by the Prebendary of Dromara, Canon Robert Howard (Rector of the Church of the Ascension, Annahilt) assisted by the Registrar, the Rev Simon Doogan (Former rector of Holy Trinity, Aghalee, now rector of Ballyholme Parish). The preacher was Canon Terence Cadden, Precentor of the Cathedral Chapter.
Ven Roderlc West pictured with his wife Joan and their daughters Ruth and Claire and some members of the extended family following his installation as Archdeacon of Dromore. L to R: (back row) Ethel Hull, Rosemary West, Jonathan Hull, Robin West and David Hull.
Archdeacon West's daughter, the Rev Ruth West (Curate of the Waterford Cathedral Group of Parishes) read the Scripture lesson; also taking part were the Rt. Rev Harold Miller (Bishop of Down and Dromore), Canon Warren Russell, Treasurer (Rector of Magheradroll Parish Church, Ballynahinch) and the Rev Trevor McKeown (Curate of Dromore Cathedral).
Canon Cadden, preached from Exodus 18 which outlines The Jethro Principle,' — the imperative for Christian leaders to delegate and release others into ministry; his second text was 1 Thessalonians 4, which urges us to live in a way that pleases God. Bishop Harold expressed confidence in his new Archdeacon's gifts of character and loyalty .
Archdeacon West thanked the Bishop for appointing him and also thanked the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral for their support and everyone who had participated in and attended the service.
He spoke appreciatively of those who had encouraged him in ministry in his home county of Fermanagh and the clergy and parishioners who have been a part of his ministry since. He concluded by thanking his wife Joan for her constant support and also his daughters Ruth and Claire. Ruth is curate (although currently priest in charge) of the Waterford Cathedral Group of Parishes and Claire is a teacher in Largymore Primary School.
David Wheavil presided at the organ and together with worship leader Karen Boden and a joint choir comprising members of Dromore Cathedral and Moira Parish choirs, led the singing of hymns that included, 'Praise to tbe Lord' and 'In Christ alone my hope is found'.
Mr West was ordained in 1986 and served his curacy in Dromore Cathedral 1986-1989.
He was appointed rector of the parishes of Carrowdore and Millisle in 1989 and served there for six years before being instituted as rector of St John's Parish, Moira in June 1995. He was installed as Canon on the Chapter of Dromore Cathedral in April 2005 and subsequently installed as Chancellor in November 2008. He succeeds Ven. John Scott who retired as rector of Seapatrick Parish Church, Banbridge, in September 2011. He will continue as rector of Moira Parish.
Ulster Star
02/12/2011
