The Pointer March 2020
Rector The Rt Rev Darren McCartney 028 4175 3497 suffragan1@gmail.com
The Magazine of the Church of Ireland Parishes of Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney in the Diocese of Down and Dromore We always thank God … These last few weeks I have had the pleasure of helping organise two services of institution; this is the service that is used when a new rector is coming to a parish. I could not but help be reminded of the significant place the community of believers have within the service. The service is not solely focused on the new minister and their ministry but also encourages the church community in their witness and ministry, through the different ways in which parishioners participate and the prayers said by the bishop. Bishop David with the Rev Alison Calvin, Christ Church Kilkeel
I want to pick the two themes of thanksgiving and partnering/witness. I thank you for your faithful witness over the years and in particular during this past year since I was instituted into these parishes. Thank you for your labours, your giving and your prayers. There have been many personal firsts and you have come alongside, encouraged and supported me. It is my desire that we continue to do what we have been doing and to be open to God’s leading and direction. I am very conscious that as a church community we reach out to the wider community and engage with them wherever they may be. I am thrilled as I speak to many and hear of your life experiences and see where God has placed you. You are part of the body, the church, and I hope you are conscious of the fact that as believers you represent Jesus Christ where you are, an amazing thought. I end in a similar place to where I began with thanksgiving, prayer and an awareness that we are in the amazing work of God together. +Darren
Colossians 1:1-6 The Rev Ian Linton, Rathfriland and Ballyward
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. Thanksgiving and Prayer 3
Saint Paul, in his letters, often begins by encouraging those who are receiving the letters, telling them that he gives thanks for their witness, their partnering and that he often has them in his prayers.
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.