News

Commissioning of MU President

 


Bishop John McDowell and Mrs Irene Boyd

In spite of inclement weather a large congregation gathered on Friday 15th January at a service held in St Ronan's Parish Church, Colebrooke at 7.30pm for the commissioning of Mrs Irene Boyd as Diocesan President of the Mothers' Union in Clogher diocese.


Irene was commissioned by the Bishop, the Rt Revd John McDowell who is also Chaplain of the Mothers' Union in the diocese. The Service of Holy Communion was conducted by the Rector, the Revd John McClenaghan, assisted by Mrs Joy Coalter, Diocesan Lay Reader. The organist was Mrs Isobel Little and during Holy Communion accompanied the choir in softly singing some well known hymns. The Colebrooke and Cooneen Branch Banner was carried by Maureen Morrison and the Clogher Diocesan banner was carried by Heather Harper, Trustee Body member.



Mrs Irene Boyd. Bishop John McDowell and Mrs Joy Coalter

The congregation included clergy and Mothers' Union members from the diocese as well as Irene's two brothers who travelled from Scotland and Dublin. Also showing their support were friends and parishioners including the First Minister, Mrs Arlene Foster whose family worship at Colebrooke. After the service everyone was entertained to a delicious supper served by Colebrooke and Cooneen Mothers' Union in the parish hall.



Acknowledgement

Dear Members

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your greetings, good wishes and support on my appointment as Diocesan President. I wish to record my appreciation to everyone who braved the wintry weather to attend my Commissioning service in January. I include a special thank you to the Bishop, the Rt Revd John McDowell for his challenging address and to the Revd John McClenaghan for preparing and conducting the service. Thank you to all who contributed in any way to this special event in my life - to the organist Mrs Isobel Little, Mothers' Union members in the choir, members who lifted the offering, Maureen and Heather for carrying the banners, Joy Coalter, Diocesan Lay Reader for assisting with Holy communion and members of the Trustee Body for their assistance and support.

Thank you to church wardens and vestry members who assisted in all arrangements for the service and for parishioners, family and friends who support the event.

Finally, a special thank you to Dr Margaret Knox, for her kind and gracious words of encouragement as I take over the role of President. May she know God's Blessing in the days ahead.

I ask for your continued prayers that I may be given wisdom and strength for the years ahead.

Irene Boyd