Edinburgh link signed at Christingle Service

Tuesday January 30th 2007

Sunday January 21 was a day to remember at the Church of St John the Baptist, Agherton Parish, Portstewart

The Annual Christingle Service was held, with the preacher The Rev Jan Mullin, Gracehill Moravian Church – the Christingle originates in the Moravian Church. This was also part of the Week of Christian Unity.

Among those in attendance was The Right Rev Alan Harper, Bishop of Connor

During the service the Bishop commissioned Agherton's Youth Band and gave it the name "Our Band". Their debut piece was 'Light of the World'

A linkage between St Peter's, Lutton Place, Edinburgh and Agherton Parish, Portstewart was also formalised. A DVD message was played from St Peter's with greetings from the Bishop of Edinburgh (Brian Smith), the Rector of St Peter's (Canon Fred Tomlinson) and the Chairman of St Peter's Link Sub-Committee (Iain Langdon).

Afterwards the contract between the two parishes was signed on behalf of Agherton by the Bishop of Connor, the The Bishop signs the link with St Peter's Edinburgh, watched by Curate-Assistant the Rev Niall Sloane and the Chairman of the link sub-committee Brian Howe .

After the Service a short reception was held in the Parish Centre in honour of Bishop Harper's appointment as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. At this reception the Bishop was congratulated by the Curate and the Chairman of the local branch of the Church of Ireland Men's Society.

The Bishop, who is presently Chairman of CIMS and will become President when he moves into Armagh, witnessed the CIMS project by Agherton Men to collect clothing to help women and disabled children in Minsk, Russia.