Diocesan Lay Reader commissioned at Lisburn Cathedral

Wednesday March 19th 2014

At the commissioning are, back from left: Canon Peter McDowell, Rev Simon Genoe, Rev John Rutter and Canon John Budd. Front, from left: Canon Sam Wright, Garvin Jess and Bishop Alan Abernethy.

Lisburn Cathedral was the venue for the commissioning of Garvin Jess as a Diocesan Lay Reader on Thursday March 13.

The lively service was led by the Rev Simon Genoe, with the rector, Canon Sam Wright preaching, and the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy presiding.

Garvin grew up in a Christian home with believing parents where faith was nurtured, and so from a young age he believed the gospel message. Garvin said: “I have been so blessed by God to have wonderful parents who lived out their faith in Christ right in front of my sister, my three brothers and I.”

Garvin attended Castle Robin and Largymore primary schools and Lisnagarvey High School, later working for Royal Mail as a postman, then in administration, rising to unit manager. He gained a degree in Business studies in 2005. He now works as Parish Administrator at Lisburn Cathedral and enjoys meeting people and serving the parish very much.

“It was through a growing desire to serve God well that I heard the call to reader ministry,” Garvin said. “I was reading in Numbers 13 of the spies after having searched out the land of Caanan, brought back an ‘evil’ or ‘bad report’ that melted the hearts of the people, and how Joshua and Caleb in contrast brought a ‘good report’ – and I believe that God has put it in my heart to bring a message that warms hearts rather than melts them, that positively impacts unsaved souls and encourages Christ’s disciples. I approached others and asked them to pray for discernment to know how to proceed – and received affirmation that I should pursue reader training.”

Garvin has served in a number of roles in his home church, including Sunday School teacher / coordinator, Youth Club leader, as a member of the worship team, select vestry and history group. He is commissioned to the parish of Glenavy for a year, under the guidance of the Rev John Rutter.

The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor

Diocesan Lay Reader commissioned at Lisburn Cathedral

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