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‘Connor Connections’ summer issue now available

Tuesday June 22nd 2021

The summer issue of our diocesan magazine Connor Connections is now available and is free to all parishioners in the diocese.

The cover features Antrim parishioners Victoria McClements and Conor Taggart, whose doorstep singing during the first Covid-19 lockdown last year led to the birth of Bello Duo, an album and international recognition. Victoria and Conor share their story in a two page feature inside.

In his message to the diocese, Bishop George Davison reflects on the joy of being able to worship together in person once again.

We introduce our new Children’s Ministry Officer, Victoria Jackson – though for some, no introduction is needed as Victoria, former Chief Executive of the Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade, is a very familiar face in the diocese.

We meet some of the children benefiting from the North Belfast Centre of Mission Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) project and also speak to the mentors who volunteer their time to help.

As we cautiously emerge from the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, we find out how the summer may look for young people in parishes across the diocese.

The death of HRH Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh earlier this year was particularly poignant for three generations of one Connor family – Donald, Stephen and Alex McBride, all holders of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. We share their story.

A garden is blooming in the heart of Ballymoney – the Quiet Garden near St Patrick’s Parish Church is an eco-friendly initiative from Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rashsharkin Parish Caring Association as part of its mission to ‘build bridges of hope’ into the community. We pay a visit to the garden behind the wall.

Paddy Wallace, a parishioner in All Saints’, Antrim, was honoured to receive the Maundy Purse from Her Majesty the Queen, and we hear a little of Paddy’s life and work. Sharon Cummings, a member of Magheragall Parish, tells how long covid continues to impact her life, and the Rev Canon Kevin Graham unveils plans to walk a marathon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Due to restrictions, Kevin’s walk will now take a different route to that outlined in Connor Connections, but his full marathon will go ahead on June 26.

This past year has been different from the norm for all of us – including Connor’s six deacon interns. We speak to Revs Andrea Cotter, Sarah Crawford, Alan McCracken, Nathan Irvine, Brendan O’Loane and Janet Spence about how they have found these last months.

We share Bishop George’s tribute to the late Rev John Anderson, rector of Billy and Derrykeighan.

Connor Connections Summer 2021 is available from your rector now.

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