Special readings at Agherton Christmas services
The Rev Malcolm Ferry, second from right, with the three young refugees who read at Christmas Services in Agherton Parish Church.
A number of young men currently living as refugees and asylum seekers in a Portstewart Hotel have been attending services in Agherton Parish Church.
And on Christmas Eve, three of these young men played a special role in the parish Christingle Service at 6pm and the 11pm Holy Communion service, reading from the Gospel of Matthew in their own language from their Persian Bibles.
The passages were translated into English to be followed by the congregation on screens as the three young men read aloud.
The rector, the Rev Malcolm Ferry, said: “It really brought to life the fact that the wise men who joined Mary and Joseph at the crib faced cultural and language barriers.”
The men are among a group of around 19 who enjoy the facilities of Agherton Parish Hall each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, when the parish opens its doors to give them a change of scene from their hotel rooms.
Malcolm said: “It’s massive for the boys to get out of the hotel to play sport together a couple of afternoons a week.”
Site Directory
- Home
- About us
- News
- Parishes
- Agherton
- Ahoghill and Portglenone
- Antrim
- Ardclinis, Tickmacrevan, Layde and Cushendun
- Armoy, Loughguile and Drumtullagh
- Ballinderry
- Ballintoy, Dunseverick and Rathlin
- Ballymacash
- Ballymena (Kilconriola) and Ballyclug
- Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin
- Ballynure and Ballyeaston (Ballyclare)
- Ballyrashane & Kildollagh
- Ballywillan, Portrush
- Belfast Cathedral
- Billy & Derrykeighan
- Broomhedge
- Carnmoney
- Carrickfergus
- Christ Church, Lisburn
- Cloughfern
- Coleraine
- Connor and Antrim St Patrick
- Craigs, Dunaghy and Killagan
- Derriaghy
- Derryvolgie
- Drummaul, Duneane and Ballyscullion
- Dunluce
- Dunmurry
- Eglantine
- Finaghy and Upper Malone
- Glenavy
- Glencairn
- Greenisland
- Holy Trinity and St Silas with Immanuel
- Jordanstown
- Kilbride
- Kilmakee Parish
- Kilroot and Templecorran
- Kilwaughter and Cairncastle with All Saints Craigyhill
- Lambeg
- Larne & Inver, Glynn & Raloo
- Lisburn Cathedral
- Lisburn St Paul’s
- Magheragall
- Mallusk
- Malone
- Monkstown
- Mossley
- Muckamore and Killead
- Ramoan and Culfeightrin (Ballycastle)
- Rathcoole
- Saint Katharine
- Skerry, Rathcavan & Newtowncrommelin
- St Aidan and St Mary Magdalene
- St Bartholomew’s, Stranmillis
- St George’s
- St Mark (Ballysillan)
- St Mary with Holy Redeemer
- St Matthew’s, Shankill
- St Michael Belfast
- St Paul & St Barnabas
- St Peter & St James
- St Simon and St Philip (Drew Meml)
- St Stephen and St Luke (Lower Falls)
- St Thomas’s
- Stoneyford and Gartree
- Templepatrick and Donegore
- The United Parishes of St Nicholas and All Saints
- Upper Falls
- Whitehead & Islandmagee
- Whitehouse & St Ninian
- Whiterock
- Woodburn
- Children/Youth
- Support
Follow us online
© Copyright The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor 2024 | Web Design by LD2.digital