Parish reader commissioned in Craigyhill

Thursday February 1st 2024

At the service in All Saints’, Craigyhill, on January 28 are, from left: The Rev Peter Jones, Warden of Readers; Stephen Haslett who was commissioned a Parish Reader; the Rev Arlene Moore, priest-in-charge, and William Patton, Diocesan Lay Reader.

Stephen Haslett was commissioned as a Parish Reader at a service in All Saints’, Craigyhill, on Sunday January 28.

Stephen was commissioned by the Rev Peter Jones, Connor Warden of Readers, who preached on discerning God’s purpose, following his plan, and trusting him through the problems that come in life and ministry.

Stephen attends All Saints’, where his father Victor was a former organist. Stephen had helped administer the chalice for many years and helped out in many ways alongside Jim Hunter, who at the service gave Stephen a personal Bible verse from the Psalms and spoke briefly of their friendship and years of ministry together. Jim encouraged Stephen to put his hand in God’s and wished him every blessing for the future.

It was a united service with congregations from both All Saints’ and St Patrick’s in attendance. It was also special in that the organ which had lain broken and unused for several years had been repaired and was played for the first time, to the delight of all, not least Stephen’s dad Victor, who would have been the last person to play it pre-Covid!

Derick Jenkins, the parish’s current organist, was at the console and the choir of St Patrick’s, Cairncastle, sang the lovely anthem, ‘How clear is our vocation Lord.’

Maureen Thompson from St Patrick’s, who was Stephen’s P2 teacher, read a lesson, and the other lesson was read by Janis Young from All Saints’. The Intercessions were led by William Patton, Diocesan Lay Reader who ministers mainly in St Patrick’s.

Stephen’s parents, godparents, family and friends all attended the service and afterwards, around 50 people enjoyed a buffet carvery in Ballygally Castle Hotel.