Rev Emma Gibson appointed rector in Ballycastle

Sunday May 31st 2026

The Rev Emma Gibson.

The Rev Emma Gibson, associate minister in Magheralin Parish in the Diocese of Down and Dromore, has been appointed rector of the Grouped Parishes of Ramoan and Culfeightrin (Ballycastle) in Connor Diocese.

Emma is married to Paul, and they have a young child. Daughter of the Rev Canon James Carson, rector of St Stephen’s and St Michael’s, Belfast, and his wife Heather, Emma grew up in Lisburn and before training for ministry in the Church of Ireland worked as a primary school teacher.

She trained at CITI and was ordained deacon in 2018 and presbyter in 2019. She served her curacy in Ballymena Parish through the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Emma said she greatly enjoyed her time ministering in Ballymena, where she had ‘the privilege of serving the parish through the challenges and opportunities of that unique season.’

For the past four years, she has been associate minister in Magheralin. Emma said that as a family, they had loved their time in the parish where they had been made to feel very welcome, had built lasting friendships, and had enjoyed being part of such a supportive parish and community while sharing in a fruitful season of ministry.

“While it will be difficult to leave Magheralin and the people we have come to know and love over the past four years, we are excited about God’s call to this new chapter of life and ministry in the parishes of Ramoan and Culfeightrin and the Ballycastle community,” Emma said.

“As a family, we look forward to getting to know people, building new friendships, and sharing in the life and worship of the parish. We pray that, together, we will grow in our love for Jesus and follow the leading of His Holy Spirit in the years ahead.”