Revd. Christiaan Snell Welcomed as Minister-in-Charge of the Edgeworthstown Group of Parishes

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On Sunday afternoon, 9th July, family, friends, colleagues and parishioners gathered in St John Church, Edgeworthstown to welcome Revd. Christiaan Snell as the new Minister-In-Charge of the Edgeworthstown Group of Parishes in Co. Longford.

The service was a wonderful occasion with great music and singing. It was led by the Ven. Isaac Hanna, Archdeacon of Elphin and Ardagh with The Rt. Revd. Ferran Glenfield, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh preaching. In his address, based on Isaiah 61, Bishop Ferran spoke of the promise of hope. We have a new day, a new beginning and there is no need for despair as our future is in Christ.

During the service words of welcome were expressed by Dr. Fergus O’Farrell, the lay leader of the Methodist Church and member of the Covenant Council. He highlighted the significance of Rev. Christiaan’s appointment as minister in both the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church. It is a wonderful example of the outworking of the covenant which was agreed between the two traditions in 2002.

Refreshments were served after the service at which further words of welcome were extended to Rev. Christiaan and his family by Ed Lindsay on behalf of the parish and Dean Arfon Williams on behalf of the clergy of the Diocese. Rev. Christiaan acknowledged everyone’s warm welcome saying that it was great to be part of a new beginning. He said that even though we come from different backgrounds and traditions our focus should be on Christ, treasuring Him.

We thank God for the openness, acceptance and warmth that exists between the Methodist Church in Ireland and the Church of Ireland and we pray for Rev. Christiaan and his family as they begin a new chapter of ministry among these churches.

 


Ms. Ruth Gailbraith, Ven. Isaac Hanna, Bishop Ferran,Rev. Alastair Donaldson, Rev. Christiaan Snell, Dean Arfon Williams, Dr. Fergus O’Ferrall, Dean Nigel Crossey, Rev. Linda Frost


Dean Arfon Williams, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Revd. Christiaan Snell, Revd. Fergus O’Ferrall, The Ven. Isaac Hanna.


Bishop Ferran with Revd. Christiaan, his wife Karen and their three children.