Rev Darren McCartney instituted in Knocknamuckley
Bishop Harold has instituted Rev Darren McCartney in the Parish of Knocknamuckley, which lies between Portadown and Lurgan.
Area Dean, Rev Gareth Harron, conducted the service which took place on 2nd October and the preacher was Rev Uel Marrs, Overseas Secretary of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Uel has known Darren since he did an overseas placement in Kenya in the early nineties and also preached at his wedding.
The church was packed with Knocknamuckley parishioners as well as many from the Parish of St Nicholas', Carrickfergus, where Darren has just served as a curate for 3 years. Rev Gordon Best of nearby Newmills Presbyterian welcomed the new rector as did the local Mayor and the MP and MLA for Upper Bann, Mr David Simpson.
Darren and his wife Karen lived in the Arctic for more than three years, where he was minister in charge of St Luke's Anglican Church. They returned to Co Antrim in October 2006 where Darren joined the team in Carrickfergus.