Seagoe Parish Centre soon to open
Work is nearing completion on the new Seagoe Parish Centre. The long awaited centre, costing in the region of £1.5m, will enable the growing Parish of Seagoe to develop further what it offers its Parishioners and to offer the wider community much improved facilities in which to engage with a range of activities.
The Church will still have access to the current facilities it uses in Seagoe Old School and in Seagoe Primary School (one of a very few Church of Ireland Maintained Schools in the country).
The Select Vestry worked for many years under the leadership of their past Rector, Archdeacon David Chillingworth, in planning for the expansion of their facilities. When David moved to Scotland to take up a new post as Bishop he was succeeded by Seagoe's current Rector, Canon Terence Cadden. Terence has built upon David’s work and helped the Parish to focus on moving into the building phase of the project.
The Parish is delighted that David, now Primus of the Episcopal Church of Scotland, has accepted an invitation to officially open the Parish Centre at 3pm on Saturday 26th June. Following the opening the Bishop of Down and Dromore, Rt. Rev.Harold Miller will dedicate the building.
Bishop Harold will return on the Sunday to celebrate Holy Communion at 9.15am and then to preach at the Opening Service at 10.30am. In the evening Resonate, an interdenominational gathering, will meet in the centre for worship led by The Mark Ferguson Band with their special guest, Bishop Ken Clarke (Bishop of Kilmore, and Terence’s Rector when he was curate in Coleraine Parish).
The Parish is currently exploring possibilities for a programme of activities to run within the complex. Ideas from the community will be much appreciated and to that end some of the people of Seagoe hope to conduct a community audit later in the year. If you have any suggestions please feel free to contact Terence or our Parish Office.
The Church is organising a range of special events to mark the opening of the new facilities, as follows:
Friday 25th June 7.30pm: Seagoe’s Got Talent
A variety of parishioners and church organizations will present an entertaining programme.
Saturday 26th June 11am-2.30pm: Garden Fete
To be held in the sports pitches beside the Old School. This event, open to the public, will provide a great day out with a variety of stall and attractions to suit all the family.
Saturday 26th June 3pm: Official Opening
by Rt. Rev. David Chillingworth and dedication by Rt. Rev. Harold Miller. Unfortunately this event will have to be restricted to Seagoe Parishioners and a range of invited guests.