Institution, rector of St Mark’s, Newtownards
Bishop Harold Miller instituted the Revd Chris Matchett as rector of St Mark’s, Newtownards, in the Diocese of Down, on Friday 9 September at 8pm. The preacher at the service was Revd Ken Lindsay, Minister of Ballinamallard Methodist Church. Revd Lindsay is President Designate of the Methodist Church in Ireland and a valued colleague of Chris in his former parish.
Chris introduces himself below…
A native of Londonderry, I worked as an accountant before training for ordination. I met my wife, Ali, who was the Crosslinks Youth Worker, while I was at Theological College and we have three children, Daniel, Simon and Kathryn – one born in each of the three parishes I have served in so far.
I served two curacies in Down & Dromore and our return to the Diocese has come as a surprise following more than 7 years as rector of Magheracross in Clogher Diocese. Our time in Fermanagh, with its close family ties and wonderful countryside, is something we will all treasure, and God has taught us much through both the people and the place.
As desperately as we will miss being part of Ballinamallard, we are excited about moving to St Mark’s. We’re pleased that there are green fields and a Lough nearby to help with the culture shock, but I’m looking forward most to getting to know the people of the parish and to seeing the ministry and witness of St Mark’s to the wider community of Newtownards continue to grow.
I confess to feeling daunted by the thought of coming to such a large parish, but this move has been an exercise in trusting God for each of us in our family, and if sometimes it feels that all we have is God’s call, then that’s all right, because that’s all we ever need. As I believe this for us, I also believe it for the people of Magheracross and St Mark’s.