Meet our newest Diocesan Reader
Hi, my name is Rodney Magennis, I’m 37 and I belong to the parishes of Rathfriland and Ballyward. I am a life–long member of St. John’s Church Rathfriland. My involvement in Church life has been since a very young age as I was always brought along to Church with Christian parents.
My Christian work, in Church, started by becoming a member of the Church Choir followed by being a Sunday School Teacher. In 2001 Ballyward Church asked me to come along to be their organist, a post which I held for just over 12 years until September 2013.
It was during this time that I felt God calling on my life and wanting me to take a step further. My Rector at the time, Revd David Somerville, announced in Church for anyone interested in becoming a Parish Reader, so I put my name forward and since 2005 that has been my role. At the back of my mind there was always an inkling that I should go towards ordination, so I mentioned it to my Rector and Bishop Harold.
Having left school just after my GCSE’s I needed to prove that I could work to a university level so I enrolled in a higher education course with St. John’s Nottingham. After completing this I went onto the Foundation course through CITI in Dublin. At my interviews the pathway towards becoming a Diocesan Lay Reader was put to me and I enrolled into the Diocese 2030 programme.
Many thanks must go to the Revds Willie Nixon, Trevor Johnston and Adrian Dorrian, who lead the course. Also thanks need to be expressed to the Revds. Chris Bennett and David Somerville for all their help and support.
Currently I am a Chaplain within the Orange Order, the Black Institution and the Apprentice Boys. This has given me the opportunity to go different places to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am looking forward to my role as a Diocesan Reader so that I can travel around the Diocese preaching and proclaiming the Word of God and showing the people their need and the way of salvation.
Bishop Harold licensed Rodney as a Diocesan Lay Reader on 5 October in Drumgooland Parish Church, Ballyward. Pictured left to right: Rector, Revd Gerald Macartney, Rodney Magennis with his Dad and Mum, Richard and Irene, Diocesan Reader Jack Watson and Bishop Harold.