Meet Revd Karen Salmon
Karen Salmon has been ordained deacon to serve an internship in Shankill Parish, Lurgan:
I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home, but came to faith through the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship while still attending Primary School. Over a week of mission, the team’s use of Bible stories, memory verses, and songs led me to love and commit myself to Jesus.
Like most of us, my life since becoming a Christian has had its highs and lows. I met my husband Mervyn at the church youth club when I was sixteen and we married the summer following my graduation as a nurse. After four years together Mervyn was tragically killed in a car accident. At that time and since God has used Scripture to lead, challenge, and comfort me. I am convinced that God still speaks today – if we are willing to listen! And for those of us who are hard of hearing He repeats Himself.
Professionally, I worked in Cardiology at Belfast City Hospital making me passionate about preventive health care. This led to my work as a health visitor and team leader at Cuper Street and Shankill Health Centres.
Spiritually, I spent formative years as a member of Knocknagoney Parish and the ecumenical group Community of the King where I led a women’s group and was involved in children’s ministry. While helping lead a Scripture Union camp I read an article on Mission which resulted in a rich twenty–year experience in Ethiopia with Crosslinks.
The common features of my life in Ireland and Ethiopia are my love for small group Bible study and prison ministry. My journey towards ordination has been a slow one; it took some time for me to act on God’s call, as I was so rooted in Ethiopia it was hard to leave. I am excited about serving in Shankill Parish Lurgan with the Revd Mark Harvey and his team.
View a photo gallery of the candidates and bishops here.
View a Facebook album of the service here.