Revd Ian Linton welcomed in Rathfriland and Ballyward
Bishop David has instituted Revd Ian Linton as rector of Rathfriland and Ballyward. The service took place on Wednesday 19 February in Drumgooland Parish Church and the preacher was the Very Revd Geoff Wilson, Dean of Dromore. Geoff and Ian trained together at the Church of Ireland Theological College in Dublin.
Ian is a native of Carrickfergus and has a degree in statistics from the University of Glasgow. On graduating, he took up a management training position with Bank of Scotland where he remained for three years before returning to Ireland and ordination training.
He says: “My sense that the Lord was leading me in this direction had been growing since first giving my ‘Yes’ to Christ in my mid–teens, and I am deeply thankful for those who nurtured my faith and helped me explore this vocation.”
Ian was ordained in 2004 for the Curacy of Enniskillen and it was there that he met Amanda, a parishioner of Enniskillen Cathedral. They married in 2007. Amanda is a qualified teacher, and currently works with the Education Authority as an Advisory Teacher for children with special educational needs. They have two children of primary school age.
Ian’s first incumbency was in the Drumcliffe Group of Parishes in County Sligo where he also served as Archdeacon of Elphin & Ardagh and as Chaplain to Sligo University Hospital. In 2015 the family moved to the Diocese of Derry where Ian became Rector of Drumragh (Omagh) with Mountfield.
He is a member of the Standing Committee and the Church of Ireland Marriage Council, and served for many years on the committee of the Church of Ireland Evangelical Fellowship.
New calling
Ian says: “Our calling to Rathfriland and Ballyward has been somewhat unexpected, and it is a part of the world which is new to us as a family. However, we have already experienced a very warm welcome, and we believe that our move to County Down is in God’s plan. My prayer is that our Sunday worship will be at the heart of our life as a church family: that we might deepen a sense of fellowship across the generations, sharing in Spirit–filled worship, being challenged and encouraged by the Bible, drawing us to the cross of Christ, and encountering our Heavenly Father’s love, so that we are better equipped to walk with Jesus, to serve him and make him known day by day.
“In recent times I am thankful to God for helping me discover a deeper dependence upon Him, for a renewed sense of the privilege of ordained ministry, and for the truth that ‘I can do all things through him who gives me strength’ (Philippians 4.13). Please pray for our family, our new Parishes and the Parishes we leave behind. We are excited to discover all that the Lord has in store in this new season of life and ministry.”
