Anna Williams is ordained deacon
Congratulations to Revd Anna Williams who has been ordained deacon for an internship in St Mary’s, Ballybeen
Anna was ordained by Bishop David along with Andy Hay at a service in Down Cathedral on Sunday 30 August. The preacher was Ven David Huss, Archdeacon of Raphoe
Anna’s journey to ordination
I have the great blessing of a family who have always demonstrated love for God and for neighbour. Thanks to their faithful witness, and the gift of a church family in Hillsborough Parish, I can never remember a time when I did not know Jesus Christ as friend, Saviour, and Lord.
As a teenager, and as God’s Spirit strengthened and guided me, I was excited to share the love of God and the good news of Jesus Christ through different ministries in Hillsborough Parish and overseas through Habitat for Humanity and other organisations. I felt strongly the truth behind James’s statement that faith without works is dead (James 2:26), and I began to ask God what work he would have me do in the power of his Spirit.
I heard a whisper of a call to full–time ministry as a teenager, but it wasn’t until after I had studied English and Theology at Trinity College, Dublin, and then Global Ethics at the University of Birmingham, that God interrupted my plans to work in global development with a call to ordination that I could not ignore.
When I sought Christ with my whole heart, and surrendered all I am, and have, and ever hope to be into his hands, I found real clarity about the work God was giving me a heart to do in his Kingdom and for his glory. I grew in confidence in responding to this call as I read Scripture and walked through doors that God opened for me, gaining experience of different aspects of ministry through working in the office in Hillsborough Parish and then as a ministry intern in Seapatrick Parish, Banbridge.
I give thanks for those opportunities, for the past two years at CITI, and for all those who have journeyed with me – encouraging me, praying with and for me, helping me to see where the Holy Spirit was at work, and affirming that sense of vocation to ordained ministry.
I’m excited to continue my journey as a disciple of Christ, still seeking God, still surrendering everything to Him, and increasingly passionate about making the good news of Jesus Christ known to others so that they, too, can seek, surrender, and glorify God in their lives.
I am looking forward to getting stuck into that Kingdom work alongside the people of St Mary’s, Ballybeen!
