Revd Rodney Magennis is ordained presbyter
Congratulations to Revd Rodney Magennis who has been ordained presbyter. He will serve as Diocesan Curate with special responsibility for the Grouped Parishes of Aghaderg, Donaghmore and Scarva.
Rodney was ordained by Bishop David at a service in Holy Trinity, Banbridge on Sunday 23 August. The preacher was Revd Canon Roland Heaney, rector of Dunganstown Union in the Diocese of Dublin & Glendalough.
Because of guidelines around social distancing, the size of the congregation had to be limited but the service was live-streamed on Facebook. This was the second ordination of the year, but it was the first at which everyone had to wear face coverings, hence some of the unusual photos!
In his sermon, Canon Roly urged Rodney to, above all, proclaim the gospel. Outside after the service, Bishop David gave that charge to everyone but especially to Rodney's new parishioners who will share with him in that missional task.
Rodney's Profile
My call to the ordained ministry goes back to 2001 and now, some 19 years later I am to be ordained presbyter.
I was baptised in my home parish of Drumgath (St. John’s) Church, Rathfriland and confirmed in the parish of Drumgooland (Ballyward). Being brought up in a Christian family home, church has always played a major part in my life and over the years I took on a variety of roles which gave me invaluable experience.
After my ordination as a Deacon, I started working in the Church of the Transfiguration, Belvoir, Belfast, under the rector, the Revd Adrian McCartney. Coming from a small country parish I was a little apprehensive to be positioned in a large city parish, but there was nothing to worry about. From the moment I arrived I was made extremely welcome by everyone from the youngest to the oldest. Life was good and being a part of all the groupings showed me that God works in many ways through many different people in reaching out to those who need help. It was difficult, however, trying to balance studies along with church duties and that accelerated when lockdown began. It was quite different having pastoral connections on the phone or just on the doorstep of parishioner’s home. The one thing for certain was that God was with me and guided me through.
As I prepare for my new role in Aghaderg, Donaghmore and Scarva, it is my prayer that these parishes will grow in the love of God and be a shining light of Christian worship into the local communities. I want to see them proclaiming in whatever way they can by embracing different means, the redemptive power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ who is the only way to heaven.
