Revd Peter Hilton is welcomed to Helen’s Bay
Revd Peter Hilton has been warmly welcomed as the new rector of Helen’s Bay. It is Peter’s first incumbency, and he moves to his new parish from the curacy of Newtownards.
Bishop David instituted Peter on Wednesday 21 August 2024 and the preacher was Bishop Ken Clarke.
In his address Bishop Ken posed the question, “As a church what are we doing here? What are we here for?”
He said: “We are here to endure, to keep going, to persevere in being salt and light in our community. We are here to be selfless, just like Jesus who did not live to please Himself. And we are here to glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Using the H and B of Helen’s Bay, Bishop Ken summed up God’s vision for his Church as being a Holy Body with Holy Behaviour, exercising Holy Boldness
A Holy Body is a Healthy Body where everyone plays their part, and we are marked by kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, grace, mercy, and Christlikeness.
Holy Behaviour is humble behaviour which honours Christ’s example of humble, selfless service.
We are to have a Holy Boldness in the proclamation of the Good News, being courageous and brave as we seek to be fishers of men and women, reaching out in mission and evangelism and living out the Good News as Jesus did.
And finally, under Peter’s leadership, the Parish of Helen’s Bay was to be a Beacon of Hope, following the example of Jesus in Isaiah 61: 1-7 and bringing hope to a society that desperately needs a living hope.
Bishop Ken’s final words were for the new rector as he set out on this exciting new chapter:
“Peter, your personal growth in your relationship with the Lord is a top priority! In the midst of all the busyness of parish and diocesan life prioritise growing closer to Jesus."
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
“God bless you massively as you seek to live out His Vision!”
Meet Revd Peter Hilton
When I was a teenager, I had an encounter that changed my life.
One evening, all alone in my room, God showed up.
It was an unexpected meeting! If I'd have known He was coming, I'd have been better prepared. Come to think about it, if I'd had known God was real before that encounter, I'd have lived my life completely differently. Thankfully, I learnt that our heavenly Father is gracious, kind and able to meet each of us where we are at. And as He met me, He brought me forgiveness and a new start.
And so, from that evening, I've sought to help other people encounter God and experience His presence in their daily lives. That call has led me in a number of directions in my life.
It led me to find a girl - Gemma, a former Presbyterian, who has partnered with me in both marriage and ministry over the past 20 years.
It has led me to ministry with youth work where I enjoyed working with the young people at St Finnian’s Cregagh for 10 years.
It has led me to mission work, where I loved seeing God at work in The Leprosy Mission and see God's healing power break into the most broken of lives.
It led me to a call to ordination, and to be Deacon at St Malachy's, Hillsborough, and then Curate at St Mark's Newtownards, where it has been wonderful to see God at work in the lives of the congregations.
And now it has led me to take up a new role as Rector of St John’s Helen’s Bay, one which I’m really looking forward to. As Gemma, our two girls and I make the move to Helen’s Bay, we’re excited to see how the Lord will encounter us and those we meet in our daily lives and build His Church in this place.
