Revd Anna Williams is introduced in Ballynahinch
Congratulations to Revd Anna Williams who was introduced as Priest-in-charge of the Parish of Magheradroll (Ballynahinch) on Thursday 5 December. Anna's preacher was Revd Canon Bryan Follis, rector of Hillsborough Parish, where she grew up and worshipped prior to her ordination in 2020.
It was a joyful evening in a full and festive church. Magheradroll parishioners were joined by Anna's family and many friends, including parishioners from Hillsborough and Banbridge where Anna served her curacy.
Ministry colleagues included a trio of Revds who led the contemporary worship - Revd Nathan Ervine, Rector of Monkstown; Revd Matthew Topley, Curate in St Anne’s Dungannon and Revd Rodney Blair, Vicar in Shankill Parish Lurgan.
The Area Dean, The Very Revd Geoff Wilson, lead the service and the choir sang an anthem.
Canon Follis preached from Acts 20: 22-38. He urged Anna and the parish to become an authentic gospel community with the preaching and teaching of the Bible at its heart. Canon Follis commended Anna to them as a warm hearted, kind and caring person who would serve the parish with diligence and preach and teach faithfully.
A word from Anna
"I grew up as part of a big family who all went to Hillsborough Parish Church, and who faithfully set a godly example and taught me how to love and serve Jesus. Because my childhood church was filled with family, I’ve always thought of church as family; and I’m grateful for how that family has grown – especially over the past few years of ordained ministry: my Deacon Intern year with the church family in St Mary’s, Ballybeen, and my Curacy with the church family in Banbridge. At each of these stages of ministry, I’ve gained brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers in the faith, who have encouraged, challenged, and been a huge blessing to me, as we’ve laboured together for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
"I’m now looking forward to getting to know a new church family in Ballynahinch, as a new chapter in ministry begins for me and for this parish! This is a place, and these are a people, God laid on my heart earlier this year, as He used the encouragements of others to begin to call me into ministry here. He has given me a real excitement to be part of a town that is growing, and part of a church family so well placed to serve the community it’s at the heart of!
"With thanksgiving for all that God has done and is doing in and through this church family, I’m eagerly anticipating all the great things that are still to come, as we put our hands to the plough together to seek first the Kingdom, to proclaim Jesus, our King, and to go, in the power of the Spirit, to make new disciples in His Name."
