Kilwarlin welcomes Revd Elaine Pentland
Revd Elaine Pentland has received a warm welcome on becoming Priest-in-charge of the Grouped Parishes of Kilwarlin, Upper and Lower. It is Elaine’s first charge, and she has moved to her new parish from the curacy of Willowfield.
Bishop David introduced Elaine at a service in St John’s Church on Friday 28 March and the Rector of Willowfield, the Revd Clive Atkinson, gave the address.
Speaking of her forthcoming ministry in Kilwarlin, Elaine said:
“I am looking forward to being Priest-in-charge in the beautiful country setting of Upper and Lower Kilwarlin. As I have been praying for what lies ahead, by Word and Spirit, I have been drawn to a verse in Paul’s letter to the Colossians. It is my heart’s desire that as we grow our ‘hearts will be encouraged and united in love so to have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’
Meet Elaine
I grew up in Crossgar where both sides of my family have lived and worked many generations. One Granny ran the village shop and Post Office into her 80’s the other was a primary school Headmistress. Surrounded by such a loving family, and nurturing church family, including both my home parishes of Kilmore and Inch and the local Presbyterian church, mine was a very happy upbringing.
Family life pretty much revolved around what was going on at church. I first saw Sydney at the local BB display when I was 12 and we married 25 years ago. In between I studied history at Queens and then went on to study and work as a nurse. We have 3 children aged 24, 22 and 13.
I never knew a time when I did not understand that Jesus loved me and died for me. I grew up and into my faith and remember at 13 taking my confirmation vows very seriously. The Lord Jesus and his church are the great passion of my life, and it was this that drew me into ministry. As my heart was being stirred, and an unsettledness was taking hold as I worked in the health service, I remember drinking a cup of coffee while looking out the office window towards the hospital building, thinking, “In the twinkling of an eye someday there will be no more sick people, I need to give all my energies to that which will last forever.” And so, the journey to ordination began.
I entered the Theological Institute in Dublin in 2019 and was ordained deacon in August 2021 for an intern year in Willowfield Church. I remained in Willowfield as curate and got a taste of city life and ministry. It was a busy and blessed time. If they say it takes a village to grow a child, it definitely takes a congregation to grow a curate.
It continues to be a delight that what was birthed in a Sunday school class and weekly church attendance has led me to this vocation, as I seek to live and teach the truth of Psalm 138, “For you have exalted your name and your word above everything.”
