27.08.2015
Nigel Pierpoint – Hope and Excitement for What Lies Ahead as Intern Deacon in Taney
On Sunday September 21 two new Deacons will be ordained in Christ Church Cathedral. Nigel Pierpoint and Ross Styles will be ordained to the Diaconate for the parishes of Christ Church, Taney and St Patrick’s, Greystones, respectively. This week they introduce themselves – Nigel Pierpoint today and Ross Styles tomorrow.
“I was born reared in Santry and baptised into the Methodist tradition. At the age of seven I was sent to join my two brothers in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School. I was a boy chorister in the Cathedral choir and was confirmed into the Church of Ireland at the age of 14. It was through my experience as a chorister and later as head verger in the Cathedral that I grew to appreciate and enjoy the liturgy, participating weekly in the offices of morning and evening choral worship.
I have been married to Anne for 32 years and together we have been blessed with two children Claire and Stephen who both live in Dublin. I have been a lay reader in the diocese of Dublin and Glendalough since 1995. My home parish of Holy Trinity Killiney has been our regular place of worship since Anne and I moved to the Southside back in 1983. As a parish, I can honestly say it was and still is a place of great warmth and welcome to whoever should cross the threshold of its door. The support and encouragement I have received and continue to receive from all the parishioners has been nothing short of amazing as I have answered my calling to ordained ministry and for this I thank them all sincerely.
Since leaving school I have worked in the motor industry, qualifying as a motor mechanic and then leaving the tools to further my career in management and then a directorship in DG Opel on the Navan Road. My entire working life has been spent in the motor industry spanning some 34 years
My call to investigate a vocation in ordained ministry began back in 2000 when I went to meet with the Diocesan Director of Ordinands. In his wisdom, the Revd. Ted Woods suggested that I take some time to consider my calling. Naturally I did, but little did I realise then that “more time” would have meant another 12 years. Despite my heavy involvement in commercial activities the thought of ordination never left my mind. It would always pop back into my head when I least expected it to like on holidays or playing golf. I could no longer ignore God’s call and when I broached the subject with Anne, her response was, “I have been waiting for you to say that for years”.
The process of my discernment has been long and in some cases difficult. Getting back to the books and study as a mature student has had its highs and lows. This coming year of my diaconate will be spent in the parishes of Christ Church Taney and Saint Nahi’s in Dundrum ministering to the parishioners under the guidance, care and wisdom of the Revd Canon Robert Warren. I am looking forward to working with him and also the curate, the Revd Cathy Hallissey. I am privileged to be working in such a large parish and I intend to fully immerse myself in the life and work of both churches. I am also looking forward to becoming part of the parish community. I am very much a people person and have a compassionate disposition towards those who suffer and are grieving. As I envisage what lies ahead, there is a sense of hope, excitement and dare I say, trepidation as I offer myself to the Lord’s work and the people of Taney and Saint Nahi’s.
I have mentioned my wife Anne and I would like to say how incredible she has been throughout the process of my studies. She has supported me throughout with words of encouragement and always being ready to listen when I needed an ear. To Anne I say “Thank you” from the bottom of my heart for all your support and encouragement and for your unfailing willingness in supporting me to answer God’s call to ordained ministry.
I hope and pray that in some small way my future ministry will bring honour and glory to God as I embark on this epic journey.”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)