06.08.2016
Parishioners of Drumcondra, North Strand and St Barnabas Begin New Phase With Reminder to Listen to God
The Parish of Drumcondra, North Strand and St Barnabas entered a new phase of ministry yesterday evening (Friday August 5) with the arrival of their new Rector. The Revd Garth Bunting was instituted by Archbishop Michael Jackson at a service in North Strand Church where he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Dublin parish.
Garth came to the parish from Christ Church Cathedral where he was Residential Priest Vicar. He was ordained deacon in 1999 to serve as curate–assistant of the Parish of Clooney with Strathfoyle, Londonderry. Before taking up the position in Christ Church in 2010, he served incumbencies in Leckpatrick and Dunnalong (Derry and Raphoe, 2002–2006) and Finaghy and Upper Malone, Belfast (Connor, 2006–2010).
In her sermon, the Revd Elizabeth Hanna, Rector of St Nicholas’ Parish, Belfast, spoke of the importance of listening to the voice of Jesus. Drawing on the Gospel reading [St John 15: 7–17] – ‘Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”’ she said: “The challenge to us all is, first and foremost, to listen to Jesus Christ”.
“So often we, like Peter, rush in with our own plans and forget to listen to our Lord. The Transfiguration is a reminder that it is God who is in control and we must listen to Jesus,” she added. “Listening means we have to set aside our own agendas, our busyness, our plans and be attentive to the voice of God. So in the midst of all that has to be done, there must be a quiet place to listen to God.”
The preacher said that it was in the quiet place, that we find the faith to deal with daily challenges but she pointed out that we have to then come down from the mountain into the valley, leave the retreat, come out of the quiet room and continue ministry with renewed vision and faith.
She reminded the congregation that each of us is responsible for making disciples. “So now as you move into a new phase of ministry in the parish of Drumcondra, North Strand and St Barnabas, may each of you listen to the voice of Jesus and go out to love God and love one another,” she concluded.
Speaking after the service, Rural Dean, Canon Paul Houston, welcomed Garth to the Rural Deanery and thanked all who had carried on the work of the parish during the vacancy.
Welcoming Garth on behalf of the parishioners, Alan Privet, noted that at least they got this Garth into the parish – “Who needs Garth Brooks when we’ve got Garth Bunting?” he asked. He said the parish was united and hard working and promised that the people of the parish would enthusiastically put their resources at the disposal of their new Rector. They looked forward to having his spiritual guidance for years to come.
Speaking on behalf of the Christian churches in the area, Monsignor Martin O’Shea said the parishes in the environs had a long and distinguished history of close cooperation and enjoyed a warm and supportive relationship.
Archbishop Michael Jackson said the evening was a time for rejoicing with and for Garth. While encouraging Garth to embed himself in the community, he told parishioners that their new Rector would not quite run himself off his feet but he would run marathons (Garth ran the Dublin Marathon last year). “A place of welcome and opportunity lies before Garth,” he said before thanking his predecessor, Canon Roy Byrne and curate assistant, Canon Aisling Shine, for they way in which they offered themselves as spiritual beings to the people of the parish.
Garth thanked everyone for their gracious and generous welcome to the parishes. He thanked all who had worked on preparing the parish for his arrival and said that although he had only been in the rectory for just over a week, it was already feeling like home. He thanked Elizabeth for her sermon and commented that everyone could take her words forward with them.
Photo captions:
Top – The church wardens of Drumcondra, North Strand and St Barnabas and clergy with the Revd Garth Bunting and Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Bottom – The Revd Garth Bunting following his institution by Archbishop Jackson.