Diocesan News
Three Connor parishioners celebrate their 100th birthdays!
The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, has had several parties to attend in January, with no less than three Connor parishioners celebrating their 100th birthdays!
Mr Bertie McNeill, a parishioner of the Church of the Holy Name, Greenisland, turned 100 on January 4. Bertie lived in his own home until just last year, and is now a resident of Abbeyfield House, Greenisland, where he celebrated his birthday with family and friends including Bishop Alan and Bertie’s rector, the Rev Paul Lyons.
Bertie was predeceased by his wife Irene more than 25 years ago. He has four children, Brian, Alan, Hilary and Alice, and prior to his retirement, he worked as an engineer at York Road Train Station.
He grew up on the Antrim Road and was a parishioner of St James’s Parish Church before he moved to Greenisland some 40 years ago.
Paul paid tribute to Bertie. “He is a great character and is full of stories. He was still coming along to church up until just a couple of years ago. He loves singing, and when he sings the older hymns he doesn’t even have to look at the hymn book, he knows all the words!”
Mrs Stella McMillan from Carnmoney Parish, celebrated her 100th birthday on January 24, and Bishop Alan called in to see her along with Stella’s vicar, the Rev Mercia Malcolm.
Stella, who moved from her own home into Ashwood House Nursing Home four years ago, was really delighted to receive her 100th card from Her Majesty The Queen.
Stella was predeceased by her husband Jim many years ago. She was a Sunday School leader in Carnmoney Parish for more than 40 years and was a very well–known figure locally as she worked in McMillan’s Newsagents in Glengormley.
Mercia said Stella was ‘an amazing woman. “She is extremely bright and alert and has made lots of friends in the nursing home. She is such an example of simply being content where you are, and is very well known and loved in both the church and the wider community,” Mercia said.
A happy 100th birthday too to Miss Sarah Jefferson, a lifelong parishioner of Christ Church, Lisburn, who celebrated with a party for family and friends on January 25.
Among Sarah’s many visitors were the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh, Councillor Brian Bloomfield, her rector the Rev Paul Dundas, and Bishop Alan.
Sarah grew up on the Low Road in Lisburn, and was baptised in Christ Church. She attended the Nicholson Memorial School, a church school then run by the parish.
She worked as a gill spinner firstly with Stewart’s Mill, Lisburn, and later with Barbour Threads, also in Lisburn. She has always had nimble fingers, her hobbies included knitting, sewing and embroidery, and she still enjoys knitting.
Sarah lived in her own home until two years ago when she moved to El Shammah Residential Home in Lisburn.
Many congratulations to all Connor Diocese’s newest centenarians!
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Connor
07766 103880
Mrs Karen Bushby
dco@connordiocese.org