Diocesan News
Service of Institution at St Augustine’s
‘The Wee Church on the Walls’ was getting a rector with “a big, big heart”, Bishop Andrew Forster told the parishioners of St Augustine’s Church, on Friday evening, as he instituted the Rev Nigel Cairns as the parish’s new Rector.
It was a night of firsts in the church which is built on the site of St Columba’s first monastery: it was Bishop Forster’s first Institution as bishop; the Rev Canon Paul Whittaker’s first Institution as Rural Dean; and Mr Cairns’ first incumbency.
The sermon was preached by his former Rector in the Parish of Glendermott and Newbuildings, the Rev Robert Boyd.
“We all love to brag,” Mr Boyd said, “but I am not going to brag about your new Rector tonight, despite the fact that he comes to you in perfect condition, having been trained by a wonderful Rector and parishioners for the past two and a half years. If he has any faults, just remember: he was okay when he left Glendermott.”
Mr Boyd said St Augustine’s new Rector was not there to replicate the ministry of former Rectors; he had come to follow the call of God and to build up the fellowship of believers in the Parish. “When I moved to Glendermott a short time ago, I banned anyone from saying ‘This is the way we always did it.’ Those may well be in your eyes ‘the good old days’, but you and your new Rector are moving on to greater things; clergy are called to follow the prompting of the Spirit – just as you are; we are not here to glory in the past, we are here to build up a Kingdom in the present for the future – remember that. There will be changes ahead. Support him.
“It was a privilege to minister in Glendermott and Newbuildings,” Mr Cairns said, “and I have no doubt whatsoever that the same sense of privilege will continue as I do my best, under God, to pick up the mantle here in St Augustine’s.”
Mr Cairns was joined for the occasion by his wife Alison, their twins Megan and Matthew, and other family members, “As a family, we feel blessed to be amongst you,” he said, “and I know that your Christian witness on the Walls will be one that will glorify God.”
Bishop Forster recalled an unannounced visit to the church during a day trip to city 14 years earlier when he’d been shown around by two parishioners. “This is a place of welcome in the heart of this city,” the Bishop said, “to tens of thousands of tourists, to people who are part of our denomination and who are not. This is a place of welcome. What we found that day was that this Wee Church on the Walls had a big, big heart and it still does. And you have a Rector now who has a big, big heart, and he will lead you on and bless you in the future.”
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Derry & Raphoe
Mr Paul McFadden
028 7126 2440
07525 826290
press@derryandraphoe.org