A new Rector of the Parish of Lisbellaw with Coolbuck has been instituted at a special service in Lisbellaw Parish Church led by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd Dr Ian Ellis.

He is the Revd William Jeffrey, originally from Belfast, who had previously been serving as Curate Assistant in St. Mark’s Church, Ballymacash, Lisburn, in the Diocese of Connor.

Also taking in the service was Acting Rural Dean, Dean Kenneth Hall; the Archdeacon of Clogher, the Venerable Brian Harper and the Registrar, Revd John McClenaghan. The preacher was the Revd Lynne Gibson, Rector of Ballymacash.

The readings were by Miss Isobel Stewart, Parish Reader and Mr Charles Barr.

The hymns were “Be thou my vision,” “Psalm 23,” “Dear Lord and Father of mankind” and “Great is thy faithfulness.” The organist was Mrs Lynda Lindsay.

Following the service, a number of speeches were introduced by the Rural Dean, Dean Kenneth Hall. One speaker was Mr Hilary Morrison from Ballymacash, offering his best wishes on behalf of the congregation there and the appointment was Ballymacash’s sorrow but Lisbellaw’s joy.

Another speaker, Mr Gary Black, speaking on behalf of the Lisbellaw congregation, welcomed Revd Jeffrey and his wife, Alison not only to the parish but to the local community.

Revd Jeffrey referred to his family roots in the wider Lisbellaw area and said he looked forward to meeting people from the parish.

Bishop Ian Ellis thanked everyone involved in arranging the service and particularly thanked Revd Colin Brownsmith for looking after services during the vacancy.

Revd Jeffrey’s home parish is St George’s, High Street, Belfast, in the Diocese of Connor and prior to his current position in Ballymacash, he served his Deacon Internship year in St Andrew’s Church, Killaney and St Ignatius’ Church, Carryduff in the Diocese of Down and Dromore.

Revd Jeffrey’s training for ordination included a Master of Theology degree through Trinity College, Dublin and the Church of Ireland Theological Institute where he was awarded the Weir Prize.

Prior to his training for ordination, Mr Jeffrey had a career with the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

He and his wife, Alison have three grown up sons, Paul who is married to Amy, Matthew and Callum.