Reflections on my deacon–intern year: David Martin
After a very long time, I have finally come to the completion of my ordination training. Originally I began my studies as a part–time student, as I was heavily involved in church–planting with Irish Church Missions in Dublin City Centre. However, after a number of years, I was provided with the opportunity to complete my studies full–time which was both very challenging and rewarding. As part of this I have enjoyed very much being involved in the ministry of St. Mary’s, Howth for the last year.
My time in St Mary’s provided many new and exciting opportunities as previous to this my experience had been exclusively with new start–up ventures in a young city centre church plant. St Mary’s has a very long and respected ministry in the seaside village of Howth and this has continued under the direction of Revd Kevin Brew for the last 10 years. Being welcomed into a very established pattern of ministry was an incredibly encouraging experience.
During my time in St Mary’s I was involved in leading weekly Sunday services, visiting the house bound and those in hospital and also pastoring those who were seeking to live with the death of a loved one. In addition to this we started a monthly prayer meeting in our home and throughout the year walked through the priorities of prayer given to us in the Lord’s Prayer.
Perhaps the most memorable aspect to my time in St Mary’s was the privilege I had to meet with just a few men who were not sure about what they believed or who had given up regular attendance in church altogether.This was at times an incredibly humbling experience as I listened to their stories, many shot through with deep sorrow, and at the same time deeply affirming as I watched God’s word confronting and comforting them in equal measure.
It is with much anticipation therefore that I’m looking forward to taking up the post as curate in Hillsborough and ask for your partnership in prayer as we as a family seek to be of use towards the growth of the gospel in St Malachy’s.