Berni McAvoy is ordained deacon in Saul
Family, friends and colleagues were there to witness the joyful occasion of Berni McAvoy’s ordination as deacon in Saul Church on 21 October. Because she has been undergoing medical treatment, Berni was unable to be ordained along with her classmates in September, but the preacher on that occasion, Canon Dr Christina Baxter, returned specially to give the address in Saul. Bishop Harold conducted the service.
Berni originally trained as a primary school teacher and prior to ordination training worked in community outreach and pastoral care in St Jude’s Ballynafeigh. Her sponsors were the former rector of St Jude’s, Revd Norman Jardine, Myrtle Kerr of the Christian Renewal Centre, Rostrevor, her sister, Ann, and a close friend from her 20 years in Scotland, Kay Haggarty.
Berni has been ordained to serve her intern year in St Clements, Templemore Avenue.
Berni’s journey to ordination
Born and brought up in a Christian family outside Newry, I have always had an awareness of and belief in God. However, between the ages of 18 and 20 I engaged in a heartfelt search that led to a very real encounter with God, resulting in my coming to a personal faith in Jesus Christ, an understanding of the work of the cross, and the experience of receiving a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. This changed my life and began the journey of faith that continues today and is ongoing as I seek to follow the Lord’s leading in my life.
I am amazed at how God leads us and takes such a detailed interest in our lives. When I was 20yrs old I placed my life in God’s hands and by His grace I have never taken it back. Psalm 139 is a particularly special psalm to me and in particular the words “every day of my life was written in your book before even one of them came to be” (psalm 139:16). Every day, even the most challenging, is in His hands and He is able to get us where He wants us to be.
I am passionate about seeing God glorified through His church, and people cared for and enabled to grow to maturity in Christ so that both individually and corporately we can be all that God has called us to be in order to extend God’s kingdom in our lives and our communities.
With regard to ordained ministry I believe God has been preparing me for many years and very clearly confirmed His calling in a number of ways. It is only with hindsight that we see the consistent thread of God’s hand at work in and through all the experiences of life. I am so privileged to be at the stage of deacon ordination and look forward to serving the people of St Clements Parish in my intern year. Please pray with me that God may grant me the health and strength to complete the calling He has placed upon my life and in all things to God be the glory.