Revd Dr Ryan Hawk is ordained presbyter
Congratulations to Revd Dr Ryan Hawk who has been ordained presbyter for the curacy of Cregagh, St Finnian’s. Bishop David ordained Ryan along with five others at a service in Down Cathedral on Sunday 15 June 2025. The preacher was Revd Paul Harcourt, Vicar of All Saints' Woodford Wells in Essex.
Ryan reflects on his deacon year
I have been serving as the community, youth and family minister for three years at Holy Trinity Ballylesson (Drumbo) and combined that role with that of a deacon intern for the last year. On my first Sunday in Ballylesson I was asked what I hoped to be able to do in this role. I answered, ‘I want to leave it better than I found it.’ It was not to suggest that I inherited a problem, but rather, to start how I aimed to finish, giving all I had to the flourishing of a parish to connect to Jesus and to allow them to continue with this work when I was called to a new ministry context.
As I reflect on my journey as a deacon intern and my wider experience in serving in Ballylesson, I am grateful for such a vibrant parish that has aimed to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to actively pursue and love their neighbours. Working alongside Revd Mervyn Jamison has been a gift to me. We have different skills and abilities that have made our ministry stronger together. He allowed me to try new things, engage in new areas of ministry, take students on an Exodus team to Hungary, start new expressions of praise in our worship services, lead Bible studies, start The Headspace Project in the parish with MindmattersCOI, be creative with art and aesthetics, and encouraged me to continue my academic theological work for the benefit of the greater church body as gifts that serve the community well with intentionality and depth.
As I now head to St. Finnian’s as curate assistant, discipleship, community, and faith formation are things I would like to share and grow within the life of the church for all ages.
