A new rector for Killaney and Carryduff
The congregations of Killaney and Carryduff have given a warm welcome to their new rector, Revd Sarah Parkinson, who was instituted on Monday 9 February. St Ignatius was packed to overflowing with parishioners, family, friends and supporters, including a great turnout from St Mark's Armagh where Sarah was Curate Assistant.
The preacher was the Revd Clare Kakuru, Minister of the joint Church of Ireland/Methodist congregation in Maghaberry where Sarah did a training placement. She said that Sarah had a big heart - a heart for God's Word, a heart for God's people and a heart for God - and encouraged the parishioners of Killaney and Carryduff to take on these priorities as they share in ministry with their new rector.
Speaking of this next chapter Sarah said: “As a family we are excited for this new season in our ministry and expectant in how God will work through us and the people of Killaney and Carryduff.
“My passion for ministry is to foster a welcoming community where people of faith are persistent and confident in prayer and worship and feel equipped to share their faith with others in their day to day lives.
“My vision is for all ages to be encouraged and challenged in their walk with Jesus, building on the wonderful news of the Gospel and our walk in discipleship.”
Meet Sarah
I grew up in Lisburn and from a young age attended Church and Sunday school. I was brought up in a Christian home but the decision to become a Christian was my own. I was aged six when I asked my Mum if I could commit my life to Jesus, although at such a young age it didn’t mean much apart from answering the right questions in Sunday school and attending church events. Over time and through a neurological illness in 2008 my relationship with God deepened and became the central point of my life.
Growing up I never really knew what I wanted to be, and becoming a minister was never on the agenda but God had other plans. After leaving school I attended Belfast Bible College to study theology. The plan initially was to attend for a year and then go on to study pharmacy or business, but I developed a deep passion for pastoral care and over time I felt God calling me to ordained ministry.
After Bible college and while discerning my call, I became a Children’s Ministry intern for my home Parish of Lisburn Cathedral. It was during that time that I was accepted for training in the Church of Ireland.
Just before moving to Dublin, I met Daniel and we got married during a lockdown in December 2020 with 25 people attending.
After two years in Dublin, I was ordained deacon for an internship with St Columba’s Derryvolgie and in 2021 was appointed to St Mark’s Armagh as Curate Assistant.
In June 2024 Daniel and I welcomed Margot into the world. Margot is a true answer to our prayers and keeps us on our toes along with our Cocker Spaniel Rory!
In my spare time I like to read and crochet, and Daniel and I also share a love of watching Formula 1 racing.
