Called to Reader Ministry - Brendan Whittle
Brendan, a parishioner of Dromara, is one of four Diocesan Readers commissioned by Bishop David on Tuesday 21 April in Drumgooland Parish Church.
I joined the parish of Seapatrick, Banbridge shortly before my wife, Lisa, and I were married in 1995, and it quickly became our church family. It was there that I came to an adult faith through marriage preparation, confirmation classes and Bible study. I was married and confirmed there, and we were supported as we raised our children within the life of the church. Seapatrick was a parish that prayed for us, encouraged us and nurtured us as a young family, and it was within that community that I first began to serve as a Parish Reader. Having been so richly supported, I became increasingly aware of a call to serve others in return.
More recently, within the past three years, we have moved to a smaller rural parish closer to our home, Garvaghy Parish, Dromara. Here I have become deeply involved in parish life, serving as a Parish Reader and Rector’s Churchwarden, and supporting the minister and congregation in the shared life and leadership of the parish. Through this experience of service, prayer and collaboration, I began to sense a clearer call towards Diocesan Reader ministry.
In December 2024, I began the Certificate in Christian Theology and Practice at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. This has been a deeply formative and enriching experience, strengthening my understanding of the foundations of our faith and my confidence in leading worship.
Looking to the future, by the grace of God I have been licensed as a Diocesan Reader and hope to share the good news of the Gospel through preaching, teaching and pastoral support, both within my own parish and more widely. I am committed to helping build parish communities and to being part of a team that offers others the same welcome, prayerful support and richness of faith that I have been so blessed to experience.