Warm Welcome at Gartan as Columban celebrations begin
A service at Gartan Parish Church (St Columba) on Sunday 31 May marked the beginning of a week of Columban celebrations for Knock Parish.
Canon John Auchmuty and Dr Joe McKee, Organist and Choral Director, travelled to the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe at the invitation of the rector of Conwal with Gartan, Revd Adrian Dorrian, and received a warm welcome.
In his sermon, Canon Auchmuty reflected on St Columba’s faithfulness, courage and devotion to the study of Scripture, highlighting his trust in God. He spoke of how Columba’s ministry showed that, even in difficult times, new beginnings are possible, offering an example of perseverance and faith.
The celebrations will continue on Sunday 7 June at St Columba’s, Knock, where Adrian and and his wife Anne will attend the Patronal Festival service at 10.30am. Later that afternoon, they will return to Gartan for the St Columba Festival Service at 3.00pm, when the Bishop of Down and Dromore will preach.
With thanks to Canon John Auchmuty, rector of St Columba's Knock