16.08.2013
Greystones’ New Intern Deacon Introduced
On September 22 four new Deacons will be ordained in Christ Church Cathedral. They will then become Intern Deacons in parishes in Dublin and Glendalough where they will work until next summer. This week each will be profiled in turn.
Ian Horner will be serving as Intern Deacon in St Patrick’s Church in Greystones from September 2013 until June 2014. He is married to Jenny and the couple’s first child, Sam, was born in December 2012. Ian grew up in Greystones but has spent the last seven years at Kill o’ the Grange Parish in Blackrock. He served there as Youth and Children’s Worker for five years.
Ian attended St Andrew’s College in Blackrock before completing a degree in Business Management at Dublin Business School. He also has advanced diplomas in Sound Engineering and Music Technology.
As a child Ian attended St Patrick’s Church and St Patrick’s National School and is looking forward to returning to the parish.
“It seems my road to ordination has sent me full circle. I spent most of my teenage years and twenties at Greystones Presbyterian Church where my faith began to be developed further. I have attended and led at many Scripture Union camps and events down the years and much of my spiritual formation occurred at these events. My leadership skills also began to develop at SU camps and that led to God calling me to Kill o’ the Grange. During my time at Kill God challenged me daily and revealed himself to me through the people there in ways I could never have imagined and, toward the end of my five years as youth worker, it became evident that I should pursue the path to ordination,” Ian comments.
“It was with some trepidation that I approached my Rector and CITI about the possibility of joining the M.Th, but I am very glad that I did. Jesus was not joking when he said ‘whoever loses their life for my sake will find it’ and I already feel I have found new life, and learned important lessons, during my experiences at CITI and on the various placements I have undertaken. I am grateful to God for calling me to this ministry and I look forward with excitement to serving Him with the people of Greystones during the coming months,” he adds.