16.01.2023
New Rector continues historic ministry in Narraghmore
Parishioners in the United Parishes of Narraghmore, Timolin, Castledermot and Kinneagh celebrated the opening of a fresh chapter with the institution of their new Rector on Friday evening, January 13. The Revd Ken Rue was instituted by Archbishop Michael Jackson in a packed St James’s Church In Castledermot.
Ken, who was associate vicar in Wicklow and Killiskey, was joined by his wife Lesley and her sister. Many former parishioners travelled across the diocese to wish him well. Also in the congregation was local TD, Minister Martin Heydon and local councillor, Ivan Keatley, along with representatives of the wider community.
In welcoming the congregation, Archbishop Michael Jackson said that Ken and Lesley were well known to all and would serve the people of the parish and their communities in the way for which they were renowned.
The sermon was preached by the Revd Alec Purser of Stradbally and Portlaoise Union of Parishes who has known Ken since they were in college together. He highlighted the long and rich history of St James’s Church which dates back to the year 800 and said that Ken was now ready to lead God’s people in that place. “It may seem daunting but that is what we are called to do. We heard this in the Psalm this evening: ‘Such as we have heard and known, which our forebears have told us. We will not hide from their children, but will recount to generations to come, the praises of the Lord and his power and the wonderful works he has done’.” [Psalm 78]
He brought to mind all the people God had called down through the centuries from Abraham and Joseph to Isaiah and Jonah to Paul and Jesus… “and then we have Ken Rue. We are all called by God to serve together, to live our ministry together. Not the Rector doing his work on his own but to minister in Christ’s name together. We commit him to this community together and it is your responsibility to strive to build the Kingdom of God here,” he stated.
The preacher observed that each new ministry will discover a new way to bring God’s word and brings a new understanding of what it means to be a follower of God and a new hope for the future. “This is an opportunity for a fresh beginning built on the best of the past. God has called your new Rector to maintain what is here but to create the opportunity for fresh beginnings, to discover what it means to be a Christian… Ken is not called to be a professional Christian on your behalf but to work together with you to maintain the parish, teach your children together, always together side by side,” he said.
Speaking after the service, Philip Hendy welcomed the new Rector on behalf of the parish. He thanked all who attended the service including the local public representatives. He also thanked Lesley Rue who had been working with the parish to organise services in recent times. “We welcome Ken with open arms to our parish and we hope we will grow together to become bigger and stronger. We know we can accomplish wonderful things and God will refresh us with new vision.
On behalf of the wider community, Conor McCann, Parish Pastoral Worker in Athy, noted that he had first met Ken as part of Ecumenical Bible Week, of which Ken is an organiser. He said that the parishioners would be blessed to have Ken and looked forward to working with him.
Archbishop Jackson thanked the parishioners and the community for their welcome to Ken and Lesley. He thanked Ken for his willingness to be Rector and described him as modest, hardworking and committed. “It is important to remember in the Church of Ireland that our life is both within and beyond the walls of the church and I know Ken is committed to life outside as well as inside the walls as a paster, priest and friend,” he said.
The final word went to Ken who thanked those who organised the service, prepared the church and contributed to catering as well as those who came from near and far to attend. He made special mention of Canon Horace McKinley, former Rector of Whitechurch, who encouraged him to go for ordination. He thanked the members of the parish for all their work in keeping it going and looked forward to working together. He also thanked his wife who, he said, thought she was marrying an accountant but had spent as significant part of their married life being married to a priest.
