New Dungiven Rector is installed

THE congregation of Dungiven and Bovevagh Church of Ireland parishes celebrated the installation of their new Rector, Rev David Ronald McBeth, on Friday evening.

Rev McBeth is a former curate of Glendermott Parish Church in Londonderry.

The service of Institution began at 8pm with the processional hymn, 'Lord the Light of Your Love is Shining' and after the official welcome, the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good, read the Collect.

The first lesson was read by Tommy Wallace, Parish Reader, Bovevagh, followed by Psalm 126 lead by Mr Peter Meenagh, Parish Reader, Dungiven. The Epistle was read by Cecil Ross, Diocesan Reader, Dungiven, followed by the hymn, 'I the Lord of Sea and Sky'.

Canon Ian McDonald then read the Gospel.

The Sermon was given by Rev K P Whittaker, and was followed by the hymn 'How Deep is the Father's Love for us'.

Rev McBeth was then called forward by the Bishop, and the Declarations were read out and confirmed. Rev McBeth was then escorted by the Bishop to significant points in the church, there were readings at the font by Miss Jenyth Evans, at the prayer desk by Mrs Rosemary Robinson, at the pulpit by Mrs Julie Wallace and at the Holy Table by Mr Jason Scott, Parish Reader, Dungiven.

The offertory hymn was 'Father, I place into Your hands' and the service concluded with the recessional hymn 'One more step along the world I go'.

The organist was Mr Cecil Keys.

Following the service a considerable number of the congregation, which numbered over 300, gathered in the parish hall where refreshments were served.

The new Rector was welcomed to the parishes by the Rural Dean, Rev Harold Given, and short speeches were made on behalf of Glendermott Parish and the Parishes of Mornington and Mount Martha in the Diocese of Melbourne, Australia, where Rev McBeth spent a year in ministry.

The Rector's Churchwardens of Dungiven, Jim Johnston, and Bovevagh, David Wilson, and the Rev McBeth responded.

The Bishop also spoke, and welcomed Rev McBeth back to the Diocese, wishing him well for the future.

Bouquets of flowers were presented to Mrs Good and Mrs McBeth.

Rev McBeth is married to April and they have three children. Mrs McBeth is the niece of a former rector of Dungiven and Bovevagh, Rev Stewart Downey.

Rev McBeth was appointed as a curate in Glendermott parish in 2006 before moving to the parishes of Mornington & Mount Martha in the Diocese of Melbourne in Australia in 2009.