Rev. Noel is ‘ordained and installed’ at Glenwherry

The move also delighted 43-year-old Noel who joins the congregation from Cuningham Memorial in Cullybackey where he served as Assistant Minister.

He actually grew up at a member of the Church of Ireland in Maghera. After he accepted Jesus as his Saviour aged 19, Noel got involved in work with the Sunday School, Youth Fellowship and Youth Club.

Noel and his wife, Nicola, were married 11 years ago and, shortly after the birth of their eldest daughter, Zara, the couple became members of Castledawson Presbyterian Church.

For 15 years he enjoyed a teaching French and Religious Education at Magherafelt High School but was always conscious that the Lord seemed to be calling him into full-time ministry.

A few years of doing pulpit supply work helped to strengthen this as did an invitation from Rev. David Murphy, to undertake a summer assistantship at Cuningham Memorial just before Noel entered Union Theological College in September 2009.

Noel said: “I did enjoy Union but settling into study again after 15 years away was difficult, especially with a young family. However, my wife, Nicola was brilliant, very understanding and the kids were great too.”

Noel is keen to say that he met a lot of good people at ‘the Cuningham’ and has ‘nothing but praise’ for the Minister, Rev. Dr. David Murphy, whom he first got to know when David was Minister of Bellaghy Presbyterian Church.

Says Noel: “He is a gentleman who is easy to work for. He has been very patient in instructing me in things that you don’t learn in a classroom, ie. various practical issues, so I owe a great debt of gratitude to him.”

Throughout his time at Cuningham Memorial, Noel has enjoyed working with the Youth Fellowship as has been encouraged by how the Lord has blessed its hard-working committee with an increase in membership.

He went on to say: “I have also enjoyed having regular opportunities to preach God’s Word systematically – going through series’ – this is something you can’t do when you are involved in ‘pulpit supply’ all over the place.”

“It has also been good to conduct funerals and to undertake a lot of visitations in homes where you meet all kinds of different situations.”

Much as they have enjoyed their time in Cullybackey, Noel, Nicola and his daughters, Zara, (9) and Ella, (5) are ‘really excited’ by the move to Glenwherry.

Noel states: “I can say hand on heart that I am convinced this is where the Lord wants me to be. The people of Glenwherry have been very friendly and welcoming. I have been very, very humbled by their expectations, by their kind words and so forth.”

“At the same time I suppose you are going with a little bit of trepidation to a new field. I am no longer the assistant, now I am the Minister and the buck stops with me. The previous Minister, Rev. Kenny Hanna was a fantastic guy. Sometimes that can be scary but I believe that the Lord equips those He calls”, Noel added.

Noel’s Ordination and Installation took place before a good crowd at Glenwherry with family, friends and several members of Ballymena Presbytery in attendance.

Moderator of Presbytery, Rev. Mark Neilly conducted the service. The Standards of The Church were read by the Presbytery Clerk, Rev. Joseph Andrews.

Recently installed Minister of Grange with Craigmore, Rev. Colin Millar read the scriptures and preached the sermon while it fell to Rev. Alistair Beattie, as Convener for the Vacancy, to preach the ‘charge’ to the Minister and congregation.