Service celebrates 40th anniversary

The official welcome was performed by the Dean of Derry, Very Rev Dr William Morton, who described the founder members and current manager, Jeanette Warke, as inspirational people. The Dean also welcomed the many guests: Alan Moore, who represented the Lord Lt for the City, Sir Donal Keegan, the Lord Lt, Dr Denis Desmond, and the guest preacher, Dean Cecil Orr and his wife, Valerie, the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good and his wife, Mary, and Mr and Mrs Chris McClintock.

In his address, Dean Orr said that hymn writer Cecil Frances Alexander would have been “thrilled” to her hymns sung. He commended all associated with the club for the valuable cross-community work that had been done over the past 40 years, and in paying tribute to his predecessor, he said Dean Good had been not only a great historian, but also a great preacher and reader, and was a person loved by all, and had been a very hard act to follow.

He recalled how, during the Troubles, the youth club had been a place of safety for young people and he praised the outreach work of the club and its leaders.

The organist was Ian Mills, and the hymns were ‘O Christ the same’, ‘Give thanks with a grateful heart’, ‘Brother, sister, let me serve you’ and ‘Be Thou my vision’. The Indroit, sung by the choir, was ‘Christ be with me, Christ within me’ and the Psalm, sung by the choir to a setting by Walford Davies, was Psalm 121, ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills’, which was a favourite of the late Dean Good.

Children from the Club sang ‘All things bright and beautiful’ while member Carmen McFadden sang ‘Be still for the Presence of the Lord’.

Prayers were led by Canon John Merrick and Bishop Good, who also recited the Dismissal and performed the Blessing, and during the service dedicated the gifts, a framed stained glass window, commemorating Dean Good, and a portable oak notice board for the Cathedral vestibule. The Petition to dedicate was performed by Cathedral Churchwardens Ian Bartlett and Muriel Hamilton.

Prayers were also said by Graham Warke, for Cathedral Youth Club by Kathryn Jordan, for the young people of the Church, and by Alan Warke, for those in need. Two past members of the youth club, Ralph Wilson and Alexis Curry, also took part in the service; Alexis recited a poem, while Ralph spoke about his memories of the club and it’s founders. He told the congregation he had “wonderful memories” and went on to recall the indoor games, learning new skills, playing draughts and table tennis, attending Blue Lamp disco nights and the big band nights as well as weekend trips to places like Gortin Glen, Portrush and Bangor.

He also recalled learning to sail on the River Foyle with Dean Good, in a boat made by the Club, and discovering that the late Dean could not swim.

Reflecting on the life of Dean Good, he said he had memories of a man who was “brilliant” and from whom he had learned much: He had unbelievable qualities, he was a true friend, kind and understanding, he was a great teacher and had a great zest for life. He was a true gentleman. Unique.”

Reflecting on the officers at the helm of the youth club, he said, simply, that they had “helped shape me into the person that I am today”.

Following the service refreshments were served in the Masonic Hall, Bishop Street.

l For more coverage see pages 17, 21, 22 and 23