The Rev. Alan
Millar pictured with his wife Iris at his farewell
service in Garvaghy Parish Church on 3rd
September 2006. Included in the picture is George
Musgrave - People�s Warden and Melanie Spiers -
Rector�s Warden.
At emotional services at Garvaghy Parish
Church and at St John�s Church, Dromara, on Sunday3rd
September 2006, the Rev. Alan Millar preached his farewell
sermons.
At the 10.30am service at Garvaghy, Edna
Ferguson on organ and the church choir led the praise. Simon
Kelso gave the Scripture reading from James 1 v 17 to 27.
Following the address, George Musgrave and Melanie Spiers -
Church Wardens, presented gifts to Mr Millar and his wife Iris
on behalf of the Select Vestry and the Parishioners as a token
of their love and affection. In accepting the gift, Mr Millar
thanked them for allowing him to be their minister and hoped
that God would bless them in every way.
At the 12.00 noon service at St John�s
Church, Dromara, the Rev Alan Millar was assisted by Colin Gee -
Diocesan Reader. Maureen Uprichard on organ and the church
choir led the praise.
The Rev. Alan Millar
pictured with his wife Iris at his farewell service in St
John�s Church, Dromara on 3rd September 2006.
Included in the picture is L to R: Desmond Reid - Rector�s
Warden, The Rev. Alan Millar, Mrs Iris Millar, Colin Gee -
Diocesan Reader and William Norris - People�s Warden. (back
row) The Rev David Porter and Mrs Norma Porter - Second
Dromara, Eileen King and Nancy King - St Michael�s, Sheila
Dodds and Winifred McKinstry.
At each service, Mr Millar explained the
need to put your hand into the hand of God and put your trust in
the living God. He pointed out that we must not try and live
our lives in isolation and spoke of the need to stay together in
Christian fellowship and remain faithful to continuous worship
here in the parish of Garvaghy and Dromara. The closing hymn at
each service was �Trust and Obey� with the most apt closing
words, �What he says we will do, Where he sends we will go �
Never fear only trust and obey�.
Refreshments were served after the service
at St John�s providing the parishioners the opportunity to say
fond farewells to Alan and Iris. Desmond Reid - Rector�s
Warden, presented a gift on behalf of the Select Vestry and the
Parishioners and also one on behalf of the ACERS Youth Group;
Winifred McKinstry presented a gift to Mrs Millar on behalf of
the Mother�s Union.
Some of the
many parishioners that attended the Rev. Alan
Millar�s farewell service in St John�s Church,
Dromara on 3rd September 2006.
Speaking on behalf of local churches in the
area, the Rev David Porter, minister of Second Dromara
Presbyterian Church spoke of the tremendous legacy that Mr
Millar will leave behind, not only at Garvaghy and Dromara
Parish Church, but also in the whole community of Dromara. He
said that he had made a big difference in the community and will
be remembered for years to come. He said that Alan and Iris�s
friendship had brought many people together and wished them
God�s riches blessings in his new parish.
In accepting the gifts, the Rev Alan Millar
spoke of the friendliness of everyone in the village. He said
that the decision to move was not an easy one and that he had
not been looking forward it. In conclusion he said Dromara had
made a big impact on him and that in this his 26th
move since he was born, he hoped that it was his last.
Mr Millar will be installed as Rector of
St. Comgall�s, Rathcoole on 21st September 2006.
