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Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

'Farewell and Presentation Evening' for the Rev John Honeyford

Pictured at a 'Farewell and Presentation Evening' for the Rev John Honeyford and his wife Rosemary in St Columba's on Thursday 5th April are (seated) Rev John Honeyford and Mrs Rosemary Honeyford with their daughter Julie Dougherty (left) and son David Honeyford (right). Included are church office bearers L to R (standing): Ellen Hillen - Church Secretary, Jim Moore - Clerk of Session and Valerie Nettleship - Treasurer.

Pictured at a 'Farewell and Presentation Evening' for the Rev John Honeyford and his wife Rosemary in St Columba's on Thursday 5th April are (seated) Rev John Honeyford and Mrs Rosemary Honeyford with their daughter Julie Dougherty (left) and son David Honeyford (right). Included are church office bearers L to R (standing): Ellen Hillen - Church Secretary, Jim Moore - Clerk of Session and Valerie Nettleship - Treasurer.

The Rev John Honeyford, minister of St Columba's Presbyterian and Methodist Church, preached his farewell sermon on Sunday evening 8th April. After ministering in the Lisburn area for 18 years, he will be installed as the new minister of 2nd Castlederg and Alt Presbyterian Church in the presbytery of Derry and Strabane at an installation service in 2nd Castlederg on Friday 13th April 2007. The convenor of the vacancy at St Columba's will be the Rev Brian Gibson, minister of Railway Street Presbyterian Church.

Mr Honeyford, previously assistant in First Comber came to Lisburn in 1989 as minister of Magheragall Presbyterian Church in succession to the Rev Robert Larmour who retired in September 1988. He was installed in St Columba's on Friday 1st September 1999 in succession to the Rev Dr Malcolm Scott (now Minister Emeritus), who retired in 1998. 

Pictured at a 'Farewell and Presentation Evening' for the Rev John Honeyford and his wife Rosemary in St Columba's on Thursday 5th April are L to R: (seated) Isaac Cordner, Rev John Honeyford, Mrs Rosemary Honeyford and George Stewart. (back row) Myrtle Ferguson, Jim Moore - Clerk of Session, Ellen Hillen - Church Secretary and Winnie Ferguson.

A 'Farewell and Presentation Evening' evening for Mr Honeyford and his wife Rosemary was held in St Columba's Church Hall on Thursday 5th April. During the evening, Ellen Hillen - Church Secretary and Jim Moore - Clerk of Session conducted a humorous 'This is your Life' interview with Mr and Mrs Honeyford. Mrs Iris McLean on organ and the church choir sang 'May the Lord bless you' and 'Go in peace, go in joy, go in love'. Jim Moore spoke of the sadness in bidding farewell to John and Rosemary and of the optimism and faith of looking forward to the new challenges of the congregation of St Columba's.

Pictured at a 'Farewell and Presentation Evening' for the Rev John Honeyford and his wife Rosemary in St Columba's on Thursday 5th April are L to R: (seated) Iris McLean - Organist, Rev John Honeyford, Mrs Rosemary Honeyford and Jim Moore - Clerk of Session. (back row) Ellen Hillen - Church Secretary, Joss Toombs, Annie Carlisle, Lexi Burrows, Winnie Ferguson, Myrtle Ferguson, Isaac Cordner, Ronnie McAuley and George Stewart.

Myrtle Ferguson, Doreen Johnston and Isaac Cordner presented gifts to Mr and Mrs Honeyford. In response, Mr Honeyford said that it had been an honour to be their minister and spoke of his sorrow in conducting over 100 funerals and his joy in seeing people coming to a living and vibrant faith during his 8 year ministry. He also spoke of the warm and friendly welcome he received during his many visits to people's homes. Speaking of the many changes over the years, he recalled happy memories with the different organisations and in particular the active Men's Group and the Rambling Club. He said, 'We are now entering a new chapter in St Columba's' and concluded by thanking the congregation for their 'friendship and encouragement over the years' and for making this such a 'special evening'.

The Rev Jim Briggs brought a memorable night to a close by giving thanks for Mr Honeyford's pastoral ministry and for the evidence of God's work through him and also for the support of his wife Rosemary. He concluded by speaking of the mixed emotions of their happiness for John in his new charge and their sadness at losing him.

Winnie Ferguson - PWA Secretary (left) and Ellen Hillen - incoming PWA President (right) are pictured presenting a gift to Mrs Rosemary Honeyford in recognition of 4 years service as President of St Columba's PWA. The picture was taken at a 'Farewell and Presentation Evening' for Rosemary and her husband, the Rev John Honeyford, in St Columba's on Thursday 5th April.

07/04/2007