Popular minister bids farewell

Popular minister bids farewell

26 August 2020

PARISHIONERS from Down and Hollymount Churches said farewell to their departing minister during a special service last Sunday morning.

The Rev Captain Scott McDonald is leaving Downpatrick to take up a new post in Newry, four years after he was appointed to look after the local Church of Ireland congregations.

Social distancing measures were in place for the weekend service which was also streamed live via Facebook to provide people at home with an opportunity to watch it.

The departing minister was joined by his wife Pauline and daughter Kerry, with other clergy who took part in the service including the Dean of Down, the Very Rev Henry Hull, the Rev Adrian Dorrian and the Rev Julie Bell.

Presentations were made to Mr McDonald and his wife by David Telford from Down Parish Church and Maureen Blair from Hollymount Church.

During his address, Mr McDonald said that he and his wife had been “overwhelmed” by the messages of goodwill and the many gifts that they had received.

He said that while “clergy come and go, God remains faithful” and will continue to be with both congregations, recalling how met with the Dean in 2016 ahead of his subsequent appointment to minister locally.

“It has truly been a joy and privilege to be with you and to walk with you for the past four years, through the ups and downs of family life. There have been sad times but there has also been as joyful times,” said Mr McDonald.

“We want to say thank you for your welcome for us as a family. You have been generous and been there for us when you have been needed. I want you to understand that you are God’s church and that under the leadership of Dean Henry, Adrian, Julie and others, God’s work here will go from strength to strength and I really believe that.”

Recalling some of the initiatives he introduced including the men’s breakfasts and Carols by the Lake at Ballydugan, he said a number of other events were planned for the summer but unfortunately did not take place due to Covid-19.

The departing minister said that one of the joys of ministering in Downpatrick was seeing the opening of the Pepper Johns Community Centre adjacent to the Parochial Hall in Church Avenue. He said while it was going from strength to strength, Covid did have an impact, but he was confident there was a bright future ahead for the building and the services that it will deliver.

Mr McDonald said he trusted that when the pandemic ends, the congregations will get behind Alison Carson who runs the community facility which exists to meet the needs of people. He said the impact of the small building — redeveloped by the Parish Church — was expanding all the time.

He added: “I know that you will protect and encourage all that happens from there.”

Dean Hull paid tribute to Mr McDonald’s contribution to not only Down and Hollymount churches but all those within the Lecale Area Mission Partnership (LAMP) group.

“Scott made a significant contribution to LAMP and he and his family have been very much part of life here in Down and in Hollymount, also touching on the other churches within the group as well.

“Scott’s ministry very much focused on Down Parish and Hollymount but he has influenced people in churches elsewhere and there are those who are sad that they cannot be with us this morning,” the Dean continued.

Praising Mr McDonald for launching Carols by the Lake and Blue Christmas initiatives, Dean Hull said the latter really touched those dealing with bereavement and loss and hopes that bothcontinue to feature on the church calendar.

Mr Dorrian highlighted the key role played by Scott in forging relationships, referencing his work with the Pepper Johns Community Centre and establishing a link between 

Hollymount Church and Hollymount Pipe Band. One of the band’s members, Sam Gill, played at the end of Sunday’s service.

Mr Telford described Sunday’s service as a “sad occasion” as the congregation in Down Parish said goodbye to their minister who had touched all their lives.

He said Mr McDonald’s arrival in 2016 “sparked renewed optimism within the church” with the new man quickly making his mark, especially in relation to the Pepper Johns Community Centre which he helped deliver along with the board of trustees.

He added: “Perhaps the best tribute that can be paid to Scott is that he very soon became one of us and, deep down, I think he knows that he always will be. It was a hard decision for Scott and his family to make the move to Newry and it is important that while we are disappointed about 

this, we support them and continue to do so.”

On behalf of Hollymount Church, Ms Blair said that Mr McDonald will be very much missed, praising him for his leadership and the various initiatives that he spearheaded over the past four years.

“We are all fond of Scott who was with us through thick and thin and ups and downs. No matter what, Scott was there,” she said.

Ms Blair added: “While we are sorry to see him go, we wish Scott and his family all the best in Newry.”