Welcome to
AGHERTON PARISH CHURCH
The Church of John the Baptist
Hello Everyone, my name is Andrew Neill, a final year student at the Church of Ireland Theological institute and in September I will be joining you all in the Parish to serve as a Deacon intern for a year. A Deacon internship serves as part of the formational process in training for ordained ministry. I will be with you to “learn the ropes” and serve under Rev Malcolm’s watchful eye! In practice this will mean I’ll be with you on most Sunday’s and a day or two during the week. Alongside my year with you in the Parish, I will also be completing assignments and a dissertation for the Theological Institute as well as continuing in my job as the local schools’ worker for Scripture Union Northern Ireland.
I was fortunate enough last year to lead a number of Sunday services in the Parish, so I have had the opportunity to meet some of you already, but for those of you who I haven’t had the privilege to meet yet, let me briefly introduce myself to you now. I grew up outside Lurgan, went to school at Banbridge Academy before moving to Belfast to study Law & Politics at Queen’s University. From there, I spent a year working with the Church of Ireland Youth Department as a youth and Children’s work intern working in St. Jude’s Parish on the Ormeau Road, Belfast. During that year, I was appointed as the Children and Families worker for Glenavy Parish where I worked from 2010-2018. In 2018 I joined Scripture Union Northern Ireland as the North Coast Schools’ worker and my day job involves me supporting local primary, secondary and special needs schools by providing assemblies, RE Lessons and leading SU Groups, among other things.
I am married to Claire, who is the Diocesan Youth Officer for Derry & Raphoe Diocese and we have two Children, Emma who is 7 and Pippa who is 2. We have been worshipping for the last number of years in St. Canice’s church, Eglinton. In my spare time I am a long suffering Man Utd and Glenavon fan, a keen golfer and I enjoy spending time in the kitchen cooking things that are delicious, but probably not too good for me!