Rev Alan Melbourne was ordained as a deacon in St Brigid’s cathedral, Kildare, on 20 September.

 

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself:

 

I live in Carbury, Co Kildare in an old cottage that is 100 years old. I am truly blessed to have wonderful neighbours who all have time for a quick chat and look out for each other.  I live in the heart of a farming community and when i moved into my home a number of years ago, it was September and all the farmers were busy gathering the harvest and that was the reason I called my home Harvest Cottage.

 

Q: What is your home parish and what involvement do you have in it ?.

 

I am part of the Edenderry Union of parishes, Rathangan, Clonbollogue, Carbury and Edenderry and I was really pleased when my Bishop appointed me as deacon to this Union of parishes. There is a great energy in the parish and the future is bright and i am delighted to be working with our  Rector Rev. Sarah Marry. I look forward to learning a lot from her in the years ahead.

 

Q: Can you tell us a little about your journey to ordination ?.

 

Never in a million years did i think i would be excepted to do the OLM  course. To be honest, the main reason was I felt that as I had never done the leaving certificate ,that this was not open to someone with limited education. I was on every committee from Board of Management to Select Vestry and I have been totally committed to the Church of Ireland from being a church warden as a teenager. This all changed when I was at a bible study for the first time about twelve years ago. I sat at the back and said nothing, but the person taking the course was asked a difficult question and after considering it for a while he said “To be honest I don’t know”. This honesty from Rev William Stacey was a game changer and I knew then that I always had a whispering  call to serve in the church. That was the real start of thinking I could be a foot soldier for God.

 

Q: How will you be exercising your ministry in the near future and what are you most looking forward to ?.

 

Well, to be honest, ministry fully kicked off the moment Covid-19 was announced. I was fully aware that parishioners, friends, community were afraid / upset / hurting and I felt that this is my calling. I know about pain, i know about loss, I know about love and it was time for me to step out of my comfort zone and get to work and to try and bring God’s love and compassion to as many people as possible. I love it and have never felt so alive trying to do His work.