New priest-in-charge back on familiar ground at All Saints, Craigyhill
Arlene, who was previously part-time priest-in-charge of Rathcoole, was introduced by the Rt Rev George Davison, Bishop of Connor, at a service in All Saints on Tuesday.
Arlene grew up in Glynn and later lived in Craigyhill, before moving to Antrim. She has a BSc Joint Hons in Biochemistry and Pharmacology from Dundee University. She worked in cancer research in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at Aberdeen University before qualifying with a PGCE and teaching in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdShe was accepted for ordination in 1992 and during her time at Theological College developed a love of world mission, completing an elective placement in South East Asia. Overseas trips continued throughout Arlene’s curacy years in St Mark’s, Portadown.
Moving to England in 1999, Arlene worked as a research assistant in a second curacy at St Thomas’ Crookes (Sheffield), and then in disabled student support work as an assistant lecturer in Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam Universities whilst studying for further qualifications, including two Masters degrees.
Returning to Northern Ireland in 2009, Arlene took up the role of full-time NHS chaplain in the Mater and Musgrave Park Hospitals and priest-in-charge in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Monkstown. In 2016, she moved to St Comgall’s, Rathcoole, as part-time priest-in-charge whilst training in the Facilitation of Lectio Divina and qualifying as a spiritual director.
The preacher at the Service of Introduction was the Rev Alan Lorimer, minister in Jennymount, Belfast North, with the Methodist Church in Ireland, and a former colleague of Arlene when she was in Monkstown.