Second Saintfield Presbyterian Church was filled to capacity last Friday evening with congregation and family and friends of the Rev. Moore Casement

 who was installed by Down Presbytery as minister of the congregation. Rev. Casement, who is originally from Ballymena, has most recently been assistant minister at Knock Presbyterian Church.

  During the installation service Rev Tom Harte, Trinity Boardmills Presbyterian Church, took as the theme for his sermon ‘Living in God’s Power’. Preaching on Acts 5 which includes an account of the apostles persecution and their joy at having suffered for the Lord, Rev. Harte stated that evangelism is still the primary task of the Church and it should be considered a privilege to proclaim the Truth of Jesus Christ.

  The ceremony of installation was conducted by Rev. Roy Mackay, Moderator of Presbytery and Rev. Dr James Harper, Clerk of Presbytery.

  In his charge to the Minister and Congregation, Rev. Ernest Boggs, Convenor of the Vacancy, congratulated Rev. Casement on becoming the 12th minister in the 206 year history of Second Saintfield and wished him a fruitful, successful and faithful ministry. He urged Rev. Casement to ensure his Christian message was relevant to the people, bringing Christian solutions to their problems, to be a good pastor caring for his flock and  to be with the congregation not only in times of their joy and happiness but also in their sorrows and difficulties. He stressed to the Congregation that, as they begin a new chapter in their history, they should support their new minister in prayer, in their attendance, their giving and praise and they should always take the opportunity to encourage him by being ready with their thanks.

Moore & Dianne with the Session from the left, Colin Black, Roy Copes, Milne Barbour, Stanley McFarland, Robert Barr, Scott Laidlaw and William Poole (front).

 After the completion of the service and formal ceremony, William Poole, Clerk of Session, welcomed everyone, including guests and members of Presbytery and thanked all who had been so supportive during the vacancy and to Presbytery and the General Assembly for their help in filling the vacancy. He looked forward to working with Rev. and Mrs Casement and wished them God’s richest blessing.

  Following Rev Mackay’s welcome to Rev Casement on behalf of the Presbytery of Down, Very Rev. Dr Alistair Dunlop, Minister at Knock Presbyterian Church, paid tribute to Rev. Casement’s warm, clear and logical preaching, his caring pastoral work, his unassuming and modest manner and his strong belief in prayer. He also commended very highly the work which Mrs Casement had undertaken in Knock with the Mothers and Toddlers, crèche and involvement in the ‘Christianity Explored’ Course. He expressed his sorrow at them leaving Knock adding that they will be enormously missed by all of the congregation there.

In his reply, Rev. Casement thanked the Session and congregation for selecting and calling him to the ministry of Second Saintfield and to all those who had been involved in the meticulous planning of the Installation Service, especially William Poole. He also expressed thanks to the choir and organist, Stephen Thompson.  He expressed his appreciation for the support and encouragement he derived from the large turnout at the Service. He thanked all with whom he had been associated at Knock and his wife, Diane  for her support throughout.  As he starts his new ministry in Second Saintfield he prayed that God will be glorified in him and the congregation.

  Afterwards, Rev. and Mrs Casement were led by a piper, Alan Barr, into the Church Hall where the ladies of the congregation had prepared a delicious supper for everyone. Flowers were presented to Mrs Casement by Mrs Valerie Raymond and the ladies were very ably and humourously thanked by Rev. Alan Delamere and Rev. James Hyndman.

  Rev. Casement was brought up in Ballymena, and after studying law, practiced as a solicitor for eight years in Cardiff and London, before returning to Belfast to train for the Presbyterian ministry. Prior to coming to Saintfield, he was assistant minister first in Hamilton Road in Bangor and then at Knock.

  He is married to Diane, a pharmacist, who currently spends her time looking after their two young sons, Patrick (3) and Peter (2).

Rev Moore Casement and Mrs Diane Casement with their sons Patrick and Peter.