I have been working as a full time chaplain since November 2006. At present there is also a volunteer chaplain who contributes a few hours at the weekend and my holiday time. I am hoping to expand the chaplaincy team within our Patient and Family Support team to provide more spiritual and religious care at other times outside normal working hours.
Before taking up the post with Marie Curie Cancer Care, I taught for two years before embarking on theological training for ministry within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland . My only claim to fame is that I was the first mother to be ordained within our church and have encouraged other people that all things are indeed possible!!! After 22 years in parish ministry in Belfast I moved to take up the position in the hospice and have found it to be very challenging in many ways, not least in my own theological outlook over the years.
I am married to Patton who is also a minister and at present is principal of Union Theological College in Belfast . We have five children – the youngest is 18 years of age – and have the joy of being very involved with our 3 grandchildren who live close to us in Belfast .
As a family we have always had a very close connection with Co Down and the mountains of Mourne, spending weekends and holidays around the sea – sailing, fishing, swimming, walking and reading as well as enjoying family BBQs, games and time together.
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