The Ordination and Installation of Paul Lutton

The installation of a new minister is without doubt a seminal moment for any congregation marking the dawning of a new era in the life of that church community as indeed it also marks a new departure for the incoming minister and his or her family.

Installations have been a rare event for Newtownbreda with only 5 incumbents having been installed in the 130 years since this congregation first occupied the present church building. However, the arrival of Paul Lutton would break new ground as he would be the first to be both ordained and installed at the same service. So, a little bit of Newtownbreda history was made on the night of Friday, 26th January 2024 at his Service of Ordination and Installation.

It was heartening to see the church well-filled not only with Newtownbreda folk but also Paul’s family circle, visitors from his home congregation of 1st Armagh, from Fitzroy where, in his former life, he served as an elder and from Kirkpatrick where he ‘served his time’ as an Assistant. Also present were Paul’s soon-to-be colleagues in the Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship and members of Ormeau Churches Together.

For all involved it is surely with an immense sense of relief that we have reached this stage; not only is our new minister installed, he and his family are also installed in the manse and are already settling into our wider community. It would be all too easy to think of it as ‘job
done’. But the truth is this is just the beginning. Team Lutton has joined Team Newtownbreda, together the future beckon.