Installation of Mrs Helen Loane as Lakelands District MWI President

Pettigo Methodist Church was the venue for the installation of the new Lakelands District President, Mrs Helen Loane. Helen is a member of Pettigo and was pleased that the service was in her home church. We were delighted that on a very wet evening the church was well filled and everyone received a very warm welcome.

Helen is originally from the Donegal Circuit and joining with us were members of the circuit who had come to support Helen on her special evening. These visitors included Rev Arthur Parker who had been her minister in Donegal when she was growing up. Mr Parker, who spoke briefly at the supper after the service, related how Helen had been involved in the CE in her teens and said how proud her parents would have been of her.

Outgoing President Mrs Eileen Corrigan (left) with the newly installed MWI President of the Lakelands District, Mrs Helen Loane (centre) and Mrs Joy Graham, former All-Ireland MWI President

Rev Eleanor Hayden, minister of Pettigo, welcomed everyone to the service, especially Rev Stephen Taylor. District Superintendent, visitors from Donegal, members of the local Presbyterian and Church of Ireland churches and the few men who were brave enough to join us.

The induction was led by Mrs Eileen Corrigan, our outgoing President, after which Helen spoke. After thanking Eileen for her leadership over the past two years Helen gave her testimony. She had chosen as her theme for her two years as "God's Purpose" as she had felt that God had a purpose for her life and for us all. She thought of herself as just an ordinary woman but God has a plan for her and he had brought her to this point in her journey with Him and that He would be there with her whatever the future brought.

Rev Eleanor Hayden in her address spoke about how we were indeed just ordinary women but with God's direction and help we can do extra ordinary things for Him.
Rev Stephen Taylor, District Superintendent, brought the service to a close with the Benediction and the ladies of the Pettigo branch served a beautiful supper at which fellowship was enjoyed by all.