On Sunday 12 September 2014 (the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity) the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Revd Alan Abernethy, ordained the Revd Roderick Lindsay Smyth as Priest for the parish of St John the Evangelist, Malone.

Rod is from St Gall's, Carnalea. He was a chorister in St Anne's and also a Bass Lay Clerk whilst studying music at Queen's University. He has served as Parish Organist in St Gall's for some twenty years.

Rod worked in education for 33 years where he had attained the post of Head of Senior School at Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College and had also been an examiner with CCEA.

Rod is married to Rosemary and their family Jonathan and Rachel both work and live in London.

During his theological training Rod has had experience of parish ministry in different contexts, having undertaken parish placements in Knocknagoney, St George's, and St Mark's, Dundela before serving as a Deacon Intern in St John's during his final year at the Theological Institute.

During last year in St John's Rod was invaluable as he acted as our Choirmaster following the death of Dr Davison and assisted Revd Ray Rennix.

The address at the Ordination Service was given by the Revd Dr Carolyn Hammond (Dean of and Director of Studies in Theology in Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge).

After the service a buffet meal for 190 was provided using both the Seaver and L'Estrange halls