Who are we?
Ministry Team
Rev. Willie Nixon
Rector
Rev’d Willie Nixon. Willie is married to Caroline and has three grown up children. Willie began life as a dairy farmer and on responding to God’s call to ministry was ordained in 2000. He has served in five parishes and worked as a Prison Chaplain before coming to Banbridge. Willie is a passionate Bible teacher and is deeply committed to making Christ known through faithful Bible teaching and prayerful pastoral care. Willie is our Rector and leads the Church. He loves his mini-breaks in the sun and is an avid Ireland and Ulster rugby fan!
Ava Jordan-Curasi
Youth and Children’s Minister
Originally from California, Ava went on her first mission trip at 13. That trip opened her eyes to a calling in ministry. Ava worked for an organisation that focused on teens and missions, traveling extensively on short term trips. One of those trips brought Ava to Northern Ireland and she felt the call of the Lord to move. Ava has a Masters degree in Theology and has been working at Banbridge Church of Ireland since 2019. Ava is full of energy and is passionate about the discipleship of the ‘whole family’ and works hard to see our young families growing in faith.
Diane Ruddock
Diocesan Reader
Diane Ruddock (OBE). Diane is married to Myrddin and has grown up children. Diane has recently retired from the role of External Affairs Manager in the National Trust. Diane volunteers in the Parish in several ministry roles, overseeing Housebound visitation and our Life Group ministries. She also serves on the Select Vestry and on a number of local diocesan and central Church committees. Diane is our Diocesan Reader and is an enthusiastic, faithful preacher and leader in our Church services. Diane and her husband run a small farm. She loves cows, pigs, sheep and the outdoor life!
Raymond McClure
Ministry Associate
Raymond is married to Ali and they have two children still at school. He grew up in east Belfast and after many years of working in multiple sectors he heard the call of the Lord to ministry. After completing A Bachelors in Theology at Belfast Bible College Raymond led a Church of Ireland Parish on the Ards Peninsula and the ‘Ards Connect’ Diocesan outreach. He is passionate about worship, reaching the lost and seeing us mature in the faith. Raymond is our Worship, Evangelism & Discipleship Ministry Associate.
Rory Corbett
NSM
Rev’d Dr Rory Corbett. Rory is married to Jane and is now a grandpa. He worked as a Consultant Dermatologist and was ordained a non-stipendary minister in 2005 to the Parish of Aghalee. Now retired from medical practice, Rory is the longest serving member of the ministry team, having joined the Parish in 2013. He ministers part-time with us and is passionate about building unity in God’s church. Rory is our ‘Emeritas’ Clergyman who leads services, presides at Communion, visits the housebound. He loves dog-walking and being Jane’s assistant in the garden!
Claire Jones
Diocesan reader
Dr Claire Jones. Claire is a Consultant Surgeon working for the local Trust. Claire grew up in the Church of Ireland and knows it from the inside, as her father was ordained. She meant most of her childhood and adult life in Banbridge Church of Ireland and knows so many in this community. Claire volunteers on the preaching team and serves on Select Vestry. She is passionate about preaching and is an excellent Bible teacher. She is training as a Diocesan Reader with a view to becoming more involved in ministry. She too loves ‘mini breaks’ and enjoys a good workout at the gym!
Support Staff
Dorothy Craig
Parish Receptionist
Trevor Anderson
Sexton
we are. . .
Rooted in Jesus
Calling everyone to build their life on Christ and what he says to us in the Bible.
Alive in the Spirit
Always Seeking God, the Holy Spirit to lead us in spirit-filled prayer and worship and everyday living.
Serving in God’s power
Growing and empowering God’s people of all ages to love and serve Jesus and all people at home and away.
Our Identity
We are a parish who holds dear both traditional Prayer Book worship and alongside that a more contemporary ‘service of the word’ style. We are committed to our church services and gatherings being spirit-filled and spirit led as we minister God’s Word.
We value traditional models of pastoral care whilst at the same exploring fresh ways of delivering good pastoral care through the people of the Parish and Prayer Ministry.
We seek to make disciples through our Bible-based teaching programmes and are always looking to find the lost through empowering personal evangelism, corporate outreach and working on the fringe of the Church.
We have a heart to be constant in empowering mission locally in Ireland and further afield and seek to culture a heart of compassion for all who are in need. We define Mission as God’s call to love all people by making the Good News of Jesus known to them, alongside offering compassionate practical care to all in any kind of need. We want to grow and release leaders into ministry locally and globally.
We are committed to a church culture whose heart is ‘to empty hell and fill heaven’ through being a welcoming, praying, caring, wholesome and Bible-honouring family of faith. We are doctrinally evangelical.
The Life of the Church
Church plant: two Church buildings and two parish halls
Parish membership - 1046 households
Robed choir - 9.45am, Praise Band - 11.15am and Choir - 10am
Prayerbook (8.30am/9.45am) & Service of the Word (10am/11.15am)
Four services each Sunday – 8.30am, 9.45am, 10am & 11.15am
Youth Group (Inspire Yr8 to Yr14)
Sunday School/Creche Holy Trinity & Seapatrick Village Church
After School Drop-In (Yr8-Yr14)
Kids Club (4-11yrs)
Youth Exodus Summer Mission Team to Romania
We have close affiliation with Scouting and Guiding who meet in Holy Trinity Parish halls.
Six Life Groups meeting (Fortnightly)
Parish Prayer Meeting (Weekly on Wednesdays at 7.30pm)
Prayer Ministry Team (Available at all services)
Mother’s Union (Monthly in Holy Trinity)
Ladies Guild (Monthly in The Village Hall)
Women Together (Monthly fellowship/friendship group for women)
Men’s Group (Monthly men’s fellowship/friendship group)
Coffee & Chat (Weekly Holy Trinity & monthly The Village)
Monday Club (Senior Citizens group meets monthly)
Bowling Club (Weekly – September to April)
Walking Group (Weekly in the summer months)
Missional partnerships with a Diocesan Church Plant in Warrenpoint, a Crosslinks Church Plant in Southern Ireland and a Diocesan partnership with Pakistan are being explored.