By Julie Waters
AFTER over four decades of delivering a message of hope, love and compassion, Canon Ronnie Nesbitt is preparing to retire from a life of ministry next month.
Mr Nesbitt, who has served the Bangor Abbey church community for nearly 30 years, will celebrate his final service on Sunday, September 13.
The well-respected clergyman has been at the heart of the historic abbey, founded by St Comgall in 558 AD, that grew to become one of the most important seats of Christian learning in Ireland.
During his time at the Abbey, Mr Nesbitt has celebrated landmark occasions such as the 1,400th anniversary of Columbanus and welcomed thousands of visitors from across the globe.
Closer to home, he has walked alongside his parishioners during the happiest of times, such as weddings and christenings, and at their most challenging, through periods of illness and the loss of loved ones.
The Canon was always prepared to go that extra mile – who could forget his fundraising abseil down the church tower dressed as Batman in a bid to raise money for the new parish centre.
As well as his ministry in Bangor, Mr Nesbitt is now amongst the longest serving Canons at Belfast Cathedral, and has enjoyed being part of St Anne’s life.
Originally from Coleraine, his journey of faith has taken him to Dublin, as well as to parishes in Ballymena and Helen’s Bay, but he said ‘North Down has become home’.
When asked to reflect on the highlights of his ministry in North Down, he said: “It is about delivering hope, and love to people and compassion.”
Mr Nesbitt shared his enjoyment of the ‘variety’ of his role and described it as ‘one of the last truly personal relationships’ that is fully accessible to parishioners.
“One of the best things and worst things is that you are always available, somebody can phone me day or night. If somebody is ill at hospital I will drop everything. It is one of the last truly personal relationships.”
He also praised the ecumenical relationships across the seaside city saying they ‘had worked really well’ during his time of ministry.
Recalling his journey of faith to ordination, Mr Nesbitt said: “There was no blinding light but as a teenager there was a definite experience of coming to faith. I studied law as my primary degree, but then did youth work in Dublin for three to four years.
“It was a curate who suggested ordination for me, many people don’t realise how influential curates can be in young people’s lives.”
Mr Nesbitt served his first curacy in Ballymena, before becoming a curate in Holywood and latterly the Rector of Helen’s Bay.
Then came the significant move to Bangor Abbey as he recalled: “We had 1,200 families and in my first month there were 16 funerals; I used to do five a year previously.”
He spoke of how his life of service has embraced both the challenges and joys of life.
“It is unusual but I have taken a funeral in the morning and a wedding in the afternoon,” he said.
“A funeral is one of the most difficult moments and it is one of the most important moments and you have to get it right. You have got to take time for people, it is the before, it is the after and all of the rest. My second Rector Jim Monroe said that when you take a funeral a little part of you goes into the ground if you do it right.”
He has also embraced Bangor Abbey’s rich Christian heritage. “I learned so much when I came here, it was just such a joyous thing, covering every aspect of Christianity. The policy of the church is always to be as open to as many people as possible.
“I really enjoy people and they keep me going, it is the relationships.”
As well as the support of his parishioners, Mr Nesbitt also paid tribute to his wife Carole’s dedication throughout his service. “Carole’s ministry has been through the Mothers’ Union, the choir and other church activities such as the flowers.”
As the couple now look forward to their retirement together Mr Nesbitt said he was looking forward to spending more time in his garden, birdwatching and they may even consider getting a pet dog.
However, Mr Nesbitt admitted that his retirement is also tinged with sadness.
“I love my job so it is a bit like a bereavement. There are feelings of grief. However, I am pleased that I am going with a sense of regret rather than relief.”
