Although some of you will have heard by now, it is with a heavy heart that I have to let you know about the death of our friend and colleague, the Rev’d Ruth Murray, rector of Woodschapel (St John’s and Gracefield). Ruth died after a long and dignified battle against cancer on Easter Saturday.
Like me, Ruth began her ordained life as curate assistant of Antrim where she developed a ministry that characterised her service throughout her life in Holy Orders - quiet, conscientious, and modest, strongly rooted in the care of all people, and in faithful devotion to the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Ruth was the absolute soul of discretion in pastoral ministry and brought a gentleness to all her dealings with people in times of both joy and sorrow.
Her life was centred on her service to God and to his Church and the wellbeing of her family. We remember her husband John and sons James and Richard in prayer at what is a very difficult time for them.
+John Armagh