In the first of our Lay Workers Series, meet Dory McConnell Lay Pastor on the Upper Erne Circuit, as she tells us a little bit about her background, her family, her work and God’s sovereignty and provision. 

My name is Dory McConnell and I work as a Lay Pastor. Certain words do not translate well to anyone unfamiliar with church terminology, and “Lay” is one of those words. When I tell folks what I do for a living, most people meet the word “Lay” with a quizzical look. But it simply means I’m not ordained. My duties include pastoral visiting, youth work, leading Sunday Services and taking Bible Studies. 

I work with Rev Richard Rowe on the Upper Erne Circuit which includes churches in Brookeborough, Lisnaskea, Drumady, Newtownbutler and Corlespratten. 

I began this role in September 2021. I find pastoral work a great privilege. Visiting my parishioners, I get to hear their stories of life and faith. Pastoral visiting for me is helping folks find a sense of God’s presence in situations they are facing. And as I work in Fermanagh, it also involves a good cup of tea and some banter! 

There is a strong sense of community in Fermanagh, and I see God at work in the way the people on my circuit support one another in that quiet country manner. Rural churches face many challenges, and your prayers for these churches, and the people who serve God faithfully here would be greatly appreciated. 

In my free time I love to walk, read, and spend time with family and friends. I love to travel and explore. I spent 2 years in my twenties living in South Africa, attending Bible College. I am married to John, and we have 2 teenage sons, Daniel (19) and Jonah (17). 

My background is in business and management. I spent 20 years running a business with my husband, a career that I loved, and one in which we thrived. I loved the energy of planning and managing different projects and the diverse group of people we have met over the years. Unfortunately, things took a downturn and in 2019 we realised we had to find an exit plan.  

Life is like that, we often feel secure, unshakeable, and then life takes a different path. 

Exiting your own business is emotional and difficult. You don’t give 2 weeks’ notice, it’s more complex. It took almost 2 years for us to make our way through that journey. 

But God is faithful. 

He has provided us with great family and friends, and an amazing church family in Cookstown Methodist. They prayed with us, laughed, and cried with us, and walked alongside us as we found the new path God had provided for us. 

And that path led to Fermanagh.  

John embarked on a role as a Lay Evangelist in County Fermanagh in September 2020.  

God placed a verse in my heart as we walked through the challenging journey of closing our business, moving house, and moving our boys to new schools. 

And it was Psalm 18:19 

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” 

That is how Fermanagh felt the first time I drove here. Wide spacious, free, and if I’m honest, a little bit wild, which suits us as a family very well.