From the Vicarage - March 2011

"UNDER ORDERS"

A BIG DAY FOR ALL SAINTS

It has recently been announced that Stephen, Bishop of Chelmsford, will be ordaining seven new priests here at All Saints on Sunday 26th June, at 3.00pm.   I believe that this is the first ordination ever to have taken place in our own church.   It is a great honour to be hosting it, particularly as one of the candidates is our own curate, Jo.   If this will be an important day for All Saints, it will be an even more important day for Jo as she begins her ministry among us as a priest.   Whe will celebrate the Eucharist for the first time on St. Peter's Day, Wednesday 29th June, which is also our partronal festival, being the parish church of All Saints with St. Peter.   So please put these dates in your diaries and let us all make a special effort to be present.

As you will know, there are three Holy Orders in the Church;  that of Bishop, Priest and Deacon.   Jo is currently in Deacon's Orders, which means that essentially she assists the priest and ha the special privilege of reading the Gospel and preparing the altar.   The Deacon wears the stole across the left shoulder to denote their distinctive ministry.

As a priest, Jo will be given the authority to celebrate the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.   The priest may also pronounce the blessing and, in Christ's name, absolve the penitent.   The priest may also anoint the sick as a sign of the healing love of Christ, entrusted to the whole church.

So please pray for Jo and Keith, and for Richard, Chloe and Sam.   This will be a great day for Jo in her life and in her ministry.   We are truly blessed in having her among us.   I know how many people have already come to value her ministry, and many of us have cause to be grateful for the gifts she has brought to the parish.   Please pray for Jo, that the Holy Spirit will continue to bless her and equip her for her ministry as a priest in the church of God.

Stephen Carter