Responding to God’s call

A silent ordination retreat, where, from Wednesday night to Saturday at noon, the only words spoken were in worship - Morning Prayer, midday Holy Communion, Evening Prayer and Compline - culminated in the Ordination of two members of the Priory family at the Worcester Diocese Petertide Ordinations.

On Saturday, Gilly Maxim, who was ordained Deacon last Petertide, was ordained Priest, to continue serving as curate with the West Worcester Team. Gilly, a long-standing (former, but still occasionally visiting) member of the Priory choir, presided at Holy Communion for the first time at St John in Bedwardine on Sunday.

On Sunday, too, the Priory’s latest curate, Philippa Lowe, was ordained Deacon at Worcester Cathedral, in a service filled with glorious music and ceremony. Processing out of the Cathedral at the end of the service, following Bishop Martin, her smile was reflected in the faces of so many Priory members who had come to support her.

Through the great West Doors, high above the River Severn, where the swans swam gracefully, unaware of the momentous occasion, everyone gathered in celebratory mood for photos and a lot of hugging.

A new chapter also begins in Roger’s life, not only is he the slightly-less-new-Vicar, but he becomes a Training Incumbent (or ‘TI’ to his curate). ’It’s buy one, get one free!’ a member of the congregation pointed out, gleefully.

Congratulations to Gilly and to Philippa as you move along your Lifepath in Ordained ministry.