A Service to Celebrate 20 years of the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood in the Church of England
Saturday 3 rd May 2014 5 pm WELCOME TO ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL We are a Christian church within the Anglican tradition (Church of England) and we welcome people of all Christian traditions as well as people of other faiths and people of little or no faith. Christian worship has been offered to God here for over 1400 years. By worshipping with us today, you become part of that living tradition. Our regular worshippers, supported by nearly 150 members of staff and a large number of volunteers, make up the cathedral community. We are committed to the diversity, equal opportunities and personal and spiritual development of all who work and worship here because we are followers of Jesus Christ. We are a Fairtrade Cathedral and use fairly traded communion wine at all celebrations of the Eucharist. This order of service is printed on sustainably-produced paper. You are welcome to take it away with you but, if you would like us to recycle it for you, please leave it on your seat. Thank you for being with us today. If you need any help, please ask a member of staff. Please be assured of our continuing prayers for you when you go back to your homes and places of worship. You might like to visit our website, www.stpauls.co.uk, or follow us on Twitter @StPaulsLondon or find us on Facebook at /stpaulscathedral.
This service is relayed live to a large screen in Paternoster Square where we are joined by many more worshippers celebrating with us.
As you prepare for worship, please be sensitive to the needs of those around you who may wish to pray in silence. Please switch off mobile telephones and do not use photographic, video or recording equipment at any time.
A loop system is in operation throughout the Cathedral. Hearing aids that are equipped to do so should be switched to the ‘T’ position or the loop setting appropriate to your equipment.
British Sign Language interpreter available.
Material from Common Worship is included in this service and is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council. All hymns covered by the Christian Copyright Licensing have been reproduced under CCL Licence no. M270640. St Paul’s Cathedral Consort is directed by Andrew Carwood, Director of Music. The organ is played for the service by Timothy Wakerell, Sub-Organist, and before the service by Richard Moore, Organ Scholar. The Choristers of Salisbury Cathedral are directed by David Halls, Director of Music.
The setting of the Sanctus , Benedictus and Agnus Dei is from the Messe pour deux choeurs by Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) . The Gloria is by Andrew Parnell (b.1954).
Music before the service
Fantaisie in A César Franck (1822-90) Hymne d’action de grâces ‘Te Deum’ Jean Langlais (1907-91) Prelude from Trois improvisations Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979) Prelude in E flat (BWV 552i) Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) A procession of great majesty Judith Bingham (b. 1952) from The Everlasting Crown Veni Creator Jeanne Demessieux (1921-68)
Before the service, bishops who ordained women in 1994 take their seats on the North Cross Benches.
At 4.35 pm, remain seated as the Great West Doors open and women ordained priest in 1994 process through the Nave to their seats under the Dome.
At 4 .55 pm, remain seated as the Canon in Residence greets the Lord Mayor at the North Transept Door.
3 Processional Order
A Virger
The Crucifer and Acolytes
The Choir
A Virger
Senior Diocesan Representatives and Bishops
A Virger
The College of Canons
The Dean’s Virger
The Chapter
A Virger
The Sub-Deacon
The Deacon
The President ORDER OF SERVICE
The congregation is asked to join in all texts printed in bold .
Processional Hymn during which the congregation stands and the procession leaves the West End of the Cathedral and processes through the Nave to their seats under the Dome.
The Church’s one foundation Is Jesus Christ, her Lord; She is his new creation By water and the word: From heaven he came and sought her To be his holy Bride, With his own blood he bought her, And for her life he died.
Elect from every nation, Yet one o’er all the earth, Her charter of salvation One Lord, one faith, one birth; One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses With every grace endued.
Though with a scornful wonder We see her sore opprest, By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distrest, Yet saints their watch are keeping, Their cry goes up, ‘How long?’ And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song.
5 ’Mid toil, and tribulation, And tumult of her war, She waits the consummation Of peace for evermore; Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest, And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union With God the Three in One, And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won: O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we Like them, the meek and lowly, On high may dwell with thee.
Words: Samuel Stone (1839-1900), alt. Tune: Aurelia Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-76)
The Greeting The President says In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Lord be with you and also with you. Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. The President welcomes the congregation and introduces the service.
From the Ordinal God calls his people to follow Christ, and forms us into a royal priesthood, a holy nation, to declare the wonderful deeds of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
6 To serve this royal priesthood, God has given particular ministries. Priests are ordained to lead God’s people in the offering of praise and the proclamation of the gospel. They share with the Bishop in the oversight of the Church, delighting in its beauty and rejoicing in its well-being. They are to set the example of the Good Shepherd always before them as the pattern of their calling. With the Bishop and their fellow presbyters, they are to sustain the community of the faithful by the ministry of word and sacrament, that we all may grow into the fullness of Christ and be a living sacrifice acceptable to God.
Invitation to Confession
A Deacon says ‘How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,’ says Jesus, ‘but you would not come to me.’
Let us as wayward children return to God and confess our sins:
Silence is kept
We have witnessed the ill-treatment of others and have not gone to their aid;
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
We have condoned evil and dishonesty and failed to strive for justice;
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
We have heard the good news of Christ, but have failed to share it with others;
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
7 The President says
May our God, who sent his Son into the world to save sinners, bring us his pardon and peace, now and for ever. Amen.
Gloria in Excelsis
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; You are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
8 For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, In the glory of God the Father.
5 5 5 G 5 5 5 5 B 5 Glo- ry to God in the high - est, and
5 G 5 5 5 5 5 B: 4 B B ' peacetohis peo-ple on earth. A - men.
The President says The Collect
O God, the same yesterday, today and for ever, whose people are a royal priesthood, a chosen generation: let your priests be clothed with righteousness and your faithful ones sing for joy as we celebrate our common humanity, our shared ministry, and our joint service, in proclaiming the mighty acts of the one who called us out of darkness into his marvellous light: through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Sit
9 Liturgy of the Word
Old Testament Reading read by The Venerable Cherry Vann, Archdeacon of Rochdale
A reading from the Book of Ruth.
Ruth said, ‘Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die – there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!’ When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.
Ruth 1. 16-18
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
10 New Testament Reading read by The Right Reverend Barry Rogerson former Bishop of Bristol, the first bishop to ordain women in 1994
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians.
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2. 1-11
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
11 Anthem sung by the Choristers of Salisbury Cathedral.
King of glory, King of peace, I will love thee; And that love may never cease, I will move thee. Thou hast granted my request, Thou hast heard me; Thou didst note my working breast, Thou hast spared me.
Wherefore with my utmost art I will sing thee, And the cream of all my heart I will bring thee. Though my sins against me cried, Thou didst clear me; And alone, when they replied, Thou didst hear me.
Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee; In my heart, though not in heaven, I can raise thee. Small it is, in this poor sort To enrol thee: E’en eternity’s too short To extol thee.
Words: Praise (II) from The Temple (1633) Music: William H. Harris (1883-1973) George Herbert (1593-1633)
Testimonies given by
The Very Reverend June Osborne, Dean of Salisbury
The Reverend Kate Boardman, Assistant Curate, St Mary’s Heworth
12 Stand
Gradual Hymn sung at the first services of ordination of women to the priesthood at St Paul’s Cathedral on 16 th and 17 th April 1994.
O thou who camest from above, The pure celestial fire to impart, Kindle a flame of sacred love On the mean altar of my heart.
There let it for thy glory burn With inextinguishable blaze, And trembling to its source return In humble prayer, and fervent praise.
Jesus, confirm my heart’s desire To work, and speak, and think for thee; Still let me guard the holy fire, And still stir up thy gift in me.
Ready for all thy perfect will, My acts of faith and love repeat, Till death thy endless mercies seal, And make my sacrifice complete.
Words: Charles Wesley (1707-88) Tune: Hereford Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-76)
13 Turn towards the Deacon as the procession brings the Gospel into the midst of the congregation. Gospel Reading
The choir sings
Alleluia, alleluia. ‘Go and make disciples of all the nations,’ says the Lord; ‘I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Alleluia.
The Deacon says The Lord be with you and also with you.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
The choir sings and all repeat
Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20. 11-18
14 This is the Gospel of the Lord.
The choir sings and all repeat
Sermon
given by The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
Stand
An Affirmation of Faith
Let us affirm our faith.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist? We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again? We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world? We believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the Church. This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
15 Intercessions led by
The Venerable Dr Jane Hedges, Sub-Dean, Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster and The Reverend Canon Jenny Thomas, The Church of the Ascension, Pollards Hill
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Sit or kneel
The response is Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
At the end the President says Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, we commend ourselves and the whole creation to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Stand
16 The Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Peace
The President says Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near through the shedding of Christ’s blood, for he is our peace.
Alleuia. The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you. Alleluia.
A Deacon says Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
All may exchange a sign of peace.
Preparation of the Table
Offertory Hymn during which the bread and wine are placed on the altar and a collection is taken to cover the expense of this service, and for the Li Tim-Oi Foundation. Please complete the Gift Aid envelopes provided if you are a UK taxpayer. The hymn is signed by the London Deaf Church.
All my hope on God is founded; He doth still my trust renew. Me through change and chance he guideth, Only good and only true. God unknown, He alone Calls my heart to be his own.
17 Human pride and earthly glory, Sword and crown betray our trust; What with care and toil we fashion, Tower and temple, fall to dust But God’s power, Hour by hour, Is my temple and my tower.
God’s great goodness aye endureth, Deep his wisdom, passing thought: Splendour, light and life attend him, Beauty springeth out of naught. Evermore From his store New-born worlds rise and adore.
Daily doth th’ Almighty giver Bounteous gifts on us bestow; His desire our soul delighteth, Pleasure leads us where we go. Love doth stand At his hand; Joy doth wait on his command.
Still from earth to God eternal Sacrifice of praise be done, High above all praises praising For the gift of Christ his Son. Christ doth call One and all: Ye who follow shall not fall.
Words: Robert Bridges (184 4 -1930), alt. Tune: Michael Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
18 The President says Faithful God, receive all we offer you this day. May we so live the life of Christ that your Church may be a sign of salvation to all the nations of the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Eucharistic Prayer The President says The Lord be with you and also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give thanks and praise.
Living God, giver of light, hope of nations, friend of sinners, builder of the city that is to come: your love is made visible in Jesus Christ, you bring home the lost, restore the sinner and give dignity to the despised. In the face of Jesus Christ your light shines out, flooding lives with goodness and truth, gathering into one a divided and broken humanity. With women and men from every race and nation, with the Church of all the ages, with apostles, evangelists and martyrs, we join the angels of heaven in their unending song:
19 Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Holy, holy, holy Lord Dominus Deus Sabaoth. God of power and might. Pleni sunt caeli et terra Heaven and earth are full of gloria tua. your glory. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in the highest.
Benedictus qui venit Blessed is he who comes in nomine Domini. in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in the highest.
Accept our praises, heavenly Father, through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, and as we follow his example and obey his command, grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these gifts of bread and wine may be to us his body and his blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Therefore, heavenly Father, we remember his offering of himself made once for all upon the cross; we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; we look for the coming of your kingdom, and with this bread and this cup we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.
20 A Deacon sings Great is the mystery of faith.
The choir sings and all repeat
Accept through him our great high priest, this our sacrifice of thanks and praise, and as we eat and drink these holy gifts in the presence of your divine majesty, renew us by your Spirit, inspire us with your love and unite us in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with all who stand before you in earth and heaven, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise:
21
The choir sings and all repeat
The Lord’s Prayer
The President says Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
22 Breaking of the Bread
The President breaks the consecrated bread, saying We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. Though we are many, we are one body because we all share in one bread.
The President invites the people to receive Holy Communion, saying Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed.
Please sit and then follow the directions of the Virgers and Wandsmen.
All baptised Christians who receive communion in their own churches are welcome to receive communion.
Those communicants requiring gluten-free wafers are asked to identify themselves to a Virger or Wandsman and to receive communion from the President.
Any member of the congregation may come to receive a blessing; if you come forward for a blessing, please keep your head bowed.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata Lamb of God, you take away the sin mundi: miserere nobis. of the world: have mercy on us. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata Lamb of God, you take away the sin mundi: miserere nobis. of the world: have mercy on us. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata Lamb of God, you take away the sin mundi: dona nobis pacem. of the world: grant us peace.
23 The following may be sung
Communion Hymns
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy Like the wideness of the sea; There’s a kindness in his justice Which is more than liberty. There is no place where earth’s sorrows Are more felt than up in heaven; There is no place where earth’s failings Have such kindly judgement given.
For the love of God is broader Than the measure of our mind; And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind. But we make his love too narrow By false limits of our own; And we magnify his strictness With a zeal he will not own.
There is plentiful redemption In the blood that has been shed; There is joy for all the members In the sorrows of the Head. There is grace enough for thousands Of new worlds as great as this; There is room for fresh creations In that upper home of bliss.
If our love were but more simple, We should take him at his word; And our lives would be all gladness In the joy of Christ our Lord.
Words: Frederick William Faber (1814-63), alt. Tune: Corvedale Maurice Bevan (1921-2006) Vicar Choral of St Paul’s Cathedral (1949-89)
24 Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, And where there’s doubt, true faith in you: O Master, grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console, To be understood, as to understand, To be loved, as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace. Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope Where there is darkness, only light, And where there’s sadness ever joy: O Master, grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console, To be understood, as to understand, To be loved, as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, In giving of ourselves that we receive, And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Words: from a prayer of Music: Sebastian Temple (1928-97) St Francis of Assisi (c.1182-1226), alt. arr. William Llewellyn (b.1925)
25 O thou, who at thy Eucharist didst pray That all thy Church might be for ever one, Grant us at every Eucharist to say With longing heart and soul, ‘Thy will be done.’ Oh, may we all one Bread, one Body be, One through this Sacrament of unity.
For all thy Church, O Lord, we intercede; Make thou our sad divisions soon to cease; Draw us the nearer each to each, we plead, By drawing all to thee, O Prince of Peace: Thus may we all one Bread, one Body be, One through this Sacrament of unity.
We pray thee too for wanderers from thy fold; O bring them back, good Shepherd of the sheep, Back to the faith which saints believed of old, Back to the Church which still that faith doth keep: Soon may we all one Bread, one Body be, One through this Sacrament of unity.
So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease, May we be one with all thy Church above, One with thy saints in one unbroken peace, One with thy saints in one unbounded love: More blessèd still, in peace and love to be One with the Trinity in Unity.
Words: William Turton (1856-1938) Tune: Song I Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)
26 Post-Communion Anthem specially commissioned by the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral with the support of The Boltini Fund.
See that I am God. See that I am in everything. See that I do everything. See that I have never stopped ordering my works, nor ever shall, eternally. See that I lead everything on to the conclusion I ordained for it before time began, by the same power, wisdom and love with which I made it. How can anything be amiss? Amen.
Text: Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) Music: Errollyn Wallen (b.1958)
Prayers after Communion
All stand with the President, who says Eternal God, giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom: confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We thank you, gracious Father, for welcoming your children to feast in your kingdom; by your love unite us and with your Spirit send us, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
27 The Blessing
The President says The Father, whose glory fills the heavens, cleanse you with holiness and send you to proclaim the word. Amen.
The Son, who has ascended to the heights, pour upon you the riches of his grace. Amen.
The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, equip you and strengthen you in your ministry. Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
A Deacon sings The Lord says, ‘Go into all the world and make disciples of all the nations.’ Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The choir sings and all repeat
28 Recessional Hymn during which the procession moves to the West End. I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have bo rne my people’s pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide Till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart. Words: Dan Schutte (b.1947) Music: Dan Schutte based on Isaiah 6 arr. Gordon Langford (b.1930)
29 The Canon in Residence escorts the Lord Mayor to the North Transept Door.
Organ Voluntary
Toccata from Symphony No 5 Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)
Please remain seated until invited to leave by a Wandsman or Steward.
Women who took part in the opening procession may make their way to the crypt via the crypt staircases.
After the service, to celebrate the anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood, the St Paul’s Cathedral Guild of Ringers will ring Stedman Cinques.
We give thanks to God for the ministry of all those women ordained priest in 1994 who have since died.
The sculptures that are displayed either side of the front of the nave are by London artist Gerry Judah and form part of the Cathedral’s commemoration to the Great War of 1914-1918. In their shape and colour they recall the thousands of war grave white crosses placed in the war cemeteries across the world. These sculptures rupture the symmetry of the Cathedral just as war works break down human harmony. Placed where they are, we are invited to walk through them, and the failure and pain they represent, into a sacred space of hope where we, in all our diversity, are invited to come together to worship, to respect and learn from each other. The offerings given in this service will be divided equally between covering the costs of the service, an d The Li Tim-Oi Foundation. The cost of the procession and service which has enabled us to celebrate here today is over £25,000. Sponsorship for over half this amount has been raised, including from St Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, the National Association of Diocesan Advisors in Women’s Ministry, and a number of individuals and dioceses, for which we are very grateful. The ad-hoc organising group has no budget of its own, and we depend on your generosity please, to help us cover the gap in funding. The Li Tim-Oi Foundation is named after the first woman to be ordained priest in the Anglican Communion, in China in 1944. It offers help to women in the Two-Thirds World for local training and education, to equip them to serve the Gospel of Christ in their communities and churches. In its first 20 years it has helped 385 women in 124 dioceses in Africa, Brazil, Fiji, India and Pakistan to become leaders as priests and pastors, bible college teachers and Church Army sisters, evangelists, school chaplains, youth workers, and many more besides. Your gift will help other women also to fulfil their God-given vocations.
What I want to say now Four retired Bishops speak out Choral Evensong at 3.15 pm
Sunday 4 th May The Right Reverend John Gladwin Bishop of Chelmsford, 2004-9
Sunday 11 th May The Right Reverend Peter Price Bishop of Bath and Wells, 2001-13
Sunday 18 th May The Right Reverend Tom Butler Bishop of Southwark, 1998-2010
Sunday 25 th May The Right Reverend Christopher Herbert Bishop of St Albans, 1996-2009