Southwark Celebrates 25 Years of Women Priests
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Walking Welcoming THE BRIDGE Growing Newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark Vol.24 No.5 June 2019 Inside Southwark celebrates THE BRIDGE 25 years of women priests ...this month Here ARE we - 25 years on - pages 6 & 7 The day we met the Queen - page 4 Saturday May 25 saw Some of the women ordained as priests in Southwark in 1994 Southwark Cathedral full of women and men for a day of Mullally (below), responded to Tom Butler, noting that he had celebration to mark 25 years what we had heard reminding ordained her both deacon and those present that we have a priest in Southwark Diocese. Christ Church, of women’s ordination to the Colliers Wood in priesthood. responsibility to ensure that He was warmly applauded. there are women in the Church profile - page 9 But the day didn’t just In her sermon Jane Steen in the future. celebrate the past. It began (right) asked us all where we The day continued with the had been 25 years ago and PLUS pages of with a Study Morning - news from around Inspired for the Future’ in service of celebration for 25 spoke of the two words that had which Paula Gooder spoke years since the fi rst women most struck her in the Gospel the Diocese and about ‘Phoebe: on fi nding were ordained in Southwark ‘she turned’ going on to say women’s voices in history Diocese. Bishop Sarah presided that some ways we who were and today’ and Esther Mombo their voices to be heard and for at the Eucharist, Bishop there had all turned to God and spoke about ‘Women’s voices us all to fi nd our own authentic Christopher deaconed and the to our vocation. from Africa’. voices. Archdeacon of Southwark, the The service was a fi tting Esther Mombo (above) spoke Venerable Jane Steen preached. culmination both to the day Page 11 Wendy Robins about the place of women in As the service began Bishop and to the week in which the writes: African society and of the need Sarah welcomed the former ‘Here Am I’ exhibition had been to balance their domestic life Bishop of Southwark, Bishop launched. Hearts Paula (below) spoke about the and chores with their priestly life. She reminded us that on Fire invisibility of our foremothers with a Vision in the faith and for the need for whilst it is good to celebrate the place of women today in for growth the Church of England our Walking with Jesus and celebration is not complete getting to know Jesus unless we remember those better as we journey on who are still waiting for it to be Welcoming all, possible. embracing our diversity It was a great morning with and seeking new ways two inspiring speakers giving of being church us much to think about. Growing in numbers, Following a chance for generosity, faith and those present to ask questions discipleship as we grow of the speakers the Bishop of God’s Kingdom London, the Rt Revd Sarah Follow the Diocesan Blog: ‘Hearts on Fire – sharing God’s Good News in Southwark Diocese’ - http://southwarkcofe.tumblr.com/ 2 THE BRIDGE... June 2019 A view from Archdeacon of Croydon THE BRIDGE to retire in the New Year The Archdeacon Following a BA at Magdalene Bishop Christopher said: of Croydon, The College, Oxford he trained “Chris Skilton has been a ‘How for the ordained ministry at dedicated servant to the Venerable Christopher Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and was parishes in his Archdeaconry awesome Skilton, is to retire on ordained deacon in 1980 and and previously in Lambeth. We Saturday 29 February priest in 1981. will greatly miss his wisdom it is to Curacies in the Diocese of and good humour but we wish 2020, shortly before London and Salisbury followed Chris and Barbara a long and be in the his 65th birthday. and he was a Team Vicar at happy retirement”. He has been Archdeacon of Great Baddow in Chelmsford Bishop Jonathan addded: Church at Croydon since 2013 and prior Diocese (1988-1995) before “The Croydon Episcopal Area, to that was Archdeacon of coming to Southwark as Team and the Diocese as a whole, will this time’ Lambeth from 2004. Rector of Sanderstead. be all the poorer as a result of Chris’s retirement”. Two weeks ago, I was reading comments of joy and jubilation on Facebook, in response to the news that Shannon MacVean-Brown had been named Bishop-elect of New Warden the Diocese of Vermont, USA. Someone said, ‘how awesome it is to be in the Church at this time.’ That’s exactly how I felt of Readers during the joyous celebration at our Cathedral on Saturday, 25 May, in the presence of those women giving thanks for 25 years of their ordination to the sacred order of Priests. commisioned They and those who follow, some of whom are On Thursday 2 In gratitude for her service, Diocesan and suff ragan bishops today, were indeed he presented her with the called to the priesthood for a time such as this. May, during Choral Lancelot Andrewes medal for What an honour and a privilege to be writing Evensong at Godly Service and Zeal for the this editorial as I stand on the shoulders of those Southwark Cathedral, Gospel, which is in his personal women priests - pioneers, those who didn’t make Bishop Christopher, gift. Images from the service it, those who gave up the struggle and those who commissioned Ray are still struggling, those who are juggling roles of can be found on the Diocesan wife – mother – priest, or a combination thereof – Wheeler as Diocesan Flickr stream: https://fl ic.kr/s/ a HsmAVXj9B Thank you! Warden of Readers. While it was an honour to be at the Diocesan Ray Wheeler has been a celebration, it was also a privilege to feel Reader in the Diocese of Pictured with the Dean Southwark since 1988. included in this fi ne circle. Now a Vicar, I was able of Southwark, Andrew to play host to my former Rural Dean of Tooting, He has served in the parish Nunn, is the new Dean of of Shirley, St George since as she came to celebrate and give thanks for all Bergen, the Very Revd Dr 2002 and is the Croydon Area Gudmund Waaler. that God has done. Warden of Readers. She was one of the ‘early’ priests who suggested Southwark Diocese is He succeeds Nicole Burgum linked with the Diocese that God may be calling me to ordained ministry. as Warden and it was Nicole, of Bergen in Norway and It was a real joy to travel with her from then to retiring from the post after two the Cathedral has strong now, as she celebrated with her peers, 25 years of years, who presented him to links with the Cathedral ordination to the sacred order of Priests. the Bishop for commissioning there with regular visits during a service full of family, As we complete the celebration by remembering between the Cathedrals friends and fellow Readers. taking place. and giving thanks for those who have gone before; After commissioning Ray, as we rejoice with those present with us; and Bishop Christopher paid Dean Gudmund visited as we pray for those coming after us, we are tribute to Nicole, telling the London 11 to 16 May reminded that God does not call us to a place congregation that he had asked and met the staff and where God’s grace is not suffi cient for us. her to become Warden in the congregation of the Cathedral and some of the The Revd Canon Roxanne Hunte middle of the Sea of Galilee during a Diocesan Pilgrimage. staff from Trinity House. The JULY/AUGUST edition is due to be printed on 11 JULY and in your THE BRIDGE parish from the following Sunday. The Bridge is produced & published by Material for that edition Kent Christian Press for Press and Communications must be with Wendy S. Chair: Biddy Taylor on behalf of The Diocese of Southwark, Trinity House, Robins at Trinity House by E: biddytaylor.spidirchair 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, London SE1 1HW MONDAY 1 JULY @gmail.com Tel: 020 7939 9400 020 7622 4912 E-mail: [email protected] Space limitations mean that we cannot guarantee to For information about Managing Editor: Editorial publish everything we receive training courses to and material may be edited. become a spiritual Wendy S. Robins Advisory Board: All photographs submitted director contact Biddy (Press & Communications) Dr Jane Steen for publication will assume to (Chair) have the necessary permission Taylor (above) Editor: for printing. So, please ensure Adeline Cole that people are happy for their Christ’s School Richmond’s Under 16 Basketball Team Membership Secretary Bryan Harris E: [email protected] (Kent Christian Press) Sallie Eden photographs to be submitted has won the Dynamik National Schools Basketball before you do so. Championships for the third year in a row. Christ’s School 01306 884467 Roxanne Hunte Forms for permission for triumphed over 3,500 schools from across the country, Finding a ADVERTISING the use of photographs of Wendy S. Robins including many specialist basketball academies. Head of spiritual director & DISTRIBUTION (Secretary) children and adults who PE at Christ’s School, Tom Smith, said: “Our continued ☎: 01474 854503 may be vulnerable can be success with this team is a product of coach Mr Sedour’s Please go to our website Tom Sutcliff e found at www.southwark. 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