The Ordination and Consecration as a Bishop in the Church of God of Clarence Edgar Bester Archdeacon of Wangaratta 22 February 2020, 11am Archbishop of Melbourne: The Most Reverend Dr Philip Freier Dean of Melbourne: The Very Reverend Dr Andreas Loewe Deacon: The Ven. Canon Heather Patacca Sub-deacon: The Revd Canon Thomas Leslie Preacher: The Right Reverend Andrew Curnow AM WELCOME Welcome to St Paul’s Cathedral, the Metropolitical Church of the Anglican Province of Victoria and the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Melbourne. We worship on the traditional lands of the Kulin nation and we acknowledge and pay our respect to their elders past, present and emerging and to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders with us today. We are delighted that you are with us this morning: come and worship with us again. Whether you are Anglican, from another Christian Church or another faith tradition, you are warmly welcome to take part in the service. If you want to find out more about the Christian faith, please make yourself known to a member of the clergy after the service. This booklet gives details of the hymns and special texts for this service. Please sing the hymns and say those parts of the service printed in bold type. Please ensure that mobile phones, pagers, and other electronic devices are switched off. THE VEN. CLARENCE BESTER Clarence studied Theology at the College of the Transfiguration and the University of Stellenbosch in South. Africa. He was made a Deacon in March 1996 and ordained to the priesthood in December of that year. He served in various parishes in South. Africa and became a Territorial Archdeacon and Archdeacon to the Ordinary (Bishop) in the Diocese of False Bay in 2006. Clarence has also undertaken ministry in Cologne, Bonn and Strasbourg. He is currently licensed to officiate in the Diocese of Europe within the Province of Canterbury. In 2015 Clarence, Michelle, Kian and Kyle came to Australia, to the Diocese of Wangaratta, serving first in the Parish of Shepparton and then, jointly, as Diocesan Archdeacon, Archdeacon for Ministry Development and Rector of Wangaratta West and the Warbys. He became Vicar-General in November 2018 and, since 21st December 2019, has been Administrator of the Diocese of Wangaratta. MUSIC DURING TODAY’S SERVICE Sung by: The Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral directed by Philip Nicholls, Director of Music Organists: Siegfried Franke, Cathedral Organist Lachlan Redd, Cathedral Sub-Organist 2 THANK YOU We are most grateful to all those who are assisting today, especially the Staff and Volunteers of the Cathedral, Bellringers, Musicians, Flower Guild, Servers, Sacristan, Vergers, and Welcomers. THE STRUCTURE OF THE CONSECRATION SERVICE THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD We hear readings from both the Old and New Testaments and from one of the four Gospel accounts. The sermon is preached to encourage both the candidate being consecrated and those gathered in support. THE PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATE The candidate is presented to the Archbishop, who exhorts him and presents him to the people. THE PRAYERS As part of our prayers we sing a hymn inviting the Holy Spirit to come among us in the consecration. THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION During the Prayer of Consecration, the Archbishop thanks God for Christ, our Apostle, High Priest and Shepherd of souls, and that God calls women and men to the ordained ministry. The Archbishop then lays hands on the candidate to invoke the Holy Spirit to equip him for the ministry of a bishop. This laying-on of hands is the principal ritual gesture of consecration. Immediately after the Archbishop has prayed for the candidate, he is given the principal symbol of ministry, the Bible. Bishops are called to witness to the gospel of the resurrection and lordship of Jesus Christ to promote the church’s faith and unity. THE EUCHARIST The Consecration Service is always set within the Eucharist, also known as the Lord’s Supper. All communicant members of Christian churches are welcome to join with us in receiving the bread and wine of the Eucharist. If you prefer, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing instead. COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION AND GREETING OF PEACE TODAY In order to help prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus and in line with WHO recommendations not to share common vessels, communicants will receive bread only. During the Greeting of Peace, please say the words of greeting to your neighbours but refrain from shaking hands. 3 ORDER OF PROCESSION A Dean’s Chorister The Choir Taperers and Crucifer Theological Students Members of Religious Communities Visiting Clergy and Clergy of the Diocese of Melbourne Area Deans of the Diocese of Melbourne Members of the Provincal Council of the Province of Victoria Members of Archbishop in Council of the Diocese of Melbourne Visiting Archdeacons Archdeacons of the Diocese of Melbourne Diocesan Registrars The Notary Public Diocesan Advocates Diocesan Deputy Chancellors Diocesan Chancellors St Paul’s Cathedral Clergy Visiting Members of Cathedral Chapters St Paul’s Cathedral Chapter Visiting Deans Visiting Bishops Archbishops of the Anglican Church of Australia A Verger Bishops of the Diocese of Melbourne Presenting Bishops, Clergy and Lay People with the Ven. Clarence Bester The Dean’s Verger The Dean and Preacher The Sub-deacon The Deacon The Archbishop of Melbourne, Primate of Australia 4 Stand for THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN 2 3 I, the Lord of snow and rain, I, the Lord of wind and flame, I have borne my people’s pain; I will tend the poor and lame, I have wept for love of them. I will set a feast for them. They turn away. My hand will save. I will break their hearts of stone, Finest bread I will provide give them hearts for love alone. till their hearts are satisfied. I will speak my word to them. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord … Here I am, Lord … Daniel L. Schutte (b.1947) Together in Song 658 Reproduced with permission 5 THE WELCOME AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Dean THE GREETING The Archbishop introduces the service There is one body and one Spirit. There is one hope to which we were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. The Lord be with you. And also with you. 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. The Church is the Body of Christ, the people of God and the dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit. In baptism the whole Church is summoned to witness to God’s love and to work for the coming of his kingdom. To serve this royal priesthood, God has given particular ministries. Bishops are ordained to be shepherds of Christ’s flock and guardians of the faith of the apostles, proclaiming the gospel of God’s kingdom and leading his people in mission. Obedient to the call of Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, they are to gather God’s people and celebrate with them the sacraments of the new covenant. Thus formed into a single communion of faith and love, the Church in each place and time is united with the Church in every place and time. Please sit or kneel for THE CONFESSION Jesus is the Good Shepherd: in every generation he raises up overseers, to shepherd the Church of God that he obtained with his own blood. cf Acts 20.28 We are sinners: let us call to mind the times when we have failed to hear his voice and not followed where he has led. Merciful God, our maker and our judge, we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, and in what we have failed to do: we have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves; we repent and are sorry for all our sins. Father, forgive us. 6 Strengthen us to love and obey you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE ABSOLUTION Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith: pardon you and set you free from all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Stand to sing GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO Festive Mass, Philip Matthias (b.1954) Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Response 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. Response 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. Response Amen. THE COLLECT FOR THE ORDINATION OF BISHOPS Almighty God, by your Son Jesus Christ you gave many excellent gifts to your apostles, and commanded them to feed your flock: bless your servant Clarence, now called to the order of bishops. So fill him with your truth, and clothe him with holiness, that as a pastor of your Church he may diligently preach your word, and rightly teach your people, to the glory of your name, and the benefit of your Church. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.