ORDINATION SERVICE

Shepherds and sheep

On Saturday 25^th June, a coach full of enthusiastic supporters from St Bridget’s and Caldy travelled to Chester Cathedral for the ordination of our Curate, Malcolm Cowan. Nineteen men and women from the diocese were ordained as priests by the Bishop of Chester, including several from other local parishes: Frankby, Thurstaston, Christ Church Moreton, St Hilary Wallasey, and St Andrew Bebington. The cathedral was full with their families, friends, parishioners, and an impressive number of clergy. We thank God for calling priests to minister to us.

The ordinands had been together on retreat in the days preceding the service, taking time to leave their parish duties and prepare their hearts. The Rev Canon Anne Samuels, a leader at the retreat, preached at the service. She took up the theme of The Good Shepherd, a pattern for all clergy as they tend their “flock”. But Church life is not simply a case of “follow-my-leader”, with the laity trotting after the clergy. She made the point both laity and clergy take both roles of shepherd and sheep. As shepherds, we should try, with encouragement, to develop our own ministries, so that the work may be shared, more may be achieved, and no-one may be overburdened. Moreover we should recognise that our clergy are also sheep, who need tending, support and feeding. The ordinands were reminded: make time for your own renewal, as their lives become increasingly busy and pressured.

With all this in mind, we all promised before God to uphold the new priests in their ministry, and prayed fervently for them as they received their charge, made their promises and knelt for ordination. Our three bishops, Peter, David and Nigel took part, and the parish priests came forward to join in laying on of hands for their own curates.

We sang a variety of newer and older hymns, led by the cathedral’s splendid choir and organ, with words appropriate to the occasion, such as Ye servants of God, your master proclaim, and Brother, Sister, let me serve you. At the start of the prayers, the choir sang a particularly moving rendition of Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, as we were reminded that priests cannot fulfil their awesome charge in their own strength, however able they may be, but can only succeed with the help of the Spirit.

The next day, back at St Bridget’s, Malcolm presided at the Eucharist for the first time. The Church was packed, with over 160 communicants, and Malcolm celebrated beautifully: “as though he had been doing it all his life”, as Roger said.

Priscilla Bench-Capon

July 2005