(6) Ordination times

This is "Petertide" (no, I didn't know what that meant either!). It's when we remember Simon-Peter, the disciple of Jesus - you know the fisherman, foot-in-mouth guy, denied knowing Jesus....and renamed Peter - the rock, on whom Jesus would build His church!

Maybe that is why this is the favourite time for the Anglican church to ordain people.

In the Church of England there are deacons, priests and bishops. After a process of discernment by you and the Church, and after completing some years of training, you are ordained deacon. God has given a variety of ministries.

'Deacons are ordained so that the people of God may be better equipped to make Christ known. Theirs is a life of visible self-giving. Christ is the pattern of their calling and their commission; as he washed the feet of his disciples, so they must wash the feet of others'

After completing a year in your curacy (a training position in a church where you learn while working with the Vicar - your Training Incumbent), you will have a second ordination as a priest. Although you will continue in your curacy for a while longer, you are now able to take Holy Communion services and are fully a member of the clergy!

'Priests are called to be servants and shepherds among the people to whom they are sent. With their Bishop and fellow ministers, they are to proclaim the word of the Lord and to watch for the signs of God’s new creation. They are to be messengers, watchmen and stewards of the Lord; they are to teach and to admonish, to feed and provide for his family, to search for his children in the wilderness of this world’s temptations, and to guide them through its confusions, that they may be saved through Christ for ever..... They are to preside at the Lord’s table and lead his people in worship, offering with them a spiritual sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.They are to bless the people in God’s name.'

However for all of us, Bishops included, this is such an important reminder:

"In the name of our Lord we bid you remember the greatness of the trust that is now to be committed to your charge. Remember always with thanksgiving that the treasure now to be entrusted to you is Christ’s own flock, bought by the shedding of his blood on the cross. It is to him that you will render account for your stewardship of his people.

You cannot bear the weight of this calling in your own strength, but only by the grace and power of God. Pray therefore that your heart may daily be enlarged and your understanding of the Scriptures enlightened. Pray earnestly for the gift of the Holy Spirit."

It was great to be at the Ordination ('priesting') of Edith who was a member of our congregation sent forward for Lay Ministry training, then called to ordained ministry. We rejoice in being her sending church, and are glad to see God using her, and that the diversity within the Church is increasing: We are all the body of Christ, in all it's richness!

What is God saying?

"With all God’s people, [the ordained] are to tell the story of God’s love."

and it is only done in God's own strength: "Send down the Holy Spirit on your servant N

for the office and work of a priest in your Church."

Each year there is a service in Holy Week when all God's people in ministry - lay people, deacons, priests and bishops - are called to renew their commitment to serving Christ.

ALL God's people are called to spread His love in word and action. Certain people are called to certain roles, but this does not make them better or more holy.

To live for Jesus, and share His love -as a stay at home Mum, or a teacher, or a barrister or a shop assistant or care worker- is JUST as important and meaningful as an ordained person. Each of us has to live out our calling (& it may be different at different times of life). Each of us is called to live for Christ in the place and role where He has called us to be.