Congratulations Jenny

This Easter was extra special because Jenny Edmans, our OLM (Ordained Local Ministry) curate has finished her curacy and become licensed to the Benefice of Bernwode as a House for Duty Minister. The Bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson licensed her and the Archdeacon, Karen Gorham preached at the service.

If you are wondering what a House for duty minister is then they normally work on Sundays plus two other days in exchange for living in a house owned by the church and do not have a stipend. However, Jenny will be remaining in her bungalow and I guess she will have a housing allowance in lieu of the house!

It is great news for the Benefice to have a Stipendiary Rector and a House for Duty priest as well, we are very fortunate that Jenny felt this calling and responded. Her duties will be much the same and she will still be rushing about doing the Children's work, Pastoral work, services and the rest.

I am sure we all want to give her our warmest congratulations.

Confirmation

I was at a confirmation service on Sunday and I was surprised how emotional I found it.


The Bishop of Buckinghamshire, Alan Wilson (below), confirmed two of the people who attend Ludgershall Church, David Howden and Ellen Daly, who is our organist.

Reminded me again of how important Communion is to me, the symbol of the common cup and us all being part of the Body of Christ, it is mystical in a way nothing else is in my life.


Bishop Alan quoted a book called "The Blue Mountains of China" by Rudy Wiebe, which talked about the new society that David and Ellen were joining:

Jesus says in his society there is a new way to live:

you show wisdom, by trusting people;
you handle leadership, by serving;
you handle offenders, by forgiving;
you handle money, by sharing;
you handle enemies, by loving;
and you handle violence, by suffering.

In fact, she says, you have a new attitude toward everything, toward everybody - because this is a Jesus society, and you repent, not by feeling bad, but by thinking differently.”

(Wiebe, Rudy, The Blue Mountains of China, McClellan and Stewart, 1970.)