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Ray is installed as our new
Priest-in-Charge
There was great celebration
in St. Michael's on Monday 3rd March, when Ray was installed as
Priest-in-Charge of the Parish.
We have been waiting for this
happy occasion for many months - many had been hoping that Ray
would be our next Rector following the retirement of Revd Geoff
Catchpole, but it was after the quite lengthy formal process of
discernment, advertising and interviews that it became clear Ray
is God's chosen one for the job.
Ray, 52, trained at North
Thames Ministerial Training Course, and served in Becontree and
Dedham before coming to Myland in 2004; for the last decade he
has also been the Area
Youth Officer for the Colchester Episcopal Area of the Diocese
of Chelmsford.
Many colleagues
from those years and a large number of local ministers formed
the procession of 38 clergy who attended the service in support
of Ray, to praise God for His goodness and to pray for this
important new phase of Ray's continuing ministry.
His licensing was
by The Bishop of Colchester, The Rt. Revd. Christopher Morgan,
who also expressed the hope that Ray would soon become Rector of
the Parish. His installation was by the Archdeacon of
Colchester, Ven Annette Cooper. Revd Ian Hilton, Rural Dean of
Colchester, introduced the service and a number of dignitaries
who formally welcomed Ray to the role, including Revd. John
Allison, Superintendent of the Methodist Church in Colchester,
Fr Joseph Whisstock, our senior Roman Catholic Priest, Cllr
Patrick Mills on behalf of the Parish Council and David Young,
Head Teacher of Myland Primary School.
It is quite
strange to "welcome" someone who has been here for three years!
However, Christopher Parkinson, Secretary of the Colchester
Deanery, did so on behalf of the Deanery and Synod; and Annie
Coley of the Diocese's Colchester Area Team did the reverse -
Ray now leaves his half-time post with the Area Team, as his
role in Myland mow becomes full-time.
The happy service
involved many members of the congregation as well as the Staff
Team of Revd John Chandler, Revd Chris Brown, Colin Turner and
Esther Wilde; and music from St. Michael's band provided strong
and lively support.
Afterwards, the
reception in Myland Parish Halls gave us an opportunity to
congratulate Ray and celebrate with him - including the formal
moment when he cut the cake. May Ray and Myland be very happy
together!
A little
explanation is in order - the cake was baked by Ivy Dix; the
card behind it, one of several, is by our "Church Mice" children
and mums; and in Ray's left hand is a well-earned celebratory
glass of red wine!
The banner above,
hand-painted by Rupert Dix, says it for all of us!
And finally, a
photo of Ray in typical jocular pose. We are looking
forward to many more such fresh expressions from Ray as we
continue the serious business of serving our developing
community in God's Name.
Please thank God
in your prayers for sending Ray, and pray also for him, Sue,
Rachel, Sarah and the Church family as we look forward to a new and
exciting chapter in the Gospel to Myland.
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