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Badsey welcomes its new Vicar 50-year-old Richard is originally from Birmingham but moved to Badsey from Framlingham in
Suffolk, where he was a non-stipendiary priest in full-time secular employment.
His move to the United Benefice of Badsey with Aldington, Offenham and
Bretforton is his first post as a full-time stipendiary priest.For
the past 34 years, until September 2004, Richard worked for BT, latterly as Head
of Test and Assurance. He was educated at the University of East Anglia and trained for ordination at the East
Anglian Ministerial Training Course; he has also been awarded a degree in
Theology from the University of Wales, Bangor. Richard was licensed as a Reader in 1993, ordained deacon in 1997 and
priest in 1998 and has served in Framlingham and Saxtead in the Diocese of St
Edmundsbury for the past five years. Richard
is married to Avril and they have two grown-up daughters, Elaine and Vicki. |
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The following is a copy of the service celebrating a new ministry.
EXPLANATION OF THIS SERVICE
The arrival of a new priest is an important event; for him or her it is a new sphere of work; for the members of the congregation and the
people of the parish it is a new chapter in the worship and life of the whole community. It is
right that both priest and people come
together with the bishop to offer themselves afresh to God for the work of the gospel.
The service contains two legal acts: the appointment of a priest to take spiritual care or cure of a parish, and the assigning of the rights and
emoluments (including the parsonage house, garden, and stipend) that are to support the priest in that work. These rights and emoluments
are known as the benefice or living.
The nomination to the benefice belongs to the patron, whose right is called advowson or gift. The patron, after consultation with the parish
representatives, presents the priest to the bishop, who appoints the new priest by instituting to the cure of souls. If the bishop is the patron,
the institution is called collation.
There are no formal ceremonies for institution or collation. For many centuries it was done privately in the bishop's house. Even today it can
be done privately, but bishops prefer to mark such an important stage in the life of the
parish by performing the legal ceremony in the parish
church before the congregation, and surround the institution with a service of prayers and
thanksgiving.
After the institution to the spiritual care of the parish, the new priest must be
legally inducted into the rights and emoluments of the benefice.
In past centuries the bishop was unable to accompany every new incumbent to the
parish and so the custom arose of deputing this induction
to the archdeacon, as the bishop's deputy. The archdeacon took the new priest to the parish
church and placed the priest's hand on the door
to signify that they entered into possession of the church property. Since the parish had been for some
time without a priest and therefore
without regular services, the new incumbent immediately rang the church bell so that all the people of the parish should
know they had a
priest again.
In certain circumstances, usually when there is the possibility of pastoral re-organisation of parishes, the patron's right of presentation may
be suspended. The bishop may then appoint a priest-in-charge. A priest-in-charge has all the
spiritual rights and duties of an incumbent,
but not the freehold of the living and is licensed by the bishop but there is no induction at the service.
All stand as the procession enters the Church
ORDER OF PROCESSION
Crucifer
Choir
Readers
Clergy
Patron
The Very Reverend Nicholas Coulton
The Parish Priest designate
The Reverend Richard Court
Rural Dean of Evesham
The Reverend Richard Armitage
Archdeacon of Worcester
The Venerable Dr. Joy Tetley
Churchwardens
The Bishop of Worcester
The Right Reverend Dr. Peter Selby
The Bishop's Chaplain
HYMN "All creatures of our God and King"
THE GREETING
Bishop: The Lord be with you:
All: And also with you.
Bishop: Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised:
All: There is no end of his greatness.
Bishop: One generation shall praise your works to another:
All: And shall declare your power.
Bishop: All your works praise you, Lord:
All: And your faithful servants bless you.
Bishop: They make known the glory of your kingdom:
All: And speak of your power.
Bishop: My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord:
All: Let all people bless his holy name for ever and ever.
(from Psalm 145)
Bishop: My friends, we have come to celebrate a new chapter in the life
of this Benefice. Let us first pray for the whole Body of Christ, of which this
congregation is a part.
A time is kept for SILENT PRAYER
THE PRESENTATION
The Very Reverend Nicholas Coulton on behalf of The Patrons
Christ Church, Oxford and the Bishop of Worcester
Patron: I present Richard, who has been duly and prayerfully chosen to
serve as vicar in this benefice.
Sit
The Bishop (or other appropriate person, according to the context)
speaks of the general duties of a parish priest; he may make reference
to the specific needs, strengths or opportunities of the parish; he may
refer to particular gifts or qualities the new priest brings; he will remind
all the people that ministry is a shared privilege and responsibility of the
whole Body of Christ, and not solely that of the ordained members.
THE COLLECT
Everliving God, strengthen and sustain Richard., that with patience and
understanding he may love and care for your people, and grant that together
they may follow Jesus Christ, offering you their gifts and talents; through him
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
All say: Amen.
Sit
FIRST READING FROM SCRIPTURE (Numbers c21 v4-9)
At the end of each reading
Reader: This is the word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
HYMN "Brother, sister, let me serve you"
SECOND READING FROM SCRIPTURE (Luke c14 v27-33)
THE SERMON
REAFFIRMATION OF DISCIPLESHIP
Bishop: As one in Christ, I ask you, brothers and sisters:
Do you believe in God the Father?
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth,
Bishop: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
All: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven.
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
And will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Bishop: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
All: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
THE RENEWAL OF ORDINATION VOWS
Bishop: Richard, before you receive our pastoral charge, will you, before God
and this congregation, 'reaffirm the promises you made when you were ordained,
and accepted the priesthood out of love for the Lord Jesus Christ and his Church?
Priest: I will.
Bishop: Are you resolved to unite yourself more closely to God by being diligent
in prayer and study of Holy Scripture and continually stirring up the gift of God that
is in you to make Christ known to all people?
Priest: By the help of God, I will.
Bishop: Will you strive to fashion your own life and that of your household according
to the way of Christ?
Priest: By the help of God, I will,
Bishop: Will you promote unity, peace, and love among all Christian people, and
especially among those whom you serve?
Priest: By the help of God, I will.
THE RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE
Bishop: Will you encourage and support your priest, and seek with Richard God's
vision for your work here?
All: May the Lord grant us his grace to do these things.
Bishop: Let us then praise Christ our King, he sends upon us the Spirit who makes
all things new.
Sit or kneel
A time is kept for SILENT PRAYER
Bishop: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, "Peace I leave with you; my peace
I give to you." Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace
and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign,
now and for ever.
All: Amen.
All remain sitting or kneeling for hymn
HYMN "Come Holy Ghost (Veni Creator Spiritus)"
THE INSTITUTION, AND INDUCTION
The Declaration of Assent and Oaths are made
THE DECLARATION OF ASSENT
Archdeacon: The Church of England is part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
Church worshipping the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It professes the faith
uniquely revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the Catholic creeds, which faith
the Church is called upon to proclaim afresh in each generation. Led by the Holy Spirit,
it has borne witness to Christian truth in its historic formularies, the Thirty-Nine
Articles
of Religion, the Book of Common Prayer and the Ordering of Bishops, Priests and
Deacons. In the declaration you are about to make will you affirm your loyalty to this
inheritance of faith as your inspiration and guidance under God in bringing the grace and
truth of Christ to this generation and making him known to those in your care?
Priest: I, Richard Leonard Court, do so affirm, and accordingly declare my belief in the
faith which is revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the Catholic creeds, and to
which the historic formularies of the Church of England bear witness: and in public prayer
and administration of the sacraments I will use only the forms of service which are authorised
or allowed by Canon.
The priest, holding the New testament in his right hand, shall take the following oaths:
The Oath of Allegiance
Priest: I, Richard Leonard Court, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors according to law,
so help me God.
The Oath of Canonical Obedience
Priest: I, Richard Leonard Court, do swear by Almighty God that I will pay true and
canonical obedience to the Lord Bishop of Worcester and his successors in all things
lawful and honest: so help me God
The priest kneels before the Bishop, who reads the letter of institution or licence
Bishop: Receive the cure of souls which is both mine and yours.
The Bishop blesses the priest for the new ministry
The Induction
Archdeacon: I induct you into the actual possession of this church and benefice.
The priest rings the bell (or causes it to be rung)
THE PRESENTATIONS
The priest stands, and representatives of church (and community, where appropriate)
present symbols of ordained ministry.
... a vessel of water
Take this water, and baptise in obedience to our Lord.
All: When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world;
the old order has gone, and a new order has already begun,
[2 Cor 5:17]
... a bible
Receive this bible, and be among us as one who proclaims the Word.
All: The Word of God is living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword.
[Heb 4:12]
... a prayer book
Accept this prayer book: be among us as one who prays, and teach us to pray.
All: The Lord is near; there is no need to worry; pray for anything you need,
asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving.
[Phil 4:6]
... a stole
Receive this stole, and be among us as a pastor and priest.
All: Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus;
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
[Col 3:17]
... olive on
Use this oil, and be among us as a healer and reconciler
All: No-one ever hates their body, but feeds and tenderly cares for it,
just as Christ does for the Church, for we are members of his body.
[Eph 5:29]
...bread and wine
Take this bread and wine, and be among us to break the Bread and share the Cup.
All: Every time you eat this Bread and drink this Cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord
until he comes
[1 Cor 11:26]
Other appropriate symbols of local church or community may be presented at this point.
The final presentation is of a seat, a place for the priest within the church
...
THE INSTALLATION
The Archdeacon places the priest in the customary seat
Archdeacon: I place you in the stall of the vicar of this benefice. The Lord watch over your going
out and your coming in, from this time forth and for evermore.
All: Always be joyful; pray continually; give thanks whatever happens;
this is what God in Christ wills for you.
Archdeacon: May God himself, the God of peace, make you holy in every part, and keep
you sound in spirit, soul and body, without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.
All: He who calls you is to be trusted; he will do it.
[1 Thess 5:16-18. 23-24]
Priest and people kneel, and the priest leads the people in saying:
THE LORD'S PRAYER
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are yours now and for ever. Amen.
The priest also says:
Eternal Light, shine in our hearts;
eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil;
eternal Power, be our support;
eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance;
eternal Pity, have mercy on us; that with all our heart and mind and strength
we may seek your face and be brought by your infinite mercy to your holy presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
THE WELCOMES
The Readers of the benefice greet the new parish priest
We welcome you, and will share in Christ's ministry with you.
The Churchwardens and Rural Dean then greet then new parish priest
Churchwardens: On behalf of the parishes of Badsey with Aldington, Offenham and
Bretforton we welcome you as our parish priest and promise that, with you, we will
seek and serve God's vision for the life of the Church in this place,
Rural Dean: On behalf of the Deanery of Evesham I offer you our friendship and counsel.
The priest comes to the central point of the Church, to give a brief word of welcome and
thanks, to announce when he will first celebrate the Holy Communion, and to give out
other notices.
All stand
THE PEACE
Priest: We are the body of Christ.
All: By one Spirit we were baptised into one body.
Priest: Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
All: We are bound by the love of Christ,
Priest: Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
The priest exchanges the Peace with Bishop, family and dignitaries
A Hymn is sung, during which a collection is taken.
HYMN "We have a gospel to proclaim"
BLESSING AND DISMISSAL
Bishop: The Lord bless and keep you:
All: Amen,
Bishop. The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you:
All. Amen.
Bishop: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace;
All: Amen
Bishop: The Lord God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the holy and undivided Trinity,
guard you, save you, and bring you to that heavenly city, where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
The customary doors are opened.
Priest: Let us go forth upon our way, rejoicing in the power of the Holy
Spirit
People: Thanks be to God!
Remain standing while the processions leave.
Other
events at St James Church, Badsey with Aldington.