Our new Rector, Jane Wright, was welcomed to the benefice at a service of Institution, Induction and Installation on Monday 15th October at Duns Tew church.
The service was conducted by Colin Fletcher, Bishop of Dorchester, assisted by Archdeacon Judy French and Area Dean David Tyler, and was attended by a myriad of other clergy, ecumenical partners, patrons, church wardens - and of course parishioners from each of the parishes in the benefice, and well-wishers from Jane's previous parish.
The church wardens presented her with these symbols of her new ministry:
~ water for baptism
~ oil for healing
~ a bible
~ a book of Common Prayer
~ bread (freshly baked by Sheila Lye and still warm!) and wine
~ a map of the area
~ a cross
and, later in the service, an extremely large collection of keys to all the churches!
Jane’s choice of hymns for her special service were:
All My Hope on God is Founded
Come Down O Love Divine
Jesus I have Promised
Lord for the Years
The anthem was Tallis's "A New Commandment", chosen especially by the choir as Jane is a fan of all things Renaissance and Baroque!
Many thanks to all who made this such a glorious service of welcome for our new Rector, and of course to those who prepared the refreshments in the Village Hall afterwards.
A final huge THANK YOU to Stephanie Lacey who has held the benefice together so splendidly during the interregnum.
We are all looking forward to meeting Jane over the next few weeks. Welcome Jane!