|
Spontaneous applause for new Rector
12th January 2018
Sandra Grey reports
 On Thursday 11th January 2018, Holy Trinity Church, Caister on Sea, celebrated the institution and induction of Reverend David Wells, bringing to an end, 16 months without a rector
The Bishop of Thetford, Right Reverend Dr Alan Winton, was welcomed by the Rural Dean, Reverend John Kinchin-Smith, who also stood in for the Archdeacon of Norwich, Venerable Steven Betts, who had been struck down with flu. The congregation, numbering more than 200 people, also included the Mayor, Councillor Kerry Robinson-Payne, and leaders of several local schools hoping that the installation of the new Rector would bring for the closer ties between the church and local community
Rev David Wells was presented to the Bishop by Professor David Andrews and Sylvia Barwick, Churchwardens in the Parish of Drayton, where David previously ministered for 14 years
In confirming his belief that God had truly called him to ministry in Caister, David later told me that the calling had come over a period of a couple of years. Initially, as an affirmation that it was time to move on from his old parish of Drayton and later as a strong and immediate sense of fitting and belonging, the first time he set foot in Holy Trinity Church in Caister
The Bishop began his sermon by thanking Holy Trinity Lay Reader, Mrs Mary Taylor, and Church wardens, Mrs Rosemarie Jarrold and Mrs Amy Simeons, for holding things together and carrying the heavy burden of responsibility with dedication and grace for the past 16 months
He continued by drawing on the lesson of the epiphany from Matthew chapter 2, reminding us that whilst many may assume that Norwich is the centre of the Diocese the Bible is littered with examples of the Kingdom of God growing from tiny, seemingly insignificant, seed, such as a King being born in a stable in the comparatively tiny town of Bethlehem
This also ties in with the Diocese mission strategy based on Ephesians 3:20 that God can do immeasurably more than anything we can ask or imagine. However, whilst describing David as wonderfully gifted and energetic, the Bishop of Thetford reminded listeners that God’s ministry was for all, and David was not expected to single-handedly minister to the parish. His installation as Rector was not a signal for parishioners to sit back – God’s gifts were given in order that they are used
In the epiphany story we see God revealed to the gentiles and in the same way, we are blessed by God in order that we may bless others and as God’s people, under the leadership of the new rector, the church at Holy Trinity, Caister is more able to touch all the people and community of the parish
Following the formal institution and induction, David, was welcomed to the parish by applause from the congregation. Applause which ensued after the blessing of the ministry and prayers for the community, as the Bishop led the new Rector from the Church
All were warmly invited for refreshments and a wonderful buffet prepared by members of the church in the church hall after the service, where the atmosphere was one of celebration and the start of a new era at Holy Trinity, Caister
picture courtesy of St Margaret's Church, Drayton website
|
|
|
|
